The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-03-02

SecreGry OF Var, TOR the payment OF the
balance, then IN arrear. Of Sl7,75l az cents
a letter OF the 18th of November folio wing,
from the Accountant OF the War Depart
ment, to his Exceliency, in reply to his APP
p!icatioa to the head of the Department
inclo I'd an estimate disallowing the claims
of toe commonwealth and presenting in
behalf of the United States, the sum OF
S2,ll4 10 cents. 1s an unsatished balance
due from this common alth TO the latter.
Results so different could not have been
furnished by two accounts, embracing
very near the same items, with0u, a matei
al variance in the principles on which they
were adjusted. Those asserted by the De.
partment of War lin behalf It Vie govern
|ment OF the United States wee ,nt less ex.-
tra@rdnary, than usexpccteu. They were
idrawn. i'll part, from Official assgss !. and
in part from real OF stspposed .ieiects. :, sfs
the existing laws OF the United Esates. In
the subsequent correspondence betwe OF,
the State aud G. rial GoverDr,ents, in re
lation to this subject, they were reduced to
certain heads, which may he correctly ex-
pressed ~ the following general pruposi-
ton
1st. That the government of the United
States, is not liable tn the expenses Incl zen,
to calling the militia of the several ates &
territories into 1t service :nr
2dly. When. thus called, for matching
Them to their appointed place of rendtz
vous.
Sdly. That an allowance on the rolls hav-
ing been made to the militia. for Clothing
and provisions, a reimbursement cannot be
Justly demanded Of the United States. for
such articles of either description, as are
furnished by the state or territorial govern
ments.
4thy. That no claims for reimburse.
ment of paymenss on account for militia IN
the ervice of the Omitted States are admis
s'b'e by The go-ernmcnt> thereof even al
though the party pres nting such claims
tenders an explanation OF each account
calculated 10 shew its justice, and vetifi-
ca'lon OF It's correctness by proper vouch
Iers.
5th|y. That no allowance or satisfaction
FOR the services OF militia officers, of de
'-minaton unknown 10 or unprovded for
by the laws of the United States. nor
o'hly. Any compensation for extra servi
ces otmi'itia officers rendered in the ;nsp, c.
ticn of detachmcnts organized and about to
march in compliance with the laws of the
United States. can DE chargeabIe on the 90
vernment thereof.
!Shiy. iEat every state is bound to e.
quip It's detachment of militia ordered into
the service Of the Uni,cd States and, un-
der the head of equipments. may be com
pretended hospital stores, camp equipaee.
and or. masters supplies.
And lastly. That the s ate government is
Irresponsible Tor tic preservation Of eq9ip-
ments furnis ed detachment of its militia
actually engaged in the service Of the Uni
teo states : and recognized to be SO, by the
government there #.
These objections, operating a. an efectu
4.
siderable sum due. when they were first
suggested. but TO the reimbursement of We
ry large amounts, which, at the commence
ment OF the present war, it was readily fore
seen that the connonwcal h would have
70 advance IN its further prosecution. the
governor and Council attracted he attention
OF the government, of the United States. I
the unsatisied claims OF the commonwealth.
by means OF special agents dsputed and EN-
powered to effect their adjustment.
those agents repaired to the city of
washington, on tne 2oth of February 1915.
ana. renewed request fOr settlement of
the balance OF S3l5o93 cents, then due.
were referred by the President Of the Uni
ten .1ta'es to the Secretary of War for
settlement ut the conflicting Claims of the
two governments
The answer ofthe Secretary of War. in
reply 70 letter OF the agent. of the Execu
tive, setting forth and SUI aiming the claims
OF the commonwealth, supports all the OBJ
J Cuons OF the Accountant, with the eXcep
tinn, only, OF the expression of doubt. whe
ther ne had not given too much latitude Il
the term equip" in surprising ~, in
ciudes camp equipage and quarter masters
supplies; but to tins s~nt ment the Secre
tary smbjoins, that still, however. the sn
piicatIon OF this doubt to the present case is
lett open"
The conclusion of this letter which ter
inmates correspondence on; a subject so
interesting to TINS Common w alth. is as fol-
lows In giving these opinions, | am far
from intending to convey the idea, that the
claitnS under discussion are not entitled ~
an equitable con sideration-but. to have
the benefit OF this, the application must he
made 70 the Comptroller of he Treasury
or 10 the Legislature of the Union.''
appears 20 your committee, that in CON
tormity with the last suggestion Of the abov.
letter. the Governor imme date lied the
attention Of the Senators and Representa
tives of Virginia, in the Congress If the II
states, which met ON the 18th Of Nav I9t9
to the unsatisiied claims of the cnm,non
wealth (; and that bill, caIcul,ted while
IL did not act nfon tie hast, to prevent. IN,
Part future complaints, unanimously passed
the Senate Of the y. States.
This bill provided. that Whenever the
militia, or any part thereof, shall be called
forth. by the legal authority of onv state
or territory within the United States, 20 re.
pei invasion. The President Of the u. States.
49,