Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1802-07-21
n agrAcroRr or 49,.
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II II was Important TO arm the militia.
Il was equally important to build the Ar
moury. Without this measure, a GREAT
majority Of our citizens would have 6e,.n
leienceiess for twenty years TO come, 10
the extreme qualification of the PoET Prem
ds, and all those ann -federalists who preach
about the weakness of Virginia, 10 cyince
their attachment TO the Union.
After every exertion had been made by
the executive, in compliance with Fesolu-
tons OF the legislature, TO obtain arms 4;
notwithstana,ng The striGlest psecasfe;e..,
III forming contracts with men accounted
responsible; they had the modification to
see some ofthe Contractors fail, and others
using every means to palm nuskets upon
vice.
as early as 1876, an invitation was eiy-
en- by the Executive, for proposals for fur.
nishing arms for the use OF the militia.
Upon this subject, Governor Brooke to his
communication to the General AsserobIv
remarked, that +" ali estimates of cost rer-
" dered III consequence of this measure.
" SO far exceeded the sum supposed 70
have been contemplated by the lsejsIa-
ture, that the Executive declined con-
F" GLIDING any contract for rnanufat}r ,i;ne.
them at home; and am sorry to add
that the proposals rendered for import
ms them from abroad, have been SO lit
tle less extravaganza, that it has been
deemed advisable 20 await q probable
" change in the affairs OF Europe, which
may render the purchase more CON
sohant 10 Tie principles of ECONOMY"
In 1877, the executive contracted with
Mr; swan oil lioston, TO furnish 1000 stands
OF Arms, at thirteen dollars per stand. a
pattern was delivered 10 Mr.. Swan. ano.
ther retained in The Council chamber.
inns contract sent large sum Of money
out OF Virginia, and benefited FOREIGN art;.
sanss--Cpon this transaction, Govern,
Wood m his letter TO the legislature saws
- Every possible means have beer Dur-
suec by the executive TO make CONTRACT
y Tor manuiae-grin within the State the
hSe number of stands of arms, In the
" course OF the year l79G, but without
success the terms oficred for Ynanufac-
f" turing being 50 disproporlionate TO Che
I" importation, that the executive did not
" conceive themselves rts.iiable IN enter.
" lDS into any other contract"
Cpon these Representations, the Icoisl,-
ture would have acted unwisciy and With
the blindest indisere,ion, in suferins mo-
ment to pass without adopting some nor
certain and economical mode Of afm;aq
1Se n'iiiI's. They therefore, on tie 29d
OF January, 1909 passed the a6f to establish
amanuiacsory 7F Arms.--Inthe meantime
the Executive contracted with Mr.. Swon
ior cec9nd supply o. 1000 stands OF Arms
at ten dollars. An exlyact from Govern.
OF :, w GODS oh'olai letter of November 1909,
Wii show how much reliance could be
paced upon channels Of ehis sort for arm
ioB ON militia.
=. The great and important Object IF
procuring supply Of arms Tor the mi.
ava o. the commonwealth, has not been
amended With that success which / most
= ardcniiy wished. The contracts enter
" ca INTO with Mr.. Swan, have been ds-
y Cared nu'l and void. The executive su-
- Oh an examination Of e uurnbee or he