Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-01-03
B motion IS Mr.. .Snrn--.

be deromina,td the District of whitehall, and
TO include iii such shores and waters OF Lakes
Charnplain and George, and the rivers connected
therewiti- aS i,e south OF Bason ilar5or in the
state OF tJ.;nopt.
INVALID CoRps.
On no:on OF Mr. .J2hasap, the House resolved
itself nir ec'nu' c., o,,';e Whole tsr. DCsla
in the CHAIR on tie bid rpa,;rE rrotis:,r fyr the
support Of the niirm, Disabled ami snpe,aa.,,atcd
officers ofthe Army ofthet'eyo'Htio', and Of the
late war, a;d of The army ior the iime being.
BESIDES one or two smail amendments to- The
detail of The bill, the Glowing proceedings took
place on it.
Mr.. Ioz,r9ss rose i,:r the purpose OF obtaining
information, whether the individuals to come in
urder this i!lwcre t0hc considered on the foot
ing OF Char y merely, or ofactuai service There
vas nothing, lac remaric ed, 10 the bill, fixing the
degree OF cofpn-eal disability which should
prevent IN Invalid from entering this cor.s I'm
deFpresent Impressions, lie said, it appeared Ga
hn that the proposed Invalid corls va (, too much
an imitation OF European institutions but little
adapted to the state Of society which happily ex
lists in cur country. Mr.. H. said he c:r;:.;n.y
should not object TO any provision which charity
or a just hbersiIity 20 those VII. have suffered in
the service OF their country, r.ght present for
consideration Hewas not onlv willng. but anx
ious, 20 provide in any manner deemed hest f,,.
those who are disabled hv thc injuries recciyc,
in service from providing for themselves. But
ne wished to hear the reasons why Congress
should depart from the oil method, add, as he
Thought, the best method, of providing for such
persons (by pensions) the means of support at
their own homes in order to collect them i'm no.
dy as was now proposed, though disabled from
performing active duty. Such system might
suit countries, the governments of which dare
not trtst the people, with arms in their hands
those countries which required the continual pre-
sence OF military power, and where there were
always some duties for men in military array TO
| perform, which invalids could execute as well ne
others. But here, where no such necessity exist
ed, he thought 1t would be more charitable and
profitable, in every point OF view, to pursue diff
1eren course, and adhere 10 the old system OF al
fortijng' 10 disabled soldiers the means of sur.,,o.t
by moderate pensions.
Mr.. johnson ef Ky. pointed out the features of
the bill which described the duties and charac-
i ter TO be attached to this corps The persons
composing it were not TO be entitled to promo
ton, and were to be employed in garrison duty,
or such stationary service rs the President should
direct, to which they would be nearly as c,npe-
tent as able bodied men, Il was not proposed to
substitute this bill for the invalid pension sys-
TEN.
The two systems might well exist together.
Those who did not choose TO enter this corps
would, as 1t present, be entitled to pensions.
which must be reiinqUished by those who enter
into this service. The disabled soldier will have
the option OF the one the other 40 10 the
comparison between the proposed cst25 .ishments
l'd the institutions Of Europe, aIr. J. said, the
supposed similarity did not exist; because the
power OF Nhe sovereign there depends on his
troops, differing widely from our situation. IN
the old countries they have Hospitals OF Invalids
who perform no duty whatever The corps pro
posed by tins bin was of mixed character.
Whist hey were supported By their country in
Comfort, they would requite its generosity b..
correspondmgse services. The support they receive
VIII merely be a compensation for services rem
dered. The bill therefore is more OF q military
chan Charitable character, and is not meant az 4
substitute tor the pension system.
Mr.. t'ide moved an amendment TO the bill.
the object of which was to afford the benefit O,
its provisions TO such ofthe Militia Of the United
States rs have actually served in war, and who
have incurred disability by wounds or disease
contracted during their term of service tbs
motion he supported 81 arguments drawn from
me merits otthe Militia thus disabled, and the
inlnst'ce Of making discrimination in favor Of
regulars.
This amendment was agreed to.
Inc committee ofthe whole rose and reporte ed
the bill to the house No opposition was mad,
to any OF the amendments to the bill, except The
one last mentioned, which was opposed by Mr..
Huger, who drew a distinction between the re.
guiars and militia, whom he said he had rather
seeProyided for in any,otherwey. The amend
1nent was defended by MIR Wilde and Mr.. john
son, ard was agreed to-
On the question whethey the bill should pass
W Il tuilL EeauH1g--
SIR. Conner said he felt II his duty 60 rise OH
this occasion. He conceded with the sentiment !
ofthe gentleman FROM S. Carolina, that the A.
mendment = opposed by the gentleman from CSeor
gla, was an viprOper amendment-that 10 effect
vas TO mix corps, which should be kept distinct
or destroy that esprit dis corbs which should ever
prevail in an army However, as the evil effects
OF amendment in operation might not be very
great he would vote for the bill in its present
shape, rather thant should not pass. Mr.. C..
said, he believed the passage Of that bill depend
ed on whether motives of humanity, policy and
Justice, Should prevail over those Of merely DE.
C'iniary nature, and he trusted that point would
not for moment remain doubtful in this hOnora-
able body. Il was humane, and coincident With
tEe dictates of the wisest policy, that hospitals be
erected in the vicinity of the Operations OF ar
mics, for the reception OF the wounded Certain.
" the same humanity and wisdom, dictated that
corps Of inyalids or hospitals for inyaids be or.
gaulzed for the protection of those brave men.
who had been crippled in their counrys service.
and who had thus been disabled from application
or procuring The means ofsuppOrt. In his opinion
tie government would be equaliy censursbIe for
tie neglect Of the one, as general would be f,r
the wanton abandonment OF tleother. This bill.
while IT provided for that object, would have The
farther highly beneficial effect Of fendesiug
disPosable, fOrY active operations in the field
force Of nearly The amount, contemplated bytbe
bill, witch would Othef wise be er,t,io, Ell ,, ,.,,