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

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views which influenced the Committee. The
committee would fill the blanks wish either
day as 1t shoaid suit their pleasure Ne
would move 10 Gil il with ,lle 5lst dty of De
cembcr, In order 10 try their sense az the
same time he did rot feel it important that
the blank should be filed with that day, or
any other.
Mr.. Shaifc observed that there were two
points which appeared to him to contain
the marrow OF the bill; the first vas whe-
ther theprohilitory act shoalG be suspended,
and the second To what time the suspcnsi-
on should be made. The last point, it was
more difficult to agree about than the other.
lie would suggest, whether it would not be
best to leave the blank untitled until the
third reading OF the bill BY pursuing this
course, time would be allowed members
10 reflect on the subject. He was himself
not altogether prepared to say what would
De the proper period. He was friendly to
the suspension but he had not made up
his mind AS to the time.
Ml. u. Gay said it was usual to fill an
the blanks iii comm ttce Of The whole. If
ms colleague were net disposed to agree to
hliing the bib with the 31st of December, it
would be easy, when the bill should be con-
sidered in the House, to vote against con.
CURING III the report of the committee.
Mr.. Findiey said both modes of filing
oianks were usual, and either as pursued,
ACCORDING to he convenience of the House.
As filling the blank in this instance was of
great Importance, and as the House had as
yet had little time to reflect upon it, he no.
ped the motion to ill the blank would he
postponed until the bill was carried into tile
n a,e, He was friendly to the principle
o. the bill, but had not made up his mind
WIN regard TO the period for which il
won be best to suspend the prohibitory
act.
Ihe question being put, the motion to fill
the blank with the 31st of December, was
disagreed to-Ayes 4S-Noes 90.
Inc chairman having read the second
seetion--
Mr.. n. Nelson declared himself unpre-
pared 10 give hIs vote upon it. l. he re-
Collected the provisions Of the existing laws,
'hey gave 10 the informer part of the pc.
nalty accruins from their infraction. The
U. ). however they might give I'D the ne
naltics which had accrued to them. had no
right to remit that part Of them which had
become the property Of the informer He
submitted theref re the propriety Of so a.
menaing this section as to save the rights
of the latter.
Inc several provisions of the laws on
this subject having been read, debate of
considerable length arose on the necessity
OF the proposed amendment.
It's necessity was contended for by Messrs,
r. Nelson, G. w. Campbell, dawson and
Flndiey; and opposed by Messrs. ]. Clay.
Bidwcli, J. Randolph and Crowmnshield.
by the former gentlemen il was con;end-
Ell that vested right became attached to
the intormer, or officer OF customs, which
the United States could not morally divest
N fh,+ a1f
4 reasury was authorized by law TO remit
all forteitures, yet that Congress could not
themselves remit them.
On the ether hand it was maintained that
Congress having given the entire power OF
remission OF forfeitures to the Secretary of
the treasury, were as competent them
selves TO remit as he was; and that the
power, which they had bestowed ON an in
terror executive cff;cer they were them
selves competent to exercise.
This text OF the debate was considerable
ramihed but as it was admitted on ali
hands that there were few, ifany cases. to
which the point in dispute won d apply, we
consider this concise rotice sufficient; re-
marking, that during the debate every GEN
t.cman, who expressed an opinion on the
Dill declared himself friendly to its principle.
In the course of this argument, Mr.. C..
". CamhbeH moved that the committee
should rise, and ask leave to sit again.
his melton was, however, Withdrawn.
under the impression that tie blank would
not be filed until the third reading of the
bill.
The committee then rose, and reported
their agreement to the bill without amend.
ment.
Mr.. Dazoson. to try the sense ofthe
Eouse on the point discussed IN committee,
offered the FOL wing amendment:
Provided that nothing herein contained
shan DC construed to affect the right or
clam OF any person, to any part of any
me, penalty, OF forfeiture, incurred by the
breach OF the act aforesaid, which such
person shall or may be entituled TO, by
virtue OF the said law, in cases where pro-
Secution has been commenced, or informa :
ton has heen given, before the passing of
this act: the amount Of which right and
claim shall be assessed and valued by n
proper judge or court in a summary man..
ner.
The argument commenced in committee.
was resumed by the same gentleman,
When the question was taken, and the
amendment disagreed TO AYES H.
Mr.. j. Randogh said, after what had
passed, the House would not ascribe to him
a wish TO precipitate the decision on filling
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