Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-12-21

he agent or attorney of the government
in the transaction, and The government
was equitably, ifnot legally bound by his
acts. Ii was question for the magma
nimity of the House, whether the fraud of
the agent OF the government ought 10 be
allowed TO depriveoi his pay the poor sol
dier, whose services had been earnestly
invited and cheeriully rendered, during
the war.
MIR. Williams replied. To admit such
claim, he commended, would be 10 es-
tablish precedent for endless frauds on
the government, by collusive practices
between claimants ;and the agents Of The
government. Ii was due 10 the stale Of
the finances, at this time--which lie un-
derstoOd frpu tile Report of the Stcreia-
~ ofthe Treasury, were now nearly ex-
hausted-to guard them against lavish
disbursement thOngii, in the most pros
porous times, no claim ought 10 be AL
lowed against the government, which, the
circumstances being the same, would not
be good against an individual, dc.
MIR. Tyler c0ntended that, under SINH
lar circumstances, the claim would have
been unquesiionaDly good against an in
dividual.
This subject excited considerable inte-
rel. Other gentlemen spoke oil the sub
jert, viz: Mr.. Warfeid, Mr.. Rich, Mr..
Brasa, Mr.. Holmes aud MIR. Grosy.
After considerable debate, The house
divided OH the proposed amendment !:
which WAS uegaiivcd by a considerable
majority and
The report of the committee of claims
was cOncurred IN.
The engrossed bill for the relief of
John G0oding and J. Williams was read
a third time. lTnis bill proposes 10 al
low to these persons twenty two hun
bred dollars (under the act allowing one
hundred dollars fer each prisoner brought
into port during the late war by prwa-
teers) for Twenty-Five slaves SO brought
in, and receip d for by the Marshal
OF the District where The vessel arrived. |
The bill was opposed by MIR. TrimLie,
OF Ky. and supported by MIR. SmiM of
Md.-aud was rejected.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER IL.
The Speaker laid before the House n
letter from The Secretary OF the Treasury,
transmitting a'siatement Of exports from
the United States during one year, end
Tag OH the S0ih September, 1919 ; and
also letter from the Commissioner of
the Revenue, transmitting the annual
statement of the proceeds of the Direct
Fax, and Internal Duties, &c.
MIR. Rich, of Vermont, offered for con-
sideralion the following resolution:
Res0Iged, That the committee of claims be
Instructed 10 prepare and report bill provd-
lug for the distribution Of a sum of money
among such Of the citizens of the U. States as
lost their property Ia consequence of the gene
raj cOnfiagrationby the enemy OIL the Niagara
fr0utier during the late war.
And the resolution was ordered TO lie
on the table.
On motion of Mr.. Mailman, il was
Resolved, Ikat The Secretary of War be di-
Tected TO report to ;hs House a statement OF
the expence OF furnishing the Army of the U.
States with ratous for the term of one year
ending OH the l4th OF April, 1878, exhibiting
the average cost per ration, and also of the
expense of furnishing the Army with rafions
exhibiting also the average cost per ration
for the term of one year, under the provisions
OF the law, passed on the the 18th of April
1878, entitled" An act TO regulate the Staff
OF the Army"
On motion OF Mr.. Ross, of Ohio, il
was
ResoIred, That the committee oil Publ.
Lands he instructed 10 enquire into the expe-
dieHcy ofpreviding by law for the future sale
ofpublic la.ds in half quarter sections ; anC
OF the proptiety OF reducing the present price
On motion of Mr.. Robertson, of Nv. ii
was
ReSOlUed, That the committee OH Pablo
Lands be, and they are hereby, instructed Il
enquire into the expedency of so altering the
hdWo TIE safes OF Tue vacant ldhut
OF the United States, That, from aud after the
- day of -, no credit shall be given there
on, aud less quantity may be purchased, auC
at less price, than is authorized by Tie exist
ing laws.
On motion OF MIR. Woodbridge, it was
ResOlrPd, Tina; The commitIee on Publ,
Lands be Instructed to enquire into the expe
diency OF providing by law for the final ADJUST
neiit of The ancient titles to Iana within III,
Territory of Michigan.
MIR. Wa,JieM offered for consideration
the following resolve
ResOtred, That the committee on the Ju
dietary be Instructed TO enquire iuio tile tx
pediency of increasing the pay OF Jurors fol
tue Circuit Courts OF the United States fo
the District Of Maryland.
The resolution, having been amended
ny extending ii TO lie District Courts, and
by striking out The concluding words il
italIc, so as to make the enquiry general
was agreed TO.
The House adjourned to Monday.
STEAM SHIP SAVANNAH.
arrived at this port OH the 10th instant, tn,