The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-12-15

/ Pennsylvania To,;1sseeys now In the servic :
OF the United States, may be III need vf--
,phich srgs agreed 10.
| The Governor OF the same state, in his
late Communication to the Assembly, has
urged the above suggestion ia the follow
ins manner:
Permit nc 10 suggest whether it would
not be Just and reasonable, that those of
our militia. that arc in INDECENT circumstan-
ces, and who may he called into actual ser
vice Should be furnished with blankets and
suitable clothing at the public expense. or
that some additional pay be made in aG :
vance 10 enable them to furnish them
selves; many, very many, may be called TO
JeopardiZe their lives and leave destitute
helpless families who have no stake i'm the
contest other than their personal liberty
whilst many of the wealthy and aiiiuent
are exempt from personal service.'
Now, gentlemen, let me ask whether
you too cannot clothc The militia. who have
gone to high northern latitude to fight the
battles OF the nation ; and whether the troops
under Harrison will fight the worse, tor be-
ing better Clads Remember that these
troops have gone forth TO combat in the de-
fence vt oar rights; will not these solid
proofs of your affection, inspire them with
additional energy
Appropriate then a certain sum to clothe
and blanket your citizen olders-this is
one substantial service which you can render
10 the public. large sum viii not be ne
cessary tor this purpose; as blankets have
been furnished for most Of Harrison's troops
by the y 5.
IN addition to this, letus appropriate acer-
tain SUM, say so Geo, towards furthering
the plan, meditatcd by individuals, of build
ing ID Frigate for the service of the United
States.--This vessel. The Virginia, will at
once bear our name, and carry our thunders
against the enemies of our country
Let us throw as much Of our Hrn,ory as
possible into use. Let no part of that great
institutionbe kept idle for the want of funds
and not moment of the workmens' time be
thrown away. We want as MANY muskets
as can possibly be manufactured-to arm
our own citizens, or to dispose of tn the
government of the United States.-Let US
make thtx as many arms as possible.
There is another measure, Gentlemen,
which beg leave to press upon your atten-
tion.-Oar restless and unprinciplcd enemy,
who places the scalping knife in the hands
OF the Savage, have we nothing to aDpre
nerd from herr You win see rumours from
Halita.- of an Expedition to the South from
the Bermudas in the Spring
You will see that Admiral Warren is TO
winter on that coast--and that the armed
vessels at Halifax are taking in Shells and
Congreve Rockets. | am aware that the
enemy dare not attempt this enterprise on
any large scale-aud that these manaeuvres
are mostly held out toalarm us.-But there
is no way so effectual to rcpel invasion as
to be ready for it. Measures should be ia
ken for the defence of Notwithstanding bat
teries formed, and troops particularly or
ganized for this purpose. l am aware, in
deed, that Committee of Defence has al
ready been appointed by ourhonorable bo-
dy, who have This branch fthe subject be-
fore them /; but am sorry to understand
that constitutional impeachment has been
thrown in the way of y our exer,ions.
The Constitution of the u. s. says that
" no state shall, without the consent of Con.
gress, lay any duty ef tonnage, keep troops
o. ships of war in time Of heace &c. &c. or
engage IN war, unless actually invaded, or
in such imminent danger, as will not admit
of delay - and it is inferred from this clause
of the Constitution. that no state can " keep
troops" in time Of zvar also--Now, admit
ting such construction to be correct,
(Which Twill not argue for the presently
where is the difficulty We can keep troops.
g with the consent of Congress ;" Congress
viii no. refuse to pei nit a State when &C
| tuated only by motives of public good, fire.
f+ornS TO repel an invasion, which is threa-
tened by fcrce of so atrocous a complex
| Ion as is talked of i'll the circles of Halifax.
| Then, Fellow-Ciiizens. be up and be a.
doing-remember the high character of the
state which you have the honor to repre-
sent, and prove yourselves the worthy de-
sccndants of the patriots of'76.
A VIRCINIAN.