Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-07
VOL. XIII. NO. SS.

must know what use he intends to make of thess
items when obtained, and would no doubt state i.
to the House.
Mr. Ingham of Pennsylvania, observed. that n +,
relation in which he stood 10 the committee &c,
whom this subject had been referred, would, no
nopeu' excuse him for making few remarks be
iosc the question taken. In answe TO the In
curry suggested by the honorable gentleman from
-soF'h Carolina, Mr. Alston,) he could state that
inc accounts OF which the detailed items were Pre-,
posed TO be inquired into, had not, as he under
800" mem, any relation whatever TO the items
Claimed by Mr. NJ. but were entirely distinct from
'ne'n, ana could give aid in forming an o.inion
OIL any part OF the claim. Mr.. l. said that seems,
so many efforts were making by members 10 obtain
me AID ot the House in procuring information On
'ns SUBJECT, he owed it to the committee to state
.."s no.wi'hs,andins the seeming imputation OF
negligence which these resolutions might imply.
'ney l%S gagged in the duty assigned them imue-
u'"teiy ater the papers were put into their hands
anu being aware that the House had adopted reso-
luton, calling Tor information, the committee had
determined 10 wait for the answer In the mean
time, tie had addressed letter to the Secretary OF
inc lreasury, inqniring whether that answer would
contain all the information the Department could
iuFhish on the subject of the claims of Mr. Monroe
10 which the Secretary had replied, that it would
contain all the information in the Department
notwithstanding all this, when the answer was re-
ceived' the committee had directed their Chairman
10 make further inquiry from the State Depart
heh'' -oF winch they are now waiting. From these
iacts 1t would be that the committee could M.
be charged with any neglect of duty or disnos;,or
10 give TINS subject superficial inv estigation If
however, the House thought proper TO interpose,
anu OBTAIN further information, he was not disposed
10 complain; nor would he, said Mr. J. wish 10 be
understood as opposing the adoption of the reso,u-
oh oeiore the House; but he wished 70 call the at
nj frNa pl.~-
iAVo!Vfd In the proposed inquiry. The detailed
items alluded 10 in the resolution. are account.
winch have been long since settled by the proper
oHcer, IN relation 10 which there is no controver
sy now, and II II was intended that the committee
shouid re-eXamne all the details of the various SET
tied accounts OF Mr.. Monroe with the government
IN order TO ascertain whether there may not haye
oeen some allowance made TO him so liberal ar
improper as to constitute proper Offset against his
unsettled claims, he would only say, (saiJ Mr. ~
that such procedure had never been adop,ed IN
relation to any other claim ever presented TO this
government and there was no reason WHY this in
curry should not extend to every other settled ac
count OF Mr. Monroe, as well 10 the items named in
the resolution.
lie could not suppose, said Mr.. l. that the House
did so intend for it was well known IN e,.e,r.
member who had ever settled an account al the
Fuoiic Olhces OF this Government, that thew were
settled with rigor bordering, as we sometimes
thought, on injustice; at all events, with AN ex
tremeiy rigid and severe hand. But should the
Rouse determine TO apply this rule 10 this case as
an exception to all others, the committee woul3
not complain; they would endeayor 10 perfo,ro
whatever duty the House might think proper IN
assign them. in.order, however 10 give members
iiitie more time to reflect upon the subject and
deteraine how far it would be proper to adopt ,h;s
course ne had risen for the purpose of moving 10
lay the resolution on the table He ,yo,I1 -
10 ..afe he, no
gentleman from Louisiana was precluded bv tn
rule fromreTlying,) that that gentleman was NOT.
as had been said by the gentleman from Tennessee
member 1.-THE Select Committee, either at the last
session, or the present. lie would now move IN
lay the resolution on the table.
Mr.. Cooke desired the gentleman from Pennsv,
vania TO withdraw his motion for moment. vbirh
request having been complied with, and Mr.. @.
having obtained leave TO speak third time he oh
served, In explanation and reply, that those items
which had been suspended, the accounlipr officer
had not considered himself authorized to pass: and
It was IN consequence of this, that other and extra
ordinary means had been resorted to- in order TO
have them allowed. II was far from his intention
10 impose upon the Committee any burdens of mn
necessary labor But it was Mr. Monroe himself
who asked that these items might he re-examined
lie had applied Tor compensation for services rem
dered anterior 10 the settlement OF his accounts
The items in question which the resolve referred IN
were general charges stating no particulars There
were but few OF them, and it would not be much
labor TO ascertain whether the details ere TO bo
found in the Department. The resolution conter-
plated no more. One word to the gentleman from
Rhode Island
Here Mr.. Insbam interposad. lie consented to
Withdraw his motion, that the gentlemen from Ten
nessee might have an opp ortunity TO explain, but,
If lac proceeded to general debate, he must again
renew it.
4 III.
peared to hin entirely unn scessary. Tie mover
spoke as if it was wished only TO obtain the items
of suspended account: whereas the ex press words
of the resolution refer TO accounts which had been
settled. Mr.. &. moved to lay il on the table
The question being then taken on laying the reso.
luton OF MIR. Cooke the table, ii was decided in
the Affirmative, ayes 90, noes47