The report and documents were read.
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.
WEDNESDAY, February 17.
The engrossed bill supplementary to the several acts on the subject of
a uniform rule of naturalization, was read a third time.
Mr. BACON opposed its passage on the ground of the impolicy of
encouraging the emigration of alien enemies during the existence of
war; and concluded a short speech against the bill by moving its
commitment to a Committee of the Whole.
Mr. GRUNDY supported the motion on the ground of defects in the detail
of the bill, which he wished to amend.
The motion for recommitment was carried by a large majority, and the
bill made the order of the day for Monday.
_War Taxes._
Mr. LITTLE introduced the following resolution, with some remarks in
favor of the policy of the non-importation act, to which he avowed
himself to be very friendly, and to the suspension of which he was
opposed:
"_Resolved_, That the Committee of Ways and Means be, and
hereby are, instructed to report to this House a bill or bills
laying taxes for the support of the War."
The question of considering of this resolution was decided in the
affirmative, by yeas and nays--for consideration 66, against it 38.