The Mirrour — Concord, N.H., 1795-01-09 00:00:00, page 1

Congrejs of the United States.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
DECEMBER 9."
MR. W. Smith said, he had d letter from
Magdeburgh, in Germany, addressed
to C'ongrefs. A number of families there
want to emigrate into this country, but be
fore they ventured on that step, they wished
to have answers to several queries which they
proposed. One of these excited a general
(mile in the House. It was, whether there
was in America, a quick demand for Physi
cians and Divi NES ? .Some other queries
were to afcereain, whether money could be
borrowed, if it should be wanted to carry on
manufactories, such as tan works.
The Speaker, (Mr. Muhlenberg) inform
ed the House, that there was an incorporated
. German Society in Philadelphia, who had
already sent to Germany, a full answer to ev
ery query of this kind which could be put ;
and this paper had been published; But he
would take care that the letter should have a
proper answer. [The Speaker himfelf is, we
understand, President of this Society^
Mint of the United State!.
The House then went upon the Mint. The
letter of Rittenhoufe, the Director, was again
read.
Mr. Boudinot drew the attention of the
House for some time, by a series of the most
interesting observations. He went to the
bank of the United States to enquire for cents
—He was told that there were none to be had.
because the bank could not get them from
the mint—He then went to the mint, where
he was informed that cents were not coined
fafter, because the officer of the mint did not
know where to get them Dinted! He said, this
mint cost 24,000 dollarsper annum, and ev
ery cent coined there, cost the public federal
cents, though he could not tell how many.—
In Newjerfey, far more cents had been coined
in afro months, than had ever been coined al
together at the mint of the United States,
and this had been done at onefourth part of
the expense which the mint of the United
States has cost.
Several members adverted to the prodig
ious inconvenience which is felt all over the
Union for want of Copper coin—And it ap
peared to excite some curiosity on what foun
dation the officers of the mint have said they
could not get their cents vented. It was re
marked by Mr. W. Smith, that, except as to
Philadelphia, the mint is of little or no use
whatever. The cents given out never go
farther than the city.
A committee ofthree members is appoint
ed to examine and report on the state of the
mint, and what means may be used to ren
der the inftitutibn more beneficial to the U
nited States.
tZBTCBptD
dec. 10. Mr. B. Bourne read the fol
lowing resolution :
" Resolved, That provision should be
made for effecting the transfer of so much
of the stock standing to the credit of any
state, pursuant to the report of the commis
sioners for fettling accounts between the
United States and individual States, to the
creditors et such state as may be necessary to
fatisfy their refpe&ive demands', with the
confentef the said state and its creditors."
The resolution is referred to a committee
of the whole House to morrow.
It was then moved, that the House mould
take up the resolution for naming a commit
tee to consult with that appointed by the
Senate for stating what business was to be
done during the present session.
After some debate, the House divided for
taking into confederation the message of the
Senate —Ayes 35 —Noes 24.
The main question was then put, shall this
House appoint a committee to confer with one
from the Senate, and report what further bu
siness remains to be done, during the prefect
session. Gentlemn in the affirmative were
not mere than ror 6.
Dec. 11. There was a message from the
President, inclofing a letter from the Secre
tary of the Treasury refpeaing the mode of
military fopplies, read by the clerk.
A letter Was likewise read from the Secre
tary at War to the Speaker of the House, Bat
ing the difficulties attending the establishment
of an uniform system of militia.
The House resolved ittelfinto a committee
of the whole, on the amendatory bill for reg-.
Waringthepayof hon-commissioned officers,
musicians and privates in the mili::a, when
Stilled into "anal Service ?'''<'^^^
" After f^e difcuffion,' the bill was report.
/WAX I
'©fie Whrronr.
- - - — —
CONCORD, (NEWHAMPSHIRF,) PRINTED AN D PUeMshE D BY ELIJAH RUSSELL AND MOSES DAVIS. _ ;
) ^—= = M — -
VOLUME III.].
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ed by the chairman, and ordered to be eh
groffed for a third reading.
jDec. 12. The bill for regulating the pay
of non commiflioned officers, &c. was read a
third time, and passed.
This bill provides, that the allowance of
bounty, eloathing, and pay, to the non-com
missioned officers, mufeians and privates of[
the infantry, artillery and cavalry of the mi-J
litia as the United Stam, when called into'
Rdnal service, mall be at the rate per month
as follows : Each sergeant-major and quar
ter-matter sergeant, nine dollars ; each drum
and fife-major, 8 dollars and 33 cents ; each
sergeant, 8 dollars ; each corporal, drtimer,
fifer, and trumpeter, 7 dollars and 33 cents ;
each farrier, saddler and artificer, (included
as a private) 8 dollars ; each gunner, bomba
dier, and private, 6 dollars and 66 cents.
That in addition to the monthly pay, there
shall be allowed to each officer, non commis
sioned officer, musician and private, of the
cavalry, for the use of his horse, arms and ac
coutrements, and for the risk thereof, except
ofhorfes killed in action, 40 cents per day,
and to each non commissioned officer, mufi
'cian, and private, 25 cents per day in lieu of
rations and forage. When they shall provide
the fame.
That whenever the militia shall be called
into the a&ual service of the United States,
their pay shall be deemed to commence from
the day of their appearing at the place of
battallion^ rigamental or brigade rendez
vous allowing to each non-commissioned of
ficer, musician, and private soldier, a day's
pay and rations, for every fifteen miles from
his home to such place of rendezvous, and
the fame allowance for travelling home from
the place of discharge.
That in addition to the pay heretofore
authorized by law, there (hall be allowed and
paid to the non- commissioned officers, mu.
ficians, and privates of the Militia lately call
ed forth into the adual service of the United
States, on an expedition to Fort-Pitt, such
sums as shall, with the pay heretofore by law
established, be equal to the allowances ref
peaively provided in the firft fedion of this
That for the completing and better sup
porting the military establishment of the
United States, there shall be allowed and
paid, from and after the firft day of Janua
ry one thousand seven hundred and ninety
'five, to each non-commissioned officer, muu
cian, and private now in service, or hereafter
to be enlisted, the additional pay of one dol
lar per month, during the terms of their
refpedive enlistments.
/ Mr. Heath read the following resolution.
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Trea
sury cause to be laid before the House a state
ment of the balances remaining unpaid, if
any, which may have deen due by individu
als to the United States, previous to the 4th
of March 1789, and whether any or what
steps, have been taken to recover the fame.
And also a statement of t^e funiry sums
of public money, which may have been en
trusted to individuals previous to the said 4th
day of March, 1789, and have not been ac
counted for. < f N
Mr. Heath introduced this resolution with
some remarks on the impropriety of making
new loans, if any thing could be had from
the debts dpe to the United States.
It was agreed to take up the resolution—
Mr. Sedgwick moved to refer it to a felefc
committee—He observed that a gentleman,
who was not at present here, (Mr. Jeremiah
Wadsworth) and who knew more of the pub
lic accounts of the United States than any
gentleman in tne House, had always opposed
motions of this kind. He gave as a reason
that the people could not get their accounts
fettled with the Treasurer after waiting for
months. 1 his arose from the confyfion and
loss of documents ; and it would be wrong to
be hasty in publishing such persons as debt
ors."
Mr. Fitzfimons said, that ever since the
new* government had been established, ten
or twelve clerks had constantly been employ
ee in endeavouring to fettle these accounts
between the United States and individuals.
He was riot fare but what these debts have.
cost more trouble to the United States than
they are worth. > '°
The House then took up the following res
olution moved by Mr. Blount that a commit
tee be appointed to bring in a bill for regu
lating the pay of the commissioned officers
of the militia of the United States, Mr. B.
said that the low pay of the soldiers in the
F RID A Y, January 9, 1795.
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tent, than the high pay of the commissioned
officers.
, Mr. Blount moved that the House fliould
go into a committee of the whole on this fub
jeft. Mr. Parker seconded the motion.
Mr. Fitzfimons was for a feted committee
in the firft place.
Mr. Cairborne argued for a feled com
rmitjee in the firft place. He said that 4057
§ dollars per annum were given to amajer gen
%tal, which would be Sufficient for paying 28
or 29 men. This was an absurdity, and the
army were sick of it. He wanted a feled com
mittee firft, that some kind of shape might be 1
given to the resolution.,
Mr. B. Bourne had never heard any
complaints against the payof the mi
litia officer# as too high. He had
heard complaints on many other pay
ments made to government, such as
fix dollar# a day to members of that
House. He would think it very im
proper to make any diftindtion be
tween the pay of officers in the mili
tia, and the other 'troop,. We have
been railing the pay of the privates in
the militia fbmewhat above that of
the regulars ; and now it is proposed
to reduce the pay of the militia offic
er# below that of the regulars. He
thought that all thia had somewhat
odd appearance.
The resolution was referred to a
committee of the whole on Monday.
Dec. 15. Mr. Nicholas brought in a re
port from the committee appointed to exam
ine and report on the measures taken for the
defence of the frontier, and what further
steps are necessary for supporting the milita
ry establishment of the United States. The
.report was read.
The House next resolved itfelf into a com
mittee on the motion for the redu&ion of the
pay of commissioned officers of the militia.
On the suggestion of Mr. Muhlenberg,
(the Speaker) the original resolution was re
ftrifted to these words—" Resolved, as the
opinion of this committee, that the pay of
militia officers, ought to be reduced."
After some remarks from different gentle
men, the committee disagreed to the resolu
tion. The chairman reported that they had
come to no resolution; and the question
was then taken on the report of the commit
tee, to which the House agreed. The Yeas
and Nays were taken, and were, Yeas, (that
is, against the resolution) 50, Nays 29.'
It was moved that the House do resolve it
felf into a committee, on that part of the a&
of appropriation, which relates to the pay of
the militia. It was accordingly done—-Mr.
Cobb in the.chair.
That part of the bill was then read, and
Mr. Fitzfimons moved, that a fam not ex
ceeding one million, one hundred and twenty two
thoujand, nine hundred and fat, nine dollars,
should be allowed for the expenses of the
militia of the United States, in the weftern
expediticn. b
After some further conversation, it was
proposed by Mr. Fitzfimons, and agreed to,
that the sum should be left blank. The com
mittee then rose, the chairman reported, and
the House agreed to the resolution. 1 ,
Mr. W. Smith next read along report from
the committee appointed to enquire into the
means of accelerating the difeharge of the
public debt. It was moved that this report
should be read a fecund time immediately,
which was done, It was then referred to a
committee of the whole House on Thursday.
The Comptroller of the Treasury, in be
half of the Secretary, has reported the estim
ates relative to appropriations for the services
of. the year-1795
By which it appears—That making pro
vision for deficiencies in former grants, and
for sundry appropriations as detailed in the
estimates—the following sums are necessary.
For the civil lift, or the fopport pf govern
ment, including the incidental and cpn
f tipgent expenses of the several departments
and offices, the sum of 435,248 53
For the support of light-hoof
es, beacons, buoys, & pub
lic piers, and for fatisfying
certain miscellaneous claims,
the sum of 32,024 13
^O^ifi^'^r fi^O^1 ^
general objects of expendi
ture :
The support of the army, in
cluding expenses in the hos
pital, ordnance, qaartef
matter, and Indian depart
ments ; the defective pro
tection of the frontiers,'con
tingencies, and to complete
certain fortifications, the
sum of 1,511,9-) 29
.For the pay, fu>port, and ex
penses of 'he militia, order
ed into service in the year
1794, the '" m °' 1>1 22 ,5°9 10
For the naval department, the
sum of a 220,754 40
For the payment if military
pensions, the sum of 83.357 04
Total estimate for the war de
partment, 2,945,655 74
Amounting together to Dols. 3,407,909 40
He adds—
The funds out of which appropriations
may be made for t he foregoing purposes, are,
I ft. The sum of fix hundred thousand dollars
of the proceeds of duties pn imports and ton
nage, which will accrue in the year 1795,
which is annually reserved for the support of
government, by the aft entitled, " An ad
making provision for the debt of the United
States ;" and 2d. The surplus of the reve
nue and income which will accrue to the end
of the year 1795, after fatistying the objeas
for which appropriations have been hereto
fore made. s , 7
And that—'
It may be expected, that the revenues of
the United States will prove adequate to the
expenditures contemplated ; but owing to
the credits allowed by law, and the urgent
nature of certain demands which have arisen
during the present year, it appears to be nec
essary, that the appropriations should be ac
companied with an authority to borrow the
amount.
- -—^Trc^i^Z^ —
Authentic State Paper.
Department of War, Dec. 10, 1794.
sir, IN obedience to the orders of the
President of the United States, I have the
honor to submit to the House of Representa
tives, a statement of such difficulties and in
conveniences as have occurred in the execu
tion of the a&, entitled," An aft more effec
tually to provide for the national defence, by
establishing an uniform militia throughout
the United States." I have the honor to be,
with great refpe&, your obedient servant,
H. KNOX, Seeretar, of War.
The Speaker of the House of R^prcjcntati^es)
of the United States.)
The Secret ar, of War, in obedience to the orders of
the President of the United States, respeafuli,
submits thefollowing statement of such difficul
ties and inconveniences as have occurred i n the
execution of the a&, entitled " An a& more cf
frauall, to provide for the national defence, 6,
eftablilbing an uniform militia throughout the
United States."
THAT a difficulty, of primary import
ance, appears to eppofe the execution
of the firft feaion of the before recited a&. —
The militia are requested to arm and equip
themselves, at their expense, but there is no
penalty to enforce the injun&ion of the law.
The fubferibef is inrormed, that several
states have passed auxiliary laws to the ad of
Congress. The laws of the following states
upon this fubjed, are in his possession, to wit,
,Massachusetts, Newjerfey, Pehnfylvania,Ma
ryland, and Northcarolina.,%
The penalties, by ihefe, for lion-equip
ment and armament, appeal to be according
to the following extracts :—
Massachusetts —paged izA^ane, 17g,
" And be it further enabled by the author
ityaforefaid, That every non commiff-ned'
officer or private of.the infantry, who Ihall
negled to keep himfelf armed and equipped
as aforefaid, or who shall on a muster day, or
at any other time of examination, be desti
tute of, or appear unprovided with, the arms
and equipments herein direded, (except a#
before excepted) (hall pay a fine not exceed
ing twenty Killings in proportion to the ar-{
tides of which he shall be deficient, at the
diferetion of the justice of thtypeace before [ *
whom trial ihall be had. And all parents,
makers, and guardians, mail furnifh those of^
the said militia, who shall be under their care
and command, with the arms and equip- ^
1 ments before mentioned, under the like pen-
[number 116.]