feel for a settlement in the Indiana Territory, instead of seeking, as they are now compelled to do, settlements in other States or countries permitting the introduction of slaves. The condition of the slaves themselves would be much ameliorated by it, as it is evident, from experience, that the more they are separated and diffused, the more care and attention are bestowed on them by their masters, each proprietor having it in his power to increase their comforts and conveniences in proportion to the smallness of their numbers. The dangers, too, (if any are to be apprehended,) from too large a black population existing in any one section of country, would certainly be very much diminished, if not entirely removed. But whether dangers are to be feared from this source or not, it is certainly an obvious dictate of sound policy to guard against them, as far as possible. If this danger does exist, or there is any cause to apprehend it, and our Western brethren are not only willing but desirous to aid us in taking precautions against it, would it not be wise to accept their assistance? We should benefit ourselves, without injuring them, as their population must always so far exceed any black population which can ever exist in that country, as to render the idea of danger from that source chimerical. Your committee consider the regulation, contained in the ordinance for the government of the Territory of the United States, which requires a freehold of fifty acres of land as a qualification for an elector of the General Assembly, as limiting too much the elective franchise. Some restrictions, however, being necessary, your committee conceive that a residence continued long enough to evince a determination to become a permanent in habitant, should entitle a person to the rights of suffrage. This probationary period need not extend beyond twelve months. FEBRUARY, 1806. 1. Resolved, That the sixth article of the ordinance of 1787, which prohibits slavery within the Indiana Territory, be suspended for ten years, so as to permit the introduction of slaves, born within the United States, from any of the individual States. 2. Resolved, That every white freeman of the age of twenty-one years, who has resided within the Territory twelve months, and within the county in which he claims a vote, six months immediately preceding the election, shall enjoy the rights of an Elector of the General Assembly. 3. Resolved, That the petition of certain settlers in the Indiana Territory, praying to be annexed to the State of Ohio, ought not to be granted, 4. Resolved That it is inexpedient, at this time, to grant that part of the petition of the people of Randolph and St. Clair which prays for a division of the Indiana Territory, 5. Resolved, That so much of the petition of the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the Indiana Territory as prays that the two sections may be united into one State Government, ought not to be granted. Referred to a Committee of the Whole on Thursday next. SOCIETY OF HARMONY. The bill allowing George Rapp and his associates to locate a township of land in the Indiana Territory on certain conditions, was read a third time. Mr. CLARK moved to recommit the bill to the Committee on Public Lands. The bill wants several amendments. There is no penalty, should the petitioners neglect to plant the vines. Mr. JACKSON.-I second the motion of my col The petition of certain settlers in the Indiana Ter-league. These public lands formerly belonged to ritory, praying to be annexed to the State of Ohio, ought not, in the opinion of your committee, to be granted. It appears to your committee that the division of the Indiana Territory, in the manner directed by the ordinance of 1787, and for which the people of Randolph and St. Clair have petitioned your honorable body, would be inexpedient at this time, The people of the two sections have lately entered into the second grade of government, the whole expense of which would fall on the people of one section, if a division were now to be made. This, in the opinion of your committee, would be neither politic nor just. But, although a division of the Territory appears improper at this time, we think it should be made as soon as the population of either section has increased so far as to entitle them to form a State Government. The petition which prays that such a Government may be formed, by uniting the two sections as soon as their inhabitants shall have augmented so far as to authorize it, your committee conceive ought not to be granted. A Territory, when once erected into a State, cannot be divided or dismembered without its own consent; the formation, therefore, of two States out of this Territory, originally intended by the ordinance of 1787, could not constitutionally be effected, if the two sections were once permitted to form one State, without the consent of that State, however necessary the extent and population of that Territory might render such division. After attentively considering the various objects desired in the memorials and petitions, the committee respectfully submit to the House the following resolutions: the State of Virginia; when ceded by that State, the Government of the United States were inade trustees "for the common benefit of the Union; faithfully and bona fide for that use, and for no other," to use the words of the act granting the cession. This is a contract between Virginia and the United States; we are in the place of trustees; we cannot violate the trust, yet this mode of selling the land for the benefit of individual foreigners is a violation of the trust. This precedent will be quoted hereafter, and will operate most injuriously. Notwithstanding what the gentleman from Onio (Mr. MORROW) has said, I cannot help saying, that there are men ready at this time to give six dollars per acre for this very land, or land of this description. This bill will give them a whole township, 23,000 acres of land of the first quality. I cannot conceive the cultivation of the vine as a national benefit, as being "for the common benefit of the Union." It will diminish the revenue, should vines be raised in abundance here. Wine is heavily taxed, and the tax is paid by the rich. I am altogether opposed to the bill. Mr. SMILIE-A new argument indeed is brought forward by the gentleman from Virginia. We can hardly tura round without somehow invading the rights of Virginia. If we talk of building a bridge or erecting a dam, at once the rights of Virginit are invaded. If we wish to dispose of some of our public land in the West as we think proper. the rights of Virginia are invaded. Virginia claimed lands stretching to the north pole; she took what she wanted, and gave a quit claim to the United States for the rest. Some of the House think this sale, this indulgence in the payment for the purpose of introducing the cultivation of the vine, and of serving these worthy foreigners, will be "for the common benefit of the Union;" some think otherwise; it is merely a matter of opinion, and a majority of opinion must decide. Mr. MORROw. There are some small tracts of land, on which what are called squatters are settled, and where already improvements have been made, which would sell for four or six dollars per acre; but I doubt whether any township of land would sell for two dollars, even with the usual instalments. Mr. PARKE, of the Indiana Territory. Even in the settled parts of the Territory, lands are not above three dollars. Mr. LYON.-The price of lands is various. I know of 200,000 acres of land on the Wabash, which is offered for sale at twenty cents per acre; yet I have given fifty dollars per acre for several acres near me, which I much wanted. H. or R. on lands for sale in different parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, &c. This distribution would be unfair, as Massachusetts has not lands for sale, except perhaps in the district of Maine; hence that State would be deprived of the advantage it might obtain by an improvement of its piety and morality from a distribution of a part of this society among the citizens of that State. I know not why the sale of this land, according to the terms of the bill, should be considered as not conducing to the good of the nation. We have given lands for colleges and schools, and for the support of clergymen; we have also sold lands, the proceeds of which were to be expended for the improvement of roads-roads by which the public at large would be benefitted, though the citizens of Maine or Georgia might never travel them. The bill was recommitted to a Committee of the Whole-62 to 53, and made the order of the day for Monday next. MONDAY, February 17. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the bill declaring the town of Jersey, in the State of New Jersey, to be a port of delivery; and for erecting a light-house on Wood Island, or Fletcher's Neck, in the State of Massachusetts. The bill was reported without amendment, and ordered to be engrossed, and read the third time to-morrow. Mr. ELY.-Gentlemen have said that poor lands were proper for the vine. It may be so; but the petitioner and his associates mention also the raising of hemp, which requires the best bottom lands. I am far from wishing to discourage these settlers; but they are already among us, and will not leave this country. They are represented to be, (and I fully believe the representation,) men of piety and morality; the United States are not beyond improvement in piety and morality; instead of putting them in one, and that a far dis tant place, let them be scattered over the Union. that all parts may be benefitted. Such a body of men, of one sect, of one language, will wish to seclude itself from the rest of the Union; they will wish what this bill gives them, and what I think injurious, an exclusive territory. We are deviating from our common usage in the sale of land. Is the deviation necessary or proper? Gentlemen have said they were flying from oppression to this land of liberty; liberty was their ob- to accomplish this important object.-Referred to ject; a republican Government; yet it appears that when they left Wir.emberg, their expectation and intention was to settle in Louisiana, then under the Spanish Government. The bill obliges them to plant a certain number of vines; perhaps the expense of this will not be $100, and there is no forfeiture even if they should refuse to com ply. It may prove a fine speculation for them; they may get perhaps the finest land and the best salt lick in the territory. Mr. NICHOLSON, (after recapitulating the arguments previously adduced:) I have no objection to the settlement of the applicants in one body; nor can I see any probable evil resulting from it. The gentleman from Massachusetts has informed us that the people of the United States are bad enough, and that the distribution of this society over the whole States might prove advantageous to the Union; if not in one body, they must settle A memorial of the Chamber of Commerce, of the town of New Haven, in the State of Connecticut, signed by Henry Dagget, their President, was presented to the House and read, setting forth their surprise and solicitude at the embarrassment to which the commerce of the United States is subjected, by the new assumed principles and doctrines of the admiralty courts of Great Britain, as well as from the depredations of lawless freebooters, and the unwarrantable impressment of our seamen; that, impressed with the necessity of measures for defence, which shall be firm but temperate, and bold, yet marked with a spirit of conciliation, they are ready and desirous to give aid and support to every measure of Government calculated the consideration of a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the report of the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of William Breck, junior. The Committee rose and reported a resolution thereupon; which was twice read and agreed to by the House, as follows: Resolved, That provision ought to be made, by law, for the payment of expenses incurred in bringing to the United States, by order of the American Consuls, the mutineers on board the ship Ulysses; and for the adjustment of the claims made by individuals who may have performed that service. Ordered, That a bill, or bills, be brought in, pursuant to the said resolution; and that the Committee of Claims do prepare and bring in the same. The House resolved itself into a Committee of H. oF R. Fishing Bounty-Importation of Slaves. the Whole on the report of the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, to whom was referred the petition of John McFadon and Francis Johonnot. The Committee rose and reported a resolution thereupon; which was twice read and agreed to by the House, as follows: Resolved, That the prayer of the petitioners, so far as relates to their exemption from imprisonment for debts due to the United States, is reasonable and ought to be granted. Ordered, That a bill, or bills, be brought in, pursuant to the said resolution; and that the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures do prepare and bring in the same. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the report of the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, to whom was referred the petition of John McFadon. The Committee rose and reported a resolution thereupon; which was twice read, and agreed to by the House, as follows: Resolved, That the person of John McFadon shall be exempt from arrest on account of any debt owing by him to the United States, for the principal and interest of custom-house bonds, signed by him assurety for John A. Jolly, deceased. Ordered, That a bill, or bills, be brought in, pursuant to the said resolution; and that the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures do prepare and bring in the same. Ordered, That the Committee of the whole House to whom was committed the report of the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures on a resolution of the twenty-seventh of December last, "to inquire into the propriety of erecting the port of Newcastle, in the District of Delaware, into a port of entry," be discharged from the farther consideration of the said report. The House then proceeded to consider the said report at the Clerk's table, and the resolution contained therein, in the words following, to wit: "that it is expedient to erect Newcastle into a port of entry," being twice read, was, upon the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the report of the Committee on the Public Lands, to whom was referred the petition of George Ash; and after some time spent therein, the Committee rose and obtained leave to sit again. FISHING BOUNTY. Mr. CrownINSHIELD, from the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, to whom was referred the petition of John Earle, jun., and Thomas M. Hazard, of Newport, in the State of Rhode Island, made the following report: The petitioners, in the month of May, 1805, fitted out the sloop Abigail, of the burden of thirty tons, for a fishing voyage in the straits of Belle Isle, and as they state, through ignorance of law in this particular, the vessel sailed under a coasting licence, and not under a fishing licence, as is provided for by the several acts of Congress, relative to the coasting trade and fisheries. The vessel was seized by the collector of Newport, on her return to Rhode Island, but was released by the order of the Secretary of the Treasury. The collector FEBRUARY, 1806. refuses to pay the bounty allowed to fishing vessels, alleging that the owners neglected to provide their vessel with the usual document to entitle them to the benefit of the law. The Committee are satisfied that the collector has performed his duty in the particular alluded to. The bounty cannot be paid to vessels sailing with coasting papers, any more than it could be to vessels clearing out for foreign voyages. When the regulations of law are calculated for the security of the revenue, and are not found to operate injuriously to individuals in general, there would seem to be no necessity for an alteration to meet every deviation from the ordinary practice. If the petitioners had stated to the collector, at the time of clearing out their vessel, that they intended to employ her upon a fishing voyage, he could not have refused to grant the fishing licence; and, as they omitted to do this, it would appear that the relief prayed for from Congress ought not to be granted. The Committee, therefore, recomment that the petititioners have leave to withdraw their petition. The report was agreed to. IMPORTATION OF SLAVES. Mr. DAVID R. WILLIAMS, from the Committee appointed, on the seventh instant, "to inquire whether any, and, if any, what, additional provisions are necessary to prevent the importation of slaves into the Territories of the United States, made the following report: That the act of Congress, passed the 7th April, 1798, authorizing the establishment of a Government in the Mississippi Territory, permits slavery within that Territory, by excluding the last article of the ordinance of 13th July, 1787. The seventh section of this act prohibits, after the establishment of a Government, the importation of slaves from any port or place without the limits of the United States; of course, the right to import slaves from any place within the limits of the United States is not restricted. The act of 2d March, 1805, further providing for the Government of the Territory of Orleans, secures to its inhabitants "all the rights, privileges, and advantages, secured by the ordinance of 13th July, 1787, and now enjoyed by the people of the Mississippi Territory." The importation of slaves, from any place within the limits of the United States, is one of those rights; consequently, the inhabitants of the Territory of Orleans may exercise it also. The tenth section of the act of 26th March, 1804, "erecting Louisiana into two Territories, and providing for the temporary government thereof," prohibits the introduction of slaves into that Territory, from any place, "except by a citizen of the United States, removing into said Territory, for actual settlement, and being at the time of such removal bona fide owner of such slave or slaves." This tenth section, being repugnant to the first section of the act of 2d March, 1805, was repealed by the last section of said act, which declares: "that so much of an act, entitled "An act erecting Louisiana into two Territories, and providing for the temporary government thereof, as is repugnant with this act, shall, from and after the first Monday of November next, be repealed." The committee are in the possession of the fact, that African slaves, lately imported into Charleston, have been thence conveyed into the Territory of Orleans; and, in their opinion, this practice will be continued to a very great extent while there is no law to prevent it. FEBRUARY, 1806. Nicklin and Griffiths-Society of Harmony. Upon this view of the subject, the committee believe it is expedient to prohibit any slave or slaves, who may be hereafter imported into the United States, from being carried into any of the Territories thereof; they, therefore, respectfully recommend the following resolution: Resolved, That it shall not be lawful for any person or persons to import or bring into any of the Territories of the United States any slave or slaves that may hereafter be imported into the United States. The report was referred to the Committee of the Whole to-morrow. NICKLIN AND GRIFFITHS. The House went into a Committee of the H. OF R. I have no notion of accommodating any gentleman who declares that even with his amendment, he will not vote for the bill, especially when I can see no good reason for it. Mr. HOLLAND. It is no objection in my mind that these people speak a different language. The settlement of the Moravians in North Carolina has been of no disservice, but of much benefit. I trust the case will be similar here. Mr. CROWNINSHIELD MOved to insert an amendment, obliging Rapp and his associates to pay interest, after the four years, till the whole sum should be paid. Mr. SLOAN.-The gentleman from MassachuWhole on the report of the Committee of Com- setts has made a calculation of the amount of inmerce and Manufactures on the petition of Nick- terest. Men in his line of business are generally lin and Griffiths. The report states the following circumstances. The a part of this ship; in consequence of which the collector refused considering her an American ship. The petitioners pray that this vessel may receive an American register; in which the Com mittee of Commerce and Manufactures concur: Messrs. CROWNINSHIELD, J. CLAY, NICHOLSON, and ELY, supported; and Messrs. CONRAD and MACON opposed the report; which was agreed to -yeas 56, nays 31. ready reckoners, especially when to their advantage; but the land will yield no interest if not sold, as probably it will not be, for ten years, should this bill not pass. Mr. NICHOLSON. -They cannot take lands on navigable waters; they must take poor and good lands as every such section is composed of. Their location must be in one place; they cannot, like other purchasers, pick good spots here and there. The sale is to our advantage. Either give them not the credit, or do not oblige them to give interest. The credit will be of no service to them if you charge them interest. Mr. LYON. The amendment of the gentleman speaks of interest on the last payments; I know not, among six or seven payments, which can be The Committee rose and reported their agree-called the last. The sale will be a good bargain ment to the report of the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures. The House immediately took up the report, concurred therein, and ordered a bill to be brought in. SOCIETY OF HARMONY. The House went into a Committee of the Whole on the bill authorizing George Rapp, and This associates, iates, to locate a township of land in Indiana Territory. Mr. CONRAD spoke in favor of the bill. To make the bill more agreeable to gentlemen who were opposed to it, he moved an amendment, putting the first time of payment to four years instead of six.-Carried. Mr. LEIB moved an amendment, obligating Mr. Rapp to make the location of land before the 1st of January next.-Carried. Mr. CLARK.-I am opposed to the bill, but since gentlemen in favor of it form a majority, I wish to make a further amendment, striking out that part which obliges George Rapp and his associates to plant the vine. Mr. CONRAD. This bill is a contract. I wish the experiment of making vines tried. Mr. FINDLEY.-I am opposed to the amend ment. Mr. CLARK. The obligation is a hardship on their part. I shall not vote for the bill, but with the amendment I should like it better. Mr. ELMER.-In favor of the amendment, I do not desire to compel them to cultivate the vine, unless they find it profitable and choose to do it. on our part. I am against the insertion of interest. Mr. CROWNINSHIELD.-The gentleman from Kentucky is perfectly right; the "last payments" can mean only the two last payments. I wish a further amendment, by saying "the last six payments." Mr. JACKSON.- Would you give this indulgence to several hundred of your own native citizens? No, sir. Why, then, to these aliens? [Mr. J. went largely into the arguments previously used.] Mr. LYON.-Will any gentleman show where any townships of 23,000 acres together have been sold for 46,000 dollars ? Mr. SLOAN spoke some time in favor of the bill. Mr. FINDLEY also. Mr. MASTERS.-Some gentlemen, think George Rapp will make a rap, and some think George Rapp will not make a rap; I wish the insertion of interest, and George Rapp may do as he pleases. The question on interest was taken and lostFor it 43, against it 46. Mr. BIDWELL.-This is a deviation from our usual rule in the sale of lands, and the fluctuation in the sales will lessen the value of our land. Mr. JACKSON moved to insert "further," so as to read "for the further introduction of the vine;" because vines are already introduced. Five members for it. The Committee of the Whole rose, and the House took up the bill. Several new amend Mr. LYON.-I am pleased with the bill as it is. | ments were proposed and lost. The House at length adjourned, at 4 o'clock, without deciding on the bill. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18. Mr. TENNEY, from the Committee of Revisal and Unfinished Business, made a further report; which was read and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. TENNEY, from the same committee, presented a bill to continue in force an act, entitled "An act to authorize the Secretary of War to issue land warrants, and for other purposes;" which was read twice and committed to a Committee of the Whole on Friday next. Mr CROWNINSHIELD, from the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, presented a bill for the relief of John McFadon and Francis Johonnot; which was read twice and committed to a Committee of the Whole to-morrow. Mr. CROWNINSHIELD from the same commit tee, presented a bill to change the name of the District of Nanjemoy to that of St. Mary's; which was read twice and committed to a Committee of the Whole to-morrow. Mr. CROWNINSHIELD, from the same committee, presented a bill for the relief of Philip Nicklin and Robert Eaglesfield Griffith; which was read twice and committed to a Committee of the Whole to-morrow. An engrossed bill declaring the town of Jersey, in the State of New Jersey, to be a port of delivery, and for erecting a light-house on Wood Island, or Fletcher's Neck, in the State of Massachusetts, was read the third time: Whereupon, a motion was made, and the question being put, that the said bill be recommitted to a Committee of the Whole immediately, it was resolved in the affirmative. The House, accordingly, resolved itself into the said Committee; and, after some time spent therein, the bill was reported with an amendment; which was twice read, and agreed to by the House. Ordered. That the said amendment be engrossed, and, together with the bill, read the third time to-day. The said engrossed bill, together with the amendment, was then read the third time, and passed. The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: To the House of Representatives of the United States: I now communicate to the House of Representatives the information desired by their resolutions of January twenty-fourth, relative to the fortifications erected at the several ports and harbors of the United States and their Territories, and to the Navy and Navy Yards of the United States. FEBRUARY. 1806. amendment; to which they desire the coneurrence of this House. The Senate have also passed a bill, entitled "An act relating to the salaries of the judges of New Orleans;" to which they desire the concurrence of this House. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, on the Message of the President of the United States, of the fifth of February, one thousand eight hundred and five, respecting the case of the brigantine Henrick, and a report of the Committee of Claims made thereon; and after some time spent therein, the Committee rose, and reported a resolution thereupon; which was twice read, and agreed to by the House, as follows: Resolved, That the sum of - dollars ought to be appropriated, out of any moneys in the Treasury, not otherwise appropriated, to enable the President of the United States to make such restitution as shall appear to be just and equitable, to the owners of the Danish brigantine called the Henrick, and her cargo, which were recaptured by an American armed vessel, in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine, and sold by order of the Vice Admiralty Court, in the British island of St. Christopher: Provided, the Government of Denmark shall make compensation for the seizure of certain prizes, captured by the armed vessels of the United States, during the late Revolutionary war with Great Britain, and carried into the port of Bergen, in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine; and which, by order of the Danish Gov. ernment, were, without a judicial trial, restored to their original proprietors. Ordered, That a bill, or bills, be brought in, pursuant to the said resolution; and that the Committee of Claims do prepare and bring in the same. SOCIETY OF HARMONY. The House resumed the consideration of the bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act to empower George Rapp and his associates, of the Society of Harmony, to purchase certain lands;" and a motion being made further to amend the said bill by inserting, at the end thereof, the words following: "And interest, at the rate of six per cent. per annum, commencing from the end of the four years aforesaid, shall be charged on the whole of the six last payments, until the same shall be received into the public Treasury." The question was taken that the House do agree to the said amendment, and resolved in the affirmative-yeas 62, nays 44, as follows: YEAS-Burwell Bassett, George M. Bedinger, Barnabas Bidwell, Phanuel Bishop, William Blackledge, John Blake, junior, Thomas Blount, William Butler, John Campbell, Levi Casey, John Chandler, John Claiborne, Christopher Clark, Matthew Clay, Orchard Cook, Jacob Crowninshield, Richard Cutts, John |