House of Representatives to the bill, entitled "An act for regulating processes in the courts of the United States, and providing compensations for the officers of the said courts, and for jurors and witnesses," made report; which, being read, and in part agreed to, Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until to-morrow. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that the House have "Resolved, That a joint committee of both Houses be directed to wait on the President of the United States, to request that he would recommend to the people of the United States a day of public humiliation and prayer;" and, having appointed a committee on their part, desire concurrence, and the appointment of a joint committee on the part of the Senate. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that the House have passed the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt," with amendments; and, also, “An act to authorize the remission of certain duties:" in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. On motion, that a committee be appointed to join with such committee as the House of Representatives shall appoint, to wait on the President of the United States, and notify him of the proposed recess of Congress; it was agreed that the consideration of this motion be postponed until to-morrow. The bill, entitled "An act to authorize the remission of certain duties," was read the first time; and, by unanimous consent, the bill was read the second time. Ordered, That this bill be referred to Messrs. CABOT, KING, and BURR, to consider and report thereon. WEDNESDAY, May 2. The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion made yesterday, "That a committee be appointed to join with such committee as the House of Representatives shall appoint, to wait on the President of the United States, and notify him of the proposed recess of Congress." On motion to postpone the consideration thereof, it passed in the negative. Resolved, That Messrs. HAWKINS and BURR be a joint committee on the part of the Senate, with such committee as the House of Representatives shall appoint, to wait on the President of the United States, and notify him of the proposed recess of Congress. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that the House of Representatives have passed a bill, entitled "An act concerning the duties on spirits distilled within the United States;" in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. The bill was read the first time, and, by unanimous consent, it was read the second time. Ordered, That this bill be referred to Messrs. HAWKINS, CABOT, and ELLSWORTH, to consider and report thereon [SENATE. The Senate resumed the consideration of the amendments of the House of Representatives to the bill, entitled "An act for regulating processes in the courts of the United States, and providing compensations for the officers of the said courts, and for jurors and witnesses." Resolved, That they agree to the first section, and the additional sections, except the second and fifth additional sections, with an amendment to the fourth additional section, so that it shall read as follows: "And be it enacted, That it shall be the duty of the attorneys in the several districts to correspond with the Attorney General of the United States, on any matter relative to judicial business which shall arise within their respective districts, and upon which he shall request information from them." And they disagree to all the other amendments on the said bill. Mr. READ, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act authorizing the grant and conveyance of certain lands to John Cleves Symmes, and his associates," reported amendments; and it was agreed that the bill be amended accordingly: and, by unanimous consent, the bill was now read the third time and passed. The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the amendments of the House of Representatives to the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt." Resolved, That they disagree to the first and second, and agree to the last amendment to the said bill. Mr. KING gave notice that he intended, to-morrow, to move for leave to bring in a bill to continue an act, entitled "An act to continue in force the act therein mentioned, and to make further provision for the payment of pensions to invalids, and for the support of light-houses, beacons, buoys, and public piers." THURSDAY, May 3. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act relative to the compensations to certain officers employed in the collection of the duties of impost and tonnage," to which they desire the concurrence of the Senate; that they recede from their amendments disagreed to by the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt;" that they agree to the amendments of the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act authorizing the grant and conveyance of certain lands to John Cleves Symmes and his associates." On motion, that a person be chosen to supply the vacancy occasioned in the Committee on Enrolled Bills, by the absence of Mr. BRADLEY, the Senate proceeded to the choice of Mr. WINGATE for that purpose. The bill sent from the House of Representa tives, entitled "An act relative to the compensations to certain officers employed in the collection of the duties of impost and tonnage," was read the first time; and, by unanimous consent, it was read the second time. Ordered, That this bill be referred to Messrs. MORRIS, SHERMAN, and MONROE, to consider and report thereon. Agreeably to notice given yesterday, Mr. KING obtained leave to bring in a bill to continue in force the act therein mentioned, and to make further provision for the payment of pensions to invalids, and for the support of light-houses, beacons, buoys, and public piers; which was read the first time, and, by unanimous consent, was read the second time. Ordered, That this bill be referred to Messrs. BASSETT, FOSTER, and JOHNSTON, to consider and report thereon. Mr. MORRIS, from the committee appointed, reported "A bill for regulating foreign coins, and for other purposes;" which was read the first time, and, by unanimous consent, was read the second time. Mr. CABOT reported, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act to authorize the remission of certain duties," that it was not expedient that the bill should pass. Resolved, That this bill do not pass to the third reading. Mr. BASSETT, from the committee to whom was referred "The bill to continue in force the act therein mentioned, and to make further provision for the payment of pensions to invalids, and for the support of light-houses, beacons, buoys, and public piers," reported amendments, which were adopted; and, by unanimous consent, the bill was read the third time, and passed. [MAY, 1792. It was agreed, by unanimous consent, that this bill have the third reading at this time. Resolved, That this bill pass with amendments. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act to continue in force the act therein mentioned, and to make further provision for the payment of pensions to invalids," with amendments; to which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. The Senate proceeded to consider the amendments of the House of Representatives to the bill above mentioned; and, Resolved, That they concur therein. Mr. MORRIS, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act relative to the compensations to certain officers employed in the collection of the duties of impost and tonnage," reported amendments, which were read; and some of which being adopted, it was agreed to amend the bill accordingly. It was agreed, by unanimous consent, that the bill should have the third reading at this time; and it was read, and passed, accordingly. The second reading of the bill for regulating foreign coins, and for other purposes, was resumed; and, being amended, was read a third time, and passed. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that the House have resolved, that the resolution of the 24th of last month, authorizing the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives to close the present session by adjourning their respective Houses on the 5th day of May, be repealed; and that, instead thereof, they be authorized to adjourn their respective Houses on Thursday, the 10th of May, instant, to meet again on such day as shall be by law appointed; in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution last mentioned; and, A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that the House have considered their amendments disagreed to by the Senate, and the amendments of the Senate to their amendment on the bill, entitled "An act for regulating processes in the courts of the United States, and providing compensations for the officers of the said courts, and for jurors and witnesses," and agree to Resolved, That they concur therein, with an some of the said amendments as amended, recede amendment, to wit: strike out these words, "Thursfrom some, and insist on others, of the said amend-day the tenth," and insert "Tuesday the eighth.” ments, and desire a conference on the subjectmatter of the amendments insisted on, and have appointed managers at the said conference on their part. SATURDAY, May 5. A Message from the House of Representatives, The Senate proceeded to consider the amend-informed the Senate, that the House agree to the ments insisted on by the House of Representatives to the bill last mentioned; and, Resolved, That the Senate insist on their disagreement to the said amendments; that they agree to the proposed conference, and that Messrs. ELLSWORTH, KING, and HENRY, be managers thereof on the part of the Senate. amendment of the Senate to the resolution of the 4th, authorizing the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to close the present session by adjourning their respective Houses on the 8th inst. The House of Representatives also agree to the amendments of the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act relative to the compensations to certain officers employed in the collection of the duties of impost and tonnage." And they agree to the amendments of the Senate Mr. HAWKINS, from the committee to whom to the bill, entitled "An act concerning the duties was referred the bill, entitled "An act concerning on spirits distilled within the United States." the duties on spirits distilled within the United And they have passed a bill, entitled "An act auStates," reported amendments, which were read; thorizing the settlement of the demands of Anthoand it was agreed that the bill be amended ac-ny Walton White against the United States;" in cordingly. which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. FRIDAY, May 4. The bill last mentioned was read the first time, as also the petition of the said Anthony Walton White, on which the bill originated, with sundry other papers referring thereto. Resolved, That the consideration of this bill be postponed until the next session of Congress. Resolved, That Messrs. HAWKINS and BURR be a committee to wait on the President of the United States, and notify him of the intended recess of Congress. It was agreed to reconsider the above resolution, and substitute the following: Resolved, That Messrs. HAWKINS and BURR be a joint committee, on the part of the Senate, with such committee as may be appointed on the part of the House of Representatives, to wait on the President of the United States, and notify him of the intended recess of Congress on Tuesday next. On motion, that the bills for regulating processes in the Judicial Courts of the United States; for providing for the public debt; for alterations in the Treasury and War Departments; for ascertaining the rates of foreign coins; and, for further appropriations; be passed before any other business is introduced: it passed in the negative. MONDAY, May 7. A message from the House of Representatives, informed the Senate that the House concur in the resolution of the Senate, appointing a joint committee to wait on the President of the United States, and inform him of the proposed recess of Congress; and have appointed a joint committee on their part. And that they have passed a bill, entitled "An act supplementary to the act making provision for the debt of the United States;" in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. The bill, entitled "An act supplementary to the act making provision for the debt of the United States," was read the first time; and, by unanimous consent, it was read the second time. It was also agreed, by unanimous consent, that this bill be now read the third time. Resolved, That the Senate concur therein. The bill, entitled "An act for making compensations to the Commissioners of Loans for extra ordinary expenses," was read the first time; and, by unanimous consent, it was read the second and third time. Resolved, That the Senate concur therein. Mr. HAWKINS reported, from the joint committee, that they had waited on the President of the United States, and informed him of the proposed recess of Congress. The memorial of Thomas Fielder, referring to his former petitions of 30th March, and 10th of April last, respecting his inventions for facilitating navigation, was presented and read. Ordered, That it lie on the table. A message from the House of Representatives, informed the Senate, that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act concerning the claim of John Brown Cutting against the United States;" in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. 2d CoN.-6 [SENATE. The bill, was read the first time, and passed to a second reading. Ordered, That the Secretary of the Treasury do lay before the Senate, at the next session of Congress, a statement of the salaries, fees, and emoluments, for one year, ending the first day of October next, to be stated quarterly, of every person holding any civil office or employment under the United States, (except the judges,) together with the actual disbursements and expenses in the discharge of their respective offices and employments for the same period; and that he do report the name of every person who shall neglect or refuse to give satisfactory information touching his office or employment, or the emoluments or disbursements thereof. The amendments to the first mentioned bill were read; and of the House of Representatives, in which they The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution recede from some and adhere to other amendments to the bill, entitled "An act for regulating processes in the courts of the United States, and providing compensations for the officers of the said courts, and for jurors and witnesses." ment to the second amendment of the second secAnd, on motion to recede from the disagreetion, which is, to strike out these words, "and be debt and cost, in gold or silver, shall be made:" at liberty to pursue the same until a tender of the It passed in the affirmative. amendment last recited, it passed in the negative— On motion to adhere to the disagreement to the yeas 9, nays 10, as follows: YEAS.-Messrs. Cabot, Carroll, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Foster, Izard, King, Morris, and Read. NAYS.-Messrs. Few, Hawkins, Henry, Johnston, Lee, Monroe, Robinson, Sherman, Stanton, and Wingate. It was agreed to recede from the other amendment adhered to by the House of Representatives on the said bill. Ordered, That the Secretary acquaint the House of Representatives with the proceedings of the Senate on the bill last mentioned. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that they concur in the bill, entitled "An act regulating foreign coins, and for other purposes," with amendments; to which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. They agree to the amendment to their amendment on the bill, entitled "An act making alterations in the Treasury and War Departments." The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the amendments to the bill first mentioned; and, resolved, that they concur therein. TUESDAY, May 8. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that the House of Representatives concur in the bill, entitled "An act to compensate the services of the late Colonel George Gibson." They have passed a bill, entitled "An act making certain appropriations therein specified;" in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. The bill, entitled "An act making certain appropriations therein specified," was read the first time; and, by unanimous consent, it was read the second time. Ordered, That the bill be referred to Messrs. MORRIS, CABOT, and ELLSWORTH, to consider and report thereon. The bill, entitled "An act concerning the claim of John Brown Cutting against the United States," was read the third time. Resolved, That the Senate concur in this bill. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that the House have passed a resolution authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish the several collectors of the revenue within the United States with certain printed clearances of a particular form; in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the resolution, as follows: "Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury cause to be provided for the use of the several collectors in the United States, printed clearances, on the back whereof shall be a printed account of the methods which have been found to answer for obtaining fresh from salt water, and of constructing extempore stills of such implements as are generally on board of every vessel, with a recommendation, in all cases where they shall have occasion to resort to this expedient for obtaining water, to publish the result of their trial in some gazette on their return [MAY, 1792. to the United States, or to communicate it for publication to the office of the Secretary of State, in order that others may, by their success, be encouraged to make similar trials, and be benefited by any improvements or new ideas which may occur to them in practice." Resolved, That the Senate concur therein. Mr. MORRIS, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act making certain appropriations therein specified," reported an amendment; which was read and agreed to. Ordered, That this bill pass to the third reading. Resolved, That this bill pass as amended. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that the House of Representatives agree to the amendment of the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act making certain appropriations therein specified;" and that they have passed a bill, entitled "An act respecting the government of the territories of the United States northwest and south of the river Ohio;" in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. The bill last mentioned was read the first time, and, by unanimous consent, the bill was read the second and third time. Resolved, That the Senate concur therein. TUESDAY EVENING, May 8. On motion, that a person be chosen to supply the vacancy occasioned in the Committee on Enrolled Bills, by the absence of Mr. WINGATE, the Senate proceeded to the choice of Mr. SHERMAN for that purpose. After receiving several reports of enrolled bills and acting on other unfinished business, Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House pleted the Legislative business before them, are of Representatives, that the Senate, having comabout to adjourn. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House of Representatives, having completed the business before them, are about to adjourn. In conformity to the resolution of the 4th instant, the President pro tempore adjourned the Senate to the first Monday in November next, being the time appointed by law for the next annual meeting of Congress. PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, AT THE FIRST SESSION OF THE SECOND CONGRESS, BEGUN AT THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER 24, 1791. MONDAY, October 24, 1791. This being the day appointed by law for the meeting of the present Congress, the following members appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats: From New Hampshire, NICHOLAS GILMAN, SAMUEL LIVERMORE, and JEREMIAH SMITH. From Massachusetts, FISHER AMES, SHEARJASHUB BOURNE, ELBRIDGE GERRY, BENJAMIN GOODHUE, GEORGE THATCHER, and ARTEMAS WARD. assiduity, which become the conspicuous station in which you have been pleased to place me. The House then proceeded to ballot for a Clerk, when there appeared an unanimous vote for JOHN BECKLEY. The oath to support the Constitution was then administered to the members present, and the oath of office to the Speaker and Clerk. Ordered, That the Speaker appoint committees until the House shall otherwise determine. A message was received from the Senate, informing the House that a quorum of that body is JONA-assembled and ready to proceed to business; and that the Senate have informed the President of the United States that they are ready to receive any communications he may be pleased to make From Rhode Island, BENJAMIN Bourne. From New York, JAMES GORDON, JOHN LAU- WELL. From New Jersey, ELIAS BOUDinot. From Pennsylvania, THOMAS FITZSIMONS, From Delaware, JOHN VINING. From Virginia, JOHN BROWN, WILLIAM B. DREW MOORE. and ALEXANDER WHITE. From North Carolina, JOHN STEELE, and HUGH From South Carolina, DANIEL HUGER, WIL- to them. Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare and report Standing Rules and Orders of proceeding for the House. Messrs. MUHLENBERG, TUCKER, WILLIAMSON, AMES, and SMITH, of New Hampshire, were named. JOSEPH WHEATON was appointed Sergeant-atArms; and GIFFORD DALLEY, Doorkeeper, and THOMAS CLAXTON, assistant Doorkeeper. Resolved, That two Chaplains, of different denominations, be appointed to Congress for the present session, to interchange weekly. Mr. SMITH, from the joint committee appointed A quorum of the members being present, the to wait on the President of the United States, House proceeded to ballot for a Speaker, when it appeared that JONATHAN TRUMBULL, from Con-reported that the President would make a comnecticut, was elected. On being conducted to the chair, Mr. TRUMBULL addressed the House as follows: GENTLEMEN: I find myself unable to express to you the full sense I have of the distinguished honor you have done me in the choice of your Speaker. The diffidence I feel in my abilities to discharge, with propriety, the duties of the Chair, is almost insuperable in my own mind. But, encouraged by the known candor of this honorable body, and depending, as I think I may confidently do, on the kind assistance of each individual in it, I shall enter on its duties, with full assurances to you, gentlemen, that I shall endeavor to conduct myself with that impartiality, integrity, and munication to both Houses to-morrow at twelve o'clock, in the Senate Chamber. A message from the Senate announced the agreement of that body to the resolution of this House for the appointment of two Chaplains, and had elected the Right Reverend Bishop WHITE, on their part. TUESDAY, October 25. The following members appeared, presented their credentials, and took their seats: ABRAHAM CLARK, JONATHAN DAYTON, and AARON KITCHELL, from New Jersey; and ISRAEL JACOBS, from Pennsylvania. |
