The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-01-30
Seat of 1nnfri,.nent.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
THyaay, January 81.


On motion of Mr.. Melon,
Rejoived That committee be appointed TO en-
qaire whether any, and if any, what alterations are
neceiary in the criminal, civil equitable urifdia-
on OF the circuit court of the dilritl of Columbia,
and that they have leave to report by bill other
wife.
Referred to- committee Of five members
MIR. Gregg, from the committee on public lands.
made report the petition Of fundry inhabitants
OF the counties Of Randolph and St. Clair in Indiana
territory The report Rates that the petitioners pray
tor grant OF lands on which they are frt,led and
tor different mode Of furvey from that applied TO the
other public lands, and conGders the regueR as mad
,niiible.
Wherevpon,
R50ts'd, That the petitioners have leave to with
draw their petition
Mr.. Early faid he held in his hand refolution in.
trucng the committee of ways and means to enquire
into the exPedency of requiring the cretares of fate
freaiury war; aud navy to lay before Congrels at the
opening OF every feilion detailed 0atement of the
expenditure ct the monies appropriated to the con-
tingent exPences of their departments He would
briefly Rate his reafons for offering this notion The
| monies for the contingent purpofes of the govern
ent were the only Description of expenditures which
were not controlled by the Houfe. Over every O.
ther branch ofexpenditure the Ioufe exercifed con-
troll by ipecifyiDg with definite cearnefs the refpec
tive obeas OF expenditure when an appropriation
was made. But the monies appropriated for contin-
gent purpofes were left excuivey to the dilcreton
OF the different officers prefidng over the feveral de-
partments, in which they were alone governed bv
their own will and Judgement The only check
which could be exercifed this dcfcrip.on of ex
pendtures was to require detailed Hatement of DIFF
buriements IL would be recollecfed that a commit
tee had been appointed fone time 6nce TO uyeipate
the accounts of feveral officers of the government &
that they made detailed report to the houre. About
that time, 1t had been contemplated to take the Rep
which ne now fuggeited, but for fome reaons !, had
never been taken. Mr.. Early faid he by no means
whed TO he underhood entertaining the idea that
the d'icretion with which the heads of department
were clothed had been abuCed He knew of no fsas
70 Jn!ti!y !ush ali opinion Ii was on the ground of
principle and ~ principle only that he offered this
reioution. Through the four grea. departments
which he had mentioned, pafed 9-IOths Of the whole
mouey appropriated by Congreis; and on looking at
the tatement contained in the climates Of the fecre-
tary rsaiury he found that more than one ourth
of the whole amount Of money e0imated as neceTary
Tor the fevera departments, was for contingent pur-
poles BY that hatemeDt it appeared that the whole
expenees Of the department Of Gate were 27OoO
dollars, Of which I4fOo DOLE. were for contingent,
purpoies. Uuder the head Of foreign intercourse
Sc 500 dolls saimated as neeefTlry of which
I0,9C dolls were tor contingent Yurpofes. The ef-
tin,afes for the trelfuEy department were .2Joo
dolls. OF which 300 were for contingent purpofes.
Tbe eGbnates for the war department, were ss,4oo
Of which 1000 were for contingent puspoGes The
climates for the military Establishment were 600 sos
dolls Of which 1900 were for contingent, pur po(es
The eltim1tes for the navy department were ri JOG
dolls OF which 200 were for contingent purpofes
The eimatesfor the naval elablihment were SCI SOC
dolls Of which All, 900 dos were FOR, contingent,
i Purpofss Mr.. Early lad, he preiumed this view o.
the fubjeA would uhify hin, ia the eyes Of the mem
bsrs Of the HOWE In Offering the refouton The re.
foluion, az follows, agreed to-.
4 RgS!vry, THAT the committee Of ways and rpesn
he iuafuaed enquire irso the expe,ieney If max
4 ing provfioo by law. Cor requiring the feere .yo
fate, The ecresarT Of tbe Egsaurg the fvcre,Hj