The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-04-17

the question now before the Senate is ia adj
here 20 sheir amendments For which I
shall vste, although the bill will then not be
such As wish it had been. But, sir, it c:-,
not in this stage be amended. am aware
that my vote will be disapproved BY many
Of my friends. But, sir, trsst that time and
. future confederation of the subject Will
convince them that my objections to- the
rejected sections have not been Infsunded
>ekHpeess>s>>---
3. MONDAY, April 9.
J Mr.. Robinson had leave of absence after
Thursday next.
Mr.. ,Brent reported bill for Continuing
the charter of the bank Of Alexandria, in
the District Of Columbia. Read and passed
to second reading.
The bill for the relief Of Wm. w. Wey
mouth and Jos. p. Week.-Mrs. bill for
the relief of John Minor--and the bill
concerning the Society of the order of La
IraPpe, were sevsrally read 4 second
time.
The resolutions submitted by Mr.. Giles
on Friday last, were taken up and agreed
Mr.. Crawford reported the bill for the
relief OF Elizabeth Hamilton, without
mendment.
The further consideration of the bill ma.
king provision for the establishment of a
National BANK. was. on motion of Mr. Brad
lev, postponed to Wednesday.
Ihe Senate resumed the consideration of
the bill for the relief of Joseph Sunmerl and
others which, after various amendments,
was ordered to be engrossed for third
reading--Yeas Is, Nays 16--the Vice.
President voting in the affirmative.
The bill fixing the compensation of mi.
MI A.
Barbary. and for other purposes, was read
third time and passed.
Mr.. Gites. from the committee on the
subject. reported a bill teenable the people
sf the rsrritory Of Orleans, "to form a con.
stitution and state government, and for the
admission of such state into the union. on
an equal footing with the other states, and
for other purposes" Read and passed to a
second reading.
TUESDAY, April 10.
The bill regulating the Post Office estab-
tishmsst, having undergone various amend
ments, Zone Of which goes to take away from
Fost Masters the right of fraaking,) was
read the third time and passed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
- MoEsAY, April ..
APPORTIoNMENT OF REPRESEN-
h1lON.
:. Mr.. Fiek said, he rose to oEer resolu
eion, which he had for sons time wished to
present for the consideration of this House
1t is to provide for fixing the superintendent
OF representatives among the several states,
acsording to the third census. The last ratio
was one representative for every three thou
sand souls; which gave 142 members to this
HS - number as large as may be con-
sid red necessary for the dispatch of Legis-
'lation, or to preserve the liberties of the
people. 1t is estimated, that the next CEN
aus will give seven millions two hundred
thousand souls. which, according to the pre-
sent ratio of representation, would give to
fthis House two hundred and eighteen men,
Z bers-A greater number than could be
accommodated within these walls, and a
greater body of men, than could progress
with the business of this House.
After the census shall be taken, the a
mount in each state ascertained, and the
fractional numbers known, it will be much
more difficult to fix the ratio, than at this
time. Therefore beg leave to submit the
following resolution. And as it embraces
subject of great Importance, have no OBJ
lection that it lay upon the table few days,
for the consideration of the members:
Resokved, That the apportionment of re-
representatives. amongst the several states,
according to the third enumeration of the
people, ought co De IN the ratio, or one re-
preventative for every forty-fve thousand
persons in each state, and that committee
be appointed to bring In bill accordingly.
a motion was made, that the resolution
lie on the table.
, A melton was also made to postpone it for
q week.
Mr.. Pickman moved to postpone the fur
Their consideration of the resolution indef
niteIy. He thought this question could be
decided to much greater advantage in the
two first months of the next session of Con-
gress, than in the two weeks remaining of
the present session.
Mr.. Macon was against indefnits post
poneucns. Every one on reflection must be
satisfied, that it would be better to decide
the ratio of apportionment now, than after
the result of the censu. was Known. He
thought the resolution had better have been
in blank as to the ratio. The ratio might
hs settled either by fixing the number of
Representatives Of whom the House should
consist, after the next census, or by fixing
ths number of souls which should entitle
district to representative.
= Mr.. Gold said, however desirable it might
be, at this time, te fix the ratio, he doubted
very much whether decision now would
settle the question. fla law were now to be
passed, aud there should be several large
fractions, on any given ratio there would be
a strong disposition to aler the ratio at the
next session. He thought it would be expe.
Ill 70 he onr