Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-12-19

ed in battle, &c. One word as to the a
commissioners. Of that gentleman, (Mr.
J. said. lie knew but little but, as much
as lie dld know, he was man of integrl-
ty, and beyond the reach of any imputati-
on ct corruption and, if he had erred, as
the members of this House might anddid
diff about the construction of law,
was 1t to be expected, (Mr. J. asked,) that
under such a law there would he no di-
versiiy OF sentiment, Nothing had hap
pened, IN regard TO the law. which | did
not expect: the 9th section particularly
involved questions of much difficulty, un-
der the laws OF nations, and the whole act
gavea latitude of discretion TO the COM
missioner, respecting any exercise of
which there must be different opinions
embracing cases, respecting which it was
as difhcult TO decide, as to separate the
colours OF the rainbow. No case of wan
ton destruction by the enemy, had been
passed upon by the commissioner: and
any gentleman, who took the trouble to
examine the evidence, would see that the
cases were so strongly made out, that no
man IN this House would have decided
differently from the commissioner. I'm
regard tn the property in our sight, that
had been paid for CAROLS building. mir.
j. SAID, ic found, on examination of the
evidence, that il has been proved bv the
acting Secretary ofWar, BY citizens. and
by. persons who had belonged TO the Bri-
t'sli army, that the building had been oc-
cupled by infantry and cavalry, above 81
below STAIRS, and that marks of this occu-
patton. arms, harness, &c. were found
through the whole premises in conse-
NJ ,.<.l,
ted 1t to be set OH fire by rockets. I'm ca
ses ofthis kind, Mr.. y. said. he would not
act with delicacv and would moi take a
course calculated TO destroy the conf
dence of the people in any man who had
passed before the Senate, and who WAS
passing Judicialiy on cases highly impor-
tant TO individuals Interested. II Wasex-
pected, there would be difficulty under
the law: and when the House came to
discriminate, in legislating anew on the
subject, they must do it nicely, and will
do with great difficulty. I'm regard to
the suspension of proceedings under a
| part OF the law, the President supposed he
had the power, and he had exercised II
Mr.. J. took this occasion TO observe. that
| the character of the President had been
mistaken and undervalucd, before his adj
| mnstratlon commenced: He was man
decisive IN his sentiments and when he
saw his way, fearless of consequences
took upon himself responsibility. at
which most men would stand appalled,
ihis, at the close of his administration.
all would now acknowledge. That man
men, who never failed in his duty, had ia
ken hold OF but one section ofthe act
he Inconvenience of the SUSPENSION of
the whole law would be very great, com
pelllns the claimants to go 10 expenses.
&c; and the construction was now sutiici-
emily rigid. From every mounted man.
whose horse was lost, the commissioner
deducted forty cents per day, (aIlowed for
me use OF the horse,l from the amount It
winch his lost horse is valued and other
cases MIR. J. had presented, which he
thought within the spirit of the law bmt
when me commissioner had rejected -
Would The House, then, come forward
and by resolution of one branch of the
Legislature, suspend law. especially
when The belleved) that the opposition 70
the law arose, with some allowance for
honest difference OF opinion as TO the de-
cisions, from the original opposition to
The law =! MIR. J. hoped, tlat the chair
man OF The committee of claims, a man
OF business and a discreet man, would.
curing the session, report q bill so 10 de-
me The duties of the commissioner as TO
put them IN situation beyond doubt or
cavil
MIR. Webster N. IT. said, that il ap-
peared, from the course Of debate, that the
objections TO the resolution before the ri
were of a two-fold character: the FIRST re-
lating to the necessity of interference the
second, TO the form which the proposedin-
reference, If made, ought to take. 1T was
not, perhaps, easy to ascertain whether If
was the judgment ofthe House. that there
was error III the law, or i'm the administra-
ton ofthe law, or, il NAV be I'm both So
FAR as regarded error i'm the law, there wa,
no remedy but TO repeal and amend if. If
III The execution of the law, error was ap-
parent, lie concluded, that the Executive
would exercise IFS constitutional autlori-
~ IN the case. The subject was already
referred TO two committees in this House
and, II the House were TO act further ON
Inc subject, the proper course would be
TO amend the resolution, so as TO make if
declare, that If was expedient 10 suspend
the law, &c. and thereon found bill i'm
regular form, for that purpose. Mr.. w.
was wholly opposed 10 the interference of
tins House, sIngly and separately, on this
occasion. If they acied on it at all. if
ought to be bv law. He did not know
that, by passing the resolve as il stood.
they would violate their duty, but thew
would act nugatoriIy. II the President
had the power TO suspend the law. the in
terpOsltion of this House was moi nccess-
ary If he had not the rower. this resolve
would not give it to him The otherbrancb
OF the Legislature must be consulted. In