Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-03


MIR. BdiGicin rose on the question of
the construction which had been given BY
some gentlemen 10 the constitutional pro
vision which he contended, conferred
on Congress full power TO lesisaie on the
subject 40 as to give the strongest securi-
~ to the holders of slave property.
The motion 10 strike out the first sec
ton was neeatived by large majority.
Some further amendment having been
made 10 the bill
The committee rose, and reported the
bill as amended,
And the House adjourned at half past
four O'Clock.
THURSDAY, JAN. %.
Mr.. Williams, of ". c. from the COM
mittee of claims, made an unfayorable
report on the petition of Joseph Cuts !;
which was read and. ordered TO lie on the
table.
Leave was given to Lewis de Carpen-
tier 10 withdraw his memorial, from the
further consideration (which tie commit
tee of commerce and manufactures were
discharged.
On motion of Mr. NJ COY, the House re-
considered the unfavorabie report on the
petition OF Z. Grit, which was yesterday
concurred in and the report and petit
on were recommtted 10 the committee of
claims, with iGstruV tons to examine the
validity of the evidence upon which the
claim is founded.
The Speaker laid before the House "a
report of the Secretary of the Navy on the
petition of Samuel b. Brooke which was
read and referred TO the committee on ma
val affairs.
The engrosscd bill for The relief of
Israel Smith vas read the third time,
passed, and sent TO the Senate for con
currence.
'Fhe amendments of the Senate, max
ing provision for the establishment of adj
ditional land Offices in the territory of
Missouri" were read and referred 10 the
committee on public lands.
The bill from the Senate, directing
the manner of appointing Indian agents,
and continuing the act for establishing
trading houses, with the Indian tribes"
and the bill concerning the District of
Brunswick, in the state of Georgia" W re
twice read and committed.
The bill from the Senate " for the in
corporation of the Mechanic Relief Socie-
" of Alex ndria ami The bill 50 for the re-
lief of Isaac Briggs" were also twice read
and committed.
The House having resumed the couside
ration of the bill 10 amend the act entitled
=" An act respecting tugitives from justice
anu persons escaping from the service of
their MASTERS
Mr.. Rich moved TO reCommit the bill 10
the commit tee 10 whom has been refer
red the memorial OF the annual meeting
Of the society of Friends al Baltimore,
with view o! so amending the bill as TO
guard more effectually the rights of free
persons of color. This motion he enforc
II ~, tna tn N,sh If.l,
these people were now subjected, and the
necessity of some regulation on the sub
ject, which he thought might be very pro-
perry connected with this II.
MIR. PindaH objected 10 the recommit-
ment, especially as the House had alrea-
DIV once decided against doing so on the
same ground of the want OF necessary
connection of the proposed amendment
with the bill.
Mr.. Smith, of Md. suggested, that the
subject oftiIe protection OF free people OF
color being OF distinct nature from this,
was already before committee, who
would without doubt make special re-
port OH the subject. Under this impress
sion, MIR. S. said, he should vote against
the motion for re Commitment.
MIR. Rhea was also opposed to the re-
commtmtni, and made some general re-
marks respecting slavery, in The course
of which lie minated his opinion, that
the government lad shewn lis aversion TO
slavery in every manner IN lis power, and
could not do more, unless by an arbllra-
nv abolition OF slavery, which no one
woulii propose. If slavery must exist, as
guaranteed by the constitution, he was
surprized al the Opposltlon made to rid
ding ii of some Of its evils, by preventing
escapes, &c. &c.
Mr.. Lirermsre said, although not IA
vorable to the bill, he should vote against
rec0mmitmeni, because he wished THAT
those who were trlendly 10 the bill, might
have Tie opportunity, by amendment, TO
make il as perfect as possible.
Dir. w u. Maclay Was III favor of re-
commitment. Admitting the force of the
constitutional provision, which secured
the right oil proprietors 10 reclaim their
runaway slaves. he was not for going fur
iher than necessary and appeared more
over 10 he highly impressed with the i'm
poItance o. connecting with this bill
pro, ision TO prevent the apprehension OF
free pc sons of color, under pretence OF
their being slaves.
The question on recoDanjtmcm Of the
hill was decided in the negative, without
n division.
Further debate took place on the ques-
ton OF concurrence IN some of the amend
ments made 10 the bill in The committee
of the whole, and on several other amend
ments proposed, in the course of which
MIR. PipdaH, Mr.. Sergeant, Mr Spencer,
MIR. BaLd,oin, Mr.. Rel, Mr.. Terry, MIR.
Beecher and others, actively exertedthe
selves.
Mr.. Sergeant made proposition, lIav-
ing in view to materially change tie ma
;ur,' of the bill, by making Judges of The