Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-01-01

SENATE.

| SENATE.
Mr.. LrrTLETos w. TazEwELL, Of
Va. elected in the place Of Mr.. John
Taylor deceased, appeared, was quail
| lied, and took his seat.
Mr.. RuecLEs, presented the petition
of Thomas R. Broom, late paymas-
ter in the army of the United States,
praying an equitable settlement of his
accounts which was referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. BARTON submitted the following
motion for consideration:
| Resolved, That the Committee on the Judi.
ciary be instructed to inquire into the expedi-
ency of allowing, by law, fees to the District
Attorney for the district of Missouri.
| Mr.. LLOYD, from the Committee ON
Naval Affairs, made an unfavorable
report in the case Of Ebenezer Whit
ten.
The bill from the House of Repre-
sentatives "authorizing the Secretary
Of the Treasury to adopt new hy-
drometer," was read a third time,
passed, and returned to the House of
Representatives.
The Senate, according to the order
of the day, proceeded to the conside-
ration of the bill to abolish imprison.
ment for debt.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Kentucky, remark
ed, that this bill had been very mature
ly digested by the committee, and
greatly modified from the bill of last
session, with the view of obviating
objections made at the last session
He did not know that any opposition
would be made to it now, on general
principles; but if any were intended,
he should propose to take it up at a
future day for general discussion; at
present he hoped the investigation
would be confined to its details, for
which purpose he moved that it be Ia
ken up by sections.
This was done, and some verbal a
mendments made. The bill having
been gone through,
| Mr.. CoBB moved to strike out the
following sentences from the fourth
section, viz:
| "But, after the return thereof, the defen-
dant or defendants may contest the allegation
of the said oaths or affirmations, before the
court in which the said suit or action is instr
tuted, in such form as the court shall pre-
| scribe. And if the court shall be Of opinion
that the said allegations are not well founded,
| it may make an order, to be entered on re-
cord, discharging the said bail or security
from his or their suretyship."
This motion gave rise to debate Of
near two hours duration, embracing
occasional remarks on general prin-
ciples, but chiefly involving questions
ofpractice and proceeding in the courts
in the different states, SC. The motion
was supported by the mover and by
Mr.. Mills, at considerable length /;
and was opposed with much earnest
ness by Messr. JOHNSON, of KY. BAR
BoUR, and VAN buren,. Mr.. BRANCH
made also some remarks on the ques-
ton of modification; and then
The bill was postponed to to-mor-
| row.
| Mr.. Smith presented the petition Of
| James Ramsay and others, praying
compensation for the storage Of goods
and repairs done to schooner that
entered the port of Baltimore under
Spanish colors, in distress, and which
was afterwards libelled and sold for
violation of the revenue laws; which
was referred to the committee on FL
nance.
MIR. D'WoLF presented the petition
of the inhabitants of the district of
Bristol and Warren, in Rhode Island,
praying that more effectual measures
may be adopted by the United States
for the suppression of piracy on the
coast of Cuba; which was referred to
the Committee on Foreign Relations.
And then the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Petitions were presented by Mr..
MITCHELL, of Maryland, and Mr.. CUR
LEY, of Louisiana.