The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-01-11
FRIDAY, DEC. 81.
On motion of Mr. Whitman, II was


On motion of Mr.. Whitman, II was
Res,lred, That the Secretary Of the Treasury
be directed TO lay before this House copies of
such commun icatons as he may have received
since 1916, and such information he may pos
sess in relation the il icit int reduction of slaves
into the United States, with statement Of the
measures adopted to prevent the same.
A similar motion was made as respects the
Secretary OF the Navy.
STATE OF MAINE.
The house then proceeded 10 the order OF
the day, aud again resolved Itself into CON-
m,iee Of the whole, Mr.. Marx l.. Hill in the
char, on tue b,i providing tor the admission
ol the District Of Maine into the Union as an
Independent state.
And, no further debate arising
The committee rose and reported the bill
aud amendments To the house.
After much debate on the question arising
out OF the representation OF Massachusetts and
OF Maine in Congress, and the best mode OF
arranging 1t, Il Congress interposes at all res
pectiug II, the amendment made IN The COIN
miiee ot the whole, 10 strike out Of the bill SO
much as relates 10 this subject, was agreed to.
Various other amendments were proposed
to the bill among which were the following :
Mr.. Siorrs moved to amend the bill adding
new section, in the following words
lind be ii further enacted, That until
new enumeration snail be made of The inhabI-
tanis OF said Commonwes OF Massachusetts
aud sand state OF Asine, and new apporlion.
ment OF Representatives IN the Congress OF the
United States, TO be elected IN sad Massachu
selts and Msioe The said Commonwealth vi
Massachusetts shall be entitled to and may be
Represented IN Congress by thirteen Represen-
tati'es: and the said state Of Maine shall be
entitled 10. aud may be represented in Con
gress by aOea Representatives."
Mr. Uhinuan, moved to amend The propos
ed amendment by adding. alter the enac ling
clause, these words from and afier the 10th
of March merit, ana"
Ihls motion was Degaiived, as also was the
main motion I'll Mr. St0frs
Mr.. Whitman, then owed TO sigike out The
preseo, preamble TO the bill, and insert the
following:
" Whereas the legislature Of the Common
wealth oi Massachusetts,, by an act, entitled
50 An act relating 10 the separation of the Dis
trct OF Maine from Massachusetts, Proper, and
forming the same INTO separate and indepen-
dent state" passed on The 10Th day o; June
last, declared the consent OF SAID Common.
~eslio, that the district of Maine (being that
part OF sad commonwealth " ing east of the
state Of New Hampshlre) might be formed
aud erected mic separate and independent
stale. upon certain terms and conditions IN
the said act particularly specified And propi
ded, the Congress ui the UDNed States should
give IFS consent thereto, before the fourth day
OF March next
And whereas 1t appears that The terms and
conditions proposed by said legislature, on the
part oil said commonwealth, 10 The people oil
said district OF Maine, have been by them a :
greed 10 aud accepted, aud on their part com
Piled with:
And whereas convention OF delegates, d,l-
y chosen 10y the people OF said district. have
lormed owlIlulion aud frame of govern
ment. which Is republican, and conlormable to
lie principles and provisions oi the act aiole
SAID aud have petitoned Congress that its
consent may be given that ore SAID District,
by The style aud title OF the State of Maine
may be admitted INTO the Union as separate
and independent stale, and on the footing Of an
Original slate.
Tbs motion was nesa,ived.
4. The bill WAS then ordered to be eDgrossed
Tor third reading, with few dissenting voices,