Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-09

Is
propriety until this information was obtained.
he hopedthe resolution would be agrecdto, even
though il might postpone decision on the claims
until the next session ofCongress.
The resolution was then agreed to.
The Senate then took up for consideration, in
Committee of the Whole, Mr.. Eaton in the Chair, |
the bill autitorisng the Register et'the Land Of
fec Jo,. tie Uesein districto fthe State0 Louisi
ana, TO report upon certain iondctaims pittin the
sad District. The bill was reported to the
Senate, and passed TO be engrossed and read
third time.
The bill reported by the Committee on Naval
Affairs, ''regulating the transportation of gold
and silver buliions specie, and Jewels, and car
rying of passengers, and to prohibit the receipt
of merchandise, in the public vessels of the u
nited States" was taken up for consideration, III
committee of the whole.
MIR. L.los d, of Maryland, said, as he had offer
ed the resolution which gave rise to tins BILL he
thought it his duty to state the views which in |
duced him To propose it. He felt great intc
rest i'll the Navy, and wished to do all he could
to sustain lis honor. He believed the perinis- |
sion to carry specie, had grown up, like many
other ofonr practices, from the example of Eng
land. But, it became now necessary to inquire
how far tic honor and welfare of the country,
and its navy, was compromised by this practice.
Considerable sums of money have been made in
this traffic, by some of our officers; public
vessels have been the repositories and the in
surcrs olthe property otforcign nations, and OF
belligerants. This permission to carry specie
was calculated TO destroy, the fine and chval-
rous feelings the officer to turn his mind from
seeking reputation at the cannon's mouth" to
| interested and sordid pursuits. Farther than
this, the practice was liable to involve us in diff
ticultes with foreign nations; it was an infringe
| IL.
| Il practice, in regard to those nations which had
not the power of resistance, which the more
powerful would never submit to. These con-
sderations, Affecting the character of the coun-
try and the navy, led him to believe that the
transportation of specie, in the public vessels,
ought TO be prohibited.
, Mr.. Lloyd of Massachusetts, said he believed
that the transportation of specie, in public YES
sells, might be permitted under certain regula-
| tiOns without detriment to the service. Great
Britain had allowed this practice in her Navy,
| time out of mind, under restrictions. In our
| Navy there had been no regulation on the sub
ject and it ought not to be permitted to go on so
our vessels were liable to engage in improper
| cruiZes, and to enter improper ports, for the
purpose of carrying on this trade; and it might
| ieopartlisc the peace ofthe country. The trans
portation ofspecic, by our public vessels, GER
l.. thought, it was not proper to prohibit it en-
trelv. The bill now before the Senate contains
the necessary provisions; it provides what ports
| specie may be carried to and from; and what
| countries, under certain circumstances. The
PERMISSION to bring specie, In the national YES
| sells, to the United States, is important to the
country. It's said, that we are III great want of
specie-the cmbarrassnents Of the manuactu-
rers particularly, are said to DC very great-and
how are we to get specie? 1t must come from
foreign countries; and the public vessels furnish
the safest mode of transportation. He believed
that no dishonorable acts could be charged upon
our Naval Officers, in this respect.
Mr.. Lloyd, of Nd rose to explain. He had
not the least intention to charge any of our Ma
| val Officers with improper conduct-but thought
that hetransporiatono specie Jught to be prohi-
| 5ited, 10 prevent conscquenccsw which mighthere-
after result from the practice.
Mr.. Lloyd, of Massachusetts, said he had not
understood the gentleman from Maryland as in
tending to prefer any charges against the Off
GERS of the Navy. He believed there was no
Danger that their honorable character would be
affected by continuing this practice. 1t had not
produced that effect upon the Offices of the
| British Navy. Hitherto, we have had no regard
to the maximum of freight to be allowed for the
transportation of specie. This bill has provis-
IN on that point. In the present absence of all
| regulation the Commanders of the vessels have
themselves received all the benefit accruing
from the freight of the specie. Not so in the
British service. certain part of the freight,
in their vessels, goes to the other officers, and a
part 10 the Greenwich Hospital. The present
bill has SINH ar provision. A certain portion
of the freight money is to go to the inferior Off
aers and to the Navy Hospital fund. Itappeared
| IN flof l,t;1
should, Also be adopted in relation to the trans
portation of passengers. Considerable inconve-
nience has occurred, from carrying passengers.
We have been in the habit of making drawing
4 rooms of the cabins of our public vessels this
is certainly not beneficial to the service. If our
captains can carry their ladies and families in
their vessels the lieutcnants may do the same
and his will be an increasing evil, The bill
proposes checks upon improprieties that may
hereafter occur. Mr.. j.. thought it would be
better to taheup the bill, section after section
in order that it might be fully considered, and
opportunity afforded for amendments, if gentle
men should think proper to oppose any.
Mr.. Smith sad that he was not yet sufficient
ly informed upon this subject, TO go into the con
sidcration of il, at the present time. He, there
, fore, moved lis postponement till Wednesday
next. This motion was agreed tr.
: The bill reported by the Committee on Pub.
f lie Lands, +" to enable the holders of French
British, aud Spanish titles to lands within thai
part of the State of Louisiana situate to the cas-
of the Mississippi river, and Island of New or
. leans, which have not been recognized as valit
, by the validity thereof" was again taken UP
Several amendments, which were adopted wher
f the bill was before the committee of the whole
: agreed to by the Senate; and the bill passed tc
, be engrossed and read third time.