Nays.—Theodorus Bailey, Abraham Baldwin, David Bard, Thomas Blount, Richard Brent, Nathan Bryan, Samuel J. Cabell, Gabriel Christie, Thomas Claiborne, John Clopton, Isaac Coles, Henry Dearborn, William Findlay, Jesse Franklin, Nathaniel Freeman, jr., Albert Gallatin, James Gillespie, Christopher Greenup, Andrew Gregg, Wade Hampton, John Hathorn, Jonathan N. Havens, John Heath, James Holland, Andrew Jackson, George Jackson, Edward Livingston, Matthew Locke, William Lyman, Samuel Maclay, Nathaniel Macon, James Madison, John Milledge, Andrew Moore, Frederick A. Muhlenberg, Anthony New, John Nicholas, Alexander D. Orr, John Patten, Elisha R. Potter, John Read, John Richards, Robert Rutherford, John S. Sherburne, Thompson J. Skinner, Richard Sprigg, jr., Thomas Sprigg, William Strudwick, John Swanwick, Joseph B. Varnum, Abraham Venable, and Richard Winn.
The bill was again sent to the Senate, and was soon after returned with the amendment receded from.
General Lafayette.
Mr. Harper moved that a resolution, which he laid on the table yesterday, respecting Major General Lafayette, should be taken up for consideration. The motion was seconded by Mr. W. Smith. The resolution was in the following words:
"This House, strongly impressed with a just sense of the important and disinterested services rendered to their country during the late war by their fellow-citizen, Major General Lafayette, and deeply regretting the sufferings to which he is now subjected from a long and rigorous imprisonment, and which have equally excited their sympathy, and the ardent wish of their constituents for his deliverance, do resolve that the President of the United States be informed, that this House will see with the highest satisfaction, any measures which he may deem expedient to adopt towards effecting the restoration of their said fellow-citizen to liberty."
The question was taken for the House to take it up, and lost—ayes 32, noes 52.
Mr. Livingston said he had some time been wishing to put forward something similar; he really hoped some negotiation would be carried on to effect his liberation. It would be honorable to this country to interpose in behalf of this man, who has a claim on American service. While suffering for us on his part, let gratitude, and every feeling that can affect the heart, be ours. Abandoned by his own country, and to increase his sufferings, precluded from almost every enjoyment of life, it would be honorable in us to interest ourselves in his behalf, appropriating some small sum which may enable the President to make some progress towards his releasement. Thus, while it is honorable to America, if it has no effect, it may afford some comfort to the unfortunate sufferer, to think he is not forgotten. He then proposed a resolution, not materially varying from that just offered by Mr. Harper, hoping that the little variation would prevent it suffering a similar fate.
Mr. Parker said, as it was a personal question, he hoped it would lie on the table.
Mr. Coit thought it a delicate question, and one which ought not to be agitated, and therefore moved the previous question.
Mr. Hartley spoke of Mr. Parker's observing its personality. He answered that the man suffered much for this country, and therefore was entitled to regard. He acknowledged with Mr. Coit, that there was much delicacy in the business, and therefore hoped it would speedily be discussed; it ought not be postponed; the man is now suffering in a most distressing confinement. If any of the soldiers of 1789 were here with whom he was in council, there would not be a dissenting voice to using every exertion. He hoped the House would never forget such brilliant services.