Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-04-03
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
SATURDAY, MARCH %.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
SATURDAY, MARCH %.
no petition was presented this day.
On motion of Mr.. Rhea, the Message
OF the President Of the United States OF
HE 18TH ofJanuary, 1916, recommending
lie confirmation of certain grants or re-
servations of lands made by the friendly
Creek Indians to Major General Jackson,
Benjamin Hawkins and others, were refer
redio Tie committee of private land claims
Mr.. Rhea, from The committee on pen
sions and revolutionary claims, reported
DiIl making provision for the claim of
NJ. PoToy, as secretary and abide camp
to Major GeaeraI La Fayette which was
twice read and committed.
The resolution directing The printing
and distribution of the act to provide for
the surviving officers, &c. of the revolu-
tionary army, was read the third time,
passed, and sent TO the Senate; as also
was the bill " concerning the territory of
Alabama"
THE SOUTH AMERICAN QUESTION.
The House having again resolved itself
into committee of the whole, MIR. Desha
in the chair, on the general appropriation
bill; INTO which a motion bad been made
by DIR. Ctay, and was still pending, TO in
troduce an appropriation for Minister 10
BueHos Ayres
Mr.. Clay, in speech of two hours
length. defended his motion, and replied
TO gentlemen who had taken the other side.
MIR. Poinderter then addressed the com
mitee against the motion, in speech of
considerable length.
AIr. FOrJyth, Mr.. Smith, of Md. and
Mr.. II, Nelson, severaIly made replies 10
Mr.. Ciay, who reioined.
The question was then taken on the
proposition of MIR. CLay, and, OH tie diyi-
sion OF the committee, the vote stood thus:
FOR Inc motion. 40
Against II. ..........lI5
so the motion was rejected.
The House then proceeded 10 the other
clauses of the appropriation bill.
The first clause which came under con
sideration, gas that of dollars for
the salaries, expenses, &c. &c. of the
commissions under the 5tI, 9th and eth
articles of the Treaty OF Client.
HIS clause gave rise to some debate.
Mr.. Claiborne flrst took exception 10 the
appropriation, on the ground of tie unex-
pected amount OF the expenses of these
commissions. In his view of the subject
he was supported by Messrs. Holmes of
Mas. and Pitkm. Mr.. Lowndes. as chair
man of the committee of ways and means
did moi justify all the expenditure. but
showed that considerable part of II WAS
unavoidable.
The principal item of expence object
ed TO, was the charge for expenses offhe
commission, IN addition 10 the salaries
which gentlemen supposed were TO have
covered also the expences Of living of the
commissioners, Agent, &c. 1t was fur
ther objected that the number Of officers
employed by the Commissioners was too
large, and their compensation 100 great
there being two Secretaries instead of
one, and private Secretaries, besides sew
erai Surveyors, and the salary of the A
gents being 4,444 dollars. 1t was also
objected that the course OF proceeding of
the Northern commission (the expences
of which were principally objected fo( had
been more minutely particular than due
exec utiOn of the object of the commission
required, and that IT ought 10 be expedit |
ed These objections were stated as the |
ground for delay of the appropriation
tor tins head of expenditure, until mi |
mute investigation could be made, bv the |
com mtiec who have the subject specially |
contided TO their investigation.
The discussion resulted in partial an. |
for the expences under these |
articles of the British treaty. and i'm res |
trictlng the salary of the Agent TO 5000 |
dollars, Notwithstanding the objection of |
Mr.. Bahtcin and others, that, as one half |
OF the expences were to be paid by each |
government, the salaries of our officers |
ought certainly 10 be as large as those of |
the British officers of the same descrip- |
ton.
The committee then rose, and reported |
the appropriation bill, with the amend |
ments which had been made and
The House adjourned.
MONDAY, MARCH 80.
Mr.. LOVadCs, from the committee of |
Ways and Means, reported the bill from /
the Senate, 10 increase the salaries of GER
tain officers of the government. with
some amendments making the bill take
effect from the first of April next, instead
Of Jan. last, and striking out the appTo-
priatiOn contained in the BILL leaving il
TO be provided for in the general annual
bill which, together with
lie bill, were committed to committee
)f the whole house.
MIR. Holmes, Of Mas. from The commit.
ee appointed 10 enquire whether any. and
What, clerks or other officers in either of
he departments, or III any office at the
ieat OF government, have conducted them.
elves improperly in their official duties.
made long report, embracing particu-
ar detail offacts touching the conduct of
Il