Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1807-11-25
G. O N 6 r E S S..
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, November 10.

1 DEBATE on Mr.. G. w. CAMPBELL S
molten to fAup thedal on The nasal estab-
AshmPnf.
ccsTINUED.
Mr.. w. Alsson said, the question was as
he understood ii, whether the house would
pass law. for detraying The extraordinary
expenses which had been incurred incon
sequence Of certain events. To him the
discussion which had taken place was the
nnost extraordinary which he had ever VIII.
snessed. Instead cf coming forward and
opposing this measure, gentlemen employ
Themselves injuslifyirg .heir conduct on
former occasions, and abusing the admit.
sus,ion. If they wish to arraiga the exc.
cutiye or any of its acts, let them come tor
ward in manly manner and lay resoia-
ton on The table for the purpose: and not
arraigu their conduct, while they sanction
The measure. This was the proper way, &
he were displeased wi;hthe admlaistra.
ton it was the course which he would pur.
sue. Was ii fair for gentlemen who ap.
proved It's conduct. 10 propose measures
which would casta ceususe upon every
step which had been taken J He shoughs
not.
The gentleman who had iust sc, down.
had said, tha. he wished DO concsalment,
he wanted information. Surely tha, gen.
tlemau had no. read the estimate from the
Secretary Of The treasury laid on their IA,
bles; for 10 that he might find ample Ia.
formation ii stated the very articles for
which lhese expenees had beec incurred.
II. had been said there was 30 law TO coveF
this expenee no person denied that. Was
it question materisl ss the house whether
they were paid for or cot, or ifPaid for
whether out Of any particular sppfoPria'i.
ons The pSiGes given for the particular
articles were shewn 60 them ! there were
merchants in ;l.e house who knew what the
price of these lslicles should be; he pse-
sumed shat If aay uaordinary price aad
been given, soa,e gentleman wou!d have
said 80.
/, hadbeeu said that the p5etidsut sh, uIel
have called congress, and nc, hssc sioiss.
ed the laws of his couu,ty. He taccght
this the greatest emergency cha, bad ever
occurred, ard thai we were now better pre-
pared to decide on the important question
OF peace or war, than at TIE moment when
the evepthad taken place which called sheel
together: The course whichhad been pur-
sued would be sanctioned by all prcdent
men, and if By this course war had been
averied, the voice Of the nation would ap.
prove IT, The cases which he tasd heard
cited Gid not Apply for 10 the present case
there had been TO improper application OF
public money; what contracts had been
made il was not for him 10 enquire, but il
appeared that nor cent Of money had
been drawn from the treasury wlhoG. ap-
propris,ion.
Mr. Lhanaler remarked that The zen
tlemen from Massachusetts aad Virginia
had argued much on the subject Of This
appropriation. Theirwhole argument had
gone TO shew, that il was Improper to ap.
ely money 10 one purpose which had beer.
appropriated to another; or at all tc apply
money which had not been appropriated
Tt appeared 10 him thar the preeent case
differed very much from that Of epplyng
money without previous appropriation;
there had been no money applied. I he
exigency of tho country, nthe opinion Of
! the executive. required1lhe contracts To
be made. They had been made; bal 20
money had been paid. The gentlemen
] from Massachusetts, wished 70 be told ,hr
difference ba.ween r. wing for an article ard
purchasing IL: the distinction was cbsious;
an article may be fafchase9 ia-day AID