The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-10-01
CONGRESS-.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
MONDAY, SEPT. 20.

MONDAY, SEPT. 20.
Alr. H1IribeTf, a new member from the
state OF Massachusetts elected in the room of
Mr.. Dewey, resigned, appeared and took his
seat.
A petition from the President and Direc-
tors of the Washington Bridge Company, and
another from the Eastern Branch Bridge
Company praying compensation for the DAM
age done to their bridges by the army under
General Windcr, were presented and refer
red
Two petitions from soldiers wounded in the
battle of La Cole NH. praying for pensions
were presented and referred.
Various other petitions of a private nature
were presented and referred.
MIR. Lattimore, Of Mss. Ter moved the
following resolution:
Resolved, That the committee to whom YVES referred
the petition Of the House Of Representatives of the
mississippi Territory, praying for extension ofthe
right OF suffrage, be Instructed ia enquire into the OK
pediency ofincreasng the number OF members of the
legislative Council Of said Territory .-.4greedto.
PROPOSED REMOVAL OF THE SEAT
OF GOVERNMENT.
Mr.. Fisk, Of W Y. rose and addressed the
House nearly in the following words:
Mr.. Sfeaker-Upon subject which has
for several weeks past attracted the attention
of every member of this body, and indeed of
every person in this nation, feel it my duty TO
submit a resolution to bring the question
promptly and fully before the House for ex-
animation and discussion. After the people
OF this country had recovered from the sur
prise and astonishment they felt at hearing IF
the capture of this city, andyhe destruction Of
the public buildings their first inquiry was
where shall Congress sit with safety and con-
venjence! Some designated one place, some
anothcr ; bit few il any imagined that the
councils of the nation would continue here
1T is 10, merely necessary that the members
OF the general government should be secure
IL their own opinion, they must be so in the
opinion of the nation. The confidence and
the credit e the nation is identified with the
security of the pablo councils, and the safety
OF the public records. Menace this city, and
pubic confidence is impaired, public credit is
shaken.
J. vas supposed as we'll in as out of this
House that Congress would at an early day
take this subject into consideration.
There are, am well aware. upon this mea-
sure, n variety e opinions. The question is
one of some dclicacy, much Interest and i'm
portauce worthy of attentive examination
an deliberate decision. IF it should be agit-
ated, rs ] apprehend It is, in some degree to
excite enquiry, to raise expectations or Gre
ate an interest By informal discussions it is
best 10 bring it directly & formally before the
House, that il may be here examined decided
and put az rest. With this view, and under
tne5e hnpre,sli ms, nave risen to ask the at
tentiou Of tho House to the resolution am a.
bout to offer. If we are have temporary
removal of the seat of government until the
public edliices Can DC rebuilt, our public libra
ny aud documents replaced the sooner this
shall be decided, the better and if we are to
remain here. it is, under existing circumstan-
ccs, desirable that this should be determined
by vote Of Congress, and preparations made
accordingly. ! therefore submit the following
resolution:
(.esofred That corniaittccb Dc appointed 10 enquire
rho the eNp"l'cncy Of pmu'Wgthc scat Of government
g-cater cntitv andlrss Inconvenience tn,u t,c Cgy
81 Washington With leave TO report by bill or other
wigo
The question on taking This resolution into
consideration was decided as follows BY Yeas
aud Nays:
For consideration 70