Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-12-01
Congressional Register.
ROUSE OF REPRESENTA-
Thursday, November %.

Thursday, November %.
Mr. Lewis presented a memorial from
ths Washington building company, refer
ring 10 f;rmer memorial praying 10 be
incorporated for The purpose ofimproYng
aud ornamenting The metropolis of the u
Mon, and to insure buildings from fire re-
}erred TO committee of three who may
report 6y bill or otherwise.
Mr.. NJ. Clay presented petition from
sundry citizens of Georgetown, stating
that the channel of the Potomac was con-
sidcrably obstructed below Mason's island
by mud bank recently formed which did
not allow more than thirteen and fourteen
feet water; few years back vessels Of
eighteen feet draft passed the same safely;
aad praying 10 be allowed to raise tax
not exceeding one per cent on the real
estate OF the inhabitants, 10 b. applied 10
erecting causeway from The island 20 the
Virginia shore wh ch they conceive would
efectually cure the evil, they intended to
obtain the consent Of the owner of the
island and the preprietors ofthe Virginia
shore, who are the only persons that can
possibly be injured by the work contem-
plated TO be erected. Referred to the last
mentioned committee.
d.. MitchiIl called the attention of the
house for few moments while he explain.
ed circumstance particularly interesting
10 the sailors Of the United States. The
9Th section of the act regulating the mer-
chaat service, sc. contained regulation,
IL Il vessels Of $50 tons or upwards whose
crews consist of ten men, should be- oblig-
cd To carry medicine chest. Bat the most
dangerous part of our commerce to The
health OF seamen, was that to the West
Indies, and il is we'll known the vessels
engaged in that trade are under $50 tons,
or course the care OF the health Of such
scamcn was antirely under the discretion
Of the merchants and captains, and howe
Yer distressing it might be yet the fact
was so, that we lost one tenth of Our sail
ors, nay he believed one eighth in that par
ticular Trade.
It was calculated that one sixth of our
seamen are in an incipicnt state Of dis
ease Liable 10 break out on the passage
when they enter on board, of course all
vessels ought 10 make 4 caulionary prnvi-
sion against the probable consequences.
1he danger of voyages 20 the West In
dies and other places, was 50 great as 10
preclude the youth Of the middle states ge-
neraily from engaging in maritime life,
and The deficiency was generally made up
OF foreign seamen, two hfths Of The crews
from those ports, indeed ne believed three
fif,hs, were composed of English, Irish
and Scotch, some of whom were natural
lied, but others Of them contrive 10 obtain
projections Without this probationary step,
and perhaps it is owing in some degree to
this circumstance that we are involved in
every war they wage in these everlasting
disputes with Britain. While he would
take ehectual care OF the heal h Of The sea-
men ct sea- he would throw it out for con-
sheraton whether the medicine chest
ought TO be at the expense OF the mer-
chant or seanen: 1t will be recoIected
that seamen pay 90 cents voyage hospi-
tai money to form fund for their assist
arce in sickness on shore---he did not m
derstand why they should NOT contribute
to their own safety at sea the captain
generally performing the part of the phy-
s.cian in the latter case, as the hospital
physicians did in that FIRST mentioned. He
moved the committee Of Comm rce and
Manufactures TO enquire into lhe proprie-
ty OF altering the law on tl,ig point, which
was agreed to- and they may report by
bill or Otherwise.
Mr.. Dawson reported from the com
mittee appointed for forming rule of the
house, respecting The mode OF appointing
chairmen 10 the sanding and select com.
miIices. The principle was that the MEM
b~r LIST named by the Speaker should b.
chairman, but in case OF absence or being
excused by the house. the majority Of the
committee should choose one of the mem
bers, chairman in his stead.
Mo. Z. Giiswold wished to amend the
resolution SO that in the case ofthe excuse
or absence Of the first named member,
the next on the list be the chairman, and
in like manner the senior member be- the
chairman WHEN the others are absent or
excused--beIieving that this mode would
provide for every case that could arise.
Mr.. Dawson thought the committee
were the best JUDGES ofwho was the most
proper member Of their own body TO pre-
side as chairman in any event Of the abb
rtI. 1.