Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-12-01
SATURDAY. Nov. u.

oATURDAT, NOV. u.
On motion of Mr.. Newton, after some
conversation on the subject, resolutions
were adopted directing the clerk OF the |
House to furnish each of the standing
committees and the committee on the POST
Office and Post-Roads with Bradiey's map
OF the United States, and Arrowsmith's
map of Europe; and with Bacon's Digest
of the laws of the United States.
Mr.. M'Crecry moved that the petition
OF William Smith, presented ut Il former
session, be referred to the committee on
claims barred, &c.-Agrecd
Mr.. Ciopton, from the committee Of re-
visal and unfinished business, made far.
Their report which was ordered 70 he prin-
ted.
Mr. Jones moved that the House should,
according to the order OF the tlay, 20 in
to committee OF the whole on the report
in favor of the petition of Sir James Jaw
Agreed TO, 40 to % Mr.. MASTERS was
called to the chair The re,5nrt being read
with the ic.;cr from the Secretary Estate
accompanying it,
Mr. Iaylo opposed and Mr.. Jones sup
por,cd il.
fine question being taken on concur
renee with lie report, the votes were, in
! ,aV"r oil IT Is, aglinstit 4e; there appear.
! correct, second count was about TO be
| had, when a debate took place, in which
MesSrs. Upham, Cook, Dana, Quincy,
Sloan and B;eckledgc supported, and
| MSssrs. ]. Clay, GARDENER, ID. Z. Will
| ans, Holland, Taylor and Bugwcn opposed
the rcFcr'. In support &C the report Il
was urged that the secret mode OF CORES
pcndence for which the peuancr prays Il
compensation, was very useful in the re-
vouuonary war, and no doubt might be
| again; that the testimony in favor ofthc
Invention was very satisfactory that thci e
WAS on file in the Office OF the Secretary
ot state, a letter written by Gen. Wash
ington IN this invisible ink; that Mr.. Jaw
had never received compensation that al
though 1t had been used Nv various per-
sens, none had ever vet known the com
position of it bus himself; that the report
was only TO auChorise the President TO Dur-
chase this secret if ne thought fit, leaving
him the judge Of its utility.
! Those VINO opposed the report, argued
that II WAS absurd tovotc away money for
a thing they did not and could not under
stand that there never yet was a secret
| INK made but a composition could he in
vented that would bring il out, and that
POSSIBLY sir Jane himself might know such
iri'y before them that it was not or would
not Re disclosed IN other governments as
we'll as this; ihat if secret correspondence
Was wanted, it had from late occurrences
appeared that Eutick': Dictionary and
key word would afford, by writing in cy-
lpher, sufficient secrecy.
Ia the course of this debate much wit was
displayed in speaking on different modes of
keeping secrets, and the futi!ity of all :;
with al!usions TO the secret proceedings Of
Congress, particularly those which took
|piace on the 18th inst. wi ich were said 10
have been known before the House took
them UP. Some amusement also arose a.
mengSt the members from the difficult. of
hearing each other and ,bc Consequent mis-
takes that took place.
The question OH concurrence beirg ia = en-
was carried so n H8.
The committee rose and ON the motion
in the House for concurrence, Mossrs J.
Clay and Southland opposed, and Messrs.
Sloan, Quincy, Newton, Blacliledge, and
Crowninshield supported it.
The question was then taken, on motion
Of Mr.. Williams, by yeas and nays, there
Being 81 in favor OF the report, and SIS a.
gainst it. A select committee was apDo,n-
ted to bring in a bill in conformity to the
resolution.
Mr.. Quincy moved that the petition OF
sundry inspectors of the port of Boston,
presented at a former session, he referred
10 the committee of ways and means A
greed.
Mr.. Van Cortlandt presented the memo
rial Of Peter Laudais, praying for balance
Of compensation due him. Referred to the
committee of claims.
Mr. Ly on presented the petition of John
Pitchlym, Interpreter 20 the Choctaw natl
on of Indians, praying for money due him
for services. Referred to the committee
of claims.
Mr.. Cook presented the petition of John
Whitney. Referred to committee on claims
barred, sc.
Adjourned.