Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-01-22
REPORTED FOR THE NATIoSAL INTELLIGENCE
Eighteenth Congress.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
FRIDAY, January 9,l824.

The House resolved iself into "a commit
tire of the whole. Mr.. Taylor in the chair, on
the following bill
Bull Tor the rriief Of Snal Perry mother Of III
I'ie Oh,ei II. Ply
Be IL enacted &C. That here shall be allowed, and
pa'd, Ia Sa'th P,rry, mother OF Oliver III iza,d Per-
nv. iaIe Captain III The Navy Of the Uuued States
pension, annuity, OF three hundred dollars pc,
annua, payable half yearly, from and ljrr the pas
sse OF liis act, for and during The term OF her nntu-
raj life, oT"ny money IN Tie Ireasu,, not other
wise appropriated.
Mr.. FULLER ofNassachnsetts, stated the
facts of the case for which the bill vas intend
ed To provide. The House were all in the r, =
memhranre Of the Victory obtained on Lake
Erie, in 1918, its brilliant circumstances. and
i's important results When the death of thu
gallant officer, whn achieved that victory, be-
came known 10 Congress, in the year 1919, a
bill vas introduced, and promptly passed:
which made provision for the support of his
wife and children. For some reason to Mr.
unknown, thu name of his mother was not
inserted in the bill and she had remained en-
tirply dependant on OHe of her sons. now no
more, who supported her As long AS he lived
A second son, who was a Liputenant in the
Navy, continued her support after the death
of his brother but, three years since, was
lost at sea by an accident with which the
House were all acquainted. Ii was then that
application was made by Mrs Perry, whose
last dependence was taken from her, for pub.
lie support A bill was last year brought into
the House for her relief, but from pressure
of business or some other Cause, had been
neglected To be acted upon. The presen; bill
had the same object. Ii proposed but slen-
der support, and the object Of its provision was
far advanced IN years. He trusted the bill
would pass without opposition.
Mr.. HAMILTON of South Carolina, asked
for the reading Of the memorial of Mrs. Perry,
which being completed
Mr. HANILToN rose, and addressed the
House to Tie following effect
hold il, sir, position not to he conirO-
veripd, thpt country or government IS quite
as much bound, by the obligations Of graft
tude, as ah individual. That these obligations
result from great and extraordinary benefits
conferred on the commonwealth, producing
claims which it is the province of Just aud
enlightened natioH 10 canvass and appreciate
Aud further, that, in a republic like ours.
where W. give nothing To- pride and luxury.
these claims, involving pecnnary bounty.
are 10 be- considered 10 reference To the ex-
tent and character Of the services on which
they are fUuHded The ability Of the govern
ment to discharge them the existence of all
s0luie want of the party to- be relieved, and
that the relief itself be controlled by the prac-
tice aud msxims Of a wise and judlcious fru-
gsliiy II is under these principles, which
regTdas altogeiher automatic in the polity 81
very civilized government, that propose to
bring thecase Of Mrs. Perry.
The claims Of this lady are founded on the
exalted services Of her son, Oliver Hazard
Perry. who. 10 the hour Of -" your utmost
need" won for you victory ofNas' and To-
| esiimabie importance. On this claim PEI
culisi and emphatic Strengths conferred. 10y
the fact that your hero did not more cntirciy