The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-03-11

After representation from Mr. Dawson,
that this object was already before commit
tee, and that though favourable TO the object,
he must vote against it here, ~.
Mr.. Helms withdrew his amendment.
Mr.. Bfouft said il there should be var, it
would be necessary to draw out SO MANY mi
litia as that aThajor-general of militia might
be included I'M the militia who would take
command of the regular forces in prefer
ence to regular brigadier generals. Ts a.
vert THIS evil, he moved new section, ati-
thorising the President when actual war
with any nation shall exist, to appoint two
major generals.--Negative Ayes -.
Mr. Rhea moved to strike out the limitati-
on to pay of the army for any longer time than
while in actual servIce.-Negatived, Ayes4.
On motion ofMr. Daqyson, the committee
reese, and reported the bill as amended
Mr.. d. stated that he did not intend at this
time TO call up the report, and it lies on the
table of course. -. :,
The House went into committee Of the
whole, 4S to "a, on the bill concerning pub
lie contracts-Mr. CuTTs in the chair.
Mr.. Quincy's motion for striking out the
proviso at the end Of the first section, was
carried, 40 to 81. -. =.
Mr.. Xetkp proposed an amendment for the
limiting the law so as to comport with that
part of the constitution which says that no
person shall hold an office in the creation of
which he had a vote--which after lengthy
discussion was negatived by large majority.
The committee then rose and obtained
leave to sit again, IS to 81. =
A communication was received from the
Secretary of State inclosing documents res
pecting American seamen which was refer
red to a committee appointed to consider the
measures necessary for the security and pro-
- nf Anna
WEDNESDAY, March 2. 800
Mr.. Randolth, who has been detained from
his seat in the House for several weeks, by
the effects of an accidental fall, this day took
his seat.
On motion of Mr.. Chittenden, the House
went into committee of the whole on the bill
further to amend the judicial system of the
United States. ITO alter times of holding
certain courts.] The bill being gone thro',
Mr.. Basset reported it to the House, when it
was ordered to third reading.
The House resolved itself into commit
tee of the whole-Mr. PITKIN in the chair,
on the bill concerning pablo contracts, 81
to ID.
Mr.. Btackiedge moved section to direct
the Secretaries of the Treasury, War and
Navy, and the post-master-gencral to mako
annual reports of every contract made by
them the year preceding, and every particu-
lar respecting them. = 81
This amendment was supported by Mes
srs. Blackledge, Taylor and Stanford, on the
ground that this would furnish the House
with evidence, without the pain of calling
Tor information from the departments res
pecting any particular member; that it
would besides exhibit particulars which
ought to appear it would bea means of in
formation to the people of the price of con-
tracts, and might produce a reduction in the
price of articles purchased fof the United
States; that many articles which now cost
the United States 90 dollars barrel, may, il
it were known to the people be had for IL or
Is !; that this had been evinced by the publi-
cation respecting contracts for carrying the
mail, by which the service had been done at
a much lower rate. -ts
The amendment was opposed byMessrs
Burwell and Holland on the ground that j,
would be an useless expence to provide for
the publication of the annual account of these
officers, forming volume of documents Of
no Importance or interest to the nation that
there would be no difficulty on application in
obtaining information in relation to any par
ticular members suspected of being con-
tractor. g.. ~ 80 p 80,
The amendment was adopted, Ayes SIS.
The committee then rose and reported the
bill, which was ordered to be engrossed for a
third reading
On motion of Mr.. Dowson, the House re-
solved itself into a committee of the whole
Mr.. TRIGG in the chair, on the bill authori-
sing the sale of certain arms.
The committee having gone through the
bill and reported it to the House,
Mr.. Bacon moved to add new section to
the bill, requiring the purchase money for
arms to be paid into the treasury Of the u. S
before deGvery-Carried ~ to IS.
Mr.. Bib said as there was thin House, he
hoped gentlemeu'would net take advantage
OF the circumstance, and push the bill on tc
third reading in its present shape. Had
there been full House, he was convinced
the amendment would not have passed. He
therefore moved that the bill lie on the table
| Agreed 80 to S.. go, ..
There being considerable difficulty II
transacting business, and in retaining quo
rum within the bar.
On motion ofMr. Stanford the House cd
journed at two o'clock, 81 to 50.
| THURSDAY, March 8.
| Mr.. Morrow offered the following resoluti-
on which was adopted
RESOLVED, That the committee Of com.
merce and manufactures DC instructed to Ell.
quire into the expediency ofextending to the
revenue districts of Lake Erie and within the
state OF Ohio, the provisions of an act eek.
tending jurisdiction in certain cases TO state
courts and state Judges" and that they have
! leave IN no rooTt hxyb hill ~. cth