Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-02-03

OF them by the British government IN Ha-
ltax, and judgment decreed. that the ca
ses are now pending before the higher
courts in Great Britain, &c. and that suits
have also been commenced against them
by the authorities of the Uniscd States.
aud praying relief from these double pro-
sccutions.
By Mr.. Wendoyer, the petition of the
weighers for the customs in aud for the
port OF New York, praying for an increase
OF compensation.
BY MIR. Sergeant, the petition of the
merchants and traders i'll the City of Phi
ladelphia. praying that the present rate of
duties may continue for such length of
time as shall produce equal Justice To all,
or that new tariff of duties may be es-
tablished to go into operation when the ex-
iSting rate of duties shall cease.
by Mr.. lnghan, the petition of sundry
manufacturers OF woo'len goods III the
states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania AMI
Delaware, praying that the existing dut es
upon all woollen articles of FIRE gn manu-
facture imported into the United States
may be continued.
BY Mr.. Roanc, the petition OF Thomas
B. Parish.
BY MIR. Moore. the petition of VIM
Crook, praying to be put i'll possession of
the land to which he is entitled for Revo-
lutionary services.
BY Mr.. Moore, similar petition from
James Delaney.
BY MIR. Cannon. the petition of William
P. Lawrence, praying compensation for
| negro slave, the property of the petition
CT, who died of disease contracted
whilst attending detachment OF sick and
disabled soldiers of the army of the United
States.
Mr.. Yancey, from the committee of
claims. reported bill for the r-lief Of Me-
nassau Miner ; which was twice read and
committed.
Mr.. Yancey, from the same committee,
made aa uniavorable report oil the peti-
ton of 4 lch Schoonmaker, pawn aster in
the army, who prayed 10 be allowed for
certain sum of public money stolen from
him. The report lays down the principle,
that paymasters ought, in all cases, to be
made respons bic for losses Of money. &C
tually received into their possession. The
report was read and referred to a COM
mittee OF the whole.
Mr.. Yancey, from the same committee,
made report OH the petition of Daniel
Gould and others, of Randolph county,
praying to be allowed certain monies sto-
len from captsin ]. w. Wamsley, at Rich
mond, which he had received at Norfolk
on their account and for their use, in
payment for militia services. On the
principle that the government ought to
bear the risk of transmission until it was
paid into the hands of those TO whom it was
actually due, the committee report a bill
for their relief The bill was twice read
and committed.
Mr.. Lowndes, from the committee of
ways and means, reported bill making
appropriations for ordnance and ordnance
stores for the year 1916. The bill was
twice read.
Mr.. Robertson, from the committee on
public lands, made report, accompanied
by bill, for the relief Of Samuel Dick,
VIM. Bruce and Asa Kitchell which
was twice read.
Mr.. Ingham, from the committee on
| post Offices and post roads, made the fol-
| lowing report:
The committee of the Post Office and
| Post-Roads, to whom was referred letter
addressed to the Speaker by the Postmas-
ter General, requesting an investigation
! OF the fiscal concerns Of his department,
| report, that they have had a conference
with the Post Master General on the sub
| jcct of his letter, who states that rumor
| is in circulation with respect to the con-
| duct of Certain persoDsin his department
| which he considered was of such a nature
! as to require an investigation by Commit
| tee of the House of representatives.
| Your committee have asccrtained that the
rumor has proceeded from Clerks in the
| General POst-Ofice, and that it purports
| to indicate suspicion that some persons in
| that department have been in the practice
| OF selling drafts upon Deputy Postmasters
| for premiums which have not been passed
| to the credit of the Department on the
books. Your committee have not ascer-
tanned any fact to justify this rumor, but
they consider it due to the character of the
Post-Ofice Department, as we'll as to the
interest and policy of the government, to
comply with the request OF the Post Mas
ter General in recommending more par
ticu'ar enquiry than would have been in
their opinion compatible with the duties
assigned to the committee Of Post Office
and Post Reads by the rules of the house.
They therefore submit the following reso-
luton (:
RESOLVED, That sclc't committee be
appointed, in conformity with the request
of the Post Master General, 20 investigate
the conduct of the Post Office Depart
ment"
1 he report was concurred in, and
committee ordered to be appointed acoor-
dinghy.
Mr.. Tucker, from the committee, Of the
District of Columbia, reported a bill ma
king an appropriation for enclosing and
improving the public square near the Cap
itol-and bill to incorporate the Column
bian Insurance COmDany Of Alexandria