Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-01

The debate was continued by Messrs. Johnson
OF Md, Davis and J. M. Clayton, in favor of The
bill, and by Messrs. Allen, Colquitt Cass and
Calhoun in opposition IL was passed, ~ 10 ~.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES..
The journal was read, from which il appears
that The Speaker had appointed the following
committees:
On Mr.. Schenek's yesoluii0n-Messrs. Schenck
of Ohio Dobbin Of N. c., McIlvane of Pa, Thur
man of Ohio, and John A. Rockwell OF Conn.
On Mr.. Pettn's observation-disclosures. Petit OF
Ia, Vinlon OF Ohio Jefferson Davis OF Miss, d.
P. King Of Mass, and Wilmot of Pa.
Mr.. Thurman said he should be under the ne
cessity OF leaving the city tomorrow or next day,
atiarlhest, and he therefore asked to be excused
from serving upon the committee on which he
had been appointed. The request was granted.
MIR. Giles offered a resolution, which was
adopted granting The use Of the Hail. after the
adjournment to-day for an exhibition OF the pu-
pills from The Institutions for the Blind OF Boston,
Philadelphia and Virginia.
The Speaker announced the Smithsonian Bill
10 be the first subject in order.
Mr. J. r. lngersoll hoped the House would
frsttake up and act ubon very important bill, in
relation 10 certain Treasury notes which were
purloined from the Custom House at New Or
leans, and had fallen into the hands Of innocent
holders, who were suffering from the neglect of
Congress 10 provide for their relief.
The Speaker said the Smithsonian bill being
the special ORDER il would require the unanimous
consent OF The House 10 take up any other.
Mr.. Owen moved TO 60 into Committee Of the
Whole, which motion prevailed, and (Mr. But
OF S. G.. in The Chair,) the consideration of the
Smithsonian bill was resumed.
Mr. Sims OF 5. c., spoke briefly against the
eonslitutionaty OF accepting the trust devised by
Mr.. Smithson, and hoped that the fund would be
returned unimpaired and in the meantime be con-
sidered as in The Treasury Of the United States
and the States Of Arkansas, lllinoi, and Mich.
gan deemed indebted 10 the Treasury to the
amount Of their bonds in which this fund was in
vested.
Mr. John q. Adams advocated The substitute
which he had offered for The bill. He wished 10
catch the bear before we sold Tho skin. He de-
MED that The fund was ia the Treasury, and il
would be necessary 10 collect the bonds before we
could establish this institution.
MIR. Sims said that in a report made by The
honorable member from Massachusetts few
years since, he had taken the ground that the be-
quest should be deemed 10 be in the Treasury,
and that the States whose bonds were held, were
10 be taken as debtors 10 the Treasury, and not 10
the fund.
made, he had had experience which had
taught him that the money was net in the Irea-
sury.
TMr. Adams was here interrupted by mes
sage from the President Of the United StaleS, stat
ing that he had yesterday approved and signed "a
JOINT resolution concerning the Oregon Terrific
y."l
Mr.. Adams. A very auspicious interruption,
Mr.. Chairman-a very suspicious interruption
Mr. A. then went on to argue, that the money
was not in the Treasury, and tina! it must first be
got there before it could be expended
Mr.. Thurman said he had heard it stated that
this fund had been invested in the bonas OF Ar
kansas, &C., without any authority in law, and
he respectfully requested the gentleman from
Mas, 10 enlghten him on that point
Mr.. Adams replied that the fund was not in
vested without authority, and that before It's arri
val in this country proposals were invited from
capitalists and others by public advertisement TO
take the money upon interest The offer OF the
Arkansas bonds was accepted for lhe greater por-
lion of the amount, but as TO the particular rea-
son which led 10 The selection he must refer the
gentleman TO a certain Senator from Arkansas,
who knew more about il than any one else.
Mr.. Adams was opposed 10 most Of the provi-
sions OF the present BILL and particularly TO The
Normal School He was in favor Of collecting
an extensive library.
MIR. Rathbun thought The delay that had taken
place in executing the trust was disgrace 10 the
country, and he maintained that We were under
the obligation, both in law and morality, 10 make
good The fund if we had either wasted il or misap-
propraed il.
The debate was continued by Messrs. Jones of
Tenn, Ficklin of ILL.,, and others.
The debate was continued until half past three
o'clock, when the Committee rose, and tbs House,
after adopting MIR. Hopkinss resolution, 10 ter
inmate the debate in one hour after going into
Committee, adjourned.