The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-04-07
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Mr. FAIRFIELD presented several memorials in
relation TO the late duel. .".~ .....
Mr.. GRANT presented one of the same tenor
Mr. HALL Of Vermont, asked leave to offer
resolution ins1ruc,iny the Committee of Investiga
ton appointed on the 26th February to inquire into
the expediency Of expelling any member of the
House who shall hereafter be engaged in any duel,
as principal or accessory and ALSO into the expedi-
encv of appointing standing committee, at the be-
ginning Of each session. whose duty 1t shall be to ex
anime into any personal controversy which may
arise between members, and if necessary 10 report
thereon to the House, &c. Objections being made,
the resolution was not received ...." ....
BILLS REPORTED.
Mr. PHILIPS, from the Committee on Commerce,
reported bill for the relief of Robert Wilson.
Mr.. CUSHMAN reported Senate bill authoriz-
ing the sale of certain land in the State OF Maine
belonging TO the United States, Tor the purpose OF
building a custom-house, lighthouses and telegraph.
Mr.. SMITH reported bill making appropria-
tions for building light houses, and establishing bea-
con lights and buoys for the year 1888.
A bill to test the practicabilily of establishing
system of electromagnetic teegraphs IN the United
States -
Mr.. DE GRAFT reported bill for the relief of
MIR. MANN reported bill for the relief of T.
Gushing.
PUBLIC FUNDS.
Mr. CASEY reported bill granting bounty in
land to the organized militia men, wounded men,
and rangers who served in the late war with Great
Britain: bill ana report oraereu 70 DC Pilh.eo'
DISTRICT COLUMBIA.
Mr. WISE rose to inquire OF the Chairman OF the
Committee of the District Of Columbia, whether
they had considered the subject of the resolution d.
rectng them TO inquire into the expediency Of re-
ceding to Maryland and Virginia, severally, this
District. He had received information to-day that
one branch of the Legislature OF Maryland was will
ling To- receive the Maryland part Of the District 1t
was subject of great importance, and one that con-
cerned the whole Union, as the measure would re-
move source of great agitation to the country
Mr. BOULDIN replied that the Committee had
the subject under consideration, and would soon re-
port upon it.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
Mr. TALIAFERRO reported bill for the relief
of the heirs of Phillip Lightfoot; also, bill for the
relief of the heirs of Jonathan Dyer
Mr.. MAY from the Committee on Private Land
Claims, reported bill for the relief of Jean Vui
Several other private bills were reported.
Mr.. Mckay reported several tabular statements
in relation to the increase of the army, and also
documents relative to the defence othe western from
tier, which were ordered TO be printed.
Mr.. CRARY rose and said that some months ago
the House authorized the printing of 5000 extra CO.
pies of The report Of the Commissioner OF the General
Land Office He would be pleased, to be informed
by member, of the Committee of Public
Lands at what time the document would be laid upon
our tables.
Mr.. CASEY stated in reply that as it was on his
motion that the document in question was ordered
be printed il was matter in which he had felt
much interest; and he had this morning inquired
of enc Of the officers OF the House when it would be
printed, and had been informed that it would be
laid on the table of members few days, il had
been delayed on account of the number of maps ac-
companying the same. ~.
Mr.. RICE GARLAND asked leave to offer
resolution nquiring of the Secretary of the Trea-
sury whether, in the present condition of the nation
al finances 1t will not be proper TO reduce the appro
priat,ons to such sum will suffice TO preserve
the Puolc works from dilapidaion alone; and whc-
ther In TINS case, some of the appropriations already
made cannot be suspended; and also what will be
the amount OF The deficit in the Treasury at the end
OF the present year, and how il is proposed to be
met
Objections being made Mr. GARLAND moved
the suspension Of the rule, which motion was lost
ayes o. nays 55-not quite two-lhirds
BOARD or CLAIMS
The special order for this day being the bin re-
ported from the Committee on Claims
" 70 establish Board OF Commissioners to exa-
mine and decide certain claims against The United
Statcsn
The House went into committee of the whole on
that bill, (Mr, CoRwIN in the char)
Mr.. HENRY made some general remarks in sup
port Of the measure.
Mr.. K. WHITTLESEY explained the details Of
the bill.
The debate was continued by McssrS. Sergeant
Craig, Underwood and others.
Without taking the question, the committee rose
and the House
Adjourned.
- II. NJ, S. Rainbow, Cont. Bennett, arrived at