Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-05-03
CONGRESS.

From the National h,teKgsacer Of Saturday.
Congress.-For the purposes ofgiving as much
room "a possible to day to MIR. Lirngston's
speech, we defer detailed account OF yestef-
day's proceedings of Congress, and conhne
ourselves to a summary of the most important
items.
In the Senate.-A good deal OF business was
transacted. some of It interesting. A proposi-
tion was reported by Mr.. Smith, OF 5. C:' from
tho Committee on Finance, to reduce the duty on
salt to ten cents after December next; the DIS 10
authorize the Registers, in Louisiana, to enter
lands in certain cases, and the bill to extend the
mowers of the Superior Judges in Arkansas, were
finally passed; the bill establishing Law De-
partment was debated, and then laid on the table,
to make way for bill. of which MIR: Weoster
rave notice. to establish the officer OF ooiicl,or
of the Treasury; the bill from the House OF re
representatives., to explain and extend the pension
laws was debated, and finally rejected, 20 10 So'
A short time was spent in Executive business.
In Ike House Of Representdf'res.-lhe most
important subject of the day, as we'll as one o the
most important of the Session, was the following
bill, reported by Mr.. Cambreleng,. from the
Committee of Commerce, -four out OF the seven
members concurring in it, as was stated.
A BILL to amend the navigation laws OF the Uni
ted States.
Re II enacted. &c. That whenever the Presi-
dent of the United States, shall receive sat-
isfactory information of the existence OF any law
or decree of anv foreign government, authorizing
the importation of the produce and manufactures
of the United States, into such foreign country,
and all its possessions, at a rate of duty not
exceeding thirty per centum on the actual
value thereof, and at such time as the produce
and manufactures of that country may be admit
ted into the United States on reciprocal terms;
thereupon the President of the United States
shall issue his proclamation declaring that ne has
received such eyidenc, and from and after IL
months from the date of such proclamation it
shall be and it it IS hereby declared to be lawful
to import into the United States the produce and
manufactures of such country, and all Its pos
sessions, at rate of duty not exceeding thirty
per centum on the actual cost or value thereof.
Sec. Q. find be it further enacted, That the
actual cost or value of the produce and Manu-
features. authorized to be imported under the
provisions of this act shall be ascertained and ad-
justed in the manner prescribed by the existing
laws; and that all acts parts OF acts relating to
debentures, appraisement, forfeitures, penalties,
or remission, applicable to merchandise import
ed under any act now existing, or which may
hereafter exist. shall be applied to the produce
or manufactures of any country, admitted under
the authority of this act: Provided, that no duty
on any merchandise so imported, shall be charg-
ed on any nominal valuation, or on any sum more
or less than the actual cost or value, to be as
certained as aforesaid.
SEC. 8 find it further enacted, That this
act shall cease in relation to any country and its
possessions, whenever the president of the United
States shall have satisfactory evidence, that the
government of such country, has directly or in
directly, violated the spirit or letter of the reel
procal acts of the two governments, by imposing
internal taxes, excuses, restrictions, or regulations
on the produce or manufactures Of the United
States, or shall in any way impose higher duty
on the same than thirty per ceutum on the actual
cost or value thereof; and whenever the Presi-
dent shall issue his proclamation declaring that
he has received such evidence, the importation
of the produce and manufactures Of such country
and of its possessions, shall cease so far as such
importation may be authorized by this act: Pro-
uided, that it shall not be deemed a violation of
the reciprocal acts Of the two governments for
either party to levy internal taxes or excise, to
impose restrictions or to make regulations of any
kind, which shall apply equally and without dis
elimination, to the produce and Manufactures OF
both countries and their possessions.
Mr.. C. moved that the bill be committed and
prnted stating that it was not the purpose of the
Committee to call it up this session, perhaps not
even the next; but the object was thus to submit
the proposition to the public at large, for its con-
sideration and action Various motions were
made, for the purpose of putting the seal of dis
appreciation on it at once. Mr.. Mallary moved
to lay it on the table, which being withdrawn,
Mr.. Gorham moved its indefinite postponement,
and these motions gave rise to some animated de-
bate on the merits of the bill, in which Messrs.
Cambreleng, Mallary, Gorham, and Wayne par
ticipated. The debate was arrested by the expi-
ration of the hour, and the subject will be resum-
ed this morning The bill for the final settle
ment of land claims in Florida was passed after
a long debate, and the remainder of the day was
spent on private bills.
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