The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-01-25

secute military operations against the Ca
nadas for Invasion or conquest"
Mr.. G.. said that by the rules Of the house,
as he found them in practice, though he saw
nothing OF 1t in their letter, he was preclud- |
ed from going any farther in introducing
this resolution than to explain his motives
tor so doing, and the reasons which at this
time induced him to press its consideration.
IN preventing this resolution to the house,
said he, ] am actueted by motives which
will explicitly avow--
lMr. Roberts, of Penn. rose to speak to
order. He said he had viewed with much
pain the manner in which measures propoS
ed to be made subject Of deliberaton, had
recently been introduced into the nouse. He
wished the Speaker to decide whether it
was in order to discuss n resolution before it
was made the subject of delibera,ion.
The Speaker said he had repeatedly an
nouneed to the house what was his idea on
this head. The rules of the house admit a
member to make such narrative OF his OBJ
ject or views, as is necessary to explain any
resolution he wishes to troduce and the
introductory remarks ought to be confined
within that limit. Fhe Speaker illustrated
his idea, by what he deemed the parallel
case Of a pleader stating case in court be-
fore he proceeds TO argue it'll
MIR. CASTOR said he had understood the
rule as now stated from the chair, and it
was not his design to violate the spirit of it.
His sole object, he said, in making any re-
mark, was, that every gentleman might I'M
derstand the reasons which induced him to
submit the motion 70 the Ropse-he meant
not to make a single remark on the proprie.
ty Of adoptingit. II was known to the house
that discussion had progressed in commit
tee Of the whole on the state of our affairs
as regards the prosecution of the war; yet
the debate had arisen upon matter which
really afforded not a proper subject for the
| discussion. One motive then for iutroduC
/ ing this motion, was to present fixed sub
tstrafnm for the arguments of gentlemen on
both sides; that this general discussion
might not be had on bill which really af,
forded no other topic of discussion than whe-
thcr certain troops should be enlisted for
twelve months or during the war. Another
motive was this it was generally admitted
on all hands that pending this session it
would be proper to discuss the state of our
public affairs freely and fully--and that for
tthis purpose they should take up some sub
ject which ADMITTED latitude of discussion.
Now, it had been intimated by the chairman
of the military committee, that some incon
venience might result from protracted dis
cussion of these military 6ilis--and, If this
discussion is to take place, it had Better be
on some other subject. MIR. G. said that he
for one was, besides, prepared to vote for
| this billiard he had no idea of speaking
against it when he intended to give his vote
for it. He therefore thought there was no
occasion TO delay the military bills, when
the discussion would SO much more correct
ly take place on the resolution he had offer
ed. He was actuated by another and still
more powerful motive. The motives al
ready mentioned were those addressed to
gentlemen according to their political feel
ings. The one he should now state, would
operate on all. It was this. Whether the
unexpected circumstance of a negocjation
having been invited by the enemy did not
place the state of our affairs in an aspect so
entirely new as to present question whe-
Their offensive operations ought not to be sus-
pended Whether the cause Of humanity
did not forbid us to make what he hoped
would prove to be an useless effusion of hu
man bioods These were his objects, Mr..
G.. said; and ne made these remarks that
| gentlemen might be completely in possessi
on Of his views. He hoped there would be
30 objection to considering this resolution
the field would then be open to discussion,
and each gentleman could take that part
which his sense of propriety dictated to
him.
The question on proceeding to the consi-
Iteration of this resolution, was decided
Yeas 52-Nays 90.
So the House decided that it would not
now proceed to the consideration of Mr.
Gaston's motion.
n message was received from the Presi.
dent of the United States, transmitting a
Report of the Acting Secretary of the Trea-
sury, o: the proceedings under the act for
laying out and making a road from Cum
berlaDd in Maryland, TO the state of Ohio ;
which was, on motion of Mr.. Jackson of Va,
referred to select committee.
| OUR HFI,ATTONS WITH FRANCE
Another letter was also received from the
! President, transmitting . Report Of the Sc
cretary Of State, in compliance with the re-
solution of the house of the 18th instant, re-
lating to the reception Of our minister in
| France.
THE RUSSIAN MEDIATION.
Another message was also received from
the President, transmitting a Report from
the Secretary Of State, in compliance with
their resolution Of the 18Th instant, request
ing the papers respecting the Russian MeIi-
alton to be laid before them
These documents we're read and ordered
to be printed.
And the House adjourned.
WcdneSddy. jan. 10
| RE srCNATIoE OF The SPKAKER, &c.
The ordinary business of the day having
/ been gone through
The SPEAKER addressed the House IN
substance as follows
" GeEtiemcH,
81 have attended YOU to-day 10 announce
l..