The Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1822-1822, 1822-04-18

mot;on Of Mr.. Rich. we I into considera-
tim o1 the bill entitled an act, in addition
10 an act entitled an act providing tor the
prompt settlement Of public accounts
when Mr.. Rich proposed the following a.
| mendment to the bill: m
SEC. 2. yAnd be 1t jurther enacted, That
| whenever in the settlement OF the accounts
before mentioned, difference OF OPINION
shall arise between the accounting ofncers,
as to the extent OF the credits to be allow
ed under, or by virtue of this act, such
case shall be referred to the Secretary OF
War. whose decision shall be conclusive.
And it is hereby made the duty OF the
said Secretary, to, cause TO be communl.
Gated to Congress, at the commencement
| Of each session, stats ment coihprizihg
| the names of the persons whose accounts
shall have been settled the preceding
year, agreeably to tie provisions OF TINS
act, together with the amount winch snail
have been passed to the credit oi each,
| under the several heads OF expenditures,
and upon other evidence than such as IS
prescribed by pre-existing laws and regu-
lations. -,
SEC. 8. find be 1T further enacted. That
If any person shall swear, or affirm, falsely
touching the expenditure OF public money
! or in support Of any claim against the v.
States, he or she shall, upon conviction
thereof, suffer as for wilful and corrupt
| perjury. !,
Mr.. Cooke moved that the bill, together
| with the amendments, be committed to a
| committee of the whole house.
Mr.. Rich opposed the motion to whom
| Mr.. Cooke replied. Mr.. Rhea also made
| few remarks, not so much on the motion
as on the merits Of the bill, which he dis
approved, because it''would be opening
| door to things which be did not like to
mention. Mr.. M'Coy opposed the motion
and incidentally supported the bill; and
| Mr.. Newton gave the bill his decided ap-
probation:
On motion of Mr.. Williams OF N. G.. the
bill was then ordered to be laid on the ta-
BILE, and the amendments submitted by
Mr.. Rich, ordered to be printed.
The House then again resolved itself IN
to committee OF the whole, Mr.. Smith,
of Md. in the chair, on the bill to pay the
officers and volunteers in the Seminole
campaign, for horses lost in that service.
The question before the committee was
! on motion made by Mr.. M'Coy to strike
out the proviso; but he withdrew the mo-
ton with an intention Of renewing il in the
House.
The committee then rose and reported
the bill as amended, and the question was
on concurring in the amendment, which
required the accounting officers to deduct
from the value of the horses TO be paid
for, the amount allowed and paid for the
use and service thereof.
The. amendment was opposed by Mr..
Cannon to the extent to which it went;
and he supported, at considerable length,
the justice and good policy of indemnify
ing the volunteers for their losses, as pro-
posed by the original bill.S
Mr.. Woodson also spoke at some length
on the same side and to the same effect.
Mr.. Tucker of Va. briefly submitted the
reasons which restrained him from voting
to grant the compensation claimed tor the
! volunteers.
Mr.. Rhea replied, and
Mr.. Moore, of Alab. commended, in a
speech of some length, that justice, equl-
ty, and good faith, according to the I'm.
Outstanding with the volunteers, required
that compensation for the loss OF horses,
&c. ought to be made TO them.
Mr.. Metcalfe took the general position
that where the soldier has received less
than the value of the horse tor MS service,
the difference ought to be paid tor his loss
but not more, and spoke some time in sup
port of his opinion.
Mr.. F. Jones replied to the arguments
of Mr.. Metoalfe and advocated thejustice
and equity OF indemnifying the sloss OF
horses, &c. sustained by the volunteers.
| NJ 40 rHc In
shew the propriety Of modifying the bill
! Gin the manner subsequently stately /
! Mr. Buchanan advocated the general
principle of compensation for the horses;
| and
! Mr.. Gilmer contended that the Tennes-
| see troops were already fully paid, and
this additional allowance was not demand
ed by justice or equity.
The question was then (about hive O.
clock taken on concurring in the amend
ment reported by the committee OF the |
whole, and decided in the negative.
AYES 60
NOES IS
Mr.. Woodcock then moved the amend.
ment he had previously intimated, which |
was, in substance, to deduct any allow
ance previously made for the use of the |
horse, unless the volunteer shall shew that |
he was re-mounted; in which case the de-
duclion shall only extend to the time such
volunteer served on foot; and provided,
that fany payment had been made to any
volunteer for clothing, such payment shall
be deducted from the sum to be allowed
! for bis losses.
Some debate took place on this amend
ment, on the part of Messrs Edwards. of