The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-26
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
THURSDAY. Jan, "a.

THURSDAY, Jan. "a
Various petitions were offered, on leave, and re-
ferred.
The House then resumed the consideration OF a
report from the Committee on Expenditures In the
Department of War; Directing to the allowance of
$500 to Edward Lewis, for services in the Pension
Office and il was debated at some length Mr.
CLOWNEY explained and defended the report
Mr., MCKAY and Mr.. BOON opposed it, Mr. Nc
KEENAN, was opposed 10 the claim, but against
the report, il recommended suit to get back the
money, which would cost more than the whole that
would be recovered. Mr.. MARVIN defended the
report, Mr.. EVERETT wished the report recon-
mitied, with instructions. Mr.. ADAMS sustained
the allowance but before any decision, the honr ex-
pired, and the subject lies over.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Mr.. CAMBRELENG by leave, stated that the
Committee of Ways and Means wished TO make
report, containing at large the views of that COM
miltee in regard to the state Of the finances general
ly; and said that the committee had come 10 the
conclusion that should Congress authorize the usual
amount OF new appropriations, and the three mil:
lions proposed for Notifications, harbors &c il would
be necessary 10 provide five six millions for the
Treasury, in addition to all the resources and re-
ceipts existing or contemplated.
The report having been made, it was ordered
that il lie on the table and be printed.
MIR. HAYNES moved for the printing OF 10000
extra copies of the report ..E.
Mr.. SERGEANT opposed this motion, and was
proceeding 10 give his reasons, when he yielded to
the suggestion that, unless BY general consent that
motion must lie over for one day. 1t lies over &C
cordingy. WV.
On motion OF Mr. EVANS, the House proceeded
to the Orders of the Day.
Several Executive communications were received
and referred
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
On motion OF Mr.. HAYNES, the House then
went into Committee OF the Whole the state Of
the Union (Mr. Adams in the chair)
MI, HOWARD moved to take up the bill for the
liquidation of claims OF American citizens tor
spoilations by France prior to the treaty of 1901,
Mr. CAMBRELENG said the gentleman from
Maryland had better read the report OF the commit
lee which had just been made, before he pressed
bill which would require the appropriation Of four
or five millions of dollars ....
Mr.. HOWARD said that he had often endeavored
TO gel up this bill and il the gentleman had not OBJ
structed it, he might have had an opportunity of
altering his report so as to cover the necessary
amount.
After some further conversation between Messrs.
Haynes, Mckennan, Pickens, Howard, and Casey,
as TO the order Of business the question was taken
on MIR, Towards motion, and negatived.
On motion of Mr. HAYNES. the committee then
took up the resolutions offered by Mr.. H. Tor refer.
ring The several subjects of the Presidents Message
to their appropriate committees
After further conversation between Messrs. Eve
rett, Haynes, Cambreleng, Gushing, Howard, and
Giddings as to order, PIX.
The resolutions moved BY Mr.. Haynes were read
in succession, and the following were agreed to.
l. Resolred, That so much of the Presidents
Message as relates to the political relations Of the
United States with foreign nations be committed to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
2 ReSotrcd, That SO much of said Message as re-
lates TO the commerce of the United States with
foreign nations be referred TO the Committee on
Commerce. ..a
B. Rcsored, That so much of said Message as re-
lates to the finances to the collection, safe-keeping,
and disbursement OF the public revenue, and the
punishment of public defaulters be committed to the
& ommittee of Ways and Means.
A. ResotUed, That so much OF said Message as re-
lates 10 the public lands be referred TO the Committee
on the Public Lands.
The fifth resolution was then read, as follows
5. Resoiued, That so much of said Message as re-
lates to Indian affairs except what concerns the de-
fence of the frontiers against Indian hostiities, and
the protection OF the Indians against the ntruSions Of
the citizens OF the United States be referred TO the
Committee on Indian Affairs. ... =.
Mr. EVERETT went into general review of the
course pursued by the Government of the United
States in conducting Indian relations, with a
view to show that the position of the Message on
that subjec, was contradicted by facts
When he had concluded his remarks, the ques-
ton was taken, and the resolution agreed TO.
lhe following resolution was then agreed TO:
6. Resolced, That so much of said Message as re-
lates to the defence of the frontiers against Indian
hoslies and the protection of the Indian tribes
from the intrusons of citizens of the United States;
so much thereof as relates to the establishment of
mandatory OF small-arms west of the Allegheny
mountains, and to a mandatory Of gunpowder;
together with so much relates 10 the report OF the
Secretary of War, and the public interests en-
trusted TO the War Department, except the subject
embraced IN the Immediately preceding resolution,
be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
7. Rcsotrcd, That so much of said Message as re-
lates 10 the militia of the United States be referred
10 the Committee on the Militia.
8. Resolved, That SO much of said Message as re-
laes to the report of the Secretary of the Navy and
the interests entrusted to the Navy Department, be
committed to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
9. Resolred, That SO much of said Message as re-
laes TO the report of the Postmaster General, and the
condition and operations OF the Post Office Depart
ment be referred to the Committee on the Post Office
and Post Roads. .o. ,"..
TO- Resolued, That so much of said Message as re-
laes to the District of Columbia be committed to the
Committee for the District of Columbia
The following resolution having been read
H. Resolved, That so much of said Message as re.
laeS TO the establishment OF national foundry for
cannon, to be common TO the service of the Army
and Navy of the Uaited States be referred to select
committee, TO report by bill or otherwise
The question was put, and it was rejected, Gas I'M
necessary, report having been made by a select
committee on that Subect)
The following resolution was then read
IL. Resoircd, That so much of said Message as re-
lates to the questions arising out of the mandamus
issued by the Circuit Court of the District Of Colum
bia, at the relation Of Stockton and Stokes against
the Postmaster General be referred to the Commit
lee on the Judiciary.
On this resolution debate of considerable length
enSued in which
Mr. EVERETT went into history of The case,
and a review of the decision of the Court
Mr. HOWARD replied, and advocated the reso
luton.
Mr. MASON, of Ohio, went at considerable
length into commentary the case, and the effect
OF the Courts decision of it, in which he euogized
The Court and remarked with severity on the course
OF the Executive officers in the case
Mr, CRARY replied: spoke in vindcation of the
a'c PRESIDENT and argued to defend the language of
me Message in relation to the anti-repubcan ten