Jenks's Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland [Me.]) 1799-1802, 1800-01-20
National Legy2atuye.
Sixth CONGRESS Of United States.
FIRST SESSION.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,

L of perfons imprfoned for debt" was read
a third time and pahed
TIE epgroGed bill entitled An act pro-
vidiog for falvage, in cafes Off captures" was
read third time, and the qaefiou being put,
fhall this bill pats!
Mr.. SeqpaH faid that an amendment ought to
be made in the bill, which had been overlook
ed, to enable ve1els the property Of citizens of
the United STATES, TO come within the meaning
of the aef and moved for the re-commitment OF
the bill for that purpofe.
The motion was agreed to-and the Houfe
Immediately refolved felf into committee of
the whole Mr.. AOnit in the chair, for the
purpofe of confdering the amendment which
having been read, was agreed to without de-
bate; when the committee rofe, and the bill
was pahed
THE ARMY.
Mr.. Niebodf faid, that conceiving it necehary@
foms reduction fhould be made in our p1blic
expenditures and that any change contemplated
of this nature ihould be made and ,confidered
an early as poffbe, he would take the liberty Of
laying the following reioluton on the table
He would not now FAY any thing on the merits
OF it-but gave notice that he would isme time
in the courle of next week call it up for con.
federation
The refolution is N the following words
Retolved, Thatio much of the act pahed the
1 9th July, 1898, entitled /" an act TO augment
| the army of the United States, and for other
purpofes," authorities the Preiident of the
United States to rails twelve additional reg-
ments of Infantry, and Fix troops of Light ORA
goons, and to appoint two Major Generals, an
| Infpeaor General, three Brigadier Generals,
and an Adjutant General and 60 much of the
al paiied the sd March 1899, entitled " An
aet tor the better organizing the troops of the
United States and for other purpofes,' as au-
thorizes the appointment of Commander of
the Army, and a Quarter Matter General
fought to be repealed
Mr.. Obs obierved, that tho the refolution was
offered to lie on the table, and he was thereby
precuded from difcuilion of its merits, yee
injuaice to the Committee Of Defence, of which
both that gentleman and himielf were members,
he coRiidered himlelf called on 10 declare, that
I the committee had called upon the Secretary Of
War for all fnch information as would enable
| them to digea fyaem relative to the military
| eRabliihment; and was therefore forty that the
| reiolution had new been offered as it might have
, an unfayorabe impre1ion, not only on the ar.
my and the public, but upon our pending ne.
! gociavion with Frauce--And tho it was proba.
bic that lome modification of the exiting military
Establishment, might be adopted with view to
Gave expence yet he did not believe that in the
actual late of things this Houfe would diicover
! fuch Versatility of temper and lytem, as to
difband the army by a Jingle ,eloluson.
Mr.. Nicb7.a'J replied that he would not be in
hate to Gallup the relolution and was wiling
to let it lie, till every information could be OBJ.
tanned that might BE- wihed upon the fnbjesl.
JAN. 2.
The petition of Abfolem Jones, and others,
free men of colour, praying for revion of
the laws refpetting the flave trade, occaioned a
debate which lated until the time of adjourn
ment.
JAN. 5.
Benjamin Hsgbr, Efq from Sou,hcarolina ap-
peared this day, was qualified, and took ais Feat.
The Honie returned the unfinihed buiineis Of
yelterday, on the refolution for referring GER
tain parts of the petition of Abiolem Jones and
others-when, after fome debate,
Mr.. Gray propoied to amcnd the refolution
by adding the following words" and that the
other parts of laid petition which Invites Con.
grefs to legiilate on fubjea precludeI them by
the contribution, and tends to lead to difquet
and jealouiy, ought to receive the pointed diff
appreciation ofthis Houfe.''
The motion produced long debate in which
Mr.. Thatcher and Mr.. Daaa ,poke asaint it,
and Mr.. Rutedss in favor ofit---when Mr.. Gray
varied his motion 70 as to fay that that part of
the petition which prayed for the gradual abo-
ltion of their brethren from 1,very, ought not
TO receive any encouragement or countenance
from this houfe
The yeas and nays were demanded and a.
greed to be taken.
Mr.. THATCHER gave his realons at length for
voting agsiait this amendment after which
the quehion was put and carricd-Ayes So.
Noes /.
The queaion upon the refolu,ion, for refer
ing certain parts OF the petition, as amended,
was then put and carri:a.