Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-21

The room OF the III. OF Delegates, cOmpoS-
ed ofa part Of The Executive Council, a
number of the members OF both branch
es of the Legislature, and many respec-
table citizens of Annapolis and other parts
of the state, the Hon. VIM. SPENCER was
called TO the char, and BENZ. S. For
REST appointed Secretary.
The object ofthc meeting was stated bv
G.. III. STEWART, Esq. of Baltimore, and
the following notification, which produc-
ed the meeting, being laid upon the table,
was read by the Secretary:
GENERAL ARTHUR ST. CLAIR.
Date oboium Beiisario.
The recent proceedings of Congress
have again broughtto the view of the citi
zens of the u. States, that this distinguish
| ed man is still living, al the advanced age
| of fourscore. With no other companions
| in a long, and almost hopeless pilgrimage
! to the seat of government, but his po-
| verify, old age and intirmities; his iotter-
! ing limbs and sinking spiri, have brought
| him, probably for the las, time, To the
| threshold of that editice, which. as Ame-
| ricans, we would fam have considered the
home OF the houseless soldier. Bat his
| claims upon the justice of his country are
| denied (; his title io lis gratitude is forgot
| ten; and his rank, his. services, his grey
hairs, have been neglected and spurned.
Ii Is well known 10 the American peo-
pie, and to the World, who witness this
transaction, tina, he bore most distin-
gushed part IN that revolution which es-
tablished the Independence of our Couu-
iry. and 10 which, under benign proNi-
dcnce, must be ascribed the unexampled
happiness and prosperity of his fellow CT
tizens at this day. History too will i'm
pershably record that Arthur St Clair,
at one time, presided in the legislative
couucils-aDd, at another, commanded
III chief, the Armies of his country.
For the honour of that country il can
not be believed, that the distress and suf-
ferings of this modern Belisarus have
been universally understood as his viz
tues are acknowledged. But he now
stands, with his venerable head uncover
ed, before us, before Gerry American,
through whose proud heart flows the
blood of independence. And the ques-
ton is, shall the wretched remnant of his
days be sustained Shall his dying pill
low be smoothed by those who doubt his
lille TO scanty and beggarIy pitiance of
sixty dollars per month Or, shall he
be solaced with the sympathy, and repose
III the flial bosom Of his country men?
The occasion has, il must be confess
w, hiHNicu SoInt nODlc anu
generous feelings, which do honor TO the
present house of representatives but the
course and result of the debate, whilst il
calls up blush to the cheek Of every Ii
beral man, forcibly demonstrates the ne
cessiiy of adopting some extraordinary
and efficient measure IN order TO acqut
the American people of debt which re-
mains unpaid, and for wiping out blot
III their history which may soon become
indellble by the death ofthis great public
creditor. Under tins Impression IL is sub
mitted TO the citizens of Maryland, now
convened from every part of the state, at
Annapolis, 10 meet i'll the chamber of the
house OF delegates, al Z O'Clock this e.
yening, for the purpose Of adopting such
measures as may be deemed most expe-
dent, III order TO evince their respect for
the aye, their gratitude for the services,
and their sympathy in the sufferings of
Gen. ARTHUR ST. CLAIR.
Feb. 18th, 1918.
The following resolutions were then
proposed and adopted.
NeSOtved, That tins meeting, composed
OF citizens from every part of the state of
Maryland, epteriaIns nigh sense OF tie
public and private virtues of Gen. Ar
thur st. Clair, ana that the individuals
now assembled, reflect with deep concern,
on tlle circumstances of Indulgence and
distress, which have compelled him 10 ap-
ply Tor relief TO the Congress OF the Uni
ted States.
HeSOfred, That in the opinion of this
meeting, Il is the right of every citizen
who is reduced to poverty, by Il long and
faithful appropriation of his time TO the
public service, 10 claim from his country in
old age, that support he can no longer
secure by the eNertion of his own indus
try and talents; and that, however the
conduct of the legislative bodies Of this
country may have stigmatiSed the cha
rdcterlstlc generosity of The citizens of
the United States, il is always ia their
power, and ii is hoped will always he their
care, to prove TO tile world, that The stale
charge of ingraiitude, against republics,
is without foundation.
Wherefore Resolved, that David Muir
ray, John E. Howard jr. John Mercer, G..
II. Stewart, B. S. Forrest and Edward G.
Woodyear, be committee to correspond
with the known friends Of Gen. St. Clair,
IN congress, to consult with them on the
most delicate and practicable means Of
recommending this veteran TO the gene
rous sympalhies of his countrymen, and
TO secure 10 him the payment of that debt
OF gratitude so well earned and so long
withheld
ReSOired, That the proceedings of this
meeting be signed by the Chairman. and
Secretary, and published ia the newspa-
pers Of this city.
WILLIAM SPENCER, Chairman.
BEN. S. FORREST, Secretary.
NoRFoLK, Feb. l8.--lt was our intep-
A