Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-11-24
MONDAY. Nov. LIS.

Mr. J. LAY observed that he understood
many large purchases had been la;ely
made by different agents for the United
states, some OF whom are paid for their
HSTE Cos certain per centage on the ~
mount OK these purchases. He thought
TINS the worst possible way Of exDeudine
TIC pu3ic money. Fer the purpose OF en-
qulry and TO brug he susiect before the
House; he move, the following resolutions,
which were adopted;
Hesoi7ra, That the Secretary of war be
directed TO lay before thIs House an ac-
Sou"t or estimate ot,he purchases OF mer-
chhngizs ana supplies made on behalf Of
'nc ~ Scales, by t'ie upe,in;endant of In
dian trade, by tne purveyor Of public sun
pi eS, ald by the military agents N rh..
different districts, for the three Years end
ing the 3oth day Of September last, speci
'yiHg, as far as may be Dracticabla. the
amount purchased, for what departments
TAT what place, and by what officer, tore
taer with the emolumgntS. commissions, or
salary allowed to such officer.
ResofDed, That the Secretary of the ma
! W &c directed to lay before this House AN
account or estimate Of the purchases OF
'ncrchanj e and supplies made or benalf
loi the United States by the navy agents
IA the different ports OF the United S:ate s.
tor me ghree years ending Oh the 3Cth day
OF September last, specifying, as far AS
may De Practic 1bic, the amount purchased
IN each year, at what port, and by what
dscnt, together with the emoIunents. COM
missions or salaries allowed to such arenr
Mr. PoindeXter, after few preliminary
observations, exposing various defects IN
the orsaH, cation Of the courts OF the His
'is''pp Territory, moved the foliowins re.
solution. which was adopted ard COR.
nl'tee appointed accordingly, consi.ting Of
McSsr5 t,hot, Van Allen, Key, Howard
I'D PoiadeX,er
NcSDtVed, That committee be appoint
ed to engu're whether any, and If anv
what alterations are necessary in the nc.
entitled " An act Tor the aonointneot OF
an additional Judge for the Mississippi ter
ritory, and for other purposes" and also
IN the act entitled, "An act to allow ipris.
dicuon Ia certain cases to tue territorial
courts" and that they report thereon bv'
bill or otherwise.
MIR Barker moved the following resolu-
ton, which was negatyed, So to II.
Re5o(Ocd. That the committee of Com
merce ADD Manufactures be Instructed to|
enquire into tnc expedieucy OF granting 1,
bounty on all salt which shall be nianuf3r-
,ured ~ the United States, and report by
bill or otherwise.
Mr. NJ. Clay moved the following reso
luton, which WIS adopted, and commit.
tee appointed, consisting of M.ssrs. NJ.
Clay, Tomas, Butler, Dana, Chandler,
Helms, and Desha.
Re8otUcd, That committee be appoint
cd TO enquire whether any, and if anv,
what alterations are necessary to be mad,
ia The militia Laws, and that they report
by bill or otherwise.
Mr Dana said ne had a resolution Pre-.
pared for the purpose of calling the atten
ton Of a Committee of this House to sub
lect materially interesting 70 the sovereign
~ OF the nation the committee he wished !
10 instruct was that on aggressions COM |
mitted ~ our waters, &C. but as he did |
pot see the chairman Of that committee i'm i
hc House, lie should lay it ON the table |
and call il up when that gentleman was
present.
The resolution laid on the table was as
ollows:
Rcsofved, That the committee, TO whom
vas referred 20 much of the message of
he President Of The United States as re-
atCs TO aggressions within our ports md
1aters, TO violations ofour jurisdiction, and
o measures necessary for the protection
{ our ports ard harbOrs, be instructed TO
Iquire into the expediency OF providing
Dr. the employment Of adequate force to
ompcl tho immediate departure Of such {
reign armed vessels as may be found re-
raining within the waters of the United
ta'cs IN defiance Of any intcrdictorY pro- {
I1mation duly issued by the President Of I
nc United States and that the commit