CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31.
The proportion for ajfuming the Jlate debts under consideration.
MR. Williamson, observed, that North-Ca
rolina must be confefledly a fufferer, un
less the accounts of the several ltates within the
union should be fettled. He had said it was his
firm belief that the final settlement of those ac
counts was intentionally delayed.- He also be
lieved that if the aflumption had once taken place,
a settlement would never be effe<fted. He was
not bound to answer so many questions. Why
"were commiflioners appointed ? Why were they
continued ? Why were they allowed clerks fuffi
cient, .with liberal salaries ? There was an ans
wer at hand. All this might be done tofave ap
pearances, until the aflumption was afFecfled—but
he rather fuppofedthatthefchemeof aflumption,
was new, and not coherent with former lyftems.
It questions might stand for arguments, he would
take the liberty, in his turn, of asking, Why are
not the commiflioners furnifhed with a rule for
determining the quotas of the several States ! It
is known that, without such rule, they cannot
possibly fettle the accounts. The neglect of this
provision, and some other concomitant circum
llances, Hand with him for a good cause to fuf
pe<ft that the accounts are to await the final fet
tlemeut. The member from New-York had ob
served that Congress, being in pofleflion of all
the funds, ought in justice to pay all the debts of
the individual States. This position, if well
founded, proves too much : it proves that Con
gress should pay the expence of the civil govern
ment of the States ; but it is not true, as he con
ceives, that Congress have the exclusive benefit
of any fund except the import duty. It is grant
ed that Congrels may impose taxes of excise ; it
may demand twelve cents per gallon for all the
rum that is retailed in the United States, and the
legislature of any State may lay an additional ex
cise of ißd. per gallon on rum. Are gentlemen
afraid that the consumption of rum will be pre.
•vented ? It is strange that gentlemen should of
fer to support this new and exceptionable mea.
lure by allegations that are so ill founded.
Mr. Page. One of my colleagues has taken
pains to convince the house that it was the inter
est of his State for Congress to afl'ume payment
of the State debts, and had concluded that his
colleague differed from him in opinion. I rife to
shew upon what grounds they so differ from him ;
and this I do notbecaufe I suppose I ain the best
qualified to undertake the business, but because,
as I have said but little as yet, and may have been
misunderstood, I wifli, whilst 1 answer my res.
pedlable friend, I may have an opportunity of
ihewingin what light I view the queltion before
the committee.
Sir,my colleague stated that it was the interest of
Virginia that Congress should afl'ume the payment
of the debts, because taxes laid for that purpose
by her legislature bore unequally on the state,
particularly in the middleand eastern parts. But
lir, granting this to be true, it is only a proof that
the weight of legislative influence is against those
parts of the country, and, if so, it is a proof that
a majority of the legislature at least must be a
gainit our flieltering ouvfelves under the gen
eral government, against the exertions of its au_
thority ; That if the present mode of levying tax.
es be agreeable to a majority of the people, the
innovation proposed must bedifagreeable to them ;
and that it is disagreeable even to the holders of
public (ecurities, appears to me to be evident
from the sudden and great fall of state certifi
cates, and the eagerness with which creditors
get rid of them. This is a fatft of which lam well
informed ; they fell 30 or 40 per cent, it is aflirm_
ed, soon after the plan of all'umption was propo.
fed ; and lam afl'ured, by some of the most sensi
ble and best informed gentlemen in Virginia, that
they think the aflumption of the state debts unjust
with refpedi to Virginia, and impolitic.
This, then, I think ought to be a fatisfaclory
answer to my worthy colleague, especially when
I add that the state now pays its debts in its own
way, in its own time, upon very easy terms, and
the creditors are fatisfied, and cannot but be
alarmed at the aflumption proposed by Congref?,
at least at the delay of two years before they can
poflibly tell what their certificates will be worth.
Sir, my friend (Mr. Bland) and other refped:-
ab)e members on his fide of thequeftion, suppose
that policy and justice dl(ftated the resolution be
fore you, but I conceive that policy demands that
we fhonld do nothing which may wound the cre
dit of thea;eueral government and excite the jea
lous fears of its late oppofers and secret enemies ;
and as to justice, that requires that Congreft
should pay the debts of the late Congress, and
sacredly comply with all its own engagements ;
and that state legislatures should pay their debts,
and comply with their engagements ; by doing
this, both the general government and the indi
vidual states establish their credit and follow the
dictates of the soundest policy
As to the debt of America, it is two fold ; one
part was incurred for the general defence, some
times under requifitious of Congress, and some
times by virtuous and voluntary exertions; the
other part was incurred for local purposes, some
times indeed against the common enemy, but
sometimes to fliew the power and spirit of the
state ; perhaps sometimes to lay the foundation
of future grandeur and pre-eminence amonglt
the. states, which, it ought to be remembered,
were separate, sovereign and independent, vieing
with each other and clashing in their interests,
so as to render it neceflkryto abolilh the confede
ration which feebly held them together only a.
gainst a common enemy, and to eftablilh the pre
sent federal government, under which alone pro
vifioncanbe made for payment of such debts as
are nowpropofed to be a (Turned ; butthofe particu
lar debts, further than such as are truly continen"
tal charges and contracted under the late govern"
ment, Congress ought no more to meddle with
than the debts of our allies in Europe. Sir, if
we undertake to pay a debt beyond that which
the late Congress was bound to pay, and a debt
too which is said to be enormous, mult we not
alarm the creditors of the late government ?—
Mull we not weaken the credit of the new go
vernment, and perhaps to such a degree as to
injure the very Hates which suppose they will be
benefited by the afl'umption proposed ? 1 conceive
lir, it would be good policy in Congress to efta
its credit upon the firmed balls : If it should do
this, it may hold forth its protecting hand to the
weaker states, and enable them to flourifh in
agriculture, arts and commerce, foas to be able
to pay all their own debts with honor.
Here, by the bye, 1 will observe that I think
it highly improper in gentlemen, to represent
the State debts as so large as to be beyond their
abilities so pay them ; 1 think this injurious to
the credit of the States, and, I fjope, founded on
a mistake. I, for my part, think there is not a
State in the union which, the foftering
hand of the general government, cannot pay its
debts in a reasonable time ; and sure 1 am, that
the iinpoit, tonnage, and back lands, will abun
dantly fnfßce for the payment of the debts and
supplies of the general government.
It is said that these, and all the resources of
government, being taken away, leave the States
without the means of paying their debts ; but
this is a miltake : for if we rejeifl the resolution
before you, fir, the States will have diretft taxes
in their own hands for this purpose. If, indeed,
the resolution be adopted, I know not what the
States will have left : we lhall then have grasp
ed at all their resources : we lhall prove the
truth of the predictions of the enemies of this
government, and wound the feelings of its
friends, who so often declared that they could
pledge themfelvet that Congress never would lay
direct taxes but in cases of extreme neceflity, and
where the general good evidently requii ed it ;
but in the cafe before us there is no such neces
sity ; on the contrary, itispropofed merely to
afford a partial relief to a few States, to the in
jury of a majority, and perhaps to the deduc
tion of public credit, which may terminate in
the ruin of all.
Thinking, therefore, as I do, fir, oftherel'o
lution before the committee, I /hall vote to re
jertit.
Mr. Bland. I rife to explain myfelf to my honorable col
league over the way (Mr. Page) or I would not now have troubled
the House. That gentleman seems to have rested his arguments
in his opposition to the sentiments I expreflcd yefterdav, on a
(ingle point, and that not the principal one which I made 'use of
but only a collateral one ; nor do I think, he has by any meani
invalidated what I then said even on that point. I could wish
the gentleman had taken the whole of my arguments, and answer
ed them fatisfaftorily to me and the committee, and not have de"
tached them ; he would then have found that I yesterday men"
tioned some fafls not easily to be disproved ; that Virginia had fuf
fered the loss of a very great number of her citizens by emigration
to Kentucky,. Franklin, Georgia, and other places, ofiwhofe as
fiftance in the payment of her State debt (he was totally deprived •
nay, to those of Kentucky, (he had yielded a very expensive prol
teclion, since the war, without receiving any return in taxes •
that in conference of her citizens emigrating, great quantities oi
the lands ot those emigrants were offered for Tale, which witho
thcr cautes, had produced a very great fall in the value of thl
lands held by those who nad not emigrated, and who had now to
pay the debts which were properly the debts of the union, to pav
then own State debt, and the debts which thev owed to British
creditors prior to the war, to those creditors and tlmt vat,on who had
taken from these very people their negroes, laid wide those very
lands, and burnt those towns, from whence they were to derive
the means of paying any thing. It is true I mentioned in a cur
Tory manner, and meant to apply it in its proper place, that the
weight of wealth lay towards the sea coast, and in the track of the
armies ; that there Mo, of course, lay the burthen of war, and the
principal part o those who were creditors of the State for monies
loaned and fupphesfurmfhed.&c. and that the weight of leeilU
twe influence lay towards the mouniains, and beyond them I
called upon the gentleman if this fact had not been ascertained in
the leginature of Virginia, when the fubjeft of the payment of
Britilh debts was agitated in that assembly ; and aflced him if loud
complaints were not uttered from every part of the house from the
lower members above defenbed, nay, even from members fur!
rounding the Honorable gentleman's placeof abode. How much
then mud the State creditors, as I contend thev are i
called, for the bulk of the State debt, dread a similar proceeding*
if the alTumptiondoes not take place, (hould any measure be mol
ved which might effect the credit of the State funds, and efpecTlly
when the fecuntiei, by being transferred, shall get into the hands
of a few persons compared to the whole, or toShofe who now
pofTefs them and who may be obliged to part with them J I
must remind the gentleman that the Bntifh debtors are liabTe to
be rued fortheir debts m the federal court, and that to many to
luin muftenfue A peace was necessary for America at the
time it was made ; few persons, except those who profited by the
war, would have been willing to h«e continued it in our circum
fiances ; those debtors were made a facrifice to the obtaining"^
438
peace; and without they are relieved by the affumpiion of the
continental debt, which was aflumed by the States when the cou
tineht was deficient in resources, their ruin would be complete.
He would candidly hear and argument that could be
urged ; but had yet heard none that, either on a general or a State
principle, had induced him to believe he lh ou lid vote on this great
question otherwise than he had hitherto done ; that he was optu
to convi&ion, but could not change his opinion on flight grouuds.
SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28.
On motion, ordered, That Mr. Carroll, Mi. Ellfworth, Mr.
Morris, Mr. Izard, and Mr Butler, be a committee to confidcr
what provision will be proper for Congress to make 111 the prc
fent feflion refpetting the State of Rhode-Island.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The House resolved itfelf into a committee of the whole, on
the bill for the remiflion and mitigation of fines, forfeitures and
penalties in certain cases -the fame having been gone through
with, the committee rose, and the House ordered it to be enfeof
fed and read the third time to-morrow.
The bill fer the government of the territory south-east of the
river Ohio, was taken up by the committee of the whole, and
reported without any amendment, but in going through the
House some amendments were made thereto, and was ordered to
be engrofled for a third reading to-morrow.
Mr. Page, from the committee appointed for that purptjfe
brought in a bill to describe the mode in which the ads, records,
and judicial proceedipgs of the several States shall be proved, &c.
—which was read the firft time.
The House then resolved itfelf into a committee of the whole
on the bill to regulatetrade and iutercourfe with the Indian tribes,
and made progress therein.
THURSDAY, APRIL 29.
Mr. Sherman, Mr. Smith (S. C.) and Mr. Vining were appoint
ed a committee to report to the house if any, or what further
rules were neceflary to regulate the proceedings in the house ; and
also to confer with a committee of the Senate refpefting fnrthcc
regulations in conducing bufmefs betweeh the two houses.
Mr. Fitzfimons, Mr. Smith (M.) and Mr. Sturgcs were appoint
ed a committee to bring in a bill for the government and regula
tion oi seamen in the merchants service.
The house then resolved itfclf into a committee of the whole on
the bill fuppleiriLritary to the a£l, entitled, "An ast for eftablifh
mg tne lalaries of the executive officers of government, their af
fillants and clerks." The bill being gone through amend
ed, the committee rose, and the house agreed to the fame. By
this bill the secretary of state is allowed to employ another
clerk at a salary of 800 dollars per annum.
Ihe house Look into consideration the bill for providing the
means of intercom fe with foreign nations, and agreed to the fame
as amended by the committee of the whole on Tuesday last.
The house then rifolved itfclf into a committee of the whole on
the bill •' For the encouragement of learning, by securing the co
pits of maps, charts, and other writings, to the authors and pro
prietors of such copies, during the times therein meutioned."
FRIDAY, APRIL 30,
Sundry petitions and memorials were reac
A committee was appointed to report a catalogue of books /ui.
table to form a library, for the accommodation of both Houfeiof
Congress, and the Executive Officers of Government with ii
elfimate of the cxpencc.
Some reports of committees were read—and then the Hoafc
adjourned till Monday. ,
The firft session oi'the General Aflembly of Vir
ginia, subsequent to the eleiftion o{ the Pr*.
ndent of the United States, not haying bccit
heltl until several months after that -vgpr
ceflarlly delayed an address of congratulation
to rhe President until the winter following;
and the ill health of the Senators from that
State, who were dire<H.ed to present the- ad
dress, having interposed a further delay, uutU
Tuesday the 27th instant, when
The following Address was presented to the pre
sident of the United States, at his houie in
Broadway, by the Senators from the Com-
inoiiwealth of Virginia in the Congress of the
United States.
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES.
The Address of the General Aflbmbly of the
Commonwealth of Virginia
SIR,
r I ''HE General Aflembly of your native State,
embrace the firft moment in their power to
present the congratulations of your countrymen,
on your election to the Chief Magistracy of a
free and enlightened nation.
In early life you engaged the affections ofyour
fellow-citizens, by the exercise of those social
virtues, which have so eminently marked your
conduct, and acquired their confidence, by the
display of these abilities, which, under Divine
Providence, afterwards saved their liberties, ants
eltabliihed their independence.
1 hat you were a citizen, was never forgotten
by you, whilst a soldier ; and the end of yonr
military command confirmed the profeilions with
which it commenced.
The very toils and dangers through which
r° U .trc V j P a,lecl for our defence, although they
anctified your claim ro retirement, yet by pre
enting an earnest of your worth, created a ti
tle in your fellow-citizens to demand your re
turn to public artion ; yes, Sir, you have been
ca led to your present high station, by the 11 nan
lnious voice of a free people ; you have obeyed
them with a peculiar greatness of mind, dis
daining all scruples which could induce even a
momentary pause, and renouncing that doraeftic
u anqui ity, which alone you claimed as the re
ward of victory.
Devoted as we are to republican government,
we tear not to utter these truths to you, for we
beheve you will feel no emotions from the cor
dial offerings of universal praise, but those which
the purest virtue inspires.
e l , ° ok /° rward w ' ar dent hopes, that the
great chipofer °f events may long continue you
t ie inlti ument of general happiness ; and when
APRIL 28.
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