The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-01-17
GomnrgSe.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, Ian. G.

! MI. Larry called for the order ofihc day on
the 6iH tro7'iding far f5e pun;,smeat OF GER.
J 4 @4IN GRIMES agairR tbe U..Nates.
Mr. Eppes moved to recomAiu the Li,l TO p
ieieet committee. He faid he truned that the
ON IN ITS pretent fhape would not pafs The
ooleet contemplated by it, was 10 give the fame
powers 10 prevent or punifh an expedition a.
CAN'T the U. States, that was already provided
! IN the cafe OF an expedition againft foreign
power. This would be found by confultng the
'ne''aGe or the Prsiident, delivered at the
commencement of the felton,. The Prlident
! obferves--" Where an enterprise ia meditated
! ny private individuals, aeanft foreign nation.
i IN amity with the United States, powers OF
prevention, to certain extent, are given by
the laws. Would they not be as reafonable,
and uiefu', where the enterprise preparing is a.
! gainit the U. States % 49,.
This; the recommendation of the Prefdent;
! THIS IS the provihon deemed nee eilary by him.
, Let US compare i. with the provifions of the ex-
liting law. In the 3rd vol. of the laws of the
U. >. 5th ietticn, we find the following proyi-
tion:
:" That if any perfon i,alI within the terrific
~ or Jurlfdietion of the United States, begin or
let on foot, or provide or prepare the means for
any military expedition or enterprise TO be car
red on from thence asainft the territory or do.
minions OF any foreign prince or fate with whom
| the United States are at peace, every fuch per-
Ion Ia offending. fhal, upon conviction be adj
JUDGED guilty of high mificmeanor, and l,a,I
intier fine and imprifonnent at The difcretion of
me court IN which conviction lf,al be had, 70 as
mat iuch fire ihall not exceed three thoufand
collars, nor the term of imprisonment be more
than three years"
a MS is the provifon at preient in force in
reipeet to an enterprise agant foreign nation.
bnt IN addition to this, the committee are for
giving the following power. Mr.. E. here read
the hrt lection OF the bill under confederation.
as follows:
" Be 1t enaefcd, That if any perfon or perfons
man within the territory or jurifdetion of the.
U. states, begin or frt on foot, or provide or
prepare the means for any military expedition
or enterprise, with intent of taking pofIeGion
of any fort, arfenal, magazine, dock, navy ward.
or any public veflel of the u. S. or of invading
or occupying with an armed force any part Of
the u D. or the territories thereof, or with in.
tent, IN any other manner, of ievyinp war a.
gant the United States, or of adherng TO the F.
nemIes OF the faid itates; or who with intent. 80
aioreiad' ihAll combine or confpire together,
or man council, adviie, or attempt to fet on
1901, proVae or prepare the means for anv
iuch military expedition or enterprize, or 70
procure any infurreetion, unlawful af1emblv. mr.
continuation, for fuch pnrpofe, although f,ch
expedition or enterprise fhall not be carried in
10 effect, and whether iuch confpracy, council.
advice, or attempt, fhal have the propofed re-.
feet or not, every fuch perfon or perfons 70 of
| 'enaihg' mai upon conviction, be adiudged
eu"'y OF a high mademeanor, and fhall fuffer
line and imprisonment, at the difcretion of The
court in which the conviction fliaIl be had e. "a
| that fuoh fine fllall not exceed ,bon-
and dollars, or be lels than dol
/ iirs' nor The term of imprisonment be more
IMAM years, or lels than
years; ard further, at The difcretioD OF
| tue count nc holden 20 find fureties for his, or
their good behavior, in fuch FUN, and for finch
term, as the fad court may dire0 pro,,;I.J
HI7vayt, That nothing herein contained. GIall
DC Continued 10 as TO prevent the trial and nu-
niihment OF any perion or perfons guilty of trea-
ION, murder, or any other offence puniihabIe bv
any law or laws of the II. So
Mr.. +. fad the objection he had to this hill,
was this. 1T introduced defcription of ofrn.
Cos which could not be defined, or reduced -
any known ftandard. What was combination
or conipracy' out init what court may plearc
to make 1t He had another oil lection. In the
firR fiction the committee who repnrted tbo
bill had adopted the very words of ftat,,te
which had ever been conlidered odious and or
prsihve, and which he never wiGhed again to
fee adopted in whole or in part. He allnded
to the memorable Edition act. And that gen
tiemen might fee the affinity of this bill TO II.
ne would call the attention of the Hou(e TO its
hrtt lection, which was as follows
" BE il ennded, That if any perfon G,auun.
lawfully combine or confpire together with in
tent to oppoie any meafure or meafures Of the
government OF the United States, which are or
ihaii re directed by proper authority, or to i'm.
prde the operation Of any laws of the TJnitrJ
, s'aie-, or To lnilu'idate or prevent any perC0u
| holding place or Office in or under the govern
mont Of the United States, from unaertakiu5
performing or executing his irut or duty and
I " any perion or psrfons, with irtcnt as afofe.
iald' hall council, sddGc, or attempt TO procure
any IniuIrettIoa, riot, unlawful aHcmbIy. or
combination, whether fuch confpitacy, threat
cnng, eouuiel, advice, or attempt iban have
the propoted effect or not, he or they 1,all he
deemed guilty OF high mGdemtaror, and ON
! CONVICTION, before any court Of the United
! states having iurifdiclon thereof, naI be pu-
nIihed by u tine not exceeding FIVE thoufand
dollars, and by imprisonment during z term not
Iefs tn an fix months nor exceeding five years
aud further, at the difcretion of the court. NAV
be holden tn find futeties for his or their cool
behavior in fuch fun, aud for fllch time, as ne
iaid court may diree."
Here then we have the very offences, Jeig.
dated in that aa,ute, combination and corr
ipiTacy and all that is nCcelTary to make this
act preciiely the fame with the feditioS hill. i,
to introduce the words, navy yard and ar.epsls
Mr.. EPpes faid thsfc were bis objections !.
| the frQ feetion. He had yenerdav f,,fl,, ~.