The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-01-14

riea the spirit Of Accommodation far enough,
in voting for raising agreater number Of men
than he thought necessary ut present Hell
would be one Of the last inen in the House to
bring into question the rights OF the Senate,
or to excite feelings Of warmth between the |
two houses; both had the same country to |
serve, and doubtless had the same objects in |
view. He regretted that the passage Of this |
bill should be procrastinated and if there
were majority in favor of rscetling from
the amendments. his remarks should defer
the question but for few moments. He
would advert to the course which this sub
jeCt had taken, In order TO justify those who
are in favor of raising a smaller number of
men than is contemplated by this bill. 1t
was not only the opinion of the committee OF
Foreign Relations, but of every department
Of the government, that 10, 900 regular troops,
in addition to filling up the present military
establishment, and the contemplated voiun-
tecr corps, would be sufficient for the first
moments of the war. After the first blow
was struck, it was believed there would be
no difficulty in raising regular force TO any
extent that might be wanted. Those, how
ever, in favor Of 10000, out of a spirit of ac-
Commodation consented in raising of Il, 900,
and afterwards, with the restrictions in re-
lation to the appointment of officers, to 5000
men.
Mr.. J. said, it would be impossible to get
along. with this business, if members did not
acc with az accommodating, spirit. Respect
ought TO be paid to the opinions of men who
have had an experience of ten, fifteen or
swenty years in the government. If in cause
like the present, no member would vote for
raising any but the precise number he had
in his own mind fixed upon, the House would
be able to pass no bill upon the subject.-
Whilst this House was engaged in discussing
the resolution for raising an additional mill
tary force, a bill on the subject was received
| from the Senate. The House immediately
laid aside their own proposition, and took up
the bill. The Senate cannot but see that the
House gave way to their wishes on the sub
lject; but they ought to consider that this
House stands upon the same ground with
them. and that respect is due to their deci.
stems.
| tie had no doubt that many were induced
to vote tor this bill, from the amendments
to which the Senate have disagreed. When
appropriations for this army are wanted,
this House will have to originate dill for
the purpose and we shall have to account
to the people for the economical expendi-
ture OF the public money in the prosecution
OF this war. Before he would lose the bill
he would to be sure recede from these
amendments; but he hoped the House would,
In the first instance, adhere to their amend
ments, which would bring on conference
between the two Houses, that might either
induce the senate TO accept of the amend
ments, or to give such reasons for the re-
Jecting them as might induce this House
more willingly to recede from them.
/ MR.. Wright was in favor of recedine from
the amendments, rather than that the pas
sage of the bill should be DELAYED. He be-
lieved, though the government would incur
a greater expence, by the Course proposed,
the men would sooner be raised as every
officer who entered the service would find
1t his duty to promote the enlistment of the
men and as the object was of magnitude.
we ought not to regard the expence.
Mr.. Little wished to make a few 0bserva-
tons on this question. The subject of diff
ference between the two Houses was mere
matter of expence. 1t we recede from these
amendments, all the officers for the thirteen
regiments will have to be at once appointed.
The advantages of this course ought to be
compared with the eXpence, in order to sc
which will prepondsrate. In his opinion.
the filling up of the ranks would depend ve-
ry much OH the character of the officers ap-
pointed. 1t we are Immediately to go 70
war, he thought the advantages to be de-
rived from an early appointment Of the off
GERS would be OF more consequence than
thS SAPChNS. NtuCh udQ OCtn rSsliQ ABOUT
the opinion of the Executive as to the nun
Der OF men necessary to be raised NJ
thought this branch Of the government as
well able to Judge of the proper force to be
raised as the Executive, being acquainted
with the different parts Of the country, and
The most valuable parts of it. He was
in favor Of recedipg from the amend
lments.
Mr.. MorzyeH was in favor of raising an
additional force but could not agree to
abandon these amendments. When this
subject was hrst agitated, IL appeared that
the Executive was in favor of raising 10000
men only. He was therefore in favor o. the
number reported by the commirtee on For
eign Relations /; finding there was great
variety of opinion. however, he consented
to vote for $4,000 men, by way of accommo-
dalton. The Senate outstripped this House
| in their movements i'll this business, and sent
down bill proposing to raise $4,000 men,.
lie was opposed to this number, on account
of its being so much larger than had been
asked for by the Executive, and he believ-
ed this was the opinion of many others !;
However, when the proposition made by the
! speaker for limiting the number of officers
tobe appointed, was agreed to, he voted for
the bill as he conceived many others had
done so, that the bill might pass by as large
majority as possible. What has been the
conduct of the Senate ON this occasion
Have they acted in any thing like spirit
of Cancellation They say pass the bill in
zoe shape in which we send it to you, or not