appeared to him n much fitter officer to fill that
station—He was originally chosen by the people
into the fenatc.
When amendments to the Conflitution came to
be thought of, perhaps it would be proper, he said,
to provide for this cafe by a fpccial clause in it,
impowering the electors, who had chosen the
President and Vice-Prefulent, in cafe of vacancy,
to meet again, and make another choice, only,
however, for the remainder of the four yeais ;
because at the end of that time the power of chu
fing theeleiitors ibould return to, and be exercil'ed
by the several Hates.
If the motion before the committee was nega
tived, he gave notice, that he would bring in his,
viz. to fill up the blank with the perfonlalt ante
cedently chosen President ofrhe Senate.
Mr. Baldwin said that he fliould vote for the
present motion, because lie conceived that the
conftitiuion is express, that an officer of the go
vernment, c'efignated either by the law or the
Conititmion, should be appointed to fill this va
cancy.
He dated some objeiflions against the Chief
Justice : He is an officer who ought to be entire
ly detached from all political agitations whatev
er : His mind oughtto be kept calm, and as un
embarrafled as poifible : He quoted the precedent
cftablifhed in the law, instituting the governor
of the We,tern Territory—there the secretary
is to succeed the governor. The secretary of
slate is an executive officer, an affiltant to the
President, and mult be supposed, from his situa
tion, to be the moil proper per foil to supply the
vacancy.
Mr. Sherman was of opinion, that putting the
chief magistracy into the hands of a subordinate
officer was by no means proper. As to the ob
servations made by the gentleman last up on the
arrangements in the government of the Western
Territory, he did not think they could be ap
plied to the present cafe : That government was
a subordinate one, and a kind of legislative pow
er was veiled in tlie governor, of fele&ing from
the laws, and regulations of the different States
such as he thought requisite for the goverjiment
of ihofe he had under-his care.
He was in favor of giving the fupreine execu
tive in cafe of accident, to the Prelident of the
Senate : The government would certainly fuffer
fevver inconveniences by that arrangement than
if the head of a department was put in. The
Vice-President, by the conilitution succeeds to
the President ; the President of the Senate to the
office of the firft, it is therefore very natural
that he fliould also exercise the duties ot the le
cond in cafe of vacancy
To designate any officer, as poflible fucceflor
o the President, he said, would be giving him
:oo much dignity, and raising liini in a manner
:ven above the legUlature.
Mr. Carroll observed that the vacancy might
happen in the recess of the legislature, or in the
abfenceof the President of the Senate: the Se
cretary of State would always be at the feat of
government. Besides the conllitution declared
the vacancy should be filled by an officer of the go
vernment ; the President of the Senate was on
ly an officer pro tern. If the framers of the con
llitution had intended the vacancy should be filled
by an officer named in it, they could have de
fignaied hiin ; but this they had not done ; he
therefore supposed they had in view some officer
then not in exiftencc.
Mr. Gerry regretted that the ,fubje<ft iTiould
have been taken up at this moment, when so much
important business is before Congress. He advert
ed to the motion, and said, that the character
which now fills the office of Secretary of State,
undoubtedly poilelled the confidence of the legi
slature in ihe fulleft manner—and very justly—
but when the exigency {hall arrive for which we
now are about to provide, a character may fill
that office, who would be a fceurge to the Union.
Besides said he, if the office of Vice-Preiident was
now to be filled, the Secretary of State would be
ineligible, coming from the fame State wth the
President. He itated other objections from the
Constitution : He thought thenomination ftiould
not be confined to officers of the U.S. He supposed
the views of government may be extended even tg
officers of the several States—He however wished
the whole business postponed ; but if this idea is
over ruled, he fuggelted the propriety of filling
the blank with the conilitutional clause relpeifi
ingthe highest candidates who are primarily vo
ted for as President and Vice-Prefident.
(To be continued.)
SATURDAY, January 22.
Mr. Lawrance, from the connjiittee to whom
was referred the petition of Seth Harding, made
a report,which w as read,and ordet ed to lie on the
table.
Agreeable to the order of the day, the lioufe
proceeded in the further consideration of the new
revenue bill.
An additional fedlion was proposed, pointing
out the purpofesto which the revenue, raised bv
the a<ft ftiould be applied. This was Superceded
by a motion to re-comrait the bill, which was loft.
Several amendments were offered to that fec r tion,
which underwent fouie difcullion, but were poft
poi)ed for further consideration.
Adjourned
MONDAY, Jan
Mr. Li vermore presented the petition of Peter
Johnson, praying to be placed on the pension lilt.
Referred to the Secretary of War.
Mr. Muhlenberg presented the petition of
William Lane, praying compensation tor lolles
sustained by him during the late war. Referred
to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr. Madison presented t he petition of George
Gibfon—which was read, and referred to a feletft
committee, confiding of Mefi'rs. Giles, Vining,
Muhlenberg, Mathews, and Wadfworth.
Mr. Beni'on presented the petition of John
Cockran, which was read, and referred to the
Secretary of War.
Mr. Heilter prefenred a memorial and remon
strance, from a uumber of the citizens of Phila
delphia, againfl Exciie Laws, and particularly
againfi the bill now pending in the House, laying
duties on diltilied spirits.—Read and laid on the
table.
The following Meflages were received from the
Prefidentof the United States :
United States, January 24, 1791.
Gaitlemen of the Senate,
and Houfecj Representative:,
I LAY before you'a ftatcment, relative to the frontiers of the
United Stales, which has been Submitted to me, by the Secretary
for the Dcpaitment of War.
I rely upon your wisdom, to make such arrangements, as may
beeff ntial for the preservation of good order, and the effectual
protection of the frontiers. Q. WASHINGTON.
United States, January 24, 1791.
Gentlemen of the Senate,
and lioufe oj ReprefentativeSy
IN execution of the powers with -which Congress were
pleased to invest me, by their ast, entitled, " An ast for cftablifh
ingthe temporary and permanent feat of the government of the
United States." and on mature consideration of the advantages and
disadvantages of the several positions, within the limits preieribed
by the said ast, I have, by a Pioclamation, bearing date this day,
a copy of which is herewith transmitted, directed C«mmiflioners,
appointed in pursuance of the ast, to survey and limit a part of the
territory of ten miles fcjuare, on both fides the river Potowmac,
so as to comprehend Georgetown in Maryland, and to extend to
the Eadcrn Branch.
I have not, by this firft ast, given to the said territory the whole
extent, of which it is fulceptible, in the direction of the river ; be
caiife I thought it important, that Congress should have an oppor
tunity of conlidering,whether, by an emendatory law, they would
author ife the location of the residue at the lower end of the present,
so as to comprehend the eastern branch iifelf, and some of the
country on its lower fide in the state of Maryland, and the town
of Alexandria in Virginia. If however they are of opinion, that
the federal territory should be bounded by the water-edge of the
Eastern Branch, the location of the residue will be to be made at
the upper end of what is now directed.
I have thought best to await a survey of the territory, before it
is decided, on what particular spot, on the north-eallern fide of
the river, the public buildings shall be erected.
The lioufe then resumed the consideration of
amendments proposed to the new revenue bill.
Three additional feiflions refpe<fling the ap
propriation of the revenue to be derived from
the bill, which were offered on Saturday, after
some alteration, were agreed to.
Mr. Tucker proposed a clause to limit the du
ration of the bill : This occasioned a debate,
which continued till near the time of adjourn
ment. The motion was finally negatived. The
Ayes and Noes being called for by Mr. Jackson,
are as follow :
Mejfrs AJhe, Bald-win, Bloodworth, Brown, Burke,
Giles, Hartley, Heifier, Jaikfon, Matthews, Moore,
P. Muhlenberg, Parker, Scott, Seney, Sevier, Steele,
Tucker, William/on. 19.
Mefrs Amet, Benfon, Boudinot, Bourne, Cadwal
lader, Clyfiier, Fitzfimons, Floyd, Fojter, Gale, Cerry,
Gilman, Goodhue,Criffin, Grout, Hathorne, Hunting
ton, Lawrance, Lee, Livcrmore, Leonard, Madison,
Partridge, Ranfellaer, Schuremau, Sedgwick, Sher
man, Sylvefler, Sinnickfon, Smith ( M.) Smith (S.C.)
Stone, Sturges, Thatcher, Trumbull, Fining, W adf
worth, White, Wynkoop. 39.
A motion by Mr. Jackson to expunge a clause
the Certificates' accompanying the du
tied article, was negatived. Adjourned.
TUESDAY, Jan. 25
Mr. Heifter presented the petition of a number of the inhabitants
of Pennsylvania, praying for compensation for loffcs sustained du
ring the late war; referred to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr. Carrol presented the petition of two orphan children,
whose father was killed in the late war, prayingthat the half pay
which would have been received by their father, may be extend
ed to them ; referred to the Secretary of war.
A petition from the inhabitants of the county of Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, against certain parts of the bill laying additional du
ties on distilled spirits.
Mr. Jackson of the committee on the petition of the merchants
and inhabitants of Fayetteville refpefting the judiciary law, re
ported that a committee ought to be appointed to bring in a bill
pursuant to thefaid petition.
Mr. Ames prcfentedthe petition of Abiel Smith, praying com
pensation for a quantity of flour supplied the late continental ar
my ; referred to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr. Williamfon presented the memorial of William Poultney
praying compensation for lofles iuflained during the late war ; re
ferred to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr. Lawrance of the committee appointed for the purpose re
ported a bill, directing the mode in which the evidences of the
debt of the United States which have been, or may be destroyed,
(hall be renewed ; read the firft time.
719
G. WASHINGTON
AYES,
NOES.
The house resumed the confiderstion of the new revenue bin
iundry amendments proposed by Mr. Jatkfon, bv linking out
certain clauses the bill—wets negatived ; other amendments
weie agreed to-alter confideiable debate, at halt after three
the quetlion forengroffing the bill was carried in the affirmative'
the ayes and noes being as follow :
AYES.
McJfrsAmtr, Benfon, Boudinot, Bourne, Cadwallaier, Carrol Clymer
Fttzfimoiu, Floyd, Fojler, Colt, Gerry, Oilman, Goodhue, Grout, Hun
tington, Lauranci, lee, Leonard, Liver,nore, Madison, Partridge
Hhureman, Scot, Sedgwick, Sherman, Syhejler, Sinniekjin, Sturee'
hatcher, Trumbull, Pining, Wadjicorth, White, Wynkoop. 35. '
MejfrsAJhe, Baldwin, Bloodwojth, Brown, Burke, Griffin, GiUu
Hathorne, Hartley, Heifter, Jackson, Mathews, Muhlenberg, Parker,
XenJJalaer, Seney, Sevier, Steele, Stone, Tucker. 20.
Mr. Tucker, of the joint committee appointed to confidcr and
report thetime for the commencement ot the nextCongrel's,brought
in a report, which is in substance, that the bufmefs now before
Congress may be finifhed by the 4th March, and that it will not be
necessary for the new Congress to commence immediately after ;
but the joint committee could not agree as to the preciie time!
when their firft fellion should begin.
Philadelphia, Jan. 26.
It is to be remarked that the oppofers of-tlie
revenue bill now before Congress, have never
come forward with a competent substitute .
Something has been said about a tax on law pro
ceedings, by which it is supposed a ftanip duty
was intended, and a direct tax has been faintly
whispered—but both these are found to fhriuk
from the touchstone of popularity.
The symptoms of aristocracy in the Eastern
States, are—agrarian laws—'simplicity of manners
—equality of circuinftances—a universal diffufiou
of the means of knowledge—public schools being
eftabli/hed by law, and I'upported by a general
tax throughout the country —elections by ballot,
and consequently free, being held on one, and
the fame day in Imall diftritfts, throughout the
refpediive governments —the foil cultivated by
its independent owners—reverence for the laws
—and refpe<it to their magistrates—the federal
government venerated—and the statutes of Con
gress obeyed—happy and tranquil because they
are informed and fres —and because they poflefs
the means of preserving their freedom, by malt*
ing every man, from jixteen to forty, a soldier-ci
tizen :—But the most alarming of all their symp
toms of Aristocracy is, the silence of their repre
sentatives in Congress, in refpedj; to the jealous,
uneasy, turbulent spirit of their conftitueius, as
to any law that the general government may, in
their wisdom, enaift.
It is a trite observation, that anticipation of
evil, is often the forerunner of mifchief : We
have, however, been happily disappointed in
times past—No thanks to the dismal cacklers of
the capitol. As the good sense of the people has
hitherto prevented them from imbibing a restless
spirit of complaint, from the oft repeated, tho
groundless jealousies and apprehensions of mors
than eagle-eyed politicians, so it is to be hoped
they will not in future be seduced to change the
solid blessings of the government, for the positive
miseries of discord and sedition, because some
persons fay t they are averse to measures that have
never been tried.
Extraß of a letterfromßoflon, Jan. If
Such a December has not been experienced
here for many years—Wood rose to twenty Jbil-
Ungs a cord ! But since this year came in, the
weather has moderated—provisions have been
very plenty, and very cheap—the fleying excel,
lent—Pot and Pearl-ashes, Hemp, Flax, ire. ire,
have been brought in from the back country
which have generally commanded good prices,
and sent much money to enliven the interior
parts of this state, Vermont and New-Hampflyre.
The attachment of the people of this Common
wealth to the general government daily encrea
fes ; and 111 the rife of the public credit—the de
mand for produce &c. they feel its superiority
over that of the late untied fyjlem.
PRICE CURRENT. PUBI.IC SECURITIES.
FUNDED DEBT.
6 pr. Cents 16/6. 16/9. P r * ,£ 83J pr. cent.
3 pr. Cents qf 4,5 do.
Defered 6 pr. Cfcnt* gf. 45 do.
UNFUNDED DEBT.
Final Settl. and other Certificates 15/6 15J9 78J do.
Indents 8/9 o\f 45 do.
N. and S. Carolina, debts, 11J. 11/6. 572 do.
INFORMATION WANTED.
|CP THE Subfcrtber requejls, if any gentleman
can give him information of a purchase of Lands made
by a Mr. Daniel Richardet, in the year 1781 and
1782, in some part of the United States, he will be so
kind as to inform his Brother, by direfling a line t»
him, at the Printer's office. S. RICHARDET.
Jaruary, 1791
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,"!
January 25, 1791. J
THE Public Creditors are reminded that, in order to the pre.
per difpofuions for paying the Interest in the several States,
it is neceflary that the amount to be paid in eaeh should be pre
viously known at the Treasury. And as the expiration of the firft
quarter is not far distant, it is wiftied that those who have not yet
done it. may be expeditious in making and fignifying their elec
tion, pbrfuant to the making provision for the debt of the
United States.
NOES,
45 do '