Mr. Cheves then introduced the bill above mentioned, which was read the first time, and ordered to be read a second time by a vote of 44 to 36.
Tuesday, February 16.
Mr. Milnor presented a memorial of the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery, complaining that American vessels, navigated by American citizens, are engaged in the African slave trade, under the flags of foreign nations, and praying that Congress will take this subject into consideration, and pass such laws as will remedy the evil of which they complain.—Referred to a select committee; and Mr. Milnor, Mr. Robertson, Mr. Grosvenor, Mr. Wheaton, and Mr. Earle, were appointed the committee.
Naturalization Laws.
On motion of Mr. Lacock, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, on the bill to amend the naturalization laws of the United States; which, having been amended in committee, was reported to the House.
Mr. Lacock moved to amend the bill by extending the naturalization of aliens to all those "who have heretofore or may within nine months hereafter, declare their intention agreeably to law to become citizens of the United States," and declaring that they may be admitted as such.
This motion was negatived.—For the amendment 45, against it 48.
On the question of concurrence with the committee in striking out the second section of the bill, which deprives of his right to the privileges of citizenship any citizen who shall depart from and remain without the limits of the United States for a term of two years—the yeas and nays were, for striking out the section 71, against it 43.
The bill having been thus amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.