Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-06
Twenty-fourtll Congress--Rstsc ss
Monday, February |.
IN SENATE

The Chair communicated report from the Solicitor
of the Treasury made in compliance with resolution o.
the Senate Of the last session, relative TO tic claim OF
the heirs Of Silas Elliott deceased; which referred
to the Committee the judiciary.
Mr. Mexican presented the memorial Of the Cham
Der Of Commerce, Of the city Of Phadelpha soliciting
the attention Of Congress to that important public work
the Breakwatcr in the Delaware Buy, and praying
that such appropriations shall be made to insure It's
completion; which referred to the Committee on
Commerce.
Mr. Porter presented the petition of sundry citizens of
New Orleans praying for an appropriation tor Light
House on Lake Poncharrain which referred to the
Committee Oh Commerce
Mr. Wright presented the petition of Julian Chastean
and others, of New York. which referred to the Com
mttee Commerce. The petitions Of sundry citizens
Of New York, praying indemnity for French spoliations
prior to 1900 which laid on the table; and the petit
ton Of sundry merchants Of the city in behalf of
certain officers of the customs particularly the weighers
and easurers praying tor Iacreasc OF their compen
saton; which referred to the Committee OH Com
merce.
Mr. Knight presented the petition of sundry merchants
of Rhode Island praying indemnify for French spoia-
tions prior TO 1900 which laid the table and or
dered to be printed.
Mr. Buchanan presented the petition Of the Reverend
Bishop White and the Rector and Church Wardens of
- Church, Philadelphia, praying permission TO I'M
port bell for said Church. duty free to replace that
has been broken Referred to the Committee Finance.
MIR. King, Of Alabama, presented the memorial of
sundy citizens Of Alabama, protesting against any
ty being made with the Cherokees recognizing
tons detrimental to the settlers the public lands
and producing benefit to tho Indians themselves;
which referred 10 the Committee Indian Affairs
Mr. Niles presented the petition Of sundry citizens cf
New Haven, Connecticut, setting forth the exteodina
services, the great merits and the untiuy teAe 81
Captain Nathan Hale of the revolutionary army, and
praying that monument may be erected to his Hemory.
MIR. Niles and said, hold i'll my hand two petit
tions signed by of the first citizens OF Connecti
cut; among the six gentlemen who have been
members Of Congress- the Chief Justice and Governor
of the State These petitions present for the considera-
ton of Congress- the extraordinary services and untmc
ly and melancholy fate of Nathan Hale, youthful pa
triot of the Revolution praying Congress to erect a
monument to his memory near the sepulchre of his
fathers.
l understand that similar petition presented to
the last Congress, and referred 10 the Committee on
Military Affairs, who reported favorahy in respect to
the facts and the great merits of Capt Hale but deem
ed xpedent then to recommend any action the
part Of Congress.
But at this time when cloud hangs over country,
when threatened with the long sword Of France;
when there is some DANGER trust not much, of our be-
ing involved in there may perhaps be dispo
son to cherish in the breasts of American Youths that
spirit of PATRIOTISM that devotion to country aud that love
Of fame, which constitute large portion Of the
means of national defence.
However this may be- it is my duty to present these
petitions. had thoughts OF taoving for u special CON-
mittee, bat fearing that may te deemed asking too
much, shall move reference to the Committee on
Military Affairs aud have TO beseech that committee
give to the subject further consideration.
Was it not that petition on this subject appears to
have been presented to the Senate the last session.
should suppose that honorable Senators might inquire
who is Nathan Ha!e? AS this Of somewhat an
unsual character hope 10 be excused for offering lew
suggestions on the subject.
Captain Hale was of those youthful patriots and
heroes, who, when the first gun was fired in neighbor-
ing colony when the first blood Of American reenen
was shed in the streets Of Lexington, abandoned his
hoe his studes and all the prospects of peaceful pur
SUITS and repaired to the scene of danger.
The first intelligence of these events was received In
the the Eastern border Of Connecticut on Sa
surday; and Gen. Putnam received the news when
poughDg in his field. This American Cncinnatus i'm
nedately left his work. and repaired 10 Boston, leaving
his plough the urroso, where it remained until he re-
turned from the war. Farther west in the towns on
Connecticut river this news was received on the Sab
bath, and during the hour of public worship. In many
instances notwithstanding The devotional character of
that people, the public worship was suspended and the
meetings dissolved In other places individuals more
front of the church, beat the drum sgnat TO arms
when might be truly said that there were no Sab
baths in revolutionary times. - = 10. = -.
Among the youth who arousedb by these appeals,