Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-07-08

and during the war. instead Of twelve
mouths, to Dc limited, as to service, TO the
defence of the seaboard of the United States
or OF such part thereofas the President may
select aud determine.
This section having been read
MI. 1roup explained the views of the
military committee in recommending the
passage of this BILL He spoke of the state
OF defence OF our seaboard. 1t would be in
discreet and imprudent, he said, to enter
into an explanation of the State of our sea-
ports, as to their relative state of defence.
1t was true, that all our sea ports might not
be perfectly defended bat the situation of
the United States in this respect was pref
ty much the situation of every country en-
gagged in state of war. 1t was never prac-
t!caole for any government to place beyond
the reach ofinsuls every point of its from
tier. 1t our population were thousand
times more dense, II our military resources
were Thousand times greater, we should
NOT be able etfectually to protect our sea
coast. When we look at Holland &C France,
with their dense population, and multiplied
resources, and find that they are not at AN
times exempt from apprehension and dam
ger, we feel the less disposition to be dissa-
tisiied at the present state OF our maritime
Notifications and defence. Notwithstanding
the defence OF our harbors is by no means
perfect, 1t is at least respectable and near
iy complete, so far as Notifications are eff,
cient to that end. Mr.. T. SAID he could %
further than this, and say that the mari
time cities of Europe are not generally bet
ter defended than oars. Surprising for a
moment that the notifications on our sea
board could be extended into a line of bat
terry or redoubt along the coast, you would
n IN n hoe Is
lance of 400 yards. This must be consider.
cd at least tolerable defeucc A few add
ditional Notifications, however, were vet re-
CURED. and force adequate to man them
True 10 was, Mr.. L. said, thatIye had men
Ill abundance in service militia and volun-
teers---but militia and volunteers would
rot do Tor garrison duty. 1t would be idle
tor tor him at this day to enter into AN ar
gument to shew that this species of force
was not serviceable for garrison duty It
was necessary TO substitute this force By one
OF different description, better qualified
tor that duty. II was therefore proposed TO
raise five regiments of men exclusively for
this purpose which, with five regiments of
the twelve months men authorised to be
raised On the Atlantic border, and five re IL
ments of other troops to be retained in SER
vice, would make an aggregate OF 5000
men for the defence of our maritime from
tier.
Mr.. L. however wished so to modify the
Dill as that the destination ST this force should
be subject to be changed by act of Congress-,
IT Congress should hereafter deem it exBe-
dient and he moved an amendment to that
effect.
Alter desultory debate, in which Mes
srs Troup, Gholson, Wright, Clay, Gros-
renor, Bradley and Taylor, took part, prin
ciPally turning on the propriety of enlisting
men FOR particular service or destination
this amendment was negatiyed, So TO
50.
Mr.. Bradley moved to strike out the whole
OF that part OF the section which restricts
these men to a particular service which,
motion was negatived.
The remaining sections of the bill. rela-
ting to minor amendments in the existing
laws relating to the army, were struck
out, on motion of Mr.. Troup, and the bill
as amended was ordered to be engrossed for
a third reading.
L he House then resolved itself into COM
mittee OF the whole Oh the report of the
committee of Elections unfavorablc to the
petition OF John Talliaferro, contesting the
election CT John p. Hungerford
AT the usual hour Of adjournment the,
committee rose, after much debate, With
out having gone through the business, and
were refused leave to sit again.
And the House adjourned The subject
beng still before them, viii again come up
to- morrow.