Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-01-31
On melton of Mr.. Ru1reH.

fSeSotrcd, 4 nat the secretary OF Jar be dl-
rected to lay before this House a statement of
the claims of the state Of Massachusetts for the
expenses OF calling out the militia OF that state
during the late war, and the reasons why those
Claims have not been settled by that Depart
ment.
The engroSsed bill to remit The dutes
on stereotype plates and bibles, in foreign
languages, imported for the use of The
\ serican Bible Society, was read the
third time, and the question stated, Shall
The bill pass
Mr.. StTother, of Virginia, rose, not 10
urge the principal objections which be
entertained 10 this bill, but To call the at
tention of the House to what he consi-
dered an lmperfcction iii It's provisions.
The sum involved Ill this bill, he said,
was OF little Importance but the course
now pursued might give rise 10 proceed
ln2s hereafter OF more consequence and
he thought II best 10 resist the principle
on the outset. MIR. S. referred TO the alb
seuce of some provision To ensure The
privilege from abuse. The bill yroposedto
exempt from duty all the bibles, &c hich
had been imported by certain societies,
but what security was there that these
books would be appropriated 10 the pur-
poses contemplated III renting the du-
ties He knew IL would be SAID, the in
divIdualS concerned were men of honor
and Integrity but this was not, in his
mind, sufficient reason for departing
from the correct principles of legislation.
Such a security was usual in other SINH
lar cases and from the broad turnpike
OF Legislation marked out by those who
have gone before us, we ought 10 be scru-
pulous, said Mr.. S. how we depart. He
admitted that the object of the bill was
IN extend "A favor Tn, rt.HIyIIn..ls A
Ill noble purposes, 10 encircle the com
munity with the mild spirit of Christian
ity, and correct passions hostile 10 hap
pines and good governmenl-purpos
SAID MIR. ). which are dear 10 Us ali but.
III extending this benefit, even for these
purposes, we should not violate correct
principle OF legislation, by omitting TO
guard the privilege against possible abu e.
he general principle involved in this
bun, Mr.. ). said, he would not di,tulb-
That, h knew, WAS hazardous thing
lie was unwilling, in trivial matters, to
awaken passions which should for ever
sleep. Yet, as he was aware that this
bill might be the entering wedge 10 more
serious objects, Mir. ). said he would re-
serve To himself IN voting on this occa-
SION, the right of acting hereafter on ST.
mIiar propositions with perfect freedom.
But, though not disposed To dispute the
passage OF the bill on lis general princi
pies, lie should, without the introduction
OF the provision he had referred to, feel
himself under the necessity OF voting a.
gainst 1t.
MIR. Sergeant made a few remarks in ex-
pianaiion, and III reply 10 MIR. Strolher's
objections. The operation Ofthc bill was
confined TO cases that had occurred, he
~ for the guards against frauds which
had been suggested and the amount of
the lmpurtatIons was but small. A bill
for similar object had, on former oc-
casion, passed both Houses of Congress,
which contained no such provision was
not deemed necessary. Mr.. ). urged the
high character OF the individuals cOmpos-
ing the society, as obviating the necessi-
iy of the penalty suggested; and as such
provision had not heretofore been intro
duced iuto similar bills, it would be re-
markable and invidious, he thought, to
commenCe with tins case, in Which The
individuals were so far above suspicion.
III would, moreo. er, MIR. S. said be diff
cult TO form law which would secure The
privilege from possible abuse But he
repeated, the government had the best
security Ia the character of the persons
at tile head of the institution for which
the bill was Intended ; and he submitted
II 10 the gentleman, whether it wouid not
be unjust TO make this The first instance
of such provision. This bill was spoken
OF, Mr.. S. SAID, as an entering wedge To
more important purposes. TO this he
would reply, that the remission of duties
WAS not new, but had often been granted :;
aud he did not therefore consider the re-
mark applicable To this case. TO the eff
iects unprecedented from the principle of
this measure, &c. he was willing to give
an opportunity for the full and free dis
cusslon, without any reference to this bill,
which he thought free from any such dan
ger as had been expressed.
Mr.. Stroller rejoined, and remarked.
that the consciousness that his ineXperi-.
ence in the business Of legislation might
probably lead him into error, had induced
his silence OBJ Tie subject, until the pre-
sent moment he bad, until now, refrain
ed from expressing his diSapproba of
this measure. ain told, said Mr. ). that
this is no entering wedge 10 more objec-
iionable measures. 1t may be so-t0 me
the subject is new; but my opinions are
unshackled, and my approximations have
urged me TO make d modest enquiry into
the exlcdiency of passing The bill in lis
present shape. know that fashion has
placed IFS seal OH this subject, and know
how strong that is. If, however, Mr.. S.
said, his recollection was not incorrect, a
bill similar to this had once been mega
lived. Constitutional scruples OH This
subject, Mr.. $. said, he had not urged,
and would not urge against the bill, Ouly
because lie wished not TO handle that sa-
cred instrument on every occasion, and
to make it too common. From that con
sideratioD he had determined TO vote for
tie bill. though without COMMITTING him