Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-29

Congress entitled Gan Act more etiectuai'y 10
provide for The punishment of certain Crimes
against the United States, and for other purpo-
ses," as to extend the punishment OF Forgery
to all cases, wherein any attempt shall be made
by counterfeiting or falsely making any power
of attorney or authority, in writing, to transfer
or to institute suit in any United States Court,
for the recovery of any African Negroes, bro't
into the Territory by the ships oil war oil the
United States, or imported therein, IN violation
thereof
In proposing the foregoing instructions, Mr.
Mercer remarked that he had obtained the APP
probation of the Judiciary Committee but he
had not consulted them on the resolution which
he would now submit for consideration, name
ly-That the same Committee be instructed to
inquire into the expediency Of augmenting the
Penalty annexed, by the laws of the United
States, to Forgery and Perjury committed with
intent to deprive any individual Of life or iber-
ty.-The resolution was agreed to, mem con.
On motion of Mr. Mitchell, of MARYLAND,
structed TO inquire into the expediency Of max
ing provision for improving the navigation of
the Susquehannah River.
Mr. Isaacs, of Tennessee, laid resolution on
the table for consideration, instructing the Sc
cretary of war to lay before the House copies of
all the correspondence between that Depart
ment and any members Of Congress, since the
first of December last, on the subject of an ex-
animation of route for the contemplated Ma
| tional Road from Washington to New Orleans,
in such direction through the western part OF
Tennessee, the northern part Of Alabama, and
the state of Mississippi, as should be found most
eligible; with copies Of instructions to the En-
gineers OH tina. subject. And also to inform
the House, whether such examination has been
made, or is now making; and if not, when such
examination is intended to be made.
Mr. Campbell of Ohio submitted resolution
for consideration, which was laid on the table,
requesting the President oft the United States to
transmit to the House copy of the instructions
given, by "the Congress Of the Confederation,
immediately after the close Of the war OF our
independence" TO the three Commissioners
" who were appointed to negotiate treaties OF
amity, navigation and commerce, with all the
principal powers of Europc.'
Mr. Mitchell Of South Carolina, called up
the joint resolution submitted by him some
days ago, proposing TO close the present Ses-
sion of Congress on the 18th of May next; but
the House refused by small majority to con-
slider it.
The engrossed bill entitled Gan Act to pro-
vide for the employment Of an additional naval
force" was read the third time and passed
A message was received from the Senate by
Mr. Lowrie, their Secretary, notifying the
House that the Senate had passed bill, entitled
Gan Act to authorize those persons who have
relinquished lands, under the provisions of the
several acts for the relief of purchasers of pub
lie lands, to purchase the same at private sale,
at fixed price-Also, that the Senate had APP
pointed Committee, to join such Committee
as may be appointed by the House, to report
what business is necessary to be acted on this
session, and when Congress may adjourn.
The orders Of the day were then taken up,
and on motion of Mr.. McDuRie, the House re-
solved itself into Committee oftbe Whole on
the state of the Union, Mr. Dwight of Massa-
chusetts in the Chair, for the purpose of re-
Stunning the consideration Of the proposed a.
mendments to the Constitution Of the United
States. Mr.. Barbour of Virginia, who was en-
titled to the floor, not being in his seat, Mr..
Whipple Of New Hampshire, rose, and deliver
ed very intelligent and argumentative speech
against Mr.. McDuffie's resolutions He was
followed by Mr. Worthington of Maryland,
who advocated the amendments. Mr.. Minor,
of Pennsylva nia, next took The floor, in opposi-
tionNot only to the resolutions under conside-
ration, but to any change in the Constitution,
whatever. His argument was pithy, well ar
ranged, and meriting the attention it comm and
/, ed. Mr. Kellogg of New York, also spoke a.
gainst the resolutions, but advocated the neces-
sity Of some amendment that would take the
ultimate election from The House, and do away
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