Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-01-30

raiwonid have 70 employ duputy or agent
toNHke these purchases, which would be
putting too much III the power of subordi-
nate officer, and would do away that check
which viii exist if the Purveyor be continu-
ed, as the purchaser and distributor of the
supplies would be in the same person. The
furveyor is also the purchaser of goods for
the Indian Department
Mr.. Williams roseto prevent any person
from falling into the mistake which the gen
| tlcman from n. Carolina appeared TO have
done, by making remaks applicable TO the
printed bill Ga part ofwhich had been struck
| out and other parts amended) instead of the
bill rca:! from the chair He deemed it un-
| necessary to add any thing in reply, to what
had been so well said by the gentleman from
Connecticut.
Mr. Aston said he had attended to the bill
as read, and not to the printed bill and in
sisted that from the provisions Of the bill, the
Secreta'y ot War might direct the Purveyor.
and Sluarter-master to purchase the same
articles. Ii the bill was what the gentleman
from Connecticut had STAYED it to be, he
should not have objected TO il but it was
not tf'V-
Mr.. Quincy had doubts whether both
these officers were necessary. There was
no such officer as Purveyor of Public Supplies
during the Revolutionary war. IL it were
found hereafter that another officer besides
the Charter master-General was necessary,
he could be appointed. There ought GER
| tainly to be responsibility attached to the
purchaser OF supplies, and this might be
placed in the Head of the War Department
or Quarter-master-G enerai. He had not
| sufficient light on the subject, to say that
both these officers are necessary He was
in favor OF the bill as it came from the Sc
nate.
Mr. Blount said, that though there was not
Purveyor of Public Supplies during the
Revolutionary war, there was a CIothier,
who did much the same business. If we are
going to war, said Mr. B. he did not see how
we could do without Quarter-master-Ge-
neral; and it would be improper for him to
become the purchaser of supplies, which it
is the duty of the Purveyor to purchase, be-
cause, as had already been stated, there
would be no check in the business There
must be propriety in keeping the Offices dis
tinct
Mr.. Macon observed, it was impossible to
go to war without Quarter-master-Gene-
raj; for there is no man has so much to 90
about an army as this officer. There was
always more difficulty in settling the Quar-
ter-master-General's accounts than any o.
ther. lhe only instances in which Quar-
ter-master-Gcneral has to purchase sup
plies, is when, by some miscarriage or acct
dent, the supplies from the Commissary or
Purveyor do not arrive in season. 1t is ne
cessary that such power should be vested
in this officer, to be used Oh such extraordi-
ry occasions. AS had been stated by his col
league, tho there were no Purveyor during
the Revolution, there were clothiers or a
gents employed in different situations, which
answered the purpose. The qualifications
necessary for the General
and Purveyor are very different the one
ought to be soldier, the other a merchant.
The bill passed by large majority.