Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-11-02

Afne paohci,y may DC afforded to the viadi. \
alton. which was given to the charge III
ave thought IL bess that you should be ap.
'rised of this course.
Your humble servant,
HUGH NELSON.
His Exce,,ency is. Barbour,
Kichmnnd, Virginia.
(Ns. So
WASHING TON. Sept. 2oth, 1914.
n defensive measures taken by
the state Of Virginia, both to rcpel invasion
and to meet those predatory attacks OF the
enemy. with which, she has been cons, aptIy
threatened. have no doubt been duly apreci~
ated blythe government Of the United States
Fo enable her to continue those deferccs
deemed not more important to her own safe
~ than essential to the security of that Dor
ton OF the Union Of which, she forms a mart.
the Executive ~ requested me respectful
ly to represent to you the present exhausted
state OF our finance, and to solicit such aid
as II luay be convenient for the General
Government to furnish-I shall not advert,
SIR, to those claims already presented tothe
Department of war on q former occasion.
and which since that,time have Accumulated
to a very considerable amount-the ground
on which they stand has been heretofore fol.
" and ably e~lucidated, and they clearly Z,
vince a disposition on the part of Virgins.
wnen the occasion presents, promptly to adj
vance the means she possesses, and frankly
to repose on the justice of the Government
for future retribution. But I would beg leave
TO call your attention for a 10 pre-
cent the condition in which the war has plac-
ed us.
TO protect our shores from the constant
inroAds ofthe eremy. the militia of the whole
OF our lover country has been kept almost
oa constant dutY-besidcs the repeated and
almost daily reinforcemenss which were re-
squired to supply the post of Norfolk-About
the first of August, a detachment of
mens under the command of General Porter
held, were ordered 10 take the field : and
scarcely had this Brigade assembled. when
Il was ascertained that the present ormida-
olesforce of the enemy had entered orr wa.
tiers. and its sudden descent on the CITY Of
Washington. inducedthe Executive Of the |
State to order out men for the 1
defence of Richmond and the surrounding |
conntry-fn addition to this, a considerable |
force was ordered to rendezvous in the Nors
them Neck TO protect the shores of the ps-
tomac, with a view to look to the defence
OF Washington or any other point to which
1T mightsbe Girected-Npt having time 10 |
consult the General Government, andbeing |
unwilling to add to the difficulties already |
resulting from the pressure of III. enemy, the |
whole OF this force. with all its conconitant |
expense supported by the State has been
Kept 10 the field until the present tiue-It |
is no. doubt well Known TO you. that the sum |
OF near S500, 900 had been formerly advanc.
ed to the Government Of the United States
in he varions calls OF the state militia to
Norfolk and elsewhere ; and that a part Of
these claims had already been sent forward
and acknowledged to be duo by this depart
ment, but still remain unpaid-We have re
Gently advanced to Mr.. Jennings alone, the
Contractor of the Us. at Richmond. near
20. 600 dollars. besides a very considerable
amount to others. for the subsistence Of the
troops now in service. At the same time
also, finding tile brigade of Gen. Poserfeld.
after it had been received into the service OF
the United States, destitute of funds necessa>
ry TO furnish supplies. we have advanced up I
wards of 10000 dollars to DO NC. Whe:
atom, on the promise of re eayment IN a few
daysT-Of all those different sums. amount
ing in TT Sysggregate it is supposed TO be We
ry little short of a Million Of Dollars. az. sx
pense as necessary 20 the support of the ar,
my as the army was tothe safety of the state
a dollar has yet been re -paid-and
we are now compelled 10 appeal to the jus.
tice and liherality Of the General Govern
inent, tor such aid as It may be disposed to
afford ua
1t is very far indeed from the wish Of the
to press the extent or nature Of
those claims. especially at q time like the |
present, on the attention of the General Go
vernment-but the painful Alternative is at
lenght presented of disbanding the troops
now for our protection, or of pro-
Curing the means necessary to feed them:
To the position of this force on Q late &C.
casion, 1t IS believed the safety Of our Capi-
toll is justly ascribed. With those vie
] am directed earnestly to so icit
and advance of so ar 100000 dollars; a sum
most likely for the present TO relieve our
ehoarrassments and meet engagements we
have already made-Should the amount ask.
Tor not be convenient at this time. ! must
whatever sum it may be in the pow.
cr OF the Government to grant ISL am AL
so requested to ask of the President the &C.
into the United States' service Of
the troops now stationed in he neiehbsrhood
OF Richmond, or such portions as shall be
deemed sufficient for the protection of that
section OF our country. IT has at all times
been the wish Of the Governor. that wheDe.
yer a force was called into serv ce for the
defence of the State. il should receiv e the
OF the General Government and be
placed Immediately under its coairoul-E-
very occasion has been taken not only to Of
ter this force, but to press this subject on the
attention OF your predecessor in Office, and
l feel justified in assuring yc~i, sir, such 4,
still tie desire of Virginia, heartily to COO
perate with the General Government. in all
the defensive measures of our country-that
she stands ready to contribute any further
4 II nj NI. n. -e a 4