Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-02-22

the motion. A quorum not yet appe arns
The clerk proceeded in the call, Two e.
tber motions To- suspend the call wers
made, and received q similar decis,o"
A quorum by this time appearing, The cali
was suspended and the house proceedsd
TO business.
Mr.. Kent, from the committee on tho
District OF Coluu,bis, to which was 70.
terred the blll from the Senate &" to extend
the charter ii the Mechanics bank OF A
lexsndria, in The District OF COLUMBIA
reported the same without amenduep,.
and a motion 10 pass it TO its third read.
ing having been made by Dir, Kent. ar
MCoy thinking bill OF this cbarsct.,
ought not TO be precipitately acted upoo
but take the usual course OF bills, moved
its reference 10 committee Of the wbole
house.
DIR. Kent explained the situation OF tho
bank proposed to be re-incorporated bv
this bill, and the reasons why IFS char,e,
had no, been renewed, when lbuse of N.
other district banks were.
Mr. Mercer hoped the gentleman from
Virginia would Withdraw bis motion n
commit the bill; and 10 induce him 10 do
SO, proceeded 10 state at some length bis
views of the question He reviewed the
history of the bank in question, its pie.
sent soIpency, and the patriotism with
which, during the late war, it loaned mu-
ney To The government, when il stood IN
need Of it. to The extent Of lis means, &c.
MIR. M'Coy then rose, and said, that ha-
wing had some doubts as 10 the solvent
character Of this bank. which were now
satisfied by the information given 10 the
house by his colleague, (Mr. Mercer) be
would assent 10 withdraw bis motion to
commit the bill:
Mr.. Gilmer renewed lae motion lust
Withdrawn He wa, opposed to the IN.
corporation OF any more banks in this dis
trict, or even elsewhere, and entered into
an argument to shaw that on the true prin.
ciples Of banking, this additional bank
was not necessary in this district, for the
purposes OF society thai no principle OF
Justice required its incorporation and
that this house has nc right to 'egisse to
accommodate The mere wishes OF inter-
esls of individuals, SC. He also made
some remarks on the general impolicy OF
multiplying baBks.
AR. Little was opposed 10 the,refeIenee
of the bill to a,commiltee OF the Whole, he.
cause he verify believed. such a reierence
would prevent its being acted upon a. his
session. He was in favor of this bill, iOr
the reasons which he stated: al the same
time that, it il were an original applica-
ton tor charter, he should be opposed 10
II. He further minated that ii be should
be in congress when the charters all eG-
pre-, he should, unless he very much chan
ged his mind, give a negative 10 die
whole Of them.
Mr. Wright was decidedly in favor OF
the bill. and urged IN strong terms the
claim which that bank, with other Sarks
OF The district, had, from The extensive
aid which they Afforded TO the government
by loaDs, during The late war, &c.
Mr.. Fuller, though willing TO vote tor
this bill from The peculiarly Of IFS clTcun-
stances, gave no credit TO the argument
in favor Of the bank which bad heen
drawn from its patriotism. He hoped It
had more substantial capital 10 trade up
on. Mr., F. noticed also SOM Of The gen
eral observations which bad been made
on the subject Of banks.
Biz. Neale briefly recapitulated the cir
cums,aDces under which this bank pre-.
senls itself for renewal OF its charter, and
gave 10 its application his decided sup
port.
Mr.. Mercer again spoke, with some ar.
dor and considerable effect, ID favor q
the character of the bill, and against lis
compitnent-in defence OF The district
and It's commercial capacity and resour'
Ces. ,.,
Mr.. Gilmer replied also with ability.
founding bis objections on genera PRIME.
pies, rather than on the particular mehn
of this case, though he thought that bsnA
which like this, had but six thousand DOR
lars in circulation, and fifteen lbousanao,
available funds to issue paper upon W.,
arrived at exactly the point at nhIea
was for its own interest, as well as lna' y,
the public, that lis affairs should be Wouuu
up. =, IAN
(The debate upon this sue]ect .S
quite animated, and it is probable Una. =. ~
some time when congress does mol 81 .m
five or six o'clock in The evening anu wi
columns are less crowded than al pTeen.,
we shall endeavor TO give oe'1ei ' "
count ofit, or at least Of the speeches ~
Mr.. GiIuer and Mr., Mercer, on oppos"'
sides Of this question. .m,o.
The question on tsierrDgt'he'ol,l % IN
committee of the whole. Was dscideu ~
the negative, 70 votes 10 90: o.dsr.
The question was then taken Oh 1' Iae.
ing The bill to a third reading. ana 1e''
ded in the affirmative, 66 votes 10 o. AIDA