Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-02-19

Tor all that can be manufactured, and it is
impossible to procure them except from
foreign nations. If this resolution were
adopted, the details from the committee
night furnish some mode of procuring
hem. lis desirable that something on
this subject may be done, and this course
may procure the most speedy decision.
MIR. Ely thought il truly desirable OBJ
ect that the U. States should possess more
arms than they do at present, One hun.
lred and thirty thousand were not half the
number that the United States ought 10
possess. He should be willing to adop,
he resolution if the gentleman from Vir.
ginia or any other would shew the means
to carry that object into effect, that arms
could be procured; but until il could be
shewn that there were arms in the u. S.
which could be purchased, it was unneces.
sary to trouble the House with d,scussi-
on on the subject, as it would have ten
dency to prevent the states from arming
Now it the gentleman who proposed the
resolution could shew where $4,000 stand
If arms were to be had, he would adopt
any measure for procuring them. He did
not think 10000 stand would be one nus.
ket more than the United States ought 10
have in addition to their present supply /;
but he would not be wiling 10 adopt the
resolution exceptit were shewn where they
could be purchased. The political world
was now in such state that arms could
not be procured from foreign nations: he
should be glad that some way could be de
monstrated. He wished 10 know before
they committed the subject, that the reso.
luton embraced All object within their
reach.
Mr.. Bacon withdrew his motion for com
mitmeDt, & moved that /; lie on the table.
Mr. Burwell assured the gentleman just
set down, that be had moi introduced the
resolution to promo:e. useless discussion.
{ MIR. Ely explained that he had not meant
to express an idea that he had.1 II was
no part of MS object. It appears to me,
said Mr.. B. that nothing can be more evi
dent than that every country which antici.
pates attack sholId possess more arms
Than necessary to arm any particular mum
Der OF men that are likely 10 be called out
al one time Let US suppose hat by what.
ever event part OF our arms should be
destroyed. Is it not necessary that there
should be a certain deposit whence they
can be Immediately supplied? ! presume
that there should, As TO any PARTICULAR
place where any quantity of arms can nov
be procured, cannot designate any. The
resolution conteWplates vesllng a power
inthe government TO purchase them fthev
can be had. There are no doub', some
h. in he 4
purchase them, Although we cannotlm
port them at this day We may in a few
weeks or months. in which time the state
OF things may be So Far changed as 10 pa.
Il in the power Of the Presiden, to procure
them. WAN respect 10 the number OF
arms already belonging to the u States,
It Will he considered that we have an expo
sed frontier, liable to the attack OF nations
on our borders, and il is ndispensably ne
cessary that The inhabitants on our from.
tier should be armed. The petition this
day presented by the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr Smrh) sufficiently evin
oes that the United States are not amply
provided with aims.
Mr.. S. Smith, deemed it his duty 10 state
thar The fears oftne petitioners Jus alluded
10 were not chimerical; he personally
knew their situation. aud vas anxinus that
something should he done for their relief.
Mr.. Burweil having expressed consent
that it might leon the table,
The resolution as so disposed Of, 40
to 81.
AR. C w Campbell, from the COM
miUee OF Ways and Means, reported a
Bill for carrying into efTec' certain I'D an
treaties. Read twice and referred to a
committee Of the whole.
MIR. w Alison moved that the untiD,
ished business of the last sitting LMr,
BlouDI's renewal of Mr.. Sioan's motion for
the removal Of the seat Of government
be postponed indefinitely. He presumed
every gentleman must be convinced that
sufficient time had been occupied by il.
Messrs. Sawyerand TaIlmsdge opposed
this motion and advocated a removal oflhe
seat Of government, at great length.
Mr.. w. Aston withdrew his motion,
as he had not intended 10 cause a discus
sion BY IT.; he had moved it for the pur.
pose ofeetlihg rid oft the subject altogether.
Mr.. Quincy rising to speak under be.
lief that the question on the passage oil
the resolution had recurred--
The Speaker declared that the House
bad not yet agreed 10 consider the sub.
lgct; and no debate being admissible on a