The Republican ledger — Portsmouth, N.H., 1800-02-19 00:00:00, page 1

CT^ of We United WM,
HOUSE—Tuesday, yet. 2i.
ffW£ House, on motion of Mr. Bayard,
I again resolved itfelf into a Committee
of the Whole, on the bill |o eftablilh an uni
form system of bankruptcy throughout the
United "States, *• Morri, in the chair,
when further amendments were made there
to, and the committee ordered to report their
agreement to the bill as amended.
The house having taken the amendments
into consideration.
Mr. Kitchell moved to recommit the bill
for the purpose of amending part of the
tenth fe&ion, which provides that the as
type# may, within three months after the
knowledge of a fraudulent sale of property
by a bankrupt, upon refunding the confider
atioa money given by the purchaser there
for, be entitle to such property for the use
of the creditors. The question was put and
faff*-"
Messrs. Macori, Gallatin, and Nicholas
then opposed this part of the feaion ; and
Messrs. Bayard, Harper, Otis and Marshall,
spoke in favor of it—the fe&ion was finally
agreed to, 60 members tiling in the affirma
tive.
Upon the question flhall this bill be engrofl
ed for a third reading, there were ayes 44,
noes 44; the Speaker declaring himfelf in
the affirmative, it was ordered to be read a
third time on Monday next.
Mr. Harper said, it would be recollected
that the present taw offering encouragement
to artists for ingenious, inventions, provided,
that it should not extend to foreigners ; and
that as the naturalization law fixed the peri
od of residence at 14 years, previous to being
able to obtain the benefit of its provisions, it
might operate iujurioufly, and prevent the
migration of many valuable persons of this
description, to this Country ; he therefore
laid a resolution on the table to amend the
law so as to entitle foreigners to the benefits
fyireby extended to citizens of the U. S.
Mr. Macon called up for consideration
the resolution which he some day, finch laid
on the table, for the repeal of the 2d Pedion
of the Sedition Law—and upon the question
will the house now take the resolution into
edMideration, it passed in the negative.
Mr. M then gave notice, that he would
call it up to-morrow, and every day after,
until it was disposed of.—Adj.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22.
The House 'Went into committee of the
whole on the bill to suspend in part, an a&
entitled " an ad to augment the army of
the United States, and for other purpoles,"
when it was read in the words following, to
wit :
An be it enabled, &c. That all further en
liftfficnts under an a& erttituled "An id to
Mr. Gallatin moved to amend the bill by
inserting in the fifth line, after the word
" Congress," the following—" and during
the continuance of exiting differences be
tween the United Stated and the French Re
public."
• The question on the amendment was put
and carried —Ayes 45 ; noes 4,
• Mt. Otis then moved to amend the bill by
ftri&ing out the weirds in Italic to the seventh
line, and inserting " The French Republic,"
and to ftrihr out the word# Witbin crotchets
in the eighth line, and irifeff, "The said Re
public," which was agreed to.
Mr. Randolph proposed to add the follow
ing new feaion to the bill :
“ Be if farther enaded, That the men
now enlisted under the said ad, ffiall be
fortrieif into as many regiments as they are
fufficient to complete, to be officered at the
difctetion of the President of the U. States,
put of the officers of the said regiments ; and
that the Supernumerary officers, together
with such officers of the general ftaff, as in_
his opinion, will not be necessary for the dif
ciplipa of the said raiments, so to be form
ed, as aforefaid, ihalT be difeharged, and be
entitled to receive, besides the allowance di
re&ed by law to be paid at their difeharge,
each one month's pay."
Messrs. Rutledge, Platt, Hartley, Cooper,
Otis, Harper, Bayard, Marshall and Smith,
augment the army of the United States, and
for other, purposes," shall be suspended un
til the further orders of Congress, unless in
the recess of Congress war shall break out
between the United States and a foreign Eu
npan power, or imminent danger of mvafion
of their territory by [any such power] (hall,
in the opinion of the President of the Unit
ed States be discovered to exist.
NUMBER 26.—VOL. I.]
PORTSMOUTH, (NEW-HAMPSHIRE) PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GEORGE fERRY OSBO^E, jun. MULBERRY LANE, NEXT DOOR TO ROUSSELKPs MUSEUM.
" WHEN YOU SHALL THESE DEEDS RELATE, SPEAK OF THEM AS THEY ARE ; foTHINC EXTENUATE NOR SET DOWN OUGHT IN MALICE.
The Republican Ledger.
spoke againit it—and Meflrs. Macon, Cl^
borne, Nicholas, Gallatin, Randolph, Jones
and Smilie, in favor of it.
The question Was at length put and nega
tived—ayes 38, noes 56.
Mr. Nicholas said, that there was a pro
vision in the law relative to the military es
tablishment, which prevented any non-cotn
miffioned officer or private from being at#
rested for any debt or contrast—and it had
been abused by persons entering the armyi
who were deeply involved, which he could
never conceive to have been the intention of
the legislature, he moved to add another sec-l
tion to this bill, confining the exemption to
debts or contraas subsequent to enlistment.
Mi. Speaker said, if abuses had been com
mitted, and it was necessary for legislative
ai4, it ought certainly to be given ; but asit
was irrevelent to the fubje& in question, it
could not be in order ; in which opinion the
chairman of the committee coincided.
Mr. Nicholas replied, that the principle
advanced by rhe-Speaker was a corr^a one,
but had not always been adhered to, and he
believed it would be found an arduous talk
to confine a committee to the very letter of
their inftrudions.
The committee then rose, and reported
their agreement to the bill as amended.
Upon the question win the House now
take the report of the committee of the whole
into consideration.,
Mr. Platt moved that it be postponed un
til the firft Monday in March next.
An adjournment being immediately called
for, no question was taken. Adjourned.
THURSDAY, JAN. 23.
Mr. Varnum presented two petitions of
the inhabitants of Massachusetts, and New-
Hampshire, praying for the establishment of
a post road—which were read and referred
to the committee on poft-offices and poft
roads.
Mr. Platt renewed the motion he made
yesterday, for postponing the further consi
deration of the bill to rcpeal in part an a&
intituled "an ad to augment the army of
the United States, and for other pnrpofes,"
until the firft Monday in. bee. next.
!Mr. Nicholas called for the yeas and nays
on the question—which were agreed to be
taken. -.
Mr. Bird then gave his reasons for voting
in favor of the motion ; and why he obje&-
ed to the bill in any shape in which it might
be brought before the house ; and Mr. Hart
ley and Mr. Harper spoke against it—when
the yeas and nays were taken as follow f
Affirmative, io—Negative, 82.
The house then proceeded to the consider
ation of the bill reported, when
Mr. Thatcher moved to strike out the
words " French Republic," and insert " the
French nation." He had no evidence of
that Country being a republic— but he sod
evidence that the country was one of a spe
cies of despotism unparalclled in the world —
and considered it as blasphemy to ffile it a
Republic—Gentlemen who were fond of the
expression, might hear it echoed from the
Aurora, for months and years to come but
he hoped it would not be used here.
The motion producing great warmth,
Mr. T. altered it so as to fay " with France"
—but finally, withdrew it.
Mr. Randolph renewed the motion he
made in the committee of the whole yefter.-
day, for adding a new feaion to the bill, re
lating to fopernumerary officers—and called
the yeas and nays upon it—which were ta
ken without debate in manner following :
Affirmative; 33— Negative, 57.
The bill was then ordered to be engso&d
and read a third time to-morrow. •
A written message was received from the
President of the United States, by his fecrih
tary Mr. Shaw, inclofing a report from the
Secretary of State, a letter from from Mat
thew Clarkfon, Esq. and a lift of the claims
adjusted under the sift article of the treaty
of the United States with Spain.
Mr. Macon called up for consideration
the resolution he had laid on the table for
the repeal of the second feaion of the ad
commonly called the SEDITION LAW
—and upon the question will the House a
gree to the motion, there were ayes 46 —
noes 34.
Mr. Macon then went into an examina
tion of the conftituttonality of the Law—▼
^and quoted the constitution and amendments
thereto, &c.
To which Mr. Bayard replied, and con
cluded with moving the following amend
ment to the resolution :—“ and the offences
therein fyeqfad, Jhatf remain pmifeble at of |
WEDNESDAY, teBRU^RK,, 1800.
Messrs. Randolph, Smilie, Egglefton,Var
nim and Jones, then opposed the resolution
afimended, on the ground that it would be
agreater evil to eftabli/h the principles of
te common Law, than to repea(the Sedi
tion Law. The latter would expire in
March, 1801—the former would be entail
ed on our posterity.
The question was at length taken on the
whole resolution, by yeas and nays, as fol
low :— Affirmative, lb — Negative, 82.-
Adjourned.
Refoved, That the bill for the reform of
the Superior Court in the territory of the
U- Status N. W. of the River Ohio, be re
committed to the Seled Committee ; and
that the said committee have authority to
report by bill or otherwise, their opinion on
the expediency of dividing the said territory
into two diftind Governments. Provided,
that the line of division shall commence at
the mouth of the Great Miami River, and
rim due North until it strikes the divifion
iine between the U. S. and Canada.
On motion of Mr. C. Goodrich, the house
took up the consideration of the report of
the committee to whom were referred the
meflage of the President of the U. S. of the
14th inst. and 2 letter of Mr. Randolph—
'then
Mr. Smith moved for a re-commitment
& the report —and was followed by Mr
Nicholas, in favor of the motion—after
vyhich Mr. Bayard spoke upwards of two
hours against it. When he fat down, Messrs.
Gallatin and Smilie both rose, but an ad
journment being called for, it was carried,
ayes, 51 —noes, 39. Adjourned till Mon
day.-
MONDAY, FAN. 2,.
Thomas Pinckney, Efa. from South-Ca
rolina appeared, was qualified and took his
feat in tne house.
On motion, the order of the day for the
third reading of the Bankrupt Bill was
poned till to-morrow and the call oflp
house also."
The house then proceeded on the unfinish
ed business of Friday—the report from the
cA%* Latet /raided, that upon any prafe-
Wty rt fall be lawful for the defendant to
gr^in bis defence the truth of the matter
chaW as a libels
ty. Gallatin wiffied to know if this mo
tionbas in order—ln his opinion it amount
ed ta complete substitute of the proposition
novron the table —and embraced the adop
tionof a principle of common law which
he d, not underftand.'
M. Speaker declared the motion to be in
orde| Messrs. Bayard and Harper spoke in
favotof it—when —
M. Nott said, as it embraced an import
ant fibjed, and required mature confidera
tionjhe would move that it be committed
10 a,Committee of the whole House.
\ Upon the question for commitment there
vere ayes 41, noes 49.
\ The question was then taken on the foi
ltying part, to wit :
r Resolved, That the 2d feaion of the a&
paid the 14th July, 1798, intituled "An a&
in Edition to the ad intitled an a& for the
pui/hment of certain crimes against the U.
Sta s, ought to be repealed," —And carried
in c affirmative, ayes 50, noes 47.
'he second part (Mr. Bayard's amend
m<t) being under consideration, Messrs.
Niiolas, Gallatin, and Macon, spoke a
gai ft it —and Messrs. Bayard, Otis and Da
nah favor of it, when the question was
agm taken by yeas and nays, as follows :
Aftmative, 51 — Negative, 47.
ifter several observations as to the point
of rder in taking a question upon the whole
'rellotion as amended, Mr. Speaker fubmit
te( the decision to the House, and it was
agreed to be takeri.
FRIDAY, JAN. 24.
An engrossed bill, entitled, "An a& to
suspend in part an a& entitled an ad to aug
ment the army of the United States, and for
otter purposes," was read a third time and
pafed.
Mr. Hill, from the felea committee to
whom were referred the resolution authorif
ing the Secretary of State to transmit a cer
tain number of copies of the laws of the U.
S. to the Governor of the State of North-
Carolina, equal to the number heretofore
authorifed by law, Which had been destroy
ed by fire, made a report, recommending the
adoptimof the (aid resolution ;. —which was
concuted in by the house, and the resolution
passed.
Mr. Harrison laid, the following resolu
tion onthe table, viz. #*
[1 DOL. 50 CTS. PER ANNUM.
committee refpeaing the circumstance of
the inftift to Mr. Randolph.
The motion for a re-commitment of the
report was before the house.
Messrs. Davis, Jones; Christie & Nichol#
son spoke in favour of the motion to ri
commit it, and Messrs. Sewall, Otis, and
H. Lee spoke against it.
Under this question, those gentlemen en
tered into an examination of the evidence
on which was founded the resolution report
ed by the committee—No decision was come
to before the house adjourned.
TUESDAY, ,AN. 28.
The order of the day for the third reading
of the Bankrupt bill was further postponed,
together with the call of the House until
Thursday next.
Mr. Harper presented the memorial of
Joshua Johnson, late consul of the United
States at the port of London, praying a re#
imburfement of certain expences incurred
in the service of the U. States, and monies
advanced by him, also such further allow
ances for his incidental and actual expeaces
as Congress shall fee proper.
Mr. Harper moved the reference of the
last petition to a felea committee. Mr.
Smith hoped it would go to the committee
of claims. These memorials were both fi
nally referred to the committee of claims.
Mr. Harrison moved that a committee be
appointed to confider whether any, and if
any what alterations ought to l>e made in the
law entitled, "an aft regulating the grants
.of lands appropriated for military services,
and for the society of the United Brethren,
for propagating the gospel among the Hea
then."
IMr. Macon made reports from the com
mittee of claims on the several petitions of
James M'Clure, Michael Hanfe and James
Keen, which were unfavourable to the pe
tioners and in which the House concurred.
The unfinifhed business was then taken
up, being a motion for the recommittal of
the report of the committee on the meflage
of the President and the letter of Mr. Ran
dolph.
Messrs. Harper, Edmond, Dana & Shep
pard spoke against recommitting it. Messrs.
Hartly, Williams, Gallatin and Smith in
favor of it.
Mr. Randolph concluded the debate, in
explanation.
The question was then taken as follows:
YEAS, 43—NAYS, 50.
The report of the committee therefore re
mains before the house undecided.
At half past five the House adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, J AN. 29.
Mr. Griswold from the committee of un#
finithed business reported the following re
solution :
Resolved, That a committee be appointed
to prepare and report an ad to continue an
,a intituled " an a& for provided means of
intercourse between the United States and
foreign nations."
It was agreed to and referred to the com
mittee.
Mr. Griswold also reported a bill to pro
cure the assent of Congress to certain ads of
the States of Rhode-Ifland, Maryland and
Georgia which was twice read ana commit
ted to the whole house for Monday next.
Mr. RANDOLPH'S AFFAIR.
The unfinished business of yesterday was
then proceeded on, and the firft resolution
reported by the committee agreed to, in the
following words :
Revived, That this House entertains a re-^l
fpeaful sense of the regard which the Presi
dent of the United States has shewn to its
rights and privileges, in his meflage of the
14th inst. accompanied by a letter from John.
Randolph, jun, a member of this Hcufetf
The second resolution was ttyi wvda
consideration in the following words:
Resolved, That in refpe& to the charge
alledged by John Randolph, jun. a member
of this House, in his letter addressed to the
President of the United States on the iith
inst. and by him submitted to the considera
tion of the House, that fufficient cause does
not appear for the interpolation ' of this house:
on the grounds of a breach of it; privileges^
Mr. Nicholson moved to amend the reso
lution by striking out the word not, and at
the end inferring these words : but the House
considering the conduH of Cafet. M'Knight and
Lieut. Reynolds ct# tudiftretion of youth,eme
unwilling te exercise its conjlitutiml, right f
punfement, under an hope that @foular m#
fiance ts mifeendua will net occur in future.
The Speaker dedared this a mere fubfti-
Tute for the grand which so yesterday