Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-22


Nv rHx HOUSE, OF RErRrsESrArIvEs.-Mr'
s,or,, presented the memorial OF Mrs Susan
nscatur. widow of the late Commodore ste-
nhen Decatur, praying Congress, IN oehalf Oh
herself and the officers and crew OF the UNI
ted States Ketch Intrepid, whose gallant con-
ao., in the re-capture and burning OF the
rgate philadelphia, is well known, to award
the same compensation, that has been so hoer'
ally bestowed in other cases, of q like charac-
ter. The petition was accompanied by docu'
ments and legal opinions, and referred to the
Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. McLane from the Committee Of Ways
and Means, reported bill, making provision
that the appropriation estimates of the various
Departments, be reported to Congress at an
earlier period, in the sessions, than hereto
fore; which bill was twice read, and referred
10 the committee ofthe whole, tor tomorrow.
On motion of Mr. Strong of N. y the Com
mittee on Public Lands, were instructed 10
inquire into the expediency of appropr'ating
a portion of the nett annual proceeds OF the
sales and entries of the public lands, exclu-
siyely for the support of common schools,
and of apportioning the same among the Sc
veral states, in proportion to the representa-
ton of each in the House of Representatives.
On motion of Mr. Van Rensselaer,, select
committee of five members was orderedto be
appointed on the part of the House, Jointly
with a committee to be appointed on the part
of the Senate, to inquire and report, If any,
what measures are necessary to be adopted
for the preservation of the Capitol, the Capt.
tol Square, and the other Public Grounds,
within the City Of Washington.
On motion of Mr.. Kent, the Committee on
Naval Affairs were instructed to inquire into
the expediency of increasing the pay of sur.
geons in the Navy, SO as to make it equal to
the pay of the surgeons in the Army; and fur
Their to inquire into the propriety of CHASING
them, and graduating their pay according to
the period oftheir service.
ON Motion of Mr.. Powell of Virginia, the
Committee on Public Lands were instructed
to inquire into the expediency of providing
by some general law, for the redemption OF all
lands, sold for direct tax, and purchased by
the agents Of the general government.
On motion of Mr. McDufie, Select Commit
tee of seven members was ordered to be ap-
pointed, with instructions to inquire into the
practicability of making such alterations IN the
Hall as will render it more suitable for the
purposes of deliberative assembly.
The complaint against the present strange
ment is the diligently of hearing, which MIR.
McDufie thought might be obviated by plac.
ing horizontal glass sash over the whole
Hall, resting on the cornice above the pillars.
Mr.. Hamilton called up the Bill, yesterday
laid on the table, providing for the retention
ofapsrt of the monthly pay Of Soldiers, in or
der to prevent their desertion. In doing so,
he stated that bis object was to refer it to the
Committee on Military Affairs. for further re-
vision. The House agreed to consider the
Bin. and on motion of Mr.. Hamilton, recon-
mitted il 10 the said committee.
On motion of Mr.. McLane OF Delaware,
the House resolved itself into Committee o.
the Whole, Mr.. Markley in the Chair, on the
biz. making appropriations for the different