The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-04-19

great number of the laboring class of citi-
zens, stating that their very subsistence was
at stake and that some mode must be de-
vised by which they may escape from perish
ing:
ReS0ivcd, That committee be appoint
ed to take into consideration the peculiar
hardships and sutferings to which the citi-
zens of the United States immediately inter-
csted III the fisheries are subjected by the
various acts laying an embargo, and that
the committee be instructed to enquire, whe-
Their any, and if any, what relief ought to be
extended to them, and that it have leave to
report by billor otherwise
Mr.. Burwcll asked the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. o. if he could inform
the house what portion of the fish exported
from the United States were sent to Europe !.
Because he had believed that the greatest
part was generally sent to France, Spain
and Portugal, in which case the repeal OF the
embargo could be no relief TO the fishermen,
as theBritish orders Of councillaltogether pro-
hlbited any trade u other countries.
Mr.. Quincy declined going into particu-
lars, as it would lead him into too wide a
field of discussion. He then offered some
remarks as to the power of Congress to lay
an embargo.
The House agreed to consider the resolu-
ton, Ayes 70.
After an hours debate, or motion of Mr.
.Nezcton, the resolution and the petitions
were referred to the committee of the whole
TO whom similar petitions had been referred
SO to 90.
Messages were received from the Senate
announcing their agreement to the amend
ments of this House to the bill for raising an
additional military force, and to the report
OF the JOINT committee on the subject of adj
journment.
The House took up the report of the COM
mittee OF adjournment, directing the speak
cr to adjourn the House on the 25th instantly
and passed it without division.
A bill from the Senate for registering GER
tain claims to land lying in the state of Ten
nessee, was twice read and referred to
committee of the whole,
Mr.. PHndccter presented memorial
from the legislature % the Mississippi ter
ritory, complaining OF the mal-conduct of P.
y. Bruin, presiding judge of the territory of
Mississippi.
Mr. +. then offered the following resolution (:
RESOLVED, That committee be appointed
to freflarc and reh0rt articles of impeach-
ment against Peter b. Bruin, one of the judg-
es of the superior court OF the Mississippi
Territory, and that the said committee have
power to send Tor persons, papers and re-
cords.
Mr. Poindexter hoped the resolution would
De adopted; he did not expect that a COM
mittee could act on the subject during this
session; but it might be put in state OF pro-
gross.
Mr.. Randolth said he hoped the resomti-
on would lie on the table. He had heard &
was extremely sorry for it, that the House
had concurred, SID SiLeHtio with the Senate
IN their agreement to the report on the sub
Ject OF adjournment. IF the House then
were bound by their own resolution to adj
j0uTn on the 25th, nothing eould be done on
this subject during the present session. He
hoped not TO be considered as opposed TO the
resolution, for he trusted it would at some
future time, be acted on, and wqs sorry that
the constitution of the u. S had not provid-
cd more adequate remedy for these acts of
offence. 1t would be remarked that it was
not proposed that the Committee should act
during the recess he hoped therefore that
1t would lie on the table, and the House
would take up such business as it was deem
ed essential to act on during the present scs-
sion--such as the bill for arming tine whole
body ofthe militia OF the u States
Mr.. Smile wished to know what grounds
there were for this proposition, before he
consented to pass resolution declaring an
opinion.
Mr.. ~. .dLston said, that the paper which
had just been presented by the gentleman
from Mississippi, was the result of an enquiry
held by the legislature of the territory
They had said the man was disqualified, and
Mr. a. thought it was the best and shortest
way to appoint a committee to report arti-
cles of impeachment.
Mr.. Pitken hoped the House would never
depart from the dignfied course which the
Legislature of the union ought to pursue
A resolution of the legislature of state or
territory was not of itself sufficient ground
for a resolution for impeachment com
mittee should first be appointed to enquire
into the propriety of impeaching. Great res
pect ne doubt was due to resolutions of state
or territorial legislatures but he did not
consider them as conclusive.
Mr. Rhfa (T.) would vote for the resolu-
ton lying on the table. He drew distinc-
ton between the legislatures of states, and
OF territories, for were they to be considered
as equal, it might produce misChicvous con-
sequences. In saying this, he did not mean
to derogatc from the purity of the legisla-
ture, but he did not like this mode of doing
business. He would ask, whether the re-
port of legislature would be considered as
conclusive evidence of fact? Certainly not
for the House would undoubtedly call Tor The
evidence n which that report was bottomed.
He remso-Hed that he knew of no authority
by which territorial legislature could act
as grand jury for this House, who would
certainly call for evidence before they APP
pointed committee toprepare articles i'm
parchment.
Mr.. Poinderter said, that at the sugges-