The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-01-23

law against the possibility of contrary pfac-
5tice taking place.
Mcssi-s. Southland and w. Aston suggested
the propriety Of altering the phraseology of
the resolution: for as it stood at present, if u
person were emploved to build ship, and he
should be elected member of this House
without his knowledge, the contract was void
and the public business would be arrested, &
the man might be ruined. The same might
be said. of contracts for carrying the mail of
tine United States. Suppose person con-
tracing to carry the mail from Washington
City TO New-Orlcans, were to be elected
member of this House, the contract would be
void. and the mail totally arrested. Wheu
a man entered into contract with the Uni
ted States, he gave security for his compli-
ance with the conditions of the contract; he
is electeda member of Congress, he has com
mitted a breach of contract, and he and his
securities must snffera very heavy loss. On
the other hand, if a man had received mo-
ney in advance, he might avail himself of
his election to seat in Congress to vacate his
contract.
Mr.. Smiiie suggested to the mover, the
propricty of the committees now rising, re-
porting assent to the first resolution, and ask
ing leave that it might he refused to sit "a
gain on the others; as the first resolution en-
braced the principle, and the others went
to detail, which could be as we'll accomplish
ed in the bill.
!, Mr.. Macon said, the introduction Of this
principle was only intended to guard against
evils which might arise. Whilst they were
pure, was the time to guard against corrupt
on The exceptions which had been made,
were merely verbal. The only question in
deciding on general resolutions of this kind,
was, whether the subject was worthy the at
tention of the House Would any one say
after hearing the provision of the constitute
on which had just been read, that it was not
according to the spirit of the constitution, or
that il twas not important that this body should
be as pure as purity itself, and therefore
that its members should have no concern
with the public money . 1t was to be sup
posed thar these VII made tracts
on the part of the United States would suf-
ficieptly guard them from evasion; but even
granting all that had been contended for.
whether was It better that the United States
should lose the benefit of good contract, or
continue contractor on this floor! There
could be no hesitation in deciding upon gene
ral principles that they should in preference
:. give up the contract. He thought, however,
y mat this resolution need not be adopted, as
the first contained the principle, and this
.,@euid be merely. an instruction to the COM
ftns}ee Il whom thc ether was referred.
Ts''e Mr. ETssen moved that the committee
should rise and report assent to the first,
with view Of moving that they be dischar-
ged from the consideration of the remaining
resolutions.
After some objections to the detail of tbs
proposition from Messrs. Holland and Quin-
eey, the committee rose and reported the
first resolution, which was agreed to by the
House, and referred to committee of five
members to bring in n bill.
MIR. NegDton moved for the order of the
day on the report Of the committee of Gem
merce and Manufactures, on the memorial Of
merchants of Philadelphia, praying modi
fcation OF the embargo law.
But before it was taken up, motion t
that effect being made, the House adjourne,
till Monday morning.