Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-11-28
.No,,e,uber Of


Mr.. Dawson, from the committee appoin-
ted on the subject, yesterday reported bill
tor the superintendent of representation a
mong the several states according to the
third census, which was twice read and COM
mitted.
Mr.. Findley from the committee of Flcc-
tons, made report on the petition of John
Taliaferro, complaining of the undue cleo
ton of John p. Hungerford, which was read
and committed, and ordered TO be printed
with some accompanying documents.
MIR. Lewis presented the petition ofWidow
tiodgson, praying for compensation for
house which was destroyed by fire occupied
by the government as the War Office.-Rc-
terrcd to the committee of Claims.
Mr.. Seybert from the committee of Revisal
and Unfinished Business, made n report in
part, which was ordered to be printed.
On motion of Mr.. Rhca, the House took up
for consideration, the resolution which he
had submitted some days ago, proposing to
instruct tue committee of Commerce and
Manufactures to enquire into the expedien-
cy Of laying an additional duty on coarse
manufactures of hemp, fax and cotton.
This resolution produced long desultory
debate which occupied the House the whole
OF the day, without coming to any decision
upon it.
Mr.. Stanford, on the ground that the COM
mhtee of Commerce and Manufactures had
already this subject under consideration, mo-
we'd an indefinite postponement of the resolu-
ton.
L his motion was ncgatived, SIS to 49.
Mr. King proposed an amendment He el.
pressed himself friendly to the resolution of
the gentleman from Tennessee, and to the
encouragement of Domestic Manufactures
generally. His amendment was in the fol-
lowing words -
sind also into tic erhedic,tcy oflauine a
duty on the inttortation Of SAIL with autio,i-
ty TO rcitort by bill or otherzyise''
Mr.. K. observed that this was an article of
general consumption, and its manufacture
| ought to be encouraged; as it was known
what difficulties this country had experience
| ed, and might again experience, when plac-
cd in situation in which sufficiency of salt
could not be obtained. He hoped, therefore,
| his amendment would be agreed to.
Mr.. Smile was afraid the House was get
| ting into practice that would produce great
! trouble and confusion, by departing from the
| usual and settled mode ofproceeding. It had
always been deemed irregular, when sub
Ject was committed, to bring it forward in
! the House before the committee made its re-
| port. Look at our situation, said he. A gen
| tleman proposes tax on manufactures of
cotton, another on salt. Every gentleman
has his fayorite manufacture which he wish
| encouraged, so that an armful Of resolutions
will be thrown into the hands of this commit
| tee MIR. 5. said he was friendly TO the ma
nutactures OF our country, and was willing 70
| give them every aid /; but he did not wish, in
doing this, to break through established rules.
1T gentlemen would suspend their remarks
| on the subject until the Committee of Com
4 nh III.
they will then have fair opportunity of de-
livering their sentiments fully, and Of support
ing such particular manufactures as they may
| deem of most importance 70 the country.
| He hoped that neither the amendment nor the
resolution would be agreed to.
| Mr.. Aston considered the gentleman from
| Pennsylvania mistaken as to the rule and
practice of the house. II the doctrine which
he maintains were correct, gentlemen might
| be defeated in effecting the objects which
they have in view. II was only to refer a
subject to committee, and is a majority Of
| that committee we're unfriendly, and either
failed to report, OF reported inimically, the
| friends Of the measure might DC defeated,
though there we're a majority in the house in
its favor. It was q common practice, MIRA.
said, to refer a subject generally to a COM
mittcc, and afterwards instruct them, by re-
oNaNNtoi'1 NtShttii VI lllC SUD
ject.
MIR. Newton (the Chairman Of the Com
mittee of Commerce and Manufactured said,
the subject Of manufactures was considered
as being generally before them, and he knew
1t to be the intention Of the Committee to take
up the matter comprehcnsively and if any
gentleman shall think proper to give them in
formation respecting any particular manu-
tacture, either orally or in writing, they will
be glad to receive it. MIR N. thought the
gentleman from ". Carolina MIR Aston)
was mistaken, when nc said that commit
tee had the power Of defeating the purposes
ofmembers; because whenever a report was
made, il was in the power OF majority Of the
house to amend it, and make iejust what they
please
Mr. Quincy was IN favor Of the amend
ment offered by the gentleman from n. Car
DINA (Mr. KING and thanked him for bfing-
ing il forward. Some Of his constituents,
men who lived on the sindbanks of the coun-
Try, were deeply Interested IN the manufac-
iture Of salt aod had b4cn uearly ruined l,,,