The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-01-30

lne!s. and It is our duty to direct our attention
TO objects ct this vast Importance. Prenii'
sing thus much, I beg leave to submit the
following Resolution:
ResoiUed. Tha: the President OF the u S.
he Iequestedt to cause to be laid before this
House, by the proper department, 4 state
ment of the number of troops composing the
regular army of the u. .. the nunbcr sta
toned at each of the frontier g,rrispns on
FORTS" and particularly the coudition Of
that detachment of the regular force a,ldt
ted for the defence of New Orleans, tic NUN
Der sent there, the different dispositions
which have been made of the detachmeuts
and the present effective force of the same,
with such other information as he may
deem necessary to communicate respecting
the state of the army.
Mr. Dana suggested the propriety of qua
lifying the resolution, as il embraced per-
haps too minute an enquiry into the state OF
the garrisons, and nigh, require iaforrna
ton, which it might not he proper to com
municate--in which case, however, MIR. ID.
trusted that the President would have firm
ness enough to withhold such information as
he should deem improper to make public.
MIR. Dasvson SAID he could see no possible
advantage which could result from the pas
sage of this resolution; tina, it might on the
contrary, do mech harm, by exposing the
situation OF our frontiers. The President of
the u y. as commander in chief had right
to make such disposition of the army as he
thought proper; and it was subject which
did. not properly come within the Cognizance
of the House.
MI. -NeTcton replied that Congress had
the control of the army by being annually
caHed upon to vote appropriations for it's
support; and it was their duty to enquire
a., -
il was adequate to the public exigcncy.
Mr. IGliniadge co-incid. i with the gem
tlemap lastup in the opinion that this was
information which the House ought to have !;
it was their duty to obtain it.. He suggest
ed a modification of the resolution He said
| it would be desirable to know not only the
particular force of the u. S. but how il was
officered, where the officers were stationed
! and in what duty they were employed whilst
in the pay of the government.
On the Suggestion of MIR. Tallmadge, the
| resolution was varied by striking out the
words quoted, and substituting the follow
ing :-' return of the army of the U. S.
specifying the particular force of each regi
ment or corps, with the destination of the
principal officers commanding the same"
| Mr.. GhoLson was opposed to so general
| an enquiry. He had heard no intimation
that the general state of the army required
enquiry for aught he had heard, its gene
raj state was good. If there had been mis-
conduct at New Orleans he wished to see,
an enquiry leading directly to tina. point !;
he wished, by narrowing the enquiry, To
come honestly and fairly at the object in
view.
| Mr.. NeD,on said the House ought to have
before it a view of the whole state of the ar
my, and not to coniine their view to anv par
| tIr,, oF
tage would result from the army's annually
passing in review before the Legislature
He hoped the whole resolution would pass.
! The question was taken on the resolution
and decided in the affirmative by grca,
majority.
Messrs. Newton and Shaw were appoint
ed a cQmmittee to wait on the Presiden,
with the resolution.
MARITIME PRECINCTS. Z.
Mr.. Dana moved the two following reso
buttons, which were adopted:
| Resofved. That the committee of Com
merce and Manufactures be instructed to
enquire into the propriety of adopting am
legislative provision respecting the extent
or the maritime precincts OF the u. S. and
the safeguard ofnavigation within the same
and whether in addition to the existing pro
vision against captures within a maritime
league IRON any part or the shores of the u
y. 1t would be proper by law 20 authorise the
President of the u. S. for the benefit of the
commercial interest, or revenue thereof, to
prohibit foreign armed ships or vessels from
serving or molesting any vessels employed
! IN the coasting trade merchant vessels
bound to or frem the United States. whene
yer the same may be in any of the road
steads of the United States or in any other
waters within sight ofand and within a line
extending from one cape or head land to an
other aloug the coasts of the United States
and that the committee have leave to report
by bill or otherwise.
| ReSolUed, That the committee of COM
merce and manufactures be instructed to en-,
qnire into the propriety of making any sup
Elemental or amendatory provision by law
for completing survey, in which shall be
designated the islands and shoals, with the
roau steads of the United States, and the
courses and distances respectively between
head lands. together with any other matters
proper for an accurate chart of the coasts
within twenty leagues from the shores of
the United States, as agreed and declared
by the definitivc treaty fpeace in f7s9; and
also, for making examinations and observa-
tons with respect to st. Georges bank
and any other bank or shoal and the sound
ing and currents beyond the distance afore.
said to the Gulph stream and that the
committee have leave to report by bill or
otherwise.
NAVIGATION OF THE MOBILE.
Mr.. P0tndeEcer said, il would be recol.
lected that memorial had been received
from the inhabitants of the Mississippi ter.
ritory, complaining OF the enormous duty L.