The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-12-21
On motion of Mr.. Lowndes of South c a

ResoiUed, That the committee on militia
~ affairs be instructed TO inquire into the eX-
pediency of affording additional encourage
ment to the re enlistment of those soldiers
now in the Army of the United States.
whose terms of service may have nearly ex
pired.
On motion of Mr.. Winter of New York,
RESOLVED. That the committee of claims
be instructed to inquire into the expedien-
cy of paving For buildings occupied as pub
lie stores, and burnt by the enemy in conse-
quence thereof with leave to report by
bill or otherwise.
Ordered, that Mr.. Pickering be excused
from serving on the committee on public
lands.
Several petitions respecting post routes,
Sc. were presented. and referred.
The House adjourned. at half past IL o.
clock, until to morrow.
7hursday, Dec. Is.
Mr.. Evans from South Carolina, appear
ed and took his seat
The petition of suntlry inhabitants of the
Northern Neck of Virginia, presented at the
last session, was. ON motion of Mr.. Hunger
ford. referred to the committee of Commerce
and Manufactures; end the petition of Rich
ard Mitchell, presented in 1912. was, en-
motion of Mr.. Rhea, referred to the com
mittee of Ways and Means.
MIR. Fisk, of Vermont, from the commit
tee OF Elections, made a report on the peti.
ton of Isaac Williams, ir. contestipg the
election of John Nj. Bowers, sitting mem
Der from the state of New. York, favorable
to the petitioner; which was read and or
dered to lie on the table.
pn motion of MIR. Montgomery, of Ken
lucky, -
Resolvcd, That the Committee of Claims
be instructed toenq ire into the expediency
of providing by law for compromising volun-
RI fad milf for
tary Announcements lost by the inevitable
casualties of war; with leave to report by
bill or otherwise.
On motion of Mr.. Grundy, OF Tennessee.
the galleries were then cleared and the doors
closed; and the House remained in conclave
until it adjourned.
Friday. Dec. II.
Alter going through a good deal of local
business, which will be reported in our next,
the galleries were cleared and the doors
were closed until half past one o'clock,
when tire House adjourned to o'clock this
day.
III four O'Clock,
The House again convened, and remained
in session about one hour with closed doors
and then adjourned until Monday next.
IN SENATE.
The Senate were engaged nearly the
whole of Thursday and Friday on business
OF a confidential nature.
WASHINGTON, Dec, IS.
Maj. Gen. Harrison and suite arrived
In this city last evening, from the north
ward.
The Senate of the U. States continues
assiduously engaged on private business
The two last days have been occupied nv
that body wholly in confidential PROCEEDINGS
The other hose is at present nesrIy res
ting on its oars It's public PROCEEDINGS we
presume will for some time be Confined tn
local matters, the reception and reference
of petitions. &c. until the committees shall
have prepared business of rational and
more Interesting character.
The ENEMY IN OUR WATERS.
We have received Intelligent e from below
OF the arrival in the Chesapeake, of a very
considerable fleet of eneniy's ships. we
have authentic information that fifteen
square rugged vessels had assembled the bav
OIL the 9th. as high as Smiths point. Ano
Their account, not so positive, and probably
somewhat exaggerated, states the feet to
consist of thirty-hve sail, comprising vessel,
of all descriptions. This force is believed
to be commanded by the ruffian Cockbsrn.
is it is most probably from Bermuda, where
Cockburn recently was. II is not likely that
such force could have so soon been dis
patched from Halifax, where the late ire
mendous gale, more or less damaged nearly
all the enemy's vessels at that rendezvous.
A day or two will afford us more precise in.
form ton Of their strength and move ments.
u Since the above was in type, we have
seen the journal of Mr.. Swami, the agent of
the Postmaster General at Point lookout.
from the OH to the 18th inst. Inclusive. which
is totally silent as to the arrival of any Bri
fish vessels whatever. On the contrary.
Mr.. Swami writes on Monday last, the 18Th,
From the many craft that are daily des-
cendng and ascending the Chesapeake, we
may Justly conclude that it is at present
clear of the enemy's cruizerspF Smiths
Point. off which it was stated the British
feet had arrived, is in sight of Point Look-
out; the information must therefore be in.
correct. Nat. Lnf.
Dec. I8.
The injunction Of secrecy has not vet been
removed from the late confidential proceed.
ings of the two houses of Congress. The
Senate sal the whole Of yesterday with clos.
ed doors and adjourned to Monday. The
other House sat a part of the day in private.
and also adjourned to Monday so that ,be
important act which it was the general be.
lief would have been promulgated this morn
ing, cannot be made public for two or three
days.
MARRIBD--At Woodville, near Win.
c..cster, (Virginia) ON the II II inst by the
Rev. n BaimdiH, Mr. JosKPH GA1Es
Jun. Ct Washington. 10 Miss s. Julian. NJ