The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-05-01
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
THURSDAY, ApRIL 1S-ATr. Floyd laid the
following resolution on the table -
Rssolred, That the President of the U. S.
he requested TO cause to be communicated to
this House, if not injurious to the publick,
amy letter or communication, which may have
been received from Jonathan Russell, ESQ.
one of the ministers OF the United States,
who concluded the treaty Of Client, after the
signature of that treaty, and which was writ
ten in conformity TO the indications contained
in said minister's letter, dated at Client, 25th
December, 1914.
Mr.. Van WICK moved to take up the mo-
ton to print 5000 copies of the report ON re-
trenchment-the motion was nesatived..
Mr.. Wright moved to take up the bill relat-
ing TO fugitives, slaves, &c. but his motion
was negatired.
Orders Of the day.
The House then resolved itself into a COM
mittee of the whole, MIR. Condit in the chair,
on the bill making further appropriations for
the military service Of the United States for
the year 1922, and for other purposes,
Mr.. Chambers, of Ohio, moved to strike out
the paragraph providing for fort Calhoun
This fort is situated mole opposite fort
Monroe, on Old Point Comfort-it is calculat-
ed for 216 guns, and 60 mortars-and fort
Monroe for $50 guns, besides mortars. The
two are intended to guard the entrance of
Hampton Roads. The distance between
them is less than mile.
Considerable debate arose on Mr.. Chambers's
motion.
Mr.. Cecke stated that the contract to lay
the mole upon which this fort was built, was
made by Mr.. Christopher Handkerchief, chief
clerk in the War Department, in the absence
of the Secretary of War. The contractor
was Mr.. Nix, brother-in-law TO Vanderven-
ter. He undertook the work for cempensa-
ton of $4,000, being S. a perch. Suisse
quently, however, Mr. Vanderventer teol1
half Of the contract for himself They pro-
cured the work to be done for Just half the
compensation which they received from gov
eminent, viz. s 1 80 perch clearing there
by, S150,000! MIR. Cooke further stated
that in conversation with Mr.. Vanderventer
he had inquired of him whether notice was
given OF this contract in order TO receive pro-
posals therefor. Mr.. Handkerchief replied
that every body knew of il. Mr.. C. observed
that there was one he was sure who did not
know Of it. Mr.. Handkerchief said that it
was not to be expected that it would be uni
versally known in Tennessee. Mr.. G.. then
asked whether publick notice was given, and
Mr.. V. answered that there was not. Mr..
Cooke stated also that Mix was a person with
out property, and without character which
was confirmed BY other gentlemen. The de-
bate continued till four o'clock, when the
committee rose without having taken the
question: reported progress. and had leave to
sit again and the House adjourned.
FRIDAY, APRIL l9.-The resolution sub
mitted by Mr.. Floyd, yesterday, requesting
information respecting certain correspondence
with Jonathan Russell, ESQ. Minister from the
United States to form the treaty at Client,
was taken up and agreed to.
The House then resolved itself into COM
mittee of the whole, (Mr. Ccndit in the chair,)
on the bill making further appropriations for
the military service for the year 1822-Mr.
Chamberss motion to strike out the appro-
prialion Of 5 ,000 for Fort Calhoun, being
under consideration. 4 debate ensued which
continued until the hour of adjournment.
SATURDAY, APRIL 20.-Mr Hardin. from
the committee on retrcnchment, made re-
port accompanied by bill for reducing the
compensation-of Senators, Representatives and
Delegates of territories, to s. per day, and
the mileage to a like sum for every 90 miles.
Also Of the Clerks, Messengers, &c. of the
two Houses-which was committed to the
On motion of Mr.. Floyd, the message Of
the President relating to the claims of Russia
to territory on the Pacifck Ocean, was taken
up and referred 10 the committee on the occu-
patton of Columbia River
Mr.. Bassett, Of Va. reported bill in con-
formity with his resolutions submitted some
days ago., TO secure the faithful disbursement
of publick monies, and the prompt settlement
OF accounts, which was read twice and COM
mitted TO the whole House on the state of
the Union.
Orders Of he day.
The House took up, in committee of the
whole, the military appropriation bill, Mr..
Condit in the chair.
The question was taken on the motion Of
Mr. Chambers, to strike out the clause for
Fort Calhoun, and decided in the negative
Mr.. Butler proposed an amendment, pro-
hibitins any part Of the appropriation being
applied to The fulflnent of contract with
J.. Mix aIr. p. said dat facts were disclosed
yesterday, which afforded very strong pre-
sumption Of fraud in this affair. lie believed
the facts stated 10y the Chairman OF the COM
miitse. ~ any rate, he wished TO guard
against fraud on every occasion, a1d hoped
II. amendment would lpe adopted.