Thursday, June 22.
Expatriation.
Mr. W. Smith called up the resolution which he yesterday laid upon the table, for appointing a committee to bring in a bill for prohibiting citizens of the United States entering on board foreign ships of war, without the expatriating clauses.
This resolution was opposed by Messrs. Baldwin, Giles, and Venable, and supported by the mover and Mr. Harper. It was negatived—49 to 46.
Depredations on Commerce.
A message was received from the President of the United States, of which the following is a copy, with the titles of the documents accompanying it:
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
Immediately after I had received your resolution of the 10th of June, requesting a report respecting the depredations committed on the commerce of the United States, since the first of October, 1796, specifying the names of the vessels taken, where bound to or from, species of lading, the value, when it can be ascertained, of the vessel and cargo taken, and by what power captured, particularizing those which have been actually condemned, together with the proper documents to ascertain the same, I directed a collection to be made of all such information as should be found in the possession of the Government. In consequence of which, the Secretary of State has made the report and the collection of documents, which accompany this Message, and are now laid before the House of Representatives, in compliance with their desire.
JOHN ADAMS.
United States, June 22, 1797.
Report of the Secretary of State to the President of the United States, respecting the depredations committed on the commerce of the United States:
1. Abstract of two cases of capture made by the British cruisers of vessels belonging to citizens of the United States since the first of October, 1796, and wherein documents have been received at the Department of State; also a copy of a memorandum filed by S. Smith, Esq., relating to captures made by the British of vessels in the property of which he was concerned. No documents accompany the two cases of capture above mentioned, they having been sent to London, in order that compensation might be obtained for the damages suffered.
2. A correct copy of the decree of the Executive Directory of March 2, 1797.
3. Copies of documents remaining in the Department of State, relative to American vessels captured or condemned by the French, since the first of October, 1796.
4. Extracts from communications from the Consuls of the United States, relative to depredations committed on the commerce of the United States by the French.
5. Schedule of the names of American vessels captured by the French, and of the circumstances attending them, extracted from the Philadelphia Gazette, and Gazette of the United States, and commencing with July, 1796.
6. Extract of a letter from Rufus King, Esq., Minister, &c., enclosing the protest of William Martin, master of the Cincinnatus, of Baltimore, relative to the torture inflicted on the said Martin by a French cruiser.
Mr. Giles moved that the above papers should be referred to a select committee, to print such as would be useful to the House.
This question was negatived—50 to 46, and a motion carried for printing the whole.
Day of Adjournment.
Mr. Giles called up the motion which had some days ago been laid on the table respecting an adjournment.
Mr. Gallatin wished to modify his motion, by making the proposed day of adjournment the 27th instead of the 24th instant.
Mr. Sitgreaves moved for the yeas and nays on the question.
Mr. Macon moved to make the day the 28th, which was consented to by the mover.
Mr. Dent proposed to make it the 30th.
The question was taken on adjourning on the 30th, and negatived—there being only 28 votes in favor of it.
The question on the resolution for the 28th was carried—yeas 51, nays 47.