Mr. Nicholas thought the question was not fairly presented. It was whether they should man the frigates. But when they were called upon to determine this, they should know when they would be ready to receive the men. The probability was that the frigates would not be ready to receive the men before the next session of Congress.
Mr. Dayton (the Speaker) was in favor of the original proposition. He wished to provide for manning all the frigates which could be got ready before the next session of Congress. He believed if they adopted this plan, unnecessary delay would be prevented.
Mr. Parker was ready to vote for the proposition of the gentleman from South Carolina. He believed the frigate in Philadelphia might be equipped, rigged, and manned, in three months. The only reason why he varied his motion was, that he might include the next proposition; but he believed it would be better for them to stand separate, as, before he voted for the additional vessels, he should wish to know how the means were to be got, and for what purpose they were to be used. The vessel at Boston, he said, would not be ready so soon, but it would be in readiness before the next meeting of Congress; that at Baltimore would be in readiness to receive her men in four months.
Mr. S. Smith said, the frigate building at Baltimore would be launched on the 4th of July, and the equipments were in greater forwardness than those for the frigate at Philadelphia.
Mr. Baldwin was against referring this proposition to a select committee. It would be desirable, indeed, to know what the cost of doing the business would be, but every one knew how little to be relied upon were estimates of this kind. He was ready to vote for manning the frigates; indeed there was no question upon which he was so ready to say aye, as upon this.
The question was about to be put on Mr. Livingston's motion, when
Mr. Varnum said he thought the wording of the resolution improper, as the word "completing" would clash with the act of last session.
The question was put and negatived, 50 to 34.
Mr. Macon wished the frigates to be completed, but not manned, he therefore moved to strike out the words "and manning."
The question was put and negatived; there being only twenty-four votes in favor of it.