The question on striking out the section was negatived by a very small majority; and the committee rose and reported the bill.
Mr. Stow made a motion going to confine the pensions allowed by the bill to such as should be disabled in actual service, and spoke in support of his motion.
Mr. McKim opposed the motion. The services rendered by the privateers were valuable to the country and ought to be encouraged. The duties on prize goods, he said, brought into the port of Baltimore alone, had amounted to three hundred and fifty-four thousand dollars. This showed the importance of this system in a pecuniary point of view.
Mr. Stow questioned the benefit rendered to the public interest by privateering, and said he was in favor of letting this fund accumulate, and first see whether there was sufficient to pension those having received known wounds in action, before they agreed to extend it to all casualties on board private armed vessels.
Mr. Little asserted the utility of privateers and their efficiency as a means of annoying the enemy, He bore testimony to the bravery they had displayed in all conflicts with the enemy, and to the injuries they had inflicted on his commerce. The enterprising individuals concerned in it ought to be encouraged; for, by the impediments to the prosecution of their enterprise, many had been already discouraged and had dismantled their vessels. If properly encouraged, they would scour every sea, however distant, and ransack every port and harbor in search of the enemy. He was in favor of exhibiting the most liberal disposition towards them.
Considerable further debate took place on the amendment, which was at last agreed to by a very small majority.
Mr. Rhea subsequently moved to recommit the bill to the same committee which reported it, for the purpose of amendment; and the bill was recommitted.
Wednesday, January 20.
Astronomical Observatory.
Mr. Mitchill, from the committee to whom was referred the memorial of William Lambert, and the report made thereon by the Secretary of State at the last session, presented a bill authorizing the establishment of an Astronomical Observatory; which was read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole on Friday next.