Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-03-09
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
.Nonduu Eyeniae, March ], lS4l.

After the recess,
The House being in Committee OF the Whole on the
fertilization bill, reported BY the Commute OF ways
and Meuns, - ,
MIR POPE resumed his remarks. lie urged the
committee no. TO insist this time, ON any new mea-
sures of defence il better 10 pest pone IT enrely
Cor the new Administration, and let them take the en-
tire responsibility. He was entirely without authority
10 speak for that Administration, but should lend his
honest and hearty support. He gave credit to Mr. Van
Buren, for the pacific course he had pursued. He
warned gentlemen not to tell the nation they could not
be kicked into il YVES dangerous language 10 SO
excitable people Give the new Administration tar
opportunity 10 ward off the national dangers IT It could
be done with honor and proprety. he should make
no war speeches and reports. he concluded
BY advising his friends to suffer the bill TO pass.
Mr.. LINCOLN addressed the committee ut some
length in favor of an increased appropriation for Bos
ton harbor
Mr. HAND was opposed TO amending this bill By in
sertnp the items from another BILL Mr.. H. was one
who believed should have war. England could mol
sustain herself long without it; he deprecated, howe
yer, all excitement Of feeling. He hoped the conduct
of the people the borders would not be rashy con
demned they certainly had received great provoca
tons. He believed the new improvements IN war were
no objection forts England did not think tor she
was repairing old ones and building new What we
chiefly wanted sufficient forres.es and well.soree
arsrnals This lesson taught BY the experience
of the last war. Tile here paid some compliments t.
the militia not very plainly heard BY the Reporter
Mr. II observed that the whole sum needed Tor the en-
tire system Of fortress defence would cost us but SIX
teen millions He pleaded the necessity and exPed'
ency Of fortress in his own district
The question ON the amendment of MIR. Smith, pro
posinr 10 insert 800 for Forts Preble and Scanned
in Portland harbor and $4,000 for repairing forts at
Wiscasset, Damariscotta, Cas,ne, and Eastport, IN
Maine was then put and decided in the negative.
Mr. JONES moved that the committee rise and re-
mort the bill but Withdrew the motion at the request
of
Mr. w. THOMPSON, who moved an amendment
for the preservation Of the site Of Fort Johnson maroon
of Charleston South Carolina, $6oo0 the case was
precisely similar to that in OH amendment winch mao
been adopted.
Mr. r. read documents from the Department show
ing the need ofthe appropriation.
Mr.. HOLMES explained the facts and supported
the motion of his colleague, urging the necessity oi
speedy application of aid 10 the fort from being
undermined by the He protested, in the name OF
of commercial people, against the meanness ana par
simony which had marked the proceedings OF the al
mnstra,on these subjects lie was irieno Oh ,na'
Administration but he could not approve OF this MIR
n said he did dread d war; and he reproached the
Committee with their iuertness in making prepare
tions 10 meet the case.
Mr. THOMPSON moved an amendment tor the pur'
chase of an arsenal in Charleston In that city there
was neither arsenal custom house belonging TO the
United States If this opportunity was lost, the build
ing used would he bought by private individual.
Mr.. JONES objected to the amendment, and the
CHAIR ruled it out of order.
Mr. JONES moved for the rising of the committee.
Which prevailing, the committee rose and reported
the bill and amendments TO the House.
Mr. WELLER moved the previous question, which
was seconded, put, and carried.
The amendments to the bill we're read.
The item for Fort Macon, North Carolina, having
been read and the question being on concurrence the
yeas and nays demanded and ordered and, being
taken, resulted as follows: Yeas -, nays 90.
So the amendment was carried
The other amendments having been then agreed to
The bill was ordered to its third reading read thre
time, passed, and sent 10 the Senate.