The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-07-18

iidny huHSiTcu leagues OF lea COAT, extending
almott from the Texel to the Adriatic? In the
courie OF the hon. genteman'S fpeech, he has
frequently adverted, but with partiality which
have reaton to complain of, to the declarations
of minihers respecting the probable duration of
the peace OF Amiens. Sir, we never did pledge
ourielves tor the continuance of that peace. On
the contrary, we always thought, and omitted
no opportunity OF declaring 10, the beit fecurity
Tor the continuance of peace was to impress
France, and not only France, but all Europe,
with conviction that our ftrength, our fpirit,
and our means, were whole and inexhaufed
and that although we were willing to adhere to
the peace we had made, we were ready for war,
whenever iniult or aggreiIiop, on the part of any
power ihould compelus - it. 1t was, FIR, from
thefe motives, that our peace ehahliihmcnt 70
greatly exceeded the peace Establishment of 1899,
an augmentation which brought down on Us the
ceniure OF the hon. gentleman. come now to
the hon. gentleman motion. narrowed and ref
tIicted to degree, inconifent with his ufial
candor, and unworthy of his great mind. He
has directed his oblervations principally to the
regular and militia force, emitting the navy &
volunteers, and has recommended, with his ac-
cuftomed zeal and perseverance,, the adoption of
his favorite project of adding an armed peafan-
Try. He has chiefly relied upon two points, for
the appointment of this committee, from which
may be derived one is, that the perhicious
principle of recruiting by competition may be
abollihcd init, and hSxt, that the extent of fer
vice may be altered from life to term of years.
trult iha be able to prove Il the iatisiacon of
the houie, that itwould not be ufiher. that 1t would
not be prudent advieabe in it, PROCEED to the
formation OF iuch committee, upon fuch flight and IN
iuficient reafons as have been mentioned. My nu5le
friend who fits near me, Qord Calereagh has Rated,
from authentic documents that although the recruiting
Tor general fervice not 70 grea, at preient,
as 1t was on former occaons, yet that as great
as circumstances gave us right to expect. When
gentlemen fir informed that the perfons who are
entrutted with his majeys government, were compel
led to collect and take out of your population les
than 100000 men for the purpofe of recruiting your
army and your navy and that within the pace of litte
more than twelve MOTHS they will ceae express any
urPre that the recruiting feryice fhould have expert
enced momentary ceilation when declare to this
houie on the part of that government that there at
Prelent regular force in this country and in Ireland,
compoied OF troops of the line and militia of no lefs
than $4,000, tru it will be acknowledged that his
maleity miniiters have not been rems or improve
dent an making adequate preparations for the defence
Of the country When gentlemen reflect upon the diff
heuties we had to encounter, that had the militia
10 iaiie thar we had the army of the line to recruit
that we had the army of referve to esblih, dat we
had the defence aa prepare and that we had regu-
Lar army Inc and militia, of ls1 600, that we have
100000 volunteers, that have $1,000 fea fencbes,
independent of troops in other points, in garrlons and
ID colonies making in the whole force little hort of
eight hundred thouiand men, and greater in number
by 100000 than the greatet exertons of the enemy
can bring forward. 1iay fir, when luch difficulties &
luch iucceiieS weighed againft each other, truf
the toute and the country will admit that we are not
mat incapable and incompetent defcrption of men, the
hon. mover OF the quefon before you endeavours to
preient us. This, Sir, could be proved by documents
the mott authentic and irreagible; and though, for
many reaions which will be obvious to gentlemen,
feel itrong objections to the production of fnch nfor-
nation yet will content give thoe gentlemen, who
make the want OF 1t ground of complaint and accufat-
on againlt mniters an account of the military and ma
val force OF the country actuully is but upon the
exPreis condition that they do ak for the drbuti-
on oil It. am periuaded Sir that If uch an account
were laid on the table, j. would be the beR will 90
farther, and fay, it would be deciive anwer TO the
belt argument the hon. gentleman has urged iii fup-
port OF his motion. The hon. gentleman has gone at
comfortable length into the confederation of that prn-
cpe expreed in the Defence A, that it is his Maef
Prerogatve to call upon the fervces of all ranks of
ms iubects capable of bearing arms in cafe of invaon
SIR IN dicuiing that BILL that prinei lie was frequently
alluded to IN debate but never oppoied for it adj
United, that his Majehy poGehed fuch prerogatve in
Gale OF invailon, and the only queion was, well re-
helDer, whether ne might not reort to before ihva=
lion The hon. gentleman affects to acquit mnifters
OF any blame i'll introducing the aertion Of that part
cuar prerogatve into that bill, by prefming that in
their anxiety prepare for the defence of the country
iolltary inance Of recognizing it might have efeaped
their obfervation Sir, defre that principle may be
thoroughly examined and eDquired into tefire that
1t be not taken, PRO ADMIsso, but that may hand
on its tair and general constitutional grounds. With
reipect to the hon. gentlemans motion, am to look
tor other motives than thoe he has thought prder.
TO avow, tor propoing it. to feek for other rea
ions, tor motion peculiarly calculated to coec all the
floating regiments of the houfe, and to create fuch an
opPoiition TO his Maeity pniiters as would tend to
produce change of administration. If that be the OBJ
lect OF the hon. gentleinan motion, let him fate TO-
broadly and unequVoealy; let him produce fome fpe-
clic aceuiation let him bring forward fone direa
explicit charge and let him take the ene Of the hou
on rs but let him not bring it forward in this covert
and underhand mode, and by DEuTER endeavor to
ltgnatie, thole he has not the courage aa boldly
and maHfully. Let not the hon. gentleman I fay
nave reeourie to paltry exPedent of this nature it IS
unworthy of HIM five are fairly attacked, five are
aceuied upon fpecifc grounds, we are ready and will
ling TO meet the charge and fhall fnd truft no
dlihculty in defending and jdtifyng ourieves upon
lair, open, and conttutona principles. To the mott
on oil the hon. gentleman feel the iro1gcR obieet-
ons, and am bound to rei it uponevery confederation
OF prudence and of public policy. call upon every
member of this houie to look at the Rate of
the country, and to fay, whether fuch committee IS
a Afrahf .1...C,. Ill