Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-12-21

Mr.. Wright was in favor of the amend
ment. He contended that the men now il,
the service were better entitled to bounty
than the new recruits that might be raised.
Even under the feudal system, every man who
fought was entitled TO bountyof land.
Mr.. Biouat said that if the soldiers now in
service were to be put on an equal footing
with the new recruits, it ought to be done in
a separate law by which it might be proyid-
ed that, in case of war, the men now in the
army, who should serve till the close of it,
should be entitled to this bounty. He repeat
ed that 1t was impolitic to give it unless such
an event took place. He saw no force in the
argument that men would not fight with spi-
rit unless they were all on an equal footing
Mr. Williams again supported the amend
ment. If he thought we were to have no war,
he should neither vote for the bounty nor for
the men but he believed we should have
war;. nay, he hoped in God we should and
therefore he should vote for war measures.
He never had heard before, that veteran SOL
diers were not as much entitled to bounty
as raw recruits.
Mr. Colhoun was opposed to the amend
ment. He thought, that although war was
highly probable, vet, as it was not absolutely
certain, it would be impolitic to adopt such
measure at present, as II could easily be done
after hostilities had commenced.
The question was taken on the amendment,
and it was lost, only % in favor oft.
The committee of the whole then rose and
reported the bill without amendment. 1t was
ordered to be read third time, which was
Immediately done, and the bill passed, ayes
Ito. noes H. The object ofthis bill is to
complete the military establishment as autho-
rised by former laws; and for the purpose OF
promoting enlissments, it gives bounty OF
money and leo acres of land.
Mr. Widgery moved that when the house
adjourn, they adjourn till Monday. Lost,
yeas 50, nays SO.
The house went into committee OF the
whole on the bill to prevent the expectation
from the United States or the territories there
OF, of any goods, wares or merchandise, under
the licence or authority Of any foreign govern
ment This bill provides that any vessel
found contravening its provisions should be
wholly forfeited, with her cargo
Mr.. Newton observed, that it was well
known that the French government had de.
signa,ed particular ports III this country FROM
which alone trade with France could be car
ried on by means of license. The object
of this bill was, in pursuance of the presi.
dents Recommendation, to put a stop to this
practice, and thus place all the ports of the
U. S. on an equal footing.
Mr. Burwell enquired how this bill would
operate with respect to vessels trading to the
w. Indies, where it frequently happened that
provisions could not be carried except by
special permits
Mr., Newton SAID the ports of the West
Indies were opened and Shut at the pleasure
of their government; and when opened, they
were free to all the citizens of the United
States.
Mr.. Burwell contended that it was impos-
sible to frame a general Law on this subject
which would answer the desired purpose
This bill would open a door to the most ex-
tensive perjury, and weuld leave the most
lucrative trade to be monopolized by those
who disregarded the obligations of an oath.
The only proper way to accomplish the OBJ
ject now contemplated, would be, to bring in
bill to prohibit this trade with France in
direct terms, which might tend to counter
act the policy pursued by her government.
H.. IL Az he