Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-04-16
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.


OF New-H Hampshire, praying Congress to take
measures for the recovery of their son. who.
they say, has been impressed into the British
service, while employed in his occupation as
a journeyman saddler. at Qaebec Refer
red to the same committee to whom was re-
tered letter from an impressed seaman
yesterday.
Mr.. Minor presented the protest of the
captain OF the ship Asia, lately burnt by the
the French, which was read and laid on the
table.
nicholson from the committee of claims,
reported bill to authorize the payment of
certain certificates, credits, pensions, &c.
whics was read first and second time and
referred toa committee of ;lie whole house.
MIR. Gholson from the same committee,
made afayorable-repart ON the petition OF
Amy Darden, which was read and commit
ted 20 committee of the whole house.
Rlr. Morrow from the committee, on the
public lands, reported the bill from the Sen
ate, giving furthhr time fer registering claims
to land IN the eastern district of Orleans
without amendment. The bill was ordered
to be read third time tomorrow.
Mr.. Morrow from the same committee.
reported the bill from the Senate, providing
tor designating, surveying, &c. military
bounty lands, reported the same with amend
ments.-Referredto com nittee Of the whole
house.
The order. of the day, the consideration
OF the oill permitting the importation of GER
tain goods, &c. from Great Britain, was cal
led for.
Mr. Peasants moved to postpone it till
Monday week next.
Mr. Rhea moved to postpone it indefinite
~, which motion superceding that made by
Mr.. peasants, the question was on adopting
it.
n debate of some interest ensued.
Mr.. Wright.-Mr. Speaker-I feel it nv
duty to oppose the bill now under considera-
toe, therefore seconded the proposition for
Its indefinite possponement, whereby it will
be dismissed for the present session. Sir,
ask the honorable gentleman from S. Caro-
lima (Mr. Lowndes) if it is not direct vio-
iation OF the faith of the United States plight
ed to France, " that no goods, wares or mer-
chandise. the growth, produce or manufac-
ture OF Great Britain, should be imported in
to the United States, on her revocation of
her Berlin and Milan DEGREES, or so modify
ing them that they should cease to violate
the neutral commerce ofthe United States, .
which fact has been verified by the presi-
dents proclamation, who has right, on
france violating her compact, by prucla-
nation to declare the same, whereby the
manufactures OF France also will be inter
dicted from being imported into the United
States Sir. can we suppose the president
has not all the information relative to the
conduct of France that we have or do we
want confidence in his HONESTLY dschargine
his executive duty in this easel, for nv
part have the fullest confidence; why then
usurp his executive f,lnctions' But, sir, if
France had violated her compact, whereby
we should be discharged from it, would that
justify us IN good faith to ourselves to pass
this law ?-No, sir, think not-two wrongs
never made right--we ought to impose
the same restrictions on the commerce
of both, and not because we ought to pun
ish France cease to punish Great Britain
this, sir, is groundess pretext for
authorship our merchants to import British
goods, whereby Great Britain wouldbe great
ly relieved from the distress of her manufac-
turers, and our restrictive system repealed
as to her for a time. Sir, would our mcr-
chants be beneftteds No, sir, they would be
paid their debts in British goods; their &C
counts thus settled and their goods captured,
have no doubt. But, sir, why feel SO SEN
sitiyely for the merchant, when the agricul-
turalist is sacrificing so much by an cmbar-
go law, for which | voted as precursor to
a speedy war--But this, sir, is peace mca-
sure, retracing our steps, perfect sub
mission, in my Jndgement.-Sr, if this bill
passes hope we shall strike the American
flag, now flying on the top of the capitol, and
hoist white one, take off all restrictions,
adjourn and go home and inform our people
that they are taken of, and that our mer-
chants may arm and shift for themselves,
that we are unable to protect them.
After some further debate the question
was determined by ayes and noes and lost
yeas SO, nays go.
The question again REQUIRED on agreeing
to the postponement till Monday week next,
and was adopted.
A bin from the senate to enlarge the boun-
diaries of the state of Louisiana, was read
third time and passed.
The house took up the am endments ofthe
senate TO the bill for arming the whole body
of the militia of the United States. The a
mendments of the senate struck out the whole
bill as 1t went from the house and substitut-
ed in lieu therefor new bill. The bill was
ordered to lie on the table.
The house procee led 20 the consideration
of the resolution laid Oh the table Yesterday
By Mr.. Bib, FOR recess of Congress.
Mr. Rhea moved to postpone the subject
till Monday week--1egltived.
Ihe question then vas Oh adopting the re .
solution, AID vas deternnel BY ayes AMI
noes, ana werc--yeas72, NAYS 40.
A com nittee Of Eve was ordered.
The house inc1m nittee OF the Whole. Mr..
Stanford in the cnair, on a bill to authorize
the purchase OF the Old Cry Hall in New
York,