The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-11-25

Sf Love from the committee appointed
on the petition OF those men who engaged in
the Miranda expedition, and who are now
confined IN pt1sosi ant III irons In South A
mclca. reported resolution. that the Pre-
sident OF the United States might be reques-
ted to adopt measures to obtain from the
Spanish Vice-Roy the releRsement of the
thirty six American citizens so held in con-
hnement, and that dollarsbe appro-
priated for that purpose.
1t was urged that the house Immediately
agree to the report, but it was definitively
carried to submit it to committee Of the
whole house.
MIR Dana presented petition from the
state OF Connecticut, and Mr.. Quincy one
from Massachusetts praying for the re-
peal of the embargo laws. Referred to the
committee of the whole to whom was COM
mitted that subject.
The order of the day on the subject oft
embargo was then called for.
The question, shall the house go into COM
mitree thereon was taken by yeas and
nays. 1t passed in the negative-Yeas 43,
Nays II.
Mr.. Dana, after a few introductory re-
marks, proposed tha following resolution
ResoiVed, That it is eXpediept to provide
for regulating the conduct of such merchant
vessels, as, by agreement of the respective
owners, may sail in concert for mutual as
sistance and defence, in cases which may be
allowed by law, and also for settling accor-
ding to the course Of proceeding in courts of
admiralty, the respective rates of contribu-
lions to be made between them OH account of
any loss or damage which may be thereby
incurred.
Mr.. ID. proposed to refer it to a select COM
mittce, it beng necessary mercantile de-
| fence.
| Mr.. Eppes opposed its reference to Sc
! lect committee, because he supposed it to be
! involved in the mainprinciple (of the eabar-
go question) which was nuw pending, and
| therefore hoped it would he reformed .la
committee of the whole on that subject. .
J MIR Dana opposed this reference. He had
no desire to change our relations, or to en-
act any particular system which might be
| adopted, but he considered and desired that
the resolution should exist forever in our sta
tute book. He referred to the Barbarian and
AsiatiC depredators on our commerce to en-
force his argument for a permanent prepa
| ratory statute.
Mr.. Eppes still contended for the propriety
| of its reference to a committee of the whole
house, to which was submitted the general
subject of depreciation, because he consider
ed it intimatelr allied with the business now
pending, and because gentlemen would have
| the most fair opportunity then ofexplaining,
defending or opposing it. He did not con-
ceve it proper to refer to the use of which
the arming of our merchant vessels might e.
ventually be made, until it was determined
that they should be armed at all. This sub
ject remained still to be discussed, then it
wou'd undoubtedly become subject for de-
Cision, but not before.
| On a question for reference to a commit
tee of the whole on the state of the union it
was Carried SO to SO.
Mr.. Newton, from the committee of COM
merce and manufactures, reported a bill to
authorize the President ofthe United States
to employ an additional number o. revenue
cutters.
On a motion to refer the bill to commit
tee of the whole, this day was mentioned
for its consideration, which was lost, and it
was determined to be taken up tomorrow.
A business which was before the house at
, the last session, and not acted upon, for an
additional compensation TO the witnesses at.
tending the trial of Aaron Burr, at Rich
mond, was called up and referred to Sc
lect committee.
In the course of the sitting, several private
petitions were presented and referred to
the Committees to whom their subjects rela-
ted.
Mr.. Morrow made a report on the public
lands, which was ordered to be printed.
Adjourned.