Mr. Smith presumed the estimate was founded upon information received from the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of that House. He did not conceive it would make any difference in the expenditure, whether a larger or smaller sum be appropriated; as he did not suppose the Senate or that House would print the less because a less sum was appropriated. The gentleman, he said, might, by his speech, give an idea to the public, that this would be a saving of so much money; but it would, in reality, make no difference.
After a few observations from other members, the question was put and negatived—37 to 30.
The committee then rose, and had leave to sit again. And the House adjourned till Monday.
Monday, January 30.
George Leonard, from Massachusetts, appeared, and took his seat.
Manumitted Slaves.
[Mr. Swanwick presented the petition of Jacob Nicholson and Jupiter Nicholson, Job Albertson and Thomas Pritchet, dated at Philadelphia, stating that they had been the slaves of persons in Perquimans County, North Carolina, who had manumitted them, and whose surname they took—that afterwards they had been seized by other persons and sold into slavery under a law of the State—that to escape from this bondage they had fled to Philadelphia, where they had been seized under the fugitive slave act: and pray relief from Congress.]
The petition being read—
Mr. Swanwick said, he hoped it would be referred to a select committee.
Mr. Blount hoped it would not even be received by the House. Agreeably to a law of the State of North Carolina, he said they were slaves, and could, of course, be seized as such.