Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-10-12

/ expensive to the Commonwealta.-Alt il
u readily admitted, that some difficulties pre-.
sent themselves in opposition to such force,
it cannot be doubted that, by proper repres
sensations on the subject to the General Go
vernment, such arrangements might be made
| as would render the measure satisfactory to
both Governments. -,
Arsenals should also be- erected In some
inaccessible parts of the Commonwealth,
supplied with the whole apparatus of War,
and particularly . large number of Rides,
the value of which. from the face Of our
fcountry, is daily manifesting itself,
I must pre- y upon the Legislature the me-
cessity Of an early attention to our fiscal af-
fairs. The border war which the enemy has
/ kept up, has induced many commandments of
Regiments to keep In service thro' the year,
| portions (and sometimes the whole) of their
| Regiments. The expences thereby accru-
ing had nearly exhausted the fund appru-
prlated by the Legislature at their last ses-
SION to military purposes-whent the last ef.
forts we were compelled to make far ex-
ceeded il. Aitho' we were duly sensible of
the high responsibility OF adopting measures
| producing expenditures far beyoad those
which had been provided for by law. we.
nevertheless, weighed the safety Of the Com
mpnwealth against every other considerable
on. either public OF private, and feariessly1
encountered the consequences confiding in
the known liOerality Of our Constituents, of
which their Representatives delight to give
continual proofs. Il is bat an act Of justice
to the Banks. to make known, that they have
advanced. when the Treasury was entirely
exhausted, considerable sums. by which,
together with the forbearance of individual
claimants. we have been enabled to keep up
the present expensive military establishment,
To provide for these claims, as well as the.
pay of our fellow-ci.izensin arms, needs on
ly 60 be mentioned to receive the prompt
attention of the General Assembly. The
President of the u. States, having strongsl
" recommended to the attention of Com
gress. general rcvisal of our militia laws,
fortear to call your attention to that sub.
iect. till the pleasure of Congress is made
known, which hope will occur during the
present scssion.---I cannot. however, forbear
to snggs st, that the last law relating to the.
collection of 6nes, still admits of doubts, by
watch difficulties have interposed most ipju.
rious to the service, particularly as 60 the
question what officer is to collect those Fl res.
or enforce the judgement by imprisonment.
in the event of Insolvency. From the cxpe
| rience of several years I am induced to sng.
II
| much Of the Militia Laws as prevents the
| Executive fron granting commissions to
volunteer corps, Numerous are the instan>
ces of tenders of service from such associ.
atoms; the acceptance of which has been
prevented from our ihcapacity to commissi>
| on those under whom they were willing to
serve. Hf
would recommend to the Legislature to
new model the divisions of the militia, 50 as
to cause the number of Major Genera,s, to
conform to the organization of the United
States. which prescribes one Major Gererai
to two Brigadiers. OF the latter, since your
last session. four have resigned, viz. Gcne-
rails blackwell Bisgs, Tate and Cohoon.
L The office OF Register has become vacant
by the death Of the former incumbent, Chs.
Blagrove. Esquire, which we forebore to
supply, IN consequence of your approaching
session, An early attention to this subject
wrt'd be a CONVENIENCE to the public Ihave
also 70 communicate the death of Samuel
Peasants. Esq. Printer to the Common.
wealth., which vacancy was not supplied for
the like reason
+ AS a few weeks will place me in the con-
| diion ct private citizen, this of course is
the last time 1 shall have the honor of thus
addressing you--I deem an apology unncces-
sary Tor embracing 1t to tender to you and
our constituents an uDfcigned expression of
profound gratitude ut the recollection of the
numerous proofs Of kindness, indulgence and
sonhdence. have received at the hands Of
| mycountry, in the various situations in which
| have beencalled to act.
! While in devotion to the faithful discharge
OF my duties should dread comparison
] with no pan, / am well aware of the very lie
mited capacity, which have carried int
the service OF my country. While therefore
1 am constrained TO tax anew that indulg,
ence have so often experienced for those
errors into which have been .unintentioDally
betrayed, repose with full confidence in
the belief that all will do justice to my nor
uves, and award to me the need that the
whole scope of my conduct, as far as in.
tehtion was concerned has been invariably
directed to the best interests or my Country
1 shall carry with me into retirement an in-
deiibk impression Of the favors have ex.
rerienced and increasingly pray that good
providence may perpetualIy have in his
holy keepings those to whom the destinies
OF my country may be con6ded, aud thst
the Legislature OF Virginia may continue to
De the sieeplsss guardians of the liberty and
honor OF their Country. ~
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