PHILADELPHIA, MAY J. km that the people are in the greatest conrteioation. Where one sentence is publiihed in favor or fuppor measures of government which have raised this country to p - feflt enviable situation, whole columns appear to peifua . P pie .hat their senses deceive .hem, and .hat th. men who a d their country in war, are comr.v.ng the deftrua.on of i.s hbe".« » peace—With what face then i. it (a,d that attempt, are made to "wtt'eha^would the people have for freed™, ,f the friends of that government whose basis is liberty, Ihould by the arts ol m enemies, be precluded from cxpofing their bv {hackling the press ?—There are more ways than one of doing this. THE STATUE. WHAT, faife a Statue trf his glory ! In fact a most prepoft'rous story ! By faliiels in and out doors Icouted, Its policy by shrewd ones doubted— Old Congrcfs, when it pafs'd the vote, Were poor as death, without a coat- But glowing with celestial zeal, To Ipeak what grateful bofjms feel, ' RefolvM the Sculptor's hands ftiould (how What virtues can exist below — Thev pledg'd their Country's faith and fame, T' immortalize its Hero's name— But those who on a Coin can trace The features of a Tyrant's face, To save the credit of the nation, Evade the sacred obligation 1 SHIP NEWS. ARRIVALS AT the PORT OF PHILADELPHIA. Brig Cleopatra, Mead, Savcnnah Allouier, Datolio, St. Marks Schooner John, Post, C. Francois "Isabella, Green, ditto Lively, Marble, North-Carolina Mary, Smith, ditto Stock Brokers Office, No. 45, Great Dock-street, New-York, THE Subscriber intending to confine himfelf entirely to the PURCHASE AND SALE of STOCKS ON COMMISSION, Begs leave ro offer his lervices to his friends and others, in the line of a Stock Broker. Those who may please to favor him with their business, may depend upon having it tranfa&ed with the ut most fidelity and dispatch. Orders from Philadelphia, Boston, or any other part of the United States will be ftri&ly attended to. May 2, CONGRESS. PHILADELPHIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TUESDAY, March 27. Sketch of the debate on Mr. Giles' notion, that the Vrefident of the United States be r/quejled to order an enquiry into the cattfes of the defeat of the army under General St. Clair, ire. MR. VINING enquired what was the objeifl of the resolution —in what way was it to be carried into execction ! for if the House is not furniflied with some answer to thefc enqui ries, he did not fee how gentlemen could vote for it—He conceived that this indefinite mode of procedure would only embarrass the President, without producing the desired effedt—He was in favor of a full and complete invefligation of the bnfinels ; and if there has been any deficiency, let those who are to blame be impeached j he was not disposed to screen any officer from jus tice, let him be of what rank he may—but he was not fatisfied with the mode now proposed ; he did not consider it as conflitutional or prac ticable. Mr. Boudinot faicl he was surprised to hear the gentleman from Delaware express a doubt of the practicability of instituting an enquiry into the late unfortunate business »«the mode proposed— for his part, he saw no such difficulties in tlie way, as appeared to the gentleman. Mr. Bou dinot then dated certain complaints which ex ited, and were currently reported-tfuch as a failure of the contratfs, and for aught that ap peared to the contrary, the misfortunes of the army may be traced to that cause—other com plaints are circulated, refpetfing which the pub lic have a right to be fatisfied—Theprefent pro portion goes no further than a fiinple request— Having fignif.ed the wifl, of the House, the Pre lident may adopt such measures 111 relation to the fubjeft, as he may fee proper. ,Mr. Giles supported his motion—He conceived that the enquiry was indispensable, and the mode proposed ftritfily proper—The business mult be g'n <»me where—this House is the proper source as the immediate guardians of the public interest! LEONARD BLEECKER. (<•'•) Mr. Viuing rofc to explain—he dated various difficulties which would impede the progress of the bofinefs in the informal mode proposed these, he observed, were so great, as to involve an impoflibility of prosecuting the investigation to any purpose. He supposed that a more proper and conititu tional way, would be to call on the heads of de partments to give an account of their conducfl. Mr Clark observed, that it was evident the public mind was greatly agitated—an enquiry was neceflary—lf the mode proposed Ibould not prove agreeable or convenient to the Prelidcnt, he will let us know it. Mr. W. Smith observed, that this was the nrlt instance of a proposition on the part ofthis House to enquire into the condtufi of officers who are immediately under the controul of the executive —In this view of the fubjeift, the resolution pro posed could not but be considered as an impeach ment of the condu<sl of the firftmagiftrate.—Mr. Smith then adverted to the division of the pow ers of the government, expressly provided for in the constitution—Gentlemen, said he, have dis covered great solicitude to keep the branches se parate and di(tin<st ; but on this occasion, from the consideration that this House is the grand in quest of the nation, they seem to discover a dil poiition to go into a similar mode of condutf with th« National Aflembly of France, who spent a whole night in examining a Drum Major—He would not fay that they had not a right so to do, but he believed no gentleman would juflify such a line of eondudl on the part of this House. He then particularized the several objerts of enquiry in relation to the present bnfinefs—He {hewed that the constitution had made provision in all the several cases—And as it was the duty of the President of the United States to carry the laws into execution, it ought to be (hewn that he has been remiss in his duty, before he is call ed on in this way—He noted the account pub liflied by the Secretary of War, by ~ direction of the President, and considered as his a<ft—After several other remarks, Mr. Smith concluded by faying, that in any cafe wheie it Ihall appear that the Supreme Executive has not done his du ty, he ihould be fully in favor of an enquiry— but till that was done, he trusted the meafore would .not be adopted, without at least a previ ous and full difculfion. Mr. Williamfon said he doubted the propriety of the resolution in its present form ; but was fully of opinion that an enquiry into the expen diture of all public money, was the indispensable duty of this House—He proposed the appoint ment of a feledl committee to enquire and report. Mr. Kittera moved to amend the resolution, by substituting a feledi committee. Mr. Venable was in favor of the original mo tion—He conceived that it was the only proper mode of proceeding—nor had he any apprehen sion that the President would consider it as en croaching in the smallest degree. Mr. Giles contended that his motion was fofar from tending to blend the several branches of go vernment, that its effect would be the reverse. Mr. Steele said he was indifferent as to the mode, provided the business was fully gone into. The gentleman from South-Carolina has menti oned the report of the Secretary of War, and has said that it is considered as the acft of the Prefi • dent of the United States. Mr. Steele denied that it was the President's atfl—it vras not fatis fadtorv—will any gentleman on this floor, said he, fay it is fatisfatffcory to him ? He enumerated leveral articles of complaint, and observed that he had no great doubt that an enquiry would lead to an impeachment—Jufticeto the public, and th« officers particularly concerned, loudly demands an enquiry. Mr. Vining here moved that the refolntion should be committed to a feletff committee. Mr. Boudinot objected to the idea of a com mittee—He said the time would not admit of it —witnefles, said he, are perhaps 800 miles oif what progress can a committee make in such a buftnefs ? He denied that it was the duty of the President to institute the enquiry unleis he was requeued to do it—The magnitude of the objects of enquiry would involve such an expense, that the President would not be juftified in incurring it, unlets he was authorised by the House He then Hated some particulars to ffiew the practi cability of the measure—among others, that there were a fufficient number of officers present, to form what is denominated a court of enquiry. Mr. Barnwell \»as oppoled to the original mo tion—he considered it as informal, and suggest ed what he considered as the pioper mode of procedure, which was to call 011 the several offi cers of government for such information in the business as may be necefiary—He was againll the commitment. The motion for a felecl committee was rec3- tiveU. The Que ft ion then was on agreeing to the resolution. Mr. Hiilhoufe j aid he believed this was the firft time that it was e\er contemplated to appoint a Court Martial to en quire into the expenditure of public monev. 426 . Mr. Fittfiraafts said he conceived that several parts of fte refolurion were improper—He thought that it was entirely out of order to request the President of the United States to institute a Court Martial or a Court of Enquiry—The rea sons and propriety of such courts- are better and more full* known to the President than to the members of thfc Houfe__ Ho was in favor of a committee to enquire relative to fuchob je&s as come properly under the cognizance of this House— particularly refpefting the expenditures of public money— and if the resolution should be disagreed to, as be hoped it would, he should then move for such a commttee. Mr. Baldwin said he had made up his mind on the fu! jest— He was convinced the House could hot proceed but bv a com mittee of their own—such a committee would be able to throw more light on the subject, and then the House would be able to determine how to proceed ; and if any failure 1 ad taken place on the part of the executive officer-, he Ihould then 1* prepared to address the President, and to request him to take the proper steps in the cafe. Mr. Seney advocated the resolution, and several ob jections against a committee. Mr. Hartley said as it was probable some degree rf odium would fall on those who might vote against this refulutioft— he thought proper to give some reasons why he ihould vote - g linft it—These were similar to what had been ottered bv se veral other gentlemen against the relolution, as improper and informal. Mr. Madison started some difficulties in the bnf.neft-eiie. said the House ought to deliberate well, before they requefA the President to do a thing which he had it not in his powSf ; to do—lt was evident that the object of a court-martial or court of enquiry, must be to elucidate facts which would re quire the presence of officers, who could not pofliblygive their attendance in season to meet the object of the resolution— ifc added some further remarks, and then the qveftiori on the re solution being put, it was negatived. A committee was afterwards appointed. MONDAY, April The duties on spirits distilled from domestic produce, were reduced from 8, 9, io, 12, 15, and 20 cents (as reported by the committee) to 7, 8, 9, > I, 13, and '8 cents. The ayes and noes on the question for agreeing to the duty of 8 cents, reported by the oommittee, were as follow : AYES. MeflTrs. Ames, Barnwell, Eenfon, Boudinot, S. Bourne, B. Bourne, Clarke, Fitzfjmons, Gerry, Gilman, Goodhue, Gordon, Hillhoufe, Kitchell, Lawrance, Learned, Lee, J. Smith, W. Smith, Sterrett, Sturges, Svlrefter, Thatcher, Treadwell, Wadftvorth, AVard —26. N O E S. Messrs. Afhe, Baldwin, Brown, Findley, Gregg, Grove, Heifter, Huger, Jacobs, Key, Livermore, Macon, Madison, Moore, Murray, Niles, Page, Parker, Seney, Sheredine, I. Smith, Steele, Sumpter, Tuckcr,White, Williamibr,Willis —27. "WEDNESDAY, M*v 2. An engroSid bill concerning the duties on spirits diftillcit within the United States, was read the third time, and psffed. A meflage from the Senate, by Mr. Otis,informed the Hoine that they have appointed a committee on their part, to join with such committee as the House shall appoint, to wait on the President of tbe United States, and notify him of the proposed recess of Congress. An engrpfiecl lull to confirm an award of referee's between tbe United States and certain contractors for furniihing lup plies of provisions to the army during the late war, was read the third time, and on the question, (hall this bill pass ? it was negatived, ayes 25, noes 27. MefTys. Ames, Barnwell, Benfon, S. Bourne, B. Bourne, Fitzfimon", Goodhue, Gordon, Hillhoufe, Lav/rance, Learned, Livermore, Page, Schoonmaker, J. Smith, I. Smith, \V. Smith, Sterrett, Sturges, Svlvefter, Thatcher, Tucker, \ ining, Wadfworth, Ward— 25. NOES. MeiTrs. Aflie, Baldwin, Brown, Clark, Dayton, Gile*, Gil man, Grove, Heifter, Key, Kitchell, Lee, Macon, Madison, Moore, Muhlenberg, Murray, Niles, Parker, Seney, Sheredine, Steele, Sumpter, Venable, White, WiUiajnfon—2/. A meflage from the President of the United States, by Mr. Lear, informed the House that the President did this day ap prove and sign two acts—one entitled, u An ad for railing a farther fuin of money for the protection of the frontiers, and for other purposes therein mentioned;" the other, Ar. act to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws c the union, suppress infurretoons, and repel invasions " An engrofled bill relative to the compensations to n officers employed in the collection of the duties of impost an tonnage, was read the third time, and palfed. In committee of the whole, on the bill 1 implement a < to ast making provision for 4 the debt of the United States i e committee difcnfled the firft fe<ftion, tofe and reported pi_ogre - A second meilage from the Senate informed the Hou.e, ? - the Senate have palled the bil l , entitled, uAn a& autliorizm o the grant and conveyance of certain lands to John eve Symmes add his affbciates," with several amendment-, a. o, that they agree to some and disagree to others of the ainen ments proposed by the House, to the bill entitled, ' An ac.. the relief of persons imprisoned for debtand that tiiey agre to some and disagree to others of the amendments ; propoie the House, to the bill entitled * Anaclfor regulatingprot e in the courts of the United States, and providing compensa tions for the oif.cers of the fa id court:, and for jurors and »■ neJes.' THURSDAY, May 3. Mr. Sheredine had leave of absence for u,e residue of the session. The amendments of the Senate to 1 lie bll • a thorizing the grant and conveyance of certain lands to John Cleves Symmes—were taken in consideration and agreed to. . The amendments of the Honfe to the bill the relief of persons imprisoned for debt, :3 * greed to by the Senate, as by their menage 0 ye'derday, were receded from 011 the part 0 t 1 The mefl'age of the Senate respecting the a mendments of the House to the biil regulating procefl'es in the courts of the United States, w taken into conftderation—to some of these al , inents the Senate agreed, to otheis th ( > ■ with amendments, and to others - 1 .. ef The Senate disagreed to the amendment to ' second {(('lion, which was to strike out t words, ''and be at liberty to purine the lame, YES. Adjourned-
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