Tuesday, December 8.
Several other members, to wit: from Pennsylvania, Andrew Gregg; from Virginia, Samuel J. Cabell; from North Carolina, James Holland; and from South Carolina, William Butler; appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats in the House; the oath to support the Constitution of the United States being first administered to them by Mr. Speaker, according to law.
A petition of John McDonald, late of the city of Philadelphia, was presented to the House and read, praying that he may be employed to superintend the arrangement and safe-keeping of the books intended for the library of the two Houses of Congress; and that he may receive such compensation for his services, in that capacity, as to the wisdom of Congress shall seem meet.
Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the committee appointed yesterday, on the part of this House, jointly with the committee appointed by the Senate, to take into consideration a statement made by the Secretary of the Senate, respecting books and maps purchased pursuant to a late act of Congress, and to make report respecting the future arrangement of the same.
The following committees were appointed pursuant to the standing rules and orders of the House, viz:
Committee of Elections.—Mr. Milledge, Mr. Tenney, Mr. Condit, Mr. Dennis, Mr. Hanna, Mr. Stanley, and Mr. John Taliaferro.
Committee of Revised and Unfinished Business.—Mr. Davenport, Mr. Clay, and Mr. Alston.
Committee of Claims.—John Cotton Smith, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Mattoon, Mr. John Smith, of New York, Mr. Plater, and Mr. Moore.
Committee of Commerce and Manufactures.—Mr. Samuel Smith, Mr. Eustis, Mr. Dana, Mr. Mitchill, Mr. Jones, Mr. Newton, and Mr. Lowndes.
Resolved, That a standing Committee of Ways and Means be appointed, whose duty it shall be to take into consideration all such reports of the Treasury Department, and all such propositions, relative to the revenue, as may be referred to them by the House; to inquire into the state of the public debt, of the revenue, and of the expenditures; and to report, from time to time, their opinion thereon.
Ordered, That Mr. Randolph, Mr. Griswold, Mr. Israel Smith, Mr. Bayard, Mr. Smilie, Mr. Read, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Van Rensselaer, and Mr. Dickson, be appointed a committee, pursuant to the said resolution.