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

Tuesday, Oscemtsr 81
Alter referring some private petiti-
ons-
Mr.. Roberts, from select committee.
maze an unfavorable report on the peti-
ton of Robert Kid, which was concurred
in.
Mr. Noble submitted the following res
olution for consideration
HesofUed, That the committee on Pub
lie Lands be instructed to enquire into
the e,XApedIency of providing by law for
TIE DIVISION OF a certain proportion
OF the quarter sections OF the Public
Lands.
The Senate resumed the consideration
OF Mr.. Dana's motion to instruct the COM
miltee of foreign relations to considerthe
propriety of making provision, by law.
tor declaring the extent of the maritime
precincts of the United States, and for the
safeguard of friendly vessels, which NAV
be within the same.
Mr.. Dopla oliereda few remarks on the
necessity of institutiDg the enquiry he
proposed. One ofthe first and most inte-
resting professions which ever took place
in this country, lie said, occurred AT \,
York, on the death OF an American eff
zen, killed by British vessel within the
waters Of the u. States-he alluded TO the
case OF Pierce, who was shot within a mile.
even IN sight, OF the shore vet, on thar
occasion, the question arose whether the
act was committed within the iurisdicfi
onot the United States, and was tried be-
fore British naval court. From flat
time TO this, no efectnal ATTEMPT had
been made 10 adopt measures Of profec-
tlOn, or TO prevent the recurrence OF such
outrages-lIe meant no legislative A.
tempt, where alone it was proper. Eta
did not aliude 10 negotiations, or any
Executive measures--nor did he conceive
1t the business Ofthe Executive. uudero,rr
constitution, 10 neddlc with tile subject
our Executive could not, like the King
o. England, make any regulations rezar-
ding our jurisdiction. MIR. Dana said. in
England, they did not coniine their j,,rjs.
diciionto one league from shore. nor di,i
they limit by law-fliey measured t,eir
jurisdiction bytheir cannon--bv cannou
ahoat and more Tran accntuIw 900. tbc
l-nsiish had taken the proper sicns 10 mo-
iect IN II honor from insult MIR. y. cal.
lea lie recollection OF the Senaie ton cor
| respoDdence Oh this subject, under The
administration of Gen. Washingion .whic,,
might readily be referred ln, when II WIS
| decided that n was not prudent 10 claim
| luris dictlOn hey oud one league from land
IL was, MIR. y. thought, consistent uca.
! win our character and tho Situation ,,r
our country, that our juriedic.a should
moi be confined 20 a marine league. Ie-
| ~ often, when our vessels wore coasfi,o
and passing the head lands. ihcy wqrs
more than league from shore. vel would
any one consider them beyond fhenajo oil
our prot ctiOn Mo, he saii-ihsT wer.
still within tie limits OF our cop.i- srd
though 4 might not ne enclosed. aod +
was our business 10 preeent any distar
bancc there. The proper PEACE officers
! OF that yard were The officers Of our M
w, who were able and wiling 10 preserve
| peace there.
The resolutionvas then agreed q, ae.,.
con.
The Senate resumed tie consideration
OF HE blll tor ibe rcllofofiuilrrI.inghs
aud on the question, Shall the bin b. read
third Time il was determined m lie
uega'iVe-of course rejected
IhF Senate resumed the consideration
81 the motion Of The seth INST. 10 rr..cecl
on Thursday next, to the appointment
| OF an assistant door deeper, and az ecd
| thereto.
Rs1neu1 - n. -, 1Ilsi;u.ss.