The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-12-12

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refuse to NEEDLE with II because the consent of
three parties was necessary il they applied to
the Mississippi territory they would receive the
same answer; and for this reason the question
would never be got At. He did not believe that
the existence of such articles those mentioned
by the gentleman from Mississippi territory was
conclusive argument against referring the pc.
ttion, because fthe three parties should consent,
the territory might be divided, notwithstanding
their existence.
| Mr.. quincy said he knew nothing of the merits
OF the pettion, but from its contsats the argu-
msnts 1t offered appeared strongly in favor of
reference, oft. The petitioners state that they
are declared from the comforts of civil society,
that they have not even regular judiciary These
petitioners he said had no Representative on TIE
iioSr but the gentleman from tho territory (Mr.
IPoinde.ster) who wished to refuse reference of
their petition. Under these circumstances it ap.
Peafed to him peculiarly proper that the petition
ers should have their prayer considered by the
proper organ OF the House. 1t would be much
more satisfactory to them to have their petition
referred than to sec it treated with contempt.
Mr.. Macon hoped, without declaring whcther
or not he would vote for division of the terrific
~, that the petition would be referred. These
pGtiuoners had been for several sessions urging
tne consideration of this subject by the House
was 1t IN the nature Gilman to satisfied, when Pc
ttion after petition forwarded by them was laid on
the talle The House did not indeed reject the.
L
session, asimilar petition, presented through the
speaker OF the House, had been ordercd to lie
on the table. What would be the consequence
OF giving the same course to this petition The
petitioners would come again. MFR. NJ. thought
the petition had better be referred. reference
ofthe petition was question very different from
lhat OF division of the territory. The people
say that they are oppressed, observed Mr.. NJ
Let us enquire into it. 1t may turn out that they
are merely dissatisfied, and wish for change
OF II may prove to be as they state. The right
OF petition is merely nominal if petitions are to
oe iaid on the table and never considered. 49,,
Mr.. Sniilie was ofthe same opinion with MIR
Macon. The law might be as stated by the gen
ueinah from the Mississippi territory but every
ONE could not be supposed to be as we'll acquai,rt
- with Vt as that gentleman was, and time.
ought to be allowed for thorough examination
into it.
| MI; Poindeater said it was not from any desire
10 sure the consideration of the subject, but in
conformity with the former proceedings of the
Rouse III this case that he wished the petition
20 lie on the table. He was certain that the House
hsd sanctioned the doctrine, where a petition wa,
presented for an object manifestly derogaiorv ro
tue Constitution and to existing contracts. of re
iusinG TO refer it, even although upon subjects
then Immediately before the House Would i
not be much more proper to refuse to re-
ier Peuton praying for manifest violation
OF the constitution, than to refer it That grant
ing the prayer of the petition would violate co.
iehh compact, he said he could shew by refer
encs to the articles of cession & agreement Tfso
why take into consideration that on which Con'
gress could not act They might as we'll refer ,
Psu.io. from state Tor recession from the uni
on or FOR an exemption from the penal la,ps or,
lne " ). lfthe petition should be referret he
should be content-he had done his dutv in a.
posing its reference-he was con6dcn, that M
committee OF the House C.'uld be selected. tho,
wouid make report IN favor ofthe prayer ofthe
luton passed by the Legislature of the terrific.
ry at the express instance oftheir own Renresen-
t&tives. -> 'e'eh
Mr.. Upha1n expressed himself in favor of refer
ing the petition, as he conceived he did not sufIi
cientiy understand the subject to vote at once n
reject the prayer oftle petition.
Mr. Rhea (T) said he had been sorry to he,r
any observatsns going to place the pc ,tioners in
contemptuous point of view. lift was in the
power OF the House TO relieve the petitioners
feilef ought to be extended to them He there.
iore wished the petition referred and hoped the
'olnh,ittee would report at large the suffice,
Inc motion for reference was agreed to and
the following gentlemen appointed COMMITTEE
accordingly Messrs. Miller, Bib, Quincy
breckenridge; Lise, Nicholson and Campbei
message was received from the Senate bv
Mt. OTIS, their secretary. Informing the Hous.
Chaplain. '''e'
Mr. Love presented the petition of the Pres
dent and Directors of the Potomac N,yipa,;or
company, praying to be allowed to raise a sum
OF money by way of lottery for the use of the
SAID company which was referred TO the corr.
mittee OF the District of Columbia
oh motion OF Mr.. BasScf, the committee of
ways and Means were discharged from the con.
slderatioh of The message and docun; ents ves,.r
day received from the President of the NJ States
and they were referred to the committee nn tbe
| naval establishment '"@
On motion Of Mr.. POindexter, the House 70.
solved itself into committee of the who'll. Mr.
BAssE + IN the chair, on the bill Yesterday r.
ported, supplementary to the act extending the
right OF suffrage in the territory of Indiana and
Ior other purposes. The bill passed tbrourb The
committee and was reported to the Houss and
oroerea 10 DC engrossed for third reading.
DISABLED SOLDIERS
Hir' NeIson SAID he had at former session had
the hohor to submit a motion which had far ;ts
9DJect tne relief OF the iniirm and disabled SOL
diers oil the United States. He now AGAIN CHI
m .h II, aeemng It unnecessary to enlarge up
on the subject, as follows.
| Resolsra, That a committee be s,,o;n.., .,
enquire Into the expediency of MAXINE nro,;s;o,,
by law foa the relief of the infrm. d;sabed n,''i
superannusted officers and soldiers of the Ia
revolutionary array and of the present arnoy ~
the U. States and that the committee have -.
10 report ny bill or otherwise.
Inc resolution was agreed to- and the c,,.
ing gentlemen appointed committee sccor,l;n.
Messrs. Nelson, Hufty, Tallmadp.. Cisy
SYSTEM OF BANKRUPTCY
W.T. Uhtfn'an presented the petitton af g.,
oer,oi the inhabitants of Portland, Maine
A N AN.sN l.