U ffht to be fixed for the permanent residence of °i e General Government, as near the centre population, wealth, and extent of territory as is confident with the convenience of the At lantic navigation, having also due regard to the western territory. He then moved to make this the order of the day for Thursday next. Mr. Sherman objected—he observed that the jj o ufe has as muc"i important business before them, aS they can pofiibly dispatch without entering on this. Neither is the government in polleifiou of resources at present for the ellablilhment of a fe deral town. He therefore moved that the se cond Monday in December next be assigned for taking this matter into consideration. Mr. Hartley. I hope, Sir, the motion will prevail. Gentlemen who live near New-York may perhaps be fatiified to postpone this subjeCt for ten or a dozen years : But justice to the in habitants of this city requires that it should be soon fettled. They are going into large expell ees for erecting a palace for the President, and for other objects ; if the presumption, on which this project is founded, is not well grounded, it is fuft and proper that they Ihould be undeceived. A regard for their intereits therefore requires that we should let them know what they are to depend upon.—He also observed that some atten tion ought to be paid to the petitions of the people refpeifting a permanent feat. Mr. Burk fuggelted that it will be doing great jnjuftice to the southern states to fix on lb early a day in the next session, as it is not probable that the members from thole states will be then pre sent. Mr. Fitzsimons said the present is the most proper time to determine this business. There is now a pretty full representation ; It is not proba ble that at any future time, there will be so great a number collecfted, certainly not at any period in a winter felfion. It is true there is much im portant bufinels beforeCongrefs : But what more important than the subject proposed. It is a question about which people are much agitated. As to the expence, that is an after consideration. The present objeCt is only to fix on the place.— Whether the removal is to be made this year or next is a diltindt business. Mr. Sherm in said, that he moved the second Monday in December,merely to accommodate the gentlemen who are prelfing. It is evident that we all have too little time thisfeafon. If the gen tleman from South-Carolina thinks it too early a day for the southern members, I am willing to agree to» a more distant time. In addition to the arguments for deferingthis matter, there is another important considera tion. The Union is not yet complete. North- Carolina and Rhode-Island have not yet a voice —It is supposed it will not be long before those states will become members of the Union. Mr.S.MiTh (S. C.) moved, that the firlt Monday in January next, Ihould be assigned for the taking upthis subjeCt—He was opposed to going into it at present, and enumerated feveralrefons to shew tharthe other business could not be put off. The judiciary bill is prelfing, and has been the order of the day for several weeks. The funding of the public debt is also important, and is earneltly expected. It is of little consequence, he said, 'Jlitre the duty which the houf'e owe to their con ftituentsis executed,provided it is done, and done to their fatisfaCtion. Mr. Scott observed, that a principle of the Union in which we are bound is the principle of reciprocal and equal justice.—The question now before the house is a grand link in the chain of tie federal fyftein. The peace of the United States depends as much on this as on any other question which can come before Congress. An a doption of some fuchmeafure is apiece of justice due to the extremities of the continent. It be ing therefore a point with them, and a point of justice too, I cannot conceive how any gentleman, who has the good of the country at heart can op pose it. The resolution holds out this general idea,that the federal government ought to be fixed at that pace which is most central with refpeft to popu lation and territory, having an equal regard to 'lie Atlantic and western part of the union. No in the western country ever wiflied any thing, urther than that when the central line between the northern and southern extremities was fixed, ongrefs Ihould establish their feat as far back on 1 is line, as the conveniency of maritime com merce would allow. 1 think the people have a right to demand this, this principle is adinited the fubieCt cannot in volve much debate. This is a favorable moment to fettle the great <jueti°n -which lias agitated the mass of the peo- Pe tor several years. We may be allured that ongiefs at this time poflefles all their virtue and nocence, but it is to be feared that will not be eca ein future : Congress are now clear of all rations, aiK ' as destitute as possible of the spirit ni' ; P a! J t - v am ' local views. In a future day faction Pe/ V" 6 le S overn ment to fix oil some impro- one tw ° events will result from after t er they will be obliged again to remove ex pending great funis of money on this imprudent establishment, or the union will be diilolved. Mr. Livermore said that the two houses ha<: come to a resolution to adjourn ne<xt month.— Many weighty matters are ltill before the Legisla ture. How much time a difculfion of this fub jei'i will require, is uncertain. It may engross a great deal, and there is danger of its producing that auimolity and party spirit, which the mea l'ure itfelf proposes to guard againlt. Let us firl'. finifh the organization of government, and tht performance of those important duties which the public anxiously expert of us. I do not underltand, said he, that any gentle man is uneasy in his present situation. I havi heard no complaints. Congrefsare well accom modated in this city. There may be other places / to be sure, in which they might find accommoda tions, but I believe both the citizens of New- York, and the members of the Legislature are mutually fatisfied—l have not heard of any me morial from the former requeftingus to remove— Many parts of the country indeed seem to be in a fever to have us with them ; especially the Stare of Pennsylvania—Carlisle, Lancaster, York town, German-town, and Reading have lent us abun dance of petitions, setting forth their various ad vantages, and we v/ifhthat they may enjoy them. If they are pleasantly situated and have plenty of fiih, we are glad to hear it. I cannot fee any reason for postponing all our important matters in order to consider this—lf we can dispatch all these matters by next spring, and the roads should be so impaflable, that we ihouldnot be able to get home, I shall be for ta king it up. He then observed, that the idea of a permanent feat is not itfelf llritftly true. As population in creases, and as men of" new principles and *iews take their feats in Congress, this permanent feat may be altered at pleafure—lt is certainly wife in congress to be economical—lt is always found a very expensive thing to remove, —And the finan ces of the country are not at present a lequate to many new expences—A gi eat variety of objedts are necefiary to be :aken into view in fixing the leat of government, besides the mathematical cen trality—Thehealthinefeof the situation is a capi tal circumstances to be attended to. Mr. Scott objected to the cavalier manner in which he thought the gentleman treated the fub jett. Mr. Jackson flad the existence of the Union depends 011 this subject. The place of the feat of government is important in every view. It may be compared to the heart in the human body ; it is a center from which the principles of lite are carried to the extremities. It is indifferent to me whether the febjedt is determined now or next feflion, but I think it best that the motion lhould lie on the table. Mr. Stone observed that this will be a very important business, and it is necefiary to be ex tremely cautious in conducting it. I know of no question which will have such a tendency to pro duce heats and divilions which arise chiefly from an indiscreet mode of conducting matters of this kind. I am glad to fee the temperate spirit with which the house has set out, and! wilh it maycontinufe. No question will so fully try the temper of this body as the present. The question was then taken on Mr. Smith's motion, and was loft—Ayes 21—Noes 30. M . Ames I would afk,Sr, it the original motion is not incon fiftant with the resolution of the house to adjourn on the 2ad of September ? A committee, said he, has been appointed to report the business of the present feflion. Tne corftmittee reported, and so much of that report was accepted, as related to the time of ad journment. It seems to me therefor , that the proportion to take up this fubjeft at the present time, is fuperceded. lam confident that it is inconsistent with that determination It will become necefiary therefore to rescind that determination, and whether that will be done or not, mult depend on the disposition of the Senate. If they should not concur, the Legislature will be obliged to leave the moil important business unfinifhed. I connot suppress some emotions of surprize that gentlemen can bring forward questions which have not for their obj £1 the com plete organization of the government. The government yet lies prostrate and inanimate, and inflead of infufing life into it, and giving it motion, we have been in the firft place altering our con ltitution, and now wcare going into a longdifcufi&on to determine where we (hall fit. If the gentleman't motion onlj involved a few abftraft propo rtions, it would still be uncertain how difficult their decision might be. But were I a stranger I should apprehend, from the manner in which the motion ha been introduced, that it would be a ques tion agitated withas much acrimony as any whatever. I have observed that even on the most trifling question it is ex tremely difficult to obtain unanimity. What then mutt t>e the division on a question, which* gentlemen have said, concerns the existence or peace of the union ! I believe it will involve as many paflions as can reside in the humanheart. Every principleof local interest, of pride and honor, and even of patrio tism itfelf are engaged lam willing to pledge my felt to the gentleman, that it the good of the union requires that the feat of government should be fixed at Pittsburgh, I will vote for it. But 1 must now vote for postponing the business It is not enough to determine where the feat of government ought to be, but it is ncceffary to prepare the public mind to agree with ouis in the decision of questions of this magnitude. Our reasons ousjht to be made public, and they to be the reasons of the public. When I left my conftituentsj I did not contemplate this business nor have I yet formed my own opinion. When I do, I pledge myfelf that it shall not fprirtg from local or felfi t principles. The gentleman has brought forward this lubjett as a very im portant one. As such we will consider it. If it were to deter mine merely the centre of matter, it might be fettled in a short tinie—lf we are to represent the oaks and mountains—lf the acres of the United States are to be represented, a few da) s of calcula tion may determine it. I am of opinion that the centre of our government should be a centre of convenience and utility) that the heart should be so placed as to propel the blood to the extremities, "with the mo(b juitable and easy motion. I would place the head ot the go vernment, where it might guard mofl etfeftua.iy the extremes,and loteft the weak parts. It is my wiih that the territory now lub -61 to the laws of the Union may continu so, and that the go J vcrnment may be so situated aS to ufc its force with the best advan tage to ensure the prcfervaiion of the Union, and obedience to its -iWS? The gentleman from Connecticut has rightly said that the States f North-Carolina and Rhode-Island ftiould have a voice in this ufinefs. I would not impute unworthy motives to the gentleman who ntroduced the motion ; but I would ask him whether the world t large should not be equally convinced of their purity ; whether n justice to himfelf, the public hnnd (hould not be better pre pa red for the occasion. lam not convinced that our government itill so ill cemented and so feeble, could stand the shock of such a ineafure, and therefore I molt ardently depricate the event. The quellion for making this bufin fs the order of the day for Tburfday next,was carried. Adjourned. [DailV Advr.] FRIDAY, AUGUST ?8. Mr. FitzsimonS presented a lengthy memorial from the pub lic creditors of the State of Pennsylvania, which was read and laid on the table. Mr. Trumbull presented a memorial from the ommanders of .he Packets, which ply between New-York, and Newport and Providence in Rhode-Island, refpefting the hardships which they 'uffer by reafori of that Slate's being considered oui of the Union. A letter from the Governor of South Carolina, addrelTed to the Speaker, inclosing an account of the exports of that State fronji December, 1787, to December, 1788, was read. The report of the committee on the memorials from the mer chants of George-town and Alexandria, wastaken up, and accept d, and the fame committee ordered to bring in a bill for the re lief of the memorialists. In committee of the whole, on the bill for establishing the fa 'aries of the officers in the executive departments, their afllftants, and clerks. The committee agreed upon the following salaries, viz. To the the Secretary of theTreafury, 35©° Dollars: of State, 3000 of the War Department, 3000 To the Comptroller, - - 2000 Auditor, - 1500 Treasurer, - - 1600 .Register, - - 1250 Governor of the Western Teritory, in- eluding the emoluments ofSuperin-> 2500 tendant of Indian Affairs, ) Afliftantto the Secretary of theTreafury, 1500 Chief Clerk to the Department of State, 800 Chief Clerk to the Department of War, 600 Secretary of the Western Territory, 750 Principal Clerk to the Comptroller, 800 Chief Clerk to the Auditor. 600 Three Judges of the Western Territory, 800 doL each. To the Clerks which may be employed in the several depart ments, not to exceed 45odollars each. The committee having gone through the bill,with amendments, the fame were reported to the house, and accepted. It was then ordered, that the bill be engrofledfor a third reading to-morrow. The committee appointed for the purpose, brought in a bill to fnfpend for a time, the operation of a clause in the collection law, agreeably to the report on the memorials from Alexandria, and George-town, which was read the firft time. Mr. Clymer had leave of 9bfence for a few days—and Mr. Stu r c es to the end of the feflion. Adjourned. Mr. FENNO, Certain interejling representations presented to an Hon. Afftmbly gaii rife to the following, which please to publish. Yours, P. Q. WHEREAS it is of confcquencc, Congress (hould fix its refidence — That feat of honor and renown, Yclept long since the " Federal town The people of this pleasant borough, From a convi£tion just and thorough, That there's no other situation, Can equal this in all the nation ; Your honors do most humbly pray, To make it your abode for aye. Nature provideth here so ample, We only can feleft a sample Of what this blefled place affords, Enough to tempt a House of Lords f Where'ei you turn your wond'ring eyes* Tenthoufand pleasing profpefts rife! The streams meandering thro the Vales, " BLUE HILLS," whose height the (kieiaiTaiis ; The air falubnous, sweet, and bracing, All fogs, and noxious vapors chafing ; And as no mortal man can think, But what you all must eat and drink, Our markets give, ye gods, such meat, As ye, in your own hotels, eat : We've beef, and and lamb, and mutton, As fine as e'er was table put on ; And dunghill fowls, wild ducks, and widgeons, And lnipes,and geese, and quails, and pigeons j Pheasants, and ortolans, be sure, To please the daintiest epicure. Our Schuylkill give* us fifh in pletity, Of forts we reckon more than twenty— Asfhad and alwives, pretty picking, Without a bone your throat to (lick in ; That Schuylkill, theme of future song, Upon whose waves are borne along Two.hundred thousand facksof wheat, Transported in Mufketo fleet— Mufketo fleet! yes, hen in peace, CONGRESS may fit till time shall cease, Nor (hips with horrid broad fides scare 'em, Nor soldier with a gun come near 'cm. At present we've three hundred houfes^ All ft 1 I'd with loving wives and spouses ; But timber, fkinglesTJfonttmgrioatdr, The neighborhood store affords ; We'll give you (tones all vein'd with blue, And thank you when you take them too ; But as for bricks, you pay for making, They cost us time and pains in baking; We've carpenters, and masons good, As ever woik'd in (lone or wood ; Artists in every kind of work, To build you houses in a jerk. eve barbers, tailors, and (hoe makers, Pye-womeq, hucksters, brewers, bakers ; Taverns in -plenty too abound, And here and there a church is found ; Besides all these, there are « exteriors," We need not mention our superiors, Both for convenience, and delight, To crown the day, and eke the night: i Then come good Sirs, make this your feat Where nature's choicest bounties meet— The public good prompts this petition, From yours with rev'renceand fubmiflion. THE ALPHABET*
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