Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-02-19
Gnt,are9s.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,,
MoNpAY, February 8.


of certain Yazoo claimants in the city oi
New York, praying consideration oftheir
claim. Referred TO the committee of the
whole to whom was referred the memorial
from the legislature of Massachusetts or
that subject. .9 s-17iist
MIR. Samuel Smith presented the memo
rial ola number ofinhabitants of The coun
~ OF. Erie, Pennsylvania, praying for an
enquiry into the defect in the law or adj
ministra,ion Of the law for the punishment
oftreason; which was referred to the com
rnittee on that par; of the Presid ent's
message which relates to enterprises a.
gainst the public peace.
Mr.. s. Smith also presented petition
from the inhabitants OF the same county,
representing their unprotected and DANCE
rows situation in case of a war as appre
hcnded; and praying the attention of Con
gress 10 their situation. Ordered to lie
on the table. d
Mr.. Burwell presented the following
resolution:
RESOLVED, That The committee on our
military & Dava! establishments be instruc-
Esd TO enquire into the expedi=ncy of au.
Oh ,Nrising the President ofthe U. States to
procure as soon as practicable thousand
stand OF ar"s,
Mr.. B;>gwell hoped the House would
agree 10 tht, resolution, that it might 90
TO the COMMITTEES That they might report a
bill. II would be fscolecied that col
league ofhis bad few weeks ago submit
ted to the House some resolutions for the
purpose OF arming the whole militia IN the
United States. This gentle man, said MIR.
3. is at this time so much indsposed as
to be unable to attend, and possibly the
nation may not al this session receive the
benefit ofsny such PLAN If, however, the
resolution which offer, shall become the
foundation of law, and he House appro-
pirate sufficient som 10 purchase fifty or
an hundred thousand stand of arms, il will
not interfere with that object, # it can be
accomplished but il procured, they might
be so disposed as to arm the militia OF
regular force according 10 the future de
termination of the H0usc. 1t is scarcely
necessary 10 call the attention of the House
TO the situation of the u. States every
man must be impressed with it ; our com.
merce attacked in every part Of the globe
our peace menaced by the most powerful
nations IN the world. Although there may
be IN The United States an indisposition 10
protect commerce al all hazards, yet when
ever 1t rs necessary mo man can tell what
IS to happen in the present state orthings,
we should therefore prepare for the worst)
to prepare for defence against attack on
land but one opinion can prevail. | have
offered this resolution because the procur-
ing arms will be irCispensibiy necessary
10 enable us to defend the country. | am
one who believe lha; if this country is pos
sessed Of sufficient number Of arms we
are perfectly safe against the world. for
one feel no sort Of alarm feel indiffr-
ent to any combination however extensive
or formidable. Il is impossible to conquer
this country it would require a corporal
and guard for every man. Let us have
arms and J fear not any mischief from
continuation Of any kind against the ooun-
try. hope the resolution will be agreed
TO and referred to the committee ! have
mentioned,
Mr.. Bacon thought this resolution Of
considerable importance. which need not
be adopted at moments warning. He
wished further time to consider the sub
ject, and moved that il be referred TO a
committee ofthe whole.
Mr.. Dawson said that the committee OF
our military aud naval establishments had
made the enquiry contemplated By the re
solution. They found that the u. States
we're now in possession of 10000 stand
OF arms, and annually manufactured
thousand in addition. Upon
this enquiry they bad thought il unneces
sary 70 enquire into the means of procur.
ing an additional supply.
MIR. Marion said it was Indifferent to him
what course this resolution should take,
though he was anxious that the House
should come to some determination on the
subject. Eady in the session a commit
tee had reported 4 resolution for loaning
or selling arms 10 the several states, whict
resolution had lam on the table. Several
Legislatures had since been 10 session and
appropriated money for procuring arms
But as long as these motions we're pend.
ing IN this House, and Congress had the
subject under consideration, they knew
not how TO act. II Congress will purchase
arms, said Mr.. VI. II is unnecessary for
The states to 10 IL; ii Congress wiz sell
them, the states will purchase them.
myself have been applied to by state au