Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-01-31

nearly all had now become friendly To il. The
late war had obviously shewn the necessity OF
a Navy. BY that war, il had been fully con-
hrmed that, when we met on equal terms.
We were fully competent To cope with any
enemy, on the ocean. The battles of Lakes
Erie and Champlan bad fully rrfiied all iheo-
r'es against Naval f''rce. The principal part
ot our glory IN that war. was gainrd upon the
water. He believed the description of vessels
referred In in this act Was very use ful-,hat
they furnish employment far our young Off
| GERS, winch he considered a very important
| circumstance. Our seamen are always ready
Tor s-rvice-but not so with the Olrcers-they
require practice, and knowledge of seaman
ship, and to he accustomed 10 command-
these qualifications are only To be obtained in
service In this way they are prepared for
maintaining the glory which The country has
already obtained. .
But still it is possible we may go too far
IN the business of increasing the navy 1t is
always an indispensable duty TO keep an eve
en- the finances OF the country. Congress
should not go to ouch expenditures on account
OF the Navy, as To make that unpopular, which
was Duw popular. This consideration had
| induced HIM To make the remarks on thi sun
ject, which he made tn the Senate the other
day. And he felt glad that the gentleman
from Massachusetts, had seen fit TO amend the
bill, so as TO take the sense of the Senate upon
his view. MIR. Smith said he did not precisely
agree with the honorable member IN regard
to the situation Of the financial concerns of
the county. The probable balancrs in the
treasury could not always be considered as
being at the disposal of Congress When GER
am sums are appropriated for expenditures,
they may be spent within the year and, there
fore, future balances cannot b. safely calcsla-
| ted upon. Ii was stated that there would not
he more than nine millions in the Treasury
on the first January, 1875. 1f the law for
purchasing seven per cent. stock should be- la
ken advantage ofby the holders of that stock.
these purchases would require part of that
amount. The Commissioners of the Sinking
Fund will have right Ia demand nine mil
lions from the Treasury. To meet all the de-
| mands, at least fifteen millions will he necrssa-
ry. on the first january, 1925: and, tn raise
| TINS sum, loan may he necessary. Ii the
| present appropriation were reduced To one
hall the amount AT first pr"iused, he thought
u probable not more than half this reduced
sum would he required during the present
year and, thus modified, he should be will
ling to vote for the bill
MIR. Lowrip said, he had not vet obtained
the information to which hr had allu,.rd.
when this subject was before the Senate some
days since, and was not quite saiitied 10 vote.
ior the bili. He wished to know " hat dis
position was TO he made Of these vessels, if
buIlt. He believed those which we had alrea-
dy, of The same class, had bern, fora consi-
derabie part of the time since the war, out oil
employ and, if this were The ease, il GER
| fanny couIa not he necessary to increase the
number. IL the vessels were absolutely re-
| qulsite, for the good of the service, he would
be willing to vote for building them; even if
II was necessary To borrow money for the
purpose. He thought, however, that bills of
th's nature, making large appropriations, ought
to originate in the other House.
Mr. Parrott made a few remarks in favor
of the bill, and in confirmation of his obser
SatiOns, when the bill was before under con-
sideration.
On motion Of MIR. Haynp, the bill was post
poned To Friday next, and made the order of
the day.
4 The bill for the final adjustment of land
claims in the state Of Missouri, aud territory
"t Arkansas, under French and Spanish titles,
was taken up IN committee of the whole AT
ter some debate, in which Messrs Barton,
Chandler, King of n. Y. Lowrie. and Benton.
took part, the bill was reported to the Senate
and passed to he engrOssed, and read the Sd
| time.
The Senate then adjourned I'LL tomorrow.
! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr.. Webster, from the Committee on the
Judiciary, reported bill more rffecinally 10
provide Tor the punishment of certain crimes
against the U. States, and for other purposes ::
which was twice read and committed.
The resolution yesterday offered by Mr.
Mercer, (calllng on the President for certain
information touching the suppression of the
slave Irade,) was called up and agreed to.
A bill from the Senate, for rewardjng the
officers and crews of two gigs or small boats,
under the command of 1t Francis n Grrqo
n ~, OF the U. 5. navy, was twice read and re-
ferred.
On motion Of Mr.. Owen, il was
Il HeSofred, That the Committee On the Ju-
dietary be instructed tn inquire into the ex-
pedlency OF passing law expressing the con
sent of the General Government To- the reyo
cation of so much of the ordinance adopted
by the convention ofthe state Of Alabama, as
relates TO The na'igabe rivers within said
state, or In such modification thereof as will
enable said states to effect The Improve.
ment of IFS navigabie waters and further To
grant the consent Of the GENERAL Government
to the provisions Of two acts passed at In,
last session of the Legislature of Alabama
one entitled Gan act tO improve the nayipa'
ton Of the Coosa river, and to aid in its CON
nectiOn with the Tennessee waters" and
the other, " An act to improve the navigation
of the Tennessee river"
/ On motion of Mr.. Livingston. IL was
| ReS0tUed. That the Committee on the Post
i Ofice and Post Roads consider and report ON
The proprety of establishing more direct
communication between the seat of govern
ment and the city of New Orleans.
/ On motion Of Mr.. Macarthur, il was
/ RtsoiUed, That the Committee on Military
Affairs be instructed to inquire what further
improvements, VI any, ought to be made in
mi su ks.g. A II