The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-11-28
THURSDAY, Nov. %.

Mr.. LeGoiJ preiented a memorial from the
Wilmington building company, referring to a
former memorial praying to be incorporated
for the purpofe of improving and ornamenting
the metropolis of the union TO infure buildings
from fire referred to a committee of who
may report by billor otherwife.
Mr.. M. Clay preiented petition from fun
dry citizens of Georgetown, Eating that the
channel Of the Potomac was coniiderably oh
MED ae,e;sr tastaa,s Hand mud bank
recently formed which did not allow more than
thirteen and fourteen feet water; few years
back velIeIs of eighteen feet draft paifed the
fame lately and praying to be allowed 10 raife
tax not exceeding one per cent On the real ei-
tate of the inhabitants, to be applied in erecting
Gateway from the Hand to the Virginia fhore
which they conceive would eft ctually cure the
evil. They intended to obtain the content of1he
owner of the Hand and the proprietors of the
Virginia fhore, who are the only perfons that
can politely be injured by the work contempIa-
ted 10 be erected. Referred to the lat mention
ed committee.
DR.. MitebU called the attention of the houfe
for few moments while lie explained circum-
ftance particularly intereting to the failors of
the United States. The 9Th feclion of the act
regulating the merchant fervice, &c. contained
a regulation that vef1els of so tons or upwards
whole crews confit often men, ihould be obi
! ged to carrya medicine Chef. But the mot
dangerous part ofour commerce to the health
of fcameu, was that to the Weft-Indies, and it
is we'll known the vsiies engaged in that trade
| are under so tons, Of courfe the care of the
health of fuch feamen was entirely under the diff
erection of the merchants and captains, and
however difref1ing it might be yet the fact was
70, that we lot one tenth of our failors, nay
he believed one eighth in that particular trade.
hot Evtb sc r..
men are in an ncipent fate of difeafe liable
to break out on the panage when they enter on
board, of courfe all veiels ought to make a
cautionary provifion sgant the probable confe-
quences. The danger of Voyages to the Wet
Indies and other places, was 70 great as to pre-
Glade the Youth Of the middle ftatcs generally
from engaging in a Maritime life, and the def
cheney was generally made up of foreign fea-
men, two fifths of the crews from thoGe ports,
indeed he believed three ffths, were competed
of Engliih, Irilh and Scotch, fome of whom
were ma turazed, but others of them contrive
to obtain projections without this probationary
itep, and perhaps it is owing in fotne degree to
this clrcumitance that we are involved in every
war they wage in thefe evetafting difputes with
Britain. While he would take effectual care of
the health of the feamen at fea, he would throw
IL out tor confederation whether the medicine
chef ought TO be ut the expence of the mer-
chant or ieamen it will be recolle6ted that fca-
men pay 20 cents voyage hofpital money TO
| form fund for their afiAlnce in iicknefs on
| ihore--he did not underRand why they fhould
| not contribute to their own fafety at Tea the
Captain generally performing the part Of the
phyiicau in the latter cafe, .. he hOfpital ply
| licians did in that fri mentioned. lie moved
the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures
to enquire into the propiiety of altering the law
81 ~, 4
may report by bill or otherwiie.
Mr.. Dasyfon reported from the Committee
appointed for forming Rule of the Houle, re.
fpecting the mode of appointing Chairmen to
the Handing and ieleet Committees. The prin-
ciple was that the member irit named by the
Speaker fhOuld TIC Chairman, bat in cafe OF Ab-
fence or being executed by the hOUlt, the MAORI
ty of the Committee fhoud choofs one of the
members Chairman in his fsad.
Mr.. r. Grjf.OoH wlhed TO amend the rcfolu-
ton 70 that in the cafe OF the execute or abieuce
Of the fri named member, the next on the liG
TO be the Chairman, ind in Ike manner the fe.