The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-12-23
Co1,nreee.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, Dec. Is.

Mr.. Early, from the committee to whom was
referred that part of the menage of the Pref
deut, which relates TO prohihi,in. the importa-
ton OF caves into the u. S. reported bill To
Prohlet the importation Of nives into the U.
S.or territories thereof, after the thrty-hrit
day OF Dec. 1907, whcih was read twice and
referred to committee Of the whole Houfe on
Wednesday next.
Mr. Dana fubmtted reiolution inftru Cling
The committee of Commerce and Manufactures
to enquire into the expediency of making provi-
lion for furvey of the COATS of the U. S. de-
hsnatipg the feveral illands, with the llroals,
roads and places OF anchorage within twenty
leagues of any of the flores of the u s..
Before offering the refolution, Mr.. Dana brief
y notices. the importance of a comprehensive
farvey OF the whole coat, as well with view
20 the tafety OF our commerce, as to the dslig-
nation of the extent of our territorial rights.
Mr.. Crowninfhield fuggefed the propriety
oftxtendins the farvey to forty leagues beyond
the coat. E''r,-
The ,efolu.ion was ordered to lie for conf
Ieration.
a mehage was received from the Senate,
Rating that they had pafIed the bill to fufpend
" On act to fufpend the operation of an act,
sintit'ed q An act to prohibit the Importation
ut certain goods, wares, and merchandise"
aHdto remit the penalties incurred under the
fame," with amendments.
The Houfe having agreed TO conGd,- m.
amendments,
MIR. J. Randolph moved to refer them to fe-
Vet committee.
Mr.. Alton oppofed the motion. He believ-
I'd no reference neceIary, as the fiibject was too
plan to require my detailed inveaisa,ion if it
ihould be referred, he would prefer arefereace
70 committee of the winnie Houfe, and, az
cordingly, made motion to that effect.
Mr.. ]. Clay fupported the motion of Mr.
hat he oh; sSk ,ftL
reference was merely to introduce proYiiion
\ to fccure the payment of COTS by thofc who
I had incurred the penalties of the non-impor-
taton act, which otherwife would be chargea-
Die to the u. S.
Mr.. Smile oppofed the referenc, TO feleGt
committee, and declared himfef, under Killing
circumstances, hottie to the amendment ofthe
Senate, vefing the PRECEDENT with fufpending
power.
The motion Of reference 10 a committee Of
the whole Houfc having been difagreed to-
Ayes 5o-the reference to a ielc6t committee
obtained without diviion.
The committee are Me;ire. J. Randolph, J.
Clay, and Aeon.
Mr.. Elliot roie, and addrefied the Houfe in
ipesch OF comfortable length, on the critical and
alarming ftuaton of the country, and the COM
Inandmg neceiiity of creating and organizing a
!yftem OF more efficient defence and conclud-
cd with giving notice thai he mould on Tuef-
day, the 2Sd inf. fubmit a ferries of refo!utions
70 that effect.
The bill for erecting Bridge acrofs the Fo-
toinac was coniidered in committee of the
Whole, and reported to the Houfe.
Mr. J. Randolph, from the committee TO
whom had been referred the amendments of
the Senate to the bill to fufpend the non.impor-
tatlon act, made 4 report, viz.
10 agree TO the hrft amendment propofed By
the Senate, which is to ftrke out the following
words at the end of the fection-s This aGl
fha take effect from and after the paiIing there
ot-with an amendment, VITO add after
the word " remit" as foows--ss on payment
by the parties, by whom fuch penalty, fine or
forfeiture may have been incurred, of all COTS
which have accrued, or may accrue before no.
tiee OF this ad ihall have been received by the
aitornies of the feveral diftriets OF the United
States"
And TO agree TO the fecond amendment, au-
thor'zlng the PRECEDENT to fufpend the non-im-
portation act :ilI the sir of Dec.
a concurrence with the hrf amendment was
carried without f. diyiiion.
Mr. Dawfon moved to amend the amend
r1ent of the Senate by fnbGituting the words
@-publie intercif," in lieu of the words pub
lie fervice."
Mr.. J. Randolph faid he did not fee how the
public interef could be disconnected from tho
public fervice.
Mr.. Dawfon's motion was agreed to-Ave,
43--Noes 40.
MIR. Smile faid he was againn the amend
mcnt offered by the Senate. He hoped that
gentlemen who ptoPofed concurring in it would
Dew its neceflisy at this slime. The MeGage of
fhe Prehdent had recommended flort fnfpen-
non OF the Don-importatien act, which has been
done by the aet pafied,by the Houfe. If at A
late period of the FELTON,, circumstances fhoud
,iutiifyt veiting fufpeniing power in the
Preiideat, he might, perhaps, have no obieSti-
OH TO the meafure but was there at this time
any tuch ncceGity, when the probability was
thatt the BoEfe would not rife mill the 3rd of
March; and when it could not be known whe
tbeS important information might not preyiouf
Sy reach them ? If no necefity can be lhewn.
Why now legiflate He was ALTO oppofed TO
the amendment, becaufe it looked like holding
out to England that we were tired of the non.
Importation act. For theie reafons he hopcd
the amendment would not to be agreed to.
MIR. ]. Clay faid, he did not know that the
operation of the amendment propofed by the
Senate would be to Ihew G.. d. that we were
tired Of the act. On the contrary, by making
rs further fufpenlion conditional, Il would
fhew that uplefs further arrangements were
made between the two governments, il would
be carried into efea. II was very trne. that
further informa ion might be received during
The FELTON,, which might render repeal ofthe
ar rra Tlt,sG