Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-04-02

that the document annexed is genuine, he
thought it his duty toprescnt it to the house
Tor their information. The house, after
hearing them read, can dispose ofthem by
referring them to the Secretary of State, or
otherwise, as they may think proper.
The papers presented by Mr.. Pitkin hav-
ing been read.
Mr.. M'kim moved that they lie on the ia
BILE, until time should be atfored for the ar
rival OF these persons in the United States,
whose testimony might confirm the facts
stated.
Mr. pitkin also wished them to lie on the
table, that they might be examined by gem
tlemen, and receive that attention to which
The Importance of their contents might en-
title them.
The papers were accordingly ordered to
lie on the table.
Mr. Gholson, from the committee of claims
made an unfavorable report on the petition
OF bartholomew Broughten; which was read
and cnucurred in.
Mr. khea reported the post road bill with
amendments which were read and refer
red to committee of the whole.
Mr. Newton, from the committee of Com
merce an6 Manufactures, to whom was re-
ferred the petition of Robert y Borough and
Stephen Hopkins, made an unfavorable re-
port thereon
Ordered to lie on the table.
Mr.. Wright, from the Committee on Mi
iltary Affairs reported bill for the estab-
iishment of an ordnance department; which
was twice read and referred to a commit
tee of the whole.
Mr.. Bacon. after some remarks on the
SUBJECT OF the petition of George Blagdcn &
Others praying compensation for work done
on the public buildings, offered the following
resolution:
Resoived, That the President of the u.
states be requested TO cause to be laid be-
lore TINS House an account, in detail, of all
sums now due, and to whom, for labor, ma
terials and other services of every nature and
KIND whatsoever, which have heretofore been
furnished and performed towards erecting
and repairing the Capitol & the Presidents
HouSe, or Tor procuring furniture for the
sane-aiso, whether any and what compen-
sations are now allowed for the service of
experimenting those objects and the nature
otthose services.
Mr.. Stanford opposed the resolution, as
not conched in respectful terms TO the Ex-
ecuilve, because it supposed that he had
sanctioned contracts or expenses not author
iscd by law. He had rather it had been in
form OF an enquiry whether there was any
eehcr in former appropriations to these OBJ
Iects, or in some form which did not imply
a violation of law, &c.
Mr.. Bacon had no objection to any amend
me the House should think propcrto make.
he fact was known, from the petitions of
the individuals concerned, that money was
due tor work, and the only source from
which the House could obtain information
on the subject was through the Executive.
The resolution was agreed to, and Mr..
Bacon and Mr.. Piper appointed a committee
to present it to the President.
The bill to incorporate the Trustees of
Washington College was read third time.
Mr.. M'Kee objected to the bill because it
granted to the institution Incorporated all
the powers possessed by other corporate bo-
dies, and that the corporation was without IL
This provision mghtvest in the COR
poration the power of creating and putting
in motion bank capital to any extent. He
knew BY experience that laws had passed
legislatures resting powers not understood
at the time of their passage. He therefore
objected to the latitude ofexpression in this
oil and moved TO recommit it TO q select
Committee for an amendment.
Mar Lewis said the committee had paid
attention to this subject. and
ne should be unwilling to recommit it +; yet,
although 1t was not usual to limit the exis-
ence OF such corporations or the amount of
property they may hold, if the House had
l disposition to make it more specific, he
lad no objection to it,
The bill recommitted.
Inc Il use proceeded to consider the re-
Dort OF the committee of the whole on the
following resolution
" Reso[Oed, That it is expedient to make
provision bv law for the payment of the fol-
owing descriptions of claims, to wit: 1.
Loan ot1ce certificates; 2. Indents of inter
EST on public debt; 3. Final settlement GER.
-ihcates; A.. Commissioners certificates S.
Army certhcates; 6. Credits given in lieu
of army certificates cancelled; 7. Credits
Tor the pay OF the army for which no cert-
1cates we're issued; 8. Invalid pensions 9.
Lost or destroyed certificates ;-notwith-
standing any statute of limitation to the con-
trary, under such restrictions as shall ensure
payment only to the original claimant, his
heirs, executors, or administrators
The resolution was agreed to, and refer
red TO the Committee of claims to bring in a
bill pursuant thereto.
Another resolution tn instruct the commit
tee ot claims to enquire INTO the merit of re-
'oiuiiohary claims, was also agreed to and
sundry reports on such petitions were re-
70 the committee of claims
Inc bill for the organization of a corps of
aruhccrS, passed through committee Of the
whole, Mr. Bassett in the chair, was amend
Cd and ordered to be engrossed for third
reading.
The House spent some time in committee
NJ the whole, MIR Breckenridge in the chair,
on the bml to amend the patent laws about
the usuIl hour of adjournment, the Commit
zee rose, reported progress, and obtained
leave to sit again.