The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-02-04
CONGR ESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WEDNESDAY,, January 81.

"WEDNESDAY, January 81.
The House took up for consideration the re-
solution lately offered by Mr.. Key for the crecti-
ON OF standing committee of the House to en-
quire and report on all concerns relative to the
district of Columbia
bAr. FTndley observed that he had long been in
favour of appointing committee of this kind
The citizens of the district of Columbia were not
and could not be represented on this floor He
wished to see the business consolidated, so that
they might be justly heard
NJ Key said his object in this motion had
merely been to render more simple to the House
the legislating for the district II would save
many committees from being raised, and promote
consistency and uniformity in the laws relating to
the district
The resolution was then agreed TO without a di-
vision, and MeSsrs. Key, Van Dyke, Love, Hol.
land, Brown LivermOre, and Taylor appointed
the committee
Mr. G. ". Campbell moved for the order of the
day IN the bill from the Senate for INCREASING the
military peace establishment of the L.. States
This bill contemplates the raising one battalion
OF rifiemen, one battalion of cavalry, one regi-
ment of infantry, and the INCREASING the number
OF men III each company now in service to the
number of one hundred and twenty.1
Mr. Nelson moved that it's further considera-
ton be postponed till the 1st March.
Mr.. Chandler wished the gentleman TO alter
his motion so as to let it lie the table.
Mr.. Nelson. cannot consent, for this reason :
l expect to be absent for some time, and whene-
yer the bills called up, I wish to make some few
observations upon it.
Mr.. Chandler. am opposed to taking I'D the
bill at tins time, because it viii depend upon cir
cumstances whether we ought to act upon it or
not. 1t we have peace with the powers possess
ing territory adjoining to us, it is unnecessary to
add To our peace establishment, it being subject
OH which we should be extremely cautious. Cir
cumstances might arise which would render it
necessary TO add to or peace establishment be-
fore the 1st OF March.
Mr.. " Aksfoa. The views of both gentlemen
would be answered by the bills being referred to
select committee to examine into the propriety
Of passing it, which would be precluded by a
postponcment or by its laying on the table.
The Speaker. The bill has been already refer
red to committee OF the whole House and
therefore cannot at present be referred to any o.
thcr committee.
1Ifr. Nelson This bill sent down from the Sc
nate contcmpatcs adding a very small number of
men to the peace establishment OF the u. s. II
Is little tring bill which does not deserve coun-
tenance. On this great continent where there
are now so few troops, it is contemplated to make
to them an addition of two battalions and encrease
the number of men in each company to one hun
dred and twenty. Such addition will be but
drop of water i'll the ocean the country will not
feel the effects of it; it will be doing nothing
1t is doing business by halvcs--a petty miserable
measures of which tie u. s. will never feel the
benefit 1 have another objection. The com
mittee to whom was referred the other day a re.
solution for encreasing war establishment
prepared to report bill to the house for that
purpose. If the bill so to be reported shall pass,
II will be unnecessary tn pass this bill because
we shall be in war, and have no occasion for q
peace establishment. 1t will be better TO let this
miserable thing lie on the table, or postpone it till
we see whether not we shall pass the war bill.
1t that does not pass. little as this thing is, and
much as despise the principle Of it, gentlemen
may take their own way with it but If the war
bill does pass, certainly this should not.
Mr.. Desha. The gentleman is mistaken as to
the contents of the bill, for there are three in
stead Of two regiments to be raised and these
are essentially necessary whether we have war
not. Take into view the city Of New Orleans ;
threatened without, and we know il is said to be
disaHscted within, it 10 An object of the greatest
and there ought TO be troops in ito neighborhood
ponemcnt, though should have no objection TO
its lying on the table.
IFr. Weison. should be very sorry if il be in
deed necessary to keep a standing army to take
care of Ncw-Oricans. II the citizens Of that CT
~ are so depraved as not to- be kept in order with
out military force among them, I wish had
never heard Of them.
Mr. Dcsha. The gentleman has Tnisunder-
stood me. Imean that they are SO divided, that
they may not be united to defend the place sufFi-
cicutly against foreign enemy; and advantage
will be taken Of this circumstance. New Orleans
is very vulnerable point, and Of as much con-
sequence perhaps as any pert in the u. S. and