Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-04-23

sainst legislating partially on TINS SUP
iect; after which the amendment was q
freed to without objection. i,
The bill was then reported 10 ths
House as amended, and ordered to E
third reading. ,f,, 49,.
Mr.. Huger made an unsuccessful nc !
ton to sus ,end the Intervening oraefs $,
take up the resolution respecting the re-
mains of General Washington
Mr.. Johnson Of KY. after few pre-
satory remarks moved the following re-
solutions, which were successively d
. Resolved, That the secretary OF wal
be requested to report to the house, a.
an early day OF the next session o.
congress. system for the organization
and discipline of the militia best calcu-
lated in his opinion to promote the Ell
fciency of that force when called ihto
the public service.
Resolved, That the secretary oil wa,
be required to report if there be any anu
if any, what modification OF alteration Is
necessary in relation to the yallous
branches of the war department, for the
faithful execution Of their duties: and IL
suggest any plan which, in his opinion
will promote the public interest and DIS
patch of business, by responsibility OF
officers and economy in the execution
Of the various duties of the war depart
ment. -,
The bill concernig presumption right
TO lands in Louisiana, Missouri and III
nois: the bill to authorize the surveying
and making road in the territory OF H.
linois and the bill allowing pay to per-
sons . AIDE prisoners with the revenue
cutter Surveyor: severaily passed thro,
committees Of the whole house and were
ordered to third reading.
The bill to organize, class and arm
the militia, etc. and the bill supple
mental to the act for the final ADJUST.
p ent of land titles in Louisiana, were
postponed indefinitely.
The house went into a committee OF
the whole on tie report OF the commit
tee of elect ms in the case OF the election
of William M'Coy, member from Vir-
ginia, whose seat is contested hy Robert
Porte rield. The committee OF the Whole
copcurred in the report of the committee
of elections, that Mr.. M'Coy is entitled
to hold bis seat and the house agreed
in the concurrence, so that the sitting
is confirmed IN his seat as a
conservative from the commonwealth
OF Virginia,
The house went into committee OF
the whole on the bill to reduce the du-
ty on licences to retailers OF spirits, 10
reign merchandise, etc:
MIR. P!ckens moved that the bill be a
mended by inserting a proviso that 20 re.
taller of imported salt whose stock does
not exceed 100 dollars, shall be compel
led to take out license.
Tie motion vas supported BY the NOV
err and by Mr.. Williams, and agreed to
after which
The committee Of the whole proceed
I'd TO consider the bill from the senate to
increase the compensation OF our minis
.ers resident at the Courts OF London,
Paris and st. Petersburg, to the sum OF
$4,000 dollars instead of the present al
owance of 5000 dollars, per annnm.
MIR. Robertson moved to reduce the
,um in the bill to COCO dollars, SO as to
cave the salary at its present amount
Mr.. r. supported his motion by a num-
Der of remarks. to shew that the present
salary, with the outfit, was suh'cient
70 maintain our ministers at any OF the
European Courts in stlle consistent
Nth their comfort, responsibility ana
dignity. The motion was opposed by
Niessrs. smith. OF Md. Lowndes, eros
venor, Wright and Pickering-who
maintained the reverse Of Mr.. Robert
on's opinions and argued that the pre-
sent salary was entirely inadequate t.
our ministers abroad, particular
y at tie cou,ts named, in manner
sui,able to the representatives OF the ma
ton, or in oucb stile as was common
AID necessary in Europe to their respec-
liability ard that It was necessary to
allow an adequate compensation to H.
uce men Of talents toleave their profes
ions at ion tego abroad in the public
,es,ice. Both sides OF the question were
/, aued at considerable length, and va,
iety of lactsand ilust a'ions introduced
u support If the opinions urged.
TIE question was finally decided a.
.ainst Mr.. Robertson's after whIeh,
Tie committee rose. reported theif a.
sendnent to the bill fist considered,
!, b;cb was concurred in, and the bill or
.I 50 Ihi,A reading,