Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-02-21

which motion was decided in the negative.
Yeas 65, Nays,S2s
Mr.. Pickeringg then moved to amend
the said bill so as to make the tax unlimit-
ed, instead of combining it to one year !;
which was also negatived.-Yeas 90,
Nays 129.
Mr.. Pickering then moved to strike
out the second section of the bill, THAT
Which imposes the tax of three millions)-
which motion was negatived.
MIR. .Nyrant moved to strike out three
millions, and in lieu thereof 10 insert two,
as the amount of direct tax to be lied for
the present year which motion was nega-
tived.-Yeas 81. Nays 90.
Mr.. .H'Lsdn of Ohio, moved an amend
ment, the object of which was, in case the
states OF Ohio or Louisiana should assume
their quota of the direct tax, To authorize
the Legislatures to collect their proportions
OF the same from the purchasers Of public
lands from the government, notwithstand-
ing provision IN the contract between che
United States and the states TO the con-
trary. This motion was agreed to. Ayes
80. Noes 45.
Mr.. TallmadSe then moved to amend
the bill so as to take fromit altogether the
privilege allowed to the states, to assume
the direct tax, &c.-Negatiyed.
The question was then taken on order
ing the bill to be engrossed for third
reading, and decided in the affirmative
Yeas LOG. Nays 46. The bill will be read
a third time tomorrow.
The bill from the Senate, authorizing
the subscription to ali edition of the public
documents from the commencement of the
government, was twice read and commit
ted.
The resolutions expressive of the sense
OF Congress OF the merits of captain Ste
wart, and the officers and crew of the fri
gate Constitution, aud of the merits of
captain Biddle, aud the officers and crew
of the sloop of war Hornet, for their late
achievements, were read third time and
passed unanimously.
The engrosscd bill for rewarding the
officers and crew of the sloop of war Hor
net, for the capture and destruction of the
British slOcp of war Penguin, was read a
third time and passed, mem. con.
The House resumed the consideration
OF the bill making appropriations for ord
ance and ordnance stores for the year
1876.
The question being on agreeing with the
committee of the whole to ill mp the blank,
tor this purpose, with 81 ,o65,O24.
Mr.. Wright opposed this amount, and
proposed to substitute S500,G00 in lieu
thereof
On thequestion to concur in the amount
reported by the committee of the whole,
there arose a considerable debate; Mr..
Wright, Mr.. Desha, MIR. Goldsboroueh.
and Mr.. King of Mass. opposing, and Mr..
Johnson, Mr.. Smith of Md. and Mr.. For
syth. advocating this amount.
The letter from the Secretary of War
gives the following estimate with details)
OF the appropriation he deems necessary
for the years
For the United States armory
at Springfield 165. -o3 374
For do. at Harpel's Ferry I72.O54 81
For erecting and completing arse
nails, depots &C. as specified 457,765 so
For timber to be SEASONED $4,000
For Goals, steel, iron, mat rials, &c. $4,000
For amount of existing contracts for
articles to be delivered in 1916,
For unpowder $4,000
Cannon and shot, shells, &c. 111,O0U
MusLets and rifles 5000
transportation ofordnance, &c. $4,000
1t was on theone hand coniended, tbs amount
OF appropriation proposed was extravagant, un.
der present Circumstances entirely too large, and
calculated unnecessarily to burthen tie people
withou, adequate object. On the other hand, the
advocates of the appropriation pointed to the
items of the report, aud supported the policy of
authorising The proposed expenditure on gener.
raj principles OF forecast and providence
The question on concurring with III, commit
tee was decided in the affirmative. Yeas 63,---
Nays 10.
The bill was ordered to a third reading.
The messaSe ofthe Senate rejecting the amend.
ments oftliis house to their bill concerning the
Convention ofcommerce, &c was taken up. and
on motion Of Mr. Forsyth, the house determined
10 insist on its amendments, and to ask confer
ence thereon with the Senate.