Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-02-13
SENATE OF TIE u. STATES.

l
SENATE OF TIE u. STATES.
4 Substasce> the observations made 3,
Mr. Gibson the question Of pas.
sing the biz for fitting out, SIC. all
! the figates belonging to the u. S.
TUESDAY, Jan. Esd. 1910.
Mr.. Giles commenced his remarks
by observing, that from the papers
presented by the COMMITTEES to the Sen
ate, and the explanations already CIV
en- of them, he had hoped that the ex.
Pediency of the measure proposed by
the bill, would have been so obvious
to every gentleman of the Senate, as
to have relieved him from the nccessi.
ty OF making any further expositions
IN its favor. He said he felt himself
perfectly exempt from the fashionable
rage for debate, which he feared was
extended so far as to tend at least to
Impede the necessary operations of
the government, if not 20 paralize all
its energies and he regretted now to
oe placed under an obligation of ex-
tending or participa Eating 10 its influence.
But as gentlemes had called on him
tor further expositions of the induce
ments of the committee for reporsine
this bill; he would attemp< TO state
them as briefly as possible aud he beg
ged to be excused for con$ajng him
self to general observations without de.
scending to very minute details.
Mr. O.. said the bill Under conside-
ration grew cut ofthe Presidents mes.
sage Of the Sd. inst. In that MESSAGE.
| The President recommends sysseas,oi
preparatory measures to meet any cx-
igencies that may await this couutr. /;
OF which system, the measure propos.
ed by the bill forms one eesential part.
The President commences byremind-
ing Congress that the law authorizing
4 detachment Of 100, 600 men from the
militia, will expire on the 3oth of Marcl,
next, and recommends its continuance
for longer period. A bill to that el
tcct, would long since have been re-
ported by the committee, but a COM
mittee OF the House Of Repre- sentative
aad anticipated them in tle report. and
IT was thought unnecessary to bring the
same subject before the Senate at the
same time. The President then re.
jcommends a military force Of 90. 900
men, to be raised and placed in state
of readiness to be called into service
at the shortest warning. Some differ.
lence ofopinion existed as to the part;cu-
lar description of force intended by the
message but majority of the com.
i mittee thought that the call OF the Pre-
sident would best be answered by the
bill reported BY the honorable gentle
man from Vermont, (Mr. Bradlev)
and which was yesterday under con
sideration. The President then pro-
Iceeds in the following words:
:" 1t will rest with them, Congress
to determine how far further provis.
ION may be expected, for putting into
aciual service, if necessary, any parr
LOT the naval armament not now EN-.
Iployed.
\ AT period presenting features in
the conductof foreign powers towards
the U. s. which impose on them the
necessity Of precautionary measures
Involving expense, ii is happy consid-
Grafton that such is the solid state oil
| the public credit, that reliance can be
Justly placed, on any legal provision
,hat may be made for resorting to IL,
IN a convenient form, and to am ade-
quate amount"
! From this reco14skndation, as well
las from The papers and other lnforma.
ton obtained from the navy depart-
ment in relation to this subject, the
measure was addressed TO the commit
tie by two obvious and powerful con-
sidera ions.
The one, to preserve the frigates
proposed to be repaired from entire
destruction.
The other to employ them as instru-
ments OF protection and defence in the
event of war, &c.
Withrespect to the first object, it IS
to be remarked, the secretary of the