Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-03-08

E 81 Po1NDExTEHSh chopped the potion
ys6l,Ia not be agreed 70. Il appeared that
the tinted States had already sufficient
number Of aims 70 arm the whole number
70 be called into service under the bill. II
q million of dollars was to be expended for
the arms for these volunteers, it would es-
sentially change the question which the bill
TO the house. Itwas desirable
object, acknowledged by all to be so, to
disperse the arms in possession OF the 60
vernment over the United States. The a.
msndment would involve the government
in an enormous eyPence and those per.
sons who had not guns, would borrow
a gun to tnuster.with, and the government
would have to pay for it, and there would
be no more arms dispersed through the
country than there were at present. The
object was TO- preserve the arms of the y.
States in good order and to disperse them
over the United States, and both objects
would be defeated by the amendment.
Mr. Clay opposed the amendment as
leading 70 imposition on the government.
Mr. Hale said it appeared to him to be
extremely hard that one Fart of the people
should be compelled to arm themselves
completely at their own expence, whilst a"
mother part was armed at the public ex-
pence.
Mr.. CLAY observed that Virginia had ma.
ny stands OF arms, though they were not
dispersed among the people, but deposited
at particular places. He believed, it the
fact could be ascersained, it would be found
that some Of the states, whose militia had
not arms in their hands, had as many arms
as those states whose militia was complete
ly armed. -.
Mr.. Roor said that the amendment
moved by the gentleman would have a
bad effect on the country he represented. -
1t might be tina. in the state Of New. Hamp
shire the whole body of the militia was
armed according to law, but that he had no
DOUBT the inspectors permitted arms ofve-
ry different calibres to pass inspection. -
But if they were completrl! armed, the
youth growing up would want arms.-
Where, however, the militia were not all
armed according to law, the young men,
for speculation alone, would sign the en-
sagemsns. They would borrow nuskets,
draw money for them, and the country
would be no better armed than it is now
The object of the bill was to invite citizens
to 60 into camp and become acquainted
with military discipline, AZ remuneration
for which they were to receive a stand of
arms at the end Of the period of their en-
eaeement. He had no doubt sufficient
number of persons might be found unarm
ed in the eastern states TO complete their
whole quota.
Mr.. HALE observed that If the arms were
not according to Iarv, his ame ndment would
not benefit those holding them, and that
would remove one objection of he gentle
man who just sat down.
Mr.. CLAY said that if the amendment
was agreed to, every man volunteering
would be ready armed and the U. States
would be charged with an additional ex'
pence of million of dollars.
The amendment was negatived, ayes IS
Mr.. VAN HORN moved to strike out the
words not beyond ssa"-As he did no
OcktSVC Tic SSuto w "a"AS'>'' "A
where out of the jurisdiction of the United
States, he wished to do away all ambiguit.
on the subject.
Mr.. CLAY said that the volunteers were
if their service We're required, to 30 withou
the Jurisdiction Of the United States, but no
beyond the sea.
Mr.. MACON wanted to know what sor
Of troops these were they appeared to b.
neither one thing or the other. He was a
DESTROYS as any one of arming the whole DO
dy of the militia of the United States bu
he did not think this tho best way Of doinl
it. ....
Mr.. PorNDExrER quoted the diction ar.
to explain to gentlemen the meaning OF tn
word volunteer, viz. "a soldier who goe
of his own accord" Before engaging the,
were to sign an obligation to serve if want
ed. III the amendment was agreed to, the,
could not march to Canada If necessary.
Mr.. VAN Horn said II he was in an er
ror. IL originated from the ma me with whic