Importation of Slaves. [APRIL, 1806. Mr. WRIGHT communicated a resolution of the Legislature of the State of Maryland instructing their Senators and Representatives in Con mine by land." And even after the peace was made, in his letter to Mr. Eaton, of 20th June, he acknowledges, as clearly as language can express it, that the failure of co-operation was not on our part, but his own; that his means had not been found to answer our reasonable expec-gress to use their utmost exertions to obtain an tations; and that he was "satisfied with all our nation has done concerning him." If Hamet, after the capture of Derne, was totally unable to command any resources, or bear any part in co-operation with us, how can it be said that he would, without the hazard of a repulse, have marched to the throne of Tripoli, had he been supported by the co-operation of our squadron? But, further, I ask what were the means, what were the resources, of this sovereign prince, from the hour when Mr. Eaton received his orders to withdraw from him? The event, sir, is worth a thousand arguments. He could not support himself a day. He was compelled to take instantaneous refuge on board our vessels, and was saved from destruction only by being brought away. Does this look like marching to the throne of Tripoli ? I am aware, sir, that the report has very explicitly declared that no blame ought to attach to Commodore Barron; but it has also declared that a wasting sickness, and consequent mental as well as bodily debility, had rendered him totally unable to command the squadron; that to this cause alone may be attributed the final failure of the plan of co-operation; that Mr. Lear appears to have gained a complete ascendency over him, thus debilitated by sickness; or rather that Lear, having assumed the command, in the name of the Commodore, paralyzed every military operation by sea and land; and they go so far as to impute to Mr. Lear all the letters of Commodore Barron, subsequent to that of 21st of March, 1805. If the gentleman from Maryland considers all this, sir, as perfectly respectful to the Commodore, I can only say that it appears in a different light to me, nor do I imagine it will bear that complexion to the person immediately interested in it. But the chairman of the committee has gone yet further. He has told you, in so many words, that the Commodore was reduced to a state of perfect childhood; has represented him as equalÎy incapable of thought and of action; in a mere state of dotage. And all this upon what evidence? Why, because, in one of his letters, Commodore Barron says he is unable to write with his own hand; and because, from the 19th to the 22d of May, there appear among the documents, five letters, long letters, says the gentleman, and yet the Commodore's secretary had an inflammation in his eyes. MONDAY, April 7. The bill, entitled "An act further to alter and establish certain post roads, and for other purposes," was read the second time, and referred to Messrs. ANDERSON, WHITE, and STONE, to consider and report thereon. amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prevent the further importation of slaves; whereupon, Mr. WRIGHT submitted the following resolutions for the consideration of the Senate: Resolved, &c. That the following article be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures, shall be valid as a part of the said constitution, to wit: slaves into the United States, or any territory thereResolved, That the migration or importation of of, be prohibited after the first day of January 1808. THURSDAY, April 10. Non-Importation Act. The Senate took into consideration, in Committee of the Whole, (Mr. ANDERSON having been requested by the PRESIDENT to take the Chair,) the amendments reported by the select committee to the bill, entitled "An act to prohibit the importation of certain goods, wares, and merchandise." And, after debate, the PRESIDENT resumed the Chair, and Mr. ANDERSON, from the Committee of the Whole, reported that they had disagreed to the amendments of the select committee, but had agreed to an amendment to the bill; which was read, and the bill was amended accordingly; and, on the question, Shall the bill pass to the third reading, as amended? it passed in the affirmative-yeas 19, nays 9, as follows: YEAS.-Messrs. Adams, Anderson, Baldwin, Condit, Gaillard, Gilman, Howland, Kitchel, Maclay, Mitchill, Moore, Smith of Maryland, Smith of New York, Smith of Ohio, Smith of Tennessee, Smith of Vermont, Thruston, Turner, and Wright. NAYS.-Messrs. Adair, Bradley, Hillhouse, Pickering, Plumer, Stone, Sumter, Tracy, and White. FRIDAY, April 11. Potomac Bridge. The bill, entitled "An act authorizing the erection of a bridge over the river Potomac, within the District of Columbia," was read the third time; and, on motion to postpone the further consideration thereof until the first Monday in December next, it passed in the affirmativeyeas 19, nays 10, as follows: YEAS.-Messrs. Adair, Adams, Anderson, Baldwin, Gilman, Hillhouse, Howland, Kitchel, Maclay, Mitchill, Pickering, Smith of Maryland, Smith of New York, Stone, Sumter, Thruston, Tracy, Worthington, and Wright. NAYS.-Messrs.) Bradley, Condit, Gaillard, Moore, Plumer, Smith of Ohio, Smith of Tennessee, Smith of Vermont, Turner, and White. So the bill was postponed. APRIL, 1806.] SATURDAY, April 12. Proceedings. Exclusion of Army and Naval officers from civil appointments. The bill, entitled "An act to prohibit the officers of the Army and Navy from holding or exercising any civil office," was read the second time; and on motion to postpone this bill to the first Monday in December next, it passed in the affirmative-yeas 17, nays 10, as follows: YEAS.-Messrs. Adair, Adams, Baldwin, Condit, Gilman, Howland, Kitchel, Logan, Mitchill, Plumer, Smith of Maryland, Smith of New York, Smith of Tennessee, Smith of Vermont, Tracy, White, and Wright. NAYS.-Messrs. Anderson, Gaillard, Hillhouse, Maclay, Moore, Pickering, Stone, Sumter, Turner, and Worthington. So the bill was postponed. MONDAY, April 14. Tunisian Demand and Threat. The following Message was received from the [SENATE. A motion was made to postpone the bill for the purpose of considering the following resolution: ble course of conduct on the part of Great Britain, in Resolved, That, in consequence of a more favorarespect to the disturbance of the trade of the United States; and entertaining a hope that the British Ministry, lately established, will be disposed to a reasonable arrangement of all affairs of difference between the two nations, the Senate do hereby postpone the further consideration of the bill, entitled "An act to prohibit the importation of certain goods, wares, and merchandise," to the first Monday in November next. And, on the question to agree to this motion, it passed in the negative-yeas 9, nays 19, as follows: YEAS. Messrs. Adair, Adams, Hillhouse, Logan, Pickering, Plumer, Sumter, Tracy, and White. NAYS.-Messrs. Anderson, Baldwin, Condit, Gaillard, Gilman, Howland, Kitchel, Maclay, Mitchill, Moore, Smith of Maryland, Smith of New York, Smith of Ohio, Smith of Tennessee, Smith of Vermont, Stone, Thruston, Worthington, and Wright. And on the question, Shall this bill pass? it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 19, nays 9, as follows: FRIDAY, April 18. Representatives of the United States: During the blockade of Tripoli by the squadron of YEAS.-Messrs. Adams, Anderson, Baldwin, Conthe United States, a small cruiser, under the flag of dit, Gaillard, Gilman, Howland, Kitchel, Maclay, Tunis, with two prizes (all of trifling value) attempted Mitchill, Moore, Smith of Maryland, Smith of New to enter Tripoli, was turned back, warned, and at-York, Smith of Ohio, Smith of Tennessee, Smith of tempting again to enter, was taken and detained as Vermont, Thruston, Worthington, and Wright. prize by the squadron. Her restitution was claimed NAYS.-Messrs. Adair, Hillhouse, Logan, Pickerby the Bey of Tunis, with a threat of war, in terms ing, Plumer, Stone, Sumter, Tracy, and White. so serious that, on withdrawing from the blockade of Tripoli, the commanding officer of the squadron So it was Resolved, That this bill pass. thought it his duty to repair to Tunis with his squadron, and to require a categorical declaration, whether peace or war was intended. The Bey preferred explaining himself by an Ambassador to the United States, who, on his arrival, renewed the request that the vessel and her prizes should be restored. It was deemed proper to give this proof of friendship to the Bey, and the Ambassador was informed the vessels would be restored. Afterwards he made a requisition of naval stores to be sent to the Bey, in order to secure a peace for the term of three years, with a threat of war, if refused. It has been refused, and the Ambassador is about to depart without receding from his threat or demand. Demand and Threat of Tunis. In compliance with the request of the Senate, of SATURDAY, April 19. The bill for the relief of Hamet Caramalli was read the third time. Resolved, That this bill pass, that it be engrossed, and that the title thereof be, "An On motion, it was Resolved, That Messrs. WHITE and ADAMS be & committee on the part of the Senate, with such as the House of Representatives may join, to wait on the President of the United States and notify him that, unless he may have any further communications to make to the two Houses of Congress, they are ready to adjourn. Expunging the Journal. On motion, that every thing in the Journal relative to the memorials of S. G. Ogden and William Smith be expunged therefrom, it passed in the affirmative yeas 13, nays 8, as fol lows: YEAS.-Messrs. Adair, Condit, Gilman, Kitchel, Logan, Mitchill, Smith of Maryland, Smith of New York, Stone, Thruston, Turner, Worthington, and Wright. NAYS.-Messrs. Adams, Baldwin, Hillhouse, Pickering, Plumer, Smith of Ohio, Tracy, and White.* This expunging was so complete that no vestige of the expunged matter appears in the Journal; but it is otherwise well known what it was. The two named persons had presented memorials, which had been received and read, stating that they were under a criminal prosecution, now depending in the Circuit Court of the United States for the district of New York, for an alleged offence against the laws of the United States, in which, if guilty, they have been led into error by the conduct of officers of the Executive Gov [APRIL, 1806. Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives that the Senate, having finished the business before them, are about to adjourn. Whereupon, the Senate adjourned without day. ernment, who now intend to bring upon the memorialists tunes, and liberty, in expiation of their own errors, or to deprecate the vengeance of foreign Governments, by offering the memorialists as victims to their resentment: that they have also experienced great oppression and injustice in the the penalties of the laws, to sacrifice their characters, for manner of conducting the said prosecution; and praying such relief therein as the wisdom of Congress may think proper to grant. The prosecution was for an alleged breach of the neutrality laws, in fitting out a vessel from New York against a Power with whom the United States were at peace, to wit, the King of Spain. The vessel was the Leander, and built for General Miranda, then engaged in his South American expedition. The implications of the Executive Government which the memorials charged, were voted, by the House of Representatives, to be unsupported and reprehensible, and ordered to be returned to the parties from whom they came. The following was the resolve, adopted nearly unanimously, on the motion of Mr. Early: Resolved, That the charges contained in the memorials of S. G. Ogden and William Smith are, in the opinion of this House, unsupported by any evidence which, in the least degree, criminates the Executive Government of this country; that the said memorials appear to have been presented at a time and under circumstances insidiously calculated to excite unjust suspicions in the minds of the good people of this nation against the existing Administration of the General Government, and that it would be highly improper in this House to take any step which might influence or prejudice a cause now pending in a legal tribunal of the United States. Therefore, Resolved, That the said memorials be by the Clerk of this House returned to those from whom they came. MONDAY, December 2, 1805. This being the day appointed by the constitution for the annual meeting of Congress, the following members of the House of Representatives appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats, to wit: From New Hampshire-Silas Betton, Caleb Ellis, David Hough, Samuel Tenney, and Thomas W. Thompson. From Massachusetts-Joseph Barker, Barnabas Bidwell, Phanuel Bishop, John Chandler, Orchard Cook, Jacob Crowninshield, Richard Cutts, William Ely, Isaiah L Green, Jeremiah Nelson, Josiah Quincy, Ebenezer Seaver, Samuel Taggart, Joseph B. Varnum, and Peleg Wadsworth. From Rhode Island-Nehemiah Knight and Joseph Stanton. From Connecticut-Samuel W. Dana, John Davenport, jr., Jonathan O. Mosley, John Cotton Smith, Lewis B. Sturges, and Benjamin Tallmadge. LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. New Hampshire.-Silas Betton, Caleb Ellis, David Hough, Samuel Tenney, and Thomas W. Thompson. Massachusetts.-Joseph Barker, Barnabas Bidwell, Phanuel Bishop, John Chandler, Orchard Cook, Jacob Crowninshield, Richard Cutts, William Ely, Isaiah L. Green, Seth Hastings, Jeremiah Nelson, Josiah Quincy, Ebenezer Seaver, William Stedman, Samuel Taggart, Joseph B. Varnum, and Peleg Wadsworth. From Vermont-Martin Chittenden, James Elliot, James Fisk, and Gideon Olin. From New York-John Blake, jr., Silas Halsey, Josiah Masters, Gurdon S. Mumford, John Russell, Peter Sailly, Thomas Sammons, Martin G. Schuneman, David Thomas, Uri Tracy, Killian K. Van Rensselaer, and Nathan Williams. From New Jersey-Ezra Darby, Ebenezer Elmer, John Lambert, James Sloan, and Henry Southard. From Pennsylvania-Isaac Anderson, David Bard, Robert Brown, Joseph Clay, Frederick Conrad, William Findlay, Andrew Gregg, Michael Leib, John Pugh, John Rea, Jacob Richards, John Smilie, Samuel Smith, John Whitehill, and Robert Whitehill. From Maryland-John Campbell, Leonard Covington, Charles Goldsborough, Patrick Magruder, William McCreery, Nicholas R. Moore, and Joseph H. Nicholson. From Virginia-Burwell Bassett, John Claiborne, John Clopton, John Dawson, John W. Eppes, James M. Garnett, Peterson Goodwyn, David Holmes, John G. Jackson, Joseph Lewis, jun., John Morrow, Delaware.-James M. Broom, Maryland.-John Archer, John Campbell, Leonard Covington, Charles Goldsborough, Patrick Magruder, Roger Nelson, William McCreery, Nicholas R. Moore, and Joseph B. Nicholson. Virginia.-Burwell Basset, Matthew Clay, John Claiborne, John Clopton, Christopher Clark, John Dawson, John W. Eppes, James M. Garnett, Peterson Goodwyn, Edwin Gray, David Holmes, John G. Jackson, Walter Jones, Joseph Lewis, Jr., John Morrow, Thomas Newton, jr., John Randolph, Thomas Mann Randolph, John Smith, Philip R. Thompson, Abram Trigg, and Alexander Wilson. Kentucky.-Geo. Michael Bedinger, John Fowler, Thos. Rhode Island.-Nehemiah Knight, and Joseph Stanton. Connecticut.-Samuel W. Dana, John Davenport, jr., Jonathan O. Mosely, Timothy Pitkin, jr., John Cotton Smith, Lewis B. Sturges, and Benjamin Tallmadge. Vermont-Martin Chittenden, James Elliot, James Fisk, Sanford, John Boyle, Matthew Lyon, and Matthew Walton. and Gideon Olin. New York.-John Blake, jr., Philip Van Cortlandt, George Clinton, Silas Halsey, Josiah Masters, Henry W. Livingston, Gurdon S. Mumford, John Russell, Peter Sailly, Thomas Sammons, Martin G. Schuneman, David Thomas, Uri Tracy, Killian K. Van Rensseler, Nathan Williams, Eliphalet Wickes, and Daniel C. Verplanck. New Jersey-Ezra Darby, Ebenezer Elmer, John Lambert, James Sloan, Henry Southard, and William Helms. Pennsylvania.-Isaac Anderson, David Bard, Robt. Brown, Joseph Clay, Frederick Conrad, Wm. Findlay, Andrew Gregg, James Kelly, Michael Leib, John Pugh, John Hamilton, John Rea, Jacob Richards, John Smilie, Samuel Smith, John Whitehill, and Robert Whitehill. North Carolina.-Nathaniel Alexander, Willis Alston, jr., William Blackledge, Thomas Blount, Evans Alexander, James Holland, Thomas Keenan, Nathaniel Macon, Duncan MacFarland, Richard Stanford, Marmaduke Williams, Joseph Winston, and Thomas Wynns. Tennessee.-Wm. Dickson, John Rhea, G. W. Campbell. South Carolina.-Levi Casey, William Butler, Elias Earle, Thomas Moore, Robert Marion, David R. Williams, O'Brien Smith, and Richard Wynn. Georgia.-Peter Early, Joseph Bryan, Cowles Mead, and David Meriwether. Ohio.-Jeremiah Morrow. Mississippi Territory.-Delegate: William Lattimore. Indiana Territory.-Delegate: Benjamin Parke. H. OF R.] Proceedings. [DECEMBER, 1805. Thomas Newton, jr., John Randolph, Thomas M. | part, jointly with such committee as may be From Kentucky-George Michael Bedinger, and Thomas Sanford. From North Carolina-Willis Alston, jun., Thomas Blunt, James Holland, Thomas Keenan, Nathaniel Macon, Richard Stanford, Marmaduke Williams, Joseph Winston, and Thomas Wynns. From Tennessee-William Dickson, and John Rhea. Thomas Moore, and David R. Williams. From Ohio Jeremiah Morrow. Delegate from the Mississippi Territory-William Lattimore. And a quorum, consisting of a majority of the whole number, being present, the House proceeded, by ballot, to the choice of a Speaker; and, upon examining the ballots, a majority of the votes of the whole House was found in favor of NATHANIEL MACON, one of the Representatives for the State of North Carolina: whereupon Mr. MACON was conducted to the Chair, from whence he made his acknowledgments to the House as follows: "Gentlemen: Accept my sincere thanks for the honor you have conferred on me. Permit me to assure you, that my utmost endeavors will be exerted to discharge the duties of the Chair with fidelity, impartiality, and industry; and that I shall rely with confidence on the liberal and candid support of the House." The House proceeded in the same manner to the appointment of a Clerk; and, upon examining the ballots, a majority of the votes of the whole House was found in favor of JOHN BECK LEY. The oath to support the Constitution of the United States, as prescribed by the act, entitled "An act to regulate the time and manner of administering certain oaths," was administered by Mr. NICHOLSON, one of the Representatives for the State of Maryland, to the Speaker; and then the same oath of affirmation was administered by Mr. SPEAKER to all the members present. appointed on the part of this House, to wait on the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and inform him that a quorum of the two Houses is cation that he may be pleased to make to them, assembled, and ready to receive any communi CAMPBELL of Maryland, and Mr. CROWNINResolved, That Mr. JOHN RANDOLPH, Mr. SHIELD, be appointed a committee on the part of this House, jointly, with the cominittee on the part of the Senate, to wait on the President of the United States, and inform him that a quorum of the two Houses is assembled, and ready to receive any communication that he may be pleased to make to them. The House then proceeded, by ballot, to the appointment of a Sergeant-at-Arms to this House; and, upon examining the ballots, a majority of the votes of the whole House was found in favor of JOSEPH WHEATON. Resolved, That THOMAS CLAXTON be appointed Doorkeeper, and THOMAS DUNN Assistant Doorkeeper of this House. Resolved, That the Rules and Orders established by the late House of Representatives, shall be deemed and taken to be the Rules and Orders of proceeding to be observed in this House, until a revision or alteration of the same shall take place. Mr. JOHN RANDOLPH, from the joint committee appointed to wait on the President of the United States, and notify him that a quorum of the two Houses is assembled, reported that the committee had performed that service; and that the President signified to them that he would make a communication to this House to-morrow, at twelve o'clock, by way of message. TUESDAY, December 3. Several other members, to wit: Abram Trigg, from Virginia; GEORGE W. CAMPBELL, from Tennessee; and ROBERT MARION, from South Carolina, appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats in the House. President's Message. The same oath, together with the oath of office prescribed by the said recited act, were A Message was received from the PRESIDENT also administered by Mr. SPEAKER to the Clerk. OF THE UNITED STATES, which was read, and reOrdered, That a message be sent to the Sen-ferred to the consideration of a Committee of ate to inform them that a quorum of this House the Whole on the state of the Union. [For this is assembled, and have elected NATHANIEL MA- Message see Senate proceedings of this day's CON, one of the Representatives for North Caro-date, ante, page 346.] lina, their Speaker; and that the Clerk of this House do go with the said message. A message from the Senate informed the House that a quorum of the Senate is assembled and ready to proceed to business; and that, in the absence of the VICE PRESIDENT of the United States, the Senate have elected the Honorable SAMUEL SMITH their President pro tempore: the Senate have resolved that two Chaplains, of different denominations, be appointed to Congress, for the present session, one by each House, who shall interchange weekly. Te Senate having appointed a committee on their WEDNESDAY, December 4. Two other members, to wit: JOHN ARCHER, from Maryland, and WILLIAM BUTLER, from South Carolina, appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats in the House. THURSDAY, December 5. Another member, to wit: JAMES KELLY, from Pennsylvania, appeared, produced his credentials, and took his seat in the House. |