The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1817-03-26
Bisreiianp,
Cry. ROOTS SPEECH.
On ne 6H 10 provide for TIE haYn'snf IF
certain militia eicins,

hD:.a postponmsnt OF the bill, notwil hstand-
ing provision had just beer inserted on mo-
hon Of the hoaotabl gentle nan from Yer
mont (Mr. Lyon) TO inssude The volunteer
militia Ii any militia are TO be paid who are
not ordered into service by authority Of tho
United States, the Vermont soluntcers 10
whom the een,leman's motion was uad, uht-
sdly ,utepaSaio refer, oughi 10 be among tho
first to pat,ake of ,he mupihcSnce Of Con-
gress. ksrly in the late war u patriotic band
OF Green Mountain boys, vslun,eeted their
scrvieesto their country and when on tho
encmy's lines and in the slate OF New Yotks
werc otdsred by q Proclamation Of the then
governor of Vermontto rstu,n to their res-
pes,ive homes. 4 pohle snd geperous a,dot
in the cause OF their country prompted ,hem
to return 10 the governos such an answer 90
The occasion demanded. They spurned his
proclamation, & asserted their rights ss free
men and cit:zens, 10 unite their exertions id
the na,ionei defence. On another occasions
when the enemy wore Investing PIstsbutg
with powerful land force, and naval force
supe,iot IN every thing bu skill and bravcic-
10 the American squadron on Lake Cham
plain, the yeonanry Of Vernont shouidersd
their mushets and repaired to the scene OF
action. Their governor bad hesiiatingly for.
BONE 10 comply with the re?ulsitions of gov
eminent, but the hardy sons Of freedom
marched in companies o. pia,oons or IN any
the most convenient manner, crowding ths
roads that lead TO The place Of threatened daus
ger, wi hout waiting Tor organisation or orr
ders from their commando in chief! When
the governor found that the militia would re-
pair 10 the s,aBdard Of their county withoIa
his authority, and when he found that many
OF them had already crossed or were about
crossing the lake, and othcrs had taken up
their line OF march, then, and not ill then,
he issued his proclamation selling them TO
the field. Such militia deserve cvery ap.
plaose which grateful country can bestow,
while their late governor has met his Just
reward, the neglect and scoru Of an insulted
people.
The generality Of expression in the amend
ment, said Mr.. X. including all volunteers
whether for u day or for an hour, without even
u muster roll returned 10 the department oe
war, may lead to frauds unlimited in extent
and incaiculable in amount, Ard when their
claims were engrafied into bill 50 odious 80
the one now Under consideration, he trusted
the patriotic volunteers Of Vernon: would
excuse him for young 10 favor ofi,s indefinite
postponmcnt.
Mr.. II. then proceeded to examine the bili
as originally reported to the house. He said
that the bill was in,ehded to provide for tho
payment Of militia called out by s,ate su'hori.
ty, and not placed under the command Of the
United States. Massachusetts and Connec-
,cut were chiefly interested IN the provision.
Governor Strong, said Mr.. X. vas called up.
on by national aurhority 10 order out por-
,ion ofthe militia Of Mnssachusctts,in in defence
Of The state. He refssed compliance, and, se
his honorable advocate, the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Hulbert) has stated ou
this floor, he acted with the advice Of the ex-
eeu,ive council, and took the opinion OF tho
supreme court Of that state, upon the ques-
tion, whether he was not the Judge OF tho
necessity or propric,y OF Calling tho mili,ia
into service. The justices Of that court be-
ing, on that occasion, the legal advisers OF tho
commander in chief, solcmnly decided that
Gov. Strong was the sole judge Of the pro-
pric,y OF resisting British invasion, and OF tho
probability Of an unfriendiy attack The gov
crnment Of laat state had its own way II re-.
fused 10 put its militia under the authority %
the United States. The governmen1 Of the
United States had also It's own way 1T rcfus~
ed to pay them. The two governments arc
therefore even; each has take n its own courseS
and IL is now TOO late for deviation. Before
the one can properly be called upon to rctraco
its steps, the oxsmple ought to be set by THO
other. Massachusetts ought 6sst to invite .
renewal Of the war, 10 furnish its contingenu
ofmilitis, and to engage in the conflict 10
good earnest, on the side OF the United States.
But, say honorable gentlsmen, If the militia
have been called into service ia defence Of
the nation, they ought 10 be paid BY the na-
ton. Massachusetts has incurred an expense,
according TO her own account, Of about eight
hundred thousand dollars, and We are, very
modes,ly, indeed, called upon to pay. Where,
inquired Mr.. r. were her militia employed
Was il in the defence Of Eastport, In holding
thc hook to ita citi1ena To swear allie " lance tn