The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-03-09

the experiment need he tcstet. On 50 lsree
scale or at the expense III government. They
preferred that the inventors themselves
should first essay the practicability of the
invocation. They said they were unwilling
70 put the reputation OF the nation at hszard
on such project by giving It, untried az it
was. the sanction of the government. Tor
pedocs. the utility of which had been so
completely exploded, were held up as aft
iording an example of the impracticablIity of
these theoretical inventions. Besides, ii was
remarked by these gentlemen, howe YER much
respect they might be disposed to pay to the
recommendation or the officers of the uavy.
Captains Decatar, Jones, Lewis Perry, &c.
who had So strongly recommended this in
ventinn, or to the opinions of any member of
TINS House, they conceived that the reecu,-
mendAtion ct soune responsible officer cf the
government was necessary 20 sathorize Con-
gress TO pass such bill.
To these observations
M. M'kim Of Md. replied, tina, however
desirable its might be to husband the public
money, there We're other considerations of "A
more Imperative character, such as the
siege OF our cities. the iIfesting our waters
oy the enemy, &c which REQUIRED the
House TO adopt any plan of defence presen-
ting itself Under such auspices as this, and
SO strongly recommended by several of the
most respectable officers of the navy, rs we'll
as the naval department.
Mr.. Smith OF N.Y. whohatl inspected the
model of this floating battery very particu-
iarly. rose, as he sad, with reluctance 10
oppose his opinion to that which appeared
to be entertained by those gentlemen feede-
ra'ists) with whom he generally acted
He said that the perfect efficiency OF this
model had been proved TO him. II neces-
sary to the defence of our waters, as ne he.
heved 1t to be, the exDenCe ought to be no
objection his only objection TO the present
apprt prlalicn was, that il wa. not double a.
much. lie spoke of the opinion of Commo
dore Bainbridse, with whom he conversed
when at Boston last summer, az the COM
plete protection such floating battery
would afford TO the hsrbor of Boston. Toe
plan Which this bill proposed to Carly toto
erect was ne said perhaps the most perfec.
ut the Kind ever proposed 70 any govern
ment; the men would be perfectly Drotec.
ted, aud the steam eHg iue by which It would
be impelled would be entirely ont ofthe reach
OF the enemy. IT set on FIRE by red no. shot.
the fire could be instantly extinguished by
"aier from the engine and the sane en-
gine would keep boarslers ut distance by
the facility with which hot waser could be
elected on them in almost any quantity,
SIC &c. Isl
Mr.. Lowpelss said it was indeed an excer.
imcnt. but so was every useful invention.
when first put into use. The true question
was, IS 1t On experiment which there is rea-
son to believe niSy be benefcial to the coun-
try lie believed it was, from the evidence
which appeared in its fsvov. 1t was more
over strongly recoDr,cnded by the Sscreta
~ of the Navy. BIS letter which ne desired
should not be made public, flist the measure
now prvpused Should be adopted The bill
therefore had the sanction not only of save
raj OF the most distinguished naval officers
OF the naval committee of this House. bn,
also of the Executive authority.
The question on ordering the BIZ! 70
third reading was determined By Yeas and
Nays SO
For the Dill 50
Against it al
So the bill was ordered to be read {. ,aird
tiTe.
The House then spent some time in com.
mittse OF the whole. Mr.. Tsllmadge in the
cnair, on the :ill 10 authorize payment for
property OF individuals captured or destroy
ed while in the public service by the ene.
NY.
Some desDitory discussion took place on
the details of the bill, in which Messrs. Ar
cher. Desha, Ingham, Nelson and Farrow
took part and as there appeared to be
considerable difference of opinion in relation
thereto. in order to give time for further
considering the same
On motion of Mr.. King of II. c. the com
mittee rose, reported progress and obtained
leave to sit again.
And the house adjourned.
NEW-yoRK, M,rch l.
a letter to the E'iitor Of the A bany Argus, dat
ed ON "Wednesday, 1T P,at,sbnrgh. says.
~ On Monday gen. wilkinson received intelligence
that the enemy were advancing from The west, 5000