Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-07

on nOtiCMOl MI. itayne, resolution was
then laid on the table; and
The Senate proceeded to the consideration OF
Executive business, and after some time spent
therein, Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
MIR. SIorrs, from the Committee on Naval Al
fairs, made report adverse to the expedency of
establi hing Navy Yard at Charleston, in the
State OF South Carolina, and at suit able point
on the ST. Mary's River, in the State of Georgia;
and also, to the expedency of establishing naval
depot at Savannah; which was referred to the
Committee OF the Whole which is referred the
amendment, proposed 10y the Senate, 10 the Naval
appropriation bill.
Mr. Storrs also made a report adverse TO the ex-
pedency of the establishment OF Navy Yard
wi hin the waters of the River Thames. in the
State OF Connecticut which was ordered 10 lie upon
the table.
Also, report adverse TO the establishment of
Navy Yard and Naval station within the waters
OF Narraganset Bay, in the State of Rhode Island
which WAS ordered TO lie upon the table
Also, report adverse 10 the establishment oil 4
Navy Yard at Baltimore, in the State OF Maryland;
which was ordered 10 lie upon he table.
Mr. oIoanc, v1v,...--:..aa of Elections
made report of the names of all the members OF
the House of Representatives, who have been
duly elected; which was ordered TO lie upon the
table
The resolution yesterday offered by Mr.. Mercer,
of Va calling on the Secretary of State for infor-
nation respecting certain African Captives seized
In the bafbor OF Pensacola, was all agreed to.
THE SLAVE TRADE.
| On motion OF Mr.. Mercer, the following. resoIu-
ton takenup:
ResOlred, That The Committee on the suppress
sion OF the Slave Trade be authorized if necessa-
ry to the discharge OF their dlty to send Tor persons
and papers
Nr. Mercer, in supporting this resolutions Offer
ed lew remarks explanatory of the object. Il
woHd probably, he said, be the Of detecting
one oil the most s,upendous frauds which had ey Ell
received the inadvefiest sanction oil Court o.
justice any where, or at any time. 1t would be
attended with no expense, he said, the testimony
was at this moment within reach
MIR. Forsyth said thai he believe the custom o
| the House never sanctioned the giving of The au-
thorlty TO send for persons and papers unless III,
COMMITTEE asking Tor 1t expected TO prove thai
some person or persons had been guilty of of
renee against The United States which could be pun
ishei by the Intervention of this House But if nc
such expectation could nationally be entertained If
TINS case, and the subject of inquiry was a mer,
matter OF suspicion and oal uncertainty there could
DE no proprieiy in granting this power. If al
oHence had been committed by private individuals
| The law was open, and sufficient penalties wer,
provided without any interpos,ion of Congress-
re- therefore, desired the honorable gentleman
from Virgins 10 declare whether he expected i
mus empowered, to be able 10 prove that any pub
lie oihcer had been guilty oil malfeasance in Office
so as 10 call Tor the inteposilon OF the authority
this House
MIR. Mercer replied, that there were two object.
/ IN view which lie expected TO ACCOMPLISH by IN.
resolution. The first was, to supply the dafec, Of
! information obtained by this House in answer &c
us call on the President of the United States for
report OF the proceedings of the Federal Court o.
Alabama IN relation 10 the African captiyes taken
on board certain vessels which fell under liz iuris
diction. The Marshal of that Court happened to
De al inns moment III the City, and could supplv
MS testimony, the knowledge sought by the Com
mitee. He had inquired of member from Aja(a-
ma as to the credbity of this witness. and had
Deem informed his testimony was entitled to espec,
whether IL would condemn or acquif>the Jadge
concerned, he was unable TO say il might lead 10
MS acqll'tal One other object he was obliged, in
| c'ndor, to state. He understood that there had
been a very fragrant omission TO execute the laws
OF Inc Union In the case OF these slaves which
omission had led TO the stupendous scene OF fraud
| to which lie had before alluded He hoped. and
believed that the Judge had had no particpa,iop in
'nat fraud; and ne wished to see his character vim
dIcated if he were innocent
Mr. Forsyth said he had never understood that
any such charge as that mentioned by the eentle-
/
Judge to whom his remarks referred If. however
the gentleman had any expectation of being able
D. 'he exercise OF the power of this House TO in
culPa'e his conduct, he should have no obiec,io,
70 granting the authority asked for Bat it would
seem the object OF the gentleman wss-rather to ex-
cupate, in which case he should object to givine,
the authority required. He was well acquainted
wuh The Judge alluded to, and did not think hs
conduct needed vindication
MIR NJ ercer said that n vvas M, IL. H.. ,
excuipaie any one; but to investigate the state NJ
the facts lie did, 10 be sure, hope that the Jndoa,
character would be excupated but he did not NV
any means, know that such would be The result he
thought 1t was the duty OF every gentleman. when
speaking publicly on this floor of he character Of
another, to use the utmos, caution, and no, IN
express any opinion to his disadvantage without
proof.
Mr.. Forsyth now waived his objection. anil tbo
resolution OF Mr.. Mercer was agreed to without
opposition.
On motion OF Mr.. Vance of Ohio, il was
ReSotred, That Select Committee be appo;n,ed
to inquire into the expedicncy of fixing the No
thern boundary between The State of Ohio and The
territory OF Michigan and that said Committee
nave leave To report by bill or otherwise
members. e'
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION.
lhe House then again resolved il seIfinto Com
mi''ee oil the Whole. Mr.. McLane, OF Del. in the
Chair, on the amendment to the Constitution. nro-
posed by MIR. McDuffie.
mI. stevenson, OF Virginia, rose and addressed
me ohmittee in opposition to the second resolu-
uon oil MI nc Lnihe, which proposes the dis
'rcung oil all the States for the election of pre-
>ideni; and in favor Of the first resolution en- "a,
as respects the removal of the Presidential election
from the House Of Representatives; bur proposing
in case OF failure by The Electoral College 10 se1d