Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-01-19


the Attorney General. c1'hesc remit no par,
of the principal or interest but only giyciim,
to sell the property oftllc late Treasurer with
provisions calculated to save the rights of III.
commonwealth :l-Alier the bill was read
Mr.. Epps moved 10 postpone its fartherconsi-
deration until the 3lst March, After some
argument upon this motion, il was rejected
ayes AZ, noes ISL.
The bhl was then read the Cd time, ordered,
to be committed to a committee of the whole
House, and made the order of the day for
Thursday next.
Mr. Mallory of Orange was added to the
select Committee, 10 whom the bill I" for es-
tathSh'ng an additional Superior Court Of
Chdacery" is referred
Friday, Jan, lS.-On motion of MIR. Bo,c-
erS, writ OF election was issued TO the com
y oi SOUTHAMPTON, to supply the place of
Doctor VIM. B. Goodwyn, who has been
elected a member of the Senate.
On motion of Mr.. Morris, of III. the resolu
ton OF the committee of y. and G.. declaring
reasonable, the petition of the society OF
FRIENDS, praying to be relieved from ordina-
ry militia duty, was taken up Mr.. Morris
sa'u he had heard out of doors, that opposi-
ton was intended to be made TO this rcport.-
Ii such was the fact, he hoped that any gen.
tieman hostile to it, would now make his OBJ
lection, as this was the proper time at which il
should be made.
The question was then taken on agreeing TO
the report of the committee, and decided in
the Negative, without n division.
On motion of Mr.. H,tnton, the bill to amend
the militia laws was taken up. The question
was upon agreeing TO the amendment propos
e ea IN committee OF the whole, preventing any
officer from resigning under three ueors. Mr..
H. was not disposed to go into AN inves,ga-
u"n OF the militia system generally, and OBJ
Jected to the proposed amendment. The ORR
glnal bill was only intended TO throw us back
upon the old system, in regard to particular
Inconvenience, imposed by the present law.
The subject he said, was before Congress.
and he believed if that body acted upon the
principle of the bill now before hem. they
would act in manner gratifying to every mi
litary man with whom he was acquainted.
Mr.. Idarvie was indisposed to touching the
subject OF the militia, for the very reason of
Tered by the member last up. The subject
was before Congress, and he was not willing
to Interfere with it. AS to the amendment,
he would only remark, that he was positive
ly opposed to preventing an officer from re-
signing whenever he pleased.
The question was taken on the amendment.
and carried in the negatire.
MIR. alexander offered an amendment, allow
ing the commanding officer of the Lexington
arsenal Guard,the sum of 500 per annum, in
lieu oil the services of a soldier of the guard
heretofore employed az a waiter, and autho-
rlzinS the enlistment of non-commssioned
officers switch was rejected.
Mr. Morris, Of w. offered an amendment,
requiring field officers to reside within the re-
Simcnts to which they are Acknowledgment
TO by the House. Ayes 81, noes So
on motion of Mr. .IorrisS, of SO much of
the bill as required the field officers to instruct
lhe pattaiions and companies in the drill,
was stricken cut.
In reply TO the remarks of Mr.. Harpie. Mr..
Hitnton said the bill was merely to correct the.
errors which had heen made i'm the revision
OF the laws, by which colonies were required
10 attend company musters. He did not pro-
pose TO go into a revision the system for il
II was done, there would be an hundred other
amendm ents which ought to be made.
Mr.. Haruie said for that very reason he was
opposed to touching the subject at all.
Mr.. blackburn, thought if the House waited
until Congress should act on the subject he
was afraid they would have to wait long
tlme 1t had been recommended and re-re-
commended over and over again by the Pre-
sident to Congress, and as yet they had done
nothing with it, although we had frequently
hensive they would do nothing, and hoped
that at the next session, the legislature would
revise the whole system.
MIR. Hhnton explained that his object was
only to repeal law which required of the CO.
lonels, duty which it was impossible for
them TO perform and which, if the law w as
permitted to remain as it is, would cause the
resignation of many valuable officers, &c.
Mr.. .fyteH concurred in the idea of the i'm
practcabiity of the celonels performing the
duty required oftliem. He said that most re
giments were divided into or 10 companies
which usually parade on Saturday, as the most
suitable day; and that the Col. could not in
the nature ofthings, attend at all the musters
Mr.. HarU'e, thought it was as practicable for
the colonies, as 1T was for the commandments oil
battailons TO attend the company musters
He referred TO the practice of the militia of the
city of Richmond, where the duties in aues-
ton have not been understood in the ligh;
in which gentlemen had represented them.
| Mr. Mccoy WAS in favor of the bill. AS the
regiments were twice as large as the battalions
the colonies were required necessarily to per.
form as much again duty as the commandants
OF battallOns, which he thought .burthensome
and unnecessary.
| Mr. HdrUie said he had been eight wears an
officer in the navy of the United States. anc
he had found from experience, that the of
tener he exei cised his command, the better ant
more promptly he could do it. He thought the
law ought TO be repealed in regard to the com
n1nndants of battalions as well as to the colo
nets. This would give the captains more fire.
quent opportunities Of exercising their com
mands. He said the presence of a field Off
Ger detracted from the respect shown by the
troops to the captain, without adding to the
advantages gained by the latter, from the drill
Mr. .9yleH thanked the gentleman from
Richmond, (Mr. H. for advocating the cause
lie SAID the very reasons assigned by him
1 DrOVp6 fhn nacnecifv oft ,.ec;,,,- H.. I.u o.