The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-03-03
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Tuesday, FEB. 5.


Tuesday, FEB. 5.
Mr.. Pitkfn presented the petition of Ste
phen Fellows, wounded soldier of the Re
volution, praying for an increase ct pensi-
on, owing to his entire disability to earn any
thing towards a subsistence by labor.
Mr.. =. said this petitioner was already al
lowed five dollars a month, the highest de-
gree OF pension pr divided by the laws of the
u. b; but he thought that persons so utter
iy incapaCitated as he knew this man to be,
ought to have larger allowance. He NOV
ed, therefore, to refer the petition to the
committee OF claims, with instructions "tu
enquire into the eXpediency of making pro
VISION by law for increasing the pension OF
lnon-commisSioned officers and soldiers, to :
greater sum than is at present allowed.
whenever, III consequence of wounds, they
ave become totally unable to maintain
themselves by manual lab ~
Messrs. .diston and Shazv opposed this
motion, as tending to break up all the pre-
sent regulations in this respect, ard to bring
IN crowd OF apple of the same kind
they thought the u. S had done enough OF.
this subject. If there were any particular
lard Cases, the States in which such persons
ived, or the society about them, would
doubtless reader them the assistance which
aeir situation required. Mr.. 5. moved thar
ne petition lie on the table. This motion
vas negatived, IL TO So. After d few obser-
auons againt the reference, by Mr.. Uidee-
'y and in favor of it by Mr.. Risk, the motion
was carried, As to IS. On the suggestion of
Mr.. Litie. the word "ofcers !" was added
before the word nom ommissoned.
Mr.. Pitkin also presented the petition of
sundry manufacturers of Waterbury, Con-
necticut, stating that their works would
shortly be at a stand for want of iron, cop
per and brass wire, and praying liberty to
import the same from Great Britain.-Re-
ferred.
MIR. Ghoison, from the committee of
Claims, reported bill to continue in force
an Act to provide for persons disabled by
known wounds received i'll the revolutionary
war, which was twice read and committed
Mr.. u. also made an unfavorable report
on the petition of Dennis Dempsey, which
was concurred in.
Committee, reported bill authorizing the
President of the U. S. to lease for term Of
years one of the reservations OF public
ground in the City of Washington (the va
cant ground lying west of the Capitol) for
the purpose of Botanic Garden. The bill
was twice read and committed.
MI Sey6erf called up the resolution which
he had laid upon the table some DAYS ago,
proposing to authorize the Secretary of the
Treasury to employ proper person to ar
range and digest the Information on the sub
Ject OF manufactures, received from the mar
shals of the several states, which, after
receiving some little modification from its
mover, was read three times and passed
THE LOAN.
The engrossed bill for authorizing loan
for eleven millions of dollars, was read tn
third time /; and the question being put,
Shall the bill pass its third reading 2"
MIR. M. Clay expressed wish that the bill
might be postponed for few DAYS. 1t was
prediCated upon war, which many still hop
ed might be avoided. The Constitution had
just arrived from France, and had probably
brought dispatches, which doubtless would
be communicated to Congress as soon as
they could be got ready. He hoped, there
fore, the consideration of this bill would be
postponed till Monday next. And he gave
notice, that he should move like postpone
ment of the report of the committee of ways
and means in relation to taxes, when that
subject shall be called up.
Mr. Bacon said, whatever weight the re-
marks OF the gentleman from Virginia might
have, i'll relation to the taxes, lie hoped they
would. not prevail in postponing the consdera
ton of the present bill. Congress had al
ready authorised very large expenses. which
must be provided Cor and the Executiv,
OuSnC 10 nave some time allowed him 4
ascertain whether loans can be obtained upo,
the terms contained III the bill.
MIR. Smile said, it was well known that HI
had been opposed to part of the measures
OF eXpence which had been authorised bu
as the bills had now become laws, he fcl
himself bound to provide the ways and mean
for carrying them into effect. And he wa
! for dong this at once, without waiting fo
any communications from abroad, whicl
/ were altogether uncertain
! The motion for postponement was lost.
! The question then returned on the passag
Of the bill.
MIR. RandoLhh did not feel himself boun
to vote for this bill because the expenses, fo
the meeting of which it went TO provide
loan, had been authorised. He held himse
perfectly absolved from these measures a
he had constantly opposed them in their pre-
gress Through the House.
!, But do not rise (said Mr.. RI either
make an apology for my vote, or with an eS
pectation of changing the sentiments Of
= single individual in this House. It's fer ii
} purpose, if ii we're possible, of being hear
by those to whom alone feel myself amer