Part 274

VAN RENSSELAER, KILLIAN K., Representative from New York, 36, 124, 187, 315. See Index, vols. 2, 3.

VARNUM, JOSEPH B., Representative from Massachusetts, 36, 124, 187, 315; on measures of non-intercourse, 114; acknowledges the thanks of the House, 114; elected Speaker, 125, 126; remarks, 126; against petition of Elizabeth Hamilton, 215; acknowledges the thanks of the House to him as Speaker, 399; Senator from Massachusetts, 400, 566. See Index, vols. 1, 2, 3.

Vermont, vote for President in 1808, 27; in 1812, 573, 711.

VERPLANCK, DANIEL C., Representative from New York, 36. See Index, vol. 3.

Vessels Registering and clearing.--See Index, vol. 1.

Veto, Executive, on the bill providing for the trial of small causes in the District Courts, 410.

Vice President CLINTON, decease of, 531.

Virginia Bounty Lands, resolution relative to, 527, 710.

Virginia, vote for President in 1808, 27; in 1812, 573, 711.

Vote of Approbation.--In the House, to approve the conduct of the President, considered, 127; an alteration has taken place in the manner of doing business at the commencement of Congress, 127; message of Jefferson to Congress, 127; wisdom of suspending the speech of the President to Congress, 127; an answer to the address was in fact the greatest opportunity which the opposition to the measures of the administration had of sifting and canvassing those measures, 127; whatever goes to take away this opportunity, goes to narrow down the minority, or opposition, 127; the present is an occasion which behoves this House to express its opinion on public affairs, 128; it is due to the executive, 128; resolution moved, 128; this proposition contemplates a novelty in our legislative proceedings, 128; where would it end if the House were now to make a solemn resolution, approving the conduct of the President, 128; to adopt the resolution at this time would not comport with the object of the mover, 128; the conduct of the last administration in this respect met the approbation of the country, 129; postponement moved, 129; in his proclamation the President has deserved well of his country, 127; is this an abstract proposition? 128; is this House to have no influence on the conduct of the Executive? 130; the President is condemned by some for his proclamation, 130; how the non-importation act was repealed, 131; prospect of good terms with Great Britain, 132; this act of duty which the President has done is only an ordinary one, 132; why then give him our approbation? 133; indefinitely postponed, 133.

War, Declaration of, against Great Britain.--Confidential message sent to the Senate by the President, 415; do. from the House, 415; the act declaring war as passed by the House, 415; read twice and referred, 415; debated in committee, 415; amendment proposed, 416; motion to postpone to the first Monday in November, 416; a general view of the situation of the country--of its means to carry on offensive operations, as well as to defend itself, and of the situation and relative strength of the country we are required to make war upon, 416, 417; our situation upon the lakes to Detroit and Fort Malden, 418; motion lost, 418; amended to authorize privateering on Great Britain and France, 418; bill passed on committee, 418; reported to the Senate, correctly engrossed, 418; moved to postpone to October thirty-first, 418; not a time to declare war, 418; the Senate should not act from passion or any considerations which do not arise out of an extended and distinct view of the interests of the country, 418; neither the government nor the people had expected or were prepared for war, 418; you have an immense property abroad, a great portion in England, and part on the ocean, hastening home, 419; the question of war had been doubtful till the present moment, 419; it was supposed they were obliged to advance, or become the object of reproach and scorn to friends and foes, 419; if we were doubtful as to war, how could, how was it to be known by merchants and others that the nation would be wantonly plunged in war, 419; we should select the time when the first shock should be least disastrous and best resisted, 419; what should hurry us into war, 420; question on postponement lost, 420; motion to adjourn carried, 420.

In the House.--Bill to declare war against Great Britain reported, 55; read first time, 558; opposed, 558; question on the rejection of the bill lost, 558; amendment moved, 559; lost, 559; moved to recommit the bill and amendment, 559; ordered to be engrossed and passed, 559; returned from the Senate with amendments, 560; moved to lay on the table, 560; lost, 560; moved to postpone indefinitely, 560; lost, 560; moved to postpone until October, 560; lost, 560; moved to postpone to July, 560; lost, 560; Senate amendments concurred in by the House, 560; signed by the President, 561.

WATERHOUSE, BENJAMIN, petition relative to inoculation of the army, 709.

WEAKLEY, ROBERT, Representative from Tennessee, 127, 187, 315.

WELLESLEY, LORD, extracts from his letters to Mr. Pinkney, 361.

West Point or Washington as a location for a military academy, 531.

WHARTON, JESSE, Representative from Tennessee, 36; presents petitions from the officers of the revolutionary army, 56. See Index, vol. 3.

WHEATON, LABAN, Representative from Massachusetts, 124, 187, 316, 424, 577; on the admission of the Territory of Orleans as a State, 321; on pay of the army, 582; on the policy of the war, 652.

WHITE, LEONARD, Representative from Massachusetts, 424, 577.

WHITE, SAMUEL, Senator from Delaware, 3, 27, 116. See Index, vols. 2, 3.

WHITEHILL, ROBERT, Representative from Pennsylvania, 36, 124, 187, 315, 424, 577. See Index, vol. 3.

WHITMAN EZEKIEL, Representative from Massachusetts, 141, 188.

WHITESIDE, JENKIN, Senator from Tennessee, 118, 176, 325.

Whitney's Patent Right to the Cotton Gin; renewal of.--In the bill for the relief of Eli Whitney considered, 533; moved to strike out so much as related to a renewal, 533; although the bill assumed the character of a private act, it involved considerations of great national importance, 533; source of authority over the subject, 534; here is a delegation of power to promote science and art, and a description of the mean authorized to be employed, 534; the distinction between the mean and the object should be kept constantly in view, 534; this renewal is not intended or calculated to promote science or useful arts, 534; the object of the constitution is attained by granting monopolies for a limited time to future and not to past inventions, 534; the passage of the bill is a departure from the intent of the constitution, 534; the operation of this bill will levy a tax on Georgia and Mississippi and Louisiana Territories only, which is not a uniform tax throughout the country, 534; the right of using has been purchased by the Legislatures of some of the States, 535; the patent expired four years ago, and an unqualified right then vested in the people of the United States, 535; the famous case of Miller vs. Taylor, 536; English decisions, 536; has Congress the right to divest the people of their right? 536; the passage of this bill will render justice to Whitney, 537; he has received but trifling compensation, 537; case of Whitney vs. Carter, 537; absolute necessity of the gin to bring the cotton of the United States to market, 538; extract from Edwards' History of the West Indies, 538; the case of Arkwright, 538; committee rose, 538.

WIDGERY, WILLIAM, Representative from Massachusetts, 426, 577; on the temporary embargo bill, 547; on the imprisonment of American seamen, 597; on an increase of the navy, 602.

WILBOUR, ISAAC, Representative from Rhode Island, 36; supports the resolution for immediate measures to liberate American prisoners in Carthagena, 95. See Index, vol. 3.

WILKINSON, GEN. JAMES, letter to Speaker of the House, 227; claim of, report on, 312. See Index, vol. 3.

WILLIAMS, DAVID R., Representative from South Carolina, 36, 425, 577; on submission to the late edicts of England and France, 75; opposes the resolution for immediate measures to liberate American prisoners in Carthagena, 95; against immediate arming of the public vessels, 99; on an extra session of Congress, 102; on establishing a quartermasters department, 477; against a naval establishment, 499; on the temporary embargo bill, 547; on increased pay of the army, 581; on pay of the army, 586; on an additional military force, 611. See Index, vol. 3.