Mr. J. Clay moved the following resolution:
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to present, in the name of Congress, to Captain Stephen Decatur, a sword, of the value of —— dollars, and to each of the officers and crew of the United States ketch Intrepid, —— months’ pay, as a testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry, good conduct, and services, of Captain Decatur, the officers, and crew, of the said ketch, in attacking and destroying a Tripolitan frigate, of forty-four guns, late the United States frigate Philadelphia.
Ordered, That the said motion be referred to a Committee of the Whole to-morrow.
Friday, November 9.
Two other members, to wit: from Massachusetts, William Eustis; and from Pennsylvania, Robert Brown, appeared, and took their seats in the House.
Frigate Philadelphia.
Mr. J. Clay’s motion relative to Captain Decatur and the officers and crew of the ketch Intrepid, was taken up in Committee of the Whole.
On motion of Mr. Clay, the resolution was altered, by striking out after the word “sword,” the words “the value of —— dollars,” and filling up the other blank with the word “two,” thereby giving the officers and crew two months’ pay.
Mr. C., with a view of showing the propriety of the measure, read extracts of letters written by Commodore Preble and Lieutenant Decatur, which had been obtained from the Secretary of the Navy; they contained an account of the circumstances attending this honorable exploit, which have heretofore been printed in the public newspapers.
The committee rose and reported the resolution as amended.