The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-06-20


pnrpose.l s,, -
Mr.. lM'Rim moved to fill the blank with
$500 dollars.
On this motion gentlemen proceeded to
debate the merits Of the case. An animated
debate took place which continued, till near
hive o'clock. Messrs. Randolph, Smile and
Macon opposedthe report, & Messrs. Emott,
Bacon. Pearson ahdFisk supportedit. This
debate heteafter.l &c. -.
On motion that the committee rise. there
were Tor it SO, against 1T 81. The chairman
The committee refused to fill the blank,
40 to SO.
The resolution was agreed to in committee,
4S to Al. Ihere being a very thin House,
this vote cannot perhaps be considered as
deciding the question: 49,.
The committee having risen and reported,
the House adjourned Immediately, 81 to SIS
WEDNESDAY, June ID.
Mr.. MERTON reported bill to relinouish
and remit the Claim of the United, States to
any monies arising from the sale of the ship
Clara, late the property of Andr:w Foster,
IN pursuance of decree ofthe district court.
Twice read and comn+ ted. 80.
On motion of Mr.. .khcu, the Committee
of Post Offices and Post Roads were dischsr-
ged from the consideration of all motions
and petitions before them on the subject of
Post Roads, because that bill having been
reported, it would he impossible at this late
period of this session duly to examine into
them.
MARINE JURISDICTION.
Mr.. Dana observed on the Importance of
distinctly .ascertaining the marine juristlic-
uonal line of, the United States. He said
that the present distance from shore within
which immunity from belligerent search was
allowed, was a maritime league. He be-
l.lieved that, as respected the interest of the
u. States, twas at the option OF government,
without any stipulation by treaty, to take a
wider range. AS respected the. distance
OF a marine league from the shore Of mmu-
nifty from Capture, it might be claimed in
any case by the government of this country,
Nand by all neutral powers-but for the pur
poses OF government itself, withop, being
pledge. to any ether powers he commended
that gov ernment had another claim. 4, hich,it
might assume whenever it considered ii ex-
pedlent. Immunity from beiiigerent, sci
cures Night be claimed for maritime
League in every snpposable case by a neutral
power. Beyond the distance of maritime
league, IN favor OF commerce or public reve-
nue, 1t was at our option to extend the juriss
dicsion OF the UHited States over all ancho-
rage grounds contiguous, and over all the
waters within the head lands along the
| shore Viewing it as AN optionary privilege
which the government of the United States
might exercise, he thought it would be clear
! iy for the :. benefit so to do. He said it would
doubtless be recollected that we had often
heard much of the violent death of Pearce,
and similar aggressions, but we had heard
| OF no attempt to prevent such in future. His
object would be to prevent a recurrence of
snch collisions, In order 20 bring this subject
| before the house in such manner as could
not possibly affect any negotiation now carry
ing on, he moved as follows:
RESOLVED, That committee be appoint
ed to enquire into the propriety of adopting
| any legislative provision respecting the ex-
tent OF the maritime precincts of the United
States, and the safeguard of navigation with
In the same \; and whether, in addition to
the existing provision against captures with
i'll maritime league from any part Of the
shores.lt would be proper by law to autho-
rise the President of the y. States, for the
beneti OF the commercial interests or reve-
nue. thereof, after causing reasonable Motif
cation to be given, whenhe may.deem it ex-
pedient, to prohibit foreign armed ships or
vessels from visiting or moestng coasting
vessels or merchant vessels bound to or from
the u. States, whenever the same NAV be in
any OF the roads of the U. States, or within
any other waters within sight of land, and
wlthin lines extending from one cape crliead
land to another along the coasts of the u.
States, and that tie committee have leave to
report by bill or otherwise.
The House agreed to consider the motion
81 to 20; and passed it without debate-59
to 81.
Mr.. Gardner presented the petition of
sundry inhabitants of Massachusetts, pray
ing that the town of Orleans may be erected
into a port OF entry.-Read and committed
MlRANDA'S EXPEDITION.
On motion of Mr. N7'Rim, the House re
sumed the consideration of the unfinished bu.
slness OF yesterday, being the following reso-
luton:
ResolUed, That the President of the u.
States be requested to adopt the most imme-
diate and etflcacious means in his power, to
obtain the liberation of the prisoners, if IL
shall ahflear TO his Sati8fac.ioj, that theu
zpere tnDolnntariiy dram into the unlaz6.
JM ENTERPRISE in which they zOere engaged
auu lhdI dollars
be appropriated to that purpose.
Mr.. Uhham moved to strike ont the words
in 1talc. Motion lost-ayes IS.
Inc subject was debated till five o'clock. -
Messrs. Ross, Upham, Livermore, Fisk,
knickerbacker, Holland, Cook and Pearson,
supporting. the report, and Messrs. Taylor,
Randolph, Rhea and Macon, opposing it.
On the question, the votes were-yeas SO
nays 6l
The votes being affirmative CO, negative
81, the speaker voted in the neeative-tbe
votes then being equal, the question was lost.
This is a conclusive decision of -. subject
for this session.