Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-02-17

lions on the construction OF the constitution;
the first favoring, the other opposing the
enquiry.
SIr. STANFORD advocated the enaui-
~, and quoted the records to shew that
the House had decided violation of the
spirit Of the constitution TO be sufficient
ground for them TO protest against the case
in which it occurred. If he were indeed
the jstker of the House, according to the
figure used by MIR. Randolph, he said he
would advise it's members ts avoid the
crumbs OF office from the Executive, and
to look to the people only, to whom they
owed their appointments, as the source OF
honor, &c.
Mr.. YATES, besides showing by argu-
rnent the weakness of the grounds on which
This motion was sustained, vindcated Gen.
Porter from any limitations or insinuations
which had been thrown out unfavorable to
him in the course of debate. He adverted
20 his high character and conduct, and par
seulsriy to his Observation-Disclosures in sup
porting the late war, if he had contributed
TO it as was said, since in so doing he had
devoted 70 certain destruction, AN immense
Nv valuable property lying on the shores of
she Niagara, which had since fallen sa-
Critic, &c. &c.
The question was then taken on Mr..
Raniolph's motion, as modified, and agreed
80, 20 votes 60 IS.
Tuesday. Fec. l3.
Among the petitions presented to-day,
was one hv Mr.. Lewis from sundry in
habitants Of the counties OF Culpepper,
Fauqniar, Frederick & Shenan loah, pray
ing that the Merchants Back OF AieXan-
dr,a. may be chartered
Mr. Caldwell presented to the House
d resolution adopted by the Legislature
ofOhio, instructing their Senators and Re-
pres~ntatiyes TO use their endeavors to OBJ
tam the passage of an act by Con
gress, providing for the organization, arm
ing and discpi,ning the militia, and for go
verning zach parts of them as nav he
Employed in the service of the United
States.
Mr. Stephenson presented petition of
the Legislature of the Illinois, praying that
tue powers granted to and enjoyed by the
Governor of that Territory, may be abridg
ed.
Mr.. Chappell made an unfavourahe
report on the petition of Charles NJ
Nabb. and like report on the petition
of H..field White, which were concurred
in.
Me-. Middleton reported bill to enable
the President of the United States to lease
r out or grant for term of years mines of
the precious metals discovered upon the
public lands which was twice read and
committed.
Mr.. Newt n, from the committee of
commerce and manufactures, made de-
tailed report, which shall be published
hereafter, concluding with the following
resolution:
Resotoed. That from and after the seth
day uf June next, in lieu of the duties now
authorised by law, there bc laid, levied
and coll cted on cotton goods, imported
into the United States and the terrific
res thereof, from any foreign country
whatever per centum al valorem,
being NOT less than cents per square
yard.
The report was twice read and commit
ted TO committee of the whole.
The House resumed the consideration
Of the bill for reducing the direct tax on the
y. ). TO three millions, and TO continue the
same one year.
Mr.. AthertOn moved to amend the bin so
as to repeal the direct tax altogether
which motion was decided in the negative
Yeas 65, Nays 80.
Mr.. Pickering then moved TO amend the
said bill so as to make the tax unlimited,
instead of confirming it to one year which
was also negatiAed.
Yeas 20-Nays 100.
Mr. Pickering then moved to strike out
the ID. section of the bill, Chat which i'm
poses the tax of three millions) which
motion was negativeu.
Mr. Mayrant moved to strike out
three millions, and in lieu thereof TO in
scrt tzyo, as the amount OF direct tax to
be LEVIED for the present year which
motion was neg2tiyed 81. Nays
SO.
Mr.. M'Lean Of OhiN, moved an amend
ment, the object of which was, III case the
states Of Ohio or Louisiana should assume
their quota of the direct tax, to author
ize the Legislatures to collect their pro-
portion Of the same from the purchasers of
public lands from the government, not
withstauding any provision in the contract
between the ". States & the states to the
contrary. This motion was agreed to-
Ayes 80. Noes Is.
Mr.. Tallmadge then moved to amend
the bill SO As to take from it altogcth-
er, the privilege allowed to the states,
90 assume the direct tax, SIc.-Negatiy-
81.
The question was then taken on order
ing the bill u be engrOssed for third rea-
ding, and decided in the Affirmative Yeas
100. II VS. 46 Toe bill will be read
taird tine tomorrow.
The bill from tine Senate, authorizing |
the subscription to an edition of the puolc !
documents from the commencement Of the |
government, was twice read and commit |
ted.
The resolutions express We Of the sense |
Of Congress e the merits Of capt. Stewart, |
aud the officers and crew of the frigate !