Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-02-15
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.


The Speaker laid before the House
communication from the Department
of State, transmitting copies of cor
respondence between the governments
of the United States and the Neither
lands, in relation to discriminating du.
ties imposed on the vessels of the Unit,
ed States and their cargoes, in the
ports of the Netherlands; which was
laid on the table, and ordered to be
printed.
Mr.. GuRLEY, from the committee on
Public Lands, reported bill "to con-
firm certain claims to lands in Florida,
founded on occupation and cultivation"
which was read twice and committed,
and ordered to be printed.
On motion of Mr.. CAMBRELENe, the
committee Of the whole was discharg-
ed from. the further consideration OF
the bill authorizing the Secretary OF
the Treasury to direct the completion
of entries for the benefit Of drawback,
after the period of twenty days; and
the bill was then read in the House.
The following is a copy Of the bill:
"Be IT enacted 5y the Senate and House o.
representatives ofhe United States Of .3merieo
IN Congress assembled, That whenever the
exporter or exporters entering any goods,
wares, or merchandise, for the benefit OF
drawback, shall not have completed such en-.
try, by taking the oath, or giving the bond
required by the existing laws OF the U. States,
within the period prescribed by law, but shall
offer to complete the said entry after the ex
piration of the said period, it shall, and may
be lawful for the secretary Of the treasury, up
on application to him, made by the said eX,
porter or exporters, setting forth for the
and accompanied by statement of the col
lector of all the circumstances attending the
transaction, within the knowledge of such
collector, if he shall be satisfied that the fail.
ure to complete the said entry was acciden'
tai, or without any intention to evade the
law or defraud the revenue, to direct the said
entry to be completed, and the certificates OF
debentures, as the case may be, to issue, in
the same manner as if such entry had beer
completed within the period prescribed by
the existing laws of the United States"
Mr.. FooT, of Con. said that this bill
was a yirtualrepeal of the whole OF the
existing laws on the subject of draw,
backs. He moved TO amend the bill
by striking out the words taking the
oath, or.
Mr.. CAMsRELENG did not anticipate
this opposition to the bill. If the a
mendment of the gentleman should
succeed, it would make the bill mere
nullity. The object of the bill is tc
give power to the Secretary of the
Treasury, in case he shall be satisfied
that no fraud has been intended by ;
merchant, to allow him to take out hi:
goods, on taking his oath and giving
his bond. A man dies-it is moral!
and physically impossible that he Car
take the oath, or give his bond, yet hi:
representatives must come here, fol
permission, according to the existing
laws. So if man be sick, he canno
allow another to do these acts for hin
without coming to this House. This
bill transfers one Of the simplest pow
ers which can be transferred by TIT
House to the Treasury Department.
Mr.. LIVINGSTON, of Lou. felt it neces
sary to say few words on the bill, IL
which many of his constituents were
interested. The object of the amend
ment was to destroy the bill as tar a
regards the provision of taking TIT
oath, and to allow the Secretary 10 taxi
the bond of the merchant. BY the e1
listing laws, drawbacks are granted at
ter certain forms of export and re-ex
port have been complied with ane
there is no possibility Of fraud. HI
remarked on the inconsistency OF allow
ing the Secretary of the Treasury t.
remit, in cases where the letter OF tn
law compelled courts to condemn, t
remit hundreds Of thousands, in case
of alleged fraud, and yet you deny it t.
him in this simple case.
Mr.. Foor persisted In his motion t.
amend, on the ground that without hi
amendment, the bill would repeal thu
whole existing laws on drawback, ane
said a few words in support OF his pro
position.