the committe could now co.-.ie ro adecifion as Well, or better than at any other time—lt is a quettion with some gentlemen whether residence lhall be requisite to citizenlhip—this it appeared neceflary to determine previous to any further difenffion —as the question will continually occur, till the sense of the committee is known—several other questions which depend on this, may now be de cided,intliis way the mind of the committee maybe known, after which the bill may be recommitted to a feletft committee who may arrange the se veral parts of the bill so as to meet the general idea more fully. The motion for the committee's rising was car ried in the affirmative. It was then voted that the bill be recommitted to a feledt committee confiftingofa member from every State. The House resumed the consideration of the bill for the a<ftual enumeration of the inhabi tants of the United States.—lt was moved to re commit the bill. Mr. Sedgwick adverting to the present rate of representation of the several States in Congress, and in which there is, said he, the most palpable inequality observed, that it was absolutely neceflary that such an enumeration as would be competent to equalizingthe representation should be made previous to the next ele<ftion—this is ex pected by the people on the idea of right and justice—and the constitution has wifely provided for it—nor will the people who are not fully represented be easy without enjoying that weight and influence in the national legislature to which they are entitled—Mr. Sedgwick then read a pro position which he meant to offer as a clause to be incorporated in the bill when it lhall be recom mitted. Mr. Jackson made some animadversions on this proposition, and reprobated its principles ge nerally, more especially as ic would not allow fufficient time to complete the enumeration, and particulai'ly as it proposes that the President of the United States shall determine the number of inhabitants from the returns he (hall receive from the Marshals, and the ratio of representation on ihofe returns. Mr. Smith (S. C.) objected to the proposition as not allowing fufticient time—he then went o \er the several periods which mult probably elapse before the business ot enumeration can be compleated—from which it appeared that the object of the motion cannot be effected so as to make any alteration in the nexr, election pro per Mr. White mads Come observations on the pro -sofition,and pointed out the difficulties that would ittend the liieai'ure, as some of the States had >a(ied laws regulating the time of elections—and jrefumed that the Legislature would never dele gate to any man, or men, the power of determin ing the ratio of representation. Mr. Lawrance was in favor ofrecommiting the bill : He obfervcd, that it appeared to him, that the rule or ratio of representation ought to be determined previous to ascertaining the number of inhabitants—as in all probability that rule would be agreed to with less prejudice and par tiality, while the contingencies which may affect it, are unknown. Mr. Jackson observed, that this suggestion is an artifice, covered however with too thin a veil not tobefeen thro—it is too unsubstantial to sup port itfelf—the Constitution has fettled the point already. He then recited those clauses which particularly point out the number of represen tatives which each State is entitled to elect, pre vious to any a&ual enumeration—the Constituti on plainly directs an enumeration therefore, be fore the ratio of a future representation lhall be fettled. Mr. Smith, (S. C.) observed, that the ratio of representation is already proposed by Congrefsin the amendments sent out to the Legislatures: He hoped that nothing would be done to impede the progress and ratification of those amendments. Mr. Sedgwick said, that when he came forward ■with the proposition, he supposed it founded in fiich fair and equal principles, that he did not an ricipate the finalleft objection would have been made by any gentlemen whatever. It is a (imple proportion that juitice should be done—that a more equal representation should be attempted, and effected—lf inequalities do exilt, and that they do, is very evident—can any gen tleman object to a remedy ? Some other observations were made, and then the motion for recommitting the bill to a com mittee of the whole House was put and carried in the affirmative. FRIDAY, Feb. j A memorial of Joseph Henderfon, and John Carnes, executors to the estate of Edward Carnes, deceased, was read, and referred to the Secretary of the Treasury The report of the committee on the memorial if Roger Alden, was taken into confederation— this report after dating the services performed by Mr. Alden, in consequence of the charge which devolved on him by having the custody of the papers and records of the late Congress, pro poses rhat he should be allowed a f;dary at the rate of rooo dollars per annum, during the time he been employed as aforeFaid, alio necellkry e^-i nCe3 — ailC * tl,att ' le clerk which has been his alfiftant, be allowed at the rate of 500 dollars per annum. This report was amended by adding these words after "per annum"— Until the Secretary of State shall enter on the duties of his office —and then ac cepted, and referred to the committee 011 appro priations. The Secretary at war having reported on fun clry petitions and memorials referred to him— the reports were read, and laid on the table. In committee of the whole on the bill for the remiflion, or mitigation of lines, forfeitures and penalties in certain cases.— The bill was read and di feu lied in paragraphs. A motion was made that the following words, viz. " Offering to con. fefs judgjnent for the fame" previous to relief being granted, should be struck out. Mr. Ames said h" was indifferent whether the words were retained or struck out—he wished however that the principles of the bill should be well understood—he conceived that a ftricl ad herence to rule even if it should foinetimes be at tended with some degree of rigor, was a less evil than a lax mode of executing the laws ; that it may be considered as a great grievance to have frequent recourse to qualified interpretations of the laws—with regard to the revenue laws, it mult llrike every person that a certainty in the rule should be maintained in all pollible cases still fines, penalties and forfeitures may be in curred in such a way as may entitle to relief. The objecl of the bill is to grant such relief with the least risque to the revenue, and in such way as that the person may receive it as soon as pof lible. Mr. Sedgwick was in favor of the motion, and pointed out the injustice of requiring a confef fion previous to granting relief, as it would violate the feelings of a person not conscious of guilt—besides fubjeifling him inevitably to the loss of one halt his property. Mr. Burke wished the whole clause fliould be erased, he said it was like making a man confefs murder and then hanging him for his confeflion. Mr. Wadfworth stated a cafe to shew that this law would make the situation of persons design ed to be relieved by it, much worse than it now is—and will eventually destroy the coasting trade. Mr. Lawrance Hated the process by the law as it now stands, by which perlons absolutely vio lating the laws intentionally or through ignor ance, are precluded from all relief—he therefore insisted that it is neceflary that this confeflion of judgment ihould accompany the application for relief, in cases designed to be provided for by the bill—without this confeflion the application ap pears to be absurd—he was therefore opposed to the motion for ftrikingout the words. Mr. Smith was in favor offtriking out the words. Mr. Sturges observed, that he did not conceive the reliefpropofed to be administered, ought to be conlidered in the light of mercy, but ofjultice. The mode of relief pointed out by this bill, let the circumitances be as they will, leaves the fuf fererin a situation that 110 person ought to be lia ble to, who is not guilty of intentional and wil ful violation of the laws—for at any rate he is to lofeone half his property. He thought the cafe, stated by the gentleman from South Carolina, very pertinent to the present. Mr. Fitzfimons said, he hoped if these words are struck out, that the whole* clause would be e rased, and that there would be a more equitable mode pointed out. He adverted to the pra&ice in England, where the application for relief is made to the Commissioners after trial. Mr. White followed Mr. Fitzfimons in (imilar observations. Mr. Ames entered into a full discussion of the principles of the bill—and observed, that he doubted not when the committee had poflefled themselves of a more perfe<fl knowledge of its operation and tendency, it would meet with ap probation. With refpedlto the offender's losing his whole property on confeffion, he observed, that this inconvenience may be prevented, by the person's filing his petition previous to the entry's being made by theperfons feizingthe property — and this he will always have it in his power t& do. Mr. Burke said that the bill so far from afford ing the relief proposed, would prove a snare to to the citizens, for a confeffion of guilt would inevitably involve the loss of one half of his pro perty whether he merits punishment or not. Mr. Sedgwick, Mr. Stone, and Mr. Scott Ipake on the fubje<ft. ■ The motion for striking out the words being put was carried in the affirmative. Mr. Fitzfimons then moved that thecommittee fliouldrife—the committee rose, and the House agreed to the amendment. It was then moved that the bill should be re committed.—This motion was adopted. The report of the Secretary at War on the pe tition of Ezra Smith was taken into consideration. This report went into a general consideration of the cases of sundry officers of the late arpiy, whose particular circumstances appear to call for -343- the interposition of government in their favor. It was moved that this report should be referred to a felei!t committee, who should be inltrucfed to bring in a bill pursuant thereto. 1 his motion was oppoled aseftablifhing an im proper precedent—it was contended that it ought to be previously difcufled .n a committee of ihe whole,and the refultof their deliberations should be the basis of the bill that may be lie ceflary. b On the other hand, it was said, that the state of lacts is before the House, 011 which they may form a judgment, that the going into a committee of tlie whole would not throw any new light 011 the iubje<ft and that the House is now prepared to J eter ittoafeledl committee as fully as they can be after the form is gone through. The motion for referring the report to a felecfi committee was withdrawn—lt was then ordered that the report (liould lie on the table. Adjourned till Monday 11 o'clock. NEW-YORK, FEBRUARY 6 Wednesday laftthe Supreme Court of the Uni ted States, met agreeable to adjournment. An or der v/as read, appointing JOHN TUCKER, Esq. [late clerk to the Supreme Court of the Common wealth of Mallachufettsltheir Clerk—who was ac cordingly qualified. Two other orders were al so read, to wit. Ordered that the seal of this Court shall be, the arms of the United States engraven on a cir cular piece of steel of the size of a dollar, with these words in the margin—the seal of the Suprerie Court of the United States Ordered that the Seals of the Circuit Courts fliall be the arms of the United States engraven on circular pieces of fil ler of the size of half a dollar, with these words in the margin, viz. In the upper part—The seal of the Circuit Court—ln the lower part —the name of the Diftri(t so it is intended—After which the court adjourned until one o'clock 011 Friday. Yesterday the Supreme Court of the United States met pursuant to adjournment. Among other bulinefs tranfa&ed, we hear, that The Hon. Eli as Bou di not, of New-JciiVy, The Hon. Thomas Hart ley, of Pennfylvama, The Hon. Ri c hard Har r ison, of New-York, were admitted Counfellois at the Supreme Court of the United States. Ordered, That persons admitted as Counsellors fhail not appear in the chara&cr ot Attorneys, nor Attorneys in that of Counsellors at the Supreme Court of the United States. Ordered, That no person ihall be admitted as an Attorney at the Supreme Court ot the United States, who lhall nt have pra&ifed three years in tiie Supreme Court of a particular State, and who (hall not fuilain a just and fair chara&er. Ordered, That the Stile of all Writs and P'rocefTes from the Su preme Court of the United States, be in the name of THE PRL SIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. The Court adjourned to Monday next. Ef.tra(l of a letter frovt Baltimore, dated Jan. 31 " I received your letter in which you request information in what light the Secretary's Report is viewed here : It has not yet been so fully ex amined as to produce a decided opinion 011 the merits of the different propositions ; but it has thus far made very favorable impreflions—and I am confident it will be approved of in proportion as it is examined. The truths it contains are great and interesting, and will bear the test of the ftridt eft scrutiny, while truth and justice are applaud ed by men " There are many considerations which give ny mind perfetTt confidence and fatisfa&ion on the fubjecft of the public debt—some of them I will mention. " ift. The fecnrity of property is one of the firft objetfts for which government is instituted— and it would be a molt flagrant infraction of the Constitution of the United States should Congress injure the property of a very numerous and ref pe<ftable class of the citizens by a violation of public centralis. " 2d. It is found policy in government to be honest—They cannot otherwise be refpedted— and it would be in vain for them to pais laws to secure good morals and make fubjedts and citi zens honest, should they themselves set an exam ple of public injustice and fraud. " 3d. Those who know the characters which compose the Legislature of the Union are fatis fied that they never will be influenced by the maxims and principles which have stamped infa my on the name of Rhode Island. Could no de pendence'be placed on the personal characters of the Gefitlemen in Congress, the scorn, reproach, and miifery, whiih Rhode Island has fuffered by her dishonest policy would fufficiently warn them against the consequences of a violation of public ' faith. " We reft afl'ured that no law refpetfting the debt will pals both Houses, and have the fandion of the President, which is riot founded in that righteousness whichexalteth a nation. TheCon ftitution—the characters which compofeCongrefs —the resolution which was past last feflion—the President's speech—and the answers to it—and the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, au thorise the molt perfecft confidence in the mea sures of government." ARRIVALS.—NF.W.YORK. Thurfdav, Ship St. James, Collins, Cadiz. Friday/ Schooner Sally, Weft, Boftoo, 7 days.
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