Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)

by United States. Congress

Thursday, January 30.

The bill sent from the Senate, entitled “An act to empower George Rapp and his associates, of the Society of Harmony, to purchase certain lands,” was read twice and committed to a Committee of the Whole on Monday next.

Mr. Stanford, from the committee appointed on the twenty-third instant, presented a bill for altering the time for holding the circuit court in the district of North Carolina; which was read twice and committed to a Committee of the Whole to-morrow.

A memorial of the inhabitants of the town of Salem, in the State of Massachusetts, signed by a committee, in behalf of the said inhabitants, was presented to the House and read, setting forth that they have beheld, with the deepest regret and anxiety, the aggressions committed on the commerce of the United States, and the consequent violation of neutral rights, under the new assumed principles and adjudications of the maritime courts of Great Britain; that they view with equal abhorrence the impressment of our seamen, the violation of our jurisdiction by captures at the mouths of our harbors, and the insulting treatment of our ships on the ocean, by the same nation, not less hostile than the conduct of other nations, by piratical depredations, and the lawless plunderings of privateers on our coasts; that, while they ask for no measure but what justice approves and reason enforces—claiming merely to pursue a fair commerce, with its ordinary privileges—wishing for peace, for honorable peace, and to support the independence of their country by the acquisitions of lawful industry, they pledge their lives and properties in support of the measures which may be adopted to vindicate the public rights and redress the public wrongs. Referred to the consideration of a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union.

The Speaker laid before the House the following letter from the Secretary of the Navy addressed to the House:

Sir: In obedience to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 27th instant, directing the Secretary of the Navy “to lay before the House a report on the condition of the frigates, and other public armed vessels, belonging to the United States, distinguishing the frigates fit for actual service; distinguishing such as require repair, and the sum necessary for repairing each; and distinguishing also such as it may be the interest of the United States to dispose of rather than repair,” I have the honor to state—

That the frigate Constitution is now in a state of thorough repair, and in all respects prepared for service.

That the frigate Chesapeake has lately been repaired and is fit for service.

That the frigates Adams, Essex, and John Adams, are also fit for service.

That the brigs Syren, Hornet, Argus, and Vixen, the schooners Nautilus and Enterprise, the bombs Spitfire and Vengeance, and all the gunboats are fit for service.

That the frigates President, United States, Congress, Constellation, New York, and Boston, required to be repaired; but it is utterly impossible to form an accurate estimate of the “sum necessary for repairing each.”

I know of no vessel belonging to the navy, which I consider it would be “the interest of the United States to dispose of, rather than repair.”

On the motion of Mr. J. Randolph, the first and third sections of the bill to repeal so much of an act as authorizes the evidences of the public debt to be received in payment for public lands, and for other purposes, was referred to a Committee of the whole House.

The discussion which ensued on the details of this bill occupied nearly the whole of the residue of the day.

The committee having reported the bill, with sundry amendments, it was ordered to a third reading to-morrow.

Neutral Rights.

Mr. J. Randolph said it would be recollected that, very early in the session, so much of the Message of the President of the United States as relates to the invasion of neutral rights by belligerent powers, had been referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. It would also be recollected that another Message on the same subject, or on one connected with it, had been referred to the same Committee of Ways and Means. I understand, said Mr. R. (for my indisposition has not permitted me for some days past to attend to the duties of my seat) that a motion has prevailed to discharge the Committee of Ways and Means from the consideration of that subject. Inasmuch as this discharge may have been effected under an impression that the committee, have been delinquent in executing the duty devolved upon them, I feel it my duty before I surrender the papers connected with this subject, to give some account of the proceedings of the committee. On the eleventh of December the committee instructed their Chairman to write a letter to the Secretary of State, which I will read. Mr. R. here read the letter as follows:

Committee Room, Dec. 11, 1806.

Sir: The Committee of Ways and Means have instructed me to request you will cause to be laid before them such information, on the subject of the enclosed resolution, as the Department of State can furnish.

The peculiar objects of our research are—

1. What new principles, or constructions, of the law of nations have been adopted by the belligerent powers of Europe, to the prejudice of neutral rights?

2. The Government asserting those principles and constructions?

3. The extent to which the commerce of the United States has been thereby injured?

I am, with very great respect, sir, yours,

JOHN RANDOLPH.

The Secretary of State.

On Saturday night the 25th instant, the Committee of Ways and Means received an answer to this letter, which I will deliver to the Clerk, in order that it may go to the new committee, to which this business has been referred. It is unnecessary for me to add any thing more. The House must be sensible that while the Committee of Ways and Means were in the dark they could not proceed in the discharge of the duties assigned them, and that after receiving information from the Secretary of State so late in the day, it was impossible for them to have made a report by this day; and if I am not mistaken, the motion to discharge the Committee of Ways and Means was made before the answer of the Secretary of State was received.

The Clerk accordingly read the letter of the Secretary of State, as follows:

Department of State, Jan. 25, 1806.

The Secretary of State presents his respects to Mr. Randolph, and has the honor to transmit him a copy of a report this day made to the President of the United States, respecting interpolations by foreign powers, of new and injurious principles in the law of nations. This report, which the communications made by the President to Congress, particularly that of the 17th instant, will, it is hoped, afford the information requested, for the Committee of Ways and Means, by Mr. Randolph’s letter of the 11th ultimo.

When, on motion of Mr. J. Randolph, the papers laid by him on the table were referred to a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union.