Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-04-30

ton; but as that was not permitted, be would
add a remark ortwo. He was sorry, to use
the gentleman's own expression, that he had
not such bride to offer the gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. Campbell as would induce
him to vote for this resolution. He said he
had believed that il the shortest day proposed
should be taken, the effect would be this -
1t could not be expected that those gentlemen
who had been or months from their homes
and families should remain in this city; ii the!
went home, many of them could not posslbl,
reiarn in twenty days; there would OF the
appointed day be no quorum in either house
and they would have to adjourn from day t
day until a sufficient number appeared. WheT
they spoke of the public interest, gentlemen
should look at actions, not at professions. Mr
w. SAID he looked at human nature as he toune
it.: and considering, as regarded himself thai
ten days at home would be OF infinite advan
tage to his private concerns, taking It for grant
ed that ali gentlemen had the same ieclng ant
regards as himself, he thought 1t duty nc
owed to himself and others, as well DIS to his
country, to vote for a recess. He believed
much greater injury would result from sitting
here than from a recess. Hc believed III 9
day or two there would scarcely be quorum
Of the two houses left. Did gentlemen NEAR
to take any great measure with a bare quorum
Of both houses? He presumed they would
not. Therefore in his opinion it would be
very proper to take such time as would suit
the greater number of members of both
houses But if that could not be attained,
Mr.. Worthington said he would still vote for
a recess for although he could not avail him
self of the opportunity to go home, he would
not prevent others who might.
Tie question on the insertion of the eighth
day Of June as the day OF re-assembllng OF
the two houses, was decided as follows:
YEAS Nc ssrs. Bradley Concit, CraW-
ford, Dana. German, Gilman, Goodrich, Gregg,
Horsey Hunter, Lambert, Lloyd, Pope, Reed
Robinson, Smith Of N. Y. Turner, Wortiing-
ton--lS.
NAYS-Mcssrs. Anderson, Bibb, Brent
Campbell Of Ten. Cuts, Gailliard, Giles,
Howell Leib, Smith Of Md TAFT, Taylor, Var
num--l2
SO the motion was carried.
The question being put on the passage OF
tie resolution as amended
Mr. Bib said it was painful for him to
speak on this question, when he believed 2
ma iority of the Senate were determined Oh
an adjournment: but he entreated gentlemen
to weigh well what they were about. He saie.
he could not but reprobate the mode Of ar
guing question for adjournment from mo.
tiyes of comfort Or family interest, of per-
sonel convenience clone; without reference to
public interest. MIR. Worthington disclain-
ed any such argument, as appeared to be at
tributed to him. If any man should give a
vote for adjournment from motives OF that
kind, he should reprobate such conduct. So
far a. gentlemen believed the public interest
would not suffer from such course, there
would indeed be no improperly in suffering
personal convenience to have weight But
the question, said Mr.. B. is, whether our af-
fairs are in such situation as would, in COM
mon regard to prudence, permit US to depart.
What is our situation We have made pre-
paration for war, by au.horising the raising an
army. Is that army organised? Are the Of
fcers all appointed No. put it to gentle
men whether, from the specimen already had
Of bills and supplemental bills, we may not
expect other supplemental bills /? Can con-
grcss reconcile 1t 10 their consciences, to leave
the seat OF government when they see that
our army is rot organised, when proposition
for appointing assistant secretaries to the war
department, and much other detailed business,
is before US? The Offices of commissary-
general and quarter-master general are yet
vacant: because the restrictions are such az
to render them obstacles to the acceptance Of
persons qualified to fill those Offices. This
must be corrected we must either take off
some Of the restrictions on these officers, or
increase the salaries. There are many other
defects in our present laws, which, from past
experience, am confident will require alter
alton. Now, sir, although freely confess
that would not plunge the nation into war
until the executive Shall tell us that we are in
a sufficiently advanced state of preparation;
although l would not remain here with view