Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-01-03
Saturday, Dec. 81.
The Senate did not sit TO day.
HOUSE OF REpRESENTATIN

BOUNDARY OF MISSOURI.
| Mr.. EDWARDS, in accordance To previous notice,
asked and obtained leave introduce bill declaring
what the northern boundary of The State of Nilsson
ri which was read twice and referred TO the Commit
tee On Territories.
NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
| On motion of Mr.. BRIGGS, it was resolved, that
when the House adjourn it adjourn to meet on Tues
day next.
Mr-STC DUTY FREE.
Mr. J. r. INGERSOLL, from the Committee 0!
Ways and Means, reported bill to remit To the dlrec
tors, church ardens, and vesrymen of ST. Peters
Church, in South Carona, The duty on chime OF bells
which read twice, and committed TO the Committee
of the Whole.
SURVEY OF BLOCK ISLAND.
MIR. WILLIAMS of Come ctIcut, from the Commit
tee on Commerce. reported joint resolution authoriz
ing the Secretary of the Treasury TO survey to
be made Of Block sln-, with view to provide for the
shelter of vessels, and appropratng FIVE hundred dol
lars for this purpose and resolution read twice
and committed to the Committee of the Whole.
GENERAL APPROPRIATION ELL.
Mr.. FILLMORE, from the Committee Of Ways and
Means, reported bill making appropriation for the civil
and diplomatic expenses of the Government for the
fiscal year ending the Both Of June, 1914 which was
read twice, committed TO the Committee of the Whole
the state of the Union, and ordered to be printed
ADMEAsUREHENT OF TONNAGE.
| Mr.. KENNEDY, of Maryland, remarked that there
was bill reported at the last session of great impor'
tance-he meant the bill to alter the mode Of admeasur
ing the tonnage of ships vessels employed IN the
merchant service of the United States; and he hoped
that the House would indulge him by taking his bill
there was great pressure of business before
them.
TCrics of"Agreed," "agreed."]
The bill then read; and The question being stated
on its engrossment
Mr. KENNEDY, of Maryland, said tha, this bill
was reported by the Committee of Commerce last
session, in obedience to call made Oh the Committee
through communication from the Treasury Depart.
men,, incosng letter from Foster Rhodes, a naval
constructor al The present time. The subject had been
brought to The consideration CT the country in various
forms, before il was presented to the deberaon Of
Congress; and they may have observed IN the news
papers and other periodicals. frequent discussions on
the propriety of changing the mode Of measuring the
tonnage Of vessels The mode now in adopt
ed as long ago the first of September, 1889 and
which was analogous TO the British method at thai
time and was very we'll calculated 10 answer the pur
pose; but in consequence of the many changes which
had since taken place in ship building, some other
mode Of admeasuremen Mt should be adopted.
! Mr.. AYCRIGG was in favor Of the bill, but he OBJ
ecied the second section IN relation 10 the admea
suremcn of the tonnage o.! steam vessels) and
that il be stricken
Mr.. CUSHING said that when he perceived thu
this bill operate tie great shipping interes,
OF the country, 10 compel total change in the mode
OF constructing coasting vessels and Others although
he did not undertake 10 say that the bill ought
pass he did say that The ect required mature reec
| ton the part of the House; and he trusted tina
they would not, half hours discussion, permit it
passage this time but allow the bill to be laid over 70
the purpose Of giving them opportunity TO compare
the opinions of gentlemen of practical knowledge will
the intention Of The measure proposed.
Mr.. KENNEDY of Maryland observed, that ever,
shpbulder would say that the present mode of measur
ing vessels erroneous; and that they light wei
guess by looking at the rigging TO depend upon IT
If merchants should build their vessels in whateve
form they pleased, all that the people asked was, tina
the tonnage should be uscertnned by correct rule.
| Mr.. WILLIAMS of Conn, was in favor Of the bill
because the present mode of ascertanng the tonnag
of vessels very unequal and uncertain.
MIR. CUSHING moved to postpone the further con
sderation Of the bill for a fortnight.