Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-03-10
TUESDAY. MARCH 2

Mr.: LoirndeS, from the committee who
were instructed 10 enquire lnio The cxne-
diency otrepealins The duty on sail. made
a report against repeating ike duly which,
was read and referred 10 ! commute of
the whole. ~
MIR. Robertson, CT Lou. from the com
miitee on public lands. 10 whom vas -
ferrcd the petition of Charles Smiib
wealthy citizen. who wishes TO build !,
church and school house, at his own ex-
pense, If Congress shall grant him tie
presumption right TO certain tract of
prairie land, wiereom 10 build The same
,hade report thereon, expressive oftbeir
hish respect tor The motives and object
OF the petitioner but adverse 10 his pray-
er on general principles. The report w.
concurrcd in
ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS.
The House then, on motion OF Mr.
ser9'ea''t, proceeded to the consideration
OF The proposition, submitted by him a
lew DAYS ago, contemplating The adjourn
ment at Congress on tie s,av If
March inst. "
On this subject there took place de-
bate, or rather a conversation which or
cupied an hour and half, and woulIbaxe
been reported at length, if the + seiuiion
had been finally acied on; which il was
moi. the reader will perceive, but was n,,t
aside to make way for a different propo-
siiion.
Messrs: Sergeant, BGsse,t, Ga,nett and
Jo""son ut Nv. supported this proposition.
generally, on ihe ground that The session
liad oecn already so far prolonged, as that
ne business which bad been Transacted
pore no proportion 10 The lengiI! Of the
session that, unless some certain l;n,;t
were fixed 10 the session, The business ~
the House would progress with no or~at.
or despatch, and thai at last, let il be ne
yer so lar extended, much would lie Jeff
undone that ought TO be dcne that ses
slons of SUCH length are NOT necessary in
tiIne OF peace, IN the transaction of or
binary business; and that il was naiu4aI
ior men 10 relax III any pursuit, of bust
ness or OF duty, 10 which Terminate,
is not fxed, and proporlonably 10 rccel
crate their progress when approacl,in,
the certain termination Of their laLors.
10 which course Of reasoning. Messrs.
L0,onaeS, SimEinS, Harrison, Pifbil gie.ey
and 1ayfor replied, in substance, ;lai me
best way TO avoid tie pubic censnrc.
which gentlemen had deprecated. was sof
10 adjourn before the business was done.
Dul 10 hasien ITS progress 10 completion.
ana thus remedy The evil Wllich was con,.
cable to adjourn within tie time 6rooos-
ed without wholly overlooking u,ucb Of
The business now OF the table, some of
which had been already for years before
tile House, and which The present was
peculiarly proper time for acting on THAT.
as 10 The comparative length OF The pre-
SEM aud former sessions of Congress.
1t was a fact that there had been before
one OF the committees Of fhe House al the
present session more business than there
was ten years ago before al the commit
tees OF the House together; that. ON geu-
eral principles. il is inexpcdIent 10 re n.
The two Houses 10 adjourn at a given dav
since, OF necessity, the business transact.
ed wiihln The last days Of sitting must be
inconsIderately done, and frequently AZ
tended by serious mistakes, sc.
Among other motions made on tbis
suDJecl, was one TO postpone the further
consideration OF the resolution TO the first
Monday IN April next, which was mega
lived.
a motion was made by Mr.. Hey,ick 70
amend the resolve so as 10 fix on the oO,h
OF April as the day Of adjournment. and
this motion was negatived.
MIR. Holmes then moved TO amend The
resolve so as 10 fix on the 10Th day Of A.
prIl for adjournment
On this motion the yeas and NAYS were
ordered
Mr. Tayior then renewed motion.
whici' had been twice before ueqafited,
10 lay the resolve on the table; with the
view Of allowing him time 10 offer no.
tiOs for appointing 4 committee TO inquire
into fle subiecf.wlich he and Mr.. Locades
con.ended, bel z tie usual mode, vas the
proper one IN Ills case.
Tie motion TO lay the bin on the table
was al length aEreed to by vote Of oI
to 7s and