The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-01-03

A
efa Dam o. C0ytzvay. from Ma/oH'S LlAad 10
ME Ws?e,w .Rors 81 tie Potomac.
The reporter conceiving the bin under con-
liberation 70 peculiarly local TO the diitri6t of
Columbia as not toirvolve Jingle point of ge-
neral intereft III relation 10 the union, had left
the chamber OF the Hoaie of Representatives
for few mHutes-When he returned he found
the iubjeGt growing into Importance, and as
the dcOate advanced the irtsyef of the adioin-
Ing itateS mingled with iome conftitutiona ouei-
tons and contributions, induced him 10 lifen
with attention he however took but very brief
notes. The Cmiiiiou is not or his part 10 much
a matter of regret, as it would have been, had
there not lince arifen a very elaborate debate,
rciterating not only all the ideas and arguments
OF this day, but much additional matter, OF
which he has taken copious notes for the next
5ublcation.1
Mr.. Macon, (Speaker) m owed to ftrke out
the hrft fiction Of the bill, with a view of try
ing its merits.
Mr.. T. RondoL3b, feconded the motion of
his Respectable friend the (Spcsker.) The RI
yer Potomac was the join; property of the ftates
OF Mar. & Virg undercompa6t between thofe S.
This property, at leaf on The part of Virginia,
had never been rehnquihed. Congrefs, in his
conception, had no right to pats the law in
queition. But If they had--there was another
objection. The corporation Of George town
were empowered to laya tax which would be
unequaland oppreiiive Gnce the property onwhich
1t was to be iCTila would not be cGuaiiiy SS5rc-
fitted bydeepining the harbour, fuppoGng that
efcetto be accomplished. He hoped prompt
rejection of the bill would ferve as general no.
tice to tie inhabitants of the dlrtt to delft
from their daily and frivolous applications to
Congrefs TO the great obllruciion of the public
bufinefS.
n. Z
reit between the towns OF Alexandria and
George town; and as this rivalry had been exhi-
bited on many former occafions, he deemed it
proper before they paiied any bill, for the en-
enlargement of either place, that the parties
ihould be obliged 10 publilh their intentions
iome weeks before the application, that if there
were any objections TO the meafllre contempia-
ted, they might be before tie houfc at the farnr
titne. He ftated this merely "a ground of pof-
poacment, not iaying whether he was in favor
or againit the Ineafure.
mr.. Gregg thought the Houfe bound 10 .ecif-
late for thete people rntil they rcIinquifhcd
the claim TO the iu'ifdicton either by authori-
fling them TO eg;!ate for themfclves, or recc-
dinS them to the ftatcs to which they originally
belonged. He approved of the idea Of publifll-
ing as expreied by his colleague (Mr. S. which
he cCni'dered ahiulutely neceflary. IfAlexandria
were oppcIcd 30 the bill, it is probable they
would have fcnt in memorial ON the flbieci
before This time their not having done 70 in
ciined hi1 90 believe that they were Catisfed
that the mesldre jhouId go into operation. He
did not th < the bill perfea, bat nevertheless
be would not oppoie ts progrefs.
Nr. Le1vj5 tajd the land holders of Georg,
town had very general Ggued the petition 10
Congrets. Aud no perfon out OF the walls of
this Houie gave it oppoition-The people of
Alexandra were content, and the owner of the
Hand and the wclt fhore of The river was the
perion rnof likely 70 bt affected, vet he had ~
ven It his hearty ailcut. He was well per(uad-
ed ih7, no injury would be done C. thc nayiyati-
ON OF the EaHsrl branch, or 70 the port OF Alex.
andra if ther~ fore they could readera benefit
! 90 George town, without injurirg any other
property, he truited the houie would ayr, to
the bill.
Nh Sioa1 felt irtcrefed in TIE rerst Of tii.
u1eaiue. The people mere have 10 hoJy e.
! look to but Dfgre!5to make legilstiv- proyiG-
on for their wei being he therefore coufdered
II duty TO attend to heir detirss 5ut he win.
ed the applicants 20 sjgc notice Of shcir intcuti
ors, ~ order that any psrfyn conceiyilg hi.nfclt
likely to be asgrless1 ihoud have N oDpor.u.
nity OF being heard. This WIS the ur.al cog,,e
plrfued in the nate where he reid.d.
~ G2iborVe was by nc mean. ftieGed
, that tie removal ofthe mud tank would do M
i1jnIy to the Eailcrn 'iranch and 70 Alex.ndri.
a.
/d'. Ncg@D i6d that or 2 qu-fiOn 60 iuoo,.
idDt - the uppei plr> OF m1rynYd and yroi.
MIA, he could 40, .eirtn rom f.ting fgrne ,e..
3 Zone ~ H. -, If HE d. ..t,,,- ...... D. IL