Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-12-09
MIR. CHESS SPEECH
on. &c 6A.tor rais1.g .itzy thousqnd Yolunt1

In SENATE january 90, 1872
Inc report OF select committee of the senate upon
the Dill from the House OF representatives for raising
600 volunteers, in favor of reducing the number to 25
O0Q, and the appropriation from 100000 10 500 600
dollars being under consideration-s
MIR. GILES said, we we're called TO act upon this hill
under very peculiar circumstances Whilst it APPEAR
ed to have many advocates, yet he did recolect
nave heard any gentleman express any confidence
Provisions: Al seemed to be ct opinion that its prov
sons were inefficient, not mpractcable Mr. G. said
that from the early part OF Adams's aninsra ton
down to the present time Compress had on various c
cascns, passed bills for raising volunteers win
variations IN their particular provisions Blu, invariably
upon the same principle that of the old woman's pre-
scrpton: II il will do good it will do no harm
Mr. Giles said il there existed no disease in tbs bodv
pto, he should have objection to the prescription
but we are informed, that the deadly wounds and
contusions have been inflicted its most vital parts
and he thought of course more active and operative
remedy ought to be prescribed. He said he did not
think this bill entirely correspcned with the character
gwen oil 1t by It's friends he thought il calculated to do
more harm than good ii contains an appropriation o
100000 OF delsrs and although he did no, believe
they ever would be expended under provisions vet
that additional sum must be taken into the estimate of
appropriations, and of course provided for-wher the
list OF other more necessary appropriations will swell to
avery great amount, and probably viii be sufficiently
embarrassing 20 the treasury department, without pro-
SidDg for nominal Expenditures; this single item will
be nearly third of the whole of the contem.
plated loan But this was not his principal objection to
It 1t processes to place in the hands of the ex
ecutive. which he believed to be merely nominal and
when called upon for practical USE will disappont his
expectations. Ibis would not be course of
conduct in relation 20 the President and might place him
in very unpleasant and awkward situation 1t is true
the President in his message calls for volunteer force
bat he presumed. the President efficient force
of that desci ption Congress was responsible for pre-
senting this force in efficient FORM iii could be done
which he very much doubted. Mr.. G. said, he very
much feared the executive had placed too much reli
ance upon this species of force without att nding suf
cieEt to the difficulties Of its and erea
ter difficulties ofappying it 10 its objects if organized
and If it would certainly be desirable for him 10 be
in imnQr nay DerfS II
therefore proceed to the and species of
force required by what understood be the execu
tive project by the house of representatives and by the
report of the committee Of the Senate. He would then
proceed 10 state his reasons for concluding that the
ecave had placed too much reliance upon the volun.
eE- force, ard thai it wocd dsappoint his
at least onder the proposed organization.
He said the whole force called for by the executive
prQec was 10000 meA; of these, goo be re,
gulars and $4,000 volunteers 600 regulars were pro-
posed to be raised in addition to the present military
tabIisment and so 600 volunteers The house of rep
resentatiyes proposed to raise IS 0Co men35 600 re
gulais and $4,000 volunteers. being 900 more than
the whole number called for by the executive If the
amendment reported by the committee should be a
greed 20 then the senate would propose to raise the
whole 10000 men 81, 600 regulars and IS 600 yoIun
This, he thought the best arrangement because
he believed would afford greater OF force
compared with the actual expense.
MIR. @ said, he would now proceed to state, witI.ihe
respectful considerations towards the executive
for believing that the executive has graf prefer
ence for the volunteer over the regular force, and that
it. 1t escape observation that of the forces
proposed be raised 10000 regulars only called
for by the executive project and 10000 volunteers he
concluded that great reliance placed volunee
or FIVE times many would not have been called for
of the other species ferce besides, he said it would
appear from Presidents message 9th JAM of the
preset year, communicating evidence of the continued
hostility of Great Britain, that Mr. Fosters letter to Mr.
Monroe, dated far back the 18th of Dec pre-
ceding. Mr.. Monroe's reply made till the 18th
of Ian. following nor communicated till the 10Th. II
happened that Mr. Fosters letter containing this evil
dence of continued hostility, bears date the very day
the discussion took place in this body the motion
for reducing the number of IS 000legular troops yet
was till after the final passage of that BILL that this
important communication made. The bill finally
passed both houses the 18th Jan and was approved
by the President the day If that comGlunica-
ton had been made at early day its effects la facii
tating and accelerang the passage of that bill or.
ignal form, cannot be questioned. He did rot mean
throw the distant imputa,on upon the executive
for withholding this communication until after the pas
sage OF that BILL and making it. whilst the volunteer bill
under consideration in the house Of representatives
because, he had right to ard if in his Judgment
the ppb!c interests would be promoted thereby, it was
right he should so act but strong evidence to
his mind OF the executive preference for the volunteer
the regular force and in this light only, he wished
the obser, alton to be regarded If So it rendered the
confederation and examination Of the provisions of the
volunteer bill more than usually important 1t is true
that Mr. Monroe in his reply to Mr.. Poster observes
that he takes the first moment of leisure to answer Mr.
Fosters letter; and he must presume the fact be
but for himself, he a loss conceive what more
weighy matters could have occupied the whole OF the
hon. Secretary time for nearly month than repving
to letter Announcing continued hostility he part Of
Great Britain against this country, at a moment too
when congress arxiously furnishing means
for repeing this hostility &c.
The correspondence Of such character that one
hours time was Amply sufficient prepare replys
HOTEL BY mr.. GILES
consequence OF This commentary upon the correspondence
betwcen Mr. Foster aud Mr. 3onroe Mr. bb OF Kcnucky
intmated reply thai Mr. Cites he'd been influenced by m
yae chickering's and personal feelings Mr.. Monroe in
making ks. In explanations the purpose of repe.
ling this Incorrect utmal;0n Mr. Giles observed that anv
sonal chickering's did exist between Mr. Monroe and himself
was no proper subject be introduced before senate and
could have any beneficial bearing upon the discussion