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JUNE, 1797.]

THURSDAY, June 1.

Proceedings.

Mr. LIVERMORE, from the committee appointed for the purpose, reported a bill to prevent citizens of the United States privateering against nations in amity, or against citizens of the United States; which was read the first time, and ordered to the second reading.

FRIDAY, June 2.

Mr. READ, from the committee to whom was referred the bill prohibiting, for a limited time, the exportation of arms and ammunition, reported sundry amendments; which were read and adopted.

Ordered, That this bill pass to the third reading, as amended.

The bill to prevent citizens of the United States privateering against nations in amity, or against citizens of the United States, was read the second time, and ordered to the third reading. The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a communication from the Treasurer of the United States, accompanying his specie account for the quarter ending the 31st of March last, together with his account of receipts and expenditures in the War Department, for the same period; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table.

MONDAY, June 5.

The bill prohibiting, for a limited time, the exportation of arms and ammunition, and for encouraging the importation thereof, was read the third time; and, being further amended,

Resolved, That this bill pass; that it be engrossed; and that the title thereof be, "An act prohibiting, for a limited time, the exportation of arms and ammunition, and for encouraging the importation thereof."

The bill to prevent citizens of the United States privateering against nations in amity with, or against citizens of, the United States, was read the third time.

Resolved. That this bill pass; that it be engrossed; and that the title thereof be "An act to prevent citizens of the United States privateering against nations in amity with, or against citi

zens of, the United States."

Mr. TRACY, from the committee to whom was referred so much of the President's Speech as relates to providing means of additional defence, by an augmentation of the regular artillery and cavalry, and making arrangements for forming a provisional army, reported a bill; which was read the first time, and ordered to the second reading.

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[SENATE.

The bill for raising and organizing an additional corps of artillerists and engineers was read the second time, and ordered to the third reading.

Mr. TRACY, from the committee to whom was referred so much of the President's Speech as relates to providing means of additional defence, by an augmentation of the regular artillery and cavalry, and making arrangements for forming a provisional army, reported a bill; which was read the first time, and ordered to the second reading.

Mr. GOODHUE, from the committee to whom was referred so much of the President's Speech as relates to the establishment of a permanent system of naval defence, and authorizing the arming of vessels the property of individuals, reported a bill; which was read the first time, and ordered to the second reading.

WEDNESDAY, June 7.

The bill providing for the protection of the trade of the United States was read the second time; and, after debate,

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until to-morrow.

The bill for raising and organizing an additional corps of artillerists aud engineers was read the third time; and being further amended, on the final passage of the bill, it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 18, nays 8, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Bingham, Bloodworth, Goodhue, Hillhouse, Howard, Latimer, Lawrence, Livermore, Marshall, Paine, Read, Ross, Rutherfurd, Sedgwick, Stockton, Tichenor, Tracy, and Vining.

Martin, Mason, Tazewell, and Tattnall.

NAYS-Messrs. Blount, Bradford, Cocke, Langdon,

So it was Resolved, That this bill pass; that it be engrossed; and that the title thereof be "An act for raising and organizing an additional corps of artillerists and engineers."

THURSDAY, June 8.

informed the Senate that the House have passed A message from the House of Representatives the bill, sent from the Senate for concurrence, en

titled "An act prohibiting, for a limited time, the exportation of arms and ammunition, and for encouraging the importation thereof," with amendments; in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate.

The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill providing for the protection of the trade of the United States.

following words: On motion, to strike out of the first section the

"And also to procure, by purchase or otherwise, and cause to be fitted out, manned, and employed, a number of vessels, not exceeding nine, to carry not exceeding twenty guns each,"

It was determined in the negative-yeas 11, nays 8, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Bloodworth, Blount, Brown, Cocke, Hunter, Langdon, Livermore, Martin, Mason, Tazewell, and Tattnall.

NAYS-Messrs. Bradford, Foster, Goodhue, Henry,

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The Senate proceeded to consider the amendments of the House of Representatives to the bill, sent from the Senate for concurrence, entitled "An act prohibiting, for a limited time, the exportation of arms and ammunition, and for encouraging the importation thereof."

Ordered, That the amendments be referred to Messrs. Ross, READ, and BROWN, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed the bill, sent from the Senate for concurrence, entitled "An act to prevent citizens of the United States privateering against nations in amity with, or against citizens of, the United States," with amendments, in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate.

The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill providing for the protection of the trade of the United States, and it was agreed to amend

the third section to read as follows:

"SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States may employ the said frigates, and the said vessels, to protect the ships and cargoes belonging solely to the citizens of the United States,

and also the harbors and seacoast of the United States, in such manner, and under such regulations, as shall in no ways contravene either the laws of nations or any existing treaties between the United States and foreign nations."

On motion, further to amend the section, by striking out the words "and also," and, in lieu thereof, inserting "within," and in the following line, before the word "seacoast," to insert the words " on the," it was determined in the nega tive-yeas 13, nays 15, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Bloodworth, Blount, Cocke, Foster, Hillhouse, Hunter, Langdon, Livermore, Martin, Marshall, Mason, Tazewell, and Tattnall.

[JUNE, 1797.

Resolved, That the Senate do concur in the said amendments.

Ordered, That Mr. TICHENOR be appointed a committee for enrolled bills, on the part of the Senate, jointly with such committee as may be appointed for that purpose on the part of the House of Representatives.

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Mr. LIVERMORE, from the committee to whom was referred the amendments of the House of Representatives to the bill, entitled "An act to prevent citizens of the United States privateering against nations in amity with, or against citizens of the United States," reported that the same be adopted.

Resolved, That the Senate do concur in the said amendments.

States.

The Senate proceeded to consider the report of the committee to whom was referred the bill proNAYS-Messrs. Bingham, Bradford, Brown, Good-viding for the protection of the trade of the United hue, Henry, Latimer, Laurance, Paine, Read, Ross, Rutherfurd, Sedgwick, Stockton, Tichenor, and Tracy. On motion, to agree to the section as amended, it was determined in the affirmative—yeas 15, nays 13, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Bingham, Bradford, Goodhue, Henry, Hillhouse, Latimer, Laurance, Paine, Read, Ross, Rutherfurd, Sedgwick, Stockton, Tichenor, and Tracy. NAYS-Messrs. Bloodworth, Blount, Brown, Cocke, Foster, Hunter, Langdon, Livermore, Martin, Marshall, Mason, Tazewell, and Tattnall.

Ordered, That the bill be recommitted.

Mr. Ross, from the committee to whom was referred the amendments of the House of Representatives to the bill, entitled "An act prohibiting, for a limited time, the exportation of arms and ammunition, and for encouraging the importation thereof," reported, that the same be adopted, which report was read.

On motion, to strike out the eighth section, as reported by the committee, as follows:

"Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized and empowered, should he deem it expedient, to cause to be procured, by purchase or otherwise, and to be fitted out, manned, and employed, a number of vessels, not exceeding nine, to carry not exceeding twenty guns each:"

It was determined in the negative-yeas 12, nays 15, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Bloodworth, Blount, Brown, Cocke, Foster, Hunter, Langdon, Livermore, Martin, Mason, Tattnall, and Tazewell.

NAYS-Messrs. Bingham, Bradford, Goodhue, Henry, Hillhouse, Latimer, Laurance, Marshall, Paine, Read, Rutherfurd, Stockton, Tichenor, Tracy, and Vining.

And the report, being amended, was adopted.

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On motion, it was agreed to expunge the second section of the original bill; and the other sections of the original bill being amended, it was ordered that it pass to the third reading as amended.

The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill for raising an additional corps of light dragoons; and, after progress, the further consideration thereof was postponed.

The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:

Gentlemen of the Senate and

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

I have received information from the Commissioner, appointed on the part of the United States, pursuant to the third article of our treaty with Spain, that the running and marking of the boundary line, between the colonies of East and West Florida, and the terri

tory of the United States, have been delayed by the officers of His Catholic Majesty; and that they have declared their intention to maintain his jurisdiction, and to suspend the withdrawing his troops from the military posts they occupy within the territory of the United States, until the two Governments shall, by negotiation, have settled the meaning of the second article, respecting the withdrawing of the troops, garrisons, or settlements, of either party, in the territory of the other; that is, whether, when the Spanish garrisons withdraw, they are to leave the works standing, or to demolish them; and, until, by an additional article to the treaty, the real property of the inhabitants shall be secured; and, likewise, until the Spanish officers are sure the Indians will be pacific. The two first questions, if to be determined by negotiation, might be made subjects of discussion for years, and as no limitation of time can be prescribed to the other, a certainty in the opinion of the Spanish officers that the Indians will be pacific, it will be impossible to suffer it to remain an obstacle to the fulfilment of the treaty on the part of Spain.

To remove the first difficulty, I have determined to leave it to the discretion of the officers of His Catholic Majesty, when they withdraw his troops from the forts within the territory of the United States, either to leave the works standing, or to demolish them; and to remove the second, I shall cause an assurance to be published, and to be particularly communicated to the Minister of His Catholic Majesty, and to the Governor of Louisiana, that the settlers or occupants of the lands in question, shall not be disturbed in their possessions by the troops of the United States; but, on the contrary, that they shall be protected in all their lawful claims; and to prevent or remove every doubt on this point, it merits the consideration of Congress, whether it will not be expedient, immediately, to pass a law, giving positive assurances to those inhabitants, who, by fair and regular grants, or by occupancy, have obtained legal titles or equitable claims to lands in that country, prior to the final ratification of the treaty between the United States and Spain, on the twenty-fifth of April,

1796.

This country is rendered peculiarly valuable by its inhabitants, who are represented to amount to nearly four thousand, generally well affected, and much attached to the United States, and zealous for the establishment of a government under their authority.

I, therefore, recommend to your consideration the expediency of erecting a government in the district of the Natchez, similar to that established for the territory

[SENATE.

northwest of the river Ohio, but with certain modifications, relative to titles or claims of land, whether of individuals or companies, or to claims of jurisdiction of any individual State.

JOHN ADAMS.

UNITED STATES, June 12, 1797. The Message and papers were read, and ordered to lie for consideration.

WEDNESDAY, June 14.

Ordered, That the Message of the President of the United States, of the 12th instant, with the TRACY, BROWN, and Ross, to consider and report papers accompanying it, be referred to Messrs. thereon to the Senate.

The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill for raising an additional corps of light dragoons; which was amended, and on the question termined in the negative-yeas 13, nays 15, as to agree to the third reading of the bill, it was defollows:

YEAS-Messrs. Bingham, Goodhue, Latimer, Laurance, Livermore, Marshall, Paine, Read, Rutherfurd, Sedgwick, Stockton, Tichenor, and Tracy. NAYS-Messrs. Bloodworth, Blount, Bradford, Brown, Cocke, Foster, Henry, Hillhouse, Hunter, Langdon, Martin, Mason, Ross, Tattnall, and Tazewell. So it was Resolved, That this bill do not pass.

THURSDAY, June 15.

The bill providing for the protection of the trade of the United States was read the third time; and, on the final passage of the bill, as amended, it was determined in the affirmative, yeas 16, nays 13, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Bingham, Bradford, Goodhue, Henry, Hillhouse, Latimer, Laurance, Paine, Read, Ross, Rutherfurd, Sedgwick, Stockton, Tichenor, Tracy, and Vining.

NAYS-Messrs. Bloodworth, Blount, Brown, Cocke, Foster, Hunter, Langdon, Livermore, Marshall, Martin, Mason, Tattnall, and Tazewell.

So it was Resolved, That this bill pass; that it be engrossed, and that the title thereof be "An act providing for the protection of the trade of the United States."

Mr. GOODHUE notified the Senate that he should, to-morrow, ask leave to introduce a bill to prevent the arming of private ships, except in certain cases, and under certain regulations.

FRIDAY, June 16.

Agreeably to notice given yesterday, Mr. GOODthe arming of private ships, except in certain HUE obtained leave to introduce a bill to prevent cases, and under certain regulations; which was read the first time, and ordered to the second reading.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill entitled "An act to provide for the further defence of the ports and harbors of the United States;" in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate.

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The bill was read the first and second time, and referred to Messrs. LAURANCE, HENRY, and READ, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.

SATURDAY, June 17.

The bill to prevent the arming of private ships, except in certain cases, and under certain regulations, was read the second time; and, after debate, Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until Monday next.

MONDAY, June 19.

Mr. LAURANCE, from the committee to whom was referred the bill entitled "An act to provide for the further defence of the ports and harbors of the United States," reported that the bill pass without amendment.

Ordered, That this bill pass to a third reading. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill entitled "An act directing the appointment of agents, in relation to the sixth article of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, between the United States and Great Britain," and a bill entitled "An act in addition to an act entitled An act concerning the registering and recording of ships and vessels;'" in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate.

The bill last mentioned was read twice; and referred to Messrs. GOODHUE, BINGHAM, and LANGDON, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.

The bill first mentioned in the message was read, and ordered to the second reading.

The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill to prevent the arming of private ships, except in certain cases, and under certain regulations; and, after debate,

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed.

Mr. TRACY, from the committee to whom was referred so much of the President's Speech as relates to providing means of additional defence, by an augmentation of the regular artillery and cavalry, and making arrangements for forming a provisional army, reported a bill, which was read the first time, and ordered to the second reading.

TUESDAY, June 20.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill entitled "An act directing a detachment from the militia of the United States;" in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate.

The bill was read twice, and referred to Messrs. LAURANCE, TAZEWELL, and BRADFORD, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.

The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act directing the appointment of agents, in relation to the sixth article of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, between the United States and Great Britain," was read the second time, and referred

[JUNE, 1797.

to Messrs. TAZEWELL, HENRY, and BROWN, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.

The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act to provide for the further defence of the ports and harbors of the United States," was read the third time.

On motion, to strike out the third section of the bill, as follows:

"SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, empowered to authorize any of the States, which were found indebted to the United States in a settlement of accounts between them and the respective States, to expend, under his direction, the sums respectively due from them, in fortifying their ports and harbors, and the sums, which may be so expended, shall be passed to. the credit of the said States, on account of the balances found and reported by the commissioners for settling

the accounts between the United States and the indi

vidual States, to be due from the said States to the United States: Provided, The said States shall and do such fortifications shall be so erected, in cases where cede to the United States the lands or places on which the lands are the property of such States:"

It was determined in the negative-yeas 9, nays 18, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Bloodworth, Blount, Brown, Cocke, Langdon, Marshall, Martin, Mason, and Tazewell.

NAYS-Messrs. Bingham, Bradford, Foster, Goodhue, Henry, Hillhouse, Hunter, Latimer, Laurance, Livermore, Paine, Read, Ross, Rutherfurd, Sedgwick, Stockton, Tattnall, and Tracy.

Resolved, That this bill pass.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House do not concur in the bill, sent from the Senate, entitled "An act for raising and organizing an additional corps of artillerists and engineers."

A motion was made, to add, after the 14th rule, a new one, as follows:

"And when a motion shall be made for striking out any period, section, or clause, in a report, resolution, or bill, it shall always be in order to move any amendment or amendments of such period, section, or clause, and such amendment, or amendments, shall always be decided before the question on striking out is put.' And, after debate,

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed.

WEDNESDAY, June 21.

Mr. LAURANCE, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act directing a detachment from the militia of the United States," reported that the bill pass without amendment.

Ordered, That this bill pass to a third reading. Mr. GOODHUE, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act in addition to an act entitled 'An act concerning the registering and recording of ships and vessels," reported sundry amendments; which were read and adopted.

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Ordered, That this bill pass to the third reading as amended.

The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill to prevent the arming of private ships, except in certain cases, and under certain regulations. Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. TRACY, TAZEWELL, GOODHUE, LIVERMORE, and BINGHAM, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.

The bill to enable the President of the United States, under certain restrictions, to raise a provisional army, was read the second time; and, after debate,

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until to-morrow.

THURSDAY, June 22.

FRIDAY, June 23.

[SENATE.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House agree to the amendments of the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act in addition to an act, entitled 'An act concerning the registering and recording of ships and vessels."

Mr. TAZEWELL, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act directing the appointment of agents in relation to the sixth article of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, between the United States and Great Britain," reported sundry amendments; which

were read.

Ordered, That they be printed for the use of the Senate.

The Senate proceeded to consider the resolu

The following Message was received from the tion of the House of Representatives for the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:

Gentlemen of the Senate:

Having sent the report and documents which accompany this Message to the House of Representatives, in compliance with their desire, expressed in their resolution of the tenth of this month, I think it proper to send duplicates to the Senate for their information. JOHN ADAMS.

UNITED STATES, June 22, 1797.

The Message was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act directing a detachment from the militia of the United States," was read the third time.

Resolved, that this bill pass.

The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act in addition to an act, entitled An act concerning the registering and recording of ships and vessels,"" was read the third time.

Resolved, That this bill pass with amendments. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a resolution "That the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, be authorized to close the present session by adjourning their respective Houses on the twenty-eighth day of this month;" in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate.

The resolution was read, and ordered to lie for consideration.

The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill to enable the President of the United States, under certain restrictions, to raise a provisional army; and, after debate,

The question was taken on the third reading of the bill; and it was determined in the negative yeas 9, nays 17, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Goodhue, Laurance, Marshall, Read, Ross, Rutherfurd, Sedgwick, Tichenor, and Tracy.

NAYS - Messrs. Bloodworth, Blount, Bradford, Brown, Cocke, Foster, Hunter, Hillhouse, Howard, Langdon, Latimer, Livermore, Martin, Mason, Paine, Tattnall, and Tazewell.

So the bill was lost.

adjournment of the two Houses of Congress on the 28th instant; and, after debate,

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until Tuesday next.

Mr. READ notified the Senate that he should, to-morrow, request leave to introduce a bill empowering the President of the United States to lay, regulate, and revoke, embargoes, during the recess of Congress.

Mr. TRACY notified the Senate that he should, to-morrow, request leave to introduce a bill directing the period at which the next session of Congress shall commence.

The Senate proceeded to consider the motion made the 20th instant for an additional rule; and, it was agreed to postpone the consideration thereof until the next session of Congress.

SATURDAY, June 24.

The following confidential Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:

Gentlemen of the Senate and

of the House of Representatives: The Dey of Algiers has manifested a predilection for American built vessels, and, in consequence, has desired that two vessels might be constructed and equipped, as cruisers, according to the choice and taste of Captain O'Brien. The cost of two such vessels, built with live oak and cedar, and coppered, with guns and all other equipments complete, is estimated at forty-five thousand dollars. The expense of navigating them to Algiers may, perhaps, be compensated, by the freight of our stipulations by treaty with the Dey. of the stores with which they may be loaded on account

A compliance with the Dey's request appears to me to be of serious importance. He will repay the whole expense of building and equipping the two vessels; and as he has advanced the price of our peace with Tripoli, and become pledged for that of Tunis, the United States seem to be under peculiar obligations to provide this accommodation; and I trust that Congress will authorize the advance of money necessary for that

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