CONGRESS* \ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MONDAY, JAN. 18. -JVXr. SINNICKSON and Mr. Stone took their feats, this day. A petition of James Hubbs, of the State of New-Jcrfey mariner, was presented to theHoufe ancl read, praying a relief from a prosecution com menced against him at the suit of the United States, for neglecting to deliver manifefts of goods transported from one diftrid: in the fame State to another, according to law, of which he was totally ignorant. Oi del ed, that- the laid petition together with the memorial of John Cochran, presented on Friday lall, be referred to the Secretary of the Treal'ury. A petition of Dobbyns, of the kingdom of Ireland, praying that Congress may grant him a tradl of land on such realonable terms as may encourage liimto bring settlers to this coun try, was read and referred to Mr. Pn<re, Mr. Scott and Mr. Partridge. The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Treasurer of the State of New-York, together with a copy of the revised laws of the said State, sent in pursuance of concurrent reso lutions of the Senate and Aflembly thereof, for the use of theHoufe. Mr. Foster from the committee appointed, pre sented according to order, a bill providing for the artual enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States, which was read the firlt time. The House adjourned early in the day, in or der to give time to the committees to report upon the various matters referred to their consideration. TUESDAY, JANUARY 19. Mr. Ames, Mr. Wadf'worth and Mr. Sturges, refpeiftively introduced a number of petitions, which were read and laid on the table, viz. ol Nathan Fuller, John Hrlb; ook,Ruth Roberts, J«re> miali Ryan,& LemuelCravath, praying the inter position and relief of Congress infundry cases of lofles, depreciation, &c.—also the petition of Ben jamin Bird, stating the loss of a pocket-book in the year 1781, in which were eight Continental certificates, and praying that new certificates in his favor in lieu thereof, may be ifl'ued from the Loan-Office in Mallachufetts. The bill providing for theadlual enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States, was read a second time : This bill provides that the busi ness (hall be specially committed to the Marlhals of the several diftriets, who under oath are to make returns of their proceedings to The Prefi dent of the United States—for which services they are to receive a stated compensation, propor tioned to the extent of their refpeiftive diftriifls. Voted, That this bill be taken into considera tion on Friday next—and that 100 copies be ltruck ofFfor the ule of the Members. Mr. Sedgwick of the committee appointed to bring in a bill for making provision for persons employed in the intercourse between the United States and Foreign Countries, informed the house that the committee had their doubts refpe&ing the objedl of the House in the Resolution appoint ing the committee, Whether the idea was to make provision for persons now employed in the public service—or whether the design was to extend the provifiontoappointments of such different grades, as in the judgment of The President ofthe United States may be neceflary—and requested further inftruiftions from the House. It was observed that from the spirit of the Re solution, upon which the fubjedt was taken up, it was evident that it was understood the matter ihould come generally before the committee, but as thebufinels involved a variety ofqueftions, on which the House could not determine with so much precifion,as they could fromthe information which may be received from the Secretary of State, refpeifting the arrangements neceflary to be made previous to making any provision, it was moved that the committee ihould be discharged. 1 his motion wasobjeifted to, as it is neceflary that provision should be made for those persons now employed : The President is vested, by the Constitution, with power to make such appoint ments as he may think neceflary—all that the House have to do, is to make such provision as may appear proper : The Legislature may at any time check an excels in such appointments, by withholding supplies for their I'upport That it is evident from the tenor of the President's speech that he expeifts the Legislature Ihould go into a full consideration of the fubjed:—and in the bill, make the neceflary arrangements of the several officers which it maj' be proper to employ, and the provision proper for the several grades—the neceffityof therefpedive appointments, must be determined by the President with the advice of the Senate. Thequeftion for discharging the feleifi commit tee was put, and negatived. It was then moved, that the comrhittee be in ftrucfted to make provision in the bill for the com penfation of those persons now employed or that United the inteic ° urfe the United States and foreign nations. Mr. Partridge observed, that there is a resolve on he journals of the late Congress, providing that no foreign mimller higher than a Miniftef Plenipotentiary, ihould be appointed-whether that resolution is now in force he would not pre tend to determine-but he supposed that the House was not then prepared to determine upon eltabh'hng a diplomatic corps of Embaflkdors, Ministers Plenipotentiary, Envoys, &c. Mr. Boudinot advocated the motion for refer - ring the whole business to the committee, as the House in the difcuflion of their report would be able to come to more adequate decisions on the lubjeCt. The motion was carried in the affirmative. The committee on the petition of Dob byns, refpe<fting lands, reported that the Secre tary of the Treasury be empowered to locate to the petitioner a tradt in the Weitern territory, within certain limits. The petition of Christopher Saddler having been referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, the following report was received this day. Treasury Department, Jan. 19, 1790. In obedience to the order of the House of Re presentatives of the nthinftant, referring to the Secretary of the Treasury the petition of Chrif roph • Saddler, The said Secretary Mojl refpetffully reports, That except the letter from the Collector of the diftrit't of Boston and Charleftown, accompa nying the petition, thete is no evidence immedi ately within reach, refpe&ing the ground of the application for relief. That tho that letter is entirely fatisfacfiory to the mind of the Secretary, that the affair is of a nature to entitle the petitioner to relief; yet he does not consider it as fuc'i a document, as in point of precedent, would juftifj the interposition of the I egiflature to grant it. The Secretary will therefore take measures for a more regular au thentication of the nature ofthe tranfadtion, and will submit the result. To this there is the fur ther inducement of its being neceflary to ascer tain whether the persons who may be interested in the forfeiture are disposed to relinquish their right. f he Secretary however, begs leave to avail him felf of the occasion, to represent to the House, that there are other inllances which have come under his notice, in which considerable forfeitures have been incurred,manifelfly thro inadvertence, and want o( infoimation—circumltances which cannot fail to attend the recent promulgation of laws of such a nature—and seem to indicate the neceility, in conformity to the usual policy of commercial nations, of veiling some wheie, adif cretionary power of granting relief. That neceliity, tho peculiarly great, in the ear ly stages of new regulations, does not cease to operate throughout the progress of them.—There occasionally occurs accidents from which heavy and ruinous forfeitures ensue, that require the constant existence of some power cap ble of af fording relief—the proper inveftmentof such a power is a matter of too much delicacy, and im portance, to be determined otherwise than upon mature deliberation.—Yet the Secretary begs leave to submit to the conftderation of the House, whether a temporary arrangement might not be made with expedition and fafety—which would avoid the inconvenience of a legislative decision 011 particular applications.—All which is humbly submitted. ALEXANDER HAMILTON, Secretary of the Treasury. On motion this report was referred to a com mittee confilting of Mr. Ames, Mr. Sturges, Mr. Stone, Mr. Griffin and Mr. Wynkoop. Mr. Wadfworth introduced the following reso lution, that the Secretary of the Treasury be direcfted to lay before the House such information as he may have obtained refpetfting any difficul ties which have occurred in carrying the se veral laws for the collection of duties on goods, wares,and merchandize—imposing duties on ton nage, and regulating the coasting trade, into ex ecution, and to report his opinion thereon. Adjourned. LEGISLATURE OF STATE OF NEW-YORK. HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 1790. THE Speaker laid before the House the fol lowing communication from Gerard Bancker, Esq. State Treasurer, which was read, and enter ed on the Journal. State of Nenu-Tork— IN pursuance of the I ith section of an adl en-" titled, " An adl authoriflng the Auditor to audit certain accounts and claims, and for other purpo ses therein mentioned," pa (led the 22d day of A pril 178 J, We the subscribers, having this day examined the Cacti account of Gerard Bancker, Esq. Treasurer of this State, and counted the money remaining in the Treasury, do hereby certify that the fame amounting to £.14,416 o 84 (which is the ballance according to the said cafli account) is now actually i n the Trcafury—Wit nefs our hands this thirteenth day of Tune i 780 COMFORT SANDS, o r.. „ , HENRY REMSEN, State of New-Torl, p r ■ Dec. 31, 1789. To amount of „ account of payments made since the 3 llt Dec. ,788. 64,676 12 7. 1 o balance now in the Trea- . * fury J 34,522 7 10J State of New-York, c ° r 6 Dec. 31, 1789. By balance due to the State on a settlement ot account on the 31 it Dec. By amount of an account of re ceipts into the Trealury, since the 3ill Dec. 1788. 7J>913 7 8 I, Pfeter T. Curtenius, Auditor ot'lhe Statetf New-York, do hereby certify, that I have exa mined the above account current of Gerard Bancker, Treafurerj and the accounts therein re ferred to, as well as the several touchers for the payments therein charged, which are now deliv ered up to me ; that 1 find them regularly Hated and balanced, and that the sum of 7 io* is the true balance this day justly due from the laid Treasurer to the State of New-York.—Wit ness my hand this 31ft December, 1789 PETER T. CURTENIUS, State Auditor. We, the fubfcribers,the committee appointed by law to affiftthe Auditor of this State in the settle ment ofthe public accounts,do,in pursuance of the directions contained in the 4th section of an adl en titled, " An acfl further to continue the Treasu rer of this State in office," certify, That the ba lance of money due from hiin to the State, to wit, £•34,*22 7 ioi has now been produced to us, and is actually in the 1 reafury.—Witnefs our hands in New-York, this 31ft December, 1789. HENRY REMSEN, WILLIAM DENNING, COMFORT SANDS. MONDAY, JANUARY 18. A petition of the Mayor, Aldermen and Com monalty of the city of New-York, praying to be enabled by law to raise the sum of 1 roool. in the said city by tax, for the support ofthe Poor in the said city, and other contingent charges, was read. Ordered that the petitioners have leave to in a bill for the purposes mentioned in the peti tion. Another petition of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the cily of New-York, praying the aid of the legislature to raise money by lotted ry, for the discharge of debts accrued in repair ing and improving the City-Hall for the accom modation of the Congress of the United States, was read and referred to the members attending this house from the city and county of New-York! Mr. Watts reported a bill declaring it to be the duty of the several fheriflfs ofthe several counties within thisftate to receive and fafe keep such pri soners as shall be committed under the authority of the United States, was read a firft time and or dered a second reading. NEW-TORK, JANUARY 20, 1790. The several state Aflemblies which have been, or in session, discover amoft cordial dis position towards the General Government. The amendments to the Constitution ha»e been adopt ed fully in lb me of them, and by one branch in others, particularly in Virginia; and what is lin gular perhaps in that State, by the immediate re presentatives of the people; justly considering those amendments as an earnest of what may still take place, Ihould they be found inadequate. Congress have discovered so tender a regard for the rights of the people, and there has been such a spirit of candor and fairnefs in all their proceed ings, that there is an universal confidence reposed in them by the wife, judicious and patriotic cha racters fin all the State Governments; and the honor and dignity of the Union is considered as the glory and happiness of every part of the great Republic, and of every individual citizen. ADVERTISEMENT. NOTICE is hereby given to all the Creditors of Thomas Eaton, Willi am Pells, Ja bez Sayrs, Anthony Sayrs, and George Welch, Insolvent Debtors, now confined in the ; common goal of Newark, in the county of Eflex, and State of New-Jersey, that they are requested to appear on Monday the Twenty Second Day of February next, at Nine o'clock in the forenoon of said day, at the Court House in Newarkafore faid, before the Judges of the Inferior Court, and /hew cause, if any there be, why ast aflignment of the above Insolvent Debtor's Estates Ihould not be made, and they the Insolvents be discharged a greeable to law. Thomas Eaton, William Pells, Jacob Sayrs, Anthony Sayrs, George Welch. Newark, ißthjaauary, 1790. w. 4 t*
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