The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-02-25

to say, that when Congress put arms into
the hands of the militia, thev could not make
regulations for their preservation for tho use
of the public. The reason why nothing OF
this Kind was provided In the law OF l792
was. Congress had not then put arms into
the hands OF the mi(1ka.
MIR. lkitaor spoke gainst the bill, princi-
pally on ACCIDENT of it's objectionable penal
clauses, and concluded his observations with
u motion to strike out the 4th section blu;
on his taking his seat, motion was made &
carried te adjourn.
"Wednesday, FED. 10.
Mr.. Widyery presented the pekilien of
Nathaniel Cogswell, praying Y Psses
by Spanish Spaliations, amour 40
200, might eimbessed to Irred
to the Sec. OF State.
don 5. Mumford & others, of N. YaInpray,,
ing that a duty may be laid on orted
Salt. Referred.
Mr.. WTght, from the committee in rela-
ton to American seamen, reported a bill for
the protection, recovery and naturalization
of American seamen, which was twice read
and committed. 3
MIR. Porter, from the Committee on fo-
reign relations, reported a bill supplemental
force.
Mr.. p. said, it would be extremely neon
venient for the Executive authority to make
all the appointments of the officers for this
additional military force Immediately, for
want of proper Information on the subject
It would be particularly SO, to make them all
on the same day, and it was a rule in the
army that promotions should be regulated
by the date of commissions. This bill pro-
vides, therefore, that all appointments made
during the present session, shall bear the
CO M Hatn IN ipfo oil RI ,1s.a
an omission in thela respecting the light
tillery and light dragons.
Mr.. 2. wished, if there were no object
that the bill should be ordered to be engr6
sed for third reading but Mr.. QuincyobN
ieCting to this course, the bill was committed
for tomorrow.
message was received and read from
the President OF the U. S.; covering re-
port in compliance with resolution of this
House of the 18th of Dec. calling for a system
OF rules and regulations proper to be adopt
troops and militia of the United States. -
Referred to the committee on Military Nf-
fairs.
The Speaker laid Hefore the House re-
port from the Secretary of War, in conform
ity to the act of 1894, containing an account
OF the expenditure In the fabrication and re-
pair of arms in the Armories of the United
States, which was ordered to be printed.
WAR CONTRIBUTIONS.
Mr.. b. Hall said, he found that considera-
BILE alarms had been produced by the report
OF the committee of Ways and Means in re-
ation to War Taxes, which he proposed to
allay by the following resolution:
" ReSoiUed. That the committee of Wars
and Means be directed to enquire into the
expediency of authorizing the citizens of the
several states and territories to furnish for
the seamen, marines and army of the u. S.
the various necessary articles of clothing
the expences for clothing, &c. to be apporti-
oned amongst the several states and terrific
rles in conformity with the constitutional
principles of levying direct tax !; and whe-
Their, and how far, it may be practicable or
eXpedient, tor any &C what articles OF provi-
sions or SUPPLIES for the array and navy, to be
furnished by the citizens of the several states
and territories, in lieu of duties, excise or
taxes"
Some objection being made to the refer
eDcc OF this resolution, Mr.. b. Hall, said
that ten millions of dollars could be more ca
silly paid in this way in Georgia, than two
millions in specie why then, said he, not
suffer the people at once to furnish the arti
cies wanted, instead of the money to pur-
chase them with 1t would indeed, take the
business out of the hands of the contractors
bat that would be no loss to the nation. 1t
was no more than proposition for the consi-
Iteration OF the committee of Ways & Means.
Ii they deemed the plan impracticable, they
wonid say so. He hoped, therefore, it would
be agreed to.
On motion of Mr.. Rhea, the resolution was
ordered to lie upon the table and to be prin-
ted.
The bill authorising the Secretary OF the
treasury TO purchase Winston Lewis's pa
tent right for new method Of lighting Light
houses, was read third time and passed
he House resumed the consideration of
the bill for arming the Militia of the u. S.
when the question was taken on Mr.. Nil
o1'S motion to strike out the 4th section
and negatiyed, there being only 2S votes for
it..
Mar. Fix then moved to strike out the Sc
cohd, fifth and 9th sections OF the bill, with
a view of leaving it to the state legislatures
to make such provisions for preserving the
arms after they were put into the hands of
the citizens, as they might deem proper.
Motion negatived with6lt division.
mr.. Rhea moved to strike out all that
part OF the list section of the bill, which re
iates to fines, &c. and if this motion succeed 1
ed, he proposed afterwards to move to strike
out the 9th section, so as to leave all the |
regulations for preserving the guns from be-
Ing lost or made away with, to the states. |
Alter some debate, the motion was nega- !
uved, there being only SO votes for it.
he question being on the engrossmcRt OF !
the bill, Messrs. Wheaton and Rhea gave |
their reasons why they should vote against