Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-11-21


idle to attempt to prevent, by statutory pre-
visions, similar abuses. Put though, formed
as we are. we caunot attain perfection, we.
eught, in imt alton OF divine example, TO
aspire TO it, and ciideavor to preserve in pu-
rity the great Magma Charta of our country.
This subject, Mr.. r. said, might appear
frivolous to others He knew that men in
toni on worldly things, with their shouts gro
Yelling in the MUD. who hold every thing but
sordd pclf, and still more disgraceful Office.
as dross and dust, would not think it worth
while to attend to things of this kind.
Nor did he wish to set himself up for Poll
tical Pharisee, and thank God that he was
mt as other men are.
Mr.. K. moved to amend the reference, by
adding to it the following:
"Withinstructicnst to enquire whether any,
and what prosecutions have been instituted
" before the courts of the United States for
!" libels, under the Sediton Law or the Com
" mon Law, and by what authority and to
Z" make such provisions as they may deem ne
"cessary for securing the freedom of speech
and of the press"
Mr.. r. hoped this amendment would be n
greed to for, said he, it is evident that when
we came into power when we succeeded to
our predecessors, proper measures were not Ia
Ken Tor purifying the violent temper of the day
-tor preventing the recurrence of prosecutions
Of this kind. He recollcctctl having heard ut
the close of the administration OF the second
President of the United States, one of the most
beautiful pieces of defamation, from a gentle
man tram South Carolina, which he had ever
heard, III which he conjurcd the House to re en-
act the Sedition Act, because, said he, we are
about 20 surrender the government into the
hands oFmen, in whom we have no confidence
and wis! to retain this law rs our shelter, be-
cause, by this, if we are prosecuted for a libel,
ttsaf L.. ~.
he listened to the gentleman, bu, he thought he
was talking for talkinF's sake. lie did not be-
iieve that himself believed word of what he
sac. Nr. X. did not suppose that 4 prosecution,
AZ common law, for libel, could take place un-
der republican administration. He thought
the gentleman was;nakng the best apology he
could for the sediton law, and that he was Plat
to find himself in minority on his morton for
continuing 1t. But, ,aid he, experience teach
eth. Ind 1t possible, even for the Pharisees
themselves sometimes TO slide, sometimes to
,f'll. fe thought ii due to our country, and to
ourselves, that whatever abuses exist, without
stopping to enquire whether the sufferer be q
Catholic or Protestant, a Federaliss. Demo
crat or Monarchy man, TO redress the wrong.
What would be said in court OF Justice in a
case of murder. II would not be thought worth
while 70 enquire what vas the offenders poll
tics, or whether honest or the contrary lie
considered honest men as Of right politics. 1t
unfortunately happens, said he, that some men
make up in zeal what they know Themselves to
be deficient in honor and honesty.
The amendment was agreed to, and the petition
referred.
Nove7,ber II.
The following members form the committee
to which Matthew Lyons petition is referred,
VIZ. Messrs. New, Troup, Cooke, Randolph,
Whitehill, Wright and Moseley.
Mr.. Clopton, one of the members from Vir-
GINA, appeared and took his seat
Mr.. Morrow presented petition from certain
inhabitants in the territory of Michigan, pray
ing for the revision Of the decree of the com
missioners respecting the title Of iands-Reter-
red
Mr.. Blocker presented the petition of Hem
drick and Denton, merchants ofNew York, pray
ing for the refunding of certain duties inprop-
erly collected on imported bars of copper, COM
monty called Bolt Rods,--Referred
Mr.. Burweil presented the petition of Larkin
Smith, collector of Norfolk, praying for an in
crease of Observation-Disclosures
dr Pickins presented the petition Of Michael
Reap, of North Carolina, wounded soldier in
the revolutionary war, praying to be placed on
the pension list, which was referred ~ were
several others presented of similar kind.
Mr. Avery presented the petition of John
Burnham, who had been taken prisoner by the
Algerines some years ago, and who had former
ly had an allowance made him by Congress,
praying for further relief-Referrcd to a select
committee.
On motion of Mr.. Dassett, committee was
appointed to prepare and report such standing
rules and orders are proper to be observed by
this House
Mr. Rhea, from the committee appointed on
the subject, reported bill providing For the
government ofthe territory OF Louisiana, which
was twice read and committed. Grhis bin pro-
yides n government Of the second territorial
grade for Louisiana
Mr. Widgery, from the committee appointed
for the purpose, reported bill to alter the time
ofholding one OF the terms of the Dist. Court
OF Maine. Read twice and ordered to be en-
crossed
sTr, Rhea moved the adoption Of tle follow
fg resolution
g Resoivef, That the Committee ofCommerce
ard Manufactures be instructed TO enquire into
the expsdiency Of laying additional duties on
all coarse manufactures Of fax and hemp"
Mr.. Stanford observed that as this resolution
proposed the laying of an additional tax, i,
mus, BY an express rule ofthe House (Which he
ready lie one day upon the table. II was order
cd 70 lie accordingly.
Mr.. Condit laid the following resolution or
the table
81 Resoived, That the committee of Com
merce and Manufactures, be INSTRUCTED TO CT
quirc inro the expediency Of encouraging ths
manufacture Of bempcn goods, either by pro
fs..f 49,. -