The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-01-14
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS.

er tIpnse. netWe IN tle llnTteenth Oh December.
when 10000 dollars were appropriated for the
suppression Of Piracy, and the 1st day OF the new
wear. Indeed we believe little serious business
is ever effected until the Christmas holy days are
fairly past and on the present occasion each
august body seemed TO have been 30 overcome
BY tue sndden and mighty effort made on that
day, that it was unable to act with vigor for
some time afterwards.
On the 18th Mr. johnson, Ky. introduced a
bill to abolish imprisonment for debt which was
subsequently, referred to a committee consisting
Of Messrs. j. Speed, Smith, Nelson of Va aud
Cuthbert.-On The same day Mr.. Smith of Ma
rvland resigned Isis seat in tic House, to take one
in the Senate; he has just been elected to fill the
vacancy lie in that body by the death Of the
late celebrated Mr.. Pinctpey, MIR. Smiths abb
sence will he seriously felt in the House he has
been long at the head Of one Of its most import
ant standing committees, that of the Ways and
Means he took the lead on all commercial
questions, aid exceIle1 in that sort of talent and
Information of which the present House IS re-
markaby destitute.
Mr.. FLoYD, the Gentleman who acknowledge
Ell himself to be 90 radically fond of money that
he would postpone any attempt TO externinate
the Pirates several months to save few six pen
ces, has brought up his project to occupy the
United States at least 10000 dollars per annum,
and probably great deal more.-And whilst we
are on this topic We would barely remark, that
Mr. BAYIIEs' remarks on this subject give
highly exaggerated account Of the profits on the
trade to Northwest Coast g Vessels, said Mr..
Baylies, had sailed with cargoes not worth more
than FIVE or SIX thousand dollars, and after being
gone four or five years, on trading voyage to
the Pacific and thence to the East-tndies, return
ed with two or three hundred thousand dollars"
This trade has been prosecuted some twenty
FIVE or thirty wears, and it is entirely incredible
that branch of business Welding the enormous
profit OF 500 PER cent. should be commonly known
for that length of time, and not be completely
gluttod. NV we have good reason to believe
that this is precisely the case with the trade to
the Northwest Coast, and that it yields at this
time very moderate profit, and requires consul
cradle cspital.
But one OF the most proper and salutary meas
ures vet considered by the House this session,
" concerns the disbursement Of public money"
The first section of THIS bill provides, that no adj
vances Of public money shall be made to contrac-
tors, but that payment shall be made only in pro-
portion TO the service rendered, or to the value
of the articles delivered previously TO such paw
Inent. Bv the second section, ii is provided that
every officer or agent of the United States, who
shHl receive public money which he Is not au-
tloriled to retain as salarv paw, omoluncut,
shall render his accounts quarterly to the prop
or accounting officers Of the Treasury, with the
vouchers necessary to the correct and prompt
settlement thereof within three months after the
expiration of each successive quarter, president
within the United States; and within SIX months
II resident in a foreign country.
Section third directs tllat any officer offending
against the provision OF this BILL shall be report
Cd to the President, and dismissed from the pub
lie service.
This Biz, after pretty warm discussion be-
tween Mr.. Bssset, the mover and MIR. Nelson of
Va. and after Intellectual attempt to postpone,
passed by large majority.
In SENATE.-Lrtcr than The Gbo0e ddtcs.-Fif-
teen hundred copies of the Annual Treasury Re-
port were ordered to be printed-Several bills
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary,
wsre reported without amendment--The resolu-
ton submitted By Mr.. Holmes of Me. requesting
Of the President of the United States, inforna-
ton respecting the island of Hayti, was agreed
to.--The bill relative to allowing drawback on
the expectation of cordage, manufactured from
foreign hemp, was taken up and discussed by Mr..
DIV off and Air. Lloyd at considerable length
Mr.. Talbot of Kentucky, moved TO amend the
bill, as TO allow bounty on corlage manufac-
iufou lEOiIi uCtbeSllC HSIHps wei dS on lnaI
manufactured on foreign hemp. which was neg
atived--No decision had been made on this bill
at the date of our last advices.-A resolution was
agreed to, to authorize subscriptions Of the stock
of the Ohio, Delaware, and Chesapeake Canal
Comprehensive bill for repairing the Cumbcr-
land road was postponed, after much discussion.
In IoUsE.-A bill supplementary to the act
to provide for pensioners Of the revolutionary
war, was read twice.-TwO petitions from Penn
sylvania, praying The aid of Congress, in open
ing a wafer communication between the head
waters OF the Potomac and the Ohio, were pre-
seRted.-Certain resolutions Of Mr.. Cannon. rel
alive 10 the improving the militia Of the United
States, we're agreed 10 without debate.-Manv
private petitions were presented on the subjects
Of aid from Congress, for opening canals, post
roads, &c.-The Speaker laid before the House
a letter from the Comptroller Of the Treasury,
transmitting list of accounts which have re-
manned unsettled for three years prior to the Beth
of Sept 1922, and other documents, relative to
debts due to the United States.-Mr. Fuller, from
the Naval Committee reported bill to allow the
mother and sister of 1t. Allen. $3.50 per annum
each for five years.-A resolution was agreed to,
for calling on the Secretary of the Navy, for in
formation relative to the Surgeons, Surgeons
mates, SC. on duty in the navy, their receipts
services, &c.--Mr. Taylor OF New-York. moved
resolution TO inquire into the expedency Of al
loving costs in all cases where damages NAV he
recovered for violating the rights OF patentCes.
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