Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-04-20

however much niay have been stated in
theory that steam W Ssels could naviyats
the ocean, still it remained untried AMI
He wanted no confidence in
the executive ; bat the best way. he said
TO yet bushes S. done is to do it ourselves
and he wished. therefore. 20 secure tn
defence of Ncw-Oiltaus, by g Legislative
provisi IN.
Mr.. Cay felt the slme desire for the
defence of New-Orieaus, as his friend from
Louisiana but he must surely be struclr
said MIR. (. with'the imp opiirty Of direct
ing one steam frig;te to ne stationed az
this place, and one ut another. &c. We
may confidently rely, he said, on the
President Ct tie United States. for tie
prudent application of the public force
a contrary course wo;.ld imply suspi-
c;1n of m improper employment of
WAS certain the naval committee did n,t
mean.
M. Pickering had no objection to the
amendment. TIL President of the United
States having here rear HIM board OF
experience cd naval otiicer rs, would be al
ways ieady to act on the business with the
best advice. He agreed with Mr.. FORSYTH.
that instead OF addt,o steam batteries.
we had bttter have more seventy fcurs.
which can move with IA lily from enc point
to another. Steam frg,tes might l,e
pecu iarly proper for Chariest aud New
Orleans, AMI he WIS will ny to have two
for. those places, but more lie could not ap-
prove.
Mr.. Plcasants said, that the naval COM
mittee had taken advice Of those best
qualified to afford it, and they had sane
toned the course reportedin the bill. He
thought there was no improperly in ex
pressing by law where certain engines {
defence should he eIp;oy ed. They were
Heating batteries, and it was no less pro-
per to say they Shout he placed at paiic-
ular points. than to direct by law the
erection Of land battery at this or that
place. Mr.. p. adverted to the course
pursued by the late enemy, whose first
attempts were in the Chesapeake, which
he took possession of, and ,f course of all
its extensive waters. Mr.. p. also refer
red to the wide scope which the Chesa-
peake afforded to the operations Of an
enemy; the immense trouble and cx-
pense required tn defend its shores and
those of rs tributary waters, and to enforce
the necessity of providing for il now
particular and adequate defence, by which
the expense might be avoided of calling
cut double force It SO many points 10
repel An enemv when he came. Though he
should vote against the amendment. MIR.
P. said he felt every confidence in the e2l-
ecu'ive, and should acquiesce in the a
mcndment with pleasure, the house ac..
certed IT,
MIR. Webster said if the President of the
United States be the command + in chief
of the naval force, it was certainly impro-
per to take ont of his hands tn yecyion
it. He considered the steam frigates
strictly part Of that force. and there was
an impropr ty in not leaving tt his con-
troll. The Law authorizing the one built
at n. York, cid not fig it there permanent
ly ; and to do so in this case he thought
unnecessary as well rs improper, bcliev-
ing that thosa frigates could, as had been
asserted by experienced persons, be moved
from one place to another, as the eXigency
might demand.
Mr.. Wehstcr's motion was then agreed
to by large majority, aad the bill, as
amended, ordered to q third reading mem.
coz.
E7onday, Hhra Is.
Mr.. Robertson from the CONN ttee on
the Public Lands, reporte d bill 10 estab-
lsh board of commissioners to decide
finally on claims to land in Louisiana and
NJ ssissippi Territory.
MIR. LOwndes from the committee of
Ways ard Means, reported b II increas,
ing the compensation of public ministers
Ito 1000 dolars,) and a bin to redu
the duties On licenses to retailers of wines,
spirtuous liquors and foreign merchan-
die.
Mr. Creighton from the committee on
Roads & Canals, reported bill 20 autho-
rise the surveying and marking 2 road in
Illinois and bill 10 authorize the repai-
ring the Road from Duck river in Tennes-
see TO Madisouviile in Mississ ppi.
and between Fort Hawkins ard Fort
S:oddart
The above reported bills were severaily
twice read and committed.
MIR. pleasantS from the naval committee
to whom was referred the bill from the
Senate to reward the officers and crew
of the Constitution frigate. made a report
thereon, which with the bill, was order
ed 10 lie on the table.
The engrossed bill providing FOR the gr?-
dual increase of the Navy, was read
the third time and passed almost unani~
mously.
The engrossed bill for the relief of the
widow of the late general Alexander lIa-
milton, was read the third time and pass
ed--ayes 80, noes 80.
All the bills which were on Saturday
ordered to a third reading. were this daY
accordingly, severally read third time
ard passed.
The motion appointing a day for the
adjournment Of Congress, was called up,
and the blank filled with Saturday neTt
the Goth inst. and the resolution sent to
i