Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-12-08

HegdttNe-aNeS OU-uOeS 90.
The bill from the Senate for Increasing
the salaries of certain officers If the go
verrment, was twice read and committed.
( GENERAL srsRE....PENsIoNs.
he ball for granting a pension OF sixty
dollars per month 10 Major General john
Stark, was read third tinie.
On the quesiion-Shali the bill pass?
Mr.. w. u. 1Iaeidy, asked for informa
ton OF the committee who reported The
biil, as no written report had aecompan-
ed 1t, OH what grounds ii stood whether
The pension was granted because ofindi-
gence on the part of Gen. Stark, or for
what other reason.
Mr.. Co6b, of Georgia. said he must join
his voice TO that OF his friend irom Penn
syivania. He knew not, from any thing
lhai appeared, what we're lie ciaids of
General Stark, nor that he stood i'm need
ola pension. Why WAS nc selected. from
among The many surviving officers Of The
revolution, 10 receive a pension 81 this a
mount lie hoped the reason would be-
eXplalnsd--or, though with reluctance. lie
aust vote against the bill.
MIR. Harrison, Of Ohio, said bis friend
from Georgia could moi have been present
when this subject was before tie house
at the last session, or he would not have
asked The information which he now de-
sired. lie had supposed his friend from
Georgia was better acquainted with TIE
history of his country. than not to know
Tie merits and distinguished revolution
airy services of tins hoary veteran. Atthe
darkest period of the revolution. Sen.
Stark had rendered the most important
services 10 his country aud thoss aervi-
ces we're moi occasional, but were prolon.-
ed To The close of the contest II was NOW
SAID That this worthy was in INDECENT CIR
cumsianceS, and debiitdied by old ave
that, 1t not soon bestowed, he would NOT
live 10 enjoy The aid abou, 10 be afforded
To him. Was ii possible, M. II. asked.
that an American Congress could behold
so distinguished a pdiriot as hris, sinking
INTO the grave III the want OF very peces-
sarN OF lie; or That they would colily.
place ham among the mass of pensioners
underline general aci Otiast session For
his part, he would give oul the last dollar
IN the Treasury for the relief of Gen ral
Stark. Wilh bin, he said, II Was NOT a
matter of choice so vote for the bin il was
an imperious duty.
Mr.. Li0ern'Ore said, that, as a member
OF this house, and as citizen of New
Hampshire, he WAS grateful 10 The gentle
man from ONO for Tie manner in which
he lad expressed himself on This Occa-
sion. He would only add that, as TO The
circumstances ofGen. Stark, llIey were.
TO iis personal knowledge, very reduced.
He was, as 10 personal exeriiln for his
Support, al lie age Of ninety years, who'll
" helpless. He might or might not be
owner of small farm but If 5 ii was an
unproductlve one. He was, and lad been
for some time, dependent for support on
his children, themselves in very mode
rate circumstances. This was fie true
situation of General Sterx
Mr.. Cobb said, if il was true, as was
suggested by the gentleman from Ohio,
that he was moi well versed In the RevoIu-
iionary history, should he want informa-
ton on that head, he should know where
to apply for The gentleman himself was
living chronicle of the occurrences of
that day. He did not, he said, dosbt
the merits OF Gen. Stark but lie lad vet
no evidence that the pension ought 10
be granted. The house had been told lie
was very old and iniirm. But iflhe house
we're 10 grant pensions To the old and IN
firm, where would they draw the line IT
whicil they would stop! Are we to be
told, said he, that it is to Revolutionary
officers only that pensions are TO BE- grant.
ed Z Some twenty or forty wears hencp,
may not the same argument, by tie All
of his precedent, be appled Ia General
Jackson, Gen. Brown, Gen. Scott, or aay
other General whO distinguished himself
during the laie war! He was free to say.
for himself, that he thought the pension
list had already been Swelied 10 an a.
mount which absolutely jeopardized ii,e
Treasury, or soon would, "a The rate at
which II sill increased. Gen. Stark bad
become poor, whether by misfortune
or his misconduct, lie had not heard but,
II he hat been so long supported without
tue aid OF government, he had no doubt
he could be ioi the remainder Of his iile.
He had yet heard no reason 10 induce
him 10 " Re for this pension.
Mr.. Lirvmore said, if the gentleman
meant TO jnsinuate that Gen. Stark had
been brought 10 poverty by intemperance,
or by fault Of any kind, he was Wholly
mistaken the fact was not so.-GenerI
Stark had WORE himself out in lie ser
vice of his country, i'll his youth, and had
| since supported himself as well as lie
| could. lie was IN service before the revo.
| luton, and during that trial he did The
| nation great service and hlms. IL great
honor. ~ an early p"riod Of tie rcyolu-
! ton, when every patriot was called
| traitor, Stark was III the foremost rank
! He was in the field at Bennington, and
| animated the courage Of others BY Lis
conduct and example. All tie inhabi.
tants OF New Hampshire aud Of the Green
| Mountains, locked where Stark vas
where he fought, they fought aud bled--
bad he died, they would have died with
him.
Mr.. Bmler, Of New Hampshire, gaze
some further information respecting Gcu.
| Stark. lie Wa, lie said Tie only suIty-
ing General Officer OF fhe Rcvolulicu,
now declining in old age, extremely
poor. and long supporied by lis SONS,