Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-05-03
After some further observations, the com.

= Mr. j. Montgomery called fur the con
sideration ofth= amendments TO the bill
courts martial.
Mr. Lewis moved to postpone the sub
Jet indefinitely f.r when there was bu;
a bare quorum in the House, i; was no
pi oper TO act OIL he bill.
Mr.. Montgomery opposed the motion
and Mr. Macon supported il.
The motion was agreed TO, Aye
46.
The bill for making appropriations to
supply the deficit in the appropriation FL
pubic buildings, was re. urued from In.
Senate with amendments.
The FIRST amendment allowing $4,000
dollars 10 carry up the solid work in the
interior Of the north wing being under con
sideratiOn,
MIR Stanford moved to strike ont tina
sum and insert 1850 doilars-Neea-
lived.
This amendment 9th Senate was then
agreed TO, AS 10 90.
The next amendment for appropyiating
a sum Tor drains, bridges, high ways, sc
was-negatived, - TO 26.
The next amendment of 1000 dol
lars tor finishing the interior OF tn,
south wing, being under consid.ra
ton.
Mr. Stanford SAID, as they seemed will
ling to do part, they had as well agre.
TO The whole, and appropriate 10000 dol
isrs also for securing The north west angls
CT the south wing. and moved accordingly
Nega,iyed-
The amendment ofthe senate was then
agreed to So to 81.
Mr. Randolph asked leave Of absence
lor the remainder ofthe session.
1t being impossible to keep quorum 4 CAL
OF the house was ordered at o'clock, and the
House adjourned till S.
FIVE O'Clock.
Inc house met; and postponed ind. fniiely :
number of bills.
The bill from the senate TO authorize the Pre-
sIdent rn5er ctrtaiu contingencies to suspend
the non.imPortaiion Jaw having been called 3D.
and motion having been made TO postpone it
indefinitely,
Mr.. Newton begged the House to consider one
ncnient before they postponed this bill They
mad already pasted 4 law authorizing the Pres-
den, IF the U States, to suspend the operation
OF the embargo law, in the event of I general
peace. or such accommodation to ncutfaIs as
should render the Commerce oil the United States,
safe. Now in the event OF ttat lay beng sus-
pended II might also De proper to suspend this
Mr.. Nelson said ne should never vote for the
repeal or suspension of this law He hoDed 90
see the time when it should become 4 permanent
regulation he would not yield TO any of the
powers OF Europe, and he wished to be in
dependent of them. There were MANY
things now imported from Europe, which
could as well made i'll our country. If
they could be as well made, ne cosidered
1t sound policy to give a preference to our
own manufacturers, and so far to pro
hibit theirs as to effect preference Of our
own. Whether in this principle | am RIGHT
or wrong, said he, / am certainly right in
this: that at this late period of the session
it is impossible to discuss such question
as this ! and therefore I wish the motion
to prevail.
Mr.. Burvel said, he would add hut
single observation to those of the gentle.
man just sat down. He was In favor of
posponing the bill indefinitely, because he
wished it to be understood that we have a
right to make all regulations we please res
pectlng our commerce.! or trade, or aueht
else, without consulting the dispositions of
any power whatever. He wished il IN he
understood here and elsewhere and there~
iore he was in favor of postponement of
this bill.
Mr. Marion said he was one of those who
originally voted for the non-importaton law.
and he had never repented his vote but
he voted FOR it under firm persuation tn At
1t would SO into operation II had been al
forwards suspended because there was a
negotiation pending and prospect of ac-
commodation but if it were the determj-
nation never 10 suffer it 20 go into operati /.
on, he had much rather see IT repeaied. II
1t were to be kept in suspension, hung up
IKE rod in terroren, 1t would merit rdi-
cule. What cause could there be for sus-
pending II at present Any negotiation pen
ding He believed not If il were the nm.
Outstanding off majority that the bill should
not go into operation, he hoped they would
propose repeal of it.
Mr. Newton believed he was az much on.
posed as his friends from Maryland or Vir-
glnia to conCede any point to Great Bri-
tain or France. He would wear sack-cIoth
and ashes for the remainder of his life, ra :
ther than surrender one atom TO either of
those powers. But what had produced this
law The violation of our commerce and
impressment ofour seamen. Ifany change
should cause G.. Britain to desist, was there
any improperly in trusting the President
with discretion to say that the operation
OF the law should cease till the next session
OF Congress Certainly not. He wished to
sec the day with his friend from MARYLAND.
when every man in these walls and in The
United States, should be clad IN the fabrics
ut ~rtfffa frtf 4 1. 4