The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-04-10
And the House agreed to resume the con.ide-

/ u
TO repeal measure the operation OF which every
one acknowledged to be hurtful; but an attempt
having been made to defeat his purpose by me
wing an anne ndment, he said he should accept
the amendment as part of his own notion and
call for division of the question, so as take the
question SIMPLY on his original proposition to re-
repeal the non intercourse
Mr.. N'Kee moved to amend the proposition
under consideration, by striking out the word
"repealed," and inserting revised and amend
This amendment. being in the nature ofa sub
sttute for the original motion, was declared by
the Speaker not TO be in order.
Mr.. Taylor spoke at considerable length in IA
vor OF the repeal of the non-intercourse. He ex-
planned his ideas of the injurious operation ofthe
measure. He said he could see nothing of re-
sistance in 1t, nor any thing producing benefit to
the u States Its operation, he said, was parti.
al, affecting almost exclusively the products of
the south. He commended also that there was
no reason why, the repeal of it shosld be
simultaneous with the adoption OF any other mea-
sure.
Mr.. Mumiord spoke against Mr.. Randolph's
Proposition. He would not consent to repeal it
without adopting some other measure. He OBJ.
served that at present cotton or tobacco could
not be sent TO France, under an insurance of SO
per cent. even ii it was already known to be in
one at the rivers of France because of the risk of
contscation. 1t 1T went under convoy, however
insurance might be done at Is per cent because
the nature OF the property would be certainly
known; and therefore the object ofths gentle
men from S. Carolina would not be ans wered by
simple repeal.
Mr.. A'Ki7n was not insensible of the Injurious
operation of the non intercourse law, and was
wiling to repeal it whenever he could do so
consistently with the honor of the u States
That the House might have full view ofthe sub
Ject he moved to amend the proposition under
consideration by adding the following: And
that provision be made by law for prohibiting I'M
peftstions from G. u and France and their de.
pendencies 1"
Mr.. Randolph accepted the amendment as
part OF his motion, and again called for division
OF the ques.ion-which again recurs on Mr. Ran
doiph's proposition
Mr. Lirermo,e spoke in favor of the motion
He said that, notwithstanding the attempts made
TO divert the attention OF the House from the real
question before them, it was this Would they
now repeal the non intercourse or let it expire at
the end Of the session
M. 1a'Kee said as his former motion had been
declared out Of order, he could get at his object,
II the present proposition should be rejected, by
substituting proposition to continue and enforce
the non intercourse. He regretted much tina,
the Dill which had originated in this House had
been lost; but if there was member in the
House, who would in the present state OF things
repeal the non intercourse and do nothing else
he was not worthy the name of an American citi-
zen. 49,
Mr. Root said that he had perhaps as ardent
desire as any gentleman to get rid of the restraints
on our commerce but he did not wish our yes.
seis TO be invited, as it were, into the ports of the
rapacious mistress of the ocean. Mr. r. moved
to amend the whole proposition, as modified, so
as TO read, that the act interdicticting CONNER
ciai intercourse, &c. ought to be repealed, when
provision shall have been made by law TO main
tain and defend the rights, honor and indepen.
oence OF the Y. ). against the edicts of G. Bri.
| tain and France"
| Mr.. Randolph conceived this motion to be
out OF order; but the Speaker oycruled this OBJ.
! lection:
Mr., Randolph contended that the proposition
which he had submitted on Saturday was not
That which the House had just before decided.
When the BIZ! concerning commercial intercourse
had passed this House, the section repeating the
non intercourse had not been stricken out !; and
whcn the same bill was returned from the SEN
ate, it still contained that section. So that it
| was fairly to be presumed that both Houses were
convinced of the Propriety Of repeating the non
intercourse law
Mr.. .JohnSOn explained his former argument,
and insisted on the ground ne had taken before,
VIZ. that the naked proposition for the repeal of
the non nterc curse was in substance that which
the House had decided on Saturday last. He
was proceeding TO reply to some other remarks
OF MIR. Randoip h-when
The Speaker reminded him that the question
was on Mr.. Roots amendment.
Mr.. Randolph said he thought that the
question was OH appeal which he had made
from the Speakers decision on the point of or.
der.
The Speaker observed that he had not heard
the appeal seconded
motion was made to adjourn and carried
April 3.
GENERAL WILKINSON.
Mr.. Pearson called for the consideration of the
resolution offered by him some time ago, relative
10 AN enquiry into the conduct of Brig. Gen. James
Wilkinson.
The House agreed now to consider the resolu-
ton, Yeas "a, Nays Is.
a division of The question was called for, so
as to take the question distinctly on each clause
The first question was OH the first clause, in the
following words:
.ReSo!ved, That committee be appointed to
enquire into the conduct of brigadier general
James Wilkinson, in relation to his having at a.
ny time, whilst in the service Of the u S. cor.
ruptiy received money from the government of
SPAN or Its agents, or in relation TO having du-
ring the time aforesaid, been an accomplish or in
any way concerned with the agents Of any 70
Fegin power with Aaron Burr in project a.
gainstthe donlnions of the king Of Spain or TO
dsmember these u. 8.
This part, as well as the proposition general.
w, supported by Mes5rs. Pearson, Phkin,
Key, Shelley, Lyon, and Macon, and opposed by
Messrs. Rhea, Holland, M'Xim, Smile, Taylor
and Findey. The debate turned principally on
the right Of the House of Representatives to in
shtuts an enquiry into the conduct of the COM
mandcr in chief or of any officer Of the army of
the y. S. The debate will be given hereafter
motion was made by Mr.. Bib, under the