principle he conftdered the bill a* eftablnWg R dangerous precedent, and as affording a P rtt f xt for future mfradions and mutilations of that system. . Mr. Murray adverting to certain observations which had been thrown out refpeaing the: un easiness which was said to exist in fnmc of the states, informed the house, that with refpeft to the flat* he had the honor to represent the greatefl apparent Satisfaction with the measures of the general government prevailed. It I* true, said he,my conllituents feel the pressure of taxes in common with the reft of their fellow citizens, but they discover no disposition to complain— they consider the public burthens as the price ot their liberties and independence; and undtr this idea, submit to them with the utmost cheer fulnefs, at the fame time confiding in the wildom and justice of the government, that their im positions will b« regulated according to theex. igencies of the nation, and that no unneceflary taxes will ever be laid. ' He tho't it necessary to fay thus much, as he conceived too high colouring had been given to some representations which the fancy of mem bers had brought forward in their zealous op polition to the bill. THURSDAY, FIB*ITA»T 7. A mefTage from the Senate, by Mr. Otis tlieir Secretary, informed the House that they have concurred in the resolution for a joint commit tee to count the ballot! returned by the execu tives of the several States for President and Vice President of the United States, and have appoint ed Mcflrs. King, Izard, and Strong. A memorial of Gideon Brownfon and a petition of Fitlder V i6tor, were read, praying compen sation for military services. Referred to the S ecretary of War. Mr. Clark laid the fo'.Wing resolution on the table viz —That a committee be appointed to prepare and rftiblilha bill to regulate fees in the Office of the Treasury for the transfer ot public feeurities. Mr. B. Bourn brought in a report on the me morials of sundry persons concerned in the man tifa&ure of cordage, lines, twines and packthread This report was in favor of the memorialists, and was referred to a committee of the whole for to-morrow. In "committee of the whole, on the bill pro viding cosnpenfation for the President and Vice President of thfc United States—Mr. Dayton in the chair. The bill being read, was difcufled in paragraphs; some verbal amendments were s grecd to. The firft blank, referring to the Pre sident's compehfation, was filled with 2j,000 dollars. Mr. Kitchell moved to strike but " dollars per annum," referring to'the compensation of the Viee-Prefident, in order to insert dollars per day during his attendance in the Senates- Some remarks being offered in opposition to the motion, it was withdrawn. The blank for the compensation of the Vice- President was filled with 5000 dollars. A motion to limit the afl to the term of four years was negatived. This motion was made by Mr. Kitchell. The committee rose and reported the bill with amendments, which were taken into con sideration by the House and agreed to. Mr. Mercer renewed the motion for limiting the bill to four years from tho 3d day of March, and moved the ayes and noes. Mr. Mercer supported the motion by some re marks on the impropriety of the present Con gress anticipating the proper business of their successors; on the dangerous precedent which would be established by empowering the su preme executive to continue hisfalary in oppo sition to the opinion of the legislature. He con sidered the bill without this clause as unconsti tutional. Considerable debate took place on this mo tion, and the ayes and noes being at length call ed, was determined in the negative, ayes 27 toes 33, the ayes anil noes being as follow A r £ s. Mess. Macon, Madison, Mercer Mefl". Alhe, Baldwin, Clark, Findley, Giles, Gordon, Grcrc. Griffin, ©rove, Hartley, Heifter, Jacobs, Kitchell, Lee, t) 0 X S. MefT. Ames, Barnwell, Benfop, Boudinot, S. Bourne, Bourn, Dayton, Fitzfimons, Gerry, Gilman, Goodhue, Hillhoul'e, Huger, Key, , Lawrance, Learned, Livermore, The following bills were read twice and com mittcd for to-morrow: A bill to refund to Jacob Bell, certain duties #n pickled fifh. A bill for the remiflion <ff the duty on a quan tity of wine, the property of W. and J. Simms. A bill for the relief of Simeon Thayer. Mr. Moore, of the committee upon enrolled bills, reported that the two bills signed yefter ifciy by the Speaker were this day laid before the President of the United States for his approba tion, ano (ignaturc. A report on the petition of Robert Eden, was taken into consideration, agreed to, and a com mittee appointed to report a bill. The report on a petition of the inhabitants of Newark was taken up in committee of the whole—Mr. Murray in the chair. The report was read, and iein favor of the petitioners, who pray for compensation for an acadumy destroyed during the late war. A motion was made that the committee should agree to the report. After some debate the ques tion being put, the motion was negatived. The committee rose and reported accordingly, and the house adjourned. FRIDAY, February 8. A bitl for the relief of Elijah Boltwick, was read twice, and committed for Monday ivxt. A bill providing coaipenfatiori to the Presi dent and Vice-President of the United States, was >ead the third time and palled. Mr. Boudtnot presented the petition of John Gtecn, which was read. A memorial was presented bv Mr. Sumpter, from the officers of the South-Carolina line of the late army—flmtlar 10 those from the officers of other states—read, and laid on the table. A number of reports on petitions from the Secr.tsry of War, were read, and ordered to be printed. . • • r On motion, the committee on the petition ot John Rogers was difrharged, and the petition referred to ihe Secretary of Slate. In committee of llie whole, on the bill for granting lialf pay for years, to the widows and orphans of those officers of the army which bsve been killed fincc the day of or who (hall hereafter be killed in the service of the United States. Mr. Dayton in the chair. The bill.being read, Mr. Hartley moved to fill the blank wit,h the 4 '.h day of March, i 789. Williatiifon moved to flrike out the wrrds " of the army," and infill, in the service. This'motion was agreed to. Mr. Hartley's motion was then put and ear tied. The blank referring to the term of half p,,v. was filled with Jive yean.—lt was moved to add after "officers," non-commijfimed officers and privates After some debate, this motion was agreed to. Another motion was made and carried, to ex tend the provision to the officers, non-coinmif fioned officers and privates ot the militia. Se veral other amendments were agreed to, and then the committee rose and repottcif the bill as amended—Laid on the table. Mr. Clark's motion for a committee to pre- pate and bring in a biil to rllablifli fees in the Treasury Department, for ihe transfer of public fecuritiet, was taken up. agreed to, and a com mittee appointed to report a b I!. Mr. Parker presented a memorial from the metchantsand inhabitants of the town of Nor folk, refpefling the encrrafe of infirm and dis abled lea men, and praying that some provilion may be made in the cafe. Read, and referred to the committee of the whole on the bill mak ing provifion.for sick ipd infirm seamen. Mr. W. Smith gave notice that he (hould call the attention of the house to the fubjeft of mak ing provision for the reduction of the public debt, on Monday next. In committee of the whole, on the bill to re- Mit the duties on a quantity of wine, the pro perty of W. and J. Simms. Mr . White in the chair. The hill was reporlcd without amend ment. The House look the fame into considera tion. After lome debate, the question for en grofling the bill was pur, and loft. A me ft age from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary, informed the House that they have confidercd the bill relative to ceitain claims not br.rred by any ast of limitation, and concur there in with an amendment. This amendment be ing taken into consideration, was agreed to. Another message from the Senate informed the House, that they have parted the coasting bill, with sundry amendments. A'fo, that they fn:ve confidercd the bill for determining the Northern Boundary of the State of Noith-Caro lina, and resolved that they do not concur therein. Mr. Moore reported as truly enrolled, the bill entitled, An ast refpeftingfugitivesfrom juflice, and pcrfons cfcaping from the I'ervice of mafteis The Speaker figncd the fame. Adjourned till to-moirow. Moore, Muhlenberg, Parker, Schoonmaker, Steele, Sumpter, Sylvester, Treadwell, Venable, White, 2; Mess. Murray, Niks, Page, Sedgwick, J. Smith, I. Smith, W. Smith, . Sturges, Thatcher, Tucker, "Wadfworth. Ward, Williamfon, Greenup,, Leonard, liindman, 3 SATURDAY, Feb. 9 Mr. Jacobs presented the petition of James Becker, which was read and laid on the table. The petition of Sarah Greaton, presented by Mr. Ames, and the petition of Peter Rockyfel low, presented by Mr. Lawrance, were read, and referred to the Secretary of the Trcafury. Mr. Wadfwoith presented a petition of the French inhabitants of Gallipolis, praying to be eflablilhed '*n their right to the lands on which they have fettled, and for which they have paid, relying on the faith of the government of the United States. This petition was referred to a felcft cortimittee of five, viz. MelTrs. Wadf woi th, Sedgwick, Firtdley, White and Barnwell. Mr. Heifter, from the committee on enrolled bills, reported as trulv enrolled, the bill relative to claims against the United States, not barred by acts of limitation. The Speaker signed the fame. Mr. Willis preferred a memorial from the Georgia line of the army—read, and laid on the table. A melTage from the President of the United States, by Mr. Secretary Lear; informed the House that the foreign intercourse bill had re ceived his approbation and signature. The House took hito consideration the amend ments of the Senate to the cosfting bill—these licing read, on motion they were referred to a felefr committee to examine and report. In commiitee of the whole, Mr. Dayton in the chair, the report of a feleft committee on the petitions of the manufacturers of cordage in Philadelphia and Providence, was taken into conhderation. This report contains two re so lo- tions, which propose a drawback on exported cordage, lines, twines and packthread, made of imported hemp. After conftderable debate, the question on the two resolutions was put, and they were fcparatcly disagreed to. The com- 294 mlttec then rose and reported accordingly, «nd the House adopted the icpori. A meffjge from the Senate informed the Honfe, thai the .& for regulating foreign coins, and for other purpofev had r«e,«d the appro hat y n and signature of the President of Ihc United S, AS,.. toeftablifh fees to be p?id on.the tranf-. for of public securities, was twice read, and committed for Tuesday next. In committee of the whole, 0(1 the bill for the relief of Simeon Thayer. Mr Steele ... the chair.—The bill was read by the chairman one amendment was made, which, wit .tie >1 , wa« reported to the Houfe-The House agreed to the amendment-the bill was then ordered to ■ be engrofT< d. . f The committee to whom the amendment, of the Senate 10 thecoafting bill were r.1"'" 1 - "" commended verbally an agreement wit t e e „ate_on which the House took the amendments into eonfideraiion, and concurred therein. A from the Senate by Mr. Otis, in formed the House, that they have considered ihe bill to authorize the settlement of the accounts of Lewis Garanger, and do not concur in palling said bill. Adjourned. MONDAY, February 11. The bill for the relief of Simeon Thayer, was read the third time, and paired. Mr. White presented two petitions from French inhabitants in the territory of the United States no-thweft of the Ohio. Refer red to the committee on the petition of the inhabitants of Gallipolis. A petition of the admimftrators of William Camp, late ofNew-Jerfey, was read, praying compensation for fundrv buildings burnt in the town of Newark by the Bvitifh during the late war. . . Mr. Thatcher pre Ten feci the petition of' Wm. Morton, of the Diftrift of Maine, prav in<* an exemption from the payment oi 112 dollars and 36 cents, due from him to the United States, for reasons offered. Referred to the Secretary of the Treasury. A representation was read f om the Polt- Master-General, Oating certain inconvenien ces attending the transmission of the mail thro' the State of New-Jersey, in con Sequence of a law of that State, which fubjefts stage coaches to a tax. Referred to the committee on the poft-office law. Mr. Heifter, of the committee 011 enrolled bills, reported as truly enrolled. An ast for li cencing'and enrolling of fliips or vessels enr ployedln the coasting trade, and for regulat ion- the fame—And an ast providing compen sation for the President and V ice- Pre fide nt of the United States. The Speaker signed the fame. Mr. \V. Smith, of the joint committee ap pointed to determine 011 the mode of count ing the votes for President and Vice-President made report—which is, that the House lliould repair to tlie Senate chamber 011 Wednesday next, at 12 o'clock, and there the tellers to be appointed should count the votes—and that the President of the Senate fnould declare the persons elected. This report was accepted, and Mr. W. Smith and Mr. Lawrance ap pointed teller* by the House. A meflage from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary, informed the House, that they have patted the bill providing compensation for the President and Vice-President of the United States. In committee of th« whole, on the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, containing a plan' for the reduction of the public debt.— Mr. Dayton in the chair. A debate ensued on reading tlie report, oc cafioned by amotion that the committee (hould rife. At 3 o'clock the committee role, re ported progress, and had leave to fit again. Adjourned. Foreign Affairs. FRANCE. NATIONAL CONVENTION. Letter jnm Gen. Ktl/erman. Paris, November 19. Citizens Representatives, I AM going to carry to the Romans the bleffiugs of Liberty, which has been too long exi'eel from their country. I (hall cause our motto to be ftriftly obi'erved :—War It caJlUs, peace to cottages, and refped to the mafier pieces of the arts. I aflc only one favor of the National Convention, that is, if calumny Ihould pursue me, that I may be allowed to confound my calumniators. DUBLIN, December 4. Yesterday morning, tne Catholic Delegates met at the Taylors'-HaH, Back-lane, to cori fult on the best mode of earning into effect the measure for which thdjr were chosen; which, after all the clamouifsmifreprefentati on and inve&ive, to which they have given rife, is nothing more than firnply this: To prepare a petition to the LegiAature, laying before them the humble request of all the Ca tholics of Irelaad, that in consequence of their tried loyalty, and long continued uninterrupt ed good conduit, they may be admitted to the rank of citizens, and share, in common with their countrymen, the advantages of the Con stitution. BRUSSELS, Nov. p. Extra El of a letter. u Gen. Dumourier entered Liege on the 28th, after a very long and obstinate engage ment, fighting even to the very streets of the town. The action, however, has beer! at tended with little loss on either lide." PARIS, December 12. The following is an extract of the report ot the Commune, concerning the transferring Louis Capet, the Bar of the National Convention. <• At one o'clock t> Mayor and Secf—r went up into the apartment of the lute Kid* and Taid to hitn, " I am charged to declare to you, that tho Convention<*jrit far you at their Aar, and I am appointed to Andnft y ntl ." The Secretary then read thcff'vrord'., " Dj. cree of the National'Co'Jsefft'Kin, of the 6th of December : A*t. Louis Capet fcall be brought to the bar ot' the National Conventi. on on Tuesday the II th, to answer the qnefti ons which shall be put to-him by tfie Presi dent." This being done, the Mayor alked Louis if he woyld go down, he appeared to he • fitate a.little, and fady'"'My nr.*it fe n «t Louis Capet ; my ancestors bore that iame but I never wm called fo-t all the treatment I have experienced these four months patt by force. This mornin" iny Ton has b;en separated from me, it wai an enjoyment of which they have deprived me. I Have been expecting 'you fheie two hours." The Mavov, without rernrn'rg »fiy ankver invited him again to go down, which he (!e ---termined at length to do. Bejng in thj iC »r riage, which'was lined with thick cufti oti- order to be musket proof, he kept filei-ce all the way, till the carriage w*<r stopped by fdn* mifanderftandinp; among the guards,' who ef. corted him on the Boulevards. When he was near the g-\tes of St. Martin and St. Dennis, he asked ifthefe two trium phal arches would not be demolished ? H? was answered that the gate ot'St. Dennis, being a master-piece, would be preserved. He arrived at the Convention at 2 o'clock —He appeared drelTed in a brown great coat, and did not seem at all troubled. Th? May- or and Procnreur de la Commune warp pt each fide.of'liifi); behind him were Santeive, Ben uyef, and other officers. After his in. terrogatory, he was conduced into the Con- ference Hall, and accepted a bit of bre-.d, ob fetying that he had jiot broken * faf:. He afterward:! got up into the ?.layo-carrir. and Spoke little 011 his return a very numerous armed force, but the con. course of people was not so gre-it as have been expeftc^.—The greatest mdernnd* silence reigned among the guards and fpefta. tors. He arrived at his apartment at half r>aft fix. He repeatedly allied the Mayor, that the Decrerf gr&ntiiig him a Counsel, r. ch was refufed to nobody, mig v t be Speedily t->!a ---municated to him. It has Since ' een ref>!vi?tl in the commune, that Louis fiinu'd have no further communication with his family, and that his Counsel fliould, hold their conference with him alone, and always in the pretence of the Municipal officers. Louis has chosen for his Counsel, Tar get, and in his default Tronchet. TRIAL OF THE KING. NATIONAL CONVENTION. December ix. . .. The fitting commenced bv rending the Ast of accusation ngainli Louis XVI. -which was presented by Barbaroux, in the name of the Commiflion of twenty-on?. It contained an enumeration of the principal charges made against the unfortunate Monarch ; and each charge was followed by a lift of the pieces on which the proofs are to be founded. When it was read, several new charges were pro pofM by several of the members, and Some which appeared to have little weight, or to be ill founded, were expunged. The Convention wero much surprised t» hear Marat become i* some mealure the vo luntary defeuder of Louis XVI. by requefhng that all those charges alluding to crimes com» mitted before his acceptance of the Con dim* tion, should be omited in the ast of accusa tion. He spoke also of the aninefly which followed that acceptance, but the Conventioi paid no attention to his observations. The Convention decreed that the ast of=(*• Cufation should serve as the ground of those questions which were to be put to Louis XVI. and that after each question the Preii dent should fay to him What have you t» answer ? The President was authorised alft to propose such questions as might ariie from the King's answers, and to make him fit dow» at the bar. Barrere the President announced to tn» Convention that Louis XVI* wasat the door, and requested the Representatives of tiie Peo ple to afTume a dignity worthy of the gran deur of their functions. He reminded them, that they formed a tribunal 011 which the eyes of Europe were fixed, and whole Sentence would be judged by posterity. He forbade them to shew any signs either of approbation or disapprobation, and desired them to re member that coolness and fi'ent dignity wi which they received the King after his return from Varennes. , At half past two Santerre informed tn= Convention that Louis was arrived, and was waiting the orders of the Assembly. The President gave the order to mtrod 11c him. The mod profound silence reigne in the Hall. Louis appeared at the bar, a tended by two Municipal Officers. When Louis appeared at the bar, the - fident mentioned to him the decree bj w the Convention established a tribunal to in him. Malhe, one of the Secretaries, reaoit ast of accuSation, charge by chaigCj an each the President alked Louis what W to fay in his own defence > The unl<<" d Monarch did not, like Charles I. of Eng refuSe to acknowledge the authority 0 Convention ; he delivered no w contented himfelf with giving an' each question in a few words. He a copies of the ast of accuSation, of 1 which are to serve as proofs, and ot he examination ; and requested a*° might be allowed Counsel. and His answers .were in general P ert ' ne " bar fliort, nor did he appear in the lean a „j raffed. He replied with great re:adi > at some questions appeared a little ch. S ■ Killer man. There was
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