The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-03-28
FRIDAY, March 81.


Mr.. M,1mford, from the committee to whom
was referred a refolution, prohibiting the i'm.
portaton Of Certain articles from Great Britain,
reported bill to prohibit the importation of
certain goods, wares and merchandise, which
was referred to committee of the whole Houfr
on Monday.
Mr.. Thomas fad he wihed tofiibmit mott
on to amend the rules of the Houfe, and he
would, in few words, fate the re atoms which
influenced him.
The bill faid Mr.. T. for partial non-impovta-
ton of the products and manufactures of Great
Britain, isnow before us, and we fhali foen be
again engaged on the fuhieet of our differences
with that nation. A fubiea which has been, &
probably will be again, embraced as theme
on which mach of the precious time of this
houfe has been fpent, and / think its dignity
lproftrated----in talking about, and animariver-
ting on all the little, local, party divi6ons,
] which have been artfally attempted to be raifcd
in different feetions of this union by defigning
individuals, and newspaper writers; but which,
as to principle, do not in reality exit.
In attempting, by low epithcts and perfonal
auiions. to criminate the prefent chief masif-
trate OF this country, who, not only pofieiIes
the entire confidence, and is the pride & boat
OF almoR unanimous America but who has
been eulogizcd throughout Europe, and the
whole civilized world, for the falutary mea-
lures, which he has recommended aud adopted,
to leien his own patronage, to tighten the bur-
tRens OF the people, to preferve peace, and to
render their independence, freedom and hap.
p'nefs, permanent and fecure, and whole po-
'itical life will be tranfmitted to poRerity, in
the fairet pages of hiRoYy, as model of pub
lie virtue, and true patriotifm. In canvaaing
for the election of another PRECEDENT, aud in at
tempting to excite jealoufies, and difturb the
harmony and unanimity of the nation, at this
Imomentous crihs----Behdes the low perfonal a.
bufe, which, while that fubie6 was before I'm.
der confederation, has been levelled at great
number OF the mott Respectable members of this
houfe---all of which, deem grofs violation
of'ts dignity, and the honor of the nation, and
which will fet my face againft, while am ho-
nared with a feat on this floor
Our rules. on this fubjee are either mifcon-
frued, or they are Gefeetive--I fllali, there.
fore, propofe an alteration.
But by this, fad Mr.. T. win not to be un.
J derftood, as having any reference to the low in.
veefives, directed at myfe!f, the other day, by a
member, whom ], exerciing constitutional
right, called to order, when, in my opinion, he
was outraging decency and dccorum--.for ]
viewed that only as ftroke, in the desperate
fraggle Of one, who from disappointment and
lchagrin, was politically ftrangled by his own
hands. and juft expiring-I feel, far above be.
ing affected by any thing of this kind, individu.
ally, but feel for the dignity Of this Houfe,
and for the reputation Of the American govern.
ment-And in order, ifpofIible, to prevent this
kind Of tranfgreffon in future, by bringing
queftions of order fairly before the chair and the
Houfe, will fubmit the following refoution :
4 Re/ol1e6, That when member is called to
order by another, he fhall Immediately fit down,
and the member calling the other to order
fhall then be allowed to rate the points, which
he objects to, as being out of order, 70 that the
decihon ofthe chair, and the Houfe, NAV be
taken thereon.
Ordered to lie on the table.
Mr.. CLARK. Before I fit down I will Law a
refoution on the table, which have for fome
time pat kept in my drawer. will do this
with view Of affording this Houfe an opportu.
nifty of exercifng one of its conftitutionai pow.
ers. csnfder the Houfe of Representatives
as the immediate guardians of the rights Of
thofe whom they rcprefent. They are more
dhPeried throughout the U. S. than any other
ciais or public men, and from them on their re-
turn home the people may nationally expea a
more complete information of what is pafIinp
here than from any other perfons. In 70 exten.
five country there is better chance of their
affairs being known through this organ than
through licentious pref1es. With regard to the
puouC Character, VINO is the object of this re-
tolution, have long had fufpicions, and have
fnce found, from what confider good autbo-
lrity, thefe fufpicons confirmed. ! have rood
reafen to believe that man high in Office, no
other man than the acknowledgement of the
U. s. has been combining and matchmaking a.
ganft the representatives of the people, and
that ne has ufcd his efforts to feduce prefs
MIR. Clark Is underftood here to have alluded
to the Aurora1 to aid him in a claim depend.
ing before this Houfe. know of one authority
which could relieve this Houfe from the necefF-
ty OF difchargng what may be coniidered an
unpleaiant duty, by getting rid of what NAV be
| called public nniiance. mean the Prefdept
OF the United States. It is becaufe believe
that great and good man, whole greatea fault,
he has fault, confts in his goodnefs, has
not been fully informed on this fnbiecf, thar
this courfe is rendered neceGary. have fuch
confidence in the Prefdent, that believe, if
he bad received this information, he would
not have fuffercd this officer to remain mo.
ment in place. But good, jut, and honeft him.
ielf, he liftens to ear wigs who flirround him,
who extol this officer, and whifper fweet things
IN his favor. think it duty owe to the 90.
vernment to take this iiep. AS to the repre-.
tentative part of il have little Apprehension,
as know that in cafe of mfcondue the eletti.
II on M adr r. a. r..