§ Mr. Alexander brought up the report of the committee, which was received, and the amendments agreed to.
The Secretary at Wartook notice of two clauses, which had been proposed to be introduced into the bill by an hon. general opposite him (Fitzpatrick) he approved of the principle of those clauses, so far as their object was to give the greatest solemnity to the decisions of courts martial by the alterations it proposed of not permitting officers, under the age of 21, to have a seat, or at any rate from being president of a court martial. He had, however, considered it his duty to consult the opinions of several of the ablest officer's upon the alteration proposed; he had not yet been able to procure these opinions, and therefore should not wish at present to say any more of those clauses; he hoped, however, the hon. gent, would not object to the bill being now engrossed, and 696 those clauses might afterwards be introduced.
§ General Fitzpatrickhad no objection to the bill being engrossed, and should reserve himself to a future stage, when he intended again to introduce these clauses.—The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be engrossed