Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-01-03
MINETEEMTH CONGRESS.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 81, 1925.
IN SEN ATE.


Mr. Holmes, from the Committee Finance,
introduced bill I" supplementary to act for en-
rolling and licensing ships vessels to be employ
ed in the coasting trade and fisheries - which was
read, and passed to second reading.
MIR. Holiness from the same committee, also in
troduced bill to provide for the seizure and sale
OF property brought into the Uned States in vio-
aiion OF the revenue laws, in certain cases. which
was read, and passed to second reading.
Mr.. Harrison presented the memorial of the own
ers masters, and pilots of steam vessels, employ ed
in the navigation of the Ohio and Mississippi Ri
vers, suggesting some alterations in the law enacted
tor improving the navigation of those rivers.
On motion of Mr.. Johnson of Ky. it was
Resoiued, That the Committee the Judiciary
be instructed TO inquire into the expediency of di-
viding the State of Kentucky into two Judicial
Districts, and providing for the holding court in
each Judicial District by the District Judge; and,
also, to inquire into the expediency OF fixing the
compensation of the District Judge at the sum of
two two thousand dollars per annum.
Mr.. Mills presented the petition of Richard w.
Meade, in relation to certain claims against the u.
States, founded the late treaty stipuations be-
tween the United States and Spain which on mo-
ton of Mr. Mills, was referred to a Select Com
mittee Olive.
MIR. Dickerson communicated the resolutions Of
the General Assembly of the State Of New Jersey
requesting the Senators and Representatives of that
State in Congress, to exert their influence in OBJ
tanning from the National Legislature suitable as
sstance for the New Jersey institution for the in
struction of the Deaf and Dumb; which were
read, and laid on the table.
Mr.. Dickerson also communicated the preamble
and resolutions Of the same Legislature, requesting
the Senator's and Representatives of that State in
Congress to their influence TO to be erect
ed Artificial Harbor, or Breakwater in the De-
laware Bay at Cape Helopen; which were
read and laid on the table.
The resolutions submitted by Mr.. Hendricks,
proposing an inquiry concerning the opening of a
Canal between the waters of Lake Erie and the
Wabash river; were taken up and agreed to.
Mr.. Mobiles resolution, relating to the clothing
the Militia when called into the service of the u.
States, was taken up and agreed to.
NAVIGATION OF THE OHIO RIVERS.
The resolution submitted by MIR. Eaton calling
Tor information relative to the removal of obstruc-
tions in the Ohio River, was then taken up
Mr.. Eaton said, the object of the resolution could
be stated in very few words. Last year. $40 600
were appropriated for the removal of the obstruc
tons in the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. That
portion of this fund which had been already applied
to the purpose, so far from producing beneficial
effect, had, he assured from various sources
done considerable injury. His object was, there
fore, to obtain information TO the manner in
which the undertakers have proceeded, that some
means might be adopted to avoid similar error for
the future Something might be done to afford safe
ty to the commerce of that part of the country
There are, Mr.. e. said, between one and two hun
dred steamboats, plying those rivers, large ca
ptal is invested in ihem and the commerce carried
on is to such an extent TO render ii highly
sary that it should be cherished snd protected.
Mr.. Harrison said, this subject of vital
importance to the Western country, and he was
graifed that the gentleman had turned his atten-
tr<.pf t..sE shl,.- Is 10. IL -
morning presented, superseded the necessity of the
resolution. The object of the persons who signed
that memorial was the that contained in
the resolution OF the honorable gentleman; but as it
would do no harm, he should be willing that the
memoirs" and the resolution should both be referred
Mr. II. said, the error had arisen, from any fault
on the part of the contractors but from misconsruc-
ton OF the contract, which had been couched in the
words of the law itself. The fault, therefore, in
reality, lay in the law Some persons, who had
turned their attention to the subject, were of the
belief that the contract had been Improperly con-
strued by the contractor, and by the officer who
superiniended the work; and, Mr.. H said, he had
been induced TO make this statement, to vindicate
the War Department and the contractor from the
portion of blame that might be thrown on them.
MIR. Johnson of Kentucky, thought il his duty TO
state that he well acquainted with the con-
tractor, who had formerly had seat in the Legis-
reputation. He had always thought him man of
most honorable character, and he therefore hoped,
that when the subject came TO be investigated, it
would be found that the rumors that have been
circulated, to his discredit, entirely without
foundation
air. Eaton said, he was not in possession of any
facts on which to ground accusation, and he had
made none. The application before the Senate
merely asked for information 10 the manner in
wi IA M die nd oil itb
all its attendant circumstances, that whatever Con-
gTess thought necessary this subject should be
done, with view to the objects of the appropria-
ton which TO the various distractions
TO the navigation of the river. To shew how i'm
properly the contract had been executed, Mr. f..
adverted to The fact, that the very snsg which
steamboat had struck and which had occasoned
the death of forty Of our liens, now lies ia the
bed of the river, within quarter of mile OF its
original position.
Mr.. Harrison said, the only question TO be ex-
amined 10 the exception of the contract, was,
whether the contracto5had fulfilled bis engagements
or not II there defect IN the law, then no
blame could possibl; attach either TO the Con;rac-
tor to the War Department. Mr.. III. said he
well aware, from information he had received,
that much injury had been done TO the navigation
Of the Ohio, from the application Of portion Of
tne appropriation. So far he agreed with the no.
norsbe gentleman from Tennessee. He only dsa-
greed with him in the superstition that any thing
improper had been done, either by the War De-
pertinent or by the contractor The contract had
conformed to the law; and the contractor had fulfill
Ell he obligation of the contract he had signed.
Therefore, no blame corld attach to him, or to
fhe Department with which the contract was made.
The resolution was then agreed thereto
Mr.. Barton's resolutions on the subject Of the
public lands, was then taken up, and after few re-
IL Mr. in ri 10,
The Senate then proceeded, as in committee Of
the hole. 10 consider the bill 10 alter the time OF