The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-02-21

''Rn' opNoN A. WV Ntte ,, atO NHC HI .
,erest on which SUN would amount, since
the money was Drawn to upwards OF &C 1900
dollars.
The difficulty and perplexity Of the inqui-
ry, which was contided to your committee,
deprived them OF time sufficient to ascertain
the number and quantities Of component
parts ard materials on hand, they were there
tore compelled to take the Statement: ofthe
superintendent, which they herewith exhi-
Bit.
AS to the quality. of the arms manufactured,
your committee beg leave to refer to that
part Of this report, which states the quality
OF the iron employed. 1t is impossible that
Inc arms should be generally good, though
the workmanship may be OF the best kind,
when the materials of which they are COM
posed are unfit. I'm this opinion your CON-
mittee are Supported by complaints and in
formation from various quarters OF the com
monweaieh the muskets, i'll many instances
seem to be not calculated for the purposes of
war; those manufacturer the two last years,
however, appear to be considerably better
than those formerly made.
The rifles appear totally unfit for any use
ful purpose. The workmanship and materi-
ais combine to render them very far inferior
to what rifles ought to be, as to accuracy in
directing the shot and durability in undergo
in, service.
f'SN'P NhhF'hk 'N'hS Il ShSIo-
ted, yet being of the callibrc of muskets. and
larger than ordinary pistols, render them
upweildy and not so we'll calculated to answer
the purpSses of war.
The swords are generally composed of
hne materials and well executed, many of
them are much curved in their form, which
renders it difficult to draw and return
them.
All of which is humbly submitted.
MoNDAy, Feb. IS.
The Speaker laid before the House, Il memo
rial from NJ jor John Clarke, superintendent of
the mArufactory If arms, on tie subject of the
report OF the committee appointed TO enquire in
to the management OF the SAID mandatory of
arms.
The said report being read, was on motion, or
d-red, with the documents accompanying the
same, 10 he laid on the table.
A motion was made tn t the House should
come to the following resolution:
RcSo.veR, That Jpnn Clarke. may be heard at
the 5lr of tits House by counsel.
The question being put or agreeing to the
said resolution, il passed in the negative. Ayes
I9-NGes 126.
On motion. Or4ercd, that The report of the COM
mittec appointed To examine into the manage
ment of the manufactory OF arms, be refe rrt.d to
the corJnttee on tie whole house on the state of
the
A motion was made, that the affdayits of
George Williamson and Daniel Athertrn, which
relate to part of the subject matter ofthe said re.
port be now read and the question being put
on re; ding the said afi.lavits. it passed in the
n ,gative. Ayes 70-Noes IS.
TUESDAY. Feb. IA.
A motion was made that the House should
C onc t. the following resolution
ReSol2sa, That a committee fthree be appoin.
ted. 90 eXammI George lliarnssl aul Danis,
Atherton, touching tile charge tor extra wsrk
made by john Clarke, the superintendent of the
mandatory ot arms, against the coInmonw wealth
t'at they exani1e also, on what grounds OF a,r
t en- icit! ,o5e letters stand, which ave anncxet
To Jpitr Clatke's commune ti0n, as originals. ia,
on. from Prescott, sIrerln;epdan
at the m2nutdctory OF arms at Springfield, ir
NJ s5achusctts; the other from tnes StuDble
field. superintendent of tnc mandatory of arm,
at Hrp'r' ferry IS also, on what Grounds o
authenticity those copies rest. winch are annex
;ed To thC same communication, and stated TO bS
genuine copies u le;tcrs, sept TO the vari ,us per
so"s TO whom they profess 10 be addressed ; ant
report ulefeupOn u the House, on To morrow
or as soon as the duties assigned TO them siai
permit
:. A motion WIS made 10 amend the said reso.
luton, SO as nuke it read d" tjat George Will
an'Scn and Daniel AtiIertop, be examined at Tho
bar of this House"
The queationbeing put on the prop ,sed amend
ment, 1t passed III the negative. Ayes 53-Noes
1906.
'' tHN iilC u l)'St pune we Ilir
Tier consideration of the sad resolution TO the
3lst day OF March next
a motion was made 20 divide the question o
PostponcGent, so as first To take the qu st,on OF
posfponlng so much Of the said resolution as re
iatc' to taking t.e testimony Of Williamson ant
A'5cr'on, which being declared 10 b, in order
tue question was then put on Posipenmg so mucl
OF Nle siii resolution As relates to taking the ties.
t'mon} OF Williamson aud Anterior, AMI passec
III tie ai'!rmfuve. Ayes Noes -.
The question being then pat on postponinr Tn,
remainder OF the sad resoiItioi, it PASSED il
The affirmative.
WEDNESDAY,, Feb. Is.
Tie House according to the ORD, r of the da,
resolved ISL INTO a committee Of the whole
House on dtc state ofthe common wealth, and af
Ter some tine spent therein, Mr.. ; e feer resnm
ed the char, and Nir. Scmp!e reported, that thc
committee had, according 90 order, again htd I'M
der consideration the report OF the committee AZ
pointcd To enquire INTO the state of the manufac
tory OF ans, had gone through the same, ant
mace several amendments thcrelo, and agreet
to several resolutions ticreUpOn, which he han
ded in at tilc clclS's cable and the said amend
ments being twlce rc.d, were disagreed to by Tie
House.
The said resolutions being then scvarallv twice
read, aud the last thereof further amended
were agreed toby the Hous. as follows
!. R~e5Jlrtf, rs The opinion of this committee
tlat Liie operations ut the mandatory OF arm.