Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-02-02
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
January %.

January %.
Mr. Newton presented petition from
he Navy Yard Associated Mechanics cl
the city OF Washington, praying for an aci
OF orporalion-Refsr.ed
TIE motion lad on the table on Ffiday
| by Mr. Johnson f,r adopting a rule to ap-
propriate Frida7 in each week for the con.
sideratinn of bills ani reports originating
from petition, was taken up, debated, an ]
passed b. Yeas and NAYS SO ,ol5.
| STArE OF THE UNITED STATES
ARMY.
| Mr. Newto, said he ro-e 10 submit to
the consideration ofthe Hou resolution
| Of soms impor ance. He said he was sa
tishsd when gentlemen became acquain
ted with he objec's embraced by il they
| would readily ex end o i. their patronage
Gentlemen are aware (said hel of he sit
uation in which this country is p!sced with
respec' to the bellgeren, lowers. 1t be,
c ,nnes us al this C isis TO b. ex.rem ly
| circunspsCs, TO render oar particular at
!en!inn to every object connected with
oar defence. The President of the Uni
led Safes not ling since bv message has
to p!ac. a, his disposition de:ach Geni oil
militia Of 100000 men, and also 20 ooo
volunteers: In this sta,e CT ching il De.
GENES important 10 make some eiGqigy
into the state os the S andiDg army OF The
United States. /; is ne cessary for US &c
know what ~ the number OF he s,and;ne
troops the. dissr:k ltion If them in GU
fron:ier ga-risons or TO IS whether in.
Organization re such IS II ought to be
whether any abuses have crepi in land
If they have, 10 apply The corrective. w,
are placed he-e asthe peoples centinels
aad it is cur duty to direct cur altentio;
to objects Of this vss, importance. Pie
missing thus much J beg leave TO su5rni
tn. following resolution.
Resolved, Tina, the. President Of the u
Safes BIZ requested to cause to b, laid be
!; fore this House. ~ the proper depart
men', Il state men. OF the number ofroep
; composing the regula army of the Uni
; tied States. the number stationed at eac
: of the frontier garrisons or fo.os, an
particularly the co7dilion of th.t detach
. ment OF The regular force allotted for III
defence Of New Orleans, the number sea
there, the different dispositions whc
nave been made ofthe attachments an
the present effective force of the same
with such other information as he ma
deem necessary 10 communicate respect
log The state of the army.
4 Mr. Dana suggested the propriety O
Qualifying the resolution, as it embrace,
perhaps too m'nu C an enquiry into tn
state Of the garrisens and might requir
information which it might no, be pope
10 communicate LIN which case however
Mr .. trusted that the President wouI,
have Grmness enough to withhold such in
fotmaiioo as he should deem improper t
make public,
Mr. Dawson said he could see no pos
sible advantage which could result from
tthepasssge o! this resolutions tha, it nigh
On the contrary do much harm by exro
Ising hsl,iiualion of our flonliers. Th,
President Of thu United s a,es as CON
mander in chief had a right to make sucI
disposition OF the armv as he though. pro-
per and Il was a subject which did no
properly come within the cognizance o
the House.
| Mr. Newton replied that Congress hat
he control OF he army by being annual
ly called upon 10 vote appropriations fol
It's support and II was their duty to en-.
quire into the state of j., and 10 examine
whether it was adequate 20 The public ext
geacy.
! Mr. Taiimadge conceded with the gen
tlemsn last up lu the opinion that thi.
was information which the House ought
10 have; il vas their dvty to O5lsin il.
lie suggested modification Of The reso
lI;ion. He said !, would be i.sira5le 10
know not o6ly tie particular force Of TIE
United States b1t how it was oficsred,
where the officers we're stationed, and ~
VIA, da,y they we're employed whilst 10
he pay Of ihs goye;znen.
On the suggestion OF Sr. Tal'nsige
lhe resolution was varied by striking Gu
the words in Italic. and substituting tn,
following -" a refayu ct bs army II N
I ~. S.c.es sh-.t/,.r- re farti~,l1r Grce O