In alluding to the foregoing bills, the petitioners the sacred right of petition and remonstrance, to from Belfast assert, That a repeal of the law of deben-either ignorantly or wilfully misrepresent the proture, and the abolition of drawbacks, formed a part ceedings of any branch of the government. It preof the system of those bills, and depict, in glowing colors, the ruinous effects on the commerce of the country, which would result, though they make no direct imputation of any intention.

vents the fair and legitimate action of public opinion; deceives and misleads the people, by directing their attention from what is really proposed to be adopted, to phantoms which exist only in the The Richmond memorial is more explicit, as the fears and ignorance of those who raise them. It is house will observe from the following extract: "In not for the committee to impute it as intentional; the next place, let us enquire into the justice and but when misrepresentation exists and spreads, its policy of the prohibitory system recommended by source becomes immaterial, in its effects, it equally the advocates for internal manufactures, who may tends to poison and inflame the the minds of the be viewed, indeed, less as the advocates of manu-people, excites causeless alarins, and creates an factures, than as the enemies to foreign commerce unfair, ungenerous hostility, which would not exand navigation; for, to what other purpose can they | ist, if the subject were candidly stated and fairly have introduced the bills to repeal drawbacks on explained.

exportations, and to abolish the credits given on Few cases ever occur which could more clearly duties, but to assail our commerce in the most vital show the bad consequences of this perversion and manner and eventually to destroy it?" misstatement of the proceedings of the national In considering these allegations of the petition, legislature. The assertion by some, and the belief the committee feel great regret in being compel-by many, that it was a part of the system recomled to say, that they are utterly unsupported by fact, mended by the committee of manufactures at the and contradicted by the bills referred to, so far as last session, to abolish the right of debenture and they relate to the subject of drawbacks. The pre- the whole system of drawbacks, would naturally sent system of drawbacks and debenture was, in all create great alarm in all the commercial parts of its parts, retained in both the bilis called the tariff the nation. If true, it would justify their most and cash payment, and, in the latter, new provi-active opposition: the friends of commerce might sions inserted, which were intended and calculated fairly say, that its destruction was a leading, if not to afford new and great facilities to the re-export avowed object; the feelings of the people would be trade of the country. The language of both bills justly roused, and conveyed to the legislature in was clear, explicit, and, to minds disposed to exa- the strong, if not indignant voice of those who, mine at all, capable of no misconstruction. One bill was reported in January, the other in March last. Both were printed by the order of the house; they excited general interest throughout the nation; were published; laboriously and fully discussed, and would seem, on the subject of drawbacks, as little open to any misconception as any measures ever brought before the public. How it has hap pened that those who are so much alive to these measures, who indulge fears that they would prove fatal to commerce, agriculture, and revenue, should have been so profoundly ignorant of their nature, is, to the committee, most inconceivable. Respect for the petitioners forbids the imputation of any

feeling themselves assailed in their most vital interest, would act in self-defence in repeiling an injury. The house can well judge of the burst of public indig nation which would have been called forth bad those bills contained the provisions attributed, when their existence only in the fancy and groundless fears of the petitioners have justified them, in their own minds, in their petitions addressed to this house, in assailing the motives and intentions of one of your committees. Had the petitioners understood these bills, had they known that they did not abolish or restrict, but retained, extended, and offered new subjects to the present system of drawbacks; provided a new and more enlarged one, leaving it at the option of the merchant to avail himself of It is to be expected that opinions will be variant either; not prohibiting, but encouraging, the exas to the operation of important measures; friends portation of foreign produce, not by adding new, may be too sanguine as to their good, enemies too but removing existing impediments; thus, so far easily alarmed about their bad effects; there must from destroying, aiding and assisting in this imbe freedom in their discussion, both as to their ten-portant branch of a great national interest, the dency, the principles on which they are supported, committee indulge, if not the belief, at least the as well as the motives of their advocates. those hope, that a tone would have been given to public who are interested have a right to speak, by peti-feeling different from what is expressed in the spition or remonstrance to their representatives, in rit of these petitions.

other motive.

plain, strong, and even bold language. This right When a committee, on their responsibility to the is, and ought to be, sacred in a republic, even with-house, recommends-when the house, on its reout the guarantee of the constitution. Opposition, of sponsibility to the nation, adopts, a system which is the most decided nature, must not only be expect- believed to be called for by the public exigencies, ed, but should be wished, by the friends of such it is hoped that it is not expecting too much from measures, as the only mode by which their proprie those who complain, that they will view them as ty and expediency could be in the first instance as- the acts, not of an individual, but of a public bodycertained, and by which congress would avoid the of high trust, whose motives ought not to be ques.. adoption of crude and ill-advised ones. As to the tioned, at least not without even the color of truth; policy of the bills referred to, the committee for whose conduct, motives, public and recorded acts, bear as well the expression of any opinion, as an exa- should not be misrepresented; that it may be held mination of the reasons urged against their adoption. responsible for its own conduct only, not for what Should it be deemed their duty to offer them, or any exists not but in the minds of those who create, then of them to the house, the occasion will be fairly so feelingly deprecate, their imaginary grievances; presented to test the soundness of the objections, and that those who avail themselves of the right of urged in the petitions with much zeal and no little petition should use no language which is not refeeling. But we cannot withhold the expression spectful, and make no imputations which are not of our opinion, that it derogates from the respect true. If, with the means which this house has adoptdue to this house; that, by abusing, it may impaired to diffuse information on all interesting subjects,

the measures which it proposes will not be examin- I state laws are also supposed to be deficient. Nor ed or understood by those whom they affect, or, if is there any adequate civil remedy for the bank understood, are misrepresented, the committee can against its faithless agents, who may, the hour be recognize no right which they can thus have to pub-fore their dismissal from office, while the investigalicity, and, on its own records, arraign this house tions necessary to their removal indicate to them for what they are pleased to call schemes, projects, that result, take the property of the bank from its and state machinery; to charge a committee with vaults, and withhold it, spend it, and, if they please, being the enemies of foreign commerce, and the give it in payment to their other creditors, in exdesign to assail in the most vital manner, and even-clusion of the bank from which it has been thus purtually to destroy, by proposing and urging the abo- loined.

lition of drawbacks-a charge not only not support- "3d. Under the charter, it has been doubted ed, but contradicted by the bills, the progress of whether the bank has power to authorise the issu which, one of the petitions says, has been witnessing of notes not signed by the president and couned with much concern.

vowed.

tersigned by the cashier. The labor and the time It is our duty to listen to the voice of the people; necessary to sign notes for the bank and all its to not only adopt such measures as may promote branches, are much greater than either of those their welfare, but to abstain from such as impair it; officers can bestow upon that object, and hence the but they owe a duty to us, not to impute what was bank has been unable to put in circulation a suffinot proposed-not to charge us with what was not cient amount of notes of the smaller denominations, attempted, but most solemnly disclaimed and disa-which the public most want, and which are best calculated to serve the interest of the bank. If So far as the petitions referred to the committee authority were given to the board, from time to relate to matters which have been, or may be, retime, to appoint one or more persons to sign notes ported on by them, they will deem it a duty to be of the smaller denominations, at the parent bank, stow on them their most respectful and serious at-under the superintendance and direction of the tion; but, so far as these petitions impute to this board and its principal officers, there would be no house, or its committee, a scheme, which was public risk, and it would afford all the aid which developed and nearly matured at the last session your petitioners desire on the point. of congress, a part of which was designed to repeal the law of debenture, abolish drawbacks, and destroy the foreign commerce of the country, the committee owe it to themselves and the house to express their strong disapprobation of conduct which, they hope, has been hitherto without a pre-payments to the United States, unless otherwise

cedent.

They, therefore, recommend the adoption of the following resolution:

Resolved, That the committee of manufactures be discharged from the further consideration of so much of the petitions referred to them, as relates to the abolition of drawbacks.

CONGRESS.

IN SENATE.

December 1. Mr. Elijah H. Mills, a senator from Massachusetts, in the place of Mr. Mellen, resigned, appeared and took his seat.

"4th. Under the 14th section of the act incorporating the bank, the bills or notes of the bank originally made payable, or which shall have become payable on demand, are made receivable in all

directed by act of congress. Under this regulation, the power of the bank to make its capital available, either for its own profit or the public good, is greatly abridged. The sphere of its circulation is limited. to those places where it is least wanted, and made to exclude those where it would be eminently useful, while the whole currency of vast sections of the country is thereby frequently greatly embarrassed."

The memorial was read and referred to the committee on finance.

Mr. Williams, of Tennessee, from the military committee, to whom had been referred the bill for the relief of the officers and volunteers, engaged in Mr. Roberts presented the memorial of the bank the Seminole war, and the bill for the relief of Roof the United States, which, after some introducto-bert Purdy, late a colonel in the army, reported ry matter, concludes by submitting the following the first with, and the latter without, amendment. Two or three private bills were read a second points, on which they ask relief and protection time and in part considered. from congress:

Mr. Barbour submitted the following resolution for consideration:

houses.

Mr. Ruggles offered the following resolution for consideration:

"1st. The charter provides that no director, ex, cept the president, shall be eligible for more than three years in four. This provision has, in prac. Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary tice, been found to deny to the bank the services of be instructed to enquire into the expediency of so those men who are best qualified to administer its modifying the law punishing piracy, as to authorise affairs with safety and profit to the institution. It the president of the United States to commute cais a provision not contained, your petitioners be-pital punishment for confinement in penitentiary lieve, in the charter of any respectable banking in stitution. It was not contained in the charter of the former bank of the United States, and it would seem that the provision of the charter which for- Resolved, That the committee on the public lands bids the re-election of more than three-fourths of be instructed to enquire into the expediency of makthe directors in office at the time of an annual elec-ing provision by law for remitting the interest that tion, (to which your petitioners have no objection), has become due from the purchasers of the public is calculated to effect all the ends of the embar-lands in consequence of the inability to make payrassing provision, from which your petitioners now ments agreeably to the terms of the law; and for giving a reasonable time to said purchasers to comcrave relief. plete the payment of the principal.

"2d. At present there is no authority under the laws of congress to punish any fraud, peculation, The motion offered on Wednesday by Mr. Ro or violation of trust, committed by any of the offi-berts, relative to expenditures on the public buildcers of the bank or its offices, and on this point the lings, was taken up and agreed to, and Messrs. Ro

"That nothing herein contained shall be construed as giving the assent of congress to so much of the constitution of the state of Missouri, making it the duty of the legislature of said state to pass a law to prevent free negroes and mulattoes from December 5. Mr. Barbour, from the committee coming to, and settling in, said state, under any to whom was referred the petition of Matthew pretext whatsoever," as may be repugnant to that Lyon, delivered a report, concluding with the fol-provision of the constitution of the United States lowing resolutions: which prescribes that "the citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states."

Resolved, That so much of the act entitled an act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States, approved the 14th July, 1798, as pretends to prescribe and punish libels, is uncon-it. stitutional.

Resolved, That the fines collected under that act ought to be restored to those from whom they were exacted; and that these resolutions be re- YEAS-Messrs. Brown, Chandler, Dana, Eaton; committed to the committee who brought them Edwards, Gaillard, Holmes, of Maine, Holmes, of in, with instructions to report a bill to that effect. Missisippi, Horsey, Hunter, Johnson, of Louisiana The report was read and ordered to be printed. | King, of Alabama, Lloyd, Parrott, Pinkney, Taylor,

Thomas, Trimble, Van Dyke, Walker, of Alabama, | corn in summer, improve navigation in winter, and Williams, of Mississippi.-21. result in saving to government, in four years, the NAYS-Messrs. Barbour, Burrill, Dickerson, El-sum of $42,485 84. The estimated cost for trans liot, Johnson, of Kentucky, King, of New-York, portation of this favorite project, as reported to Lanman, Lowrie, Macon, Mills, Morril, Noble, Otis, congress at the last session, was 162,994 dollars. Palmer, Pleasants, Roberts, Ruggles, Sanford, The sum claimed by col. Johnson, and, he was told, Smith, Talbot, Tichenor, Walker, of Georgia, Wil-actually paid, is $256,818 15. To ascertain with liams, of Tennessee, Wilson.-24. certainty the amount actually paid for transporta

The question then occurred on the resolution it-tion and detention of boats on the Missouri expeself--and, after some debate upon it, it was postpon-dition, and the reasons why it was paid, he offered ed for further consideration until to-morrow; and the following resolution: the senate proceeded to executive business and adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday, Dec. 1. On motion of Mr. Edwards, of Conn. it was

differences existed, how were they adjusted; if by reference, who were the referees, what was their award, and what evidence was submitted to them, on which they formed their award.

Resolved, That the secretary of war be directed to communicate to this house what sums of money have been actually paid to colonel James Johnson, on account of transportation furnished the expedition ordered up the Missouri river; and also what sums have been paid him for detention of steamResolved, That the committee on the judiciary be boats or other incidental charges; whether any directed to enquire into the expediency of autho. difference of opinion existed between the departrising the marshal of the district of Connecticut to ment of war and said col. James Johnson, relative make use of Newgate prison, in the state of Con- to the value of transportation or other charges exnecticut, for the purpose of confining and safe.hibited by him against the United States; if any keeping any prisoner or prisoners who have been, or hereafter may be, sentenced to imprisonment and labor in any court of the United States, within the district of Connecticut, for the violation of any act or acts of the congress of the United States. Mr. Trimble had understood that the accounts of Missouri expedition. col. Johnson had been referred, and that the arbiMr. Cocke, of Tennessee, rose to present a pro-trators, gentlemen of the first standing, had settled position to the house. When looking into the ex-the amount which was paid to him: that he had ever penditures of last year, he said he found the account believed col. J. was an honest man. Mr. Cocke of col. James Johnson, for transportation furnished disclaimed the idea of impeaching the honesty of the expedition ordered up the Missouri river. The any one. On looking at the contract he did not find gross amount of it, said Mr. C. is $256,818 15. Se-any provision was made for the detention of the veral items in this account require at least explana-steam boats-he had understood that the colonel tion. I find the sum of $333 37 per day, for forty was also a contractor for the supply of provisions, days, charged for the detention of steam boat ex- and he should like to know whether the boats were pedition, amounting in the whole to $13,333 33 1-3. detained in consequence of his neglect to supply In addition to this, $200 per day, for thirty six them. He wished information on the subject gedays, is claimed for the detention of steam boat nerally. Mr. Lowndes remarked that no one could Johnson, amounting to the sum of $7,200. The sum object to the object of the resolution; but he thought charged for detention alone of those two boats, for it improper to accompany the call for information less than one month and a half, is $20,333 23 1-3. with animadversions on the conduct of those whose He called the attention of the house, also to some conduct could only be properly appreciated when other items in this account. It appeared, he said, the information was laid before them. On motion that three hundred officers and soldiers procured of Mr. Rich, with the consent of Mr. Cocke, the a passage on board col. Johnson's boats, from Belle resolution was amended, so as to require an account Fontaine to Council Bluffs, about four hundred also of the causes of the detention of the steam miles, at 50 dollars each, making the sum of 15,000 boats. Mr. Thimble rose to say that ire did not obdollars for passage alone. The sum demanded by ject to the call for information-it was not his habit col. Johnson for detention of boats and passage of to do so; on the contrary, he thought that colonel three hundred men employed on this expedition, Johnson would himself desire it, if his wishes were is $35,533 33 1-3. By what means the residue of consulted. Mr. T. thought it quite likely that col. the Missouri detachment found their way to Coun-J. may have thought that he, and not the governcil Bluffs, said Mr. C. I am at a loss to determine,ment, had a right to complain of the manner in but no doubt on terms equally advantageous to the which the accounts had been liquidated. Mr. Cockę public. Knox, Haldiman, & Co. contracted and fur-rejoined to say he was sorry that any gentleman nished transportation to the Council Bluffs for the should suppose he wished to cast an imputation on sum of $5 50 per hundred pounds. Col. Johnson any man-he merely wished to ascertain the facts. charges, for transportation to the same place, After which, the resolution was agreed to without $16 25 per hundred pounds, almost three times a dissenting voice. the amount paid Knox, Haldiman, & Co. for similar services. I am informed those charges have been allowed, and the account liquidated and paid. Inesday next, move for the consideration of the retrust the information is erroneous. Permit me to ask, was not col. Johnson, contractor, to furnish supplies, as well as transportation? Why then the dglay? Why pay a large amount for detention? This, Mr. C. said, is the expedition the president himself takes very great interest in the success of, and is willing to take great responsibility to insure it. This is the expedition that was to protect the frontier and fur trade, acquire for the United States lasting influence over the savages of Missouri, raise

Mr. Lowndes gave notice that he should, on Wed

solution declaring the admission of the state of Missouri into the union.

After considerable debate, the bill to incorporate the managers of the Vaccine Institution was passed and sent to the senate; also the bill for the Williams of N. C. and supported by Messrs. Storrs relief of Elias Parke, which was opposed by Mr.

and Rich.

Mr. Smith, of N. G, gave notice that he should, on Monday, move the consideration of the resolu

tion introduced by him to amend the constitution of into the cost of the project, and Mr. Rhea suggestthe United States.

ed that the best way to get at the object was to reAnd the house adjourned to Monday. quest the executive to send a minister to Turkey. Monday, Dec. 4. Mr. Smith, of Maryland, from After which Mr. Fuller's motion was agreed to.] the committee of ways and means, reported a bill On motion of Mr. Ross, of Ohio, the house profor enrolling, and licensing, and granting allowanceeded to the consideration of a resolution submitces to ships or vessels to be employed in the macke.ted by his colleague Mr. Brush, at the last session rel fishery, and for the government of the persons of congress, for enquiring into the expediency of concerned therein; which was twice read and com-making a survey of the northern boundary of the mitted. state of Ohio.

Mr. McLean, of Kentucky, from the select committee, to whom was referred the petition of Matthew Lyon, made a report thereon, accompanied by a bill for his relief

On this resolution there was some debate. Mr. Ross stated the existing difficulties which make a survey necessary. The officers of the state, and those of the United States in the territory of Michi[The bill directs that there be paid to Matthew gan, both claimed jurisdiction over a considerable Lyon, out of the treasury of the United States, one strip of land; the consequence of which was, that thousand and sixty dollars, being the amount of a the authority of each was put at defiance there, &c. fine and costs recovered against him in the circuit Mr. Sibley opposed the resolution, because he wishcourt of the United States, (under the old seditioned the house to act on a report on this subject law), with interest thereon from the 9th day of February, 1799, until paid.]

made by the committee on public lands. Messrs. Beecher and Brush supported the resolution, but the question to agree to it was decided in the negative.

disclose, which may have existed between the executive of the United States and the governments of any of the maritime powers of Europe, in relation to the African slave trade.

The bill was twice read and committed. On motion of Mr. Darlington, it was Resolved, That the secretary of the treasury be Mr. Mercer submitted the following: directed to report to this house the amount of fines Resolved, that the president of the United States certified to the comptroller of that department, be requested to lay before this house any corresto have been imposed upon the militia of Penn-pondence that he does not deem inexpedient to sylvania, for neglect of duty during the late war with Great Britain; the amount of said fines which has been levied and collected by the marshals of the respective districts in that state, or their deputies; and the amount thereof which has been actually paid into the treasury of the United States; also, what proceedings, if any, have been instituted for the recovery of the moneys thus collected with in said districts, and not yet received at the treasury.

Agreed to, and a committee appointed accordingly.

Mr. Eustis, of Massachusetts, after some introductory remarks, in the course of which he contrasted the old system of the pension establishment with that which had more recently prevailed, adMr. Strong, of New-York, submitted for consider.vantageously to the former, proposed the followation the following resolution:

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to ascertain and report to this house the amount of in dividual claims upon the United States, in favor of American citizens, growing out of the last war with Great Britain, the Creek war, and the Seminole war; designating the classes of the claims, and the names of the claimants; together with the sum or sums, which, in their opinion, shall be equitably and fairly due to each, so far as the same may be practicable: and also upon theexpediency of providing for the same, by issuing scrip, receivable in payments for the public lands, or in such other manner as the committee may deem more advisable.

After some remarks from several members, it was determined to lay the resolution on the table, by a small majority.

On motion of Mr. Forrest, the house proceeded to consider his motion for requiring information from the war department, respecting certain loans of gun powder, &c.—and the same having been modified, by striking out the preamble, was agreed

to.

Mr. Fuller, of Mass. offered for consideration the following resolution:

ing resolve:

Resolved, That the committee on pensions and revolutionary claims be instructed to report a bill, providing that, from and after the 4th day of March next ensuing, no officer, soldier, seaman, marine, or other person whatsoever, shall be placed on the pension list of the United States, except by virtue of a law in which the name of the pensioner shall be inserted, together with the amount of pension to which he shall be entitled.

The resolution being read

Mr. Lowndes rose, not to object to the principle of the resolution, thinking it probable that the long experience of the mover would enable him to sug gest valuable improvements on the present system, but to suggest, as the resolution was affirmative, and not proposing enquiry merely, that, with a view to deliberation, it should lie on the table one day.

Mr. Eustis assenting to this course, the resolu tion was, after a few words from Mr. Rhea, indicative of hostility to it, ordered to lie on the table.

The speaker then laid before the house a letter from the secretary of the treasury, transmitting his annual report on the state of the treasury; and, on motion of Mr. Storrs, three thousand copies there. of were ordered to be printed for the use of the house.

And the house adjourned.
Tuesday, Dec. 5.
and took his seat.

Resolved, That the committee on commerce be instructed to enquire into the expediency of providing by law, such means as may be necessary to obtain for the citizens of the United States the navigation of the Euxine sea, and a participation of the commerce of its ports and dependencies. [Mr. Fuller spoke of the advantages and import-relief of Nicholas ance of this trade, as to our commerce with Rus. sia, suggesting that leave to pass the Dardanalles might be obtained of the Turks, if properly asked for. Mr. Stevens, of Con. thought it right to enquire

a

Mr. Silsbee, of Mass appeared The bill from the senate for the Jarrott being reported with sundry amendments, was agreed to and ordered to third reading. [Passed next day.] On motion of Mr. Storrs, it was

Resolved, That the secretary of the treasury de