Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-02-29
FR1pAy. Feh. IL,

DIR. Ecib, from the committee appoint
ed on that subject, reported a bill more eE-
fectually to secure The independence OF
the Judges of the courts of the United
States.
Referred 10 committee of the whole
house on Monday next.
Mr. Claiborne, from the committee an.
pointed to bring in a bill making further
provision Tor ex'inguiahing debts due from
the United States, reported bill.
Referred to cofsnittee ofthe whole on
Monday.
On motion of Mr.. Dana, the COM
Tnittee Of commerce and manufactures
were instructed to enquire into the e,:pc.
dIency of amending the seyera: acts fiNing
the compensattons of officers oil thescus-
toms.
DR.. Mitchill presented memorial from
sundry owners Of unr .Eiitercd vessels in
the city o. New York, praying that vessels
originally OF foreign construction, but re-
built two thirds within the United States,
and vessels originally built within the
" Fredish" territories, and having since
lost their registers, may be employed in
the Whsle aud Seal fisheries, suhiea to
no higher duties or tonnage than are paid
on vessels duly registered and recorded
when employed in ike manner; provided
such vessels are wholly owned BY citizens
OF The United States; the petition states
that the number of such vessels, nov dcs-
tltute OF registers, and sailing only Under
sea-lettcrs IS very great. and the number
hkely 10 encrease and urges The utility
OF employing thein in ihe fisheries, usinC
the ordinary rate OF duties, as an eCtliva-
lent Tor bounty end capital encourage.
ment of those useful branches Of busine Sc,
Referred to the committee on fostering
and encouraging the fisheries.
a message was received from the Pre-
sident of the United States, by Mr.. Uar-
vie, his secretary, giving certain infarna-
ton respecting the situation oC the lands Of
the United States in the vicinity Of De-
trol.
Referred to the committee appointed 20
enquire into the expediency al amending
the several ACTS respecting the sale of
public lands.
Mr. Nicholson reported a Bill supple
mentary to the atl providing for navy
peace establishment.
The bill provides for the appointment
Of sundry agents to superintend the ships
laid up in ordinary.
Referred TO a committee Of the whole
on Monday.
q Mr.. Nicholson made report on the Pc
utlon of - Mlrsteilar, &c.-Dray.
ing Tor divorces-The report stales THAT
the committee have not thought it neces.
sary to enquire into the merits Of the in
divlduai cases, under the conviction the, a
general power to grant divorces should be
vested in some tribunal. For this pur-
pose the report concludes With resolution
TO invest the circuit court with power TO
allow divorces.
Resolution agreed to-Aycs 75--and
referred to a select committee TO bring IN
a bill.
Mr.. Rodney, to whom was referred a
memorial from w. n. Harrison, Presi.
dent Of the convention Of the Indiana
territory, and other memorials, made a
report.
Referred to a committee Of the whole on
Monday.
An engrosscd bill 20 amend the charter
OF Alexandria was read the third time, and
passed--Ayes 70
Previously 70 its passage Mr.. Sloan
spoke against it, principally on account Of
the restriction Of the right of suffrage to
freeholders.
The house resumed the consideration of
the unfinished business Of yesterday. viz.
" what day should be made the order 10 the
committee 90 tie whole to consider f5s bill
bmng n Tx oC fen d9li1rs uhon cz,sry
SLHHE IMPORTED nto the UnifcJ
Sfdtes."
Mr.. Lowndes moved that the further
consideration: of'he bill should he postpon
ed till the FIRST Monday in December.
On this motion long debate ensued
which did not terminate ill near 1--WE
o'clock,
1t was supported by Messrs. T.owndes
Huger, r. GriswolA, Gregg, Hston, Uol
land. Rodney and sanford: and opnose,
by Messrs. Findley, Sloan, Conrad, Smi