Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-03-05


otlsly contended that it would bear the strict
est scrutiny, and entitle him tn additional con-
idence and admiration of his country. He
concluded, by expressing his hope that the
papers would be laid on the table, and that
that would become their dormitory.
Mr. GiLMER rose TO give the reasons why
he thought the documents relating tn the tram
sactions in Florida ought to be referred to the
Committee of the whole House, To whom is
referred the bill for establishing government,
for the territory OF Florida. He quoted the
law of the last session to shew that, by it, GER
tain rights were reserved Ia tile people Or
Florida, sc. He alsoiquoted that law 10 shew
what sort of authority the President was to
give Ia officers appointed for FLORIDA, and
compared General Jackson's commission with
the provisions of that law, with view to
shew that the powers granted To him, (bcinS
those belonging to the Captain General of
Cuba,) were greater than those contemplated
by the law of the last session. 1t was impor-
tant, he argued, that, in the establishment of a
system for the future government of Florida,
no such mistake should be committed He
was, with view to this object, about inquir-
Ing into what were the powers of the Captain
General of Cuba, when the Speaker restrained
HIM IN the range of his remarks, by observing,
that the question before the House, THAT of
laying the resolutions on the table, did not
admit OF that course Of debate. Mr.. q then
only added, that he thought il important that
the committee Of the whole on the bill for the
government of Florida, should have these pa
pcrs before them, in order TO detect the error
from which so mucl, difficulty had flowed.
MI. SMYrH made a few remarks in oppO-
sliIon To the motion, founded on the fact that
the mover of these resolutions had been fully
hn.a Il 18Th n. Al.
lns, ought to be allowed the same right. He
hoped the House would b. unanimous in re-
jrcting it.
Mr.. SERGEANT was anxious that the reso-
luton should be laid on the table. Its discus
sion would perhaps consume a week, and ne
was DESTROYS that the superintendent bill
should be- disposed of in order that it might
he taken Into consideration by the state H.
glsiatures that were now in session, but which
could not be done if this discussion should he
fully gone into and also, that other Subjects
actually discussed i'll part should be finally
disposed of.
Mr.. LowNDEs expressed hishone that those
resolutions would be ordered to lie on the ia
Bile. and further expressed his opinion that no
adv antage would result from referring these
d"cumcnts to any committee. The general
facts which they presented were sufficiently
known tn be referred TO in debate on the Flo
rlda government bill, without specially refer
ring them to The committee on that subject.
The whole subject was already before the
tl"use and before the People of the United
States, and he did not perceive that any speci-
al orucr in relation tn these documents was
necessary, nr even desirable &c.
Mr.. MERCER always listened with pleasure
to the gentleman from South Carolina, but
could not yield To the reasons he had urged
on the present occasion. Mr. NJ. was in
favor of laying the motion Oh the table, for
the reasons that had been suggested by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania, (Mr. Sergeant,
and particularly as the legislature of the
state he had the honor in part to represent,
rs well as that of Pennsylvania, was now in
session. He also thought it was expedient
to complete the business of the house in IFS or
der. We had now, he said, TO use COM
mon phrase, many irons III the fire, and he
feared that not one only, but that all of them
would burn, unless more order were observed
IN dispOsinS OF them.
Mr. ARCHER was opposed TO laying these
resolves on the table. Ii that motion should
be ncgativcd. he intended TO move to refer
them to Select Committee, who might take
the subject INTO full consideration, aud in the
mean while tha House could go on with the
consideration ol other subjects. In the course
OF his remarks, he said, that no man could
have Witnessed the progress of this incidental
discussIoa without seeing the deep solicitude
which was entertained by large portion OF
tins house to evade or avoid adiscussion of this
subject. lie now pat it to gentlemen, when
a charge of gross malversa;ion Oh the part of
an officer of this government was preferred
and other gentlemen expressed their sincere
bcIirlia IT, whether they would investigate this
subject OF altogether suppress the discussion,
as som" seemed to wish, sc. &c.
Mr.. SANDERS was in favor of the motion,
for the reasons already suggested IL, relation To
the appnri0ument bl-and he thought the
motion suggested by the member last mp, to
refer the subject 10 Special Coinr1i.tee,
would again open the door 10 a wide debate
Vie would not disguise il, that he wished TO
lay the papers OD the table and TO nail Them
there. Ii was not that he wished to stiff,
inquiry, but ne was Satisfied that protracted
debate on this subject wouid do no cord. I.
COULD cuiy result in an abstract form Of CEN
SIRE or appreciation, without any practical
utility, Sc.
Mr.. WRIGHT replied at considerable length,
particularly to the remarks of the sen;lemar
from Virginia, tNIr. Archery
MI CUrHBRET thought the house had a
night To refuse TO consider subject, when
policy or IFS convenience required, and il
ought not 70 be suffered that minority should
drive majority into such discussion as The
majority should deem inconsistent with the
public good. Such discussion he thought
likely to arise out of the further agitation OF
this question, TO which ne was therefore OPP
posed.
MI SrEvENsoN was 10 favor Of laying the
motion on the table, for the reasons that had
been assigned by the gentleman from Penn
syIyania, Mr.. Sergeant,) aud should vote in
favor OF the motinn on that ground but he
protested against voting for it, for the purpose
Of putting il al rest He hoped it would here
after bc taken up and fully Gi5cussed-aod