The Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1822-1822, 1822-04-30
Congressional Proceedings.
From tie National intelkgencer.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL "a;
IN SENATE.

reading, were seyerally read a third
time passed, without opposition, except
to that for the relief of j. b. Belfort
and others, which was debated at con-
siderable length, and those which 0.
riginated in the senate sent to the other
house for concurrence.
On motion of Mr.. Noble, the commit
tee on Pensions were discharged from
the further consideration of the petition
of James Bancroft.
Mr.. Dickerson, from the committee
on commerce and manufactures, deliv-
cred in the following report; which
was read and ordered to be printed:
The Committee of Commerce and
Manufactures, who were instructed to
inquire into the expediency Of pro-
hibiting the importation of foreign spl-
rits, report:
That, in their opinion, the agricultu-
raj as we'll as manufacturing interests
OF the U, S. would be promoted by pro-
hibiting the importation OF foreign spi-
rits. That the quantity of spirits that
would in short time be manufactured
in this country to supply the place OF
that now imported, would afford source
of revenue more efficient. and much
less precarious than that now derived
from the importation of Foreign spirit.
But, as an immediate prohibition would
iniure the commercial interests OF the
United States, us well as diminish the
revenue, until system of excise could
be brought into operation, the commit
tee think it would be expedient to ar
rive gradually at the objects in view,
by Increasing the duties on foreign spi-
rits. A bill, however, for this pur-
pose, must be considered as bill for
raising revenue, and can only originate
in the House of representatives.. The
com lnittee therefore submit the follow
ing resolution
Resolved, That the Committee OF
Commerce and Manufactures be dis.
charged from the further consideration
of the resolution instructing them to in
quire into the expediency of prohibit
ing the importation of foreign spirits.
The bill from the other house tor the
relief of John Thomas was considered,
and ordered to third reading.
The billfor the relief of Joseph For.
rest, was taken up and discussed at
some length, and then postponed to
Friday next.
Mr.. Benton laid the following resolu-
ton on the table
RESOLVED, That the President Of the
United States be requested to make
known to the Senate whether any rev.
enue has accrued to the United States.
and, if any, how much, from leases Of
lead mines in the Valley Of the Missis.
sippi; whs h any lease, promise, or a.
greement, is now in force the use and
occupation of any such mines with CO.
pies thereof, if written, and the sub.
stance thereof, if verbal, with the names
of the lesees, and their places of resi-
dence; whether the said leases, if any
such there are. have been made with
out public notice, at auction, or by pri-
vate contract, by whom and with whom,
with copy of the powers under which
he acted; also, copy of the regulations,
if any have been made, for carrying in.
to effect the acts of Congress which au-
thorize the leasing of lead mines.
General appropriation Bill.
The senate took upthe Message from
the House of representatives announ-
cling the non-concufrence of that House
in certain of the amendments made by
the senate to the civil.list.appropria.
ton bill.
The first amendment to which the
other House disagreed was that which
appropriated 10000 dollars to defray
in part the expense Of making certain
survey of the public lands. within the
State of Illinois.
Mr. Holmes, of Me, moved that the
senate recede from this amendment; he
had been willing to make this appro-
priation, though he did not approve the
principle of paying for labor done with
out authority; but As the other house
had objected, he would yield and leave
the question to future legislation. The
amendment was further SUPP 'rted by
Messrs Benton and Edwards; but the
Senate agreed to recede from it.-ayes
Is, noes l6.
The house had disagreed also to that
amendment Of the Senate which APP
propriated $4,000 dollars for carrying
into effect the stipulation of the treaty
with Spain for running the western
boundary of the United States. After