The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-06-05
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Mr.. We7oton presented the petition of GER
tain Spaniards. lately arrived from Tere-
rifle, stating the distressed situation of the
inhabitants OF that island and praying per-
mission TO export provisions. Mr.. N sta ed
that the petition itself contained contradic-
tons and that its statements were CONTRA
dicted from other sources. The petition, &c.
were ordered to lie on the table
Mr.. .drchrr submitted the following rcso-
luton, stating his object to be to extend to
one description of purchasers of Public
Land, like indulgence to that which has al
ready been extended to OIhers -
ResolOed, That the committee of Public
Lands be instructed TO enquire into the ex-
pediency OF extending the provisions of the
act granting further time TO purchasers of
Public Land in the territory n. West of the
river Ohio, to complete their payments, to
such persons as have purchased fractional
section or sections on the Ohio river, such
fractional sections when sold together hav-
ing amounted to greater quantity than $40
acres.
The resolution was adopted =: r.. =" -
MIR. IL. X. ViiHaD,S said it would be re-
collected that he had on Friday last stated
IN MS place, that in consequence of q publ
cation IN the National lntelligencer of the
name OF member of this House (Mr. Liv-
Ings.on) as an officer in the new army. he
had stated that he should think it his duty
on this day to make motion on the subject.
oince giving that notice, MIR. w. said he had
the satisfaction to learn that the gentleman
whose name had been brought into question
is not an officer of the United States under
the terms of the constitution and he felt
great satisfaction i'll declaring that he should
not think it necessary TO make any motion on
that subject.
!, Mr. P0lnderter offered the following re-
solution -
Resolved, by the Senate and House Of Re.
presentatives of the u. States of America in
Congress assembled, That the Legislature
OF the State OF Georgia. be, and they hereby
are, requested to give their assent to the for
NATION OF two states in the Mississippi terri
tory, provided, III the opini II of Congress. a
division OF that territory may hereafter be
deemed. expedient. i..:'
Mr. P. said it would be recollected that
| the Senate had postponed the bill Tor the
erection OF the territory of Mississippi into a
state he basis of that decision was, that
| 1t was expeGient to form two states out of
that territory. which could not be done with
| out the consent of the Legislature ofthe state
lof Georgia, which he tllerefute wished to Of,
| tain. ~ ,..'. -..........>
| The resolution lies on the table. g.
he engrossed bill supplemental to the
act for dividing the Indiana territory into
two separate governments, was read third
| time and passed.
MIR. Quincy said that by the provisions Of
certain laws now III existence, the consuls g,
vice consuls of the us. were authorised To-
send home vessels and scamen left destitute
| OF foreign ports, and that masters of vessels
were obliged to receive them at a cerya1
| price It 1T should not exceed ten dollars 70,
each man. 1t had been found however. in
Certain Sases, that the expense far exceeded
that allowance and, from certain expressi.
ons IN the law, the former comptroller did
decide that sum greater than ten dollars
per man might be allowed Cor such service
by the Department of State. The cotkr.e oi
proceeding in such cases has been regulated
by shat decision. a new comptroller, how
ever, had given different decision, and had
considered that the law precluded the al.
iowahce OF more than ten dollars This de-
cision, which the comptroller had grounded
on the positive expression Gf the statute, al
though 1T might DC correct, the Secretary oil
3tnte. conceived would operate oppressiIeIy
| to the citizen Under these circumstances
he moved the following resolution
RcSoiUed, That committee be appoint.
ed to enquire whether any alterations arc
requisite III the several acts relative 10 con.
suis and vice-consuls, and for the p,,ote ctior
OF American seamen and that they have
leave to report by bill or otherwise.
The resolution was adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Wrghk,
The House resolved itself into n cornni,.
tee of the whole, Mr.. NELSON in the chair
on the bill for the recovery, protection ard
Iindempihcaton of American seamen.
Y Alter the bill road a.