A memorial of the inhabitants of the town of Salem, in the State of Massachusetts, signed by a committee, in behalf of the said inhabitants, was presented to the House and read, setting forth that they have beheld, with the deepest regret and anxiety, the aggressions committed on the commerce of the United States, and the consequent violation of neutral rights, under the new assumed principles and adjudications of the maritime courts of Great Britain; that they view with equal abhorrence the impressment of our seamen, the violation of our jurisdiction by captures at the mouths of our harbors, and the insulting treatment of our ships on the ocean, by the same nation, not less hostile than the conduct of other nations, by piratical depredations, and the lawless plunderings of privateers on our coasts; that, while they ask for no measure but what justice approves and reason enforces—claiming merely to pursue a fair commerce, with its ordinary privileges—wishing for peace, for honorable peace, and to support the independence of their country by the acquisitions of lawful industry, they pledge their lives and properties in support of the measures which may be adopted to vindicate the public rights and redress the public wrongs. Referred to the consideration of a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union.
The Speaker laid before the House the following letter from the Secretary of the Navy addressed to the House:
Sir: In obedience to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 27th instant, directing the Secretary of the Navy “to lay before the House a report on the condition of the frigates, and other public armed vessels, belonging to the United States, distinguishing the frigates fit for actual service; distinguishing such as require repair, and the sum necessary for repairing each; and distinguishing also such as it may be the interest of the United States to dispose of rather than repair,” I have the honor to state—
That the frigate Constitution is now in a state of thorough repair, and in all respects prepared for service.
That the frigate Chesapeake has lately been repaired and is fit for service.
That the frigates Adams, Essex, and John Adams, are also fit for service.
That the brigs Syren, Hornet, Argus, and Vixen, the schooners Nautilus and Enterprise, the bombs Spitfire and Vengeance, and all the gunboats are fit for service.
That the frigates President, United States, Congress, Constellation, New York, and Boston, required to be repaired; but it is utterly impossible to form an accurate estimate of the “sum necessary for repairing each.”
I know of no vessel belonging to the navy, which I consider it would be “the interest of the United States to dispose of, rather than repair.”
On the motion of Mr. J. Randolph, the first and third sections of the bill to repeal so much of an act as authorizes the evidences of the public debt to be received in payment for public lands, and for other purposes, was referred to a Committee of the whole House.