The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-02-04

nS"esS u " necessary tnat there SHOULD DC
strong grfrison kept there ut +: times.
Mr.. Drrson. A few days ago the House una
riniousls passed resolution for exercising the
military establishment of the u. S. having refer
encc Al had supposed 60 war establishment
In pursuance of which am now prepared to re-
port a bill which, it passed, viii render unneces-
sary the bill for nm cncrease Of the peace esta-
blishment. therefore wish this business to lie
on the table.
Mr. Macon. do not believe it necessary 10
make SO large an addition to o,ir present peace
Enlistment, and am willing to postpone the bill
The gentleman from Kentucky has told us of the
divisions in Orleans, and that it is necessary for
that reason to keep troops there; The transfer
OF Louisiana was made without the assistance
of arms The difference Of opinion there is the
same as everN where else exists betwixt federal
lists and republicans and his observation would
apply fully as WELT to any other place rs to New
Orleans: For what arc these regiments contem-
plated to be raised Not for war, but in ad lition
TO our peace establishment There is no necess-
ty for INCREASING it fear that gentlemen, from
the very best of motives, will GO on to encrease
our peace establishment, till we have as large
standing army ~ any other nation. Great OBJ.
Jects often arise from small beginnings. IF we
raise troops, let it be for let the peace es-
Enlistment rest as It is. shall vote for the mo-
ton under consideration, but had rather vote for
an indefinite postponement.
Mr. Oesha. Although opposed to postpone
ment, do not know that am entirely in favor of
the bill. The gentleman from North Carolina
has told IT'S that he is opposed to INCREASING the
establishment for the purpose of protecting New
Orleans, because the people in that country is t-
vided only as we are; Tito republicans and fede-
ralists. great part OF the inhabitants of that
country, on tie contrary, are attached TO monar-
chcal governments; and many of them being
yet subjects of Spain, they are attached to that
government. They are monarchists, not federal
lists or republicans; and by very natur.,l infer
ence, will attach themselves to foreign Cove n.
ments.
Mr.. =. K. Smith. 1 am opposed to the post
Ponement OF the bill, and think it ought to be act
ed on immediately. We know the situation of
the western country, and very lately rebellion
has been attempted under Aaron Burr. If he
Rad not been arrested as he in his career, his
PROJECT might certainly have led to the establish
nent OF aseparate government at New:Orleans.
apPrehend as much danger from Aaron Burr at
TINS time as at any time since he FIRST determined,
on the attempt. Gentlemen say that this pruvisi.
on is too small if they think So let them enlarge
1T, and double it if they apprehend danger. They
say also that our present peace establishment is
large enough and that if we have not war that
it ought to be reduced am not of that opinion.
snail not be luIled into security; for think that
prudence dictates to us an apprehension of dam
ger; think we may expect it too, and that we
ought to make provision for stand at first E.
ven this little force would be of some service :;
although but 1,50o or 1000 men, they may be of
service am DESTROYS to give assurance 10 the
trends OF the government at New-Or1eans, and
IN the territories adjacent that they shall be pro-
tected, and induce them to have confidence in the
general government.
Mr. Troue. No gentleman in the House feels
more anxiety on this subject than my self, or is
more sincerely DESTROYS Of increase of our mill
tary establishment, because state in the union
is more exposed than the state of Georgia On
the western frontier, she has to defend herself a.
gainst tribe OF savages moro numerous than any
other: on the southern she is open and exposed to
the invasion of a foreign power; on the sea she
has to defend coast Of an hundred and sixty
miles, lined with chain ofislands and filed with
negro population, liable 10 become a poilt of
resort and attack to prvateers and free hooters
besides many other exposed points But, until
the commander in chiefo the army of the w. S.
is acquitted OF the charge against him and re
stored to the confidence ofthe people, I will not
give my assent to any increase of our military es
Enlistment.
Mr.. CLARK. Much has been SAID to day on the
subject ofthe disposition sfthe people the ter
ritory of Orleans to the U. States. should hope
that the gentleman from Kentucky and Virginia
have spoken more from report than from their
own knowledge, and that they hold a better OPT
mon ofte disposition Of the inhabitants of the ter
ritory. / should have wished to hear those gen.
tiemen state in what instance the people Of that
territory, have shewn disposition unfayorable to
the u. States. When the possession Of the terri.
tory was transferred to the u. States, the people
knew and priced the benefits which thew would
enjoy by an exchange. Since that time what eyi.
dence have you of their objection to it Did not
the militia of that territory volunteer their seryi-
COS against the Spanish forces some time ago in
motion near them! Then why are they accused
0fdisafiecGon 1t is much better to hope than
fear; and certainly not correct to reason from
those fears. Although am Of opinion that no
district in the union IS more attached than that to
the general interests of the country, still am of
opinion, considering the peculiar situationof that
country, exposed on all sides, that an additional
force Is necessary there. In 1906 force of 1000
men was brought to our very doors before we
knew of its being on the way, or even gifts being
in existence. On the other side Of us is the pro-
vince of West Florida, where there are about
1900 men. When the troops moved from Orleans
to repei expected invasion to the westward we
were left well as recollect, with but single
company I wish the country to be so protected
as 10 guard well against the incursions of the
indians against any other hostile attempt; at
the time l will boldly state, that no part of
the Union is moro attached to the general govern.
ment, and that nothing to the contrary can be al
lodged against them.
Mr.. FYhdiey. If gentlemen will turn their at
tention seriously to the situation ofour very extern
sve frontier, and consider how thiny settled it
is, not only in the new states and territories but
in q great extent Of some of the old states, they
will probably think with me that increase of the
peace establishment is necessary, both to give