Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-01-24

mt about fifty tons in the course of a ve,r
These coins Mr.. r. seid, would. accor,l;no
70 law, be distributed among the respective
states according to their population they
would be distributed in quantities, in
casks, and there retained for sale as an ar
ticle OF merchandise, until the price of
copper should be so much higher than the
value OF the cents, as shall afford n stuff
Gent profit on the sale of them, for the
purpose of being melted up for sheets.
bolts or stills, &c. Mr.. II. said he pre.
suned the Director of the Mint was mis-.
taken IN supposing the cents already coin
ed remained in the United States, unless
IN the form of bolts, &c. The copper coin
OF the Unified States had never been made
legal tender, because, being worth more
generally than the nominal value, peopIe
were glad enough TO take them.-trhere
never had been any punishment enacted
Tor counterfeiting it, because, for the same
reason, there was motive for the offence.
Ii the weight should be diminished, how
ever, both these measures might become
necessary. He therefore moved
That the weight of the copper coin ought to
be reduced to four penny-weights the cent.
ought TO be made a legal tender to the amount of
one dollar
That provision ought to be made by law for
the punishment of counterfeiting the copper coin
of the United States.''
On motion of Mr.. Calhoun, these propositions
were referred to select committee.
MI. .harsh obtained leave of absence till the
2Oth February next
On motion of Mr.. Easton, the committee on
military affairs were instructed to enquire into
the eXped,ency OF allowing the non -commission-
co oihcers and privates ofthe militia, army. and
tie several companies of rangers who served du-
ing inc late war, interest the respective sums
que To Them from the time they ought to have
Been paid until they shall be actually paid.
The following engrossed bills were read a
th'rd time and passed a bill for the relief of
George Nebinger !; "a bill for the relief of iona.
man White; the bill for the reliefof John q.
camp the bill for the relief of Jonathan Rogers,
Jun. OF waterford Connecticut tie bill for the
reiIet OF Joseph Anderson the bill for the relief
OF John Redman Coke. The bills were all sent
TO The Senate tor concurrence, EXCEPT that for
'hs rehef OF Joseph Anderson, which had preyi-
ousiy passed that body.
THE RULES OF THE HOUSE.
The House resolved itself into committee of
Tie whole on the report of the committee ON
'he rules and orders of the House
AS usual, this report, IN its various details.
gave rise TO much debate, and especially on the
subject OF the rule for previous question. which
was brought before the House by a motion of MIR
Stanford to strike it out, or so to vary II az TO
deprive it wholly of It's present character.
TINS motion Mr.. Stanford supported bv \
number otremarks, and full expression of his
aversion to the rule lie was followed by Mr..
LfGndolph at some length, on the same side of the
question. 10 both these gentlemen MIR. Clan
he SPeaker) replied in favor ofthe rule. as 10
the right and expediency oft MIR. Gasfon fol.
rule. N"~
On this subject there was as much elouuence
displayed as any question calls forth, though the
SUBJECT IS in great degree technical, and so far
not interesting to the people generally. In de.
Dating 1t, however, it is placed by those opposed
70 II ON the footing of an actual curtailment of
their Representative privilege, and therefore a
lola non OF their rights. To which its friends
tePI, that the right TO pass tie rule is unqles.
toned, and that its expediency and even neces.
SHY 10 the operations of lhe house, are alike de-
monsirable by argument, and proven by the
practice under our government
1t is utterly impossible TO report every debate
winch arises IN the House of Representatives.
No day now passes, on which the house Sits. but
debate enough takes place to fill from ten to
'hiriy Columns of newspaper, if fully reported.
and sometimes too on points on which debate
could not be anticipated. 1t is probable, If we
nave opportunity, we shall give one speech on
sach side OF tins question.
The committee rose, without coming to any de-
clslon on the questions and
Fhe house adjourned