Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1815-12-12

ny great Importance, which was recon-
mended by the President to their attenti-
on. He referred TO the authority which,
ID the view of the President, ought to be
given to the executive of the United States
efficiently to command the services of the
militia in the cases contemplated by the
constitution.
MIR. Taylor referred TO the message to
shew that, by necessal connection, this to-
PIC was included III the general terms of
the resolution las above) which relates to
the organization of the militia. 1t was
therefore in his opinion already committed
1t at any future day an express instruc-
ton on that head to the committee should
be found to be necessary, it could then be
given.
MIR. Wright said, there was another
very important subject adverted to by the
President which was not embraced, he
believed, in the resolutions just adopted !;
though he was not certain it was not
because he could not distinctly under
stand them by casually hearing them read
and decided on without previous notice.
He referred to the Recommendation to
provide for the payment of the militia call
ed into service during the late war, with
cut the authority of the United States.
lhis was subject he had much at heart,
not only as respected the state he repre-
sented, but other parts of the Union, whose
militia had promptly turned out to meet
the enemy. before tie authority OF the u
nit.d States could be put in motion to
guide their zeal. 1t was due to the militia
who fought forthe country that they should
be paid 1t was due to the magnanimity of
the nation that it should make the paw
ment from the national treasury. In the
part OF the state which he represented,
all the mi itary duties during the war had
been performed at the instance of the mi
litia ofncers, the country being so cut off
by the Bay from the seats of both the
state and general governments as to pre-
vent prompt commune t or with them.
The recommendation On this subject con-
t4ined in the message was one which,
he said, did great credit TO the head
and heart of the eXecut We, and he hop
ed the house would not overlook OF Sill lat
it, &c.
Mr. Taylor of NewYork observed, that
he thought it would be better to defer the
examination cf'his subject until brought be-
fore the Congress in some shape by the
parties Concerned. IF these separate ex-
ertlons OF patriotism required compensate
on, they would be brought before Congress
i'll the form OF memorials, from the states
brought before Congress, the subject might
be referred to committee and generally
and fully examined.
Mr. Wright. aftersome further remarks,
subnlttsd the fol owing motion
THAT SO much OF The Presidents Message, as
relates to al arrang, ment Of the militia exlences
Incurred by the several state governments without
the previous sanction or authority OF the govern
ment If the United States, be referred to a select
commttee"
This motion was agreed to, mem. con.
Mr.. p. Barbour, of Va. said, there was
another subject of Importance referred to
in the Message, which he wished to bring
to the view of the HOUSE, that, if not III
cludcd in the references already m de.
it might he referred to a committee
He meant the payment of the expences
OF the militia called out regularly under
the authority Of the U. States, who had
rot yet been paid, in consequence of the
deficiency in the amount of appropri t;ons
for that object. He had actual knowledge
OF the fact OF many militia thus situated,
remaining unpaid, and seriously suffering
tor the want of what was justly due them.
From the correspondence between the
Pay Department and the militia officers,
which he had seen published, the delay of
payment was produced by the exhaustion
This defect, if cxisting, should be immedi-
ateiy supplied. Tobring this question be-
fore the house, he moved,
"Fhai the committee If WAYS and Means be in-
structcd to enquire whether the appropriation of
money made at the last session of Congress for de-
traylng the expences Of the Militia called into the
service OF the United States under the authority of
the several states, be sulioilnt and if not, what
is the amount Of the delici .ncy."
Mr.. LoWndeS SUGGESTED thar the com
mittee ct ways and menus, when appoint
ed, would not have it in their power to
act on the subject proposed to be referred
to them, until the report of the secret ry
OF the treasury should be received. Tat
report, which would probably afford all
the information the gentleman desired,
might be expected in a few days and
upon that report it weuld of course be-
come the duty of the committee of WAYS
and means to act, without particular re-
ference.
Mr. Barbour, then, observing that he
had but desired to bring this subject direct
ly to the view OF the house, waved his mo-
ton for the present.
a message was received from the Sc
nate, proposing the usual apo Of
two Chaplains Ct different religious dcnom-
nations, to interchange weekly between
the two houses.
This proposition was concurred in, with
some dissenting voices aud 10 morrow
assigned for the election of Chaplain ON
the part Of this house.
And then the house adjourned
Thursday, Dscembcr 7.
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