OCTOBER, 1814. The Ways and Means. H. of R. of the sense of Congress of the gallant conduct of Major General Brown, and Brigadiers Scott, Gaines, and Macomb; and, after some time spent therein the Committee rose, reported progress, and had leave to sit again. According to the order of the day, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the report of the Committee of Claims, unfavorable to the petition of Thomas Cutts, of the District of Maine, who prays reimbursement of moneys paid for property purchased at a mar- A message from the Senate informed the House shal's sale, together with costs and damages on that the Senate have passed a joint resolution the recovery of said property from him by a third" empowering the Joint Library Committee of person, by due process of law. Congress to contract for the purchase of Mr. JefMr. KING, of Massachusetts, opposed the adop-ferson's library ;" in which they ask the concurtion of the report, which was supported by Mr. rence of this House. YANCEY, of North Carolina, the chairman of the committee who made it, &c. The report of the Committee of Claims was finally reversed by the Committee of the Whole, and so reported to the House. It was then ordered to lie on the table for further consideration. A communication was received from the Commissioner of the General Land Office, on the subject of Indian cessions; which was ordered to lie on the table. Adjourned to Monday. MONDAY, October 10. The said resolution was read twice, and referred to a Committee of the Whole to-morrow. WAYS AND MEANS. Mr. EPPES, from the Committee of Ways and Means, made a report on so much of the President's Message as relates to the finances of the United States; which was read, and referred to a Committee of the Whole on Thursday next. The report is as follows: manded in time to meet the immediate demands on That taxes, loans, and Treasury notes, appear to be the resources on which we must rely for carrying on Several other members, to wit: from Massa- the war. The product of the first cannot be comchusetts, SAMUEL TAGGART; from Maryland, the Treasury. A reliance on loans, in the present sitSAMUEL RINGGOLD; from North Carolina, WIL-uation of this country, would be uncertain; and the LIAM KENNEDY; and from Louisiana, THOMAS BOLLING ROBERTSON; appeared, and took their seats. A message from the Senate informed the House that the Senate have passed joint resolutions 66 expressive of the sense of Congress of the gallant conduct of Captain Thomas Macdonough, the officers, seamen, marines, and infantry, acting as marines, on board the United States' squadron on Lake Champlain," in which they ask the concurrence of this House. The resolutions were read twice, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. An engrossed bill further to extend the right of suffrage, and to increase the number of members of the Legislative Council of the Mississippi Territory, was read the third time and passed. On motion of Mr. OAKLEY, Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to lay before this House a statement of the return of the direct tax and the internal duties, established by the several acts passed at the first session of the present Congress, as far as the same have been received, showing First, The assessment made of houses, lands, and slaves, in the several collection districts in the several States, and the aggregate of assessments in each State. Secondly, The amount received on account of the direct tax from each State, and from each collection district in the several States. Thirdly, The amount received on account of each of the said internal duties, distinguishing the amount received on account of each from the States, respectively, and from each collection district in the several States. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House on the resolutions reported by the Committee on Military Affairs, expressive terms on which they would be obtained, not such as to induce a resort to them at the present moment. Treasury notes, combined with a system of taxation, more extended than the one heretofore adopted, will it is believed, in the present state of bank credit, be found to be a much better resource. The want of some medium, which, resting on a firm and solid basis, may unite public confidence, and have a general, instead of a local circulation, is now universally acknowledged. The stoppage of specie payments by the principal banks of the Middle States has embarrassed greatly the operations of the Treasury, and, by confining the circulation of notes to the limits of the States within which they are issued, has deprived the Government of all afforded while public confidence gave to bank notes a the facilities, in the remittance of money, which was general circulation. The notes of New York and Philadelphia will not be received in Boston; the notes of Baltimore, or of the District of Columbia, will not answer for payments in Philadelphia. If, by any new modification, Treasury notes could be made to answer the purposes of a circulating medium between the different States, they would greatly facilitate the oper ations of Government, and free from embarrassment the transactions of individuals. To secure their circulation, it would be necessary-1. To issue the notes in sums sufficiently small for the ordinary purposes of society; 2. To allow the individual who holds them to fund them at pleasure at any of the loan offices, and to receive their amount in stock of the United States, bearing an interest of 8 per cent.; 3. To make them payable to bearer, and transferrable by delivery: 4. To make them receivable in all payments for public lands est on the amount issued, so much of the internal and taxes; 5. To pledge, for the payment of the interduties as shall be necessary. To prevent an accumulation of circulating medium, the United States to retain the power, on giving six months' notice, of redeeming them with specie, or exchanging for them stock, bearing an interest of 8 per cent. If these provisions are adopted, and taxes imposed, which shall manifest H. OF R. The Ways and Means. OCTOBER, 1814. Estimate of the amount of the proposed increase, and tion duties Fifty per cent. on postage Manufactured tobacco and snuff, 10,000,- Candles of tallow, 6,000,000 of pounds, at 2 cents Spermaceti and white wax, 400,000 pounds, at 10 cents Hats: on beaver $1, castors 75 cents, and - $1,500,000 3,000,000 150,000 250,000 400,000 120,000 40,000 600,000 clearly the ability of the Government to meet its en-exclusively for the saddle or carriage; on playing cards; gagements, our present difficulties will vanish, confi- and on lotteries. dence be restored, and the capital, hoarded by avarice, or locked up from timidity, will be again restored to the accustomed channels of circulation. In presenting additional objects of taxation, care has been taken to select such as will bear equally on every portion of the community. In Europe, the price of agricultural products is not materially affected by a state of war; the produce of the earth is there consumed within the country, in peace and in war. The situation of the United States is totally different. With an extensive and fertile country, and a small population, compared to the extent of our territory, we have annually a large surplus to export to foreign markets, over and above what is necessary for consumption. On the export of this surplus, which is cut off by war, depends in a great degree the ability of the farmer to meet taxes. While, however, war depresses the agricultural interest, it gives vigor to various manufactures. By destroying all foreign competition, the war has brought many of these manufactures to a state of perfection, which will secure their successful prosecution, even after peace shall be restored. In times of difficulty and danger, we must appeal to the patriotism of every class of our citizens. These establishments, under the fostering hand of the Government, have grown to maturity, and will not hesitate to bear, with the agricultural interests, their portion of the taxes necessary to maintain, unimpaired, that character for punctuality and good faith for which the American Government has heretofore been distinguished. Several of these manufactures have been selected as proper subjects of taxation; the public faith for the continuance of the double duties and it is proposed to unite with the taxes a pledge of until the tax shall be repealed. The committee deem it unnecessary, at present, to present any view of the expenditures for the next year, reserving a report on that subject until the estimates from the Treasury shall be forwarded. Confining, therefore, this report to the additional taxes necessary for the support of the public credit, they submit the following resolutions: 1. Resolved, That it is expedient to continue the direct tax, and to increase the same 50 per cent. 2. Resolved, That it is expedient to increase the duty on spirits distilled, by an additional duty of 12) cents on the gallon. 3. Resolved, That it is expedient to add 100 per cent on the present duty on sales at auction. 4. Resolved, That it is expedient to add 50 per cent. to the present duty on the conveyance of papers and letters. 5. Resolved, That it is expedient to impose a duty on the following articles, viz: manufactured tobacco and snuff, in the hands of the manufacturer; candles, of tallow and spermaceti; hats; cotton yarn, spun by the aid of machinery, worked by steam or water; leather; pig iron; castings; bar, rolled, and slit iron, and on nails made by the aid of machinery; on furniture above a certain value, except beds, bedding, and articles of domestic manufacture, in the hands of the owner; beer, ale, and porter, in the hands of the manufacturer; boots and shoes, above a certain price, in the hands of the manufacturer; on plated harness, in the hands of the owner; on vats for the manufacture of paper; on saddles and bridles, above a certain price, in the hands of the owner; on gold and siver watches, in the hands of the owner; on pleasure horses, kept at 1 cent Furniture tax, excluding beds, bedding, 100,000 540,000 60,000 300,000 150,000 100,000 60,000 300,000 375,000 Boots: white-top, and full-dress military Fine shoes, above the value of $1 75; OCTOBER, 1814. On the manufacture of paper: on vats ex- On gold watches, 250,000, at $2 On playing cards, 400,000 packs, at 25 cts. Total Add the revenue for 1815, as estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury Negotiations for Peace. 30,000 200,000 100,000 100,000 H. or R. ating conditions; if she has presumed to trench upon our ascertained rights as hitherto acknowledged and enjoyed, from that moment Mr. H.'s determination had long since been formed to unite in supporting the most vigorous system of honorable war, with the hope of bringing the enemy to a sense of justice. Mr. H. was satisfied that nothing more was necessary to make the war national than to convince the people that an honest and fair effort had been made to obtain peace, and it had been denied upon terms mutually honorable. From that moment it ceased to be a party war, and of necessity became national. Mr. H. said he too well knew the party with which it had been his pride and happiness to act, 150,000 to doubt of their determining to bear a just share 500,000 of the sacrifices to be incurred in defending the 250,000 honor of the nation in a war that becomes just. 100,000 Forgetting, as far as possible, their objections to 50,000 the Administration; stifling their complaints as far as might be against the party that supports it; $11,635,000 sacrificing all minor considerations; endeavoring to bury in oblivion the numerous wrongs inflicted 10,800,000 upon their party; omitting, to every proper extent, a retrospect of the past, and looking to the present and the future, for the purpose of staunching the bleeding wounds of their country, they would stand forth in this her hour of peril, in $22,435,000 NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE. The following Message was received from the asserting and maintaining her established rights PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: and honor. But, sir, said Mr. H., while we have ever been ready to sacrifice our political feelings upon the altar of our country, the sacred duty we I lay before Congress communications just received owe to it will require of us never to cease insistfrom the Plenipotentiaries of the United States, charging on a reform in the measures of the Governed with negotiating peace with Great Britain; show-ment, and the choice of honorable and enlighting the conditions on which alone that Government is willing to put an end to the war. The instructions to those Plenipotentiaries, disclosing the grounds on which they were authorized to negotiate and conclude a Treaty of Peace, will be the subject of another communication. JAMES MADISON. WASHINGTON, October 10, 1814. The Message and communications were referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Mr. FORSYTH moved that five thousand copies be printed for the use of the members. ened men, competent to conduct its affairs in a crisis so awful. Unfortunately for the country, the character of the men who now directed its destinies was not of this description; nor did they possess the confidence of the nation. Mr. OAKLEY, of New York, said that it was not necessary for him on this occasion to reiterate the sentiments of his honorable friend (Mr. HANsoN.) His friend, he was confident, had expressed the feelings and opinions of those gentlemen with whom he was accustomed to act, on the nature and character of the demands and pretensions of Mr. HANSON, of Maryland, moved to amend the British Government, as developed in the dethe resolution by inserting "ten thousand copies" spatches just read to the House. He did not hesiin the place of "five thousand." He said he was tate, in the fullest manner, to declare, that those persuaded the information communicated in the demands and pretensions were utterly inadmissi Message had awakened but one feeling through- ble under any circumstances. But, Mr. O. said, out the House, and stamped the same impression while he made this declaration, and while he felt, on every member. It had always been his opin- in common with all gentlemen, the conviction ion that it became not this Government to stand that there could be but one sentiment in the on idle, frivolous etiquette, but to speak to the nation, as to the necessity of resisting, by all the enemy, if indeed we desired to convert him to a means in our power, the unjust and arrogant friend, to speak to him frankly, plainly, and di- claims of the enemy, he felt bound to remark, rectly, to the end that all ground for his doubting that he could never forget by whom and upon our sincerity might be removed. He trusted that what grounds the nation had been involved in it would appear that our Commissioners had this war, upon the issue of which were now staked been instructed so to speak, and that they had so the essential rights and honor of the country. spoken. If, then, on fair and honorable terms The character given by the enemy to the war, proposed, England should have denied us peace; had put at hazard these rights and that honor, if other and new claims had been set up; if she and they must now be vindicated at an incalcuhas attempted to annex degrading and humili-lable expense of treasure and blood. Mr. O. said H. OF R. Honors to the Brave-Library for Congress. it was notorious, that, at the commencement of the war, a great portion of the people of this country thought it rash and unnecessary. If the Administration had been willing to make peace on terms which could be expected to unite the approbation of the nation, they must have been prepared to abandon some of the grounds on which it had been declared. Their conduct in the late negotiation could not be properly estimated until the instructions to our Commissioners are laid before the House. This, Mr. O. said, he perceived was to be done. It would then appear how far they had thought it important to maintain the grounds on which they had deemed it expedient to commence a war; the conclusion of which was not now within their control, and appeared to be removed to a hopeless distance. Mr. O. said, it was indispensable to the safety of the nation, that its affairs, at this awful crisis, should be committed to the management of men who could reasonably be expected to unite the confidence of the nation; and who, when they had compelled the enemy to abandon his unjust and insulting pretensions, would not throw new obstacles in the way of peace, by setting up any unwarrantable claims on our part. He would tell gentlemen in sober earnestness, that a war which, to be successful, must be waged by the united means and vigor of the nation, could never be conducted to an honorable issue by a party Administration. Besides the above remarks of Mr. HANSON and Mr. OAKLEY, which are reported with critical correctness, a few remarks were made by Mr. FORSYTH, of Georgia, and Mr. WRIGHT, of Maryland, the first acquiescing in Mr. HANSON'S motion, and the second approving the spirit of the remarks of Mr. H., his colleague. The motion to print ten thousand copies was agreed to. table. HONORS TO THE BRAVE. OCTOBER, 1814. also amended, on the motion of Mr. SHIPHERD, of New York, by adding thereto the names of Major General Mooers of the New York militia, and Major General Strong of the militia of Vermont. The resolutions thus amended, were ordered to be engrossed for a third reading-Ayes 93. LIBRARY FOR CONGRESS. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the resolution authorizing the Library Committee of Congress to contract for the purchase of the library of Mr. Jefferson. The letter of Mr. Jefferson to Samuel H. Smith, Esq., offering the library to Congress on their own terms and their own time of payment, to replace in some degree the loss sustained in this respect by the recent invasion, was read. The letter states that the collection has been the work of fifty years and of great care and attention (and said to consist of ten thousand volumes)-a collection which he had designed, at his death, to have offered the refusal of to Congress-but this intention, the letter states, is hastened by the recent events, as the few years yet left to him would afford him but a barren use of this extensive and valuable library.-[For which letter see Senate Proceedings, ante page 24.] After much desultory conversation, as to the value of this library, the nature of the selection, &c., the Committee rose (in order, apparently, to give further time to the members to examine the catalogue) and obtained leave to sit again. WEDNESDAY, October 12. Mr. PLEASANTS, of Virginia, from the Committee of Naval Affairs, reported without amendment the resolution from the Senate in honor of Captain Macdonough, his officers and crew; and they were made the order of the day for to morrow. entertained by the Congress of the United States The resolutions expressive of the high sense of the gallantry and good conduct with which has been sustained by Generals Brown, Scott, the reputation of the arms of the United States Gaines, Ripley, and Miller, of the Army, and General P. B. Porter of the New York militia, and General Macomb of the Army, were read a third time, as amended. been incorporated in the resolutions afforded a strong objection to their passage. After a debate of about two hours, the motion of Mr. OAKLEY was agreed to, and the resolutions were committed to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. OAKLEY, of New York, moved to recommit the same for amendment; alleging, as a reaThe House again resolved itself into a Com-son therefor, that the amendments which had mittee of the Whole, on the resolutions expressive of the sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry and good conduct with which the reputation of the arms of the United States has been sustained by Major Generals Brown, Scott, and Gaines, and Brigadier General Macomb. These resolutions were yesterday amended in committee by the insertion of the names of Generals P. B. Porter, Ripley, and Miller. These amendments were, after considerable debate, confirmed by the House. The resolution approbatory of the conduct of Brigadier General Macomb was A message was received from the Senate informing the House that they had passed a joint resolution relative to the capture of the British sloop of war L'Epervier by the Peacock; which resolve was twice read, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. OCTOBER, 1814. Honor to the Brave-Battle on Lake Champlain. The order of the day on Mr. JACKSON's motion to amend the Constitution having been called up, on motion of Mr. JACKSON, of Virginia, the further consideration of the same was postponed to, and made the order of the day for, the first Monday in December next. THURSDAY, October 13. Mr. EPPES, of Virginia, gave notice that he should to-morrow call up the report of the Committee of Ways and Means on the additional taxes. H. of R. army superior in numbers, and that the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, emblematical of this triumph, and presented to Brigadier General Gaines. Resolved, That the thanks of Congress be and they are hereby presented to Brigadier General Macomb, and through him to the officers and men under his command, for their gallantry and good conduct in defeating the enemy at Plattsburg, on the 11th of September, repelling with 1,500 men, aided by a body of militia and volunteers from New York and Vermont, a British veteran army greatly superior in number, and that the President of the United States be re Mr. HAWKINS, of Kentucky, called up the re-quested to cause a gold medal to be struck, embleport for this day, but the House overruled his motion. On motion of Mr. COOPER, of New York, a resolution was adopted, instructing the Secretary of War to make a report to the House, of the claims of the several States and Territories for moneys advanced in paying the expenses of the militia of any State or Territory, heretofore called out under the authority of such State or Territory, for the purpose of repelling invasion or defending it from the incursion of the enemyspecifying what calls, if any, have not been sanctioned by the President of the United States, and distinguishing the items which, under existing laws, may be adjusted and settled, and such also as cannot be settled without legislative provision. HONOR TO THE BRAVE. Mr. TROUP, of Georgia, from the Military Committee, reported the resolutions, yesterday referred to them, in the following amended form: Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the thanks of Congress be and they are hereby presented to Major General Brown, and through him to the officers and men under his command, for their gallantry and good conduct in the successive battles of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, in Upper Canada, in which British veteran troops were beaten and repulsed by equal or inferior numbers, and that the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, emblematical of these triumphs, and presented to Major General Brown. matical of this triumph, and presented to Brigadier General Macomb. The report was accepted without opposition, and ordered to be read a third and last time today. [But, before it could be engrossed for that purpose, the House had adjourned.] THE BATTLE ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN. The House, on motion of Mr. PLEASANTS, of Virginia, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the resolutions from the Senate, expressive of the sense of Congress of the importance and brilliancy of the decisive victory obtained by Commodore Thomas Macdonough and his brave officers and men. The resolutions having been read Mr. PLEASANTS, of Virginia, said, before the question was taken upon the resolutions, he would take the liberty of submitting to the consideration of the Committee a few remarks. Whatever, said he, may be the difference of opinion among us, as to the manner or the measure of approbation which we will bestow upon our land officers and soldiers, I believe there is but one sentiment as to our seamen. Fortunately for our country, the occasions of just and honorable eulogium upon them have been so frequent, that the practice is fully settled, the precedents completely established. The subject of the resolutions before you, Resolved, That the President of the United States is the victory obtained by Commodore Macdonbe requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, withough and his gallant comrades on Lake Chamsuitable emblems and devices, and presented to Major General Scott, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congrees of his distinguished services in the successive conflicts of Chippewa and Niagara, and of his uniform gallantry and good conduct in sustaining the reputation of the arms of the United States. Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause silver medals to be struck, with suitable emblems and devices, and presented to Brigadier General Ripley, Brigadier General Miller, and Brigadier General Porter, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of their gallantry and good conduct in the several conflicts of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie. plain, over a superior British squadron, on the memorable 11th of September last-a victory in itself equal to any one which has been achieved by our navy; in its consequences certainly surpassed by none. A view of the relative strength of the two squadrons will convince us that this victory was in itself equal to any one which has preceded it. It is sufficient to observe, that in almost every particular, perhaps in every one, the advantage was on the side of the enemy. The action was commenced by him in the fullest he took his own distance; he was animated by confidence of success. He chose his own time; Resolved, That the thanks of Congress be and they the presence of a great army, spectators of the are hereby presented to Brigadier General Gaines, and contest. He was stimulated by that spirit of through him to the officers and men under his com-emulation which never ceases to exist between mand, for their gallantry and good conduct in defeating the enemy at Erie, on the 15th of August, repelling with great slaughter the attack of a British veteran 13th CoN. 3d SESS.-13 the Army and Navy. He had every reason to believe that, upon the successful issue of the naval contest, depended the successful issue of the cam |