agree to receive all its demands in the paper of
the existing banks, it would give to them every
advantage, which in the opinion of gentlemen,
renders the present fyltein objectionable, without
itipulai ing for any equivalent to t he gov e nun en t.
But are, he alked, gentlemen serious in theleob
fervations ! Do thby believe the capitals of the
present banks adequate to the exigencies of the
nation ? Do they believe that those banks pofiefs
any powers by which they can give a projeiftile
force to their paper, so as to extend its circulation
throughout the United States ? Or do they real
ly wish to have the government repose itfelf on
infiitutions, with which they have no intimate
connection, and over which they have no control ?
. Mr. Sedgwick concluded by observing, he was
■very confident a majority of that house could ne
ver be induced to believe that it was the inten
tion of the constitution to deprive the legislature
of one oftheinoft important and necefl'ary means
of executing the posveis expressly delegated.
WEDNESDA Y, March 2
A tneflage from the Senate, b_v Mr. Secretary
Otis, informed the houfe,'that they have resolv
ed to postpone, to the next feflion of Congress,
the consideration of the land-office bill *; and,
that they had pafled, with amendments, the bill
relative to the rix dollar of Denmark.
The house having taken the said amendments
into confidpration, concurred therein.
Pafled the bill for niakingcompenfaiibn to the
widows and orphan-children of certain officers,
who were killed, or who died in the service of
tjae Uniceil States, during the late war, and for
rae relief of certain invalids, and other persons
therein mentioned. '
Mr. Floyd, from the committee on enrolled
bills, presented, and the Speaker signed, an art
supplemental to the a<ft establishing the Treasury
Department, and for a further compensation to
certain officers ; and an aiftto amend the adt for
establishing the temporary and permanent feat
of the government of the United States.
Mr. Burl<e, reported a bill, for the relief of
David Cooke, which was read a firft time.
In committee of the whole (Mr. Livermore in
the chair) on the bill fupplen\gntal to the ad:
establishing the salaries of the executive officers
of government, with their afiiftants and clerks ;
the fame was reported without amendment, and
ordered to be engrofled for a third reading. Be
ing brought in engrofled, it was read a third
tin\e, and pafled.
In committee of the whole (Mr. Boudinot in
the chair) on the till making further provision
for the collection of the duties by law imposed
on teas-, the fame was reported without amend
ment. The bill being then taken up in the house,
was amended by theaddition of a clause refpetft
ing the duties on wines. It was then, recommit
ted to a committtee of the whole house. The
committee having further amended the bill, and
the amendments being adopted by the house, it
was ordered to be engrofled for a third reading.
A message was delivered by Mr. Secretary Lear,
informing the lioufe, that the President of the
United States had this day approved and signed.
An a(ft giving effevfl to the laws of the United
States, within the state of Vermont.
An a<ft to explain the adl making further pro
vision for the payment of the debts of the United
States :—
An adlfupplementary to the a<st,incorporating the
fublcribeis to the Bank of the United States ; —and
An ad: fixing the time of the nexc annual meet
ing of Congress
In committee of the whole [Mr. Boudinot in
he chair] on the bill concerning consuls and vice
confuls ; the bill was reported with sundry amend
ment. The. house having agreed to the report
of the committee, and further amended the bill,
.it was read a third time and pafled.
Sundry reports from the Secretary of theTrea
fury, on petitions referred to him, were read,
«nd laid on the table.
The house then proceeded to consider the a
mendnients of the committee, to the bill for grant
ing lands to the inhabitants and settlers at Vin
• cennes, in the Illinois country, ill the territory
N. W. of the Ohio ; and having adopted the
fame, the bill was palled.
A mefTage being received from Senate,
which required secrecy, the gallery was ordered
to be cleared.
The amendments, proposed to the bill concern
ing consuls and vice-consuls, having been com
municared to the Senate, and by tliem disagreed
, to,*the house, (after the opening of the doors)
took the fame again into cojrflderation ; and the
question for receding bei»J| put and loft, it was
[on motion of Nr. | refoJved, that the
house do insist on their amendments.
An engrofled bill, to grant Gibfon
the sum of one thousand services ren
dered to the United States, was read a third
time, and passed.
An engrossed bill, making furrier provision for
tlie collection of the duties by law iropofed on
* Erroneously stated in a few of our last number to have palled
the Senate with amendments..
teas, and for extending the term of the payment
of the duties on wines, was read a third time and
pafled. . , |
On motion of Mr. Bouilinot, refoiveci, t.iat
Gif Ford Dally be, and he is hereby authorized to
take care of the rooms appropriated for the uie
of the House of Representatives, until the next
meeting of Congress, and also toniake tlie neces
sary provision oi firewood, for tllvnext fefiion.
Adjourned.
THURSDi Y, March 3
Mr. Floyd of the committee of enrolment, reported a bill, ma
king ccrtdin appropriations for the purposes therein mentioned
and a bill relative to the rix (foliar of LKnmaikvasdulyenroiled .
to which the speaker affixed his Ggnaiure.
The petition of Thomas Claxton, assistant door keeper ; was
read the second time —and on motion of Mr. Madifon,the follow
ing resolution was adopted — That certain cxpenccs incurred by the
petitioner in the difchargeot his dnty, not to exceed one hundred
dollars, be included in the Clerk's account of contingent expences
of the present feflion.
The committee on the petition of John Tucker, Clerk of the Su
preme Court, reported, that said petition be deterred to the next
feflion. Report agreed to.
A resolution, received from the Senate, was concurred in, That
the President of the United States be requeftcd to cause to be laid
before Congress, at their next feflion, an estimate of the quantity
and fituatiou of those lands, not claimed by Indians, nor occupied
bv citizens of the United States, in the territory ceded in North-
Carolina, N. W. of the Ohio.
A meflage from the Senate by Mr. Secretary Otis, informed the
house, that they adhere to their disagreement to the amendments
proposed by the house to the Consul Bill.
A resolution was received from the Senate at fame time, for the
eftabliihment of a Mint, pursuant to law, and authorizing the Pre-
I fident to cause such principal Artists and Apparatus to be engaged,
as rnav be necessary to carry said resolution into effe£l.
The house irjijlcd on their amendmentsto the bill; and concur
red in the above resolution with amendments.
Another message receiver) from the Senate, informed the house
that they have palled the bill making compensation to the Gom
miflionersof Loans for extra services, with an amendment.—
The house after lome debate, non-concurred the amendment.
Another message inforned that the Senate adhere to their
amendment—On which a notion was made in the house to recede,
which was carried in the atirmative.
The bill making further provision for a collection of the duties
on teas, and for prolonging lie term of payment of the duties on
wines; and the bill, with in addition to the ast efta
blifhtng the salaries of the executive officers, their afliftants and
clerks, having patted the Serate, were sent to the house, which
concurred in the amendment.
A message from the President of the United States, by Mr.
Secretary Lear, informed the house that the following acts had
received his approbation and signature, viz.—
An ast repealing, after the last day of June next, the duties
heretolore laid on diflilled spirits imported from abroad, and
laying others in their flead—ind also upon spirits diflilled within
the United States, and for appropriating the fame.—An ast sup
plemental to the ast establishing the Treasury Department—and
an ast re la ive to the rix dollar of Denmark.
Sundry messages from the Senate, informed that they have pas
sed with amendments, the temporary Poft-Office bill—the bill
granting lands to the inhabitants of Vincennes—the bill making
compensations to the officers of the judicial courts, jurors and wit
nesses— the bill fuppleiwentary to the ast making provision for the
reduction of the public debt : also the Sc n*;tc roncm
in fheamendmoits the'refoiution for the establishment of a mm'.
The house concurred" Tn ttre amendment, to the Poll-Office bill
—and to those in the lupplementary bill, for the reduction of the
public debt; to some of the other amendments they disagreed.
A message from the Senate infoimed the house that they have
poflponed till the next feflion of Congiefs ; the bill making com
penlations to the widows and orphan children of certain officers See
and the bill to compensate George Gibfon.
A resolution proposed by Mr. Smith (S; C.) was agreed to—
authorising the marlhals of such diftri&s, as are unprovided with
goals for the detention of prisoners, under the authority of the
United Stales, to provide convenient houses to serve as temporary
goals, till permanent provision is made by law.
On motion of Mr. Lawrance, it was voted, that the proposed
amendment to the constitution offered by Mr. Benfon, to be con
lidercd by the next Congre s be ptinted.
A melTage from the Senate, informed the house that they recede
fiomfuchof their amendments to the bill compensations
to the officers of the Federal Courts, See. disagreed to by
the house.
A bill was then originated and passed the usual forms to the
third reading, for carrying into effect the confijar convention
between his most Chriftiari Majefly, and the United States of
America.
Sundry enrolled bills, and the resolutions refpefting a Mint
and unappropriated Lands, were signed by the Speaker.
The house then adjourned till 6 o'clock. P. M.
THURSDAY EVENING,
Passed — the bill tor carrying into efFect the Consular Convention,
A bill to continue the ad: therein mentioned, and to make fur
ther provision for invalid penfi >ners, and for the support of Light-
Houses, See. was read the firft, second, and third time, and passed.
Sundry enrolled bills were signed by the Speaker.
A bill for the relief of David Cook was read the second and third
time, and passed.
A message from the Senate, informed the house, that they concur
in the resolution for the iatekecping of prisoners &c. also that they
ha* r e considered the bill tor carrying into effect the consular con
vention; and the bill for the relief ol David Cook, and resolved
that said bills do not pass to a second reading.
Seven enrolled bills and resolutions were signed by the speaker.
A meffagefrom the Prefidentof the United States, by Mr, Secre
tary Lear, informed the house, that the following acts have re
ceived his approbation and signature viz : An ast makingcompen
!ations to the commiffioniirs o_f loans, fortheir extra services : an
ast in addition to an ast, eftab'lifhing the salaries of the officers of
iheTrcJfury Department, their afiftants md clerks.
An ast to provide compenfationr for the officers of the Judicial
Courts, and for Jurors and Witnefles, and for other purposes.
An ast making further provision for the collection of the duties
on teas, and to prolong the time for the collection of those on
Wines. •
An ast to continue in force an ast, for the temporary cftablilh
mentof the Poft-Office.
An ast, supplementary to the ast, making further provision for
the public debt ; and a rcfolutirjn for the fate-keeping of Prilon
ers, confined under the authority of the United States.
A mclTage from the Senate informed the house, That the Presi
dent had signed the following acts, which originated in the Senate.
/in ,)ft to continue in torce the ast therein mentioned, and to
make further provision for invalid pensioners, and for ihe support
of light houses, &c
An ast, for graining lands to the settlers at Vincennes , in the
Illinois country.
The Secretary then informed the house, that the Senate havine
finilhed the legifiaiive bufincfs before them, arc ready to adC
journ.
770
On motion of Mr. Vxnixc, the following was unaniraoufly
agreed to. ,
Resolved, That the thanks of the House of Representatives of the
United Stares be prefenied to Frederick Augustus Muhlen
berg, in testimony of their approbat'on oi his conduct in the
Chair, and in the execution of the difficult and important trui> #
reposed in him as Speaker ot the said house.
To which, the Speaker made the following reply.
Gentlemen of the House oj Rcprefentativcs,
THIS unexpe&ed mark of your approbation of my conduct
has made so deep an impreflion on my mind, that I cannot find
words to express the high sense of gratitude I entertain on this oc
casion.
I have not vanity fufficient to suppose, that my feeble, tho well
meant endeavors merit so great a reward.; for it wa* your kind
indulgence and support alone, which enabled me to go through
the duties of the station which you were pleased io aflign me ; but
I shall ever conGder this diftinguiihed and honorable testimony as
the most plcaiing circumstance of my life.
Gentlemen, I most fmcerely thank you. May every poflible
happiness attend you, and every individual of this body ; and
may your zealous endeavors to promote the welfare of our beloved
country, which I have so long, and so often been a witness to, be
crowncd with unbounded success.
On motion of Mr. Jackson, the following resolution was una
nimously agreed to That the Speaker communicate to the
Mayor and corporation of the city, and the Commiflioners of the
county of Philadelphia, the thanks of this house for the elegant
and convenient accommodations furniftied by them for theufeof
Congress.
The house then adjourned fine die.
PARIS, Dec. 7.
AMONGST the strongest instances of the fluc
tuation of popular opinion, may be reckon-
Ed the change of sentiment which has taken
place with refpedt to M. de la Fayette. At i
one time the idol of the people, he is now the I
objeift of suspicion with many ; and suspicion iiv
certain situations is nearly equivalent to hatred Jj
Of this the Marquis has experienced a recent
fiance.
He was attacked 011Tuefday 1 jft by 8 men arm
ed when accompanied by only 2 of his guards de 'i
corps.—The latter were fortunately
pistols, by the discharge of which two of the af< '•
failants were wounded. After a short contest,
these, with two others, were taken ; the reftfav
ed themselves by flight.
Aristocratic Finesse Defeated.
The late overflowing of the river* having in
many places in France, retarded the arrival of
the post', the Aridocratic Horde (as they are now
politely called) enjoyed the triumph ofamoment,
by giving out that the National Aflembly was dis
solved ; that Paris was given up to be plunder- ,
ed to the king's troops, and that all the patriots
who refufedlaying down their arms, were butch
ered 011 the spot. The people believed the re
port, -trot yielding to despair, or any
other unbecoming weakriefs, ihcy
repeated their civic oath, " to defend the conlti
tution until death !" In many places in Langue
doc the national cavalry were ready to fly to the
assistance of the capital ; their hangers were
whetted in the presence of the preachers of sla
very, who were given to underltand that, on the
fir ft signal of a counter-revolution, they should
be the vidtiins of national indignation.
The Municipality of Paris went on Thursday
to L'ifle des Cygnees, to fee a mill put in motion
by a fire pump ; it contains twelve mill-stones,
which in twenty-four hours, grind seven hundred
feptiers of corn ; [a feptier is twelve bulhels]
this curious piece of mechanism, will be found
wonderfully ufeful forfaris, as the Seine is fro
zen over every winter.
A new military body is established here, under
the appellation of the federal club ; the protec
tion afforded to it by M. de la Fayette, the service
the soldiers are employed in, beingat the Louvre,
give much food for conversation, and last week '
the whole was denounced at the Jacobins, as
nant with mifchief.
Virtue, modesty, and experience, will now oc
cupy in the French Church, the dignified places,
hitherto, too often usurped by ambition, intrigue,
pride and ignorance ; where the people have a
bishop to name, their choice is worthy of the pri
mitive church. A parilh pried, of Sedan has
been lately eletfled to fill the episcopal chair of
that city ; his elevation is the reward of benefi-
cence, toleration, patriotism, in short every virtue.
National dfiembly, Sunday December §.
PUBLIC TREASURY
M. Pinteville Cernon's statement of the public
trealury afforded the greateil joy to the assembly.
Impoitsare therein represented as much acceler
ated, and indeed fettled. The public coffers full
of bills and specie—last month there was only
three millions, now there are twenty-fix ; and
the value of specie considerably lower.
Monday, Dec. 6,
M. de la Rochefoucault presented his statement
of the fnpplies for the year 1791, and with the
most lively fatisfailion, the allenibly learned that
the anterior contributions exceed now, by a but 1 *
dred and sixty millions, the amount exacfted by
the expences of that year, lince their eftiniate
was only 560 millions. When the reporter,how
ever, stated, thai 300 millions of this were to come
from the landed property, long and loud murinuis
proceeded from a great part of the members.