The Republican ledger — Portsmouth, N.H., 1801-02-03 00:00:00, page 2

THURSDAYSAN. ifr
Mr. Otis, hs chairman of the committee
appointed to enquire into the Rate of the
Treasury, in conformity with request of
the, late Secretary, informed the House that
the Committee expected to be prepared to
report in two or three days. In making
the investigation, the committee had not
considered it as incumbent on them to enter
into an examination of all those long details
which had already been under the eye of the
House. They had however carefully ex
amined those statements which had not been
minutely exhibited to the Houfe 1 ; and, in
deed, had madexvery enquiry that in their
opinion mas necessary to a correct under-
Handing of the Rate of the treasury. As,
however, the Committee, in the enquiry
made, had been left almost entirely to their
own diferetion, and might, perhaps, have
failed to take all those views that members
might desire, he was intruded by the com
mittee, at the instance of the secretary and
comptroller of the Treasury, to invite any
members, who were desirous of having any
particular information, to state their re
quest, which might be attained by propos
ing fpecific. injunctions to the committee,
who would molt cheerfully co-operate in the
furtherance of their object.
Mr. Otis presented a long letter from the
Secretary of the Navy, presenting a com
prehensive view of the naval department,
which was ordered to be printed without
being read.
The House then went into committee of
the whole on the report of the committee of
ways and means, on a motion made by Mr.
Cooper to repeal the aft for the valuation
of lands and dwelling houses, &c.
On this fubjed some debate ensued,
which terminated in the reference to the
committee of ways and means, an enquiry
into the expediency of repealing the ad.
A motion was made to go into a commit
tee of the whole on the report of the com
mittee of revifal and unfinished business, re
commending a continuation nf the Sedition
Law, which was rejected.
The House went into com. of the whole
on the bill to continue in force the ads lay
ing duties on licences for felling wines and
foreign dittilled spirits by retail, on pro
perty fold at audion, and on carriages for
the conveyance of persons.
The chairman reported an amendment,
limiting the duration of the bill (which was
originally without limitation) to the 3d of
March, 1803.
On the question of agreeing thereto, the
the yeas-and nays were' taken, and were,
Yeas 41, Nays 47.
Ordered that the bill be engrossed and read
a third time to-morrow. \,
The following resolution was referred to
a com. of the whole.
, Resolved, That a com. be appointed to
bring in a bill to repeal the aft entitled,
An ad to proyide for the valuation of lands
and dwelling houses, and the enteration of
Haves within the U. S. with a proviso t hat
nothing therein contained ihall be construed
so as to prevent the afleffing and collecting
of the direct tax, passed the 14th July,
*798-
FRIDAY, JAN. 16.
The a& to continue in force the" a&,
laying duties on licences for felling wine &
foreign distilled spirits by retail, on proper
ty fold at auction, and on carriages; was
read a third time and passed. Yeas 46,
Nays 31.
The House took up the Judiciary Bill, to
which several amendments were made#
Directed that it be engrofled and read a
third time on Tuefday next.
SENATE— TUESDAY, JAN. 6.
Refolded, as a handing rule that whenev
er a treaty (hall be laid before the Senate
for ratification, it shall be read a firft time
only ; when no motion to reject, ratify or
modify the whole or any part ihall be re
ceived. Q
Another rule was passed. That all the
confidential communications, made by the
President of the United States, ihall be, by
the members thereof, kept inviolable secret ;
and that all treaties, which may hereafter
be laid before the Senate, shall also be kept
secret, until the Senate shall by their reso
lution, take off the injunction of secrecy.
•Lillig
GOK STR ONG's SPEECH
To the Legislature of Maffachafetts.
Gentlemen of the Senate, and!
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.
THE favourable fituat ion of our Fellow
Citezens and the appearance of general &
progressive improvement which present
themselves to our view in the various parts
ofthe Commonwealth, afford us fubjefts of
. mutual congratulation.
In the course ofthe last year the seasons,
through the greatest part of the country,
have been fruitful ; our trade and fifheries
were generally prosperous, and the people
of this Rate have not again been visited
with that alarming disease which has fa
tally prevailed in some parts of the United
States. These and many other providen-I
tial blessings, will on this occasion occure to |
our remembrance, and demand the grati
tude of our hearts.^
But while we rejoice in the public pros
perity, it will be our duty to reflea, that we
owe to our fellow citizens our vigilant and
faithful endeavours to preserve their present
advantages, and promote their lasting repu
tation and interest—to check the growth of
vice pnd impiety, to cherish the institutions
for moral inftruaion and the education of
youth ; and to maintain the principles of
justice, and provided for its administration
in every part of the Commonwealth.
At the fame time our obligations to fop
port the Federal Constitution will require
us to attend to the public national affairs and
endeavor to diffufe correct information con
cerning them among pur fellow citizens—
to remove groundless prejudices —to dis
countenance the spirit of party, and undue
attachment to any foreign nation ; and to
do all in our power to increase the refpe&a
bility of the Americ an cbaraaef.
From the commencement of the war in
Europe, it has been policy of the general
Government to cultivate peace with all na
tions —to observe an exaCt neutrality be
tween the powers at war, and hy the ful
filment of treaties and refpe& for the law
of nations, to maintain itfelf in that impar
tial course, which its duty aid interest pre
scribed. But notwithftandirg these cautious
measures, our intercourse with other na
tions has been obtruded, and to juftify
these obHrudions, our reaped for the du
ties owing from one nation to another, has
at different times been drawn into question
by one or other of the belligerent powers.
At length a regard to the public fafety
compelled the government to have recourse
to defenfive measures, and the success of
our infant navy in preventing depreda
ions upon our commerce, will serve to
convince the people, that a system of ma
ritime,defence will be the in oft easy and
efficacious, whenever their rights shall be in
danger from external enemies.
The predicament of a neutral people is
frequently delicate and hazardous ; for
when a war is prosecuted with great acri
mony, the contending parties are extremely
apt to confider those who are not for them,
as against them—But whatever apology may
be formed for wrongs that proceed from the
heat of passion, there can be none for delib
erate and authorifed injuries :—Still, how
ever, an honourable accommodation is al
ways to be preferred to a Rate of hostility ;
for a wife and humane government will ne
ver resort to the calamitous experiment of
war, until every advance towards a recon
ciliation which the nationaLdignity will per
mit, 'has proved ineffectual.
It mult, I think, be allowed, that the
government of the United States, in the
cases I allude to, have conducted with mod
eration, and with a manifeft preference of
mild and pacific measures. While pre
parations were made for the unhappy alter
native of war, no method confident with
the public fafety was left unattempted, to
obtain justice by negotiation.
Before the Conttltution of the United
States was adopted, the union between them
had become little more than nominal ; they
had interfering interests, and fume cases
were hardly retrained from expreflions of
mutual resentment.—The Congress at that
time was only authorifed to make requisi
tions upon the several Rates and the latter
exercised the privileges of refufing to com
ply with those requisitions. If this Rate of
things had continued during the disturbance
in Europe, it is scarcely to be supposed that
all the Rates would have remained neutral
—it is not unlikely, that from accident or
motives of partiality or mistaken interest,
they would have arranged themselves under
opposite Randards—The possibility of such
an event must, in our eßimation, enhance
the value of that form of government which
has cdnne&ed us together.
But it has often been said, that however
well adapted the Conßitution was to our
circumstances, the admflhiftration of gov
ernment under it has been injurous to the
public welfare, • and has abounded with er
rors either from ignorance or design. —If
the present improved condition of our coun
try does not refute these suggestions, it
might be unavailing to point out particular
measures, that would, leem to entitle the
Rulers of the Nation to our regard and con
fidence.
The people of this Rate, however, will
recoiled that when the Constitution was
formed, they were oppressed with an almoß
infuppoitable weight of taxes, and that
with all their exertions it was difficult for
them to pay the interest of the State debt.
. By the settlement of the public
accounts, and the assumption of the bal
ance due to us by the national govern
ment, we are relieved from the burden, and
you will find by a Ratement of the treasurer,
which will be laid before you, that our pre
sent debt may soon be cancelled, if measures
for that purpose shall be preferred to the
payment of the rate of interest which the
public creditors are entitled to^and that no
unusual taxes will be necessary.
A report of the Quarter-Master-General I
which will also be laid before you, will
(hew that the Rate has a large supply of
military stores, and warlike implements,
which may be used, if there shall 'be occa
sion, by our well-organifed militia, for the
public defence. You will dire& such mea
sures to be taken for securing the exposed
property mentioned in the report, as the in
terest of the Commonwealth may require.
That the laws may be duly executed,
permit me to suggest the expediency of
making some additional provision for sup
pressing Lotteries, which are not established
or allowed by the Legislature. The im
portance too of our infpe&ion Laws will
require the most effectual methods to pre
vent or punish a violation of them—Perhaps
it will be found necessary in both cases
to authorife prosecutions by the Grand Ju-
Our conßituents now enjoy peace and
tranquility, and are proteaed by Randihg
laws, which are designed to secure them in
the enjoyment of the fruits of their labor, a
gair.R every species of injustice or oppres
sion. Whatever more can be done to ame
liorate their condition, or increase their se
curity, you Gentlemen will now attempt to
do- ',
The success of your labors will very
much depend upon your influence and ex
ample, in promoting good order among the
people, and producing a compliance with
the regulations you may think proper to a
dopt.. The most excellent laws will be of
no use if they are not observed, and they
will not be observed, by the people, unless
they are refpe&ed by those who make and
execute them.
1 shall transmit to you, Gentlemen, by
particular messages, any information of im
portance, which I may be able to commu
nicate. \
From the good agreement which appear
ed in the former feffiupQ 1 have no doubt
that your deliberations at this time will be
conducted with candor, and I trust they
will produce important benefits to our fel
low citizens. So far as my duty is con
cerned, you may be assured of all the coop
eration that can result from zeal for the wel
fare of the Commonwealth, and a disposi
tion to promote harmony in the several
branches of the Government.
CALEB STRONG.
Boflon, Jan. 23, 1801.
Domenic information,
~ : WASHINGTON, FAN.I%.
On Monday the editor of the National Intelli
gencer took his place, at the usual hour, without
tile bar of the house of representatives ; which
place he had occupied since the prohibition of the
Speaker to occupy a position within the bar.
The ferjeant at arms addressed the editor with
a verbal meflbge from^the Speaker, desiring him
to withdraw, without assigning any reason for the
direction.
The editor immediately withdrew, and took a
position in the upper gallery ; from which place
he will continue to report the proceedings and
debates of the house.
Uninfluenced by perfona] feelings, and guided
by a due relped for the Speaker, and afincere re
gard for the people of the United States, he will
not, while he retains the power, cease, by pub
lilhing a record of truth, whatsoever or whomso
ever it may affect, to manifeft to the people, on
whose support he relies, a spirit of dignity and
moderation that the frowns of power can never
dismay.
. JAN. 19.
, On Friday morning the editor waited upon the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, and in
formed him that he had called upon him to know
the precise extent of the order issued by him thro'
the Sergeant at arms the preceding day.
For the purpose of a more concise and clear
flatement of the conversation that ensued, the nar
rative will be made in the form of a dialogue be
tween the Speaker and the Editor.
Editor. It is my with to know whether the
exclusion from the gallery was intended to apply
to the day on which the exclusion took place, or
to the whole of the Seffioo. j
Speaker. Undoubtedly to the whole of the
session.•
Ed. I would then ask, whether the prohibition
applies to me in the character of taking the de
bates and proceedings of the House ; or whether
it applies to me in the character of a citizen of the
United States ?
Sp. I uill inform you of the grounds of my
order. I can have no dqubt that either through
incompetency, or intentionally, you grossly mis
represented my conduct as well as that of the
House.
Ed. With refpeft to the fatt of misrepresenta
tion, l can only fay, that in my opinion it does
not exist ; in which opinion I am not only flip
ported by my own recollection, but by the decla
rations of Gentlemen, whose correftnefs and ve
racity I refpeft as highly as those of any other
men (though I do not with to be underflood as in
(inuating a want of refyeift for any other) who
have explicitly declar3d my flatement tube correct.
With refpett to intentional misrepresentation, no
such charge can be fuflainedr—With refped to in
competency, I fliall be altogether lilent, trusting,
without tear, to the dgcifipn of others.
Sp, It must be evident to you that ever since I
have held the office of Speaker, a certain descrip
tion of men have done every thing in their power
by misrepresentation and abuse, to throw me into
contempt, and to disgrace the government.
Ed. With respect to the aftions of any parti
cular description of men, it does not become me
on this occasion to fay any thing. But with re
fped to myfelf, in whatever I have done, 1 have
been governed y a sense of duty. Feeling every
personal uilpof ion to treat every man with re
fpett, I have n t been regardlels of the duties and
rights with wh :h rhe public opinion and tiie laws
of my country laveinveileu me. In conformity
with them, in eporting the proceedings and de
bates of the oufe. I have invariably dated the
truth.
Sp. In my bpinion, your conduft, ever since
you have beerion the floor, has had no other ob
je& than to c'fgrace me and the government.
, Ed. Suffer me to fay, Mr. Speaker, that these
remarks appear to me altogether improper to be
made by the Speaker. lam fully impruffed with
the necessity of treating you, in this interview with
refpe&. But if remarks, such as have jult been
made, and which convey reflections that I declare
lo be unfounded, are repeated, 1 may from the
unavoidable vindication of my own character, be
drawn into the expression of opinions that may
give offence.'
The Speaker suspended his remarks.
Ed. Returning to the question I submitted ; I
wish to know whether as a citizen,! am excluded!'
Sp. The objeft of the order was to prevent
you from.giving any further itatement of the pro
ceedings qthflotife.
Ed. C^rdeT may require me to fay, that in all
events, 1 shall continue to publish a flatement of
the debates and proceedings of the house.
Sp. If that be your object, you cannot be ad
mitted.
Ed. Ido not fay that will be the object of my
personal attendance—if it were, I do not fee how
the order of the speaker can apply to it. The or
der may apply to the alt of attending in the gal
lery ; but any thing which fliall be done by the
editor afterwards, out of the gallery, is a d'flhiT
thing. It is, however, possible, that bearing the
proceedings of the house from the gallery; as tte
editor would, he might correct, fh^uld there ap
pear any inaccuracy in them, flatements obtained
in other ways.
Sp> If the attendance be with any view to give
the public the proceedings of the house, you mult
confider yourfelf as absolutely excluded.
Ed. It then only remains to enquire whether,
having Hill in view the objeft of obtaining a cor
reft ilatement of the proceedings of the house I
may have access to the clerk's office, and obtain
copies of official papers.
Sp. 1 have no objection to your obtaining co
pies of those papers that are pro|>er to be publish
ed. But you must know it would be manifestly
wrpng to publish papers that relate to tranfaftions
lin an incipient Rate. For instance, a member
may make a motion that refers to a particular
fubjett. It may be made inadvertently. Its
meaning may be equivocal. To publish it in it^
immature slate, before the house has decided upon
it, might be to produce mifeonceptfons arid might
essentially injure the refpeft of the people for the
government. Such papers ought not to be pub
lifted. But in cases in which the house has come to
a decision you may publish what is decided upon.
ten. My ideas, Mr. Speaker, are so completely
at war with those you have expressed that 1 can
entertain to expe&ation of coming to an harnto
nious correfpoudence in sentiment. I have al.
ways believed, and do (till believe, that the only
respect which the government of a republican
country ought to receive, is that which flows,
from a knowledge of its ads, and of the manner
in which those a&s are passed : except in peculiar
cases that may require secrecy. However, 1 fk
pardon for troubling you with my ideas. My
only object is to underfland the precifelhies you
draw between different kinds of papers that I may
know how to ad
it appears to me that I shall be very much em
barrassed in finding the line. For infinite, ^.
committee to whom any business is referred; re
ports ; that report is laid over by the house for
confederation, with the express view that it be
published for the confederation of the citizens ^
yet, presenting a measure of the house in an inci
pient slate, and im olving opinions not atted upon
by the house, it would seem to come within the
limits of } our reflriftion, The fame remarks will
fully apply to all the Hages through which a bill
goes, until its final parage.
Sp. I find that you do not understand me now
any better than you did before. I think I have
explained myfelf clearly. There are some papers,
unimportant in themselves, whose publication can
do no manner of harm. But with respect to those
of national importance, until they are decided up
on by the house, they ought not to be publ'fl^d.
At all times, the government should be treated
with refpe<ft : but at the preCent period it is pc
cularly important.
Ed. I confefs, Mr. Speaker, that to my mind
the line, as drawn by you, is Hill vague. Ido
not understand it, and I thought I had assigned
conclufire reasons for my want of apprehension. •
Sp. I have drawn the line as clearly as I can.
I have no objection to your obtaining such papers
as the clerk pleases to let you have.
Ed. May I then without violating your rule,
publish such paper as the clerk permits me to co,
py- >'
Sp. You may.
Yeflerday the Editor of the National IntelH
gencer took a place in the Upper Gallery of the
House of Representatives, and was in the alt of
noting the proceedings of the house, when the
Serjeant at arms communicated to him the direc
tion of the Speaker, without assigning any reasons
therefor, to withdraw from the Gallery. He ac
cordingly, immediately withdrew.^
The Gallery from which he was direfted to
withdraw, is the one appropriated to the iudif
criminate admission of citizens.
It is necessary here to flare, what before «n
omitted as unimportant, the conversation between
the Editor and the Serjeant on the communication^
of the previous direction of the Speaker to with
draw from the area below.
The words ofthe Serjeant, were " to withdraw
from the house." On their being delivered, the
Editor asked him whether the prohibition of the
Speaker extended so the upper gaMery. Tie
Serjeant said he did not know but he believed
it did not. The editor requeued the ferjeant, ff
he djd not know the amount of the speaker's di
rection, to obtain from his precise order. Tie
ferjeant, then undertook to fay that the prohibi
tion did not apply to the Upper Gallery, lie
Editor immediately repaired to it. But he finds
since Monday, in verification of a part of an okfr
proverb—" The times are changed ';" but In Ofc
position to the remainder of that proverb it is his
cpnfolation to declare,'" but the Editor remains<
the fame , unfbaken in'his regard to truth,which
shall Ilill be spoken u whatever or w homfoever it
may effect.", The proceedings and debates ol tie
house ihall dill be presented to the public—with
out excepting the proceedings and debates of the
Speaker.•• (Na. Uta.