Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-02-03
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And the said amendments, being twice read,
were, on questions pat thereupon, agreed 70 by
tue House.
The SAID report, as amended, was approved
~ the House.
Ordered, dat bin be brought in conforina-
by thereto; and that the committee of Finance
Go prepare and bring in ihe same.
TUESDAY, january %, 1912.
\ communication from the Goverpor was re-
ceiyed, and read, as follows:
Council ChanLer, January 27th, 1912.
SIR,
The peculiar posture Of our forS ign rc,a.
tons, and the still more serious consequences
which may in all probability ensue, have not
failed To engage the profound attention Of this
department, upon which, must devolve the
high responsibility, of watching over the safety
OF .hc good people of the commonwealth, and
uTon the approach of danger of calling forth all
its energies. I rcpose the most unlimited conf
dence in the disposition OF the general govern
meni to extend to this state its full share of na-
,ionai protection. Bat occasions may occur i'm
their nature so urgent as to require a prompti-
Jude of cxcrtion, which the United States gov
errnent may be unable to effect. The theory
OF the constitution of the United States as wen
as tie dictates of self-preservation. inculcatc
the necessity TO every stale of dcpci ling upon
their own resources for the rcpuision of sudden
Invasion. When we cast eve ever the map
Of this state and discover from circumstances,
tco notorious TO need an explanation, how liable
We arc TO invasion, we cannot reasonably hope
tc-be exempt from our full share of the c.lani-
ties of war, should war ensue. VIII il not COM
port with true policy to prepare for any eNigcn-
cy, BY placing ample means, under tic control
ct this department., and thereby superccdc the
necessity Of converting the Legislature at an I'M
timely and nconvcncnt season, which must
take place, if no provision he made for a state
OF things which prudence requires we should
anticipate. The constitution and the laws OF
the commonwealth invest the executive with
power to call forth the militia The state has
likewise expended large sums of money in the
acquisition Of arms. Having now on hand in
the arsenal and in excellent order, 10000 stands
OF arms, beside very large number dstribut-
ed, and also $50 pieces ofordnance-Sut in the
munitions OF war, particularly powder and the
materials OF which it is composed, we arc ex-
tremcly dcfciert-As also in pccuniary resour-
ccs, without which all other means become use
less.-This department. feels that it would be
wanting in its d.ty were it not to call the atten-
ton OF the representatives of the people (whose
powers are alone commensurate with the pro-
vision of an ample remedy to this subject, rem
eered highly Interesting from the peculiar cri-
SIS in which we are called to act. The lcgisa-
ture will also recollcct that whatever expense is
incurred BY the state, III defensive measures, is
finally reimbursed BY the general government,
as has been verified by the recent example arts.
ing from the affair of the Chesapeake. For the
Information of the General Assembly, I enclose
report Of the keeper of the magazines. Since
the date of that report we have contracted for
and received, salt-pctre, to the full amount OF
tie appropriation of the last year. We have al
so on hand toierably good supply of cannon
ball. Connected with this subject are the APP
piications of officers commanding artillery conf
panies, and who have been supplied with pieces
o. ordnance, for ball.-Thcsc Requests, coming
from parts of the state much exposed, the Ex-
ecutiye are disposed to grant, but the law hay-
ing made no provision for such an exercise of
Power, 1t has become necessary 10 present the
subject 70 the legislature. The Ist section of
. law which passed January 2ts;, 1897, cnjoins
al rs a duty OH the Executive to distribute the
;'rfns belonging 20 the commonwealth where
they shall exceed a certain number, viz. $500
muskets, &c.-but the Legislature has omitted
to appropriate money for that purpose The
consequence has been great accumulation of
arms in the Armory. The Executive cannot
carry this law into effect without money. The
amount necessary is perfectly conjcctural but
S $500 it is believed is the least sum that will
be commensurate with the subject 1t is sub
mitted 10 the wisdom OF the Legislature whetll-
er il will be prudent, under the present state Of
things, TO send our arms to the extremit Of
the state whose remote situation is perfect
guarantee 20 safety--Whilst to call in our arms
from thence would be accompanied with much
delay and expense-By the 44th section of tn.
general militia law, power is given to the Col
Commandments, to call out their regiments where
invasion or Instruction shall actually have hap
pened, but no power is given them (no matter
how threatening the dangcr) TO prepare 10 re-
pei them-It is believed this part of the law
might be amended to great advantage, by in.
yestiBg them with that authority to be exercis-
ed unGer such regulations, the Executive
might prescribe, and under such penalties, as
would ensure obedience.
The 9Th section ofthe law concerning the mi
Iitia, which passed February 9TH, 1906, cmpow-
ers tie Executive to organise the artifcers of
the armory with view 20 the defence thereof
But tho law prescribed no penalty for dcIin-
q1ency on the part Of officers or men, and the
law has therefore not been executed. II is ne.
cessary to amend it, If it's execution is desira-
bic, about which, il is presumed, there can be
no difference Of opinion-The law concerning
patroles is also defective as it throws the whole
burden Of this important part Of our police up
en- the poor and labouriDg part of the commu-
nifty by prescribing so small fine for failure
in discharging this duty-Whilst the compen-
sation being for 12 hours instead of by the night
is but rarely received.
am with sentiments ofhigh respect,
Your fellow.citizen,
is: BARBOUR.
u g