Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-01-07


| referred to The committee of claims-t.iat
| committee had examined the most impor-
| taHt papers, reported on certain cases
which had thrown light on the subject,
| and had anticipated the select committee,
| aud this rendered further enquiry useless,
| &c. Mr.. NJ. adverted to tue reprobated
! decisions OF the commissioner, and argu-
ed TO shew that rumour bad done him IN
justice, and that his proceedings had not
been so erroneous as had been represent
| ed
! Mr.. Williams followed in favor ofthe re-
| port, and OF dscharging the committee
from the subject. Ii was not III the nature
of things, that the committee could, con-
sistently with their other duties, take up,
one by one, the mass of cases, aud decide
OH them nor would any good result to
the House OF the nation from ii, if thew e.
ven possessed the strength to oft, as it
would be reporting what had been airea-
dy reported by the committee of claims
This business had been Involved IN much
perplcXity by the creation of two commit
tees on nearly tine same nbject-he would
not say, the other had gone out of its pro-
vince but it had relieved the select COM
mittes from much labour. Mr.. w. repe;l-
ted, he could not see any good in further
considering wlatllad already been brought
before the House by another committee,
and II they were TO come 60 different con-
clusions, how would itappcar TO have two
committees arrayed against each other
hir. Ross moved to lay the report on
the table. The duty of the committee
had been correctly stated, he said, by Mr..
ytll-though he himself had no doubt
OF the integrity of the commissioner.
Mr. X. argued at some length TO shew that
1t was due to the character of the officer,
which had already suffered much by the
course OF the discussions on this subject
as we'll as to the House and the natl
on, To shew whether his imputed errors
were unintentional or corrupt: if the for
mer, that his fame should be freed from
the Insinuations made against him. and il
the latter, that he should not be allowed
to proceed i'll deciding on laims so i'm
portant as wereyet to be acted on.
Mr.. Ross motion TO lay the report on
| the table, was lost.
MIR. Hnf6e,t thought il proper the com
mittee should be discharged from the fur
| Their consideration, because there was 30
necessity for their going through the 700
horse cases, and itwould give The House
no information to have another report OF
the three cases SO specially brought before
them already. He bad suilicienteyidence
that gross demonstrations had taken
place-it was the duty of the House TO in
terfere, and he wished 40 further reoorf
to make up his mind.
MIR. Forsyth said, in reply, that this bust
ness had not been voluntarily thrown on
tie select committee. 1t had been solici-
ted by gentlemen who now thought il un
necessary, but they ought not TO shrink
from dlty they had asked to be mpos-
ed on them. 1t was incorrect that the
same subjectwas referred to two commit
tces-ihe committee of claims were in
structedt 70 enquire into the law, and the
select committee appointed on the man
this committee say the commissioner has
acted enormously, but do not say whether
Intentionally, or not !; it was their duty
toreport on this point, and say whether
there was all opinion of corruption, &c.
Mr. Wade spoke against agreeing TO the
report, because he was always in favor
OF the committees aud the members of the
House performing their duty strictly and
faithfully. Mr.W referred TO the slispen-
sion o. part ofthe law by the President
| OF the United States, and the proposition
now pending to repeal if--and thought
1t was first proper to ascertain whether
the fault was the law, or lis administra-
ton. He did not wish the commissioner
to be leglsated out of Office unless he was
corrupt and for that reason he wished his
conduct TO be thoroughly investigated bv
the committee appointed to perform that
duty, &c.
After some additional remarks and re-
ioinders by Messrs. FORSYTH, Mills and
Williams, and some further remarks bv
Mr.. w. =. Maclay, which could not be
heard by the Reporter,
The question, on concurring in the re-
port of the select committee, was taken,
and carried without a division.
The documents were then, oil motion
of Mr.. GfOsvenOr. referred 10 a commit
tee of the whole house.
The Speaker laid before the House a re-
port from the acting Secretary OF War. in
pursuance of a resolution Of the last ses-
sion, OH The letter Of Major General IIar-
rlson, relative 10 the expenditures ofpub-
| lie money by him, on the north western
| frontier during the late war which on
motion of MIR. johnson of XIV. was referred
TO a select committee, and ordered 10 be
! printed.
THE ORDER OFTHE DAY.
The House then again resolved Itself
| into \ committee OF the whole, MIR. Can
dict in The chair, OH the bill to amend am
| act making compensation for properlv
| lost, &c. during tho late war Mr.. John
! sons amendment being still under consi-
/ deTation.
Tile debate on this subject was resu.n-