Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-11-20

grant him new patent. Referred to a |
select committee of FIVE members.
Mr. Rhea of Ten. presented letter re-
ceiyed from the post-master-general, in
closing number of petitions, for new post
Offices, &c. Referred to the committee on
the post-oftice aid post-roads.
Messrs. Moore, Lewis, Hoge, and S
Smith each presented petitions respecting
post'roads or Offices in their several dis
tricts, which were referred
Mr. Jer. Morrow said, that an act for the
sale OF public lands had been passed in
1896, which provided that certain sections
should be reserved for the disposal OF Con-
e''ess IN each township; in 1900, an act
was passed authorising the surveyor gene
raj 10 lease these sections, parts of which
were accordingly leased. An act had been
since passed authorising the sale of the
sections heretofore reserved for the dispo-
siiiun Of Congress, with provision at
tsched 20 it, that no section should be sold
at lower rate than 8 dollars per acre.
This price was so e1travagsntly high, that
1t appeared from the report of the Secre-
tary ofthe Treasury only four sections had
been sold in the course of the last wear
10 reduce the price fixed, so as that all
the public lands might be sold and occu-
pied, he moved the following resolution,
He remarked that similar resolution
was last year referred to the committee
on Public bends, who reported "A bill; but
from the press of business, it was not act
ed on:
PeSotOed, That the committee on Pub
lie Lands he directed TO enquire into the
eXpe,liency OF making further provision
for the sale Of the lands reserved for the
disposition Of Congress---and that they have
leave to report by bill or otherwise. A.
greed.
Mr. Dawson said, within a few DAYS a
number of gentlemen in the House had ex-
pressed much feeling on the subject of the
injuries which had heen received from TO-
reign power, * seemed DESTROYS OF a minute
enquiry into the business. He reioiced at
these expressions ofIndignation Whetherit
wcuiG become proper not only to speak. but
10 act, depended on circumstances not
within their control. He was informed by
the Secretary of War that there were in
the magazines of the u 5. a great number
~ stands of arms, of our manufacture,
which were daily increasing. II appeared
that some of the states were in want of
arms; the distribution of these would be
lserviceabie both to the u. S. and to the
states Individually. For this reason he
moved The following resolution:
! ReSotUed, That committee be appoin-
ted 10 enquire into the expediency of SCI
| ling to the individual states or territories,
Who may wish 70 purchase any arms or
Ordnance owned by the u. 5. and which
lnl'y be parted with without injury To the
Ipu5lic; and that they report by bin or
lctberwise
" Nelson had no objection to the prrn-
! cipie embraced ny the resolution, but thor
it vas improperly referred He moved
THAT the resolution should be amended SO
IS 70 refer it 20 the committee S. much of
| lie Presidents message as relates 70 rniIi-
ts'v establishments, 3<c-
Mr. Drwspn had no objection.
The resolution thus amended was agreed
TO.
Mr. Randolph said, that at the last ses-
sion Of Congsess, an act had been passed
prohibiting the importation OF slaves into
any port or place in the u ) after the 1st
dav Of January next. One of the sections
| ~ th"t act contained principle in his o.
pinion totally subversive Of the right of
property IN slave holders. lie had wished
the subject to have been considered at the
last session; but from the late period at
VII CHI it had been brought sforward, the
House had declined acting upon it. He
time, hut shed bill to be brought in for.
amending the act, for which purpose he
moved the following resolution, which was
adopted, and committee accordingly ap-
POINTED.
Rcsofpsd That committee be appoint
ed to enquire into the expediency of a.
intending the act, entitled, " An act to pro-
hibit the importation of Slaves into any
port or place within the Jurisdiction of the
U. S. from and after the first day of Janu-
airy, IN the year Of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and eight"
message was received from the Senate
by MIR. OTIS, their secretary, informing
the House that they had chosen the Rev.
Mr. Mccormick Chaplain on their part,
IN place Of Dr.. CAN'T, who declines accep-
ting his appointment.
Aereeably to the order of the day, the
H"use went INFO committee of the whole,
Mr. Pitkin in the chair, on the bill for erec-
ting bridge across the river Potomac
and on motion made by Mr. Nelson, to
strike out the 1st section Of the bill, a de-
bate arose, which occupied the remainder
of the DAY.
The motion was supported by Messrs
Nelson and Key, and opposed by Mr. Lew
Us, when, about 8 o'clock, the committee
rose, reported progress, and obtained leave
to sit again.
IHURSDAY, NoU 10.
After the presentation Of various petit
tons, and the receiving Of several reports,