The Portland gazette., 1818-12-29
FRIDAY, DEC. IL
MASSACHUSETTS CLAIM.


The Speaker having called over, among the or
ders ofthe day, that the bill providing for the
payment, of the claim of the state of Massachu
setts, for expenses incurred by her miitlA during
the late war
Mr.. Mason, Of Massachusetts,, rose, and beg
ged the indulgence fthe house, that the order of
the day might be passed for the present. He
made this motion at the request of the gentlemen
composing the delegation from the state of Mas
sachusetts, who bad been instructed respecting
the claim. The Legislature for the state would
be in session early in the month of January next,
and the delegation were desirous of receiving
further documents and communications relative
to the claim, prior to its discussion but he hop
ed, that, course Of the session, the subject
might be brought up, and receive a full and fair
discussion.
Mr. Mills, Of Massachusetts, made few re-
marks to the same effect.
Mr.. Folger, of Massachusetts. however, NOV
ed that the house resolve itself into a committee
r ofthe whole on the subject.
And, the question being taken on that motion,
the house decided as follows
For going into committee 10
Against it 'e G3
The house having accordingly resolved itself
into committee of the whole, Mr. S171sth. of
Md. in the chair, and the bill having been read
through
Mr.. Clay (speaker) rose, to make motion
that the committee should rise. He was persua-
ded, he said, that the house could not have heard
what had been stated by the honorable gentle
man (Mr. Mason,) who was chairman of the com
mittee who had reported this bill, or it would, on
the present occasion, have exercised the courtesy
usually shewn to every chairman of aIconniittee
e u,
calling it up. 1t might be proper for him to
state, Mr.. c. said, that hss opinion on this sub
ject did not differ, probably, frem that of those
gentlemen who had chosen to go into commit
fee on the subject. But the chairman HAVING
stated to the house that on consultation of the
delegation of the state, il had been tho't proper
not now TO go into committee of the whole on
the subject; that he wished 10 have further COM
munication with the government of the state on
the subject, and that he hoped, in the course of
the session. to bring the subject fully and fairly
before the house. he thought 1t hardly possible,
had his remarks been heard, that the discussion
of the subject would be pressed against his wish
es.--With regard to the merits of this claim. Mr. |
c. continued he-would only say, that when the /
facts were all before the House, and the question
open for discussion, gentlemen would find him as
decided in his opinion, and firm, in maintaining
it, as any other opponent of the claim. But he |
said, certain degree ofliberality of courtesy of
calm deliberstion on this subject, was due, from
the house, less to itself than to the state whose
claims were the subject of consideration. He (
hoped when gentlemen rere ready, however. I
they would enter into full and fair discussion of |
the question. Holding the opinions he did. he |
should not fail to express them at proper oppor-
tunty. But, if the discussion were now to pro- |
ceed, and the question to be decided, gentlemen
would have an occasion for saying that they were
hurried into the discussion that they were taken |
by surprise they might, if he were allowed to /
introduce forensic term to explain his meaning |
say that the decision of the house was snap |
judgment, rendered without an examination Of
evidence, or time given, &c. He hoped, there
fore, the committee might rise, to give gentle |
men in favor of the claim time to prepare them |
selves for the discussion. 49,
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, said that he had voted |
for going into committee on this subject, under |
the impression that it the wish of the gentle
men who were in favor of the claim, to have an
investigation into its merits. But, not having
heard the remarks of the gentlemen who report
ed the bill, and the Speaker having now stated
them, he had no hesitation in voting for the COM
m;ttee to rise lie wished the question, should