The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-07-09

ttoUut COHtTOOeTSy. ne OOVef0OQr
5oared, if he did not abandon it: And
though he did not afterwards in all cases
literally (but only substantially comply
with other acquisitions, the non-compli-
ance was not attributable to the Govern
ours disposition to revive that question,
but TO other circumstances-in fact TO a
reluctance on the part of the militia to
engage in service under military Pre-
fect-to fear of being drawn off to
Canada, and determination not TO go
thither; and TO the arrangement of
companies and officers under the last
order. These prevailed without regard
to political distinction, Gas the documents
prove,) and these the GOVERNOR could
not control, though he made sincere eff
forts TO get over the difficulties. 1t APP
peared TO the federal members of Mas
sachuset,s, that this was most radical
aud important distinction-that it placed
the claim on an impregnable foundation.
aud taken in connexion with the actual
service, aud the real concert Sufficient
for all practical purposes) which pre-
vailed after July, 1914, between the Of
ticers of the United States, including
Gen. DEARBORN himself, and the State
officers, put an end TO all just objection
TO its allowance. We also thought that
this ground might be assumed with per-
feet consistency. by those Of our col
leagues whose political creed differed
from ours--and that they ought TO be
glad. and happy, and cordial, in aiding
US to maintain it. But some of them, in
GLIDING 1 believe all from Maine, could
not view the question in this light
They entirely declined pledging them
selves 10 an active support ofarguments
founded on this basis. II was according
ly the decided sentiment of every friend
to the claim in the House of2epresent-
atiyes, that this disposition of the mem
berS interested, would create paralysis
in one quarter, while fever would be
unavoidable in another, and that the
claim could not struggle with such fear
full odds.
III 'nC NCAt SCoioh ule DItl was COM
mitted 10 committee of the whole
House but for the reasons above stat
ed, and which, by Mr.. MELLEN and N.Y.
self, were at the time communicated to
the Governour, and by hin to the Legis-
lature, (and for no other reasons,) it
was permitted by its friends to slumber
on the files.
In the session of 1922, Nj. Mills and
myself received from his Excellencv
the Goyernour, new instructions, to
bring forward the claim-still leaving
to our discretion the choice of means.
Mr.. GoF!tAM was our fellow ledger, and
II aas agreed between US, to attempt
once more TO bring the members Of
the delegations of Massachusetts and
Maine into an agreement, to renew an
application to the President of the
United States, for instructions to the
Var Department TO examine the ac-
counts. Since the exhibition and re-
jeciion of the memorial of Messrs.
LLofD and SUMNER in 1917, the claim
of Maryland had been allowed. and Gas
we conceived) other claims of less
neritorious character than that of Mas
>achusetts. The rejection of The me-
mortal of those gentlemen happened
during vacancy in the chief office of
the War Department-before the fer
ment of opinion growing out of the
war bad snbsided and under a firm
conviction in the mind of Mr. MADISON
that the constitutional controversy, and
that alone, had occasioned the omission
to yield the militia upon every requisi-
lion. Several meetings were had, al
which it was proposed to make re-
spectful application to the President, re-
calling to his recollection these facts,
TO the end of inducing him to review
the decision on the aforementioned
memorial, and authorize The examina-
ton of the vouchers Much delay took
place, and several adjournmeDts, to al
ford opportunity TO the Senators from
Maine TO receive instructions. We
prepared a memorial to the President
which we endeavoured to make unex-
ceptionable 10 gentlemen of both par
ties; but left Washington before the
Senators from Maine were ready to act
upon it. The gentleman in whose
hands left it, informed me that it was
not acceptable 10 some individuals who
were averse to the omission of any fac;
which might exculpate the government
of Massachusetts,. Another was there
fore framed in very general terms. and
presented too late to be acted upon,
but in consequence of which, at the
next session, as | have understood, the
President had been pleased to grant the
desired order. 1t would have been
unite imnnssihln for tlnosn &c nv col.