Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-01-30

our own citizens, whenever there is any Sc
rious violation of the laws, it is high time
to lay down our liberties. If the militia
are incompetent is maintain the peace, it is
full time to acknowledge the futility of our
political principles. On this ground never
win l agree to raise regular army, to
meet our own citizens. AS far as it depends
upon me, it never shall be said, that we
have raised irregular army to turn their
bayonets against our citizens. II a majority
of the people shall be embarked in an insur-
rection they ought not to be controlled and
if the majority shall be on the other side,
they will have power to crush it. 1t has
been stated, on the introduction of this re-
solution, that member of the select COM
mittee who brought in the bill, authorizing
the President to raise volunteers, proposed
an increase of the regular army, similar it
is added to the increase proposed during
the last session The fact, however, is this.
The gentleman alluded to offered two pro-
positions one to add to the present peace
establishment, which was rejected BY all
the members of the committee but him.
self. Even the gentleman who introduced
the resolution under consideration gave his
vote against this proposed increase of the
peace establishment.
There is a bill now before me from the
Senate, the object of which is to encrease
the peace establishment and this the gen.
ueman says is one ofthe measures proposed
at the last session. lhave, however alrea-
dy observed that that gentleman opposed
the proposition for increasing our peace es-
Enlistment, and yet he informs us that this
measure Is the same with that proposed
the last session for the creation of war es-
tablishment. have considered it my duty
to make these observations, because at the
last session, was opposed to raising an
army; and am still opposed to it. l do
not, however, consider this the proper time
20 investigate this point: as if it be intend
ed to crush the conspiracy, the measure
will be too late.
Ii may be proper to observe that in my opinion
this conspiracy has beer painted in stronger coIors
than there is reason to think il deserves. /, has
been stated as dangerous TO the union. On
what grounds There is no evidence that these
is in any part of the Unted States two hundred
persons collected for the purpose of carrying it
into eject. We have not even evidence of his.
We have indeed newspaper evidence, that 1t
was reported that the author of II was 20 march
At the head Of 1900 men. and that 40C0 Kentuck-
ians were to follow. At the same time, howe
yer, we learn that Kentucky is taking the most
efeaua! measures 10 crush it. So far from there
being 1000 Kentuckians enlisted, l do not be-
lieve there are ten, unless indeed the stragylers
passing through this state are so denominated.
The gentleman from Pennsylvania has observ.
ed that the members from the western country
are either ignorant, or pretend 10 be SO, OF this
plot. cannot suppose the gentleman alluded
TO any member Of this house. There is one
circumstance on This head worthy of notice
the greater .part of the men associated came
from the eastern country, and from the state of
the gentleman from Pennsylvania. With re
gard to the sentiments OF the Western country,
believe they are as well affected towards the
union as those of any other part fthe confede-
racy. / do not conceive there is ground Cor the
alarm that has gone forth. l am, however, wills
ling to take any proper measures 10 aid the Ex-
ecutive in crushing the plot.
1t has also been observed by the introslucer OF
this motion that the expenses attending the mill
tary expedition on the Sabine viii be equal to the
expenses tina, would have attended he proposed
augmentation of the army. But it seems TO me
that This must be altogether mistake This ex-
petition was composed of the regular forces and
abou, five hundred militia who were engaged bu,
for few weeks The expenses of the former
army may have been sor1e what increased by their
movement and the price of provisions; but no adj
ditional expense has been incurred for their pay
The only important item of expense nnst arise
from the militia >. this cannot be considerable
If will not be pretended that il can bear any com
parison with the expenses of raising an army. oi
fve or ten Thousand men am not di5pOSe1 tc
say any rhing of the expenses incurred b ths
commander of III. army az New Orleans, as
am unacquainfed with the subjea but pre-
sumo it cannot be considerable.
But, to return to the only question before
us, the president has informed us that there
is combination, the object of which is tc
conduct a military expedition against the
territories of Spain. What is the inSorma.
tion which we have since received! Does
1t not go to the same object? If the presi.
dent is convinced from information since
received, that the object is different one
is it not most probable that he would have
so advised us Ifthe secret information re-
specting those impeached be divulged, viii
1t not put many concerned in it on their
guard, and induce them to escape This j,
the evil / apprehend from agreeing to this
resolution, and none other. Believing, there
fore, that the information we may receive
will not enable US to strengthen the hand.
of the executive, shall vote for postponine
the further consideration OF this resolution
until Monday. The president has already
advised us that he has taken such measures
as are calculated tn check the expedition
and bring its abct;ors to punishment. Hc
possesses the power Of calling out the mi
litia ifhe thinks the case requires it and
know of no acts which we can pass, which
can strengthen the hands of the executiv,
more than the existing laws.
(To be Continued.