The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-07-05

and Macon's Bill, No. 9, were. in fact the
special continuance of Mr.. Madison himself; :.
that they were his great and efficient mea-
sures OF the session that instead of being
recommended to Congress by the President
himself, as the constitution has wisely re
CURED, they were severaiiy. through a GER
tain medium, handed to Mr.. Macon. to be,
1t would seem, by him recommended.
Or these two measures. which were alike
regardless OF the prosperity and of the no
nor ofthe y. S. could not permit myself
to be the advocate and, especially, as
was well persuaded, that the good sense,
the honorable principles and the patriotic
feelings of my countrymen would utterly
condemn them.
sd. During the session OF 1809-io, Ger
tain members of the Legislature, NOT salts
he'd with the policy of he measure, that
had been proposed by Mr.. Macon. strongly
and repeatedly urged Mr.. Madison to re.
commend to Congress. by message. the
necessity OF bringing forth the resources of
the nation, for the purpose of avesginy tire
insuhs. Of re1iairing ehe injuries and of
maintaining the rights Of tie q. States
yielding to their import0nities. he finally
sent to Congress the following message:
Z" The Presidents Message TO both houses of Con-
gress delivered on the S,d Of 5an. 1870
To The Senate and House q Representatives, q ss.
The act authorising detachment of one hun.
dred thousand men from the militia will expire
on the S0th of March next, Its early revival
is recommended, in order that timely steps may
be taken tor arrangements, such as the act con.
templated :.
=, Without interfering with the notifications rer.
dered necessary by the defects, or the nefi cacy
OF the laws restrictive of commerce & navigation,
or with the policy Of disable wiug to foreign ar.
med vessels, the use of our waters it falls With
10, my duty to recommend also, that in addition
to che precautionary messur. authorised by that
act, and to the regular troops. for completing
the legal establishment OF which enlistments
are renewed, every necessary provision may be
made, for volunteer force of twenty thousand
men, to be enlisted for short period, and held
IN state OF organization and readiness for actu
al service, at the shortest warning
submit to the consideration of Congress.
moreover, the expediency of such classified a.
ion organization OF the militia,as will best in.
sure prompt successive aids, from that source
adequate to emergencies, which may call for
them.
II will rest with them also, to determine how
lar further provision may be expedent, for put.
tng into actual service, If necessary. any bar,
OF the naval armament not now EMPLOYED.
AT period presenting features in the con-
Duct oil foreign powers towards the u. S. which
impose on them the necessity of precautionar,
measures involving expense, il is a happy consi-
oeration that such is the solid state of the
public credit, hat reliance can be..justly placed,
on any legal provision that may be made for re-
sorting to it, in convenient form, 8. 10 an ade.
quate amount.
JAMES MADISON"
10 this Message had tie foRowinr
objections:
1st 1.-THE honor and the interest of the
" States didimperiously call for war, then
instead OF the halfway measures contemp-
lated in the message, the recommendation
ought to have been, that the abundant DIV
sicai resources of the nation, should be du
ly organized and brought forth with tone
that would unequivocally manifest at home
ana abroad determination to take a man.
~ stand, and, especially, as such precau-
ItionarY measure has, not unfrequently, had
the effect of averting war
"a Ii war was not the real object, whence
was the necessity of filling the public mind
with the alarm of war !. Whence the pro.
Priety of expending our treasures in calling
to arms 10000 such men? Whence the
policy OF trifling with the manly, gene
rous feelings OF brave, honorable, enter.
prislng people, as are the people of the u.
States!
Sd. AT all events, whatever may have
been the real object, the studied ambigui :
ty OF the language of the message, formed
OF itself sufficient objection. OF this am
oSuity Mr. Madison was duly apprised-
And, as was foreseen, members of Con-
gress not comprehending its meaning, ap-
Piled, but in vain. for the requisite expia
nation. At length, q REPUBLICAN Senator
distinguished by his sound principles as
statesman, as well as by his independent
feelings as a gentleman, did, in a very a.
pie speech, make among other topics, the
following pithy comment upon this extraor-
binary message:
4" The Presidents message Of the Sd inst
has beca introduced by the charm an of the
committee in support of this Bill. Feeble
must be the aid which this measure can
derive from that source. This message. in
point OF obscurity, comes nearer nv ideas
or Delphic Oracle, than any state paper
which has come under my inspection. 1t is
so cautiously expressed, that every man puts
what construction upon it he pIeases. Is
he tor war! The message breathes no.
thing but destruction and bloodshed. Is he
for peace! The message Is mere milk and
water. and wholly pacific Is he for the
Bill before yons ihe message calls for its
passage. Is be friend to large standing
army Why, then the message means
20 600 regular troops. is he friendly to the
militia 3! The message does not call for
regular troops-it means militia. Thus, sir.
the message means any thing, or nothing,
dt the wall OF the mmentator, If this