The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-03-13
DEBATE IN SENATE.

and necessarilv imperfect sketch of the de-
bate on the volunteer bill, in tile senate of
the u. S. We have the satisfaction to state,
that we shall be-enabled TO do full justice
to the honorable senators who participated
in the debate, by giving their speeches in a
more ample and authentic form. A part of
the first branch of the speechof Mr.. GILES
folIows.-Bai. inner. So
GREPoRTED FOR THE AMEKIcAN1
IN SENA : january 90.
Debate on tie bill for raising Jffiy thousand
Foiunteers.
The report OF select committee of the
senate upon the bill FROM the house of re-
representatives., for raising $4,000 volunteers,
, IN favor of reducing the number to $4,000,
and the appropriation from 100000 to
1,5co.00o dollars being under considera-
zion ~
Mr.. GILES said, we were called to act
npon this bill under very peculiar. ciccnm-
stances. Whilstit appeared to have many
advocates, yet he did not recollect to have
heard any gentleman express any conf
dence in its prus$sipns. All seemed to be
of opinion. thntNits provisions were ineffi
cieut. If not iDpraSsicable. Mr.. Gsssaid,
that from the early part Of Mr.. Adamss
administration down to the present time,
Congress bad on various occasions, passed
bills for raising volunteers, with some yari-
ations IN their particular provisions but
invariably npon tlesame principle, THAT of
the OLD woman prescription :. If it will
dono good, it wilI'tso no harm|' Mr.. Giles
said, if there existed no disease in the body
polite, he should have 30 objection to the
prescription but we are informed, that
the most deadly Wounds and Commissions have
been inflicted on its most vital parts and
he thought of course, a more active and
operative remedy ought to be prescribed.
He said, he did not think this bill entirely
corresponded with the character given OF it
by ITS friends he thought il calculated to
do more harm than good it Contains an
appropriation Of 100000 OF dollars; and
although he did not believe they ever would
be expended under its provisions yet, that
additional sum must be taken into the estl-
mate OF appropriations, and Of course, pro-
videa for--when the list of other more ne
ccs5ary appropriations, viii swell to very
great fhs1iias, and probably will be sulh-
fgciently e 0b5Tassing to the treasury de-
partment, fMthout providing for nominal
expenditures; this single item will be near
iy one third of the whole amount of the
Contemplated loan But this was not hi:
principal objection 70 it. 1t processes t.
place means IN the hands OF the executive
which he believed TO be merely nominal
AID when called upon for practical use
ssill disappoint his e Expectations. This voult
llot be correct course of conduct IN reia-
t.cn TO the President, and might place hin
ma very unpleasant & awkward situation
u is true, the President in his message calls
tor q volunteer force but he PRESUMED, thC
President meant an efficient force Of tha
description. Congress was responsible fOi
presenting ths force ina Efficient form, i
it could be done, which he very much doubt
cd. Mr.. 9. said, he very mach feared thC
cYsrpiivc haG placed TOO much reliance up
on this species Of force, without attenGips
s.l3cixs..lT TO- tho lig.cult.es, Of e, orgaei