Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-12-30

cipal ports which are now ina defenceless
state: and that the said committee r.por.
statement ot iaCts, with their opinion
hereon 70 the House.
g. Resoiped, That committee be ap-
pointed 10 enquire into the exDediency of
investing the President of the ". States by
| law with ample powers, to cause every ag-
erosion and attack upon the rights, the ho-
nor, and the interest or the United States,
which may be committed or commenced
by the o'ncers, citizens, or subjects OF any
| foreign power within the ports and harbors
OF the United States, within the waters un-
DER their jurisdiction, and upon the high
seas, within certain distances of the coast,
10 he Immediately repealed and efectuallv
chastised and that the said committee re-
port by bill or otherwise
y. H-Soloed, That committee be ap-
pointed to revise the existing laws respcc-
ting the militia; to devise means for COM
pletely arming and eluipping for actual
service, and for more effectually organizing
and disciplining the Whole of the militia Of
the United States, in order TO render it an
efhcient force for the protection of the u.
States from invasion by any foreign power;
and that the said committee report by bill
or otherwise
~ NiSin Tt6Q TIC rtSOluuCnS,
Mr.. Elliot moved their reference 10 Il corn
mittee of the whole on the state OF the u
Mon. -ssl.- s
1T was suggested that most, is not al the
subjects embraced by these resolutions,.iaad
been already referred to committees ap-
pointed on the several members of thePrc-
sident's message, and that consequently
similar reterenCc TO other committees would.
without any good purpose being attained,
tend to complicate the proceedings Of the
House; and Il question of order was raised
as to the regularity of committing them.
The Speaker said that as the rcseluti-
ons, though in some respects similar to the
| subjects already referred, i'll other respects
varied from them, he considered Che motion
OF reference in order.
Mr.. Elliot said a few words to the same
effect, and stated his wish to be afforded
| an opportunity on Il future dry, should the
resolutions be committed, OF Offering his
sentiments at length on the interesting OBJ
| jccts embraced by them
On referring the resolutions to the COM
mittee of the whole OH the state Of the u
| Mon, the House divided-Oniy 50 mem
! bers rising in the affirmative, the refer
ence was disagreed to, when the resoluti-
| oris were ordered TO lie on the table.
The consideration OF the dill prohibiting
the importation of slaves into the United
States, was resumed in committee of the
whole--Mr. VARNUM in the chair.
! Mr.. Early moved to strike out that part
of the bill which declares the importation
OF persons OF color into the U. S. felony and
Furnishes it with death.
This motion was supported by Messrs.
Early and Holland, and opposed by Mr..
Smile, and agreed to-Ayes 60-Nocs IL.
| Mr.. RidzoeN renewed the motion for
merly offered by him, so TO amend the bill
as to prevent the forfeiture of persons OF
color imported.
F, On this amendment a debate of conside-
| rahle length ensucd, in which Messrs Bid
We'll. Cook, Sloan, Fisk, Rcfinrer and
Smile supported and N.csSrs. Lloyd, Ear
| ", Elmer, Aston and Macon opposed it
I When on motion of Mr.. .flcr0,der; the
committee, without coming to decision,
i'Sc, and obtained leave to sit again.
| Mr.. j. PdnHoLfh, from the committee OF
| Ways and Means, presented two bills, the
I one making appropriations for the military
establishments OF the United States, during
the year i807--and the other making APP
| preparations for the navy of the u. States,
during the year isO7--both of which were
referred to the committee OF the whole
fIMse /; the former made the order for
Monday, and the latter for Friday.