Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-05-25

AIR. r. johnson objected 10 this course, and
then the House, having given leave tossit
again, went into Committee Of the Whole,
Mr.. Condict in the chair, on that bill.
variety of amendments were proposed,
the greater part of which were adopted. I'VE
should suppose that the amendments, in all,
considerably exceed one hundred.) The bill
was then reported to the House, as amended,
and number of farther amendments were
proposed and carried. One Of the amend
ments proposed by Mr.. Moore of Ala.) went
to extend the privilege of franking letters, dur
ing the whole time any member retained his
right to n seat on the auor. Another (ofered
by Mr.. COcke) went 10 repeal that privilege
as now extended to so days before and after
the sessions of the House, and con6ne it TO
the time the House is in session-while anoth-
er, lohered by Mr.. Cook.) took middle
course, and extended that privilege to GO days
before and after the session.
MIR. McDuIfe moved an amendment appro-
prating fifty thousand dollars in aid of the Post
Olhce Department, 90 enable il TO meet the
additional post routes now agreed to and he
supported his amendment by a speech, in
which he advocated the principle Uf expend-
ing the funds of the country for the diffusion
of intelligence.
After much discussion, this amendment was
adopted-ayes 76, noes SO.
The bill and amendments were then order
ed to be engrossed fora third reading.
On motion of Mr.. Cambreleng, the House
went into coMmittee Of the whole, Mr.. Cobb
in the Chair. on the bill making appropriation
for the payment Of the claims of Daniel d.
Tompkins, late Governor of the state of New
York
Mr.. Wickliffe moved TO amend the bill by
striking out that part of il which allows inter-
est on the commission allowed Mr.. T. on dis
bursements for the government.
The letter of the President Of the United
States on this subject, was read.
Mr.. A. Stevenson went into history of the
settlement of MIR. Us accounts, and advocated
the propriety of the allowance proposed in the
bill an principles of public Justice He dwelt
with warmth on the services Of the individual
concerned, and insisted that the appropriation
was no more than his due.
Mr.. Wicklife acknowledged the merits of
MIR. TompkiDs-but commended that his claim
was TO h. put on the same footing with every
O. her. He went into an examination of Sc
veral provisions OF the bill-to many of which
hr did not shject-bnt could not assent TO the
allowance of interest on commission. This
was not required or warranted by any statute
nor was it allowed in private transactions.
Mr.. McLane, of Del. spoke in reply--al-
lowed that If there was nothing to discrimi-
proper 10 make the allowance but contend
ed that 1t was case of MAJ ked and very pc
cuar character. He showed that the injuries
OF the individual concerned arose from the
inability OF the government to pay his just de-
mands at the time when they were due-he
stated the promises under which he had acted
IN aiding the government, the violation of
those promises, and his consequent ruin; he
contrasted the principles on which govern
ment had settled with others, and commended
that, even il the bill passed, he would not he
as well dealt with as they. He adver,ed to
the pressure on the national cradit during the
late wars and insisted that rules, which appIi-
| ed in time of peace and tranquility could
not, with fairness, be applied To transactions
under all tue exigencies and risks of state oil
| war.
The debate was farther continued by Messrs
Warheld, and WickIige, who opposed, and
Mr. Stevenson, who supported the bill.
Mr.. A. Stevenson moved to amend the bill
by striking out all after the enacting words. and
inserting the following: "That there shall be
paid to Daniel d. Too1pkins out of any mo-
ney, &c the sum of s 1856 99 OF deducting
thereirom the amount paid him in virtue oil
the act To amend an act appropriating GER
! tain sum of money for the relief Of Daniel D.
Tompkins, amounting to S---as full COM
pensation and discharge for his claim against
the United States, arising out Of. advances
| made. losses sustained, and services rendered
| by him, during the war between the United
States and Great Britain: that being the
| amount found due to him frsm the United
States, by the verdict of the jury in the case oil
the United States of America vs.. d ID. Temp
| kns, decided in the District Court of the u
states for the Southern District of ". York
That the act heretofore passed, referring the
claims oi said Tompkins, shall be, and is here
| by, repealed"
On This amendment discussion arose, in
which hlcssrs. Stevenson, Cady, Cambreeng
lnghan, Forsyth, and Williams of N. G.. took
| part.
Mr.. Cady of New York, wishing TO state
certain facts more fully, and to express his
views on this subject, moved that the com
mi'ee rise.
The motion was not carried-ayes 20, noes
70.
Mr.. McDuiiie Supported the amendment OF
Mr.. Stevenson, as going 10 enable Congress 10
do an act OF justice to meritorious indvidu-
al, without involving any principle whisl
| might be drawn into injurious precedent. He
| testified IN the most explicit and cordial man
ner to the merit and value of the services OF
MIR. Tompkins during the late war, and re-
marked nn the rninous consequences which
had ensured 10 his pri, ate fortune.
MIR. z. p Barbour took the same side, and
| observed that, if there was on his side the
grave an object Of interesting contemplation,
II was great and good man struggling amidst
surrounding difficulties, and in danger Of be-
ing overwhelmed by them. All his impress
sions concerning the conduct ofthe individ ma
concerned in this bill were Of the most favor
able kind, and he did not know whether he
might NOT, unconscously, he tao much inlu.
| enced by his feelings To BE- q perfectly unbas-