Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-01-29

~ PetieCtiy mnerent, II Is so IN every mode \
Not only has the citizen right to depart |
from this country, but to enter into any 9TH |
er service, Notwithstanding any law which
you may make. He did not certainly know
that the contradiction did actually exist be
tween this law and the measure he alluded
to; but the doubt was sufficient to induce
hesitation. Relieving. as he did. that this
proposition had an important and critical
bearing, both as regards the rights of the ci.
tizen 6<'as respects pending negotiations, he
hoped it would be laid on the table, to afford
time for reflection. a
Mr.. Robertson again spoke in support of
his motion, which he denied could have any
euect, e..her to screen traitors or affect or
impede negotiations, or TO come in:o collu-
SION with the provisions of the seamen'sbill.
lie urged its adoption as putting to rest a
question now in suspense, whose very inpor
tant and doubtful nature (which had been
urged as reasons for delay were cogent rea
sons why it should be decided without un-
necessary procrastination.. Any reasonable
delay Reconsideration he should not OPPOSE
because it was not necessary the Question
| should be decided to day or to morrow. xhis
week or next week but he feared. If he.
were to consent to postponement, he should
not get the consent of gentlemen TO take IL
up again at this session.
Mr. Rhea of Tan observed that all shat
had been said Of this motion affecting ne,o,
citation. &c. ought to have no effect. ToN
fuse the passage of this resolution on the
grounds on which it had been opposed. was
to contest that principle Of tteSconstitation
by which Congress are authorised to make
laws relative to naturalization !; for Il was a
4 known truth that NATURALIZATION and expa>
ttriation belongea'to the same subject be
cause there can be no naturalization with
out previous repatriation. The arguments
against this motion apply as strongly to the
constitutional provision on this head. which
was Just as likely as this motion to impede
negotiation. Mr.. r. said he had known no
thing ct the design to bring forward this mo
ton but. having been brought before this
House. he considered it his duty, under the
solemn obligations OF the constitution. to vote
against any evasion ofit. as was proposed.
Mr.. Farrow offs G.. said laying the mo ion
on the table would not affect a future decision
on 1t. The subject never having before occur.
red to his mind, were he now to give vote on
| 1T, 1t must be at hazard AS it was advis Bile
to commune further together before they deci.
ded on 1t, he was therefore in favor OF laying
| il on the table. 20
MIR. Ward of Mass said he was as ready as
any gentleman in the House to investigate this
subject, and, it the ri ht exists, 10 make the
necessary regulations but, if voting to Law
the resolution on the table implied an .cknowi-
edgement the principle therein assumed. he
should not vote for 1.-THE gentlemen had laid
down the right of expatria,on as inalicnable,
and had at the same time informed the House
that person named Isaac Williams. notwith-
standing he had taken the oath of allegiance to
another power and received the character of a
foreign citizen, had been punished as a citizen
OF the United States with fine and imprison
ment If such had been the administration of
justice bya high tribunal, it was strong eyi
dence to him, that the law was against the DO.
| sluon the gentleman had assumed because The
proper guide ON points OF law, where there
was no le< serbia, was the decision of Judicial
tribunals. The gentleman from Virginia had
instanced the Law OF that state giving this RICH,
IL there was law giving this right there, il
was strong evidence that there was .io such
right before the law pa sed !; and certainly.
IT the right was inherent, as commended, no law
OF congress was necessary to give it. Mr. w.
said ne should hay no objection to vote for
resolution which should bring the whole ques-
ton before tile House but he. could not vote
Tor resolution which assumed the existence
OF the right of expatria,ion.
he question on laying the resaiution on the
table, was then taken, and decided in, the affir
NATIVE. w.
The bill from the SeEate for the relief of the
inhabitants of Nantucket, was twice read and
committed 3ff-
The bill which passed this House for filling
the ranks and encouraging the er,isments int
the army of the United States, was returned
from the Senate, with sundry amendments, the
orJect OF which We're, in the frs, place, 10 vary
the mode OF the distribution of the bounty, re.
tanning the same amount, so as to give only
twenty hive doilars on enlistment and a like
SUN On mastering, instead Of fifty in each case.
as proposed by the bill that passed this House
and IN the next place, to vary the provision
ing recruit. =
On the question of concurrng in the amend.
ments, considerable debate took place, princiA
Pauy OF desultory nature, in which Messrs.
lrouP, Lowndes, Gholson, jackson Of yjrr.
Drundy, Rhea, Eppes. Kilbourn, Wilson of Pa.
and Nelson took part.
The question having been taken ON the first
amendment of the Senate by Yeas and Nays.
was decided as follows:
For The amendment 81
so the house resolved that it would not con.
cur IN this amendment.
Inc question on the other amendment was
also decided in the negative.
lie engrossed bill authorizing the enlist.
h'ent OF certain regiments for FIVE years or dur
ing the var was read third time:
Mr.. Potter OF n. ]. and Mr.. Wheatoo of Mass.
esch spoke at no little length against the bill
motion was made by MIR. Oakley Of N. Y.
10 ADJOURN, and negatived, 70 to SO.
VII. koberts then required the previous
question: A sufficient number joining him in
the requisition--
The previous question was taken, and deci.
ded as follows
For the previous question 70
Against IL "a
Inc man quest on was then put on the pas.
sage o. the bill, and decided as follows:
fEAS.-Messrs. Alexander. Aston. Arder-