The discussion which ensued on the details of this bill occupied nearly the whole of the residue of the day.
The committee having reported the bill, with sundry amendments, it was ordered to a third reading to-morrow.
Neutral Rights.
Mr. J. Randolph said it would be recollected that, very early in the session, so much of the Message of the President of the United States as relates to the invasion of neutral rights by belligerent powers, had been referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. It would also be recollected that another Message on the same subject, or on one connected with it, had been referred to the same Committee of Ways and Means. I understand, said Mr. R. (for my indisposition has not permitted me for some days past to attend to the duties of my seat) that a motion has prevailed to discharge the Committee of Ways and Means from the consideration of that subject. Inasmuch as this discharge may have been effected under an impression that the committee, have been delinquent in executing the duty devolved upon them, I feel it my duty before I surrender the papers connected with this subject, to give some account of the proceedings of the committee. On the eleventh of December the committee instructed their Chairman to write a letter to the Secretary of State, which I will read. Mr. R. here read the letter as follows:
Committee Room, Dec. 11, 1806.
Sir: The Committee of Ways and Means have instructed me to request you will cause to be laid before them such information, on the subject of the enclosed resolution, as the Department of State can furnish.
The peculiar objects of our research are—
1. What new principles, or constructions, of the law of nations have been adopted by the belligerent powers of Europe, to the prejudice of neutral rights?
2. The Government asserting those principles and constructions?
3. The extent to which the commerce of the United States has been thereby injured?