Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-01-18


pertv. which has been seized by the reven :
ue ofhcers, and praying restoration of their.
SAID pronerty-Refcrred to the committee
OF Ways and Means.
MOUNTED RANGERS.
Mr.. Jennings said that it must be recol-
iec'ed by the House, that the act which was
passed at the last session of Congress, for
me raising certain companies of II apqers fo,,
the protection Of the frontiers. had cxn;red
hose Rangers were raised under rl,r- NJ
prehension OF attacks from the savapes !.
and those approximations have unfortunately
been realised far beyond the general antici
patton When those Companies were rails
ed, Mr.. Speaker, we expected long since to
have taken possession of the British ,ro-
vince of Upper Canada, thereby to have in
tercepted the connection and commnnica,
ton between the British and the north wes-
tern Indians, 1t will therefore readily be
perceived, that in consequence of our disaD-
pointed expectations in that quarter. the
north western frontier will be more exno-
sed to the savage knife and tomahawk at
the opening OF the approaching Spring than
they have been heretofore. This descrip-
ton of force, if again organised, and station
ed at suitable PORTS without the frontier
settlements, viii render it more efficient.
and in better situation to range the woods
and prevent the unapprized attack ofthe sa
wage upon the helpless women and children.
III we had to expect invasion from a civil
sed Zoe, our situation would not excite so
much terror, but the savage character
draws no distinction from the helpless in
'ans and the prisoner of war. Under such
circumstances, no calculation of expenditure
ought to nave any weight against a measure
Calculated to afford a necessary and pro-
per protection to such an important and ex.
tensive frontier of the United States. The
secrecy and facility with which the sava
ges can assail that frontier, renders it i'm
proper that we sh uld depend entirely for
protection upon the volunteers and militia
OF an adjoining state. They carry with them
their prJudices, and too often forget the sa
cred rights Of private property. This fact
has unfortunately been verified by a ne
tition which | presented Yesterday from
the territory which represent. But can
nor believe that such is the character of the
citizens OF Kentucky, although / do believe,
mat the cause OF that plundering, so far as
1t did take place in the western part of the
territory of Indiana by portion ofthe Ken
lucky volunteers, may be found in the I'M
hallowed exertions focal political purpo.
ses, to impress onthe minds of at least some
81 those volunteers, that they we're TO dc.
END British agents, British partizans. and
persons having connection with the sava
gss.
shall now, (said I.) present to the
Ebuse, the following resolutions. which
have prepared, as well for the purpose Of
Offering a bounty in lands to thos- tho would
volunteer their services as for the
protection of the Northwestern. 5ntier. as
for he purpose of enquiring into the expe-
diemy of paying the militia and volunteers
whohad already rendered important servi.
ces n shielding the helpless from the savage
crutlty.
Resolved, That the committee ON mill
tary affairs be and they are hereby direct
cd totnquire into the expedieney of author
ising ule President of the United States 70
raise at least twelve companies of rangers
by the acceptance Of volunteers or enlist
mcnt for one year, to DC mounted or other-
wise, rs the service may require.
Received, That the said Committee On
quire into the eXpediency of allowing a bonn
ty IN land to those who shall tender their
services as rangers and be accepted bv the
President of the United States.
Resolved, That the said committee on.
quire likewise into the eXpedlcncy Of ma