The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-03-08

N1G1< !I<SI <-B-ItyE G,SI4BLiSH-
11ENT.
The house in committec of the whole, on
the bin for fixing the Military Peace Es-
tai'Iishment ; and the first section of the bill
having Teen read, whichproposes to fix it at
ZEN th2usond rtcn--S
Mr.. TRouP said the Military Establish
ment h ID just been perfected-the army had
Just beenmade one of tho finest in the world,
when 1T became necessarg to reduce it. 1t
was the less to be regretted, however, as the
ed'tse OF twas a subject of sincere and u
niversal congratulatson--it was proper to re-
duce the army. The only questions for the
House were, 1st. The erfenf of the reduce
ton, 2diy. The mode of reduction.
WITH respect to the first 1.-THE extent of
reductio0 he presumed that three objects
tusht q cfssiu the attention. of the House.
LIST. The security of the country-2dly. The
interest CT the country, and 3dly. The just
claims ct the army.
In Considering the security Of the country,
1t WAS OILY necessary to advert to the ac-
tutl state cfthe country. The war had this
moment terminated and left US surrounded
WIN the fleets and armies-the formidable
meets ana armies of our late enemy. What
security had We that those fleets and arulisa
would be withdrawn ? AT least we had no
other security than the good faith of the ma
ton with whom we had concluded the peace.
Adnltth s that faith to be what it ought to
De, nc submitted with much Difference to the
hoise whether the security of any country
ought ODE made to depend upon the good
iaith CT any other country. He presumed
mat a respectable military force would be
much safer dependence. So said the policy
and practice OF all civilized nations--so said
the policy and practice of all the nations of
!|irope-lh here the practice was 10 dis
0and or Tyithara.v hari hQssu-the one
power Withdrawing the other withdrew
inc one power reducing as the other
reduced. He did not know an instance in
european history OF two nations ter
mlnating war by an honorable peace,
where the one instantaneously reduced
It's military force to n peace establishment,
leaving the other to maintain its force
on war establishment upon its from
tier Such, however, ~Giiiaa &c precisely Cur
case II we determined on a sudden and great
reduction of the army
he treaty OF peace had stipulated the sur
render OF posts and the restore ton of certain
Property-both were important, and yet
what security had we that either stipulation
weuid be fulfilled if we suddenly stripped
ourselves of onr military power We would
have no reliance left but on tha good faith of
our late enemy. If the posts were not surren-
oereo or the property restored, he presumed
we would begin 10 reorganise and restore our
ariny--he thought it therefore more wise &
more prudent on the grpUs,ci OF sec1.zit.,, to
make our reduction moderate, limited and
gradual
But, 2dly, the interest of the country The
interest OF tae country in one sense of the
word required not merely the reduction but
1he anmh!iation OF the af'nv-it was the in
terest otthc country to relieve the eovernu.net
q Country from the burden ofthe militia
ry efPence but this could only be done by
the entire destruction of tho Whole military
force. Why, therefore, was it not proposed
10 put down the army altogether Only be-
cause the security of the country forbid it.
here, then, was consideration Of interest
connected with the Consideration of security.
but there was an interest distinct and indie
pendent--it was that which would look with
steady eye to what were considered
great and important rights and principles,
not settled by the treaty of peace. The trea-
ty OF peace was treaty of peace mereIv--
1t was properly such--it proposed little
more than to put an end to the war, Much
more remains to be settled--rights, princi-
pies and interests considered essential to the
prosperity OF commerce, navigation and fish,
cries remain to be settled. This was TO be
cone 10 the only way in which it ought 10 be
dore---by treaty of commerce. Nations
hesociate with more weight and influence
WIN arms In their hands than without them.
ant. large army would carry Into nego-
cation mere weight and influence than a
sinaii one he submitted, therefore, to the
House, whether great and sudden retucti :
on OF the army would not prejudice those
rgn's and interests, and whether the interest
Oh u ~. - Cid not, on this account REQUIRE
Tor the present, the exhibition Of a respecta-
be military force.
But 3dly. Tire just claims offhe army
whether the reduction were great or small.
instantaneous or eventual, the lust claims of
the army could not fail to be subject of con-
slderauon with the House By the inst
claims OF the army, ne did not mean to be
understood asspcaki0g of absolute right on
tne one side, land correspondent absolute o.
DIgauon ON the other--all he meant, was a
Just ard equitable claim to liberal provis-
ION from the generosity of the Legislature.
ne officers and soldiers TO be tijsbapded
were entitled TO a liberal provision, not be-
Cause they bad embarked in the regular SER
vce--not because they had EXPOSED their
lives in defence of their country-not because
very many of them had been wounded and
olsaDi ed--not because very many Of them had
faicr' leaving their wives and children de-
peDdcrL on the charities Of the world--not he
cause these brave men we're still willing furth-
er % expose their lves--not because their skill
e valor mad greatly contributed to the restora-
ton OF the blessings Of peace--nor for ali
these-but because they had entered into the
service Tor yeaIs-perhaps forever--aban