The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-01-04

uC Ohl was IcpottSu 10 ttlS itouSe, anu
ordered TO be engrossed for third reading.
DEPREDATlONS BY SOLDIERY.
On motion of Mr.. Archer, of Md. the
house resolved itself into a committee of the
whole, Mr.. Nels N in the chair, on the re-
port of the committee of claims. unta1or&ble
TO the petition of sundry inhabitants of the
Indiana territory. who pray compensation
for damage sustained in their property by
dePredatiors oE q detachment Of the volun-
teer militia.
This report was opposed by Mr.. Jennings
and MIR. Wright, On the ground of injustice !;
because, tor every risht there must be re-
medy, & the government alone could afford
the remedys The report was supported by
Mr.. Archer, on,the principle of former de-
cisions on similar cases, and on the general
principle that the government was not res
ponsible for acts which were not done under
its auth oritT. as was tie case nov under
consideration. the injury having been done
in defiance Of the exertions OF the officers
commanding the corps.
On motion of Mr.. Grundy, the commit
tee rose without corning To a decision, re
ported progress and obtained leave TO sit
again.
Mr.. Pickering of Massachusetts, then
observed that the discussion which had just
taken place appeared to him to render it Il
provision could not be made which should
guard against difficulty in such cases in flu
.aic.s, With which view he moved the follow
ing resolution
ResotOed, That the Committee OF Claims
be and they are hereby instructed to consid-
er what measures are practicable and pro-
per Tor preventing injuries tn the citizens of
the Y Q ted States in their persons and prop
erty by the armed forces of the u. States, &
y 10 Fha -1t.s 4
cations Tor such injuries and that they have
leave to report by bill or otherwise.
Mr.. p. said that it was seldom an armed
force was detached, without an officer or of
hcers to command them. 1t was in all cas-
es the du ot the officer to restrain them,
from committing injury; and if he did not
use every exertion to.restrain them, he was
responsible. IF all his exertious were inef-
fectual, 1t ought to be made, if twas not, it
was his duty to bring the offenders to con-
dign punishment.
On suggestion of Mr.. Archer, Mr.. Pick
ering varied his motion SO as to refer the sub
Jrct to a select committee.
Mr.. Gholson said he could not see any be-
neht which coald result from this. motion,
though ITS adoption might do harm by leav-
ing inference that many such injuries had
been committed. If they had, the sufferers
would not have failed to make their grieyan-
ces known. 1t was ime enough to legslate
a remedy when the evil was known to exist:
Upless therefore it should appear that such
injuries were habitually committed he should
be opposed to the resolve.
Mr. Pickering observed that there could
be no doubt of such cases having existed A;
in proof of which he quoted the short debate
which had just taken place in committee of
the whole, and the several petitions on the
subject already referred at the present SEES
sion.
Mr.. Wright of Md. made a few observa-
tons, not heard by the reporter, in favor of
atfording relief in such cases.
MIR. GrundY of Ten. suggested the propri
ETY. OF reference of this subject to the Mil
itary Committee, as best qualified properly
&c examine it.
Mr.. Pickering consented so to vary his mo-
ton as TO refer it to that committee ;and
ihe resolution was adopted by large
CHESAPEAKE AND DELAWARE
CANAL.
On motion of Mr.. lngersoll of Pa.
ne House resolved itself into a commit
tee Ct the whole, Mr.. Macon in the chair.
on the bill authorship the Secretary Of the
reesury to subscribe, on behalf of the u.
States. TO certain number of shares in the
stock OF the Chesapeake and Delaware Ca
nal company.
"a debate arose on an amendment propo-
sed 10 the first section of the bill by Mr..
stockton OF New Jersey, in the following
words Garter the amount of 10000 dollars
to be subscribed by the government to the
stock - and Ike sum to the capital
e" stock OF company formed, in virtue of an
:" act OF the legislature of New Jersey. for
" the purpose Of making canal between the
" tide waters of the River Delaware & the
" k4rlton IN the State of New Jersey
Mr.. Stockton supported, and Messrs. In
6ers0l, Wright and Clay (Speaker) oppos-
ed this motion.
no objection was avowed to the object of
the bill, or he amendment--bue it was con
tended by he opponents of the latter that il
would have tendency to defeat the object
OF the bill, by burthening it with matter TO-
reign to It's immediate object.
Alter considerable discussion, the com
'nittce rose on motion Of Mr.. Oakley, repor
ted progress, and obtained leave to sit a
gain.
On motion of Mr. Lovett, the resolutions
moved by him some days ago (callirg for in
formation in respect to recent retalistory
measures) we're referred to committee Of
the whole and made The order of the day
tor Monday next and
The House adjourned.
On Wednesday, Mr.. Wright made some
obse rsaUons on proposition Of MIR. Pick
ering, which were not heard BY the Re
porter Itappears that M. w. although IN
favor Of redressing grievances in case Of
ieDrddati0ns or iniurv nv he so1S;er,, ,,,ss