The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-06-16


Mr.. NJ Clay obtained leave of absence |
from Monday to the end of the session
The Speaker laid before the House let
ter from the Secretary of War enclosing a
report from the Secretaries of War & Navy
on the memorial of Mr.. Edward Clark, as
follows:
1.-The Secretary of War and the Secre-
tary of the Navy, to whom was referred
the petition of Edward Clark, with the pa
pers accompanying, ask leave to report as
follows
" MIR. Clark proposes to construct fioa-
ting battery, which is to be rendered buoy
ant by "empty vessels, puhcheons for an
I" stance, enclosed within large chests of
" timber, open at the bottom to be anchor
" ed at any point, and fitted for the recep-
" ton of any fort to be constructed OF ma
"terials cheap and easily put together"
" The principle on which this species OF
float is founded, is correct principle i'll IA
tural philosophy. The doctrine of" speci-
fic GRANTEES" establishes the feasibility of
constructing, on Mr.. Clark's plan, float "a
dequate to supporting formidable battery.
Although this construction is philosophical
and ingenious, it appears subject to two pb-
| jections.
1. The liability of the buoyant power to
destruction by cannot shot. The disabling
of single cask of the capacity of 125 gal
Ions, induces diminutioh of the buoyant
power equivalent to one half ton.
g. The liability of the casks Tin salt wa
teri to injury from worms.
Improvement on the plan might dimi-
dish the force of these objections but it is
doubted, whether it is susceptible of such
| Improvement as will render it preferable to
f! a float constructed wholly of light wood.
| All which is respectfully submitted by
WILLIAM EUSTIS,
"PAUL HAMILTON.
"June s, 1922
| The report was read and referred to the
Military Committee. -.
The House resolved itself into commit
tee of the whole, Mr. NELSON in the chair,
on the bill this day reported, authotising
the President, when he shall think it ne
cessary, to raise four additional companies
of Rangers.
1t being objected to the bill that it con-
tanned no appropriation to carry it into eff
feet; and some doubt existing as to the sum
which should for that purpose be appropri-
ated-
The committee rose, reported progress
and obtained leave to sit again.
The House then resolved itself into a
committee of the whole, Mr.. BRECKEN-
RIDGE i'll the chair, on the report of the
Ecommittee of Claims on the petition OF A
my Dardin, that it is reasonable and ough
TO be granted. After some debate, the
mmittee rose and reported their agree
ment to the report, which was, afterdebate
concurred in by tie House.
For the report OF
Against it AZ
The House resolved! itself into commit
tee of the whole, Mr.. PlTK1N in the chair
on the report Of the committee OF accounts
recommending an allowance OF : j. pc
cent. on all monies disbursed by the Clert
t.,f@l ~.
requiring of that officer bond in ten thousai!t
dollars penalty for the faithful application
of such monies.
i This report of the committee of Accounts
g was finally disagreed to-
And the House adjourned.
Friday, lime 10.
/ Mr.. Quincy presented the memorial oil
the House of Representatives of Massachu-
sets, demonstrating against war with
Great Britain, &c. which he read in his
place.
. Mr.. ChHtenGe1i presented memorial
from e97 citizens ofVermont, demonstrating
against the measures of government, and
, particularly against an expected war with
G.. Britain.
Mr.. DInchM presented a memorial of SIC
) OF his constituents, stating their love Of
country, zeal Tor its interest, &c. prayna
that the evil of war with G.. Britain maj
NC d'SIlcU, anu lndI congress WIN c%cr
their efforts to that end.
E Mr. CheUes, from the committee of Way.
and Means, reported o bill to authorize the
c issuing of treasury notes. The amount
r not to exceed five millions of dollars.] The
: bill was twice read and committed.
), Mr.. Baird, from the committee to whom
was referred the memorial of John Dickey
respecting his invention OF a SHELL on
r new principle, reported a resolution autho-
: rising the Secretary of the Navy to allow
him the use Of cannon, ammunition and as
e sistance. to make an experiment thereon
= Ordered to lie on the table.
Mr.. Seybert made a detailed report OF
: the subject of patents which was ordered
: to be printed
@ The report on John Dickey's petition q,
the subject of his newly invented shell wa
n taken up and referred to the Secretary O
the Navy.
The House again resolved itself into
S com mittee of the whole, Mr.. PIPER in tn,
chair, on the bill authorisiDg the Presden
OF the United States to appoint four add
7 tional companies of Rangers; and an APP
preparation beng Incorporated therein, az
ter short debate the bill was ordered to bt
lengrossed for a third reading.
Inc Hcus6 resolved itself into a commit
tee Of the whole, Mr.. NELSON IN the chair
on the bill confirming claims to land in tn,
Mississippi Territory, held by citizens o
the u. S. founded on British patents, not re-
granted by the Spanish government or go