Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-05-29
SATURDAY, Nay 81.

Resolved, That a committee be appointed
to enquire what business is necessary to be
done by this house during the present ses
sion and that they report thereon to the
house.
Nr. Iroub suggested the proPriety O
c~onsultiag with the senate whatbuslness was
necessary to be done during the Prese ses
sion, as had been usual, and the word Joint
ly was inserted. Carried, ayes 80, and
committee Of 5 appointed.
Mr.. Nelson presented a bill Con the petl.
ton of Meal and others) authorising de.
bcnturcs in certain cases.
Nr. l9uincy presented the petition Of the
sugar rehners Of Boston, praying encourage
ment from government by allowing a draw
back on expectation of 5 cents per ID. Re.
ferred to the committee Of commerce and
manufactures.
On motion of mr.. Lewis,
ReSoIUea, That the committee on post-of
fees and post roads be instructed to enquire
into the expedicncy of establishing a pos
route from the town of Trap in the state o
Maryland, to the town of Waterford in the
state OF Virginia.
On motion, ResQlyed, That the Presiden
be requested to cause the secretary at wa,
to Law before this house an estimate of ths
sums necessary to complete the tortihcations
already commenced and contemplated to BIZ
commenced !; also the deficiencies Of former
appropriations for that object.
mr.. Nelson presented a bill allowing the
ships and vessels Of foreign nations, inter
course with which is not prohibited by law
to clear out with cargoes. Which was read
tlree u mes and paste /.
To- The house proceeded by ballot &c
the choice OF a chaplain on their part frs,
ballot Mr.. Lee IS
j. Mr.. Brown 43
The remainder of 119 ESQ necessary fol
a choice scattered among Messrs Laurie
(t5) Elliot CD and Muir 60.
Second ballot, whole number ia, Mr..
Lee 20 and is elected.
ApProbatory vote--motlon to postpone
indehnitely-ayes 54---noes 54--lost.
Mr. Stanford submitted the following:
Res0l0ed, That the committee appointed
to enquire whether any and what prosecu-
tons at common law have been instituted
before courts of the United States, in cases
oflibels, and by what authority, &c. be in.
structed to enquire, what prosecutions 70,
libels have been instituted before courts O,
the United States, under the sedition act,
and into the expediency Of remuneratlng
persons who suffered under the same.
An amendment was moved by Mr.. Saw
yer" and also to enquire whether any and
what compensation has been made to such
suffering persons"
1t was contended that the amendment
was entirely out of order, as going beyond
the powers of the house that they have no
right to institute enquiries into the private
transactions of individuals, whatever right
they could exercise over public departments.
Amendment lost.
Mr.. Ross moved another-"a and also to
enquire whether any and what compensa-
ton and remuneration ought to be made to
persons who suffered in CONSCIENCE of their
opposition to the act laying and collecting
a direct tax"
In opposition to the amendment it was
commended that if the object did not go the
whole way, it should not be introduced
that if it embraced the whole procedure, and
those who broke a legal statute of the Us.
remunerated for their treason, those who
quil tly paid their t xes had stronger claims
arising from smicablc dispositions, and that
10 grant remuneration would be granting
premiums for law breakers and that If
those who suffered under the direct tax be
compensated wi,h the same proprlsty have