The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-03-29


son considered a perilous situation ask, gem
tlemen, said he, will they adjourn and leave the
country IN the situation in which we stood when
we met , Isit possible that this is the case,
wish to take oft my shoulders the weight of res
pons,bihty which might rest upon me from its
oassing by asilent vote. therefore call for the
Yeas and Nays upon the resolution. l wish to
tell my constituents that am willing to sit here
I'LL there rs some change in the awful appearance
OF American affairs. cannot vote for this reso-
luton without some documents shewn or some
reasons given to Indicate change.
Mr. Dasvson said il was certainly not his wist
that Congress should rise without taking mca
sures necessary for the national defence. All my
acts, SAID he, will shsw to- the contrary. Ihave
Decn one aIi,ong those who have advocated ever,.
measure OF defence of the country wish that
some Others had done the same. Is it not fact,
that those who now wish to prolong the session
were opposed to all the defensive measures which
have been adopted' Ills because wish to has
ten the necessary laws, that have proposed this
resolution.
After some further observations
MIR. Kelly moved that the resolution lie on the
table. Carried, SO to So
Mr.. Dawson having called for the order of the
day on the bill Tor raising additional military
force,
on motono OF Mr. HONS, supported by Messrs
Nelson 4 Tallnadge, and opposed by Mr Daw.
son, the bill was recommitted to a select commit
tee to harmonlze it's parts conformably to the a.
mendment yesterday made at the instance of Mr.
Tallmadge, 40 to So.
The report OF the committee of Elections or
the contested election of Mr.. +. b. Key, was call
ed UP.
The committee of Elections, to whom it viii
be recouected former report was recommittcd
reported an opinion that nothing in the evidence
before 'heT, So Tar as respects the suggestion of
Mr Key beng pensioher or half-pay officer to
the king OF Great Britain, authorises them TO al
ter the opinion or the resolution submitted with
their former rcportI1
MI Rowan moved an indefinite postponemcnt
OF the subject, and supported his motion on the
ground hit the decision of question of fact on
the point OF residence, rested properly and en-
cllsNeiy with tins people, who were the best
Judges OF IT. rs to the aledged pension, on which
point however, he had no doubt, fit were even
,ruc, neither the constitution az any law of q e
United States makes it disqualification from
seat, although 1t might be cause for discussion
VIII t course should be pursued with . member
actnaiiy IN the receipt OF n pension after he
became member. Mr.. II. ohse. yed that an {.
Lotion would take place in the ensuing autumn,
III winch The people would Have an opportunity
TO declare their opinion BY recollection or other
wise.
Mr. Key said that he should be content with a.
NY course that the House should take; were he
TO consult his personal feelings he should wish i,
immediately decided.
Messrs Eppos, Marion, and w. Aston oppos
cd tiie motion on the ground that postponcment
OF this subject would be breach of their otv ::
the constitution had matte ii their duty 10 enquire
INTO an election of one of their own body when
ever contested, and they could not shrink from it
tIat TINS provision essential for the preserve
uon I the purity OF the House that this sub
Ject should have been long ago decided on i; and
that the i" people" could not perform what the
constitution had made the positive duty of the.
House.
Mr.. FRses considered the decision on the mo-
ton more important than even the election itself.
as establishing the precedent by which they nigh,
hereafter be tempted to throw the responsibility
ron tLer shoulders on the people; he therefore
Called for the yeas and nays on it.
Mr. RoSvan withdrew his motion.
Inc House then resolved itself into committee
OF the whole on Tic subject, Mr.. PIrK1N in the
AT tour the committee rose without coming TO
decision on any point, 81 to 80, and obtained
leave to sit aSain.-Adjourned.
FRIDAY, March Is.
Mr.. Nelson offered the following resolution
which 10 I,,-,.s