Mr. Quincy observed, that all subjects relating to the revenue properly belonged to the Committee of Ways and Means. The present subject deeply implicates the revenue, because it all depends upon being safely deposited. His colleagues seemed to have a great fellow-feeling for the Committee of Ways and Means, and appeared to be anxious lest they should be pressed with too much business; but that committee had sufficient time to consider all the business referred to them.
The question being taken on referring the petition to the Committee of Ways and Means, it was lost—ayes 32. It was then referred to a select committee of nine.
Tuesday, December 23.
Another member, to wit, Edwin Gray, from Virginia, appeared, and took his seat in the House.
Friday, December 26.
Another member, to wit, Matthew Clay, from Virginia, appeared and took his seat in the House; and another new member, to wit, Dennis Smelt, from Georgia, returned to serve in this House, as a member for the said State, in the room of Joseph Bryan, who has resigned his seat, appeared, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat in the House.
Monday, December 29.
Several other members, to wit, from Massachusetts, Phanuel Bishop; from New York, Gurdon S. Mumford and Nathan Williams, from New Jersey, William Helms; from Kentucky, John Fowler; and the Delegate from the Indiana Territory, Benjamin Parke, appeared, and took their seats in the House.
Importation of Slaves.
On motion of Mr. Early, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the bill for the prohibition of the slave trade.