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