Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1808-04-08
7uesdaY, .4l.ri1 S.

7uesday, .4i1,a S.
Mr. III UZLiams obtained Leave of absence
for the remainder of the session.
A petition was received from the inhablt-
ants of Newburyport, Mass. praying the Il
berty OF exporting fish which was referred
s to the committee Of the whole on the state OF
the union.
Mr. Gardner laid upon the table resolu-
tion to appoint committee to enquire into
the propriety of providing by law tor the ad-
journmeut of Congress to an earlier period
than already provided by law
Mr. Barker presented several petitions
from the dealers in fish, praying the liberty
10 export tie same, sc. which were referred TO
committee ofthe whole on the state OF the
union.
On motion of Mr.. Asley,
Resotped, That committee be appointed
to enquire into the expediency OF authonsing
the president Of the u. S. to exchange the
settle of the forti6cation near Portland harbor,
for other land more suitable for a fortihcatlon
for the protection of said harbor, and that
tasy hayeleave to report by bill or other
wIse,
aIr. Stanford from the committee appoint
Cd on a message from the president OF the
United States, relative 10 the deficit OF appro-
priations forpublic buildings in the city OF
Washington, reported bill TO make appFo-
priations for that purpose, and Tor othcr PnE~
poses.
The bill, after some debate, was recon-
Initted to the committee who, reportedlt, Wlth
instructions to make detailed report, ana to
enquire into the expediency Of abolshlnS the
office of surveyor of the public buildings
detail OF proceedings on this IN eur next
The house took up the unfinished business
of Yesterday, On which debate continued I'll
near five O'Clock, when the house adjourned.
Messrs. Stanford and Randolph opposed
the bill, and Messrs. Macon, Blount & Bur
well supported it,
A motion made by Mr.. Randolph TO post
pone the subject for oae week was negatved
So to So.
The following message was received on the
e5th ul6mo, and has been referred to Messrs.
Biount, Quincy, Burwell, Cook, Rlker, lrouP
and whitehall.
TO The Scxate ans House Of REPRESENTATIVES Of
THE United States.
In proceeding to carry into execution the
act for Terrifying our ports and harbors, 1t IS
found that the sites most advantageous tor
their defence, and sometimes the only sites
competent TO that defence, are, IN some cases
tie property of minors, incapable OF giving a
valid consent TO their alienation !; III others,
belong to persons who may refuse aitogetnef
TO ALLEVIATE, or demand compensation Tar be.
yond the liberal Justice allowable IN such cas-
es. From these causes the defence OF our
seaboard, SO necessary to be pressed during
The present season, will in various parts be
defeated, unless a remedy can BE apPhed.--
With view to this, submit the case to the
consideration of Congress, who estimating It's
importance, and reviewing the powers vested
In them by the constitution, combined with
the amendment providing that private proper
" Shall not be taken for public use, without
Just compensation, will decide on the course
most proper to be pursued.
I am aware that as the consent OF the iegls-
iatnre Of the state, to the purchase OF the site,
may not, in some instances, have been pre-
yiously obtained, exclusive legislation cannot
be exercised therein by Congress, until that
consent is given. But in the mean time 1t
viii be held under the same laws which pro-
tect the property of individuals, and other
property of the United States, in the same
state and the legislatures, at their next
meetings, will have opportunities OF doing
what will be so evidently called for by the
particular interest of their own state.
tn: JEFFERSON.
March IS, 1909.