CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, JUNE ?.
THE report of the committee on fuc petition of J. F, Amelung
on motion of Mr. Carroll was read the second time tins re
?»ori was in favor ot the petitioner so far as to loan him 8000 dol
ars
Mr. Carroll gave ajiiftory of the rife ond progrrfs of this gen.
"tleman'stxertions in cftabfifhingan American glass manufactory
it commenced in 1775 ; he brought into the country upwards of
200 persons, and has expended in thisundertaking 50,060 pounds
Owing to a variety of accidents, and particularly the ejttraoidtnary
wfe in the price of grain, he now finds himfclf greatly embar
rassed in prosecuting the business. but if he can be so far pa ronized
by government as 10 be favored with a loan (tf 3or 4000 pounds
It would afford him such relief, as would enable liim to surmount
every difficulty.
Mr. Smith (S. C.) and Mr. Sherman objected to trie report of
the commitlec, they doubled the constitutionality of the power of
Congress to loan the roone^of r their ctrnftiamji, t h- v -.fry A, rf
J? «0 »c<o'unt of the precjA. wit would JE&lCand fuppofcd
•hat the encouragem:ht and alTirtance would be applied for with
more propriety to the State government. '
Mr. Carroll made some obfctvations in reply \o rhefe remarkt
Mr. Vinmg said he had no idea of losing a good thing left a
precedent (hiuld he which no future circumstances
might probably call into use. He then adverted to the extraordi
nary and peculiar circumstances of this gentleman, and on gene
raln.tional principles contended that it was conformable to the
dictates of the soundest policy to encourage and aflift the under
taking.—He said that the constitution does not prohibit thegovern
meni from loaning money, it is a meer ast of legifiation, and
Congress may do it, or let it alone. Congress are vetted with a
general power to encourage the arts and manufafturej of the Uni
ted States ; this is on; inodeof affording this encouragement • he
enlarged on the itnpnitance of manufactures and that of makine '
glass in particular, by which if duly encouraged imroenH futnj oj
money are prevented from being sent out of the country.
Mr. Boudinot, who was one of the committee which brought in
the report, gave an account of the manufactory, and said he had
ken ot the glass made in It, which was superior to any ever before
produced in Am. ri ( a.—Ho contended that Congress had a ri*h'
by tne constitution to loan the money ; he cited frveral inflates
in pbmt—which, said he, are unconftiiutional if this propo
rtion u—He expatiated on the merits of the petitioner, in em
barking such large property in prof<cuting a bulincfsof lo general
utilitj, and pointed out the confeqm-nces which would rrfuli from
• failure of thia application, which would be greatly mjmious to
the petitioner and the public.
I(Ir. Sherman read that part of the constitution which he con
ceived was contrary to the propofitton in the leporr.
Mr. Sedgwick said he had no doubt of the conflituliin.ility of
the meafurc in granting the moncv, Hill he doubted the eligibility
of any partial application of ihc put>lic patronage ,>nd encourage
ment; he mentioned the various manufacturing entcmriscs on
toot through the United States, manv of these ore langniftiing said
he, for want of that encouragcmrpt which is now foiieitcd in tb>>
particular infkance—he fiid lie Jiad no doubt of rhe merits of the
petitioner; and although he was in favor of giving oil due en
couragement to indubious foreign. rs, yet he douhtrd the pro
priety of doing this in a paitial manner, and in ores, icn. e ro th;
" wl ' _ y ; .f iT:rT„ »; a ft.OllU4 i>c bn#*j<-hi forwaid
on general principles said he, it IWild receive my hearty fupuort,
lu f.r as the tircumftancrs of the country would admii.
Mr. Aines entered into a particular difaifli m of the fubjeft of
manufactures, dilated on their utility and importance in ihe Uni
ted States ; he pointed out the difficulties which attended fctting
them up in this country,from the competition they have to contend
■with of (oieign articles—he then dated the principle" on which
public patronage ought to be extended to undertakings in this line
---his idea was that Inch as are of general advantage to the public,
lhould b. (o far sncouraged as to place the manofaSures upon
terms of equality wth foreign manulaaures of a fcmilar natnre ;
he d'd not conceive the prrfent circuinllances of the United States
would juftify or enable them to undertake to afford this encour
agement generally, but he<fuppofed that there waa a propriety in
taking up particular branches, and determining what Darlicular
aid they shall rec< ive.
Mr. Jackson wasoppofed to the report, he was avcrfe to any
partial encouragement—particularly of foreigners in preference to
oui own citizens, whose circuniftances are in many refpefts truly
deplorable from the failure of manufactures, which had long been
efldbli/hod in the country \ he observed that our creditors had a
prior claim on the revenue,and that the mcafurc was precipitate.
G-.nrlenun are not content said he with placing the American
tonnage in a hot bed, but they are now for placing mannfaftures
ttlfo in one ; he supposed the State of Maryland would derive
great advantage from this undertaking and that they would en
tourage the petitioner without doubt ; he wished the gentleman
fnceefs, but was for referr ng him to the State legiflaturc.
Mr. Scney fuppoi ted of the committee and urged the
propriety of the application to the general government, as the un
dertaking is of general utility* and such extraordinary exertions
merited the notice patronage and afliftance of the United States
at large. •
Mr. Gerry after a varietv of other observations said the agri
cultural and commercial intcrefts of the United States had found
■warm advocatts in the House ; manufattures had found some
ii tends, but he believed, not to so great a degree as the other two ;
ne wished that some mode could be devised to unite in meafurcs
to promote the interests of all three.—He concluded by saving
that as there appeared to be a variety of sentiments on the fui>je&,
he wished the houle ihouid go inio a cpmmittee of she whole on
tnc bufmefs. ' Mr. Stone made some observations in favor of
the report.
Mr Smith (S.C.) replied to the fevcral speakers in favor of the
Teport he reprobated the resolution, as uuconllitmional—as open
ing a door to innumerable applications—he contended that there
was no probability ot etfc&ual and certain aid to the manufac
ture, as it is acknowledged that «0,000 pounds has been employed
in the undertaking, yet it is in danger of failing ;he then read
an advertlfcraejit of Mr. Amelung in which he fays he is ftiil able
to birnifh the public with giafs. He obfeivcd that all cir
cumihnces he was led to'conclude that if the money was once
granted, it would never be again realized by the government, as in
cafe of accidcnts which arc very probable in that bulnu fs, Con
is will be applied to, on account of misfortunes to remit their
demand. This report was negatived.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 7.
AmefTage was received from the Senate; informing the House
that they do not concur in the bill for allowing commu ahon to
iheircprcfentativcs of David Gould, dtceafed ; and th*t they ha c
pafled the bill for establishing the Poft-Office, and Poft-Rcads ol
the United States, with amendments.
In cittwttre of the whole en the Rrjfdence Ri(
Mr. motion for finking out Potowroac, and ;nfert
ing Baltimore was further debated.
Mr. Cerry, Mr. Livermore, Mr. Sedewick. Mr ri \
w a y ncganvcd- 3 Sh ' h ' ke *'* Um f ° r
DebL Sedg^ick m t0 fttike W ! r«owm lC , and to- insert
Delaware—thi,iwa. negated Witft<jfefcb»te,
n ,„ r ' c >'v a , r P'eta'fins fcreral »l»Ktvati6«i, moved that the
permanent residence should be fixed between Potowmac and the
lunation to be determined dnda- certain in
ftruftions, by the Commiflionen to be appointed by the bill
Thu motion v»» negatived withouta division
Mr Gerry moved to ame»d the clauTe, so as to include the
towu of Alexandria—this was negatived.
- A m °tion by Mr. Smith (M.) to iofert the word « locate "
was next put and negatived. -Aswas.ifoa motion made bv
Mr Lawrance, to strike oat « .800," and to insert " line » V
Sevefal other motions were pot and negatived
Mr Burke then moved the following amendment, viz.
. , Bc " f" rthe ' enaaed, That the city of New-York (hall be
the feat of the government 6f the United States until the da v
■.1 , ; th't thereafter, as soon as the fame may be conve
niently done, all the offices attached to the feat of the general 20
; eminent of the United States fell be removed to the city of Phi
ladelpkia In the (late of Peimfylvanu, which (hall thenceforth be
the feat of said government until the day of "
the^c o nr,h™»bt hOU " ,kin^ thi ' wa.
THURSDAY, JULY 8.
A message wasreceiwd Worn the Senate, informing the house
that hi«« jwfflcd .W1 makinj iuri.hei prov.hon for the inva
jtapeofioneri of the United States . also ,h at they have naffed on a
bill .providing for the ifimns certificates to a certain description
of invalid officers and do not agree to the fame.
In Committee of the whole on the Residence bill
. The amendment proposed by Mr. Burke yefler'day, was dif.
cuffed, and atter some debate reje&ed. 32 to 28.
Mr. Smith South-Carolin», moved thatthefe woids « at which
place thcenfuing session of Congrefj shall be held" should be era-
Thisoccafioned further debate—the constitutionality of paflinz
fition to ad J oUrntn<:rU wascont efled by thofeinoppo-
The motion being negatived, and the bill being gone throu 2 h
with,the Committee role and reported the fame without anyamend
tncnt. It was then voted that it (hould lit on the table till to mor
Mr. Goodhue of the committee appointed to prepare and re
port amendments to the collection law, brought in a report enti
tled a bill to regulate the colleSion of duties imposed by law on
goods, wares, and Merchandize, imported into the United States
and on the tonnage ofShips orvcdels ; which was read and made
the order of the day for Monday next.
The amendments'of the Senate to the Poft-Office bill, were taken
into connderauon.
The firft amendment was to strike out the fir ft and second feci
t.om which Ipec.fied „nd eft.blifhed the (everal roads, and to in
fm aclaufe .mpowenng the Poft-M.ftrr-Gener.l, under d,reft,on
of the President of the United States to ellablilh them.
A concurrt neein this amendment was oppoled by MelTrs. Blood
worth, White, Steele, Livcrmore, Hartley and Gerry.
It was, (ud that it was delegating the power of legillation to the
jupreme executive in one of the moll important points that could
? The revenue also will centre in the hands of the
executive; and in process ot time this revenue may be converted
into jn Engine d< ftruftive to the liberties of the United States ; for
as it is a perpetual law, and as the time may, and probably will
come, when the executive may be cori upt; as the revenue energ
ies, l nr olncersot the department wtll be encreafed, and we do
not know to what extent the consequences may be carried. It i s
"nconlli'utional, as that expressly refewes the power of eftablilh
ing Poll-Offices and P.A-Ro,d. to . >, J, wal fw .
:,ier obfcrvtd it would be throwiag j burden upon the President
which he cannot execute with any convenience to'himfelf, and
Ironi hf situation, with fatisfaftion to the people. The reprefcnt
atwes of the people who come from all parts of the United States
mull be supposed to have a more competent knowledge of the
proper places for eftablilhing Poll-Roads than the Post-Master-
Getieral.
was advocated by Mr. Partridge, and Mr.Sedg-
It was said that upon an accurate calculation it was found that
the roads proposed by the bill as it passed the houfc, are so numer
ous that so far from affording a revenue, they will prove a great
burden to the United States ? The circumstances of the country
are continually changing ; the feats of government in the several
itates are removed from their ancient situations to 100 miles dis
tance ; to accommodate the people in such cases, old routs must be
discontinued and new roads opened, which will be a perpetual
source of Legislation and unnecelTary expeoce. This bull nets was
left to the Post-Master-General by the late Congress, and verv
few complaints were heard—the Post-Master-General by his of
fice mull be the moll competent judge, as the business will be a
principal object of his attention, and attual surveys of the roads
will be made by hisafliftant in all parts of the United States ; but
if the responsibility of this officer is divided into 65 parts, every
one of which has its own particular convenience in view, 1t must
appear evident, that all responsibility is entirely diflipatcd ; as to
the unconftitutionality, it was said, that the bill proposes no
more in the present instance, than is provided for in the other
executive departments ; the principles of conducing the business
are established by the House—-the mode of carrying those prin
ci pies into execution is left with the executive; and this of ne
ceflity is done in almost every cafe whatever.—The House ad
journed without coming to a otc.
FRIDAY, JULY 9.
The amendment proposed by the Senate to the bill making
further provision for paying the invalid pensioners of die United
States was agreed toby the House.
A meflage was received fr«m ihe Senate informing the House
that they have paflfed a bill providing for the regulation and go
vernment of seamen in the merchants service with amendments,
the bill to reguJate the trade and intercom* fe with the Indian tribes
— and the hill providing tor the settlement of the account* between
the United States and individnal States with amendments.
On motion of Mr. Hartley the House took up the residence bill
as r< ported by the committee of the whole.
Mr. floudinot, after exprefling his disapprobation of the bill
gen<rj||y ; moved that the Potowmac should be (Iruck out and
the Delaware inserted—and called the Ayes and Noes—after form
debate this motion was negatived as follow :
AYES.
Mrflrs. Ames, Brnfon, Boudmot, Floyd, Foster, Gerry, Good
!iue, Grout, Huntington, Hathorne, Leonard, Lawrance, Livei
mori, Pajtridge, R<n(ellaer. Trumbull, Schureman, Sherman,
Sylvester, Sturges,Sedgwick, Wad 1 worth. 22
NOES.
McfTrs. Afhr, Baldwin, Blood worth, Brown. Burkf, Cadwal
l.ider, Carrol, Clymr», Cole. l , Contcp, F.tziimons,Gilman, Hciftfr,
Hartley, Jackson. Ga' , Gritfiin, P. Mult) nberg, Madison, MjU
• hews, M >'T<*. P p . rk'r, L-» f S»t 1 , Sco l ., Sinnickfon, Stone,
Sev.e-, S, nev, Smith (M.) St it ■ (S. < , Sumpter, Thatcher, Tuck, r,
VVhitc, Williainfon, Wvi ko d. 39
Mr. Ames moved to llnke «»itt P t >wmac, end inf-rt German
town, as the rcfidenre. Avea 22 —Not s 39.
Variation, Mr. Gilnan, Avt —M . T umbull, No.
Mr. Smir' , (Man la d), movft' <> it- iks nut P >townac. and in-
between the i>ufquehanna.«~Ayes 25 —Noes 36.
519
, M . r - S T t?1 ' Mr ' Sn ' :th - ( S - C 0 Mr. TrumtuH.
and Mr Thatcher, Ayes.—Mr. Sherman, No.
ti more mOVed t0 ft ' lk " oIH Po ' ow "» a e, and insert Bal-
A * AYES. *' '■
hoi^rmm m H , ,? Cnfon, u F '°y d ' Foftpr > Good.
S e » 11 " I ,' n r ni Uwrance, Le-marJ, Liver,
P , Jrt " d f' Schiireman, Seney, -Sher^
„ _ „ Noes.
ml CWmn C f ,d "' 0 ' Brown, CadwalWr, Can.
'n ?' f" ntec > Oilman, Gale,
lenberJ' p5 p Jack son, Lei; Madison, Matthews, Moore, Muh
s, ?' ,5 e ' ? arkcr > Scot, SeVier, Sumpter, Sinnickfon, Steele,
Stone, Tucker, Vining, White,Will,amfon, Wynkoop.-Noes .4.
CTry m ° VC . d '° strike out thf words " purchase or"-—
/ es 20. ■ - ■—Noes3s.
Comm-ffi erry mOV l d In " ,rerta claur ' wh!ch limit the
Commissioner, , n thecxpence, to the Cum to be received by do
natio".-. Ayes 26 Noes 33 y
Mr. Lawrance moved to add these words, provided the built&nri
th 'h i dollars. — Ayes ,6. NoeT 3 !
Mr. Gerry moved that the words " Three Comm.(lionets, or
any wo of them," should be ftnick out. Th„ was negatived." ?
ftrbrk " rt,OVea thatthc whole of the sth feftion, should be
ltTucK out* AYES
n, °°dworth, Boudinot, Burke, Floyd,
oiler, Gerrv, Grout, Hathorne,Huntington,Lawrance, Leonard.
Shcrma 0 , rC S n S e' Renfe " aer ' Schurctmn, Sedgwick. Senev.
Sherman Sylvester, Smith, M.J Smith, (S. C.J Suirg«, ThatcHe'r.
Trumbull, Tucker, Wadsworth. 28 '
A(l NOES.
Cofc r C ' B i. ,d » ln . &ro * n < Cadwailadcr, Carrol, Clymer,
Coles, Contee, F.t»(imons, Gale, Gilman, Goodhue, Griffin.
lenbere' Pa'^V"^ 6 "* Let ' Mld,fon ' Matthews. Moore,Muh
lenberg, Page, Parker, Scott, Sevier, Sinnickfon, Steele, Stone.
Sumpter.Viumg, White, Willi,mfon, Wynkoop. *
Mr. Burke moved to strike out the firft Monday in Dectmfcer
ne *'> a " d ,0 ">fert the firft Monday in Mav, 1792
not preterit! N ° M " abOVe ' eXCCpt " r " who was
i-SES S™"'"" " - <««k-
Mr. Smith (S. C.) moved that the words " at which place the
next session of Congress (hall be held"—(hould be struck out ; he
moved this amendment he said, on account of the iinconftitution.il
iiy oi tne ciaule.
AYES.
MelTrs. Ames, Renfon, Boudinot, Burke, Floyd, Foster Ger
ry, Grout, Hathorne, Huntington,, Lawrance, Leonard, Livers
more. Partridge, Renfellaer, Sedgwick, Seney, Sylvester Sher
™' ,h ( ic o Sturges, Thatcher, Trumbull,Tucker"
NOES.
MelTrs. Afhe, Baldwin, Bloodworth, firown, Cadwallader*
Carrol, Clymer, Coles, Contee, Fitzfimons, Gale, Gilman Grili.
M-H 1 T V ' .' ackfon ' L «> Mathews' Moore
Muhlenberg, Page, Parker, Scot, Sevier, Sinnickfon, Steele Stone'
Jumpter, Vining, Williamfon, White, Wynkoop '
Mr. Smith (M.) moved an amendment by which the public of.
ficers Ihould be removed to the Potowmac previous to the year
tion°k P s 1, 6 OU,Id, T fllould > prepared for their recep
tion before that time. Ayes 13 -Noes 48
It was moved that the bill be read the third tune on Monday
next , this was negatived; '
To-morrow was then proposed ; this was negatived
Amotion was made to adjourn—which was also negatived
Iljull [, W "i. read the third time, and on the auettio, <W»
t~e _ 1.. pnfs ; the oytt auc jW»art av ioiiov* :
AYES
? ald " in - Blood-worth, Brown, Cadwallader.Car
rol.Clymer,, Colei, Contje, Fitsfimons, Gale, Griffin, Hartley
P. i J ackfo "' L «. Madison, Mathews, Moore, Muhlenbeiff!
Page, Parker, Scott, Sevier, Sinnickfon, Steele, Stone Summ*
Vining, White, Williamfon, Wyukoop.—_ 3 "
NOES.
MeJTrs. Ames, Benfon, Boudinot. Burke, Floyd, Foster Gerrv
Goodhue, Gilman, Grout, Hathorne, Hunt.ngton, Lawrance "ll'
nard. Livermore. Par.ndgc, Rcnfellacr, Schureman, Srdc-w ck Sr"
Adjourned till to-morrow, n o'clock.
NEW-YORK, JULY 10, 1790.
The anmverfary of independence was cele
brated at Philadelphia with peculiar propriety *
It being Sunday, the society of the Cincinnati
formed themselves into a body, preceded by
his Excellency Governor Mifflin their Presi
dent, and the Hon. Thomas Mc'Kean, Vice-
Hrefident—and being joined by the corporation,
of the city with other civil an d military officers
and a large concourse of refpetfable citizens-1
walked in procession to Christ Church, and there
attended divine service— Dotfor William Smith
delivered a moll excellent difcohrfe adapted to
? n Monday the society alien,bled
and elected their officers for the ensuing year
mn G ft 7, S fr at Philadelphia, exhibited a
molt splendid scene on the anjiiverfary of inde
pendence. 1
As there is not a surplusage of chararter* i*
any country competent to tranfarting the public
affairs thereof-,t ,s evident that the idea of ro
tation in office, ,f frequently recurred to, nrift
deprive the people of the bed abilities of the
country—those matured by experience
Is it not demonstrable that those paris of the
country wh.ch are represented by men long cop
verfant in public affairs, jnult enjoy ftrikina ad
vantages over those whose concerns are commit
ted on the principles of rotations, to a new fee
of hands at every eletflion.
While public chararters ftould f*el their de
pendence on the good will, and free fuffraees of
the.r constituents-it is little short of political
"ic f ° r *}} e people to deprive themselves of
approved abilities on the plausible, but oft de
cepuve principle of rotation.
ARRIVALS SINCE OUR LAST. NEW-YORK.
Rr! T1 t 't»> c Cam e°"' 4 mo "»and 22 -d ays .
Bug Dartmouth, Summs, Savannah-la-Mar, 40 day.
Schooner Letty, Bebee, St. Peters, (Ntw-E^L^d)