Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-02-08
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
lIordan. EcLr,,0frn ..

Monday, February ?.
Mr.. Fdnccy from tie committee of Claims
reported a bill for the reefof Peter Caslard:
bill fer the reiiet OF Joumonvile de ViIIiers
bill for the relief of Madame Montrienil: a
pill tor the relief of John de Castando a bill
for tEe r9hei OF Antoine Bienvenue; and bill
for the relief of James HI. Boisger, ais which
were seYerally twice read and committed
Mr. ChGppel, from the committee ofpensions
and revolutionary claims, reported a bill. an
thoiizing the payment of the principal and in
terest due on certain loan Office certificates
due 10 Samuel BLACK, the heirs of George Ne.
bingcr, John Dent, John Armstrong, Maria S.
Tyson, Nancy Armon, Sylyanus Townsend. q
Asa Lyon, wlichwas twice read and commit
ted.
lNr. Hugh Nelson, from the judiciary commit
tee, reported, without amendment, the bill
from the Senate to provide for the due executi-
on OF the laws OF the United States in the state
committee of the whole House
Mr.. Harrison offered the following resolu-
ton:
Resclged, That committee be appointed to
enquire whether any, and ifanv what amend
ments are necessary 10 the constitution of the
United states, 90 enable the government there
OF To adopt such system ofmilitary instruction
q discipline for the militia as to make it safe
and etectaal national defence.
The House having agreed, bv a small MAORI
ty, TO consider the resolution
Mr. III. entered into an explanation Of his
reasons for Offering the motion and referred
Congress
no power to cali ont the militia for the purpose
oil training them, or to grant dollar to detray
any eXpence for that OBJECT. MIR H. concIuI
ed by saying, tlIat he believed without adopt
ing some such course, all hope of training the
militia might DC abandOned &c
DR. Pickering opposed the resolution, and
spoke against its object. He was of opinion
that the militia could neverhe disciplined will
out placing part periodically on the footing
OF regular soldiers-d that idea lie had long A.
Dandoned. iie thO't the general government
ought to dissatisfied with arnlimg aud regiment
ing the militia, and then leave their diScipIine
10 the stdteS-tiid, the prcseptatiempts to train
them were attended with Great eXpence: and
that the people would never consent to rlacc
the great power contemplated by this motion
Ill tie hands of the Executive. MIR u. took this
occasion to dispute what had been frequently
advanced, that General WASHINGTON had an
proved the plan submitted 20 Congress, i'm I7no.
by General knox, then Secretary of War; bni
that General Washington had simply sent il 10
Congress, without expressing either approba
ton OF disapprobaton
M Harrison replied To MIR. Pickerine's re-
marx and referred TO documents and other
testimony, 60 establish the fact, that the pian
Ton CHASING and diSciplmirs the militia drawn
up by General EnoN, had been sanctioned bv
the Judgment OF General " Washington * said
further, as TO the popularity of the motion he
was ready to take IL on himself and was whine
his popularity should be sacrificed inattemptjno
10 accomplish an object Of such vital inipor-
VI
The resolution was. OH motion OF B;r j-oueev
laid oil the table.
The Speaker laid before tho House letter
from tbc Secretary Of the Treasury, transmit.
ting statement of the goods, wares and ner-
chandize, exported from the United States.
during the year ending the Goth of September
last-whicll was ordered TO lie OF the table.
The Speaker also laid before the House. a
letter from the Commissioner OF the Pubic
buildings, enclosing an estimate Of the suns
wanting TO complete the enclosing and gradn-
ating the Capit0lSqudre which was read and
referred 10 the Committee OIL the Public Bull
dings.
ON motion of Mr.. Yaacey the committee of
Ways and Means were Instructed to enquire IN
to the eNpediency OF increaiing the duty on to.
reignspir',s.
TIE NAVIGATION LAW.
Tie cngrOsse1 Dill " concerning the Davira-
tion OF The L States was read tie Sci time aud
passed.
TheSpeaker then proceeded TO call over the
orders OF the day when
M. Lcwis moved that the House 90 into com
mittee OH the bills TO incorporate certain ban
King companies ~ this district.
Mr.. ReMfoiph moved the indefinite POSTPONE
mert ofthoSe bills /; but, on the suggestion OF
tie speaker, as the proper way OF getting at his
object. Mr.. x. varied hisnlotion to "a dischlrre
OF the committee OF the whslc house from the
further consideration ofthc bills mcntioned.=
MFR. tleu entered into q wide discussion Of
TIE c&fedcncy OtaHth0rizlng additional banks
as a Vfcscnt conducted. cOndemnii!g the p0l,-
~ pure Ued by thcgovernmcnt on tbs subject
already, aud agaius; chartorng other ccnii,an-
les tor the ssHe of paper without probably a
dollar OF capital, SC. Mr. K. spoke nearly an
hour I'D his usual difiuse and dcsItory man
btr.
Mr.. Lnr'g replied that the object Of the biz
was mistaken, i0r It was 10 make the BANKS
about to be chartered pay specie, instead Of
aHthOii,Iag them n5f To do fi-aud SAIL thc
way DAnh nOw under consideration had more |
specie ~ its vaalts, ~ proportion 10 It's capi |