Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-12-09

the District Of Columbia, PRAYING M act Of IN
corporation; which was referred to the dis
| ttict committee
Mr.. Smile presented memorial from the
Union Canal Company of Pennsylvania, praying
! the aid of the general government in accom-
plishing the works in which they are engaged !;
which was read and referred to a select com
rnittcc. ,s,e.srs
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The House resolved itself INTO a committee
OF the whole, Mr.. Macon in the chair, o., the
report of the committee Of Foreign Relations,
made some days ago.
The report having been read
Mr:Porter rose to state the y;cws of the
committee. He depicted the Inconsistent con-
duct Of G Britain towards us, and the misera-
Die shifts and evasions to which her ministry
had resorted to justify her unproyoked aggres-
sions on our rights. Ii had been the general
opinion OF the committee, that the exigencv
demanded war, and that it was the most proba-
bic and indeed now the only mode of obtaining
justice Mr.: T. adverted to the manner in which
we could affect &. Britain by war on land and
sea by taking the Canadas, from which she
now exported annually to the amount of six
| millions OF dollars of articles essential almost
| to her navy, &c. all which she would lose. Con.
yinced as the committee was that war was the
only resort, if they had not in their report re-
| commended it, as many were DESTROYS they
| shousfs1 was because of our unprepared 'itua-
ton, and Tot because the times did not in their
opinion 1for it. They were of opinion thai
the cloth Should be spread before the guests
We're invited 10 part.ke OF the entertainments
Mr. T. spoke at some length. II circums tanccs
permit we will give his speech in our next
| The question wss taken on the first resolu-
ton for filling the ranks of the present army
&c and carried.
The second resolution for raising ten thou
| sand r rlllarq- beino-
| Mr.. Little moved to strike out ten thousand
and insert fifteen thousand
| Mr.. Fisk moved to insert $4,000 -a -J-,
Mr.. Aston wished TO leave the number snb-
ject TO the discretion of the President, not ex
ceeding $4,000 men. Ifthe number was fixed.
the President must appoint officers, whether the
men were raised or not. g
The question was taken on striking out the
number 10000 &C. and carried by alarge maio-
rity.
The question now being on the number which
was to be inserted in lieu OF it
Mr.. Porter was in favor of a practicable num-
Der OF regulars, relying on volunteers for effec-
tive service as well as regulars.
Mr.. Little spoke in support of his motion.
| Mr.. Wright spoke in favor of large number
of regulars.
] Mr.. Fisk spoke in favor of $4,000; he was de-
I sirous that our measures should be effectual
! Mr.. Little spoke in favor the House fixing,
the number, in preference to leaving it discreti-
onary with the Executive.
Mr. Nelson spoke in favor of the number re-
| ported by the committee.
Mr.. Seybert spoke in favor Of $4,000 men.
He was DESTROYS of acting efficiently if at all
Mr.. Wright spoke in reply to Mr. Nelson and
in favor irregular troops in preference to vol
| unteers. .s t
Mr.. Smile thought ten thousand men would
be sufficient number, together with the volun-
| teers, for any object they might be wanted for.
Mr.. Porter proposed that the number should
| remain blank, as it could be better fixed when
| the bill was brought in, in pursuance ofthe re.
solution.
Mr.. Nelson spoke inreply to some observati
| ons of Mr. Wright on the relative Importance OF
regulars and volunteers: and Mr.. Wright re-
joined. ~
On the Hggestiou of Mr. D. r. williams, the
motions t1fll the blank created by striking on,
10000 Were Withdrawn and
The resolution, thus varied, was agreedto.
| The Sd, 18th, aud 5th resolutions, authorisine
volunteers, militia, and equipment of our little
navy, agreed to by the committee were of the
whole
The sixth resolution, to permit our merchant
vessels to arm, in selfdefence, against all un
lawful proceedings against them, being under
consideration
Mr.. M'Kee spoke against it, conceiving it a
| N"rtsnce Win the system comprised IN the Othel
resolutions. He had no idea now of merely r. E
sIsTISc; if attacked, he would retalate.
! Mr.. Smile supported the resolution. If w,
were not now IN war, he said he verify believed
We soon should be.
i Mr.. Wright took the same ground with Mr.
MKee, and moved to amend the resolution b,
adding thereto words similar to the following
" and if attacked by any vessel contrary to thu
law ofnations, to capture and bring them in fo
adjudication"
Mr. Porter explained The proposed amend
ment would make the resolution an act Of war
which II was not the intention of the committe,
to declare in this report, or to commence unit
they had prepared for IT,
Mr. Wright's motion was lost.
Mr. M'Kee said the parties had joined issue
the pleadings were made up the case was nov
to be decided bv battle and not by jury II,
therefore desired to retain the shews of OH
strength, AID moved au amendment contcmpla
ting AN EABhRco for 90 days on vessels
| in our ports, &c.
The motion was declared TO be out Of order
The sixth resolution was then agreed to-
The committee rose and reported their o
greement TO tie resolution
The HnuAtqck up the report,
The quespAwas put onthe first resolution
MIR. ffsnaE n, wishing time, moved tina
the rep@t lie On the tabic--Motion lost s.
to so.
The question was then taken on the frs
resolution, in the following words:
"ResolUed, That the Military Establish
ment, as authorised by the existing laws