The bill being thus lost, Mr. W. Smith proposed a resolution to the House for appointing a committee to report a new bill without the two last clauses, which, it was evident, had been the cause of the negative given to the bill. As he supposed no opposition would be made to the bill so reported, it might be got through without loss of time.
After some conversation on a point of order, whether or not this resolution could be admitted, the Speaker declared it in order, but Mr. Coit wishing it to lie on the table till to-morrow, it lay accordingly.
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.