Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-26
Gon9res3.
HOUSE OF REPRRSENTATIVES
Fr1DAr, January IS.


Mr.. Parke from she committee to whom
the subject was referred, reported a bill for
extending the right of suffrage in the India
ma territory which was read twice aud re-
perred 20 a committee of the whole.
Mr.. Porter from the committee to- whom
the subject was referred, reported bill
supple mentary TO an act, entitled 'san act
for the relief of persons imprisoned for
debt )" which was read twice and referred
10 committee OF the whole.
MIR. Green presented q petition from the
Inhabitants OF Nantucket, praying the erec-
ton o certain bouys in the entrance of Nan
tuckct and other places. Referred TO the
committee OF Commerce and Manufactures.
Mr.. G w. Campbell from the committee
Of Ways and Means reported a bill for re-
Lief of Edward Weld and Samuel Beebee
which was twice read and referred.
The bill for continuing the salaries Of GER
tain officers of government was returned
from the Senate with AN amendment max
ing those salaries perpetual"
Mr.. Stanford sait. the word perpetull''
was an unusual phraseologv. The bill was
a partial and n05 a general bill, or he should
have no objection to its being made ferna :
zcnt. lie moved that the House do not con-
cur with the amendment, and called for the
yeas snd nays uDoa the motion.
Mr.. Campbell moved to amend the a
msndment, the Stnate by inserting "per-
nanent" instead Of "perpctual
Mr.. Stanford objected TO this; for by o.
hitting The term Of limitation to the bill,
the Senate had made it permanent till re-
pealed; 20 that "permanent' or "perpe-
tual" were supernumerary.
Mr.. Campbell withdrew his motion.
Mr.. Stanford's motion recurring.
Alter n long and cteSultorv discussion Mr.
Bib moved Co strike out 'smade perpetu-
al" and insert &c continued in force without
hmi,ation.'
This motion was negatiYed.
The question then recurring on concur
renee.
The question was taken BY yeas and NAYS
ON concuT'ing and negatived-veas 90, and
80 nays.
MIR. Randolph from the committee ap-
pointed tn wait upon the President of the
United States with two resolutions passed
on "Wednesday last, together with certain
documcuts laid on :hc table Of :hJs House,
reported that thev had o5eved the order of
khe House AVID had received for answer
from the President that, in relation TO The
first resolution, lie would sen: IN answer
to the House in writing and, in relation to
the second, that he would give 70 the House
such Information not improper to be disclo-
sed, as comes within the scope of that re-
solution, and which might he in possession
Of the executive department..
hir. Dawson, from the committee 20 whom
was reicrrea a resolution on the subject
reported bill for procuring formidable
train " field artillery for tive service Of tho
United States which was read twice and
referred to Il committee of the whole OF
Monday next.
ca Hotio1 If Mr.. Basqet. the House went
inc committee o. She whole on the resolu.
'tions submitted Nv hin some days ego rela.
tive 20 contractors, Mr.. MARION in tho
chair.
The first resolution being under copside.
Ta;io7 a. follows;
E"aoivrd, That provision ought rs y,
made by liw % pruhibit the officers Of gov.
eTnmcu; from making anv contract, ON be.
half Of the United States, with any person
being m"pber cf either House of Con.
grcss, or with any other person for his o.
thcir use.
Mr.. Basset said nc presumed that this
pTcposii'on possessed st.icent intrinsic me-
TIT not to require thc aid Of extensive talents
or laboriouy eEertions of am geu.laman e
advocate it,. He assumed it a. aa ZION
that fundamental prinoiries mu,t rest ~;
their security on the purity Of thc Repre-
sentative body. He should however trust
the support Of this measure to It's own i'm.
portance.
the resolution was carried 50 20 IS.
The second resolution being under consi.
Iteration as follows
ReSoiUed, That every contract hcreaf.
ter TO DC made ON the part Of the govern
ment OF the United states shall contain a
clause az condition To render tho contract
absolutely void. If the contractor should be
elected membcr of either House of Con.
gross.
Mr.. Rowan objected 70 its passage. mas.
much as II was adding qualification to Re.
representatives., which Congress bad no RICH,
70 10, and rs IL might operate as an expos,
facto Law, vscatire contracts already made
Mr.. Chandler objected 70 IL, ~, IL nigh,
have tendency TO prevent the falflment oi
coniTac,s. \ man might have made con-
trac,, received p sum Ut money on account
OF II, ard ly beioy ectcd a nc clbcr Of ION.
grcss could evadg the fulGlmcns Of bis con-