The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-29
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

when
Mr.. PAYNE, of Alabama, gave notice ,ha, he
should introduce tho following bill:
"A bill 70 repeal the law distributing the proc eeds Of
the public lands among tho States.
Mr. WELLER gave the following noice:
"a bill to amend and continue in force the act to in
aapaate the inhabitants Of the city of Washington
Mr. SEYMOUR gave the following notice
a billextending the provisions Of the act Of Con-
0ress Of July Z, 1888, entitled IAN granting hal
spey and pensions 70 certain widows, 80 include
tho widows Of s0ch officers and soldiers Of the Revo
luton were married after the FIRST day of January
1194;" and also 10 extend for further period the
pensions already granted by said act
Mr.. STEENROD gave.thc following notice:
A bill making an appropriation for the Cumberland
road in the States of Missouri Indiana Illinois, and
Virginia
Mr.. SAMPLE gave the following notice
A bill for the relief of George w. Allen, of La
porte county, Indiana;
Mr.. NORRIS, of Ohio, gave the following no
tice.
A bill TO provide for the construction of dry dock
at the Navy Yard, Philadelphia.
MIR. LEVY asked permission to present the
following subject:
Articles Of complaint exhibited by WIN. Wyatt of
Florida, against Samuel Douglass, United States
Judge the Superior Court of the Middle District Of
Florida.
Which articles were referred to the Committee on
the Judiciary.
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON asked leave to bring in
bill.
Mr. HALE: al object, Proceed to the orders of
the day."
PETITIONS.
The CHAIR then called upon the States for petit
lions, large number OF which were presented and
appropriately referred
Mr.. SLiDELL gave the following notice:
bill to provide for The adjustment of land claims
In the States of louisiana Alabama Mississippi
Arkansas nd Missouri and in the Territory of
Iowa also bill TO form the entry of public lands
In certain ases; also bill exempt from duty cot
ton imported into the Uolled States from Texas.
The SPEAKER then again called the States for
petitions when
Mr.. GlDDINGS presented the following, and
moved it be referred to select committee who shall
be empowered to seEd for persons and papers:
petition of"William Jones "a negro), now pris-
oner 10 the United States jail, in the city of Wash
ington, free citizen Of the United States" setting
forth that he is advertised to be sold slave
by the Marshal of the United States to pay the ex
penses OF his Imprisonment; ard praying Congress to
restore hmto liberty and to protect him in his free
dom (; which was referred to select committee.
Mr.. MCCONNELL called for the reading of the
petition.
1t was read.
Mr. PAYNE, Of Alabama, inquired if he MIR
Qddings] knew that there was such person
MIR. GlDDINGS referred to respectable attor-
ney" who, It appears, was "DAvlD A. Hail." who
f,sd vurfor svf this uzrIuUrfuf
Mr.. DILLETT rose and denied the right Of the
reception Of such petitions which were Of judicial
character.
Mr.. MCCONNELL moved to lay it upon the
table.
Mr. GIDDINGs wished to explain.
MIR. MCCONNEI,T. ohiecf Mr. Sneaker
Hero there was great excitement
The yeas and nays were then demanded, and the
following is the result-yeas SIS, nays 100.
So it was not laid upon the table.
ciary Committee
hore there was an irregular and exciting debate
10 which Messrs. Mcconnell and Saunders partic
pated.l
The CHAIR decided it to ba out of order 10 de-
bate the question; and if debate arose thereon j
would lie over
SO il was laid over.
Mr.. KIRKPATRICK said he moved that it be re
ferred to the Committee on the Judiciary with in
structions to report bill abolishing the law BY which
this "free negro" was imprisoned.
Mr.. GIDDINGS here attempted to give notice Of
his intention to introduce bill prohibiting officers
Of the Army, and others employed by the Govern
ment from arrestlng "negro" who may be 1een.
to gain bis liberty.
III was objected TO by several members in the mos
Mr.. CALDWELL, of Kentucky, offered the fol
lowing:
A petition in behalf Of the ladies of St Matthews
Fair, asking Congress TO aid them in their laudabl
undertaking in bestowng charity to those who de
serve it at their hands.
Mr.. MCCONNELL moved that il be referred 10
committee Of one, and that committee be the gentle
man who presented il but he thought, if the ladie
would withdraw their fees paid to The priests they
would be enabled to raise a sufficient sum Of none,
Tor all prncticable purposes without troubling them.
Here some pleasant conversation took place be
tween Messrs. CALDWELL and McCoNsELL who yer,
Payfully withdrew his motion, and the paper Of tn,
ladies referred.
The SPEAKER here again called upon the State.
for petitions large number of which were present
ed and appropriately referred.
Mr.. ORDER gave notice that he would ntroduc
q bill for the benefit Of the devisees of James Ram
sey, deceased, or his heirs.
Mr.. McCONNELL presented the following Join
resolution of the Legislature OF the State of aba
ma:
Whereas, serious Inconvenience has resulted to tn
citizens of this State from the existing rates Of post
age on letters; and, whereas, believe that tn
Post Office charges should be regulated by the Ma
tionai currency, therefore,
* It solved by the Senate and House Of Represen
af'res q the Stale Of alabama General Assembly CON
rtned, mat our Senators in Congress be instructed
ana our Representatives requested to use their bes
exertions 20 modiiy the present charges on letters
50 a. 70 comPort with our National currency.
Resolred further That the Governor he reoues,ed
to transmit copy Of this preamble and Joint reso
lutlons, TO our Senators and Representatives in Con
gress.
Mr.. T1BBATTS presented the following, which
were appropriately referred
A preamble and resolutions of the Legislature O
the State of Kentucky relative to the purchase an
manufacture Of hemp in Kentucky, for the of tn
Navy OF the United States which were referred {
the Committee on Naval Affairs, and ordered to b
printed.
:. Mr.. WELLER asked if the memorial presented b
Mt Dana was ordered to be printed
The CHAIR replied, it was
Mr.. WELLER moved to reconsider
Here thcre a conversation of an expanator
character between Mcssrs. Hopkins, J. X Ingerso