Mr. J. Clay moved to postpone the bill to the 1st Monday of December. Lost—yeas 41, nays 40.
Mr. R. Griswold moved so to amend the first section, as to vest the President with a general power to appoint three Commissioners to designate a route, to be reported to Congress for their ultimate decision; which motion, after a short conversation, was agreed to by a considerable majority.
Mr. Lyon offered a motion for empowering the President to designate the routes. Lost, without a division.
The committee rose and reported the bill with several amendments, in which the House concurred, and ordered the bill to a third reading on Wednesday.
Tuesday, February 14.
Importation of Slaves.
The following motion, offered by Mr. Bard, was taken into consideration in Committee of the Whole:
“Resolved, That a tax of ten dollars be imposed on every slave imported into any part of the United States.”
On motion of Mr. Jackson, it was agreed to add after the words United States, “or their territories.”