Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-02-08

Mr.. II. SmyM from The committee on
military affairs, made an unfavorabe re-
port on the petition of sundry non-com-
mlssloned officers, musicians, and pri-
vales, who reside in Connecticut, whose
terms OF service expired at the close OF
the late war with Great Britain; which
report was read and concurred in.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4.
Mr.. Cook OF Illinois submitted for
consideration the following resolution
Whereas an enlightened and liberal
policy dictates the importance and pro-
prioty of rendering the navigable waters
OF the interior OF our common country as
extensively subscrvient to its CONNER
cial interests as is practicable: and
whereas the importance and utility OF
the majestic rivers Mississippi and Ohio,
would be much increased by the estab-
lishment Of a convenient place of depo-
sit near their confluence; and whereas
doubts are entertained as to the ehgibili-
ty of the Site at their immediate junction
tor that purpose; therefore,
Rescued, That the committee on
roads ana canals be instructed to inquire
into the expediency OF appointing suit
able number OF commissioners, to exa-
mine that tract OF country lying between
the said rivers, with instructions to re-
port to this house, at the commencement
OF the next session of congress, topo
graphical description thereof, accompa-
MED with their opinion as to the most ex-
pedlent plan of adapting a suitable per-
ZION thereof to the purpose aforesaid.
And, whereas the durability of the
government greatly depends upon the
equal dispensation of advantages, by
congress, TO the different sections of our
union, as well as upon the virtue Of the
people:
And whereas the north is already pro-
vlded with an academy at which pro-
per number Of her sons are taught the
the military art, perfect knowledge OF
| which is SO important to the certain de-
fence of our rights, and SO suspicious to
saving of both the blood and treasure of
the nation;
And whereas the establishment of a
national armory in the west, would in its
operations produce the disbursement of
part of that money in the same quarter
from which it is so profusely drained,
by the sales of the public lands, and at
the same time place at the immediate
command of the government, and al
a suitable position, the necessary
arms for the defence Of our extensive
frontiers therefore,
BE Hfurther ReSotped, That thccom-
mittee on military affairs be instructed to
inquire into the expcdiency of requiring
the said commissioners to examine if
there be suitable situation for militia
ry academy and national armory, near
the junction of the aforesaid rivers; and
also to examine and ascertain the proba-
Die metallic resources of the surrounding
country, not exceeding fifty miles dis
lance, from the confluence aforesaid, suit
able for munitions of war, and report the
same to this house, with the report be-
fore required.
The question being put, whether the
house would now consider the said re-
solutions, it was determined in the mega
! tive.
PRIvATEERING.
Mr.. Lozyndes, from the committee on
foreign relations, to whom had been re-
lerred two memorials from certain citi-
zens Of Ohio, praying the suppression OF
privateering, as means OF national war
fare, submitted the following report:
The committee OF Foreign Relations,
to whom have been referred two me-
MORALS from citizens of the state of
Ohio, relating to the practice of priva-
teering, beg leave respectfully to Re-
port:-
That the language of the memorialists
is such as to leave the extent in which
they deem it reasonable to expect a
mitigation in the laws of maritime war;
fare, in some doubt. They are consider
ed by the committee as recommending
such change in these laws as shall ex-
empt the property of individuals from
capture, either by public or private ships
of war, at least when it does not consist
of contraband articles, and is not destined
to a blockaded port. The general be-
nevolcnce which is expressed, as well as
the opinion of DR.. Franklin which is re-
ferred to by the memorialists, seem to
prove that it is their wish that the pro-
perty which subserves no purpose OF wal
should be as safe upon the sea as upon
the iand--not that it should be secured