Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-07-15

NNN ~ o" NNNeAt, IA NatN NAOuu 81 RlOOm anu
ies, 'ondency which is settling upon the
Country cannot arouse US, then are we lost |
indeed. We may then proceed and apply |
ourselves torevenue andimsose taxes, which |
will operate after the national spirit is ex
hausted. and rely upon missions until the
national character is sunk even beneath ne
gociation.
Considering the vast sums OF money which
had already been expended the number of
nen which 1t was obvious must be in the
Poohc service TO consume so great an expen-
culture ana, above ALL the personal courage
oispiayed oy the troops in almost every en-
gaSeneht he could not bring himself to be
heve that the Cause of our misfortunes was
now TO be found in the want of strength or
resources in the Country, or of valor iu The
soldiers. 1t must be else where-and, per,
maps, some gentlemen would suppose that
IN starting and pursuing this enquiry, lie was
IN danger OF laying it at the door of the pre-
sent administration. If such were the case,
ne could assure those gentlemen that no adj
lninistrat4n-no man or body of men, was
aearer to him than his country. But he saw
no necessity for the superstition, that the Elk
ecuuve, the commander in chief, or the sol
u'er was IL fault. The cause OF evil might
DC somewhere else he did not pretend to
say where-indced. he did NOT know bu;
'his he did know, that, werever it was, it
ought TO De ferretted out and exposed To the
eyes OF the nation and 81 far as it lay in
tnc power oFthat House, he confidently trust
Gu that this would be done, and the army
restored to sanity and the country 10 it's re-
putation.
Mr.. u. Declared himself sufficiently sensi-
bic that the resolution which he was about
to submit to the House was presented at a
ate period in the session but he was also
sensible OF the old proverb, that it was never
90 late to do good and. in his opinion. the
remnant OF time could not be employed in a
manner more useful to, the republic, more
grateful! to the people. aud more satisfacto-
~ To themselves, thanin the appointment of
committee, which. without embarrassing
or retardiug the other public business, could
at least commence The investigation to which
he had cndeavorcd TO call the attention of
the House. With this view he submitted
Tor consideration the following resolution.
HeSolUea, That a committee be appoint
ed TO enquire into the causes which have led
10 the multiplied failures of the arms of the
United States on our Western and North
Western frontier. and that the committee be
authorised to send fer persons and pa
pers.
The House having agreed to consider the
resolution
MIR. Hopkins. of Ky. made some opserva-
tons, not distinctly heard, owing to the dis
lance OF the Reporter from his seat. He
was, however, in favor of full enquiry in
to all the disasters which had occurred but
appeared to conceive the present moment
to be unreasonable, on account of the parti
cular circumstances of the country and tie
approaching termination of the session On
future occasion, and under different Cir
cumstances, he appeared disposed to give it
his full support.
Mr.. Seybert was opposed to the adoption
OF the resolution, for several reasons. 1t
proposed to put it in the power of a commit
tee OF this House to send for persons and pa
pers relative to the enquiry. Who are the
persons whom il was thus proposed to send
for during the present summerf Almost
every officer of the army. 1t appeared to
Mr. > that the resolution was entirely out OF
time, although he concurred in the proprie-
ty OF the proposed enquiry, if il were prac-
ucable. 1t was an enquiry, moreover, Who'll,
y Incompatible with present circumstan-
ces, as 1t would consume many months, and
must at la stbe inefficient and the result in
conclusive.
Mr. G Jackson said it did seem to him
that the resolution now under consideration
was the most smpolii c, in relation to the 81
tuaton OF the country and of the national
alters, that ever was submitted to Congress
At session limited (accordiDg to every cal
cuiation)to two weeks further duration, we
are called upon to Onter into an enquiry, &
to send for persons and papers relati, ely TO
1t, which would probably consume several
months. concur most heartily (said Mr.
~ III the sentiment that it is not ONLY the
right but the duty of Congress, If they dis
cover any gross and manifest, mismauage-
ment OF the arms of the country, to institute
an enquiry into the circumstances, as they
did many years ago in the case of St. Clair's
defeat. But reference to the circumstan
ces ct the country would prove that such an
enquiry at this moment was neither expedi-
ent or practicable. An enquiry presuppo
scs deliberdtiOn, candid delibcration and de
cision. is it to be expected that an enquiry
can be set on foot, and the result thereof
to the House at the present sessi
on! VIII you condemn your officers UNI
beardf | say your officers, for understood
the mover OF the resolution not to mplicate |
any person at the seat Of government-nor
to propose to extend the enquiry further than |
into the nisnanagement OF the arms in the |
hands of our brave soldiery on the frontiers. |
1t persons and papers relative to the enqui |
~ we're to De sent for, what would be the 81 |
tuation OF our army in relation to the enc
my : Tho Massachusetts memoriaIists |
would gain their prayer in one essential par
1cular--orr armies would not only return /
within our own limits, but would be Sbso- |
utely driven from the front er and disband-
ID. The army would be cahtH m0rtuuai-
or all its officers, from Major Generals to |
ubalterns, would be withdrawn.
Besides. sir, the resolution sncaks OF re-