Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-06-21

Of baggage, which continued in public ON |,
ploJ until they passed into the hands of the |
enemy. 1t did not require such discrimina- !
ton To mark the distinction between pro-
pc ty thus captured and that which is I'M
der the control of its individual owner,
whose misfortune in losing it might arise |
from his own neglect or temerity. Such |
losses a government was not liable, on the |
principles of moral justice, or by compact, |
" remuperate. II was admitted ON all hands |
that private PROPERTY must be subservicnt |
to public good. Whenever it is necessary
the agent of the government may lay lis
hand Oil private property and apply it to the
public service; but inseparable from this is
the right of compensation to the individual
for the loss he thereby sustains. Such is the
species of claim embraced by the resolution
as it stands. Should the amendment be "a
| dopted, the resolution would embrace prin
| ciples so broad as, should they be adopted
| by any nation, would sooner OF la.er end in
national bankruptcy, MIR. M'I.ean said he
had no objection to the extension of the in
Quirv to cases similarly circumstanced with
that to winch he proposed particularly to
direct 1t but to consent to the proposed a.
mendmcnt would be to aband IN the claim he
advocatcd-a claim founded on the princi-
| pies Oh inmutaDe justice.
Mr.. Grosvenor said, that in such cases as
this there were two ways of proceeding
by petition of individuals, or by general in
qu!ry. This resolution went to inquire into
u particular transaction, not upon the claim
or motion of the petitioners, but upon tina:
of a men Der of the House. II tina, C Il, Sc
OF proceeding be resorted to, the inquiry
ought to be general and not particular.--
Laws ought not to be passed with view
to particular cases where there existed ma
ny others Of like character. In this case
no petitioner had come forward stating his
grievances but, on the motion of n gentle
man who had heard of the case, an enquiry
was to be entered into. In his apprehensi-
on this was an improper mode OF proceed
ing. Either it should be left to the petit
oners, or "A law should be passed embracing
all the cases which could occur, and prcvi-
ding for their adjustment, ON general prin-
ciples. One OF the other of these courses
would be proper AS to the argument of
the gentleman on the propriety of admitting
certain Claims of particular character, il
had nothing To do with the resolution in its
present form. The argument might we'll
. apply when the report should be received
: from the committee. a case occurring at
{ OgdensDurgh Came precisely under the
same descrip ion as that of Detroit. Ger
tain houses in that place had been let out
to the government for barracks; they had
been burn: as public property by the enc
my. And, if this committee should be con
stituteG, many claims of similar nature
! would present themselves. w by then S. c
lect the case of Detroit alone
Mr.. M'Lean said if the gentleman from
New York would adapt the language of his
resolution to the explanation which he haC
| given OF his views, he should not object 20 it
| that rs, 1T he would so amend IT as to EN-
brace only property destroyed in the public
, | service.
Mr.. Grosyenor declined varying his a
mendment He would only remark on thi,
p head, that there might be many cases Of
{ loss by invasion, in which the petitioners nigh,
nave a claim on the pubic. AT any rate
q there could be no harm in general enqui.
ry> "h CHI would be open under his amend.
ment to all cases.
MIR. M'Lean moved to amend the amend
ment so as To restrict it 10 cases of proper
n ty captured in the service of the govern
ment.
This amendment to Mr.. G's amendmen,
was agreed to, and then Mr.. G's mo-
6 tion was aged TO.
The original motion as amended was ther
agreed to in the following words:
! "he60iUed, That the Committee ofCiaim.
, be instructed to enquire whether any pro
visions ought 20 be made for the indemnifi
cation of those persons whose property has
been capt"red or destroyed by the enemy
whist in the service Of the government du
: ring the war"
The bill for the government of persons
concerned in certain fisheries was read q
third time and passed.
The bill from the Senate for the relief oil
Alexander Phoenix (as amended by the adj
dltion of the case of WIN. Nexsen, ir0 was
read third time and passed,
Messrs. Condie and Roberts opposed, and
Mcssrs. Bibb and Post supported the bill.
' Wednesday, June 16
FRENCH DEGREES.
. At the instance of Mr.. Webster, the
! House proceeded to consider the resolution
: submitted by him on the subject Of the time
manner, &c. of the communication to the
government of the document purportng tC
DC repeal of the French DEGREES.
n warm debate ensued, which continued
till near four, when the House adjourned
without having come to any decision there
on.
We have not room for sketch of the de.
bate to day /; which, however, shall be ci