Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-12-29

dsh subjea2, Praying tribunal 10 be es-
,ab!ished Tor The tcial oi suits Tor smaller
sums than 500 dollars, claiming tins under
the constitution and under The eth article
OF the British treaty.
Referred 20 Z s-leSt committee OF FIVE
members.
Mr.. Crowningshieid presented the Pc
! iiion of John Very, fisherman from
Massachusetts, com laining of the loss
| OF his vessel and fish, by which he lost
the bounty money on the salt he had TAX
! ell oat and praying relief.
Referred 10 the committee on the fish
cries.
Another petition from Ezra Weston of
scnted, and referred to the same coMmi,-
tee.
Mr.. Leib moved that a committee be
appointed 70 enquire into the exped,cncy
OF making provision By law to authorize
the collectors OF tie several ports OF the
United States, ~ deposit for cole cl,on lhe
bonds received by them for the payment
oil duties, III the bank OF the Cnilcd States,
or any of lis branches, or in any OF the
chartered banks ri inc several states. Ia
support orthe reference he remarked that
The resolution contemplated an enquiry,
and an Important one. The bank of the
united States and Us branches had usual
ly deposit OF he Iaoui1s OF t:e govern
ment TO the amount of between lou- and
live millions al dollars, that by means OF
this deposit tina. bank was enabled not OIL
ly to hold the mercantile interest tributary
TO the institution, but all tue banks Of the
states. Ills objeGt was to cqraIise the be-
nehts and not 10 permit tina institution TO
monopolise an enormous profit from the
treasure of the nation. lie wished 10 un-
letter the bank Institutions generally, and
he hoped the enquiry would obtain, and he
believed the bonds due to the United States
would be as carefully collected in the char
tered banks, which are al the same time
equally secure, as that OF the United States
or any OF lis branches.
Mr. K. Gr;swoid recolieGled this SUBJ
ject was suggested at a former session,
and as it had relation to the management
of our finances he thought il would be
more proper to refer it 10 the committee
Of ways and means he made ihal motion
accordingly.
Alr. Leib did no; see that the subleG
nee ssarily aPperalned TO The comniuee OF
ways aud means. II had 10 elation to the
increase or decrease Of the duties on I'm
ports but merely 70 the &c ,osil OF The
bonds given by the merchants 10 The col
l.6lors. His true obje6( was 10 prevent 4
yaonogc,J, andhc trusted gentlemen would
not be enabled 10 de;e4l it by this mode
of reference.
NJ. r.. Griawcli understood The mott
on 20 relate TO The deposj~o The bonds, but
II would be,pcoPer TO enquire intp the safe.
y Of suca q deposit before it was auIho-
riscdby law /; * in ms opinion The commit
tee OF ways and means from the habits oi
their business was as competent to make
the enquiry as any select committees
On the question il was referred 10 the
committee of ways and means, 81 being
in favor of such references, and 4 / against
il.
The bill from the senate for the dispo-
sition of certain copies OF The laws cf the
United States, went before the commit.
tee OF the whole, which having made some
amendments thereto rose and reported
and the house having incorporated the
mendmcnls into the bill, it was ordered
| 10 be read third time On Monday.
Mr., Puryiance gave notice that on the
third Monday OF January, h= intended to
Introduce resolution giving TO the dis
trict OF Columbia durable legislature al
their own, on which the opinions OF the
heads departments were TO be obtained
Adjourned.
L4IE FOREIG.V IVTELLIGEWCL.