Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-01-30

lon the report of . select committee. On
$50 much of the message OF the president Us
relates to the forsifcatioas ofports and har-
Ibors.
The resolutions reported by the commit
tee were read as follows:
RESOLVED, That sum Of money not ex-
ceeding dollars, be appropriated to
enable the president of the United States to
cause our notifications to be improved
and repaired.
Rescued, That further sum of money
not exceeding dollars, be appropriated
to enable the president of the u. States to
cause to be built number of gun-boats,
not exceeding for the better protection
| of our ports, towns aud rivers. .-
! Mr.. Mumford.-Mr. Chairman, rise to
make motion to which am impelled
| from the strongest conviction on my mind,
that it is ofprimary importance to the peace,
the honor, the safety and the welfare of
this nation we should adopt some more eff
| cient measures in defence of our own sea
coasts. 1t is no doubt within the recollec-
ton of every member of this committee
| that in the month of April last, most un-
warrantable outrage was committed "a
gainst the peace and dignity of the United
States, within our own jurisdiction, by the
commander of certain British ship of war,
called the Leande-, who, in open contempt
of your laws, and the violation of the laws
of nations, did actually commit murder on
one Of your own citizens, within your own
limits, near the port of New York, without
provOcation on his part, when iu the law
full prosecution of his business.
However difficult il may be notwithstantl-
ing our earnest desire to devise some more
eifectual means, which hope will soon take
place to relieve a worthy class of our citi-
zens from the cruel bondage and decorating
whip of man OF war; is not this humili-
alton sufficient! Must we still be called
upon to drink up the dregs? VIII the u.
States submit to the humiliating degrada-
ton of having its own citizens murdered
within its own limits, without making an
effort and taking such strong ground as will
prevent in future the repetition of the like
crimes! No Sir; this nation viii not sub
NIT to it; Sir, we have had insult added TO
injury, and notwithstanding the Cambrian
| frigate has been denied the rights of hos
pitality by the presidents proclamation in
consequence of her participation in the
murder of one of your citizens, yet a few
days ago it appears another ofy your citizens
has been seized by the commander of that
, frigate, with force of arms, and threatened
safely conduct that ship, contrary to the
laws of his country, from Cape Henry into
| Hampton Roads, he would blow his brains
out. She did arrive in Hampton Roads,
| and there replenishcd with fresh supply
J of provisions, in order the more elfectually
| to annoy your commerce, add new insults
ITO your citizens and TO your government.
do not wish TO excite a:arm nor iTritate this
nation against any Tor. gn government on earth.
my wish is to cultivate peace and friendship with
| them all on honorable terms. But never will
consent to do II at the expence Of the honor, the
safety and the welfare OF this nation. And
hope We shall in jui,ice to ourselves and the du.
| ty we owe our country, pursue such prompt and
efficient measures as will more efectualy protect
our own sea shores Impressed with these sem
timen.s, and in order to prevent repetition of
the like offence in future, and aid in carrying
into execution the proclamation OF ;he President
of the United States, dated in Apr! las,, beg
leave 20 more The following amendm=nt TO the
! first resolution:
And also 10 enable the President Of the Uni
ted States to equip, man. and maintain SO much
of the present naval force of the United States
as he may judge proper
MIR. Clinton supported: and Mr. r. Nelson
opposed this motion which was disagreed to-
| Ayes 45--Noes SO
Mr.. II. Nelson moved TO fill the blank in the
first resolution wiSh -" 20 co.,"
Mr. Cook proposed p" one million"
Mr. Mumford proposed i" 10000"
The motion 20 fill the blank with one million
4 was disagreed to--Ayes l2.
/ The nio.ion to FIJI tn blank with &" 500 ,0o0.'
was then put.
Me.srs Mumford, Clinton. Cook. and Tracy
supported; and Messrs Smile, X. Nelson and
Sloan opposed this motion, which was disagreed
to--Ayes SO Noes IS
Mr.. Muiford then moved to FL the blank
with 10000"
This motion waS likewise disagreed ,o-Ayes
57.--.Eo1' 66.
Mr.. Mumford then proposed " 800, 0oO''-
Disagreed to--Ayes 80 =. Noes SIS.
Mr.. Cook proposed I" 100000"
Mr.. Smile opposed this motion, which was
negatved-- Ayes S7-Eoes SO.
Mr. Thomas moved to fn the blank win
p" 900"
Mcssr, Thomas and N. Williams supported i;
and Messr,. Holland, aud X. Nelson opposed
this motion.
Mr.. Cook moved TO all the blank with {" 200
oO0."
i Messrs. Cook, Stanton. and Southland, advo'
vocated and Mr. Macon opposed this morton
which was disagreed to--Ayes 42--Noes IS
The motion 10 fill the blank with " 100 600 >
shared the like fste--Ayes 51--Nnes 60--a'
likewis. the motion to hil 1t with " 80 GOO
Ayes SO.
When the morton Of MIR. r. Nelson TO 6li tht
blank with (" 10000" preyailed-Ayes 81
Noes ~
Mr. r. Nelson moved to ill the first blank il