XljC@a3Cttf. g P HILA DE LP HI A, „ THURSDAY EVENING, DF.CIiiWfiF.X 14. cl Forthe Gazette of the United States" pi IK. fe:;no, al At the table of a friend a few days ago, ' when the fybjeft of the French [puliation# r was topic of converfatiori, a gentle in in pre •fenr ftreiiHpufly advocated the arneing our , niei:clisi>t veffeta, and at length-deelated in the hoileft and warmth cf his rtTent- 1 ment, that '-' he would arm his (hips and 0 theylhojiy fight theirway"; that he "would 11 do the (/me aflSjinft any nation, being one of the nK'nuriaitlb to Congress (when Great- 15 Brit/,n aftcd'thfc fame part) recommending hcJ'.ilities being commenced againf< her''— being* alked "if he did not think it for- P ' tunalc that Cbrtgtcfs did not adopt the measure > at that time so recommended," he ingenuously confefftd he did and that their v/ifjom ivas 1 evident Lr the event. , This fubjeft being now before the house c eif rsprefentatives and a bill aboijt to be in troduced, I cannot refrain from offering a feyv thoughts «n the occasion. It is generally considered that every mer- 1 chant. tkas a right to adventure his property 1 as he thinks fit, and if exposed to unjust a hazard tp defend it ; but though this is not ' now inUndtd to be denied, it must be e- c qually admitted that he has no right to i hazard the 'property, or compromit the 1 peace of others, or of his country. The J i:n:iu'.bcri%ed a3 cf an individual, and the or / "s or fnnSion of a nation, are to be conjider sd differently. Before thofu difficulties of which we com- pk'iu, onr produte was abundant and there fore low in ell the Wrjl-India ijlands (the ' chief rr.aikets for its ventj ; now it is not so plenty, the tupplies ai®e more uncertain j and precarious 9 and prices consequently and naturally higher, augmented in greater propor tions than the difference of insurance. Who pays this encreafe bf price ? is it not the con sumer ? certainly it is—every man who eats ' bread in <the Wejl-Indies, or requires ajhingle or a board contributes to pay for the insurance of ourJhips and cargoes. It is evidently and unquestionably the interest of those who eat the most of it to gaard and profeft this com mcree, and thereby the danger to which their necejfifries of life are exposed. Is there any price to which the chief ar ticles of onr export cas be raised during war tfme that will prevent thsir being demanded coufumed in the islands ? every man who kas been there, will £ay no—they can «ot get them through any other channel, and cannot do without the<m ; but is is said that every vefTel taken is so much Iwfs to the Country, which is conceived to be amiftake, 1 except when uninsured ; and if imprudent men, urged by too great an avidity for gain are I thereby disappointed, it is net the interceptions of our commerce they are to complain of; that o- Bininti however is right as to* vefiels that Foundftr or are wrecked, whethrtr insured or not ; the difference is material between the two pcHfitkjps, and it is neceffarf to be just ly comp-ehended in order to a trua judg ment jor proper inference. If four vessels be insured to an island a»d back at 30 per cent, and ene is t:\ken, the * owners of those that ani'ie get a greater sum for their cargoes, and fafficient to pay for the cqft, freight and premium of infurauee, which they bring home is da it with, and the underwriters arc enabled to pay the loss of the one taken by the that Arrived— it is otherwise when a vessel is wracked or founders—then it its a nation al loss. But will arming our vessels tend ito reduce prerniuirs of insurance ? it is conceived not, for the French will add (Irength to their crifiztra fufficient to contend for prize mo ney and plunder ; and if premiums a#e low ered, will more of our flour, fi(h, bread, ria e, or provisions of any fort be eaten,pr will they bring better prices or leave so good a profit ? this applies equally to the European trade, the articles of coffee and fu'gar which we import and telhip are sent to, market loaded with every additional exponce which the danger and difficulty of procuring and conveying thither occasiOns ; what else has Taifed the price of them in all the markets of Europe I What fay feh-et mercaritile let ters of advice ? Send coffee, sugars, tobac co, See. the pr ices will bear even the high premiums of infurauee and freight. Now Mr. Fenno, I think with my table companion, that it was fortunate we did not arm on a former occasion, and I am not less certain we (hould avoid, at least postpone it now, rather adopting the plan pointed out in my4aft, or something free from the spil ling of blood, which once begun will not easily be (lopped—while it closes ths door of reparation for the pajl, without even a hope of benefit for the future. A FRIEND TO LAWS & FRE-EDOM. Dec. 13 th. From the (LONDON) COURIER. Mrs. NESBITT. This celebrated woman h3s become the topic of universal conversation, from the mention which CitizeirNoFL* makes of her tranfaftions in Germany j and (he is likely to fuffer a great deal of impertinent dander on account of the allusion to her name. It certainly is no difqredit to the S cx > an accompliftied woman is capable of playing a partvfo confpfcuous and inlereftirvg to the fate of natiur.s, as that which Mr». Ncfbitt has lately performed. During the lail twenty yeafs we will venture to fay that no just reproach can be thrown on her moral , conduft. The allusions made to her ac quaintance with Mr. Rose are illiberal. Hej. * Tfie I, t'Udon P»r eri have inserted the letter here a'lude<l t >, as being wr.'t n by Citizen Noel the French (V-rLaffador at ths Hague ; whereas it i, an intercepted letter, written by Come person employed by, C>e coakfeed Powers, and which, falling into'the hands of the Arnj.ffador wasfent by him tp thu JSlinitter of Police at Pans. atfinacjr with ir.an'y of the iofiofi JiftingcHh- evt :d char'a&ors of the age, with "Lorfl Thur- i by ow and others, was no other than the foci- | mc _-ty cf kindred minds. An intelligent wo- |no nan in the decline of years, poffefling the ' th •harms of conversation, unreitraiued by pro- th dery, and endowed with elejaftt talents im proved by a knowledge of the world, drew tei around her is (cleft circle of friends, arid p.: made her retirement at Norwood defirabie'io i v»J the Politician .and the Scholar, from its in- so teliecinjl and unembarrassed politics. We abhor the idea of pflrfuing political hoftiii- ch ties into private life ; we sincerely believe of that. Mr. Rose cultivated,the acquaintance so of Mrs. Ncibitt from the attrsdibu of jjjsr m'fid ; and he introduced his young family to her .house, that they miglit form their manner? under so perfeita model. Such has been the lituationof Mrs.Nefbitt for the last ■ twenty years. With an inde- pendent fortune of between 2 and 30001. a year, debarred 1 in a great degree from the ftmale world by the early events of herltiflo- L ry, surrounded by men of the firft dillinfti on, it was no wonder that a woman so eri- , I dowed, and so fuccefsful, (hould be induced to turn her talents into political intrigue. Her marriage a-la-main gauche with a Ger man Prince introduced her to the best focie- [ 1 ty at the Courts of Germany ; and in all the diplomatic circles (lie was considered as a woman of infinite address and of profound , discernment. Oar readers are not ignorant ! of tbenature of a German marriage a-la-main • gauche. The pride of jroyalty will not per- ! mit a Prince to marry a woman of inferior b rank otherways than with the left hand. " This, withdut elevating the lady to the '> Blood Royal, preserves hercharafter unftain- j 1 ed, and (he is received into society with re- P fpeft. The conntftions thpt (he formed in si the Empire and Switzerland, her knowledge I n of the languages, the symmetry of her per- j a son which made it easy for her to assume the 0 male habit, and the confidence reposed in her by Mfnifters, pointed her out as a pro- t per agent ; and on the sth of August 1795 I (he left England, and has ever fmce resided v in various parts of the Continent. It is not r easy to develope the course (he has pursued; 1 but until it (lull be declared infamous for j. Court* to employ fecnet agents, it surely I cannot be imputed to h»r as a crime that her « accomplishments entitled her to the appoint- 1 merit. We know that public curiosity will not be ' fatisfied until we (hall tear off the ma(k from 1 the early periods of her hiftory—atid yet no- 1 thing can be more base and detestable in ' Morality than such an exposure. Let the ' generosity of the sex decide upon this quef tiou. If youthful frailty cannot be atoned | for by years of honourable life—if no (hade 1 is tobecaft over the errors of an inexperienc- '< ed and a deluded heart, but the fcrvility of 1 virtue it to persecute with eternal exclufurn the female who has once erred, what a hor rible tyranny is that of the Public Tribunal But Gallantry, and s he cause of Virtue it felf, join in the rescue of the Sex ; and on ly vicious malignity, or horrid defign,would recal the memory of repentant error. Mrs. Nefbitt has had to combat through life with the prejudice which her firft connefti»tis excited : and the woman whom the dread ful pen of Junius coniigned to an immortal ity of disgrace, could only rife superior to the memorial by extranrdrrrary yet this (he has effected. Notwithstanding the recorded anecdote of her marriage with Mr. Nefbitt, and the mifcellanv of her life, (he has acquired an elevation in life which (he has preserved with dignitybecaufe (he has afted with moderation. She has used her influence with the great, in favor ef the un fortunate ; and many deserving men owe their present fituatioDs in public life to the patronage of this Lady. STATE PAPER. Decree of his catholic majesty, prescribing regulations to be observed in the condem nation of prizes brought intoSpani(h har bors : " The king being desirous, that, in trials relative to prizes, all doubts (hould be re moved which may occasion loss and delays, to the prejudice of persons interested, or give rife to difficulties with other courts — The Prince of peace, our firft secretary of State has prepefed to us what appeared to him a proper remedy. Agreeably to his 'proportion, and after having consulted our Supreme council of war, we have pa(Ted the following decree : Art. 1. The immunity of the coasts of our dominions (hall not be marked, as here tofore, by the doubtful and uncertain reach s of cannon, but by the distance of two miles of 950 toifes each. 1. Prizes made within th* said two miles ■ fiiall be tried according to the usual and es tablished forms, before the tribunals in r whichethe governors andcommandantsofour f ports preside, to whore we give this jurif di&isn. 3. No prize made within the said limits (hall be considered legal, unless it be taken from a with whom we are at war ; then there (hall be taken, merely for form's fake, a piocefs verbal in the port into which e the prize (hall be broght. e 4. Prizes taken beyond the said distance x (hall be considered as made on the high seas, y and judged by the tribunal of the captor. r 5. Prizes made on the high seas, and bro't t ,into the ports of our dominions, cann»t be f fold if they consist of prohibited merchanr a dize ; but if they are not of this defcriplion e the laK (hall be permitted upon paying the t legal duties. J 6. When the prizes made without the 3 territorial diilance (hall be carried into our ports, a iimple process verbal (hall be taken of the capture by the agents of the captor, ' and the governoi of the port ; so that the persons interested may,notwithftandingthefe I : proceedings, have recourse to the proper tri- V n ' 7. If any neutral vefTel which (hall be ta '• ken without the territorial distance, and ' , brought jato purports; Have Spanish prop :vty on board, the whole prize (hall be tried pai >y our tribunals, if the Spauifn property a- j dat nount to one half of the cargo ; but if it is . otl lot equal to one half the value of the cargo ' St; :he prize shall be tried by the tribunal of ( th< :'nc captor. ' of 8. If neutral vessels taken without the thi territorial diftanpe, and brought into our bit ports, contain Spanish property notamount- , ftt ing to one half the cargo, they cannot be I fold as if they belonged to enemies. , gr We therefore enjoin all our councils, ca chancelleries. audiences,and all the tribunals pi: of oilr kiivjJotn and Seignories, &c. tocon- | in forVn hereto. en " at Aranjuez, 14th June, x 7-J7-" '■ ■■ nr • 'ti 'f "■"•a— yr ce ■si -O N G R E S S. fu HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. , . . TUESDAY DECEMBER 12. in Debate on a Motion for fu [pending the opera- so t'-ou'rif ail Act of Limitation. I' The house having resolved itfelf into a com- h: mittes of the whole on the fubjeft, Mr. cl Dent in the. chair, the following report fi< was read : p: The committee of claims, who were " in- oj ftrufted to enquire into, and report on tl the expediency or inexpediency of defig- fe Bating certain claims against the United tl ' States, to fee excepted, from the operation of the afts of limitation-," —Report n- THAT io obedience to the orders of the tl house, they have made all the enquiries h which to them appear ncceffary : that they ft have attentively and deliberately considered e the fubjeft referred to them, and are of o- 1 pinion that it would not be expedient to de- ti fignate«any species of claims against the U- tl nited States, wfhich are now affefted by the i afts of limitation, to be excepted from the I operation of those afts. ti In con Tidy ing this fubjeft, a review of v the fituatwn' of the United States', as res- a pefted their finance*, during the period when most of the demands originated, was c requifite.—lt was also Beeeffary to ascertain o what meafurts had been adopted by con- t grefs, both under the old and «nder the c present government, tobring all the demands c against the Hates, to a liquidation and set- { tlcment. s It will be recollefted, that at the com- ; mencement of the war, the United States were deflitute of money ; and during a long I period of years afterwards, were obliged to I rely principally on credit for carrying on all 1 their important operations. < Having, at that time, no fettled national < government, a regular system for conduft- ' ing public bufineu, especially money tranf- j aftions, depending on credit, was not to be i expefte*}. 1 Great numbers of individuals were neces sarily inveftcd with the powers of bindßig the public by their contrasts. Almost tve- ry officer of the army, whether in the com missary's department, or otherwise, in dif ferent stages of th*' had it in their pow er to contjaft debts legally or equitably binging upon the United State 4. We find congress, at various times, during the war endeavoring to make arrangements which should prevent an undue us« of the powers veiled in individuals, and the dangerous ronfeqowttes so winch the government w.ir, thereby neceffarlly espofed. The afts of the Jth of March, 1779, and of the 23d of August, 1780, were calculated to limit the public refpoufibility in such cases. After the peace, and under the old government, periods were preferibed, within whichclaims of certain descriptions, and finally all unli quidated claims were to be exhibited for . settlement, or to be forever thereafter bar red. It must be acknowledged by all, that du ring tbofe periods, every 'provision which could rationally have been expefted, was made for the accommodation of individuals having claims against the public, to enable them to obtain proper settlements of their demands. The journals of congress under ' the confederation will abundantly juftify this remark. 1 Commiffioiiers were appointed, with fper cial or general powers, to fettle the claims I of individuals in all the departments ; and in every inftanee, the powers given were ple ' nary and explicit. ..Sufficient time was giv * en one to obtain information, and pin fne liis remedy, and ample opportunity ' wa3 given For all tofubftailtiate their claims, or, at least, to present abflrafts of them, which would have prevented their being " foreclofed by the afts designed eventually to 1 operate upon them. The cases cannot be ' numerous, in which tlie want of opportuni ty to bring forward claims, can be justly s pleaded as an extufc for the omission. By the aftof the 17th of March, 1785* I all persons having unliquidatedclaims against r the United States were required, within ' twelve months,to exhibit particular abllrafts of such claims, "to some of the commissioners s in the state in which they refpeftively refid- II ed, who were sent and empowered to fettle ~ accounts against 'the United States, under s the penalty or condition, that accounts not so presented, should be thereafter fettled only at the Treasury. e By another aft of Congress, of the fame ! » year, viz. November 2, 1785, all persons having claims for services performed in the I military department, were direfted to exhi e bit the fame for liquidation, to the commis sioners of arms account?, on or before, the II firft day of Anguft, then ensuing. By that e aft if w*b esprlrfsly/eiolved, under the description abov£ mentioned, e which might be exhibited jifter that period, lr should be forever thereafter precluded from ™ adjustment and allowance. r ' And it was provided, by the aft of July, e | 23, 1787, that all persons having unliqui- [ e j dated claims against the United States, per- I taining to the late commissaries, quarter i mailers, hospital, clothiers or marine de partment, fhciuld exhibit particular abflrafts of such claims, to the proper cornmiflioner 3 appointed --o fettle the accounts of those de- parlrfleHts, within eight months from the! limi date'of the said aft; and all persons having! thai other unliquidated claims againil; the United the States, were to exhibit particular abflrafts r , thereof to the Comptroller of the Tteafury req of the United States, within one year from aft the date thereof? and all accounts not exhi- ticti bited as aforef iid, wire to be precluded from of settlement or allowanee. frd These regulations were adopted by Con gress, under the old government. Great res care was taken to have them extensively are published, so that every individual, who was pa' interested, miifht be informed of their exist- sol I ® . ence and operation. Under the preirrit constitution, there has fir not been wanting a disposition to relieve wi certain individuals vvbofe clainrs were con- to iidered as peculiarly meritorious, which had mi been affefted by the afts above recited. ho With this view, in March 1792, two fe- vera! acts of Congress were pailed, suspend- pa ing, for two years, the operation of there- to folrtions of Congress, of November 2d, th 1785, and July 27th, I 787, so far as they had barred or might be construed to bar the ha claims of the wido wor orphans of any of- m ficer of the late army, to the seven years half nc pay of such officer ; or the claims of any hi officer, foldicr, artificer, fador, and marine, of the army of the United §tntes, for pcrfonal pc services rendered to the United States, in fu the military or naval departments. tc In consequence of these suspensions, ma- tl ny claims were exhibited and allowed againil m the government. There is reason to appre- ol hend, in some instances, the public were de- u frauded for want of pre-existing checks and p evidences of payment having been made.— ci This suspension continued for the term of n two years, which was till March 1794. In a the mean time, viz. on the 12th of February t! 1793, the aft " relative to claims afairjl the ft United States, not barred by any aH of limitn e tion, and which had not been already adjujledr was patted by Congress, after a ferioti3 utd h attentive consideration of the fuhjeft. I By that law, it was provided, " That all I claims upon the United States, for services I or supplies, or for' other cause, matter or t ■ thing, furnifhed or done, prsvious to the 4th f • day of March, 1789, whether founded upon 1 i certificates or other written documents from t - public officers, or otherwise, which had not 1 already been barred by any aft of limitation, t ■ and which should not be presented at the \ s Treasury, before the firft day of May 179/, t r should forever after be barred and precluded ] j from settlement or allowance." But this « 1 was not to coaftrued as affefting Loan Office 1 certificates, certificates of final settlements, in- j 1 dents of interejl, balances entered in the books of 1 - the regijler of the treasury, regijlered certificafes, 1 - foreign loans, or certificates ijfued under the aS e mating provifton for the public debt <f the Unit- \ ed States." One otheraft, palled the 3d day of March, 5 '795. provided, that Lean-Office certificates, ■- final fiettkmfnts, and indents of _ interefi, then 1- outstanding, (hould be presented at the office *- of the auditor to the treasury, on or before •- the firft day of January, in the present year, y 1797,'0r be forever after barred or preclud d ed from settlement or allowance, ir This summary contains a geueral view of h the principal afts of limitation, by which r» claims against the public nave been affefted. is From an attentive t'ncm, is ;fh3oF lie cfrcumftauces undfcr which the, >f were enafted, the committee are fully im >f pressed with an opinion, that it would no; ie be expedient to suspend their operation. :r It was essential to the public admimitn t, tion, that the extent of jull demands upon is the government, (hould be, within a reafona i. ble period, definitely ascertained. It was jr essential to the public fafety and to right, iii r- reliion to the whole community, that all unsettled claims should be made known i- within a time when there were yet means of •h proper invelligation, and after which the as public responsibility should terminate ; and Is the poffibiiity of charging the government le by collusive and fiftitious contrasts, should ir be at an end. ;r Thejuftice as well as policy of aftjß of fy limitation, under such circumstances, cannot be doubted t. The situation of no country ever prefent ns ed a more clear necessity f»r, er a more com id peteot juflification of precautions of that e- nature. And all the reasons for adopting v- them operate to recommend unufujl cantion id in departing from them, with.the addition ty aTforce of this circumfiance, that the fubfe is, quent lapse of time has increased the difficul ri, ties of a due examination, ig The accounts of a confiderablc number to of officers, who had in their power to bind be the public by their contrasts, and who were ii- entrulled with large sums of money for ful ly filling, their engagement, remain unsettled; some of those persons are dead : others j, have afcfconded ; the business has been con ift dufttd by others, with so little order, as to in put it out of their power to 1 render a proper Eta flatement of their tranfadlions ; the books ;rs andpapersof others, whofiadextenfivetrufts, d- have been deflroyed, so as to preclude the, :1c poffibiiity of settlement. Hence it mull ler appear that the government would,in a great ot number of cafe 3, be deflitute of the means ed of repelling unfounded and even fatisfied claims for want of documents and vouchers, Tte which could only have resulted from a due ns settlement with thole officers, and from the he poffeflion of their books and papers, hi- It might be inferred wi.hout proof, and 1 if- it lias appeared in the Otirfe of business at he the treafury,*that it was a praftice with cer lat tain public officers, on obtaining supplies to as,, give receipts and certificates for them, and ;d, when jAy made payments, cither partially id, or totfwy, to take diftinft receipts from the >m parties, without either endorsing the pay ments upon the orignal vouchers, or requir ily. ing a farrender of them, ui- Hence it would often happen that par er- ties could produce fatisfaftory vouchers of ter their having performed services, and furnifh -2- ed supplies, for which, though fatisfaftion fts may have been made, the evidences of it ner would not be in the poffeflion of thegovern de- metit. And hence, from relaxations of the limitation a&s, there would be great da.iger that much more injustice would be done to the United States,than justice to individuals. The principles, of felf defence therefore require, and juftify an adherence to thofc afts * t "rurally ; and there are not any par ticular species of claims, Which, in tlk view of the committee, ought to be exempted frotn their operation. « Thole which have been mod frequently referred to by some members of the house, are such claims as include the arrearages of pay aiid other emoluments to officers and soldiers of the late arrtiy, &c. Pursuant to an order of the house, at the firft. session of the last congress,. a report was made to them, having special refere*ce to this fubjeft. It wis considered in com mittee of the whole, and agreed" to fcy life house, on the firft day of February, 1796. —To that report and the documents accom panying the fame, the committee ask leave to refer the house, and refpeftfully fubnait the whole fubjeft to their confideratioo. Mr. D. Foster said, the Report itfelf had stated the reasons of the Committee for miting it, so fully, that he thought it neceflary to do more than move that the house concur with it. Mr. Gallatin observed, that this re- I port went upon two principles ; firft, that fufiicient time had been given for claimants to come inland that therefore it was always ■ I the fault of themselves, if their claims were j not allowed ;i and the other was, the danger ■ I of fraud that would attend thefettlement of ■ I unliquidated accounts, from the want ofpr.o ---11 per checks. Taking it forgrantei that the • I committee of the whole would eoncur in the f I report, he fnould make a motion to except 1 I a class of claims which did not come within r I the operation of these objeftions, to the pof ? I feffor of which, due notice had not been giv^ J en of their being barred, and which were qi ' I ready liquidated. The dtferiptien which i I he alluded to were Land-Ofnce Certificates, I Final Settlements, _ and indents of iSterejj. I I It was to be observed that on the 12th <)f s I February 1793, an Act was pasTed relative r 1 to claims, which required them to be pre li I fented at the Treasury before the 1 ft of May n I 1794, or they would be forever barred, but n I these descriptions of claims were excepted, t | Public notice was given of this ait, so that 1,1 the country might become well acquainted e I with it. But an ait had been passed on ,1 the 3d of March, 1795, making further a | provilion for the support of Public Credit, is I and the of the Public Debt, which :t I was a long aft, relating to different ob -1-1 jests refpefting the Public Debt; but in tl e 7/1 middle of it there was afe&ion inferte*?, re s, I quiring all Loan-Offiee Certificates, Final 81 Settlements, and Indents of Interest, 1-1 funded within two years. This aft 'Was so- I reign to the fubjeft, and there was nothing ti, I in it to lead to a supposition that fuoh an s, I article would be found in it 4 110/ had the ■n I law been published in the newspapers, or a ;c I ny means taken to acquaint the holders of re I this property with it. He could not, tliere r, I fore, conceive that it wa3 confident with d- I public credit, or good faith, to pass a limi- I tation law in such a way. He therefore if I hoped the'law would be suspended, f» as to :h I give due notice to the holders of these spe d. 1 cie» of papT, that it was intended tobebar -11, cd. He knew there weie strong objeftion* I against fufpendihg A'fts of Limitation'., on n- I account of frauds-end forgeries } but he Sid 0; I not think these of fufficicat weight to (jre- I vent justice from being dose to this claTs of n- I public Creditors. The provision bftrriilg jn j these claims was little known. He himfeff , a-1 knew nothing of it, until he.had eccafoi 'o av I take a sreneral view of all the Revenue laws in I of the United States, when he met with it all I in the middle of the aft he had mentioned, vn I He was himfelf wholly diiinterefted in the of I bitlinefs, as he did not know -an individual he I who was poflefled of a Certificate of this nd I kind. How many there were, he knew :nt I not, or how much danger there might be i« ild I 'he suspension he could not tell: but he wa* I ftruek with the injullice of thus barring this of I defcriptron of claims. He, therefore, pro lot I posed the following Resolution for the adop- I'tion of the Committee : tit- " Refplved, That so much of an Aft en m- titled an Aft making further provilion for iat fupportmg Public Credit, and for reducing II g the Public Debt, palled March 3, 1795, as on bars from settlement, after a limited time, jn- Loan-Office Tickets, Final settlements, and fe- ItideflTS of Interest; be suspended for a ccr ul- tain time." ' Mr. N. Smith allowed that the gentle -ser man from Pennfylvanfa had fhevvn to his fo nd tisfaftion that it wouldhave been much more ere proper to have had flic law in ul- "diftinft aft, than in the aft In which it d ; been introduced; &he r«grettedthat thatgen ers tleman had not been fuffieientlv awake when an- the law palfcd, to have presented the evil, to as it had pasTed the House since he was a per member of it. scut, at this time, it pre )ks fented to his mind a different qadsion. Thi* fts, fpeeies of paper was now dead by law. To the, pass an aft to reviv t and bring it again into utt existence, was a very different thing from eat aftiug originally right. That gentleman ans had, however, not noticed the impropriety Bed at that time, which he lamented ; bat could, ?rs, not consent to its being revived at this day, lue which would be to encourage a spirit ofipe thc culation, ers of the cerßfcites fro.*: any benefit, and ind throw money mu the h:inds of perfous no at way entitled to ; it. Here, said is a set - species or paper deltfoyed by an Aft of Li sto: mitation, not by aft, but by h andi of an aft on a different fubjeft. The aljy coiifcquence would be, that defigiiiug,_evil the speculators, who may perhaps have iutereft lay- enough t« procure a repeal of this law, by uir- tb Congress, will buy up thi* paper for a mere trifle from pc-toiu believing jar- it to have been deltroyed by law. The mc sof ment this ouettion was agitated, the fpeeu lifli- lation would have a beginning. He did not tion know that it had already commenced ; but f it before the propoCtion got to the Senate, he crn- doubted nbt that hundreds of persons would tlje be parchafing this paper from perfoni who
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