Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States,
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1794

Another member, to wit: John Francis Mercer, from Maryland, appeared, produced his credentials, and took his seat in the House; the oath to support the Constitution of the United States being first administered to him by Mr. Speaker, according to law.

An engrossed bill to provide for placing buoys on certain rocks off the harbor of New London, and in Providence River, was read the third time.

Resolved, That the said bill do pass, and that the title be, "An act to provide for placing buoys on certain rocks off the harbor of New London, and in Providence River."

Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do carry the said bill to the Senate, and desire their concurrence.

A petition of Dunkin M'Kinley, of the County of Chester, in the State of Pennsylvania, was presented to the House and read, praying relief in consideration of injuries received while a private in Captain Benjamin Wallace's company of the flying camp, during the late war. Also,

A petition of Robert Lyell, late a Captain in the third regiment of the South Carolina line, praying that he may receive the depreciation of pay and other emoluments due to him for military services rendered to the United States, during the late war. Also,

A petition of James Quarles, late a solder in the same regiment, to the like effect.

Ordered, That the said petitions do lie on the table.

A memorial of sundry inhabitants of the town of Salem, in the State of Massachusetts, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the House and read, praying that Congress will adopt such measures as, in their wisdom, may be deemed the most expedient and effectual to obtain redress for the vexations and spoliations committed on the commerce of the United States by the subjects of Great Britain, under the authority of that Government, as well as by the subjects and citizens of other foreign countries. Also,

A memorial of sundry citizens of the State of South Carolina, whose names are thereunto subscribed, to the same effect.

Ordered, That the said memorials be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

Mr. Hartley, from the committee to whom were referred the petitions of Robert Lyell, and of James Quarles and John Wynne, made reports; which were severally read, and ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. Cobb, from the committee appointed to report whether any, and what, alterations are, in their opinion, necessary to the act, entitled "An act more effectually to provide for the national defence by establishing an uniform militia throughout the United States," made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

A message was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Dandridge, his Secretary, notifying that the President did, on the twenty-first instant, approve and sign an act which originated in this House, entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of the military establishment of the United States, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four." Also, that the President did, on the twenty-second instant, approve and sign an act which originated in this House, entitled "An act to prohibit the carrying on the slave trade from the United States to any foreign place or country."

Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith.

The House, according to the standing order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Jeremiah Smith reported that the committee had, according to order, had the state of the Union under consideration, and come to a resolution thereupon; which he delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same was twice read, and agreed to by the House, as followeth:

Resolved, That measures ought to be immediately taken to render the force of the United States more efficient.

Ordered, That the said resolution be committed to Mr. Sedgwick, Mr. Dearborn, Mr. Jeremiah Wadsworth, Mr. Dayton, Mr. Irvine, Mr. Mercer, Mr. Parker, Mr. Locke, and Mr. Pickens.

A motion being then made and seconded that the House do come to the following resolutions:

"Resolved, That a select corps of militia be enrolled in the United States; that all freemen capable of bearing arms from the age of -- to --, compose a select militia, and that they be armed and accoutred at the general expense.

"Resolved, That the several States shall officer the select Militia aforesaid, either out of the officers of the Militia now commissioned, or such other persons as they may think proper.

"Resolved, That the said select Militia be called together as often as may be directed by the Legislatures of the several States, not exceeding -- days in one year; and for the time they are so called out, they shall receive the same pay and rations as the troops of the United States.

"Resolved, That, in case of invasion or insurrection, the President of the United States shall have the power to call into actual service such portion or portions of the select Militia as may be deemed necessary for the common defence.

"Resolved, That no select Militiaman shall be called into actual service for more than one year:"

Ordered, That the said motion be committed to the committee last appointed.

The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill transferring for a limited time the jurisdiction of suits and offences from the District to the Circuit Court of New Hampshire, and assigning certain duties in respect to invalid pensions to the Attorney of the said District; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Trumbull reported that the committee had, according to order, had the said bill under consideration, and made no amendment thereto.

Ordered, That the said bill be engrossed, and read the third time to-morrow.

Mr. Irvine, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill to encourage the recruiting service; which was received, and read the first time.

On motion,

The said bill was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.

The Several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow.

And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock.