Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-02-25
National Legislature.
IN SENATE.

! Mr.. Gore presented the petition of Froth-
ingham and Tappan, praying remission
OF penalties incurred by the violation of the
| non-importation laws, in consequence OF
their withdrawing their effects from Cana
da. where they resided when the war broke
out. Referred to Messrs. Gore, Anderson
and Smith
Mr.. Morrow reported bill to continue
in force for a limited time the act for estab-
fishing trading honscs among the Indian
tribes; and the bill was read.
| The bill for the relief of Isaac Smith and
Bratton Caldwell, was read a third time
| and passed.
Mr.. Dana's motion for instructing the
| committee on Foreign Relations to enquire
! into the expectancy of making provision by
law to release certain claims of the United
States. was taken up and agreed to
The bill to authorize the settlement end
payment of certain claims for the services
| of the militia. was read third time, pass,
ed, and sent to the House of Representa-
tives for concurrence.
On motion of Mr.. TAFT,
ReSotued, That the committee on Naval
Affairs be instructed to enquire into the ex,
pediency of repeating any act or acts re-
speeding the fotilla establishment and that
the committee have leave to report by bill
or otherwise.
Mr. Barbour submitted for consideration
the following motion:
ReSokUsd, That the President OF the u.
States be requested TO cause an experienced
engineer and naval officer to explore the
Chesapeake Bay for the purpose of ascer-
tanning the most convenient harbor in the
said bay for the reception of sh;ps nf war Of
the largest class: and that they particular.
ly ascertain whether it be practical to es.
t1h iich ho, A. e
the Chesapeake on the Middle Ground, and
the probable amount which may be necess4-
ny 10 place such harbor in the most respec..
able posture of defence.
Mr.. Hunter reported a bill authorizing the
discharge of Edward Martin from his im4
prsonmeHt which was read.
The bill from the House regulating the
sale OF certain reserved sections of land in
the state of Ohio" was before the Senate and
refased third reading. 1t is therefore re.
jected.
On motion of Mr.. Smith,
ResoLved, That a committee be appoints
ed to consider the expediency of repeating
all acts or parts of acts laying additional
duties on goods, wares and merchandise inn
ported in the ships or vessels of such foreign
nations as shall agree to admit into their
ports goods, wares and merchandise i'm
ported into such ports on board of the ships
or vessels of the u. States.
Messrs. Smith, Taylor, sBibb, Hunter and
King were appointed the Committee.
On motion of Mr.. Lacock, it was order
ed, that the committee to whom was refer
red the petition of Thomas Law and others.
citizens of the city of Washington praying
the division and sale of certain open squares
IN the said city, be discharged from the fur
Their consideration thereof.
r.
the Military Commute to enquire into the
propriety of reducing the Military Estab-
lIshment, was taken up and agreed to.
Several small bills passed different inter-
mediate stages.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,;
Friday, Fe6. II,
The bill from the Senate, to give further
time to complete services and locate pat
ents for lands, granted under Virginia reso.
luton warrants, was read third time,
passed and returned to the Senate.
The engrossed bill 70 d direct tax on the
District of Columbia, was read third time
without debate, passed, and sent to the
Senate.
The resolutions expressive of the thanks
o. Congress 10 major General Andrew
Jackson, and the troops under his command,
tor their galiantry and good conduct in the
defence of New Orleans, were read a third
time and passed unanimously.
1 he resolutions expressive Of the high
sense entertained by congress of the pstri-
otism and good conduct of the people If
Louisiana, and New Orleans, were read
third time.
Mr.. Robertson Of Louis ana, expressed in
a feeling manner his high sense or the com.
Elementary manner in which his constitu.
eBts were mentioned in this resolve and
hattered himself they would never forfeit,
at any time, the high character they lad
now acquired.
Mr.. Sharp then rose and addressed the
house nearly as follows:
Mr. Sneaker
The subject those resolutions present for
our consideration, is the most interesting
occurrence in the history Of our country.
The people Of Louisiana, approached by
an enemy who suspected their fidelity to
their newly adopted government, aud who
held out every allurement that could be
presented to sedgce them from the Union;
at this very moment, whilst assaulted by THE
establishments of the sneUg. with opeB