Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-03-04

The report OF TIC committee of WAYS and
Means on the bill from the Senate, providing
for the mere prompt settlement Of public ac-
counts.
These bills were scvera'ly considered and
variousiy amended.
The last named bill, and tue amendments
thereto reported by the committee of WAYS
One feature particularly (the power proposed
to be given to the Solicitor Of the Treasury to
decide who are delinquents, and recover, by
summary process, debts due to the government
ny individually was earnestly opposed by Mr.
webster, MIR. Robertson, and MIR. Hopknson,
and supported by MesSrS. l.owndes. Calhoun
and Cady. Ali the amendments of Importance
we're agreed to, however, by the committee Of
the whole and then
The committee rose and reported the bills
and their amendments to the House
The report first taken up. was on the bill! pro-
vidlng for the redemption Of the public debt,
aud the House agreed to the amendments re-
ported.
Mr.. johnson of Va. opposed the bin a, con-
siderable length, and with much yea! not that
he was ayerse to paving of the debt OF the ma
ton rs rapidly as the interest of the country
would permit, but bees Use the sum proposed
To be added and pledged 10 the sinh ing rund
wnnid form hereafter an argument against IL
polishing the system of Internal taxes which
nc condemned in tune of peace. and wished to
see put down as quickly as possible MIR John
priattoDs oi nine millions and four millions lin
addison to the regular sum OF ten milions) pro-
posed by the bill, should be deemed and con
Suffered as an advance. and part of the fund of
ten millions, tor the three succeeding wears
Alter some remarks By Mr. Lowndes, i'm
johnson.
The motion was lost-a,es i6 noes7o
The bill was then ordered to be engrossed
for third reading and the amendments of the
committee OF the whole to the remaining bills
reported by the committee, With the exception
OF the one last named above, were successfully
sed. '"s
The Honse then took up the report of the
committee OF the whole on the bill next in or
der, referred TO above Ito provide for the more
prompt settlement public accomnts)
Inc debate was resumed on the powers pro-
posed to he vested in the Solicitor of the Urea
suiy one OF the new Offices to be created) and
continued till past O'Clock when. after re-
sistnS TWO previous motions to adjourn,
lie House adjourned
Ue,'aesiay February 26.
Mr.. Jackson, from the committee appointed
ny the House to wait on the Honorable James
monroe, and inform him of his election 10 the
office of Presiden; of the United States renort-
vice.
MI. Condct, from the committee on the sub
Ject, made the following report:
!" The committee on the Public Ruildinrs to
Whonl was referred the letter and estimate of
the Commissioners in relation to the public
square, Report.l'hat at the last session of Con-
5, 'esN .ie sum OF $4,000 was appropriated for
the purpose OF improving the public square east
OF me capitol, which sum has been expendcd
ana Is found to be Insufficient for its comnle
uoh, tfon causes stated i'm the letter of rhe
Io.'i.iiHsioner. The committee are of opinion
tiat III VIII better comport with the original de-
sign OF the city, and he more satisfactory to the
PHnic, 10 omit the interior wall i'm front of the
Sap,.oi, ana extend the enclosure around the
seni'circuiar area. west of the building They
respectfully submit the following resolution
=, fseSoiced, That ii is evpedient to apprepriate
the sum of - dollars 10 comnlrfs H. 80 ;'''
provement of the public square, and that The
Commissioner Ne instructed, with the approba-
tion, and under the direction of the President
OF the United States, to enclose the semi circu.
lar area west of the Capitol
IN, Inc report was ordered TO lie on the table.
ne 'iouse men resuMcd the unfinished bnsi-
ness, on the bill from the Senate 10 Sennre sc-
countabillty of public monies. &c and much
u :. loon place on amendments proposed TO
u, IN winch Messrs. Jackson FORSYTH. | owndes
IIarull, Hopkinson, Root Calhoun and Others
engaged. The principal question was nm a co
eIcIve power proposed TO be given n tho
comptroing officers of the Treasury arainst
Puphc defaulters, which on the one hand II
was cohtended, was made necessary by the evils
experienced from the axity of the nrcsents,,
TEN ot accountability and. ON The Other b.n,j
was opposed as being a violation of the spirit II
not tne letter OF those parts of the constitutions
wh,ch guard the trial by jury, and the liberty
anu property Of the citizen
The bill was finally recommi;tej for tho n,,r.
pose of revising its details '"e pun
Tue Dill supplementary to IAN act for the COL
,eCuon, OF duties on imports and tonnage : the
OH TOR the relief of Isaac Lawrence and Others
merchants OF the city of New-Yo the hin to
provide FOR the redemption of the public dent
establishing the sinking fund.- the bill to re-
peal any acts or parts of acts authorship loans
OF the issue OF Treasury notes the bill respect-
ing Appeals from assessments under the art for
laying and assessing a direct tax: a bin autbor.
lzng the deposit of ships papers with The Con-
suis OF the United States; bill authorizing the
payment to the state of Georgia of Is per cont
on the last direct tax assumed bv that state ali
which bills originated in this Honse. were seva'
rally read third time and passed
ne Dsis from the Senate to enable fine non
pie OF the western part of the NIississippi for
ritory to form a constitution aud state rovern.
meht, ana for the admission of the same into
the union on the same footing as the oriri,, al
states, was read a third time
On motion Of Mr.. Cady, the bill haviro heen
further amended byunanimous consent
J he bill was passed
The bill from the Senate for tho reserv,t;or
OF certain public lands tor the purpose Of snp.
PLYING the navy with timber, was read a t,,ird
time and finally passed ''''''
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Extract Of letter recei,ed yer schooner an-
u. gAf III. n