tfic great augmentation of the number of friends to the govern *nent" cemented by the tie of intereft—from the uniformity of re gulation, which will pervade your revenue fyftem—from a con templation, also, of the state debts, and the fair claim ariftng from thence to a general funding principle, I (hall give to the resolution my concurrence. Thus have 1 disclosed to the committee some of the leadiug ideas which have influenced my determination. The nature, the novelty, and the importance oftheobjeft led metoconfidei it upon a large and national scale. My sentiments w£re in this view (üb niitted to the committee. I have launched my barque on the fe deral occarj, and will endeavour to steer her course— and should* fne arrive at her deftmed port, with her invaluable cargo fafe and unhurt, I (hall not regret that in her voyage through these unexplored depths, (he may have loft some small (hare of her which may be considered as a cheap purchafefor the fafetv of the whole. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10. In committee of the whole on the report of the Secretary of the Treasury for making provision for the fuppoitofthe public credit. The hi ft alternative in the sth proportion, was read with the amendment proposed by Mr. Boudiuot, viz. To receive a certificate drawing an interest of 6 per cent per an num,payable in 10 years for the other J of the debt, which certi ficate shall be received as fpeaie, in payment for the lands in the western territory. Mr. Sherman observed, that if the alternative proposed by the Secretary, is adopted, one third part of the debt, principal and intereft,will be exunguiftied; but the amendment contemplates an encreafe of the debt, for one third at an interest will in the course of 10 years amount to an enormous sum. He adverted to th fe« veral aiterna ive?, and supposed that among the number every de scription of creditors will be fatisfied. If the alternative should be adopted, he should move to strike out the 20 cents per acre to leave the piice a blank in order to wait for the report of the Se cretary on the fubjefl of the western territory. Mr. Boudinot repeated hisobjrftion to the proposal of bring ing such a quantity of lands to market. Mr. Fitzfimons said he had wiihed the gentleman would have "withdrawn his motion for striking Out the western territory. He observed that the alternative proposed by the gentleman would place the creditors in a much worse situation than they would Ibnd upon the plan of the report ; the proportion of the Secretary •iocs not involve any compulsion—is the creditors chufe to take the land, they can do it, if not, they may receive their 4 per cent, and wait for the reftdue till therefources of the country are ade quate to paying them. He said that the £Qf the debt* placed in the situation the gentleman propofes,will amount to upwards of 40 millions in ten years—certificates issued on this plan will induce a lyftem of speculation beyond »U idea that any pet Ton can form. Mr. Boudinot still (upported his motion and expatiated on the confluences which would result from the adoption of the alter native . Mr. Hartley. I wish not to throw unnecefTiry embarralTinents in tnc way of the original motion to which the amendment under consideration is offered. But fomc difficulties haveluggeftcd them lclves to my mmd. I could wilh they were obviated. If the truth is as some gentlemen fay, who advocate the rcfoiu tfon without the amendment, that the western lands are fufficient to redeem one third of the debt, why not pledge them for the re demption, and place them under the direction of officers appoint ed by government to fell or difpofc of tliem—and adminifler the property instead of individuals—and let the money arising there irom beapplied to discharge the public debt ? I fear that the creditor who fubferibes to the redeemable fund agreeably to the resolution, immediately puts one third of his debt in jeopardy ; or at least he can consider it but of small value. Few men would a& for themselves and take up lands—and ve few cases would bear the expence of an agency. From the complexion of the report it appears that a reduttion ol interest is intended, For a* the redeemable alternative or proportion is rather ex ceptionable for the reasons which have been given, the creditors will be obliged to subscribe to the irredeemable funds, and they will experience a loss of near five per cent, foi the supposed com pensation will go but a little wav. Poflibly government may be charged with duplicity. The original holder, the bona Jide purchaser, may perhaps have fomc reason to complain—fix per cent, was promifcd, but oue third is reduced. lam also apprehensive that other bad consequences may follow the redu&ion of the interest. Interest here is at fix per cent, and not a fufficient quantity of money to be loaned at thcit 10 supply the demand ; the people will not wifti to hold fecunties *nich produce so finall au inter est as four per cent. In Europe money can be borrowed at three percent. Europeans will examine our funds and purchase our seCurities at low rates. The revenues of America will be carried to foreign countries. We may in truth become the tributaries of foreign citizens to a great extent ; to the great injury of the agriculture, manufactures and commerce of the United States. Thofc difficulties have struck me. I think with the gentleman from Jerfey,that the western lands (hould be pledged lor the re demption of one third of the debt, and officers (hould be appoint ed to dispose of them—and that certificates,fuch as are mentioned in the amendment,orfomewhat fimilar,fho«ld be received in pay ment. This might perhaps be offered as a separate alternative—l am for the principle—and as the idea for a separate alternative is not iully fecondcd, I (hall,as atprefent informed,vote for the amend ment—though I shall always.hold myfelf op n to convi&ion. THURSDAY, MARCH u. In committee of the whole on the report of the Secretary of the Trealury, for making provision for the support **f the public cre dit—the following prcpofnion was read, vie. To have the whole sum funded at an annuity, or yearly interest of tour per cent, irredeemable by any payment exceeding five dol lars per annum on account both of principal and interest ; and to receive as a compensation for the redu£tion of interest, fifteen dol lars and eighty cents, payable in lands, as in the preceding cafe. The motion to reje& the propofilion was discussed. Mr. Sherman. This proportion is to fund the debt at 4 per cent', and if the evidences of the debt are to go out of the country, I should be in favor of having as much of itfufided at that rate as poflible. He thought the proportion a favorable one in this view, and he was again ft ftrikmg out. Mr. Sedgwick. The irredeemable,quality of this proportion ap pears to be the chief obje&ioo in the minds of gentlemen—finct it appears conceded on all hands, lhat a ftrift literal compliance tvith the prccife terms of the original contradfc at the present mo ment cannot be mad?, and a modification of Jit is the aeceflary re sult—it becomes a lubje& of enquiry how we lhall best meet the ideas and acquiescence of the creditors, and conciliate the appro bation of our conft:tuents. In this view, holding out different al ternatives app- ais to be a proper measure, and among those al ternatives the principle of irredeemability seems to offer itfelf, as a mean of acquiring the concurrence of a particular class of creditor*—others will prefer other modes of funding their de mands—hence the advantage, propriety and jufticeot holding out various proportions ; and as he was fully pcrfuaaed that the pub lic opinion would concur in every de lion which appears to be the result ot calm deliberation and a thorough investigation of the State of our country and the circumstances of our constituents, he doubted not that gg out of ico, of the public creditors would iubferibe to the loan ; the principle is not ilriftly irredeemable— *t provides for a gradual extinction of the debt, and within a prriod which will be as fliort as any person can contemplate, as within the probable capacity of the country to do it. Mr. Fitzfimons after premising that the several proportions ap peared to depend on each other; fa;d, with refpett to irredeem ability, he had his doubts. He did not think that this idea would meet the approbation of the people ; on the other hand, they generally conceived that a public debt was a great public disadvantage, and would be for getting rid of the burthen as soon poflible, the habitual mode of refle&mg on this fubje& is opposed to a perpetual debt ; I con fefs I have my difficulties refpe&ing this principle ; I could wifti that the period could be ihortened, so that the eventual extinftron should take place as soon as the abilities of the people would ad mit of it. Mr. Madison was in favor of reducing the number of the al ternatives,a simple, unembarrassed fvftem is to be prefered. Mr. Seney also objetted to the aaoption ofr the several propor tions as in the report ; it would render the funding fyllem com plex, and introduce such a series Of calculations, as to convert the whole into an intricate science, which would" be above the com prehension of persons in general ; and being made an object by particular persons would give them great advantages in speculat ing in the funds ; for these reafooshc hoped the propoAtion would be struck out. Mr. Sherman observed that if the whole debt was in the hands of the citizens of the United States he lhould think it unnecefTary to introduce the irredeemable principle into the system ; but as between 4 and 5 million* are in the hands of foreigners, and it is as necessary that that part (hould be funded as well as the reft, to induce them to reloan at 4 per cent, and to accommodate some part of the plan to their ideas, he thought as this part of the sys tem would not operate to the injury of the United States he was id favor of its adoption. He thought it bed that the debt (hould be kept in the United States as much as poflible : he considered it an unfavorable circuinftance to have it in the hands of foreigners ; but as they were in pofTeflion of such a proportion he was for making the best terms that we could. Mr. Page reprobated different propositions ; he was in favor of a Ample plain fy(lem,commenfurate to the apprehension of men of plain, common understandings. He contrasted the different lpeciej of paper with different forts of coin, and Ihdwed there was no similarity. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 34. Sundry petitions were read, and laid on the table. The Secretary for the Department of War laid before the Houfc sundry reports on memorials and petitions from officers of the late army, which had been referred to him. Hon. I. B Alhe, member from the State of North Carolina, appeared, was qualified, and took his feat this day. The House receded from their amendment to the amendment proposed by the Senate to the Appropriation bill, and concurred with the Senate. Tiie amendment proposed by the Senate to the bill, providing for the remission of fines, forfeitures, and penalties in certain cases, was read, and taken into coofideration This amendment provides, that judgment on forfeitures incur red in particular cases above a certain sum, (hould be ultimately referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General of the United States : With a proviso granting full relief in cases of feiiure in future not justly founded. Mr. Smith, (S. C.) Hated some obje&ions to this amendment. Mr. Livermore, wasalfooppofedto it, as changing the princi pal of the bill altogether, and introducing an entire new ad, very 'diffetentirom that palled by the house! t Mr ' Sherman observed, that it was true the proportion of the Senate materially altered the bill; (till he thought it a real amend ment: It will lengthen the process; but it will eventually procuce drift Justice, and tend more effedually to fecare the re venue, and guard against impositions. Mr, Goodhue objefied to the proposition, and observed, that Jo far from affording any relief, as contemplated in the bill, we Ihould be juflas well of without any bill at all. He inOanced the cafe of a person who Ihould happen to incur, unintentionally, a penalty in the State of Georgia ; he must fend to the feat of govern ment to obtain a decision on his cafe—meantime from the perilh able nature of his cargo as may happen, his property at all events is facrificed—He hoped the amendment would not be acceded to Mr Jackfou was opposed to it on similar principles,andobferved mat he Ihould prefer that ihe judge ofthe diftria court Ihould be empowered to give a final determination ; he considered the judge as competent at the officers of State at the feat of government —and in a more rcfponfiblc situation. Mr. Smith (S. C.) spoke largtly on the fubjeft—and in opposi tion 10 the amendment. Mr. Gerry objcftcd io the proportion as unconstitutional—-as the appointing the heads of departments as judges in this cafe, is to all itiuuls dnd purpose« eftabli&ing a board of commiflioners with judiciary powersi; and is an indirect, and not very delicate attack on the power of the President and the Senate of the United States. Mr. Sedgwick was opposed to the former part of the amend ment, but Wjlhed that the latter part might be adopted. He dif from Gerr ) h y observing that he conceived there was n " ms mattefs of th, » nature to officers already ap- Mr. Sherman proposed a committee of conferrence. Mr. Burke was in favor of the motion. Mr. Law ranee t " Ur<:d ln 'o a general consideration of the fub jea of fines and forfeitures These he observed were ongmally defigncdas guards to the fafe and etfeftual coll<-a,on of the reve nue ; and in this view they ought to be as nearly ineyiiable as is any ways confident with mercy to individuals, and iuftice to the public at large. The contemplation of a mitigation of these fines and forfeitures ought to be managed with a great deal of circum fpefbon—that such difficultly may be thrown in the way of get ting r,d of those forfeitures, as may preventcarelefs and incautious violations ol the law ; he added many more observations—and concluded by f ying that he could wilhthe I,ft part of the propo fitionlhould be adopted but with refped to the former, he had not so fujly digested the fubiea as to be able at the present time tog.ve h.sopiD.oru-bcwilhed therefore that the bill might hi on the table for a few days. i l um '"S ,on said he had always been opposed to the bill as absurd and improper—for if a law is neccffary in the n.efent cafe to mitigate fines, &c. .ncurred for breaches of the revenue law, we (hall ast incontinently with ourftlvcs, if we do not pass laws t. abate punifhrnents ,n oiher cases. He believed no paral lel can be produced in any country of laws similar to the one pro pofed-it is referring matter, of judicial determination to a chan celloratc unknown to the eonftitution. He w.lhcd therefore that the bill might be luffered to lie on the table—never more to be taken up—if a committee of conference is appointed, he had no doubt this would be the ilfue of the business dif?g n r«d?o. efti ° n bdng taken - thc amen dinent of the Senate was A committee of conference was then appointed, confiftine of Mr. Ames, Mr. Huntington and Mr. Jackson Mr. Sedgwick moved that a committee be appointed to conf.der and report what prov.fion thall be made for the support of the officers of the fuprcme judicial court. V The motion was ordered to be laid on the table Mr. Lee moved forleaveto bring in a bill further to suspend the operation of part of the collection ar,d tonnage laws-the mot on was laid on the tab]e. " lOHOn On motion of Mr. Lawrance, the engrossed bill making pro vision for perf«n, employed m the intercourse between Unued t cc Si[ ' Ad! 0 g u"r"d UOni W " U ' lu " :m,Utd = commit- -398- THURSDAY, MARCH 2J. Sundry petitions were read; Mr. Gilman of the committee of enrolment, broueht in th, mi making appropriations for the support of government for th, '790, and the b.ll for u.ifor™ rule of natX tiou, enrolled—which had been examined bv the commute in 'i found correal ; the speaker then signed the fame. A motion was then made that the hoafe fbould go into ■, mittee of the whol* on the bill refpeamg the South Western fron" tiers. S une objefhon was made to the immed.ate adoprio.nf the motion as interesting and important intelligence was daily expc&ed from Governor Sinclair. The motion being put was carried in the affirmative—and the galleries were thereupon fnut. FRIDAY, MARCH 2 «. Mr. Livermore presented a petition from the inhahiimt. „r Portsmouth, (N. hJ refpeaing certain duties onxonnage; and alb praying that the diftria court may be holden in that place onlv In committee of the whole Houfe.~-Mr. Bond.notSn ihechaV The bill to prevent the exportation of not duly infpeaed according to the laws of the feveralStates, wai taken intotonGder ation. - Mr. Lavermore objeaed to the bill, as an unconstitutional inter ference on the part ot Congrcls with the powers of the refpeclive States. The Constitution, fa.d he, has expressly reserved to the fe vera I States the power of making their own infpeaion laws and the power of executing them is infeparablv conned • Those laws will doubtlefj be executed without an' interference on ot,f part. ur Mr. Smith,(S.C.)obferved,that theobjea of thebill is to make it the duty of the colleaors to attend t® the execution of the State Infpea.on Laws, it having formerly been the duty of the State Colleaors: Since the appointments were made by the United States, the officers did not conceive themselves bound to pav M "r. ticular attention to those laws. " Several other gentlemen spoke on the fubjea, and the great im portance of such laws, and their punflual execution were enlar"' ged op. The Committee finally agreed to fomeamendments,which were adopted by the House; ajid the bill was ordered to be enjroffed for a third reading on Monday next. In committe of the whole on the bill for accepting the cefTioo made by the State of North Carolina of certain laods'therein def cribed. In the preamble to the bill, the words The Honor able " were prefixed to the names of the Senators from North Carolina. Mr. Page moved that those words should be (truck out. He ob served that however honorable the gentlemen might be, and he was ready to acknowledge they were truly so ; yet agreeable to the usage of the House, he conceived there was an impropriety in giv ,n o any titles. He hoped never to fee the time when a legislative fa 11#ion should be given to such diftinftions. If a permanent aflriftocracy w*s ever among us, it wouldbe thro this medium : Such titles have been productive of infinite tnifchicf in other countries : They are anti-republican, and as such cannot be conferred with any propriety by this House. Mr Sedgwick obftfrved, that if the Hon. gentleman was ready to acknowledge the Senators from the State of North-Carolina were truly honorable characters, he could fee no mifchief or im propriety in faying so ; it comports with the usage of the several States : but, he considered it as a matter of trifling sb" l^C comm ' ltcc would not spend time in altercating the Mr. Page made some reply to Mr. Sedgwick, and the vote be ing taK.en, it pasTed in the affirmative by a great majority, 2nd the words were struck out. A condition in the ast of cclTion, relative to the emancipation of llaves---that Congress should not (as in the ast for the govern ment of the western territory) provide for their freedom—occa iioruo some debate ; an amendment was proposed and debated— but not adopted. rhe committee reported the bill with the above amendment only—which was agreed to bv the House. Mr Gilman of the committee of enrolment, informed the House that, the appropriation and naturalization bills were pre entrd to the President of the United States for his approbation, t e 25th instant. Adjourned to Monday. The committee of the whole house, to whom was referred the report ot the committee on the memorial of tht people called Quakers,and of the Pennfylvau* andNew-York focietics for pro moting the abolition of slavery, agreed to the following—which wa» entered on the journals : 1 hat the migration or importation of such persons as any ofthe tales now existing shall think proper to admit, cannot be pio by Congrefc p , lor to the year i 808. • ' !p OD 6 rc 's hive no authority to interfere in the emancipa tion of (laves or in the treatment of them within any of the States, it remaining with the several States alone, to provide any regula tl(>Th humanity and true policy may require. hat Congress have authority to restrain the citizens of the Uni tatcs rora carrying on the African trade for the porpofe of applying foreigners with Oaves, and of providing by proper re gulations for their humane treatment, during the passage of aves imported by the citizens, into the said States admitting such importation. Annapolis, March 18. The following is the Addrefi of the General-Ajfenblj of Maryland to the President of the United Statet. t^l^genera l afiembly of Maryland, avail ourselves of the firll occasion afforded us, since your election to the office of President ofthe United States, of expreiling to you our gratitude ior accepting that truly honorable, yet arduous station ; and of mingling our gratulations with thole of our country on this auspicious event. With pleasure we anticipate the bleflings which thefeftates will derive from the firmnefsand wis dom of youradminiftration. The past proofs of your refpetft for the rights of your fellow-citi zens, amidst the din of arm* and rage of war, are a sure pledge that these rights will be equally re fpedled and cherished by you in peace. In this place, from which we now address you, our predeceflors lately saw theaffetfting scene of their patriot chief resigning his military com mand, having fully accomplished its glorious ends. The lapse of a few years having proved the in adequacy of the late confederacy to the attain ment of its objects, it affords fubjeft ofthe most pleasing reflexion, that in the change which be came necellary to the fafety and welfare of the people of America, the President ofthe United States Ihould be the fame person to whom fhey were indebted for a long series of the molt iu'por tant, glorious and disinterested services. 1 his people have unanimously called upon you to prelide over their common under a
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