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*