Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-12-24


he state, and n1t entitled To "a vote thei Gin,
iad praying rc.ief--Refcrred 10 4 select
Comr,it &c.
The Speaker laid before the House a |
letter from the Commissioner of the Gene |
RAJ Land Office, enclosing Il report of he |
Land Commissioners of the western district
OF the territory OF Orleans (now state OF
Louisaua) which was referred to the com
mi zee IN Pub,ic.l Lands.
Mr.. Lewis reported bill to Incorporate
the Commercial Company of the city of
ashington.--Twice read and eommit-
ted.
NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT.
The House again resolved itself into a
committee Of the whole, Mr.. Macon in the
chair, on the bill to increase the Navy of the
U. States
Mr.. Seybert moved to amend the first
section of the bill by striking out :. fou, So
vc'.sy Tours and" so as to erase tic provi-
sion Tor building vessels Of that descripti-
OIL.
Mr.. Gold opposed the motion. He con
ceived the decision Of this question to be
virtually decision on the question of main
tanning Navy in the service of the United
States
Mr. Widgery supported the melton, al.
though friendly to an increase of the Ma
Wy, On the ground that frigates would be Of
much greater utility than larger vessels
Mr.. bassett followed in OF ;.osition to the
motion, and in defence of a navy. He tho't
that the 74's were almost Indispensable i'm
the present state of things.
The question was taken on striking out
the 74s and negatived.
Aitera desultory debate, the committee
rose reported progress and obtained leave
To Sit again
lDebate hereafter.1
December Is.
Several petitions were presented and re-
ferred
Mr.. Lewis reported bill authorizing an
increase OF the capital stock of the Bank of
Washington.-Twice read and commit
ted.
MI. Quincy, form the committee appoint
ed to wait on the President of the United
States, with resolution requesting informa-
ton on the subject Of the manner in which
the votes of medals, swords, &c to Commo-
dore frebie and his companions, in 1905.
had been carried into execution, reported,
that the committee had laid the resolve be-
tore the President, and received fer answer
that he would pay due attention to the
wis of the House.
The Sheake, laid before the House re-
solution of the Legislature of the territory
OF Mississippi, expressing their appreciation
OF the declaration OF war against Great Bril-
.sin.
The Shedker also laid before the House
n letter from the Secretary of the Trcasu.
ry, transmitting an account Of the receipts |
and expenditures Of the United States, du- !
ring the year ending the 3oth Sept. 1912.
REMi3SIONOF FINES, &c.
Mr.. Quincy said it would be recollected |
that. IN the course of the debate the other
DAY on the subject of the Merchants Bonds, |
he had taken occasion TO advert to the prin- |
cipies adopted by the Treasury Depart |
Iaent IN relstion to the execution of the |
laws authorising the remission Of certain |
hnee, penalties and forfeitures. He had |
then stated, that he considered those princi- |
pies not justified by the terms of the Jaw, & |
tn De essentially opposed to the PRINCIPLES |
OF liberty and the safety of the citizen A |
gentleman from South Carolina had taken |
occasion to controvert the provisions laid |
down, and to doubt whether further eva
mination would not prove an error in the
statement MIR. O. said he had then pledg-
ed himself to the House to bring forward a |
resolution for the purpose of enquiry. To
redeem that pledge, he now proposed to
introduce resolution. But that pledge was
not his sole inducemcnt. Without such
b'~N'nSb hN htd OCCn UiS lOlCnIfOn to
have moved a resolution for such an investi-
cation of this subject ss,the nature of it an
pearcd to him to require. AS the House
were already apprized of his views, he said
ne would not further intrude on their patti
ence than to introduce the following reso-
iuticr
ResotUed. That committee be appoint
ed TO enquire into the principles and prac
tce adopted in the Treasury Depa
IN relation 20 the revenue laws, and in zoiti-
eating and renting fines, forfeitures, and
penalties, under the same, and that the com
mlttse report thereon to this House."
Mr. Btckiedge observed, that the whole
bearing OF resolution could not be at once
compreherdcd by hearing 1t read from the
cnalr; but from his understanding of this re-
solve, the committee to be appointed under
II would perform their duty by simply sta.
ling the principles nozV practised on, with
out going back 20 the practice from the
commencement of the government. AS the
object OF the gentleman's observations the
)ther day appeared to be to impress the
House with belief that the practice recent
y adopted at the Treasury varied from |
hat originally adopted in that department
md as it was his wish, Mr.. b. said, TO have
both brought before the public, he wished s
he gentleman to permit this resolution to
lie on the table until tomorrow, that he
night have an opportunity to look nto the c
subject and make the motion broader than t
tnow appeared to him to be.
Mr.. Quincy said, if the object of the gen
leman was TO make this resolution broader,
ne should not object to its lying on the table.
lie would make but single observation in
'eplyto the gentleman. His intention, Mr.. v
:. said, had been totally mistaken, if il was Il
supposed that the considered circumstances y