Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-04-17

ment of certain bills drawn by John Arm
strong, late Minister to France, upon the
| Treasury of the United States, in favor of the
| Cashier of the French Treasury. Read twice
and referred to a committee of the whole house
for Wednesday next
The amendments Of the Senate to the bill
admitting the state Of Louisiana into the Uni.
on, were taken up and agreed to.
An engrossed bill, providing for the Sc
cond grade of temporary government of the
territory of louisiana, was read a third
time.
Mi. M'Kee spoke against its passage, and
Mr.. Aston in favor, when on motion of Dir.
Porter, it was laid on the table.
Mr.. Porter stated that he was instructed BY
the committee of foreign relations to submit
something for the consideration of the House,
when the galleries were ordered to be clear
ed and the doors closed and remained closed
for about three quarters of an hour.
When the doors were opened and the re-
porter entered the House. the Speaker was
reading certain precedents from the Journals
| of Congress on former occasions, relative to
a breach of the pri vileges of the house.
| Mr.. Grundy submitted the following -
| Whereas on the Sd day of April 1912, a com
mittee was appointed to enquire whether
there has been any, and if any, what viola
ton of the secrecy imposed by this house, du-
ring the present session, as to certain of its
proceedings, with power to send for persons.
papers and records, and it appearing to this
house, by a report made by said committee
that in pursuance of the powers vested in
them, they had called before them Nathan.
iel Rounsavell for the purpose of obtaining
his testimony relative to the subject of the en-
quiry, and that he has refused to answer on
oath certain interrogatories, pertinent to the
subj ect about which the committee were en-
powe red to enquirc-Wherefore, Resolved,
That the SERGEANT at Arms be directed to
bring Nathaniel Rounsavell Immediately to
the bar of the house to answer such interro-
gatories as may be propounded to him by
the Speaker under the direction of the
house.
After considerable debate the resolution was
adopted.
The committee of investigation was then
discharged from further proceedings on the
subject, and it was taken up by the house
and certain interrogatories ordered to be put
to the witness.
In conformity with the above, Mr.. Rounsa-
will was brought to the bar of the House, and
after being sworn, the Speaker propounded
to him the following interrogatory:
Questton-From the conversation of what
members did you collect the information of
which you have spoken in your deposition be-
fore the committee
Ansuer.-I refused to answer that question
before the committee, and / persist in refus-
ing to answer it now.
The witness was then remanded into the
custody of the s~erjeant at arms.
Mr.. Seybert offered the following: Resolv-
ed, that Nathaniel Rounsavill, be committed
to the custody of the SERGEANT at arms until
further order; andthdt in the mean time he
be prectuded from all intercourse or CONFER
Sation Nth any person or persons other
than the serjednt at arms, ereept an his
presence and hearing.
This proposition gave rise to a very ANNA
ted debate.
MIR. Williams moved to strike out that
part of the re solution in italics. The ques-
ton on striking out was taken by Ayes and
Noes, and were-Yeas 62, Nays GO.
The resolution as amended was then adopt
ed.
The House adjourned for want of a quo
rum at 5 O'Clock.
April z.
The Speaker laid before the House q letter
from the Secretary ofthe Treasury, contain
ing an account of the receipts and expendi-
lures of the u. States for the year 1911.
A message from the President of the U.
States, received yesterday, in obedience to a
resolution of the House, was read, containing
a report of the superintendent of the City of
Washington, and a letter from B II Latrobe,
relative to that subject. Referred to the com
mittee of ways and means.
The Speaker read a letter from n. Roun-
~savell, explanatory of the motives by which
he was guided in refusing to answer the in
terrogatory put to him yesterday. He stated
that he was accidentally present at a CONVEX
sation that passed between members, who
had No intention of diyuiUinp secrets or treat