The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-10-05

4
not enchanted by precedent in its legislation
that, if the constitution be violated to-day, j,
| is no reason why it should be violated to-mor-
| row. The question OF renewal OF the Char
! ter of the Bank of the United States was ar
| gued on the constitutional ground many of the
states have by a solemn vote declared that
Congress does not possess the power to pass
such an act, and it would be respectful at least
to consult their opinions on the subject. Mr.
]. did not at the last session, he did not now
say, whether such power was OF was net al
ready possessed by Congress but he wish
ed to place that power beyond question or
doubt, because he believed it was a power
they ought to possess.
Mr.. Fisk said that the gentleman had mis-
taken him if ne supposed that it was his ie-
sire that he (Mr j. should communicate to
Mr.. f. every proposition he desired to submit.
He knew that from the situation Of members
i'll this City, living III houses scattered over q
surface of several miles, it was utterly irnpos-
siblc that they should consult together on the
subjects of Legislation before they were intro
duced into the House, &c.
Mr.. Uright Of nd. said he hope this FRO
position would be suffered to go to commit
tee. The subject had been fully discussed s.
decided two or three years ago, en- the propo-
stion to renew the charter OF the Z. States
Bank. which had failed, though under the at
\ Y.
who possessed so greatly the confidence of the
People, and so justly too, because of the a.
bility with which he managed the affairs of
the nation. However necessary a National
Bank may now be, having conscientiously vo-
ted it to be unconstitutional. he could not now
vote Tor it without an amendment. Nor had
the unconstitutionality of the Old Bank Law
been pronounced on light authority the OPT
Mons of the late and present President of
he Init SNafa fise1 ~
He hoped therefore the proposition would be
permitted to take the usual course o. going to
a committee.
The question on the reference of Mr. Jack
sens motion to a committee of the whole
House, was then decided in the affirmative
For reference 61
Against it SIS
And the House adjourned.
Iped,ieaday, Sett. %.
Messrs Pickering, Biselow, Glasgow.
Bard, and Butler, appeared and took their
seats.
Mr.. Merzoood QfN Y. presented the peti-
ton of a number of the inhabitants OK Cairo,
demonstrating against the transportation and
opening OF the mail on the Sabbath, which
was referr in the same manner as a similar
petition Yesterday presented from Virginia.
Mr. Hall ri Geo presented the pettionOfa
citizen of Georgia, praying compensation for
lie service which was referred to the Com
mittee of Claims.
On motion Of Mr.. Hall Of Geo.
Resotved, hat the Committee of Claims
be directed to enquire into the eXpediency of
making provision by law for tile payment CT
private property lost, killed or destroyed,
whilst in the employ service Of the United
States.
BOUNTY TO DESERTERS.
M of Vf cai6 he brIie--al ~,
practice of the British Commanders, on land
and water, to use every means in their power
to induce our men to desert their guns.
direct retaliation of such practices would
doubtless be UNSUITABLE. But, Mr. f. said tie
resolution he was about submit had a differ
ent motion. 1t was we'll known that er-
tons from the enemy were very frequent G.
that those deserters were strangers in our
country, without means of employment, or OF
purchasing lands on which 10 labor for an no.
nest livelihood. 1t was as well known that
we have an > tensive frontier much exposed,
and great quantity of VIVID lands, the settle
ment OF which would be very desirable. In
order to authorize an enquiry iEio the e1pedi-
ency OF dispcsing of this species OF persons SO
that they might be useful rather than burthen-
some to the community, he proposed the fol-
lowing resolve
ResofUed, That the committee on the Pub
nv - 'i'NS CO iiioli iIllO the GT
petliency of giving to each deserte, from the
British army during the present war, one hun
dred acres of the Public Lands, such deserter
actually settling the same and that the com
mittee have leave 10 report by bill CT other
wise.
The question to take this motion into con-
sideraton, the Yeas and Nays having been re .
CURED by MIR. Oakley, was decided as fol
lows:
For consideration 80
Against it IS
On the suggestion of Mr.. M'Kce Of Kv. the
resolution WAS amended so as to refer the sub
jet to the committee on Military Affairs, with
i'll the scope of whose duties it appeared to
him more properly to come.
The Yeas and Nays having been ordered on
the passage Of the resolution,
Mr. Oakley ofN. y. said he had asked for
the Yeas ard Nays on the question oi cz1lsid-
eriHg this resolution, to mark his opp, siton 20
it in every stage. With deep regret, he iaigl
truly say, had he seen this resolution before
the House. He had hoped, whatever extent
of sacrifice Congress might determine TO 20 in
the prosecution ofthis war, although we u. leht
all agree to lay down our lives and fortunes
in its support, we shall still ret in Sc netting
like national honor. He was sorry TO see a
proposition before this House which he consi-
dcred to be lcycl,cd &c the root Of IT, He did