The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-05-26
SPEECH
Of governor TRUMBULL, to the legiGa-
ture of Connecticut.

Mr.. Speaker, and
Gentlemen Of the Hogis Of RfpryGnto-
tiS,eJ.
AT the opening of this Geflion of the ge-
neral aiiembly, it gives me much plcalure
to meet you under circumstances OF 10
much health and private felicity as are ex-
perienced not only by us individually, but
throughout the State and although fome
untoward circumstances exit among us,
yet the God of our fathers, who is ALTO
our God, has hitherto fuftained us {; and
N him, while doing our duty, and walk
ing in the ways OF our fathers, we may
fill truft for future fupport.
Among the communications which will
now be laid before you, is letter from the
PreGdent of the United States, conveying
the copy of a refolution of both Houfes of
Congress, propoGng an amendment to the
Contribution OF the United States, refpect-
ing the election of the PRECEDENT and Vice
PRECEDENT of the union. This propofal will
gam your mott ferrous confederation. On
this fubject you will fltfer me to obferve,
that view with fuch reverence and re-
fpe6t this venerable inftrument OF our con-
ftitution, formed with 70 much wifdom
an dehberation, by our political fathers,
that think it ihouid not be rudely afiailed
by the ipir1t of innovation, nor lightly al
tered, In conformity to any speculative o.
pinions OF amendment.--If any alteration
is made, it ihould aiife from evident necef-
ilty OF circumstances, or the mott promi-
fling profpeet of amelioration.
An act of the Legislature paffed in O6to-
Der, 1901, entituled" an act in addition to,
and alteration OF an act for contributing
and regulating courts, and appointing the
times and places for holding the fame,ss is
by the faid act, to expire, at the ciofe of
the FELTON, of the general aiIembIy in Oeto-
Der next.
Perhaps you will think it necefiary or
convenient to take into confederation, at
this FELTON,, the propriety of extending that
act beyond the period fits preient limita-
ton: otherwife the appointment of the
additional judge will be limited to a few
months only, and will prove announcement
or embarrafing to the gentlemen who may
be aligned to that duty.
The militia of the feveral ftates being
the principal reliance of the general GO
vernment for defence of the union, and for
military operations, it ought to be placed
on the mott Respectable footing for actual
and effective action: otherwife we NAV
find ourtelves, in cafe of real iervice, de-
pending on fender fupport. The appoint
ment OF an infpector general, who fkc:.ld
be reiponiible to the fate for a more criti-
cal and accurate INFECTION and report of
the actual fate of arms and equipments OF
the militia, than is at preicnt obtained I'M
der the exiting arrangement, l cannot but
thlnk would be very great Improvement.
The uniformity of our fTnall arms, in their
he, length, and bores, is very deficient
crcumltance which, in actual fervice,
would prove extremely inconvenient and
embarraiiinS. In too many inftances there
exits a want of arms.-The feveral towns,
l fear, are not Efficiently attentive to the
law which requires them to furnilh with
arms or accoutrements, thoie men who are
unable to provide for themfelves.-And no
public depoiit of arms is provided by the
tate to remedy any deficiency in time of
need. a temporary appointment of an in
fpettor general for a few years, would
make an experiment of the ufefulnefs of
fuch an officer and fnot fuccefsfnl might
be discontinued. Or perhaps the duty
might be aligned to the adjutant generals
Office, with fome fmall allowance for his
actual time fpent in that particular fervice.
In the courfe of the winter pat, there
have been received by the comptroller.
two boxes ofthe laws of the United States:
bringing them down to the end of the firf
FELTON, of the fcventh Congrefs, but fill
leaving them two fefIions of Congrefs in ar
rear 1t is unfortunate that there fhouId
be iuch delay in the PRONUNCIATION of the
laws OF the Union. 1t may however be no.
ped, that in future, there will be gretaer
promptneis in their tranfniiTion.
The maps which have been prefented to
this tate, by the fates of MaHachufetts
and New-York, of their REFLECTIVE ftates.
have fuggefed to my mind the propriety
OF our legislature directing an accurate
map ofthis fate to be taken under authori-
ty, and from actual flryey. IT might he
done without much expcncc, and would be,
not oIly agreeable, but uleful, in correcting
the incacuracies and mifnformation, which
are now experienced from unauthorized re-
preiCntations.
The removal by death of two of our
fheriils within 4 fnall time palt, will Gp-
gelt to the minds OF the legislature, the pr0.
priety of making proyiiion by law, in fuch
events, FOR the continuance in Office OF the
goal keeper, and perhaps the deputy Ihe
t1ffs, until new appointment of a lheriG
IS made. In the fri inftarce, embarraa-
mcnt has already been experienced, for
want OF iuch provifion. Inconvenience
may ALTO occur in the other cafe unlefs pre-
vented by regulation Of law.