The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-01-05
GnnDresS.
IN SENATE.

ANYWAY DCCs SIs
Mr.. Taylor attended and took the oath
prescribed by law.
The bill to Incorporate the subscribers to
the Farmers Bank Of Alexandria and the
bill authorising subscription on the part
of the United States to the stock of the O.
hio Canal Company; were read the second
time.
The bill for the establishment OF a quar-.
ter-master's department was read the Sc
cond time, and referred to Messrs. Leib,
Franklin and Pickering.
WEST FLORIDA.
The Senate resumed the consideration of
the bill extending the laws now in force in
Orleans territory to the Perdido sc.
MIR. Pickering commenced Il speech, in
which he proceeded about an hour when
he read. as an evidence in support of his
argument against the title of the u. States
to Louisiana or Florida between the Mis-
sissippi ard Perdido a letter from Charles
Maurice ralievrand the French Minister
for Foreign Affairs, dated 21st December,
1604.'to General Armstrong, our minis si
al Paris. oh the subject OF cerlain over ures
which had been made by our MINISTER'S in
Spain for the aid ct France in procuring a
| cession TO the U. States of one or both Flo
| ridas. The purport of ralleyrand's letter
appe arcd 20 be; denial that he u a1es
had acquired by the treaty OF 1908, NV i
tie to louisiana east of the Mississippi, ~
some statement To tina effect.
| When MI. Pickering had conc .udsd the
reading of this letter.
| Mr.. Smtfh (Md.) ,ald he wished to CT.
quire whether I've paper, whic, the gentle
| nau had JUS read, had ever been puDlicl,
communicated % the Senate
| Mr.. Pickering said II had been commu
nic2ted, not indeed as public pap r--bu
| for what reason had II been commune atet
confdentinlly Because by publication @
it at The time, injury nigh have been DON
| to our ministers or to our AFFAIRS abroad -
| There was however now no reason why tn
whole truth should not be known. The,
were about taking step which was one o
peace or war, and IT was important that e
very thing IN relation TO the subject shoult
be disclosed.
NJ. Smilh (M said that whenever ma.
pers were communicated TO the Senate cor
fidentiaill before they could be read publici,
in this body or any other it was necessar,
! that the permission of the Sc nate should b,
obtained which no douot if asked in thi
Case would haye been KEa,i3a pIss fu n s;
Pre-. any indi Tiduai might nave the noue
C. do The greatest injury to the nation. as h;
humor might move him. He apprehende,
the proceeding was wrong; but gentIemer
! older in the Senate than lie was. could ner
haps better decide.
On the suggestion Of member, the eah
lies were cleared The Senate set with Clio
sed doors for an hour. When we were q
gain admitted
MI Ciqy submitted the following resolu
ton, which lies on the table of course.
| ReSotUcd, That the public perusaI in RI,
Senate "a Certain papers with open gaIlerie.
by the gentleman from Massachusetts. mr.
l'ickering,) in his seat without special or
der OF the Senate removing the Injunction q
secrecy, which papers had been confidential
iy communicated TO the Senate by the Presi
| dent of the U. States, vas papable viola
ton of the rules of this body.
The Senate then adjourned to Wednes
day.