Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-01-10
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

cock, John c. WTight-S7.
SO the Resolution was agreed 10.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1928
Among the Petitions presented to-day, we no.
uce the following as of public character, viz
By MIR: Dwight of Massachusetts,, and by Mr..
Buck, OF Vermont-From citizens of those States
respectively, for the Colonization of free negroes Oh
the Coast OF Africa Laid on the table
by MIR. Barber-Of citizens of New London,
Norwich, and Preston, in Connecticut, for further
protection for wool and woollens
BY MIR. Swift-Of citizens of Vermont. of n sim
liar character.
BY Mr. Aiexander-of citizens of Mccklenburg
in Virginia; and O.
BY Mr.. MIR. Mitchell, of S. Cor citizens OF
on imports.
An these were referred to the Committee on
Manufactures.
PUBLIC DEFAULTERS.
-, Mr. McDuf1e, from the Committee of Ways and
Means, reported bill: An Act to prevent defal-
cation In the disbursing Agents OF the Government
and for other purposes.
THE ARMY
MIR. Hamilton, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, reported bill to continue the present mode
of supplying the Army of the United States, and
Tor other purposes appertaining TO the same.
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL.
Mr.. Mercer, from the Committee on Roads and
canals, made report, accompanied with bill to
- :
hrming an act of the Legislature of Virginia, in
cooperating the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Com
pany," and an act of the State of Maryland for the
same purpose. Which bill was twice read and
committed for tomorrow.
MIR. Mercer also reported bill AUTHORIZING =
subscription to the stock of the Chesapeake aud O.
hIo Canal Company.
CUMBERLAND ROAD.
Mr. Mercer, from the Committee on Roads and
Canals reported bill for the preservation and re-
he md load 10 ,r A. .:u
heretofore before the House for the same purpose
The bill was twice read, and committed for to-
morrow.
Mr.. Mercer also reported bill for the continu-
ance OF the Cumberland Road. This bill was twice
read, and committed for Tomorrow
ORLEANS ROAD.
DIR. Mercer, from the Committee on Roads and
canals, made report, accompanied by a bill to
regulate the laying out and making of National
Road, from the City of Washington in the Dis
tict OF Columbia, to New Orleans in the State of
Louisiana. The bill which accompanied this report
was twice read, and committed for Tomorrow
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.
The following resolution offered some DAYS since
by Mr.. Maxwell, was taken up and read
Resolved, That the Secretary of War be di-
rected to communicate TO this House the report of
the Engineers employed to examine and ascertain
the pracicability ofunting, by Canal, the waters
OF James and the Great Kcnhawa rivers"
And the question being on its adoption,
MIR. Floyd of Virginia, said, that he was not al
together satisfied with the resolution. He bcliey-
ed they had got all the information they want
ed In Virginia on the subject of it, We, in
Virginia, (said Mr.. F.) have some feeling as TO
the conduct Of the Administration on that point
The late Governor OF that State seemed to think
that the Engineering performed there by order of
the General Government, was merely bride for
her good opinion; and Mr.. F. did not know that
his opinion on that subject was very different from
his own. Why the United States Engineers
should have been employed for so many months
In surveying this route between tie James and
the Great kenhawa rivers, (said Mr.. P.) can
not myself very well understand. But this know
that all the money of the United States would
not make canal between those two rivers. Be-
tween the James river and New river, which is a
branch fthe Kenhawa, grant it may be done,
but not between James River and the Great Ken
haWa itself. Why is this survey pressed upon us
when our own Legislature has long ago caused
the same route to be examined by an Engineer
VINO was the master and instructor of this very
brigade which has been engaged so long in the
survey, and which, l understand is to be employ
ed there again next season. IL has greatly the APP
pearance Of political design OH the part of the
Administration. In indulging such an opinion
hope do them no justice; 1 would not willingly
do this, for they have sins enough, God knows, TO
answer Tor without being charged upon suspicion
Entertaining these views, f~have prepared an a.
mendment 10 the resolution, which now offer TO
the House.
" That the President Of the United States be
requested TO cause to be lai : before this House,
the instructions given to the Engineers who have
been ordered 20 examine the passages through the
mountains Of Virginia, with a view TO the location
OF turnpike roads, rail roads and canals. Also COM
municate what progress has been made in the va
rious works, how many surveys have been
completed-how much has been done Of those
unfinished, and how many unsurveycd or
unexanined which il is complated TO examine
How many Engineers have been employed in
that service-their rank and pay: likewise, how
many men have been employed by these Engi-
neers in that service and if not finished, at what
time it Is presumed this work will be completed -
have made some alterations as will be seen in
the form, Us well as the extent Of the resolution
For new practice has Of late orept in the mode Of
doing business in this Government. This House
instead Of calling for information from the Presi-
dent Of the United States calls upon his Secreta-
ries, who are the mere creatures Of law; nav, so
far has this gone, that even the Secretly Of
Department, instead Of giving, upon his own res.
possibility condensed statement Of the facts in
qured for, goes 70 his clerks, and sends in bulk
the reports Of these clerks to the Hon Secretary
himself, for The House 70 make what they can Of
them BY this mode Of cding, all responsible.
lily s shifted from tho President or his Secretary
and Il erroneous information is sent 10 the House
and any nquiryis male, why, forsooth, j. was