Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-05-26
In SENATE.
Friday, May -, $50.

H.HuH
The resolution offered by MIR. Williams authorizing
the Secretary Of the Navy to make trial of hill Nut
tng's patent cylinder earns coming up III ITS order,
Il was advocated by Mr.. WILLIAMS, chiefly on
the ground that such resolution was lately passed IN
rerard TO Colts firearms, and by Mr.. TAPPAN on
account of the importance of such trials. twas oppos
ed by Messrs CALHOUN, DAVIS, and KING, chiefly
on the ground that there already ample power IN
the Department 10 make such trials and it best on
every account To leave 1t with them
On motion of Mr. WILLIAMS, the resolution was
amended SO as to include the testing Of all such other
inventions in firearms as the Secretary might deem it
proper and expedient 10 test; and the resolution as
| amended was agreed TO.
The Senate took up the bill giving the assent Of Con
grcss TO the ofVrgna Incorporating the Falmouth
and Alexandria Railroad Company, and for other puE-
poses
Mr. ROANE advocated the bill al length, but from
his position and the noise, could not be heard by the
reporter -,
| MIR. TAPPAN and Mr.. HUBBARD opposed the bill
chiefly the ground that the appropriation OF money
in the bill was wrong and unconstitutional Congress
they alleged having right to appropriate money
for such purposes here than i'll any other part OF the
country.
Mr. KING argued with much emphasis that ti's Co
veriment as large and permanent property holder IN
this District was mperaiiyey bound to do lis part IN
the construction of roads streets, and other public con-
veniences. But the appropriation III Tins bill could not
be objected to on this ground 1t was IN express
words compensation, and, as Mr. N lns'sted u small
conversation for carrying the United States mail on
the road, an object which had recently both here and
Elsewhere caused tho Government immense difficulty
and embarrassment On this ground, Mr.. X. insisted
any constitutional objection was utterly ImposSI BILE
| hr WALKER advocated the bill at length chiefly
on the same grounds with Mr.. King, and entered into
particulars to show that the proposed compensation was
small and the object very important.
| Mr. MERRICK argued on the same grounds, dwell
ling partic uary points which showed the great I'M
porance of the measure.
The hour of one having arrived, the action on the
bill was suspended.
SYSTEM OF BANKRUPTCY.
The Senate resumed the consideration OF the bill 10
establish uniform system of bankruptcy throughout
the United States. The question being on MIR. Wall
substitute for the bill
Mr. TALLMADGE spoke at length in favor of the
hill and in opposition to the substitute He entered into
the inquiry why, when all other civilized nations had
legslated the subject, this Government which was
vested with express and exclusive power had neglected
it for forty years and ascribed the neglect chiefly TO the
| free nature of our institutions, account OF winch
some important points of legislation are neglected I'll
they are forced Congress by the voice OF movements
of the people. He gave history Of the origin and
progress of relief for Debtors especially in New York
where, from small beg innings, the adjustment Oh al
IMPRISONMENT for debt in that State was recently car
ried bv the unanimous vote of both Houses. He al
vcrtcd to the present emphatic CALL both from the con
dition and the voice of the country, for purely volun
tary bankrupt law, and deprecated the mixture OF u
with any other matter He argued strongly against
any compulsory corporation provisions at all, and
above all in this BILL but declared that fsuch provisions
should be included he would still vote for measure
which he deemed SO important.
To an inquiry of Mr. Preston, Mr. STRANGE re-
Piled that MIR Wall would probably wish 10 speak on
| Monday, and perhaps some other Senators.
| On motion of Mr.. STRANGE, the subject was lait
over till Monday.
The Senate then adjourned TO Monday.