Monday, February 18.
Army Increase.
A bill from the Senate giving eventual authority to the President of the United States to augment the army. [This bill gives the President authority, in case a war shall break out between the United States and any foreign power, or in case of imminent danger of such war, in his opinion to exist, to organize and raise twenty-four regiments of infantry, one regiment of riflemen, and three regiments of cavalry. The President is also authorized to call out the volunteer corps, on all occasions in which he is at present authorized to call out the militia, provided that he does not call a greater proportion from any one State, than he is authorized to call out of the militia, by the law which directs the 80,000 militia to be held in readiness. If it be necessary to carry this law into effect, two millions of dollars are appropriated for the purpose.]
On the question for reading this bill a second time, it was carried—45 to 37.
Capture of French Vessels.
On motion of Mr. Otis, the House went into a Committee of the Whole, Mr. Rutledge in the chair, on the bill encouraging the capture of French armed vessels, by armed ships or vessels, owned by a citizen or citizens of the United States, and for allowing salvage in certain cases. The bill, which proposes a bounty on guns, according to their sizes, having been read,
Mr. McDowell observed, that this bill is similar to the one which was two or three different times negatived at the last session. At that time, he considered the situation of this country more alarming than at present, and the conduct of France more likely to drive us to extremities than it has since been. Knowing this, he did not expect gentlemen would have introduced a bill of this kind. Finding however that gentlemen are not satisfied with things as they are, but are desirous of hiring the people of the United States to make war upon France, though they are unwilling to declare war, and not being willing to give his vote to any such measure, he should move to strike out the first section of the bill.
The question was put, when there appeared 43 votes for it, and 42 against it, and the Chairman said "it is carried," before he declared his vote to be in the negative.
A motion was made for the committee to rise, and negatived—43 to 42.