Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-01-26

AMI they have not been ordered TO be- printed
The printing OF the second series OF tables shevint
the manufactures by counties throughout the Uni
ted States Is not yet completed. 0fthe first series
OF tables exhibiting The manufactures by states and
territories, although the printing 10 completed.
part only Of the copies has been received from PHI
laslciphia, whore the work was executed.
ihave the honor, therefore, now to transmit three
hundred printed copies 9th series OF tables las,
mentioned and a mannscript copy of the two es
says above described. The remainder Of tho print
cd copies ct the series tables, aud those Of the
other second series Of tables, will be transmitted
to the House OF Representatives as soou As they
shall be received at the Treasury.
have the honor, &c. ~
|, Acting Sec'ry of tho Treasury
Hon. Speaker Of he
House of Representatives.
The letter was read, and, together With the man.
uscrpt essays therein mentioned, referred TO the
ooinnlittee OF Commerce and MannE, rtasea
NAVY EXPENDITURE.
Mr.. VIM Reed Of Msssacbusests.s advertins to
former enquiries into the expenditure, &c. OF the
navy when that establishment was rather Of an G.
phemirai than permanent nature, which had proved
Intellectual. and which were much more important
now that the navy had assumed greater magnitude,
offered the following resolution, being precisely in
the words OF one adopted at former session in this
house $50 u
!. Resolued. That committee be appointed 10 en-.
quire WHEELER any, and IL any, what means of re.
trenchmeRt and economy OF reform in the general
management. aud oil extension and efficiency in the
naval establishment, may be practicable and expe-
dent, and that they have power to send for per-
soas and papers.
Mr.. X. said that his motive for Offering this rcso-
lution, was, the general opinion that navy cost
mure money in proportion TO its efficient force than
any navy ia the world. This circumstance lie did
attribute TO the FAULT of individuals in that de-
partment but he wished 10 be ensbIcd TO enquire
into the defects OF the system, it any and If necessa
ny to devise appropriate remedies. This was his
sole object. ~"
Mr.. Troup of Geo. moved to refer the subject
to the naval committee, whose peculiar duty it
would appear to be to enquire into such matters.
Mr.. Seybe of Penn. as a member of the
naval comittee Gin the absence of Mr. Lowndes
the chairman) stated on his part, a full convic-
ton that not ing could be done efTectualiy by
that Committee in such an enquiry as this He
referredalso to the appointment ora committee
an former occasion on the subject. by which
although composed of many members, and an
thorized % act during the recess, nothing ef-
fectual had een done Mr.. s. did not believe
they ever should get adequate Information on,
this subject tbro' the means of any committee of
this house, or through any means short of a
Navy Board, which alone can make the ncces
sary REFORM 1t is impossible tina, members of
Congress, who have III general but little infor
nation on the subject of naval matters or of the
various branches of manufactures. should be
BILE to obtain correct Information on TIE various
articles OF growth or industry which enter into
the compos tion of the nav, or make the ne ces.
| sary reform. With regard TO he comparative
expeHce of our Naavl Establishmcnt, Mr. S.
said ii was stated 20 him by the chairman of
the naval committee. from an EXAMINATION Of
documeHts-and it was with SURF ~ Mr. S
had heard the statemcnt--that the persons EN-.
ploycd in the naval service had for the last
year cost less per man than those employed in
the navy of Great Britain
Mr.. Gholson of Va. was DESTROYS of know
ing whether this motion was predicated on
any alledged or supposed malyersation III of
nee of those now employed in the Naval
Department.-Mr.G G. said he had been in
duCed to believe that a considerable reform
had taken place in that department since
the present incumbent had taken charge Of
il. 1t had appeared on examination a year
ago. from the estimates of the expenditures
OF the British navy, chat the expense per
man OF the British navy was not more than
about one half of that of a man in our navy.
But it appeared since that day much reform
had taken place--so much so, that according
to the statement just made, the comparative
expense was now greater in the British SER
vice than in ours. This was an important
hear.
Mr.. Reed said that the gentleman from
Va. had entirely misunderstood him. If he
supposed that he had founded his motion on
any alledged acknowledgement Of the individ-
uals engaged i'll that department. He knew
and was rejoiced to hear, that many i'm
provemeBts, very advantageous to tile pub
lie service, had recently been made in the
Navy Department. 1t would SAVIOR perhaps
little OF vanity TO presume TO be in his
(Mr. Reed's) power TO arrange such a sys
TEN as would correct existing evils. But his
design was to endeavor to collect, through
this committee, the opinions of practical men
on the subject--and from them deduce such
alterations of the system as might promise
beneficial results to the public service.
Mr. Rhea of Tenn. spoke in favor Of the
amendment.
Mr.. Post of N. Y. said this enquiry was
in his opinion, very important in its nature,
and that, it referred to the committee of Ma.
val Affairs. il would sleep there. Having
the honor to be member of that committee
he did not hesitate to say that, with all the
business now requiring their attention, they
would be incompetent to the task proposed
to be assigned them. He. therefore hoped
the resolution would be am.4nded as propos-
ed.
Mr. Calhoun of S. G. moved that the re
solution lie on the table, as the gentleman
who presided over the naval Committee was
not present, and the difference of opinion on
this matter seemed to require further time
for reflection. Mr.. e.. took occasion to say,
that he believed this resolution 20 have orr,
ginated IN the purest notifies 10 gentle
man, he believed. was more sincerely attach.
ed to the navy than the gentleman from
Mass. (Mr. Reed) or more enlightened on
that subject; and he was therefore glad e