Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-12-14

ts3Nc tile SdDfeCSs ana suOiiit ~ s"S .s~~-S
the result of their investigation, some
gentlemen think IL necessary that instruc
tons should be given by the conmiuee
10 insure such an investigation. nir Nj
l-cholson said that he had Known Instances
within the course of the six past years IN
which subject apparently simple had
prodced voluminous report without any
| instruction of the house and he had
/ kaown other instances IN which sub
iect of great importance had been refer
red, on which there had been reported, a
simple resolution, hich afterwards be-
game the subje0 ofargument within these
walls. IF in this case an investigation is
desired there is no doubt but that the com.
mittec of ways and means can make IL, aud
give the result to the house. He rscol-
lected some ysars ago simple resolution
was referred toaCommittee OF which he had
the honor TO be chairman. They. consi
dered the subject as of vast Importance,
and thought it proper in their report to go
at length into il. The report was made,
aad on 1t was pred.a, ted the extensive pur-
chase Of Louisiana. Yet, in this case,
there were no instructions given. The
committee notwithstanding tho't il their
duty to enquire into the subject; they &C.
cordipgly did enquire, and made the re.
port alluded 10.
In every point Of light in which the pre-
sent subject could be viewed, it would be
| found ~ affeet the revenue. There are
various ways in which we may attack the
belligervni na.ions. NVemsy attack Them
by land or by sea. The preparations re-
| for ir,lr
our present revenue, but render il neces-
sary TO resort 10 the ,aising additional re
venue. Should there be a non-importaiion
ac., which had been lately subiea of dis
cussion ia the public prints, it would ne.
cessariiy affect our revenue and before it
could be agreed 10 or acted on, /. would be
| absolutely necessary for the committee OF
ways and means TO enter into an investi.
CATION how the necessary revenue could
be obtained. j we resort to the expedi-
ent ofraisng the duties on manufactured
articles, he would ask if that were not O
| proper subject for The committee OF ways
and means. The measure could not but
affect our revenue deeply, and would it
not become necessary for the commuiee
OF ways and means TO enquire to what ex.
]
! ducing the necessity OF resorting to new
taxes. But as The gentleman from Mas.
sachusetts was DESTROYS OF instruetiRe the
committee, he had no objection so 10 mo
| diiy his resolution as 10 add 10 il the latter
part of he resolution offered by him.
So modified The resolution was read
from the chair as Tollows.
! 5. Resolved, that so much Of the mes
sage OF the president OF the u. !. as re-
.ia,es TO the conduct oflhe belligerent pow.
ers towards the u s. and to ,heuniusliG
able construction lately given by some Of
them 10 the law OF nations, as it regards
the rights OF neutral, be referred 10 the
committee of Ways and means, with in
stfuetion to enquire in what respects, and
TO what extent cur neutral rights have
bceh violated, and what Legislative mea.
sures the true interest of the United
, States requires 10 coun;era@ such viola
tons.
S Mr. Bidwellenquired TO wha, committee
the defensive measures recommended by
D the president had been referred.
: The chairman replied to a sele9 com
2 miLtee,
+, Mr. Bidwel' said that subject appeared
: 70. him as much connected with the reve
sue, ~ principles which respected the
: law Of nations. II tina: subieel had been
: referred with propriety 10 Il seleet com.
, mi.tee, surely this might also, as il was
: not so necessarily connected with revenue
! as TO make it the peculiar business of the
committee of"ways and means.
| Mr. Smile remarked that il appeared
iha, The IDEAS ofboth the gentlemen were
incorporated inihe resolution as IL stood ;
and that the only subsisting difference
was as 20 the committee. This was not
Of sufficient importance to occupy much
Of their time. The subject might most
properly go to a commercial committee ;
but as he believed the committee OF WAYS
and means perfectly competent, he should
not Object 10 the resolution.
The question was then taken on the re.
: solution and passed in the affirmative,
, Ayes 56--Noes 40.
The committee rose and reported the
! resolutions, which the house Immediately
} took into consideration.
. The FIRST, second, third and fourth were
, agreed TO Without division and The fifth
. Ayes 81.