Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-01-02

der present impressions, be said, It prear.
ed to him that the proposed invalid curns
was too much an imitation of European IN
situations but little adapted to the state rs
society which happily exists in our coun-
try. Mr.. l.. said he Certainly should pos
object to any provision which charity. or
just liberality to those who have suffered
in the service of their country, might pre-.
sent for consideration. He was not onlv
wiling, but anxious to provide in any man.
ner deemed best for those who are diss.
blcd by the injuries received in servic.
from providing for themselves. But be
wished to hear the rsasons why Congress
should depart from the old method, and
as he thought, the best method, OF provi.
ding for such persons (by pensions) the
means OF support at their own homes, in
order to collect them in body as was now
proposed, though disabled from performing
active duty. Such a system might suis
countries, the governments of which dare
not trust the people with arms in their
han's-those countries which requn ed the
continual PR sence of military power, and
where there were always some duties for
men in military array to perform, which
lnvalids COULD execute as we'll as others.
But here, where no such necessity existed.
he thought it would be more charitable
and profitable, in every point of view, to
pursue different course, and adhere to
the old system of afiordiBg to disabled l.
diers the means of support by moderate
pensions.
Mr.. Johnson ofKy. pointed out the fen.
lures of the bill which described the duties
and character to be attached to this CORPS
Inc persons composing it were not to be
entitled to promotion, and were to be en-.
ployed in garrison duty, or such STATIONARY
service as the President should direct, 10
wsich they would BE- nearly as competent
as able bodied men. 1t was not proposed
to substitute this bill for the invalid pension
system. The two systems might we'll exist
together. Those who did not choose ia
enter this corps would, as at present, be en-
titled to pensions, which must be relinouish.
ed by those who enter into this service
The disabled soldier will have the option
OF the one or the other. AS to the COM
parison between the proposed establish
ncnts and the institutions of Europe, Mr..
J.. said, the supposed similarity did not ex-
ist-because the power of the SOVEREIGN
there depends on his troops, differing
widely from our situation. In the old coun.
tries they have Hospitals of Invalids who
perform no duty whatever. The corps
proposed by this bill was Of a mixed char
acter. Whilst they were supported by
their country in comfort, they would re-
quite It's generosity by orresponding selyi-.
ccs. The support they receive will mere
be compensation for services rendered.
he blli therefore is more Of military
than charitable character, & is not meant
as substitute for the person system.
MT. Wilde moved an amendment to the
bal, the object of which was to afford the
nt -, Il q
tia OF the United States as have actually
served in war, and who have incurred disa-
D liy by wouHds or diseases contracted
during their term of service. This motion
he supported by arguments drawn from the
merits OF the Militia thus dis bled, and the
injustice or making discrimination in ia
vor ofregulars.
his amendment was agreed to.
The committee OF the whole rose and re-
ported the bill to the house No opposition
was made to any Of the amendments to the
bill, except the one last mentioned, which
was opposed by Mr.. Huger, who drew
distinction between the regulars and mill
tia, whom he said he had rather see provi-
ded for in any other way. The amend
ment was defended by MIR. Wilde and Mr..
Johnson, and was agreed to.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed
IOT Il t!ilr9 feaGlng-and
The house adjourned.
FRIDAY, Dec. %.
Mr.. Hanson, of Md. appeared and took
mis- seat.
The following petitions were presented
and ref rred, viz.
BY Mr. Jewett, the petition of sun1ry in
habitants OF the town of Comstock, in VT.
praying that the mails may not be trans
Uortcd or opened ON Snndave
by the Speaker, the memorial of the
Legislature of the Mississippi Territory,
praying that the fractional sections Of
public land in that Territory, may be
subdivided and petition from the same
body praying that the territory may be
admitted as state into the Union and
another petition from the same body, pray
ing that the officers and men who served
under Lieut.. Col. Nelson and Mai. Kinds,
may receive payment for their services;
and another petition from the same body,
praying that such inhabitants of their ter.
rltory as may have suffered losses by the
hostile Iniians. may be rem9nerated
by grants of land out OF that lately ce-
ded to the United States by the said In-
diars.
Mr.. baltimore, from the committee to
whom was referred the petition of the Lee
gislature of the Mississippi Territory, re-
ported a bill to enable the people of the
Mississippi Territory, to form a consti,u-
ton and state government, and for the
admission of such state tito the Union,
on an equal footing with the original
states; which was twice read and com