Mr. Findlay spoke against the bill.
The question was then stated, to wit: "Shall the said bill be rejected?" and, after debate thereon, the question being taken, it was resolved in the affirmative—yeas 50, nays 32.
Advance of Money to France.
Mr. Parker then moved that the House take into consideration the bill for the payment of a certain sum of money to the French Republic.
The House resolved itself into a committee on this bill, Mr. Parker in the chair.
Several amendments were proposed, and several members spoke.
Mr. Giles knew that Mr. Fauchet was anxious for this money, and spoke of it as necessary for his operations. He did not know whether to-day, to-morrow, or at what time in particular; but in fact the money was needed. He had another remark to make. This loan of three millions of florins had come upon all parts of the House alike unexpectedly. Before it was known, we heard of no particular complaints from the Treasury, for want of money to raise the fortifications. But now, when the loan was come, the tone was altered, and there was a loud cry of emptiness in the Treasury.
Mr. Gillon said, that gentlemen talked of giving this money, as if we were doing a favor to France. Is this so? We are sending a new ambassador to that country. A very pretty introduction truly he would have at Paris, with our credentials in one hand, and a refusal to pay the debts due to the Republic in the other. We have been in need of her assistance before, and we may want it again.
The committee made some amendments; the Chairman reported them, and the bill finally passed the House.