Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-12-09
Congress OF the v. States
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WEDNESDAY. Dec. 8

1'he SPEAKER laid before The house a
letter from john Gardner, chief clerk in
the general land Office, accompanied by
two copies OF a map of the bounty land
IN the Illinois territory, engraved for the
use of the soldit,s OF the late army.
On motion of Mr.. Smith OF Md. the
several standing committees 10 in num-
ber)wcre ordered TO be appointed The
Speaker appoints them, and they viii be
announced o-morrow.
STATE OF THE UNION.
On motion of Mr.. Taylor, of New
York, the house resolved itself into
committee of the whole on The STATE of
the Union, Mr.. Smith OF Md. being called
10 the chair.
The Presidents Message was the sub
jccto consideration.
MIR. Taylor moved a series of reSoluti-
ons. embracing the following references
OF various parts of the Message:
ReSolred, That so much of the Message
OF the President of the United States, as
relates TO the subject of Foreign Affairs
and 10 our commercial intercourse with
British colonial ports, be referred 10
a select committee.
That SO much as relates 10 military aE-
fairs so much as relates TO an improve
ment M the organization and discipline
OF the militia; SO much SIS relates 10 ma
val affairs so much as relates TO The inn
pFovement OF the Indian tribes in the arts
OF civilized life; so much as relates to
roads, canals and semlnarieS Of learning;
so much as relates 10 the Illicit inirodUc-
ton OF slaves from Amelia Island into the
United States so much as relates 10 the
public buildings, and 10 the erection OF
new ediiices for the accommodation Of
the heads of departments and the atior-
ney general SO much as relates to the
surviving officers and snl,IieT. Ci the Ievo-
lutionary army be severally referred TO
select committees, with leave TO report by
bill or otherwise.
That so much as relates 10 maHHlac-
tures, he reterred to The committee Of
commerce and manufactures so ni,chas
relates TO the subject Of revenue, aud
repeal of the internal taxes, be referred 10
the committee of ways and means; so
much as relates TO purchases OF lands
from the Indian tribes, 10 the committee
on public lands.
The first resolution having been read
for consideration, MIR. CLAY (the Speak
cD moved 10 amend the same by adj
ding TO the end thereof the following
words:
g And that the said committee he instructed
TO enquire whether any, and, il any, what pro-
VISIONS OF law are necessary TO eEsuae, TO tue
American colonies of Spain, Just observance
etthe duties incidentto The neutral relation in
which the United States stand, IN the existing
war between them and SpaiB."
MIR. CLAY said, that his presenting, at
so early period of the session, this sub
Ject 10 the consideration of the House, was
IN consequence of certain proceedings
WHICH he had seen represented iii the pub
licprints as having taken place before Ger
tam OF our courts of justice. Two or
three Cases bearing OH this subject had
come TO his knowledge, which lie wished
TO state to the House. The first had oc-
CURED at Philadelphia before the circuit
court Ofthe United States held in that CT
ty. The circumstances of fhe case, for
which, however. he did not pretend to
vOuch, having received them through the
channel already Indicated, were these: if
they were incorrectly stated, he was hap
that gentleman had taken his seat
Tins morning from that city, lio would
be able to correct him: that nine or ten
British dlsbanded officers had formed in
Europe The resolution TO unite themselves
with the Spanish patriots in the contest
existing between them and Spain; that 10
carry into effect this Intention, they had
South America had touched at the port
of Philadelphia that during their resi-
dence in Philadelphia, wearing perhaps
the arms and labiliments Ofmiilary men,
making no disguise Of their intention to
participate III The struggle, they took pas
sage III vessel bound TO some port in S.
America; that, Il knowledge Of this fact
having come 10 the ears Of tie public au-
ihoriiies, or, perhaps, al the nsilgati0n
OF some agent HE Spanish government,
prosecution was commenced against
these officers, who, from their Inability 10
procure bail were confined in prison.
II, said Mr.. &. tie circumstances attend
ing this transaction be correctly stated, il
becomes an impcrious duty in the house
10 institute the enquiry contemplated by
tbe amendment which have proposed
That This was an extraordinary case, was
demonstrated by The fact Of tie general
sensation which il had excited Ell the sub
lrCt, ~ tie place where il had occurred
Filled as HAT respectable and pOpu0us
city is, will men differing widely on pOlii-
zeal topics and entertaining various views
Of public affairs, but one sentiment, Mr..
| E.. SAID, prevailed on this subject, which
was favorable tOthc persons thus arrdign-
| ed. With regard 10 the conduct Of the
! court OF tllis occasion, he would say no
Thing. The re pcct which, whilst he had
a seat on this floor, I've should AWAY show
10 every department. Of The government
the respect lie entertained fer the honora
bic Judge wlo had presided, forbade hin
from pronouncing the dccisiou Of tina
| court to have been unwarrantrd by law
But lie felt himself perfectly sustained il
saying. that fihc proceeding was war
ranied by The existing law, il was the i'm
POROUS duly OF Congress 10 alter the la,
III iins respect. For, what he asked, wa
the nnniral nhlic.a1ln -, ..i ~. - =.