Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-05-21


as TO other classes of society.
Mr.. Basset opposed the bill at some
length.
Mr.. Newton took the other side of the
question, and said he should with pleasure
vote for a bill gong 20 place tho mechanic
on an equal footing with the merchant, and
he wished to God that his vote cbuid effect
the same equality throughout the u. ).
The question on the passage of the bill was
then carried by and nays 5l.to SO.
REGAL OF ASSEMBLIES.
Mr. Williams said he rose, e. make a mo-
ton, the object If which was IN Itself so
clear, that he believed there was no neces-
sity for illustrating it. There was bot me
objection that he was aware of, and that
was. that there was no precedent for it,
| but if that should be urged, he would reply
| that there never was before crisis requrr-
| ing it. The motion was
That the Speaker be direcred to adj
| dress letter to each member oe the House
now absent, requesting his attendance pri.r
| to the 1st day Of June"
Mr. Grundy said the object Of the motion
| no doubt was correct one; he should there
| fore vote for the motion as II now stood, but
would prefer modification of IL. On what
particular day it would be proper to have
every mem5er.in his place could not be fore
seen with certainty by any one. To hx on
| day, however, would be as much rs to tell
| the members we donot want them earlier,
| and would put it out of our power to act pri-
or to that day. But, on the other hand,
should we not be ready to act on that day,
is it not pledging ourselves we will then act
| whether we are ready or not' 1t would be
as well to request the attendance of mem
bers immediately, and then we shall not
| stand committed either to act on OF befor,
| that day. He hoped there would not be an
absent man on the occasion of voting the fl
nal measure though he should consider
such a vote as a completion of what was al
ready begun, and not determination of the
course to be pursued, which question he
| considered as decided IN the anterior mea-
sures already adopted.
| Mr.. ID r. Williams declined modifying
| his motion, because he considered the diff
| ference between its present language and
that which it was proposed to give it, more
| difference in words than in fact. The pas
sage of the resolution in its present form
would not commit the House in any way :;
It was nothing but the expression Of the OPT
| MON of the House that the state of things re-
quired the presence of every member of the
House here. rye
Mr.Littlc said that specifying the time, in
his opinion, would appear to be an indica-
ton that on that day some decisive measure
would, be before the House. Most of the
| members could not reach this place on that
day, and perhaps might not thereafter come,
suPposing it to be unnecessary, as the day
would have passed TO which they we're sum-.
| moned.
Mr.. Key spoke in favor offxing on day
certain.
Mr.. Grundy said the House ought not only
to commit itself but shonld also have a
regard to the public feeling which would be
excited. Would not the passage of this reso-
luton nits present form be an Indication to
our enemys He wished not to see public ex-
.pectation among our own people wound up
and then relaxed, as it would be if thew
should not act on the day ilxea on. WISH
ing the abseat members to be recalled on
the ground of the general importance of the
crisis, he wished not to FIX specific day
for their return, and therefore moved to
strike out the LIST day of June and insert
as soon as f,rGcticabie.
Mr.. Newton was satisfied with the motion
in its present form, as it afforded no pledge
to acton the day named. He was even rea-
dy To require and compel, instead of request
ing, the attendance Of members. The alb
sentees were intelligent men, and well knew
that no final step could be taken on that
day because they were acquainted with
the usual course of proceeding in this House
and must know that deluge of 4uords
would be uttered on any decisive measure
proposed, before its adoption could take
place.
The question on Mr. Grundy's motion was
then decided in the negative.
For the amendment ~
Against it AZ
Mr.. Nelson regretted that he was compell-
ed to differ from his friend on this question !:
but the view he had taken of the subject led
him to suppose that it would be improper to
adopt the resolution. What would be it's
effect, he asked. Either we do not want
these gentlemen, said he, or we want them
to SUCH an extent that we cannot proceed
without them. take the first part of the
proposition that, having given them leave
of absence, we do not want them; because
no member could have left his seat uncon-
scious of the course which the deliberations
OF Congress woul6 take. Suppose the mem
bers 20 whom your missal is addressed should
disregard III Must we send the Sergeant
alarms tospend weeks or months in compel
ling the attendance of those who ought not
to have abandoned their seatsS Will gen
tlemen consent to a resolution which shall
hold out the idea that their cxertions could
be paralised by the absence Of few mem
bers Those who were absent had taken
on themselves the responsibility Of their alb
! sence.
MIR. n. said he was content, reduced as
was the number now present, to go on he
would not seek the aid of those who had
turned their backs on the House in the pre-
sent crisis. Let us go on, said he let US not
hesitate nor wait for particular day, but,
when it announced by the Executive thar
ne is ready to strike, let tho Legislative Coun-
Gil Of the nation direct the blow. The few