tereft irp to the dose of the 3afl ypar ; ant! the
only question now is, whether any alteration
ihall be made in the funding bill ; whether one
class of public< creditors /hail have a different
measure of jultice dealt out to them, from what
others have had : he concluded with a wish that
the fubjetft fiiould be taken up in committee of
the whole.
The quedion, on the reference to the .Secre
tary of iii« 1 reafury, was then taken, and loft
v. liere upon,
JY!r. Luwranrc mover!, that the perition fhou!d
be referred to a committee of the whoie house.
Mi". jßondiuot was ofoplnion, th:-t tliefunding
fyllem ' la d done ample juflice, and that thok
v, ho complied with it, have no reasonable ground
tit' complaint : at the time of thepafiing the law,
it had been laid, that men would be forced by
it to come in and subscribe, whether they would
or not ; a clause was there/ore inserted in favor
of non-fiibfcribing public creditors, by virtue'of
wbirh.the petitioners,who areof the non-fubfciilv
itig dais, consider themselves in the fane Jituati
oii us befoie the law was enabled ; but an impio
per conltrutflion has been given to that clause,
and therefore it is that the creditors complain :
were any one of them to bring an adlion against
the public officers, he would in his opinion, ob
tain redress : they applied to the House for re
drew ; and thequeftion was, wiiether they should
be forced to subscribe, or be entitled to the bene
fit of their contract ; he would not wijh that any
man should be forced to comply with the terms
of the funding system ngainft his will : he would
have every man at liberty to accept or reject them
at his pleasure.; and he thought it unreasonable
that any man should have his fix per cent reduc
ed to four, without his own consent.
Mr. JFitzfimons thought further information
on the fuhjeift neceflary, and therefore it was,
that he favored the reference : one circu'tnftance,
he said, was unattended to by the gentlemen who
had spoke on the Aibje<ft ; and that was, that the
non-fuhfcribing creditors mult deliver up the o
riginal certificates, before they can receive their
interett ; but this they do not choose to do, be
caul'e these certificates bear a promise of interest
on the original value,and they would afterwards
receive interest only on the reduced value.
The quellion being then taken on the commit
ment to a committee of the whole, and loth
Mr. Sedgwick moved a resolution, that the
prayer of the petition cannot be granted.
The queflion being called for, Mr. iiarnewell
oblerved that he, and probably fonie others of
the new members, were not thoroughly acquaint
ed with the fubjeOt ; and therefore hevyifliedthe
quellion might be puftponed. The resolution
Was, in conference, ordered to lie on the table.
Mr. Lawrance then called up a petition of
fonHry inhaditants of tlie state of New-York,
holders of certain bills of credit, ilS'ued in 1780.
Referred to the Secretary of the Treafory, to
consider and report his opinion thereon.
Mr. Baldwin called up the petition of General
Jackson, relative to the Georgia election ; which,
after, some debate, was referred to the commit
tee heretofore appointed to report a regular and
uniform mode of proceeding in cases of ronteited
elections. Adjourned.
THURSDAY, November 17,
Mr. Hartley, member for Pennsylvania, and
Mr. Schoonmaker, from New-York, took their
feats this day.
Sundry petititions were presented, read, and,
committed.
Mr. Lawrance laid the following refolntionon
the table,
Ilefolved, That a committee be appointed to
bring in a bill for extending tlje time limited for
fettling the accounts between the United States
»tid individual States.
IN COMMITTER OF THE WHOLE,
On the bill directing rbe mode in which, certain
evidences of the debt of the United States which
have been loft or destroyed, may be renewed—
Mr. Muhlenberg in the chair—
The bill was read.
Mr. Sedgwick moved that tlie words, loft or,
fcould be ltruck out of the firlt clause—He said
that the provisions in the bill to guard against im
position on the public in cases of 101 l certificates,
did not appear to him to be adequate to the pur-
P"'® — an 'l this was not only his opinion, but that
of every gentleman who was on the committee
**ho hail reported the bill in the above foiin, a
greeable to orders of the Hoivfe, He called on
ihofe gentlemen who were in favor of retaining
the Words, to devise a mode by which the public
Blight be secured.
Mr. Lawrance was opposed to the motion—He
thought the bill itfelf contained competent pro
viuons in the cafe ; he pointed out several other
Particulars which might be attended to in the
P r »cefs of this bnfinefs, that would afford fuffici
ei 't security— furh as the checks which would
-l-eitain that the certificates, which it was ("aid
loft, had exifted—reference to the left cer
li -c.aie might be contained in the certi
".nte—a procra.:>nat!p» for a considerable time
"i the payment of the mtereit, & r
Mr Sedgwidc . c-piied, that the difficulties would
Hp ' S rr 10 "' >e obviated b what thegen
.le»a, had higgelted. The committee
Pl'-l for information to the Officers of the
■ ! eall!! T." ho werit decidedly of opinion that no
. cfeqit.ite provifton againlb deception could bede
' ed in respect to the renewal of lolt certificates.
Conhct-rahie debate occurred on the motion,
bi. h was finally agreed 10, and the words 101 l or
ltrr.cK out. Sundry other amend merits were agreed
to by the committee—they then rose, and the
Chairman raported them to the house.
On motion to agree to the fir ft amendment,
Mr. Bourne (R. I.) said he hoped that it would
not be agreed to, as he conceived the bill in its
pi e.ent form would not afford the relief proposed
in any degree—because, he obl'erved, that there
were very few cases in which politive evidence
of i,ic delh uction of a certificate could be pro-
Mr. Sedgwick observed that, most undoubtedly,
Itrong prejianpthe evidence would answer in eve
ry cafe, which would come before the perlbn ap
pointed to judge on t bote occasions.
Mr. Seney was opposed to the amendment he
laid it made a difcriminatioli between twoclafl'es
of unfortunate per.sons, which was not warrant
ed in reason or justice. If this amen J-nent Jhould
be agreed to, he should think himfelt obliged to
vote sgainft the bill altogether.
Mr. Sheredine and Mr. Murray spake a)fo a
gainfl the motion to agree to the ameadhient
An adjournment being tailed for, the house rose
without taking the vote.
FRIDAY, November 18.
Mr. White prefemed the petition ot Philip Bonfh, prayingthat
a loft or destroyed ce»tificate t his property, may be renewed.
Mr. Vining presented a petition from the branch pilots of the
river and bay of Delaware, stating certain disadvantages which
they labor under, on account of the suspension of a certain law of
the state of Pennsylvania, in their favo*.; also on account of the
reduced rates of pilotage, which were ellablifhed upwards of 30
years ago read a.id referred to the committee appointed to ic
port a bill for the regulating of pilots, &c. in the bays of Chcfa
peake and Delaware.
Mi. La w ranee prt Tented the representation and petition of John
FraiikJm, praying compmfation for a quantity of mahogany, See.
used in the public service during the late war—read and referred
to the Secretary of the Treafnry.
Mr. Boudinot prefemed the petition of James Weeks, praying
com pen faiion for loss fuflained on a vefTel destroyed during the'
late war, to promote the public inttreft ; laid on the table.
Mr. Page repo.'ted a bill apportioning the reprefentaiion of the
people of ihe United States according to the firft enumeration,
which was read the firft and second time, and referred to the com
mittee of the whole house, on Monoav next—to be primed in
the interim ; Bv this bill New-Haniplhire is to have 4, MafTa
chufetts Rhode-Island 2, Vermont 2, Connecticut 7, New-
York 11, New-Jersey 5, Permlylvania 14, Delaware i, Mary
land 9, Virginia 21, Kentucky 2 after next June, North Carolina
1 1, audGeorgia 2 Keprefentativcs in iheCongrefs to be chosen alter
Minch 1793 ; South-Carolina accotding to the census after it is
compleaied.
Sundry petitions were read, and committed to the Secretary of
War 10 icport thereon.
A (milage was received from the Senate by Mr. Secretary Otis,
communicating to the Houle a letter from the President ot the
Afli mbly of'thc Colony of St. Domingo to the Congress of the
United States.
The Speaker communicated a letter from the Treafurrr of the
Uniied States cnclofing a copy ot' his Indent account ; thcfc were
read andlaid on the table.
1 he amendments proposed by the committee of the whole to
the bill dirc£ling the mode of renewing certain certificates of pub
lic debt which have been loft or destroyed—were taken into con
sideration, and after considerable debate accepted by the House ;
but tht question for engrossing in order to the third reading be
ing put was negatived, and the bill consequently loft.
Mr. Ames of thecommtttee to whom the petition of James
'Jackson was referred brought in a report which was read, and
laid on the table. This report had reference to the mode of pro
cedure in investigating the fubje&of the contested election.
The memorial ot the commiflioned officers lecving in the army
of the United States, refpc&ing the redu&ion ot their pay, &c.—
was read and referred to a feie&committee, consisting ot Meftrs.
1 awrance, Williamfon, and Kitchell.
The (Unding committee of flections, reported on the letter
from the Executive of the state of Maryland, refpe&ing the resig
nation of William Pinckney, and the ele&ion of John Francis
Mercer in his ftcad—the report was that John F. Mercer was duly
cle&ed. The report was read and lai don the table.
The petition of Capt. Jonathan Hafkell, a sum of
money received by him on the public account, and which he had
loft, was read and committed to the Secretary ot War, to report a
state of fa£fs relative thereto.
The petitions of Jofias Clapham, Daniel Robbins, Philip Boufh
and Phineas Ware, praying that certain loft or destroyed certifi
cates may be renewed, were iead,and referred to the Secretary of
the Tr afurv.
Mr. Fitzfimons, of the committee on the petition of Stephen
Zacchary, reported a resolution for the appointment of a com
mittee to bring in a bill to grant relief pursuant to the prayer of
laid petition. Adjourned till Monday.
The Speech and Oath 0} the King ej the French, spoken
in the National Atfembly, on the 14th Sept. 1791,
for the Acaptation of the Constitution.
Gentlemen,
I COME here solemnly to confirm the accept
ance I have given to the Constitutional A<ft ; in
consequence—l SWEAR TO BE FAITHFUL TO
THE NATION AND TO THE LAW, and to
employ all the power which is delegated to me
to maintaining the Conftilution decreed by the
Condiment National Aflembly, and causing the
laws to be executed. May this great and memo
rable Era, be that of the re-eft ablifhm en t of peace
and unity, and become the pledge of the happi
ness of the people and of the prosperity of the
empire
235
Philadelphia, November 19.
In elafling the Senators from the Hate of Vermont, Mr. Brad
ley ot the cl<Hs whose feats will become vacant at the expira
tion of four years, trom March, 1791— and Mr. Robinson, of
l/fat whole feats will be vacated in fix years,
A bill refpe&ing Consuls and Vice-Consuls, and a biU to deter
mine the time of choosing President and Vice-President of tl, -
United States, have had a second reading :n the Senate of thcfUniic*!
States.
In our lad it was mentioned that the King of Spain had declar
ed war against rhc Moor*—it now appears that the sovereign of
Morocco had been before hand in declaring war against .Span;.
The letter from the King of France to the Natipnal AHembly,
«n which he accepts of the Couftmnion, is dated the 13th <S C p:!
On the 14th he was to meet ihe National AlTemblv to ratify th<-
eeiebrated instrument in their presence. The Ceremony of the
proclamation of the Constitution took pJace the 18th, in the FieJd
of Confederation. The Mayor of Poms, preceded by Heralds',
and surrounded by a numerous and brilliant troop of grenadiers'
ascended the Altar of the Country \ arrived at the summit, he held
up the Constitutional Code to the veneration of an immense mul
titude of citizens, who rent the air with shouts and acclamations
of joy. At 5 o'clock, a superb balloon -/as raised, and in the
evening the molt brilliant illuminations took place in the £lyfi3n
Fields, &c. &c. Ihe King and Queen, with the Prince Royal, vi
sing these, were received with enthusiasm, and shouts of Vive U
Roi, and Vive la Reine, were heard from all quarters. The Aristo
crats, it is said, are all in the utmost consternation at the Kino's ac
cepting the Constitution.
Thus the National AfTembly have brought their labors to a tri
umphant ifTue, by giving to the people of France a Conllitution,
in which, like that of the United States,the principle of improve
ment is infufed ; so that, if on experiment, it (hould be lound in
adequate to the preservation of «' peace, liberty and fafctt," it is
fufcepuble of being carried to the delired degree of perfection.
The fubjetH of the disturbances in the French
Colonies has occasioned much warmth in the Na
tional Aflembly, according to the latest accounts.
1 he intelligence we may expert to receive from
France after the recent accounts from Hifpaniola
lhail have reached Europe, will bo peculiarly in
teresting; for notwithstanding the idea of' dif
tanc Colonies as appendages to a government
has been lately philosophized upon, as disadvan
tageous, and pernicious to the parent country,
it appears that very powerful intei efts :\re in
volved in the question as it refpecfts France.
As a free government depends on the virtue of
the people, and every degree of virtue owes its
exigence to light and information—the friends
of our happy Constitution and the rights of the
people, may be felic'.ated on the profpec't which
now prcfents of (opening the channels of infor
mation to all parts of the Union. The Prefidenc
of the United States, with that promptitude ai;«l
decision with which he delivers his opinion on
erery fubjetft connected with the public welfare,
has recommended this business to t he serious con
lideration of the Legifiature.—And it maybe de
pended on that every individual member of both
houses, a* well as every officer at the head of the
executive departments, are fully imprefled with
this idea—that the people have a right to be fully
informed of the tranfadtions of their government,
and of the reasons on which all its decisions are
founded. This being the cafe, it is hardly pos
sible that the public expeiftation fliould be again
disappointed.
Extrafi of a letter from Port-au-Prince, dated Oil, 25
" I have the pleasure of informing you, that
peace is once more made between the Whites ancl
Mulattoes, on Saturday last, the 22d inlL andyef
terday 2500 of the latter marched with their arms
into town, and paraded in company with the for
mer before the church ; at which time the inha
bitants, with the officers of each party, entered
the church, and lung Te Deum. How long the
peace will last, is uncertain, as a number of the
inhabitants are not well pleased. Upon what
terms the peace is made, I cannot at present in
form you."
The English newspapers are, according to some
late accounts, divided into three descriptions
Ministerial, Anti-Ministerial, and Neutral—that
is, thofein favor of Administration, thofeagainft
it, and those who are indifferent. In this account
we do not find that there are any who are in fa
vor of the people—What a set of venal wretchec
does this make of the Printers !—The fame, or
similar accounts, appear refpe<fting the French
papers—thej are said to be licentious to the
highest degree—the fa<fts only, which they de
tail, are to be relied on—for in the collisions of
party, right and wrong, truth and falfliood are
merely convertible terms—Hence weare obliged
to go to the Netherlands for impartiality and ho--
nefly—hence also the celebrity of the Leyden
Gazette, which is now said to be the oracle ot
politics in the European world.
PRICE CURRENT.—PUBLIC SECURITIES,
FUNDED DEBT,
si pr. Cents ttf afi pr. £.
3 pr. Cents 12J6
Defercd 6 pr. Cents 13/ a
UNFUNDED DEBT.
Final Settl. and other Certificates igj
Indents 11/6 do.
Bank Subfcriptiors, Ito 143 Dollars,
An Orro\ENT is received, but prior engagements prevents ils
appearing till our next.
s
5E
»11 pr. ceftf.
do.
66J do.