Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-12-22

geoasIy m ade in the phraseology OF
the bill, by making it read g roads or
canals" instead of "roads a~dcanals.
! Mr.. Scott explained to the House,
that the bill had been drawn upin con-
formity to the provisions Of the third
clause ofthe sixth section of the act au-
! thorising the people of Missourito form
q constitution end state gevernment-
which provides that five per cent. OF the
nett proceeds of the sales of lands with
| in the. state shall be reserved for max
! ing public roads and canals; of which
ee-fifths shall be applied, to those
objects within the state by its Legisla-
ture, and the remaining two-6fths shall
be applied, under the direction ofCon.
gress, to the construction of roads and
canals leading to the State. In pursu-
ance of those provisions, accepted BY
Missouri, and thus become compact
between her and the United States, this
bill had been framed, sc. and required
no amendment.
Mr. Rankin further suggested, that, to
make the amendment proposed by Mr..
Smith, would be to change the terms oil
/ the compact, which il was mol in the pow
er OF Congress, being one OF the parties to
, it, to do.
Without further observation, the bill
was passed, and sent 10 the senate for con-
currence,
The engrossed resolution providing for
the distribution of the documents, &c. APP
pertaining to the Congress Of the Revolu-
lion, printed under former resolution of
Congress, was read third time, passed.
and sent 10 the Senate for concurrence.
The.Speaker laid before the House a
letter from the Secretary OF War, trans
hitting report on the petition OF George
Merchant; which was referred.
Mr.. Patterson, of New York, laid on
the table the following:
non attendance Of the Rev.. Mr.. Sparks,
the Office Of Chaplain to this House re-.
| mains vacant.
Resolved, Tha, this House will to-mor-
row at IL o'clock proceed to the election
OF Chaplain.
Mr.. Speaker, on these resolutions being
read, said he felt it the duty Of the chair
TO state, that, on Mr.. Sparks being elect
ed Chaplain, no official notice OF bis ap-
pointment had been given, not having
been supposed necessary. On informa-
ton that it was thought necessary, proper
notice had been given, and the Chair had
been informed this morning that the gen.
tleman referred to had arrived in the city,
and proposed to commence the discharge
OF tho duties to which he bad been called,
by officiating tomorrow.
Mr.. Patterson inquired whether any d..
rect communication TO that effect had
been made to the Speaker by the Rev.
Mr. Sparks.
The Speaker answered in the negative,
intimatlDg he had been informed OF what
he had stated by gentleman, not a mem
Der of the house
Mr.. Montgomery confirmed the fact Of
the Chaplain's having arrived, &c. having
himself knowledge of the fact,
A motion was made to lay the rssolu-
tons on the table.
MIR. Little said he hoped that they
would not be laid on the table, but would
be met and negatived,
The motion to lay them on the table
was negaiiyed.
Mr.. Floyd thought the explanation Civ
en- by the Speaker was sufficient reason
for rejecting these resolves; and was also
of opinion that it would be derOgatory to
the character Of the House TO adopt such
resolutions.
Mr.. Wright adverted to the fact that
ChaplaiHs are appointed in pursuance oil
a Joint resolution, in which the concur
re nee of the Senate is required and that
the Chaplans ara TO interchange weekly
between the two Houses. II was not now
more than week since one of the Chap
Iarns had afforded to both houses the ben
eft of bis prayers, and the turn OF the
other had scarcely come. How indeco-
rous would it be for this House, after APP
pointing man 4 Chaplain and writing 10
him to that effect, to vote such PROPOSE
ton as this. He was sorry he said, 10
see, as be thought he saw, disposition to
shew more respect to one religious
profession than to another, when the con,
sttulion declares that all shall stand upon
an equal footing. He hoped, be said, that
every member OF this House, whatever his
religion, would observe that decOrum
which the House owed to itself as the
Representative oil the American people.
Mr.. Smith, OF Maryland, suggested that
the course proposed by these resolutions
was not respectful to the Speaker of the
House, alter the statement which be had
made
Here Mr.. Patterson rose, and to save
the House further trouble, Withdrew bis
resolves, which put an end 10 this discus.
sion.]
Mr. FarreIly submitted for considera-
ton The following resolve, which lies on
the table:
Resolved. That the Secretary of the
Treasury be instructed TO lay before this