Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-11-25
CONGRESS.
-~S:eSs 90 CPS
HOUSE Of REPRESENTATIVES,.
November 10.

.Nopc1iber is.
MRandolph asked Cor the consideration
of "a ressl,ftion which he,Iyli,l on the table
sorE dSs agA, directing the Appointment of
a 81 Nttee to6nquirc into the expenditure
of H9lA Mon3. which being agreed to,
M 4.rfast@l there would be no differ
enceHf apnnioSas to the proprety Of agree
ing to this-resolution. But before the vote
was taken he would state to the House, by
way of explanation, the result OF former
enquiry. At the first session OF the 18th
Congress, a report of a committee was made,
in part, en- this subject This report Mr.
r. read. Estates that owing to the short
ness of the session complete information on
the subject could not be obtained As the
session lasted but six weeks, the Committee
had no reason to complain that tbs informa-
tion required was not obtained. IN expec-
tation WAS entertained that it weuld be Civ
On at the next session. But the committee
had reason to complain that the information
which was given was altogether different
from that which was asked.
This was Represented to the departments,
and more satisfactory report was promi-
scd AZ the ensuing session. Mr. r. said that
the course pursued at the first session un-
der the present President, had been the
Adams administration. At the following
session Of Congress, the person who was APP
pointed chairman of the committee at the
first session, was unable to attend but it
was = qualification to him to find, that the
subject was taken up by an honorable col
league of his, to whom the state OF Virginia
lAh besp more than once indebted FOR lumin-
oAs e,N'Ss her fiscal concerns; but no
Ting wAs}efectet. To shew how different
tft information RECEIVED was, from that ask
edfor, W r. p$posed to read a short let
tern ThebbjecFof the committee was, to
know in what>SSay the Pursers of the Navy
received their money, and what was the a.
mount Of their emoluments. The answer
they received, stated, "that the advances
made 20 pursers are by warrants drawn on
the Treasury, sometimes by Navy Agents,
&c" We enquired, said he, what were their
emolumcnts, other than these allowed by
law! Answer they arise from a certain per
centage upon Siots detailed TO the seamen."
1t may not be ams5, said Mr.. r. TO inform
country gentlemen, that by SLIPS are meant
ready made cloathing &c. Il was scarce
ly possible to have given a mere evasive an
swer. We asked what were their emoIu-
ments9 They answer " a certain per cen
tage fixed by the department - but what
that per cent. was, the committee was left TO
find out by instinct thad been understood,
that large sums of money were advanced to
thes* Pursers who laid it out in slops, which
thHretaiied to the seamen, at an advance,
in komTiNtaAces of 2oper cent? This was
act, Nj. R4said, which ought TO be look
ed Entn<4lt was essential to the reputation
OF the overDzhent-esscntial to its honor
indispensable to the fair fame of those who
administer the finances of the United States
THAT abuses such as these should be pro-
bed to the quick to .hew to the world, that
# we Cannot govern the great Bessts-thr
MSEhmoths Of tho Forest, we can, at least,
Belson the rnfs. And whose money, asked
NlrHE}. q thisE 1T is the peoples money-it
cone fxm the pockets of the people of tbs
INCA S&tcT Whenh he spoke of this abuse
Sf ISi;c Ao9ey, he wished no gentlemen to
undHrstapsthim as speaking OF the abuse un-
der this, that or the other president of the
United States. lie considered them all as
Of one description of people; and it was not
less necessary tC guard against abuses in
country where the President is elected by the
People, than in country where he is put o.
yer them. He would dare to question the
intallibilty Of all, and look upon ali with iea-
lousy and diStrust. lie wished not, however.
to be charged with that mistaken opposition,
TO goveTnment, which determines 10 exhibit
abuSes for.&be sake Of doing so; or with
shKfEng- lis eyes 10 the abuses of Tnomas,
wlHeaisAy aff open to the abuses Of John
Mf x. sid ID had no interest distinct from
thesint*fest qsfhis country. With respect to
the Princes .syfd Potentates, tho only favor
he had taefisx of them, was, that they would
keep their hands out Of his pocket and eft his
person, and. 20 use a homely phrase, if
they would let him alone, he would let them
alone"
Under these circumstances. Mr. r. asked
the House If il we're not necessary for a
committee to be appointed % probe into this
business lie wished TO state, before he sat
down, that he had learnt that soon after the
present Secretary Of the Navy came into Of
fee, the per centage Of the pnrscrs, was re-
duccd from twenty to four CT FIVE per cent.
The resolution was unanimously agreed 90,
and fsaFnnmittee Of seven appointed
.fFhe house went into committee. On mo-
On Of Mr. Morrow Mr. Macon in The cha,r)
~ th4bi ,scXtenaing the time for orcnine
she l9IA oRce in She Territory Of Orleans.
Ahe RRmktee rdported the bill without a
hend4&t, md itkwas ordered To be cngros-
seq fora thiis retiing.
On motion Of Mr Tallmadgc, the house.
went inta-a committee (Mr. Basset in the
chair) Oh the bin for relief Of Abraham
Whipple, late a captain in the Navy of the
United States. The committee filled uDsbe
blanks and preported the bill 70 the Housc.
some opposition was made 20 It's passage. On