The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-12-08
FOREIGN RELATIONS.

The house in committee of the whole or
the report Of the committee on our foreign
relations
MIR. BuraueN, in speech of an hour and
an half supported the resolu ion and the re-
port of the committee generally.
Third resolution Qor placing the country
jim a more complete state of Geience) having
been read.
MIR RANDOLPH said he supposed that this
was resolution to which there might pro
badly be but little opposition but at the
same time he for one should like to know
what were the details connected with it,
The Chairman asked if the gentleman
from Virginia wished to hear the report
read ?
Mr. Ra, dslhh. Very far from it, sir.
Mr.. .MehaiaS said, as the chairman of
the committee was not present, and he felt
at all times disposed to give any information
in his power, he would state what he knew
on the subject. The situation of the United
States being at this time critical, and as it
was possible if not probable that war would
ensue. Mr.. N said it had been his opinion
and that OF the select committee, that we
should be prepared for it. 1t had been
doubted bv the committee whether this sub
jcct came properly Within their province !;
but it had been the opinion Of the majority
that it would be proper for them TO express
idea that If the house should concur the re-
solution might be referred to another COM
nistee, whose business it would be to pro-
cure such details from the departments as
would enable them 90 make the r.oper ar
engagements for carrying the wish of the
house into effect.
The resolution was agreed TO. mem con.
The committee then rose and reported the
resolutions to the house.
The first resolution having been read by
the speaker.
Mr.. Love called for the yeas and nays
on it.
Mr.. Dend moved to amend it by insert
ing in the resolution between the words
and the, the words "abandon the naypa-
ton OF the occpn in consequence of" and
called for the yeas and nays on the motion.
The motion was decided by yeas and NAYS
Year e6-Nays %.
Mr.. Dana spoke against the propriety of
introducing the resolution, but did not OPP
pose It's passage.
Mr. TAYLOR replied.
Mr.. ID. r. WuiamS called for a division of
the question, so as TO express the sense of
the house asto the edicts Of each bclligerent
separately.
Mr. Gurdenier opposed the resolution in a
speech OF fifteen minutes; and concluded
with moving the previous question on it.
-Four other members rising in favor of the
previous question, it was put in this form :;
" snail the main question be now put 20 and
carried Ayes IS.
Mr.. RheG (T.1 rising to speak at this time.
ana an objection being made by some gentle
men or the ground Of erdcr.a
. The 6HCCkSr declared it his Individual
opinion tha. debate vas inadmissible afterl
all Affirmative decision Of the previous oues-
ton but that the house had at the last ses-
SIGN ovef1uled his opinion, and Re felt him
self obliged TO Yield 10 their decision.
h1r. u. H. HiHjaD'a appealed from this
decision permitting debate after a decision
Of the previous question, on the ground that
1t was contrary TO the rules ofthe house
Much debate took place on this appeal,
and MIR. Randolph called for the Yeas and
Nays on il.
Before they were taken, however, mo-
ton was made to adjourn and carried.
FRIDAY, Dec. ..
r. Mr.. Ferris from the ron ittee on sc dis !
triot Of Columbia reported " bill 70 incorpo
rate compapy for opening a canal in the CT !
" OF Washington which was twice read !
and referred 20 a Committee Of the whole |
REVENUE CUTTERS3
. Mr.. .Hesofon, from the committee Of com |