Tuesday, February 28.
Algerine Captives: Ransom.
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the petitions of George Smith and John Robertson, who prayed for a repayment of the money which they had themselves paid for their ransom from Algerine slavery, reported that the ransom of George Smith cost $2,426, of which Colonel Humphreys had paid $1,526, and George Smith the remainder; that by the late return of our citizens from Algiers, the expense attending the redemption of each man was ascertained to be $2,396, independent of the expense of the general negotiation, and allowing for small inaccuracies on account of some expenses which could not at present be ascertained. He recommends, therefore, that George Smith have paid him $873, which, with the sum paid by Colonel Humphreys, would make about $2,400. John Robinson paid for his own ransom $1,518, the interest upon which came to $516; the Secretary therefore recommends that $2,034 be paid to him.
On motion of Mr. Swanwick, this report was referred to a select committee, viz: Messrs. Swanwick, Blount, Coit, Sewall, and Parker.
General Appropriation Bill.
The amendments from the Senate to the bill making appropriations for the support of Government for the year 1797, were taken up and agreed to, as also those to the bill laying additional duties on sundry articles of impost. The amendments which were agreed to were to add to white cotton goods, "velvets and velverets, whether printed, stained, colored, or otherwise, and all muslins and muslinets, two and a half per cent." And also a new section, enacting that an addition of 10 per cent. should be laid upon these articles when imported in ships or vessels not of the United States. The duties are to take place after the 31st of December next.
Military and Naval Appropriations.
The House again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the Military and Naval Appropriations; when, the pay and subsistence of three captains in the Naval department being under consideration—
Mr. Swanwick thought it would be necessary to have a laborer or two employed to take care of the vessels and materials.
Mr. W. Smith said, the estimate for the captains was $4,200; if the sum was made $5,000, there would be sufficient for the payment of any laborers which might be necessary. Agreed to.
The blank for the payment of Military Pensions was agreed to be filled with $96,350.
And for making good the deficiencies of the Military Establishment of 1796, $76,312.
Also, for the payment of the expedition of General Sevier into the Cherokee nation, $22,816.
The committee now rose, and had leave to sit again.
Executive Veto on the Army Bill.
The following Message, in writing, was received from the President of the United States, containing his objections to the bill for fixing the Military Establishment:
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
Having maturely considered the bill to alter and amend an act, entitled "An act to ascertain and fix the Military Establishment of the United States," which was presented to me on the twenty-second day of this month, I now return it to the House of Representatives, in which it originated, with my objections.
First. If the bill passes into a law, the two companies of light dragoons will be, from that moment, legally out of service, though they will continue afterwards actually in the service; and for their services during this interval, namely, from the time of legal to the time of actual discharge, it will not be lawful to pay them, unless some future provision be made by law. Though they may be discharged at the pleasure of Congress, in justice they ought to receive their pay, not only to the time of passing the law, but at least to the time of their actual discharge.
Secondly. It will be inconvenient and injurious to the public to dismiss the light dragoons as soon as notice of the law can be conveyed to them, one of the companies having been lately destined to a necessary and important service.
Thirdly. The companies of light dragoons consist of one hundred and twenty-six non-commissioned officers and privates, who are bound to serve as dismounted dragoons when ordered so to do. They have received, in bounties, about two thousand dollars; one of them is completely equipped, and above half of the non-commissioned officers and privates have yet to serve more than one-third of the time of their enlistment; and, besides, there will, in the course of the year, be a considerable deficiency in the complement of infantry intended to be continued. Under these circumstances, to discharge the dragoons does not seem to comport with economy.
Fourthly. It is generally agreed that some cavalry, either militia or regular, will be necessary; and, according to the best information I have been able to obtain, it is my opinion that the latter will be less expensive and more useful than the former in preserving peace between the frontier settlers and the Indians, and, therefore, a part of the Military Establishment should consist of cavalry.
G. WASHINGTON.
United States, February 28, 1797.
On motion,
"Resolved, That to-morrow be assigned for the reconsideration of the said bill, in the mode prescribed by the Constitution of the United States."
The question to concur was put and carried—40 to 37.