Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-02-03
HOUSE IF REPRESENTATIVES.
January 90.

January 20.
Mr.. Mitchell presented the petition Of
Wells, merchant Of New York, praying per-
mission to import certain goods purchased in
England before the Presidents proclamation
of February last. Referred
MIR. M. also presented the petition of
Charles Whitelow, of the city CT New York.
praying for permission to occupy tract of
ground lying west OF the Capitol in the CITY
OF Washington, Originally Intended fer a
botanic Garden) for the purpose Of improy-
ing 1t rs an agricultural & botanical garden
Stating his experience III business ofthis kind
IN Europe. Referred to the committee On
the district OF Columbia.
MIR. NJ likewise laiu before the House the
petition of Benz. Jacobs, of New York. pray
ing tor remuneration fer = lost certificate sf
public debt. Referred
Mr.. Morgan presented the petition Of
Wm. Locke AID others, OF II. JERSEY manu-
facturers ofcertain kinds ofpaint, praying fca.
nm additional duty on foreign paint. Refer
red
Mr.. Jennings presented the petition cfcer-
tam inhabitants of the Indiana territory,
praying for revisit, of that law which pla-
ces veto in the governor of that territory
on the passage of all laws by the Legislature,
complaining particularly of the exercise of
that power in a late act for the removal of
the seat Of government. Referred to q Sc
lect committee to whom former petitions re-
iatlve to this territory had been referred.
Mr.. Bacon observed, that the committee
OF Ways and Means had received letter
from the Secretary of the Treasury, in an
swer to an enquiry addressed to him nv the
committee, which they deemed of public i'm
portance; and therefore, contrary to their
usual practice, the committee had directed
him to communicate it to the House. in or
der that it might be printed for the use Of
the members, as il might be some time be-
fore the committee would be able to make
their report, and by having the letter of the
secretary OF Treasury before them, and their
attention drawn to the subject, the House
would be better able to meet the consdera-
ticn OF it, when it shall be brought before
thcm by the committee. Mr.. 3. thenla the
letter Of the Chairman of the committee to
the Secretary Of the Treasury with his an
swer Containing his budget Of proposed tax
es for meeting the expences of war; before
the House; which being read,
Mr.. Moseiy proposed that 5000 copies Of
the communication should be printed This
motion was seconded by Mr.. Miner, WHO,
Ui account CT its Importance, content!cd for
theneCessty of making it as public as posi-
bic. 1t was opposed by MIR. Bacon, as i'm
proper and as lncurfing an Unnecessary eX-
peHse. improper, because it would be civ
ing an undue sanction to a letter 20 one the
committees of the House, which had not been
acted upon land which il was unusual To-
publish at all j. mourning an unnecessary
expense, because the letter Of the Secretary
would undoubtedly be printed in every news
paper IN the U. States. and by this means
be made more generally public, thanit would
be IN any other vay--Motion negatiyed Is
to ~.
mr. Maxwell then moved that 1000 copies
be printed. This motion, after some obser-
vations from Messers. Wright, FAX, and
FIndley,in which they urged the improprie-
ty OF giving any countenance to a letter, con-
tanning propositions which would not proba-
by be agreed to by Congress, and which
would serve only unnecessarilV 20 alarm the
people, was negatived 60 70 50.
Mr. Davenport moved 20 have 500 copies
printed, which motion was also neratived.
and the usual number ordered 10 be Drin;e n
The House then resolved itselfjnto COM
nittec ofthe whole, Mr.. Nelson IN tho CHAIR
ON the biil concerning The Naval establish
nent, when McSsrs. Bassett and Mitchell.
each spoke at considerable length IN favor of
Tic bd. After which, ;hc committee rose
ana had leave TO SIT again. Adjourned.
January 81.
Mr. brigham presented ,br rri;ti,r. nj To-