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"withdrawn his motion for striking Out the western territory.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