The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-10-11

/ StsIfIDtf
with err; ~. With such sentiments towards
the Legislature, i may be permitted to sue-
geSt, without the imputation of an arrogant
intrusion or rny opinions, that the system to
De adopted should correspond with the ex-
tent OF our means, the power of the enemy
with whom we have to contend, and a COR
viction that nothing is to be expected but q
protracted duration of the war for the pur-
sint OF the igniS fatuus of a speedy retnrn OF
peace,it farther ndulged, will lead to cui.
| 1ntolng. Independently Of the r1lmors that
our Commissioners are returning, without ha-
| wing effected their object and that larpe re-
| mforcerents are ii, :" looked FIR in o,u- wa
| tiers "a reference tn the continued :,,rics of
| aggressions practised on us by Great!BritaA,
| which produced TIE war, the barbarcus spi-
1T which has marked its progress, the very
| great FORCE she has now ut her disposal the
| KIN wn nveterate hostility she entertains to-
Yards rs & cur republican institutons-SS, a.
| Dove all, the character of her govt. watch
| ing with the sleepless eve of dsquiet;ng lea
lousy, the growing prosperity of every com
| Ineroial coNntiy--all irresstibly lead to the
conchsion, that no rational ground remains
| on which TO rest the expectation OF peace.
Under these impressions. it is submitted to
the wiSdon of the Legislature to consider
whether the substitution of permanent mil
rfary torce, combined with Qualifications around
the places meant to be defended, furnished
with adequate trains of Artillery would not
he preferable TO calling out and continuing il,
service large masses of Militia; system as
hurtlensoIne to orr Citizens as expensive
[ to the CC1nmOnwealth.-Al it is readily
/ admitted, that some difficulties present them
| selves in opposition 10 such "A force, it cannot
| be doubted that, by proper representations
| on the subject to the General Government,
Sncli arrangements might be made as would
| render tnc measure satisfactory to both Gov
err nents.
Arsenals should also be erected, in some
| inaccessible parts of the Commonwealth, sup
| phcd with the whole apparatus Of War. and
particularly large number OF Rifles, the val
ne or which, from the face OF our country. is
daily mauifes';3g itself
must press upon the Legislature the ne
cessity OF an early 'enti0n to our fiscal af
fairs. The border war which the enemy has
kept up, has induced many ccInrBardants of
Regiments to keep in service thro' tht wear.
portions (and sometimes the wholel of their
Regiments. The expenses thereby accr,iing,
had nearly exhausted the f.ad appropriated
by the Legislature at their last session to mill
tary purpCses-whcn the last efforts we were
compelled to make far exceeded it. kltbo'
we we're duly sensible of the high responsible
ty or adopting measures producing expcndi-
lures far beyond those which had been provi-
the safety OF the Commonwealth against eve
ny other Consideration, either public or private.
ana tearlcSSiy encountered the consequences
conhding in the known lbeTaiity of our consti-
tuentS, OF which their Representatives delight
to give continual proofs. 1t is but an act of
justice to the Banks to make known, that
they have advanced, when the Treasury
was entirely exhausted, considerable sums, bv
which, together with the forbearance Of indi-
/ VII, nal H.,
keep up the present expensive military esta-
| blshment. To provide for these claims, IS
well as the pay of our fellow citizens in arms
| needs only to be mentioned TO receive the
| prompt attention of the General Assembly.
| The President ofthe u. States. having strong
ly recommended to the attention of Congress.
general revisal of our militia laws, forbear
| TO call your attention to that subject till the
| pleasure Of Congress is made known, which
hope will occur during die present session.
| Cannot, however, fOrbear TO suggest, that the
last law relating to the collection of fines, still
| admits OF doubts, by which difficulties have
lnterpos5a most injurious to the service par
| tlcularly as to the question what officer is to
| Collect those fines, or enforce the Indictment
| by imprisonment, in the event Of insolvency
| From the experience of several years am
| induced to SugEest also the necessity OF the
| repeal OF so much OF the Militia Laws as pre-
NCIllo lilS l-i-AICtit!NC FROM
| ions to volunteer corps. Numerous are the in
| stances OF tenders o. service from such asso-
! cations the acceptance of which has been
| prevented from our incapacity to commission
| those under whom they were willing to Serve.
| ! would recommend to the Legislature %
! new model the divisions Of the militia, SO as
to cause the number of Major Generals. e.
| conform to the organization of the United
States, which prescribe one MAJOR General to
! two Brigadiers Ofthe latter since your last
session, four have resigned, viz. Generals
! Blackwell, Biggs, Tate & Cohoon.
| The Office OF Register has become vacant
| Ivy the death of the former incumbent.
| Charles Biagrove, Esquire, which we forbore
to supply in consequence of your approaching
session. An carly attention to this subject
| would be convenience to the public have
| also to communicate the death of Samuel
Peasants, Esq. Printer to the Common
| wealth, which vacancy was not supplied for
! the ike reason.
As 4 few weeks will place me in the condi-
ton os private Citizen, this of Course is the
| last time | shall have the honor of thus Gd-
dressing y,u I deem ar apology unnecessary
| for embracing it to tender to you and our Con-
! sttuents an unfeigned expression of profound
| gratitude, ~ the recollection Of the numerous
; proofs of Kindness, Indulgence and confidence
| | have received 1t the hands Of my country,
\ in the various situations in which have been
/ called to act. While in devotion TO the faith
i y 49,