The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-04-16


milar TO the relolutions adopted by the eates
of North Carolina and MafIachufet.s, having
for their object the procuring amendment To
the federal contribution To prohibit the impor-
tation OF ilaves or people of colour, from the
Wet India Hands, from the coat of Africa or
elfewhere, in the United States, or any part
thereof, prior TO the year 500.
Refoi7,ed, That the refoution from the com
monwealth of Kentucky, having for its Object
an amendment of the contribution of the United
States, 70 as to conhne the judiciary power of
the courts of the United States to cafes in law
and equity, ariGng under the contribution and
laws of the United States, and treaties made,
or which ihall be made under their authority,
cafes affecting ambanadors, other public minic
tiers and confuls, cafes of admiralty and mari
time jurifiiction, controversies 10 which the u
nited States fha'l be party, and to controver-
fes between two or more ttates, be ponponcd
until the next meeting of the Legislature.
IN SENATE,
Iiibanr, Tnejii0y, dbyii ?, 1905
Mr.. Tayier made motion that the Senate
fhould agree to 4 rcfolution, with recitals, in
the words following.
Whereas certain falie, wicked, fictitious IL
bels have been publifhed againit the Prefdent
of the United States, in newfpapcr printed in
the CITY of n. Y. called The ~. /. Evening Poft,
edited byWm. Coleman, onthe goth, 1T & 22d
days of March, 1905, impnting to and chary-
ing the Prefdent of the United States with
hypocrify, debaucherv. with living in Aame-
lefs and open cOmmif,ion of fins, with defraud-
ing his benefac,or of his property, with viola
ting the marriage bed ofhs MOT intimate friend,
and with various other enormities, tending -
nited States and TO iniure and to bring into con-
tempt the dignity and character of the United
States, and the citizens thereof ;-and in Or
der to bring the author AID publifher of fuch
violent, daring & infolcnt attacks on the faid
PRECEDENT of the United States, and the citizens
thereof, TO trial and punifhment,
Refolvcd, Gfthe hon. the AiIembly concur
that the Attorney General be and he is hereby
directed TO take all neceiidry and legal meafures
to bring the author or authors and publifher OF
the faid falfe, wicked, fictitious and hagitious
Iibels to fpeedy and cordgn punihment.
Debates having been had on the fad motion,
MIR. Amin moved the following refoution
with its recitals, as i iiihfitute /:
Whereas it is the iincere vic, of this Senate
to circumference the licentioufnefs ofthe prefs
by every constitutional mean in its power And
whereas to accomplish that end, the Senate
feels difpoied to bear tefimony agaiuft all un-
founded attacks on the conltituted authorities
Of the United States or Of this fate, within its
proper fphere: And whereas quefton is now
pending before the Supreme Court of this fate,
the decilion of which will determine whether
the fate courts have jurifdiction in cafes of IL
bells againit the Prehdent of the United States :
Therefore,
Refolved, That it is not expedient at prefent
for this Senate to direct the Attorney General
of this fate, TO profecute at the expence of this
fate, any Printer for libels againft the PRECEDENT
of thta limited States
NJ. Var Vechten, moved to amend the faid
fnbititute by frking out, after the word r.
/of1'ed, the whole of the refolution, and infer
ting the following in its fead-
That it would be improper for this Senate to
express any opinion at preient on the queftion
whether the cafe of libel again} the Prefdert
of the United States is cognizabe by the courts
of this fa.e.
The queltion being taken on the amendment,
IT patled III the negative Is TO g; and on the
fubtitute, & it likewife pafled in the negative
l3 toS.
The quefion on the motion of Mr.. Tayler,
was then taken, and it alto pafled in the mega
tive, in manner following, viz /: nays lI--yeas
10.