The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-03-24

the whole, the consideration of the bill for
the relief Of the collectors of the ports of
Baltimore, Norfolk and Portsmouth-and
on the question shall this hill be engrossed
and read a third time, twas determined in
the negative.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
Monday, March 10.
Mr.. Chevcs, from the naval committee, to
whom was referred the amendments of the
Senate to the bill concerning the naval es-
Establishment, made report on the same,
The House then, on motion of Mr.. CReUcS,
agreed to the amendment making a reduc-
ton, OF the appropriation for repairs, from
100000 to So0,0oo dollars. 80.
Mr.. Cheves moved that the House disa-
gree to the amendment limiting the appro-
priation for timber to such as should be
requisite for rebuilding four of the old fri
gates to that which goes to strike out that
section which proposes to lay up all the gun
boats, now in commission; & to that go
ng to remove all the pursers at present
In service after the 1st of May next, there
after requiring the concurrence of the SEN
ate in all such appointments.
Mr.. Chcpes assigned his reasons for the
motion. In relation to the first amendment,
he observed that the modification of the SEN
ate contemplated the purchase of descrip-
ton of timber for particular purpose, which
would not call for more than 10000 dolls
although four times that amount, viz. 5000,
900 per annum for three years, had been
appropriated. AS to the second amend
ment, he hoped it would not be agreed to,
as the gun-boats were species Of force cal
culated for harbour defence and not for sea-
service, and as the House with that view
had directed them, until necessary for such
purpose. to be laid up and distributed in the
several harbors along the coast. The last
amendment, though not Objectionable in prin-
ciple would in detail be detrimental to the
public service, because il put out Of commits
sion, at months notice, all the present pur-
GERS, some of whom were on board ships in
Europe, & whose places could not be substi
tuted in treble that time /; and because it
required of all pursers bonds of security to
the enormous amount of $4,000 each, which
would effectually bar proper selection of
persons fo- that station.
After some remarks of Mr.. M'Kee and
Mr.. Rhea in favor of the first amendment,
the question on disagreeing to it was taken
and carried, ayes 60. The two other amend
ments were disagreed to without divi-
sion.
QUARTER-MASTE DEPARTMENT
The House resumed the consideration of
the report of the committee of the whole on
the bill for establishing quarter-master's
Department.
Considerable desultory discussion took
place on the details of the bill.
Mr.. Lacock moved to strike out so much
Of the bill! as establishes the Office OF Com
missary general, as substitute for that Of
Purveyor of Public Supplies, which the bill
proposes to abolish.
This motion was supported by Messrs
Lacock and Roberts, and opposed by Messrs
Tallmadge and Wright. 1t was Commended
on the one hand, that no good purpose wout
be answered by the proposed change that
1t would have the effect of legislating mar
out of Office, if that was not the object of it
that it was moreover always improper tt
blend in the same bill principles not neces
the most useful measures. On the Other
hand, several reasons were urged in supper
of the expediency, in a military point o
view, of the proposed alteration Of the pre-
= sent system, which it was said was calcu.
lated for time of peace, & not for peri
cd of war.
The question on the molten was decided
by Yeas and Nays, and lost. Yeas q, Nay.
20
Mr.. Laeock then moved to amend tn.
bill so as TO reduce the proposed salary O
the Commissary general from three to t7vt
thousand dollars per annum.
Mr.. PickenS proposed to FIX the salary a
$500 dollars.
Mr.. Roberts & Mr.. DfRee spoke in sup
port of the reduction. The salary Of Br
gadier-G eneral was stated to be much less
with much greater responsibility, thar
that proposed to be given to a Commissary.
General, whose duties, it was said, were o
that description that could be we'll and adj
equately performed by many men who woult
be happy to accept salary of Two Thou
sand dollars for that service.
The question on reducing the salary
to fsyo thousand dollars per annum, was
taken by Yeas and Nays, and carried, So
10 so.
mr.. Roberts proposed to graduate the
salaries by extending the reduction of the
salaries to the Deputy Commissaries, giving
them Twelve Hundred Dollars each per
annum, instead Of 1000, as proposed by the
bill
0zr. Lsc>ek proposed to6x Fifteen hun