Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1822-01-01

gale on the. Sd of September last, had
DESTROYED the barrie that had been
raised to protect the battery, and that
it was necessary to have permanent
and expensive repair, by stone wall.
Experience had proved that wooden
walls were not sufficient In these re-
pairs the United States must join, IT
thew continue to hold the property. and
the expense was estimated at $4,000
dollars. Fort Clinton, however orna-
mental to the har Dor of New York, was
pseless to the United States. 1t was
built upon an artificial island formed OF
stones thrown together like pyramid,
without cement.
The consequence was, that when the
guns were fired (which, he believed, had
never been done except to return a
salute) the fort evidently settled down,
and fears had been entertained that it
would fall by its own noise. 1t might
invite the enemy, but could not protect
the city. This artificial island was con-
nected with the main land by bridge
built of wood. 1t had been completed
in 1914, and year or two since under
went thorough repair, at an expense, it
was said, Of 5000 dollars, and it was
shewn that the worms perforated it SO
destructively that it would be necessary
to rebuild it once in about z years,
which would evidently cost the United
States large and unnecessary sum of
money.-Mr. C.. also adverted to the
condition in the original grant, as re-
ferred to by the member from Tonnes
see, (Mr. Cocke,) and claimed that law
and Justice required the re-conyeyance.
as the contingency which it contemplat-
ed had arrived. Mr. G. further stated
that two guard houses were originally
erected at the extremity of the bridge.
which. since the removal OF the Com
mander of that district, had been con-
verted into grog shops, to the great an
noyance of the wives and children of
the citizens who resorted to that prome-
nade-and this, too, if not In defiance,
vet in disregard of the civil authority.
Mr.. Hubbard believed there could be
no possible advantage resulting to the
United States from retaining the premi-
ses. He therefore moved so to amend
the bill as to render it the duty of the
Executive to reconvey the premises
without any condition annexed to the
retrocession
After some further discussion of the
subject. Mir. Hubbard withdrew his
amendment, and Mr.. Ross moved to
amend the bill as to limit the discretion
OF the Executive to a retention of the
materials of which the fort was com
poseo.
This motion was supported by the
mover, and opposed by Messrs. S.
Smith, Golden, Tracy. Cambrelepg,
Cooke, and Hubbard, principally on the
ground that the removal of the materi-
ais might involve the United States in
greater expense than an unqualified
REIMBURSEMENT They thought it most
expedient to refer it to the discretion
of the executive.
Mr.. Tracy submitted proviso to the
| amendment, which was lost; when the
question being taken ON the amendment
of Mr. Ross, the same was negatived,
| and the committee rose and reported
the bill to the House as amended.
The house concurred in the amend
ment, and the bill was ordered to be
engrossed for third reading;
MIR H. Nelson moved that when the
House do adjourn, it adjourn to Mon
day next-which was carried.
Mr.. Rankin submitted the following
resolution:
RESOLVED, That the Secretary Of the
Treasury be instructed to 'inform this
| hoase what causes have rendered por-
ton Of the public funds unavailable. de-
signaling the places md times at which
they have been received. and the sum
at each place unavailable. Also, what
hank notes he has instructed che receiv-
ers of public moneys of the Land Offices
severally to receive in the payment
of public lands; what rules or reasons
have governed him in making such bank
| notes receivable atsuch Offices; whether
the notes of any bank, not redeemipg
it's notes by specie, have been received,
or now are receivable, in payment for
public lands; what legislative provisions
! if any, are necessary to prevent an ac-
emulation of unvailab e public funds,
and for transmitting safely. the public
moneys received at the several land Of
/ fees of the u. States to the Treasury,
or other safe places.