Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-22
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Mr.. Smith. of Nd. from the committee OF
WAYS and Means, TO whom was referred an
enquiry into the expediency of allowing Ar
| chibald Frew, collector of the revenue IN
North Carolina. commission on l9 or 10000
dollars, collected by him on warrant issu-
ed by the Comptroller ofthe Treasury, made
a report unfavorable thereto (; which, was
| read and concurred in
| Mr.. Campbell, from the committee on prl-
yate land claims. reported a bill supplement
tary TO the several acts for the adjustment OF
land claims in the state of Louisiana and
territory of Missouri; which was twice read
and committed.
Mr.. Williams, OF N. C. from the commit
tee of Claims made unfavorable reports on
the petitions Of john Topp, Dennis Julien,
| Jacob and Henry SheHelin, and of Joseph
Janney.; which were all ordered TO lie on
the table, except that on the petition OF Jo-
seph Janney. which was, on motion OF Mr..
Garnett, committed to committee Of the
whole house.
Mr. Rhea, from the committee extensions
and Revolutionary Claims, made untavora-
BILE reports on the petitions of James Brown
| the I'd, Charles Miles, and of Jesse Tory
| which were read, and the two former con-
cured in, and tie last ordered to lie on the
table.
Mr.. Baldwin, from the committee on ma
nufactures, reported bill to regulate the
payment of duties on merchandise import
ed, requiring cash payments on certain I'M
ports, and for other purposes also bill
LAYING duties on sales Of merchandise al auc-
ton which bills were severally twice read
and committed.
Mr.. Anderson, from the committee on pub
lie lands, reported bill authorising the sale
of thirteen sections of land lying within the
district of Canton, Ohio which was twice
read and committed.
THE SLAVE TRADE.
Mr.. Cuthbert, OF Georgia, submitted the
following resolution for consideration
Resolved, That the committee on the Slave
Trade be instructed to enquire into the eX-
pediency Of establishing registry OF slaves,
more effectualy to prevent the importation
Of slaves into the United States or the terri
tories thereof.
Mr. c. observed, that it was known we had
an existing law ON this subject the execu-
ton Of this law depended principally on the
national vessels but from the great extent OF
the coast of the United States, slave ships
might frequently eude the vigilance OF the
public vessels, and throw their cargoes a.
mongst our black population, and thus esca-
ping the possibility OF being discovered, the
law might be viol2ted with impunity. BY
register of the slaves of the country, under
proper regulations, itappeared TO him, Elf.
C said, that it would be practicable, more
effectualy to enforce the acts prohibiting the
slave trade, and preserve the character OF the
country from reproach.
Mr.. Randolph wished TO know OF the gen.
teman who offered this resolution, whether
the object was, that the proprietorS of slaves
in the United States should be obliged 10 fur
pisb to this Government or to any officer
thereof, register of their slaves, and TO re-
peat this REGISTER annually, or at other peri
ods--thus keeping this property under the
su ervision of the Government
Mr.. Gutbbert observed, in reply, that the
Constitution had authorised Congress TO pre-
vent the importation of slaves and, having
given this authority, they had the power 10
use the means necessary to execute that au-
thority. If the law already enacted, de-
pending chiefly on the national vessels for its
execution, appeared insufficient, it was pro-
per TO enquire what other measures were me-
cessary to effect the object. 1t had occurred
to him that if an office were established to
register and identify the slaves belonging to
the country, the Government would be able
better to execute the provisions of the law
Inc Government Mr.. c. said, had right to
AK this property, and for this purpose. an &C
count and return OF them was necessary
nor would there be any difficulty in furnish
ing such description as would sufficiently
identity them. Such description and re-
gistry were made to identify soldiers, when
enlisted in the service, and no difficulty was
found in IT. This however, was PROPOSE