The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-12-08

Why was the cart 10 be put before the horse /,
Why was tie second brought upon the taps and
the first reserved
Mr.. B!ount stated that the first was merely dec
latory of the nature ofthe act and detailed that
information which had been so loudly cancd for
from SOME parts of the House; the second con
manifestations for preparing for defence, which
he conceived should be first acted upon.
Mr.. Randolph moved that the committee of the
whole to whom the second report or second part
of the report referred, should be discharg-
ed from the consideration of it, that it might be
referred to the same committee to whom the first
part had beenrclerred.
Mr. BLoant's motion being that under consider
alton, considerable debate ensued, which branch
ed widely into the subject in the course of
which
Mr.. Biount stated .hat the gentleman from Vir-
ginia (Mr Randolph) had desired Mr. B. to let
him know when the report WAS 90 be called up.
He had told the gentleman this morning that he
intended to call 1t up to-day If the gentleman
had then expressed desire that both reports
should be referred to the same committee ofthe
whole, he would have accommodated him, by
making motion to that effect.
Mr. Randolph said he would take the gentle
man from N c. at his word, and withdraw the
motion he had offered, trusting to the gentleman
to renew it.
Mr. Blount withdrew his motion for Immediate
~ taking up the second report and renewed Mr.
Rando!ph's motion; which the debate
continued. The gentlemen who took part in the
debate on this subject, were Messrs. Randolph,
Blount, Chandler, Dana, Eppcs, Thomas, Row
an, Nicholas, w. Aston, Lyon, Quincy, G. w
Campbell, Burweil, TAYLOR, and Smile,
The question being on the motion renewed
by Mr. Riount, was neeptived, 81 to 40.
Mr.. Etpes moved that the order of the day on
the first report of the committee Of AgGressions
be postponed TIL this day week. Carried; ayes
So, nays az.
MONDAY, November so.
Mr. Cock said that the House had been long in
session, and had yet done nothing towards the
purpose for which they were called together
For the purpose of coming 10 the consideration Of
the subject and Tor Obtaining the proper intorma-
ton he offered the following resolutions
1st. Resolved, that the Secretary of the Navy
be directed to lay before this House statement
OF the frigatcs, and other armed vessels compos-
ing the navy Of the United States, distinguishing
those in actual sarvice from those in ordinary, and
noting auch as want repairs, with IN estimate of
the sums necessary toprcparc them Tor immediate
service, and the probable time necessary 10 make
such repairs.
I'd. Resoived, That the Secretary OF the Navy
be directed to lay before this House, statement
ofthe number of officers and men respectively be-
longing TO the navy of the United States and the
corps of marines.
Sd. Resosved, That the Secretary of the Navy
be directed to lay before this House, an estimate
fthe number OF officers and men which would be
necessary to complete the manning the w'io,e and
entire navy of the United States including the
gunboats with estimate of the expenditures
respectively necessary for maintaining them, in
actual service during year
18th. Resolved, That the Secretary Of the Navy
be directed to lay before this House, statement
OF the quantity, quality, and present state of the
timber and other materials belonging to the Unit
cd States now on hand suitable for building ships
OF war; describing the force and size for which
such timber and other materials are suitable.
Mr.. BLouHt objected to the passage of the first
resolution as entirely unnecessary, he had in
his hand letter from the Secretary of the Navy,
giving part of the information asked for by that
resolution, and rs the committee Of aggressons
had actually requested OF the Secretary Of the Ma
Wy information which would embrace all that was
contemplated by 1t.
Some conversation ensued on the particular in
formation wished, and the prcpriety oil calling for
II, between Messrs. Cook, Biount, Smile, Mil
nor, Mumford, Dana, Talmadge and Gardner
during which a motion made by Mr.. Smile
opostpone the consideration fthe resolutions till
this day week.
Mr. Cook, consented to withdraw the first reso-
luton till the information asked for by the commit
tee of aGgressons was received, which might al
together supercede it, OF induce him to modify it
so as TO obtain his object
The three last resolutions were then agreed to
without division.
On motion of Mr.. Blount, the House went in
to committee OF the whole, Mr. BgSSett in the
chair, on the second report OF the committee of
aggressions, which recommends the following,
resolutions
ResoiUed, That it is exped;cnt to authorize the
President of the United States to such for
tifcations to be erected as, in addition to those
heretofore built, will, with the assistance of gun
boats, afford ef'ectual protection to ports and
harbors, and preserve therein tie respect due 70
the constituted authorities of the nation, and
that there be, and hereby is, appropriated for that
purpose, out of any monies in the treasury, not
otherwise appropriated, the sum of dUii&rs
ReS0Eved, Tbatit is expedient to authorize the
President ofthc United States TO be built
an additional number of gun-boats not exceeding
and to arm, equip, man, ft, and employ
the same for the protection of our ports aiid har-
bors and that there be, and hereby is appropri-
ated for that purpose, out of any monies in the
treasury, not otherwise appropriated, the sum
of
The report being read, and the first resolution
under consideration.
Ms. Bkouat said he would state, in as few words
as he could, the views OF the committee in pre-
sentiDg TO their consideration the resolution now
before them. II would be seen that the commit
tee ofopiniOn that the Notifications conter-
plated were equally necessary in time of peace &.
in time of war. For The circumstance Of our be-
ing at peace hitherto had not restrained the rapa-
city and insolence Of British naval commanders |
and similar conduct would be continued, lmess
there were created in Our harbors force sufficient