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CONGRESS. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, Decertify 23. Mr. Elliot rose for the purpose of offering the resolutions of which he had given previous notice. He said he should not on this occasion avail him self of the ordinary indulgence of the House so liberally accorded to mem bers who made Jong speeches on short resolutions. If the resolutions should be seconded, he would briefly state their general object, and then move their reference to a committee of the whole on the state of the union, and if so referred, he would on a future day (for the state of his health did not ad mit of it on this day) assign at length his reasons for them. Mr. Elliot then offered the following resolutions— 1. Resolved , That it is expedient to make provision by law for the further and more effectual protection of the commerce, the seamen, the harbors, the coasts, and the frontiers of the U nited States. 2. Resolved , That for the great pur poses of national protection and defence, it is expedient to provide by law for re pairing, manning, and supporting in actual service the whole of the frigates and smaller vessels of war belonging to the United States. 3. Resolved , That it is expedient to provide by law for defraying the ex pense incident to building two new fri gates to supply the places of the Phila delphia, which was lost during the late war with Tripoli, and the Gen. Greene, which has been condemned as unfit for service. 4. Resolved , That provision ought to be made by law for preparing two or more navy yards, and navy arsenals, situated on or near the margin of the ocean, for the reception of ships and vessels of war, and for other naval pur poses. 5. Resolved , That a committee be appointed to enquire what provision it may be necessary to make by law, in relation to the location establishment, and superintendance of navy yards and naval arsenals; and that the said com mittee report by bill or otherwise. 6. Resolved , That a committee be appointed to enquire what further mea sures are necessary for the protection of American seamen, and for their re lease and indemnification, when im- JTCtfari. power's*; and that the said committee report by bill or otherwise. 7. Resolved , That a committee be appointed to enquire into the situation of the ports and harbors of the United States ; into the practicability and pro priety of a general system of fortifica tion, and the expense with which it would he attended ; and also into the best method of fortifying the port of New-York, and the other principal ports which are now in a defenceless state : and that the said committee re port a statement of facts, with their opinion thereon to the House. 8. Resolved , That a committee be appointed to enquire into the expedi ency of investing the President of the United States by law with amplepporersw r ers to cause every aggression and at tack upon the rights, the honor, and the interest of the United States, which may be committed or commenced by the officers, citizens, or subjects of any foreign power within the ports and har bors of the United States, within the waters under their jurisdiction, and up on the high seas, within certain dis tances ot the coast, to be immediately repelled and effectually chastised; and that the said committee report by bill or otherwise. 9. Resolved , That a committee be appointed to revise the existing laws respecting the militia; to devise means for completely arming and equiping for actual service, and for more effectually organizing and disciplining the whole of the militia of the United States, in order to render it an efficient force for the protection of the United States from invasion by any foreign power; and that the said committee report by bill’or otherwise. The clerk having read the resolu tions, Mr. Elliot moved their reference to a committee of the whole on the state of the union. It was suggested that most, if not all the subjects embraced by these reso lutions, had been already referred to committees appointed on the several members of the President’s message, and that consequently a similar refer ence to other committees would, with out any good purpose being attained, tend to complicate the proceedings of the ITouse: and a question of order was raised as to the regularity of com mitting them. The Speaker said that as the resolu tions, though in some respects similar to the subjects already referred, 'moth er respects varied from them, he con sidered the motion of reference in order. Mr. Elliot said a few words to the same effect, and stated his wish to be afforded an opportunity on a future day, should the resolutions be committed, of offering his sentiments at length on the interesting objects embraced Dy them. On referring the resolutions to the committee of the whole on the state of the union, the House divided—Only 32 members rising in the affirmative, the reference was disagreed to, when the resolutions were ordered to lie on the table. The consideration of the bill prohib iting the importation of slaves into the United States, was resumed in com mittee of the whole—Mr. Varnum in the chair. Mr. Early moved to strike out that part ot the bill which declares the im portation of persons of color into the United States felony, and punishes it with death. T his motion was supported by messrs. Early and Holland, and opposed by Mr. Srnilie, and agreed to—Ayes 60— Noes 41. Mr. Bidwell renewed the motion for merly offered by him, so to amend the bill as to prevent the forfeiture of per sons of color imported. On this amendment a debate of con siderable length ensued, in which Cook, Sloan, Fisk, Bedingef, and Srnilie supported ; and Messrs. Lloyd, Early, Elmer, Alston, and Macon opposed it—When on mo tion of Mr. Alexander, the committee, without coming to a decision, rose, and obtained leave to sit again. RE-CAPTURE OF BUENOS AYRES. New-Yokk, January 7. Mr. Gilbert Deblois, of Boston, passenger in the schooner Adcfe, from Cayenne, informs us, that he left the port of Monteveido, in the Plate, on the 25th of October last, at 12 o’clock at night, in a small French privateer schooner called L’Osseau, captain Bi- Dois, (the only vessel that had or would have liberty to depart that port for some months) and has handed us the follow . wu uuuui-Amer ca: On the 27th of June last, the capital of La Plata, the city of Buenos Ayres, was taken by an expedition from the Cape of Good Hope, under the command of Sir Home Popham and Major-General B. Beresford, consisting of about 1600 choice troops, and without any loss, and a generous capitulation. They kept possession of the city until the 12th of August following when it was attacked and taken by an expedition, of 2000 men, from Monteveido, by a French gentleman of the name of Lenier, (for merly anaval officer) who was accompa nied by a number of the first merchants in Monteveido, about 80 French gentle men, as volunteers. The battle was fought with great obstinacy, by the British but headed by an intrepid offi cer, the Spanish bore down all. The loss of the British, in killed and wound ed, and massacreed after they had sur rendered, was, by the best accounts, stated to be 420 men ; and the Spanish about 250, in killed and wounded ; but almost 7-Bths of their wounded expired of their wounds, owing, (as they say) to the British us ; ng poisoned balls; but a well informed French officer, who shared their dangers, told Mr. Debiois, it was not the venemous balls of their enemies, but the ignorance and unskil fuiness of their own surgeons, that kill ed the Spaniards. The Spaniards retook their capital by storm, and made prisoners of near ly 1200 English ; but a serious dispute had taken place between Gen. Beres ford and Gen. Lenier—the English General insisting, that a capitulation was made and signed while the white flag was flying on the fortress, and which the Spanish commander abso lutely denies: however, the prisoners were sent away a distance of about 3 or 400 miles into the country, and it was reported that Gen. Beresford and his officers were coming to Monteveido, to be sent to Europe; but it was after wards thought more proper to order them to Cordovir, only-about 350 leagues, or 1050 miles, from Buenos Ayres. The common soldiers, com posing the expedition from Montevei do, robbed and plundered every English abode at Buenos Ayres, and also every Spanish house, where an Englishfnan was seen to enter or reside. They al so put into prison, among many others, Mr. YV. P. White, (formerly of Bos ton ;) Mr. Maloe, a Mr. Jackson, a Mr. Mark Riley, and Mr. Hasellback. The former, (Mr. White) was induced to receive an office, such as a prize-agent under the British government, for which he was recompensed by being put into close confinement for two months, and part of that time incom municable, and with the British officers, was obliged to take a journey into the interior. No stranger whatever was permitted to go up to Buenos Ayres, as they mean to exclude, without ex ception, all from thence, especially Americans. The British, upon their becoming masters of Buenos Ayres, found only 1,200,000 dolls, of public property, (al tho’ there were six times that amount in the place) which they sent to Eng land in the frigate Narcissus.—They had collected a considerable quantity of copper and quicksilver, but as it was not taken on board the transports, they got off'only the money. Sir H. Pop ham was in Buenos Ayrts when it was retaken, and with great difficulty effect ed his escape in a boat to his ships, af ter which, with the exception of one gun brig, left cruising between the Co lonia and Buenos Ayres, he brought his squadron (consisting of his own ship Diadem, 64 guns, capt. King; Raison able 64, capt. Rowley; Diomede 50, capt. Phillips ; 1 frigate, 2 sloops of war, and several armed transports) down the river, and anchored in full view of the harbor of Monteveido.— Some days he would have every ship under weigh ; at other times only 1 or 2, of easy draught of water, who would stand in so close that the very inhabit ants could discern the buttons on the officers uniforms. Sir Home had sent into Monteveido upwards of 30 flags of truce, demanding Beresford and his troops, a supply of provisions, and some medicine for his sick and wounded. 1 he governor, tired of such business, generously sent Sir H. P. a supply of fresh provisions, and also 23 English seamen, which were brought into Mon teveido a few months previous, in an English guineaman; and saying that he should not respect any more flags of truce from that time. Sir H. Popham answered the governor’s civility, by ac cepting the fresh supply of provisions, and receiving the seamen ; but, contra ry to the etiquette observed in time of war about exchange of nrisnn#*rs. he reiusea to deliver up the like number ot Spaniards, which he might very ea sily have done, as he had more than 90 in his possession, which were taken from a small town on the south entrance of the river. Several skirmishes had taken place between the English ves sels and Spanish gun-boats and forts, and almost every day they saluted Mon teveido with 12 and 181 b. shdt. Upon the 12th July last, an embargo was laid on all vessels in the port of Monteveido, and continued with more than usual rigor when Mr. Deblois sail ed. The reasons assigned were, Ist. that they were going to fit out an ex pedition to retake Buenos Ayres ; 2d. tiiat they were going to expedite 4 ves sels with dispatches for Spain; and 3d. that the British squadron were starving for want of provisions, though every b«dy knew to the contrary, as the Rai sonabie, a man of war, had been dis patched to and arrived from Rio Janei ro, with so much of a supply, as to be obliged to caulk in' her lower tier of gun-ports. It was reported for truth, before Mr. Deblois sailed, that Sir Home Popham had received a reinforcement of 3,500 men, from the Cape of Good Hope, and which he is much inclined to sup pose is true ; as he himself counted 35 sail at anchor 5 miles from Monteveido, between Point Carettas, and the island of Flores, the same evening he sailed ; and it was known that there were 18 sail more arrived off Maldonado, a city at the N. entrance of Rio Plata, as the governor of Monteveido had, the 23d of October, received a letter from the commandant at Maldonado, who wrote to that effect. If this force has arrived, that Sir Home Popham will be able to take possession, even with 5000 men, is very uncertain, as the Spaniards have nearly 10,000 ready at a moment’s war ning, and all those men in high spirits and confident of victory. Among the 35 sail at anchor off Flores Island, some were Spaniards, some Portuguese, and some Americans, detained or captured. Sir Home Popham, about the 29th Sep tember, sent in a flag of truce to the governor of Monteveido, declaring the port in a state of blockade ; but also mentioned that all neutrals might have leave to pass his squadron, provided they did it within 7 days, and in ballast only, as he should after that, keep up rigorous- hlockakc, and should take ev ery vessel that came out even in ballast, and should certainly make prizes of all those that came out wifi) a cargo, being the produce of the Spanish colonies in Soutb-America. This extraordinary determination was notified to all neu trals by the governor. After 2 days out of the 7 had elapsed, some few ships, Portuguese and Danish, endeavored to avail themselves of the opportunity, and go out in ballast; but when all ready, were stopped by the Spanish govern ment —the Americans, as some could not, and as others would not get ready to go in 5 days, came to a resolution to send in a petition, or remonstrance to the governor. ' Mr. Deblois could not obtain in time the governor’s answer verbatim, but be informs that its meaning or tenor, was as follows—“ That he was perfectly aware and sensible of the damages and ill consequences, that would inevitably accrue to the American vessels and their* cargoes, and also coincided with them in opinion, that the English commodore could have no legal pretence for mak ing them prizes, as it ivas supposed their papers were regular; but notwith standing he knew that Sir Home Pop ham was in want of provisions, and should he allow neutrals to go out they must without doubt fall into'his hands, and of course would afford some sup ply ; and also, that he did not conceive j the treaty mentioned by them to extend to the Spanish colonies in South Amer ica ; and should he raise the embargo, he presumed it would he highly preju dicial to the interest of his 'master the King of Spain.” Mr. Deblois also reports, that the Americans in La Plata are considered by the lower class of people the same as the English, because they speak the same language ; and that the govern ment there does not by any means ap* • pear to be friendly to Americans, of •* - which it may be given as a proof that the Spanish merchants have drawn up a representation to the Royal Audianre, requesting that the Royal Order, per- • mining American vessels to go to the River Plate, may not be carried into ef fect ; and it is thought their request will be complied with. The following is a LIST of LETTERS remaining in the Post-Office at Colum bia Court-house; which if not taken away by the first day of April next , will be returned to the General Post- Office as dead letters.... V1Z.... B Lewis Loyd MESSRS. Thaddi- M us St Elias Beall Jas. M‘Kay, Esq. Geo. Baswell Maj. Thos. Moore Charles Barhane Dr.Thos.M‘Combs C o George Cruse William Oliver Francis Cook p D Thomas Phelan Ben. Dailey 2 Henry Peak Nathaniel Denham S George Dent Baily Stuart Hannah Dannelly Andrew Sturges T. hos. Dent, Esq. Reuben Sanders John Davis Michael Smally G James Shields Philip Green t W m. Griffin John Tankersley H W 7 Messrs. Hargraves Ensign W.F. Ware & Dunnington David Walker L Y Charles Leath William Young. Miss Nancy Lyon John Lamar , D. P. M. January 17, 1807. 26 Boat Hands. IF applied to soon, the sub- v sc liber will hire for the ensuing year, Several Good Boat Hands , long accustomed to the river. JOHN B. BARNES January 3. 42. JUST PUBLISHED^ And For Sale at this Office. God's Revenge against Murder; OR, THE DROWN’D WIFE, (Os Stephen's Creek , South Carolina. ) A TRAGEDY, As it was lately performed, with un bounded applause, (of the devil and his coi-rtl BY NED FINDLEY, ESQ. ONE OF THE Grand Company of Tragedians, IN THE SERVICE OF THE BLACK PRINCE. BY M. L. WEEMS. Price 2.) Cents. January 3.