The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-12-31

never tounu ITS way.
Mr.. Varnum moved to.amend the amend
,nent of Mr.. Tenney, by ftrikius on. the words
in Haiie, ard iufrrting in lieu thereof the word
"repcale6."
Me-. ]. Clay hoped the amendment would
not take place. Il there were any real incon-
| vcnience IT would be entirely obyiated hy the
propoied fufpenlion. He acknowledged that
when he was up before, the Portusuef. gold
had sfcaped his attention. But it Was 70 clip
ped and mu.ilat.d a. fcarocly to be confidered
rs coin: and the iaa WAS that it was chiefly
| confined TO the banks. II the repeating provi-
lion thould be confined TO the gold coins he
ihould have no great objection tn it |; bu. there
| was no neceility of introducing into the crc,,-
! lation any other FLYER coin than that now ar-
thorifed. Some of the foreign coins was 70
roughly executed as not TO f,;r,ia, proper
protection againit coun,erfets. The great fc-
| curity, attending coins as we'll as bank notes,
was the excellence of the workmanhD.
Nr. J,ckfou was IN favour of the amendment
offered by the gentleman from MafIaci,uirtts
Mr.. Varnum.> All economical writer's agreed
III ths wealth. Of nations WAS Intimately coll
| netted with the quantity of the circulating pre-
cious metals. For this reafoH he thought it i'm
polite to refrif the circulation of foreign
| coins in the United States. Il was likew;f. ir,-
proper to legi0a'e frequently on the fIbieet. II
! fluff cient fupply of coin for orr pnrpofes, ef
peca'ly while fuch vaft quantities went out of
the coantry. All SELECTIONS made to repeal
were ohviated by the conf. sration that the ex
Iiting law provides that foreign coins dali pais
by weight. Mr Jackfou concluded bv fayinq
that 1t was his opinion that it was for the inferred
or TIC country that money fl,ouid circulate more
extsnfvely than it ever had done.
Mr.. varnum fad thar the gentleman from
Penafvlvania grounded his objection on the !.
dca that foreign coins were more eaiily coun
teffeited than thofr of the United States H
| thonld. however, recollect that thofe who ref
ded in the country did not poI1sfs that XII d cf
knowledge which belonged 10 thoEe acqiaiatcd
with bank tranfatsions; they faw but little mo-
ney, and always in fmall quantities; and were
az likely to take falfe coin of the United States,
| AS foreign coin. The real fituation of the U
| nited States as to money was this. In fome
parts of the country there was no fpecie what
| ever; there was nothing bu. paper. In-he
| eaitcrn parts of the union this was pecu,iar!v
| f., owing TO the great number of hanks, which
circulated the greater part OF their notes at
| conliderable diftance. This fcarcity of fpecie
ar fe in great meafnre from foreign coins M,
being allowed TO be legal tender. Hethoigh.
It would he highly beneficial to the United
States to admit all foreign coins to be a legal
tender, under the exiting limitations of law.
me qneition was then taken on Mr.. Varnum's
amendment, which was agreed ;o-hves 70.
Mr.. Tenney's amendment, thus amended.
was agreed to, when the committee rofe. The
houfe Immediately took up, concurred in their
| report, and ordered the bill to third reading
tomorrow.
On motion of MIR. G. w. Campbell, Refo,v-
ed, that committee he appointed to enquire.
whether any, and if any, what alterations are
neee6ary TO be made in the aet to regulate
| trade and intercouric with the Indian tribes. q,
| to preierve peace on the frontiers, with autho
! rIty to report ybill or othetwife.
On nation of Mr.. Cuok, Relieved. that the
Committee of Commerce and Manufactures he
linitrueted to conhder the frvera acts relative IN
bonntes on failed fiih taken in We fas of differ.
/ ent hzes, and to confiier what alterations. if
aay, are nrcefiary to equalize fuch boun,ies
and that they DC authorized to report by bill or
! otherwife.
On motion Of Mr.. Stanton, Refolved. tha,
the Committee of Ways and Means he in
ftrueted to enquire. whether any, and if anv.
what alterations are necehary to be made in the
feveral acts fixing the ftaries and enAlu ne,ts
of the collectors of the duties on Imports and
Tonnage, and that they be authorif. d to reporl
by bill or otherwife.