The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1824-03-17
@igbtsentb Congress.
IN sENA1E-MARCh IS.

uo'a'oraoie 10 the pefion Of Reuben Col
BURR was taken up for consideration.
ms petition prays compensation for seo
oatteaux, built in 1775. for the use OF he
troops OF col. Arnold, then about 10 mare \
INTO Canada and for sundry other ,erv;,
ces rendered, and disbursement. made
TOT, the country, at that time. He states.
tha' ne delivered over his accounts and
vouchers, Tor said disbursements and ser.
Vices 10 the commissioner appointed bv
congress tor auditing and settling the ac
counts OF the state of Massachusetts
against the United States that thew were
either lost or mislaid by said commissions
or, and that they were not acted upor.
nor could be obtained, for several wears
thereafter. TO be exhibited again for set.
uemens. he, therefore, prays that con.
sress would adjust hia account, and nav
MIN the balance due thereon. The COM
mitiee report, that the great Iapse of
time, since the services of the petitioner
were rendered, and the loss of public
records and documents relating 10 the
accounts of that period, rendered il
doubtful whether he has any just claim
upon the government. They believe
that the security of.lhe government,
against unjust and fraudulent claims, re.
quires that a lapse of time, such as bs 9
occurred in this case, should be regarded
as bar to ali claims OF doubtful cherac-
ter, and that, therefore, the PRAYER of
toe petitioner ought not to be grained. -
Ahe report Of the committee was agreed
TO.
The bill reported by the committee on
the miiitisi "more eRectually to provide
Tor the national defence, by establishing a
UNIFORM militia throughout the u States,
and providing for the discipline thereof
was taken up for consideration, in com
mittee os the whole.
The hrst section having been read MIR.
chandler stated, that the ONLY variation
between this section, and the existing law
49, that il provides for a general register
ing OF all the persons fable to do milita>
ny duty. This section was amended by
an insertion. to make it applicable, as
well to the territories, and to the district
OF Columbia, as 10 the several states.
The second section specifies those who
snail be exempted from the provisions Of
she act. They are the same as are now
exempted by law from the performance
OF militia services
Inc third section provides for the ar
Tangement OF the militia Of the respec
tive states, into divisions, brigades, reei
meDts, battalions and companies, as the
legislature of each state may direct, Sc
Ahe section was amended, by inserting
alter the ume,of six months, within which
she arrangement is to take place. the
words "wherc such arrangement has
not already been made"
HE iourrh section respects the elite
companies of each battalion, their officers
arms equipments, &c. 1t differs from
'he present system only by pr yldine that
"nere 'here are no companies of grena-
diers, light. infantry or rifiemen, the tw o
oioesl companies in the regiment shall
act as iight infantry and that. whenever
any non commissioned officer. musician,
or privafe OF the cavalry, shall neglect,
tor the space of two months, 10 Keep a
horse'he shall be discharged from the ca.
vairy.and be required immediately to do
duty IN the infantry.
Inc NTH section provides sthat the
mliltia, enrolled az aforesaid, shall with.
lnt"elve months foom and after the pas.
sing OF this act, be divided into two corps
All those above the age of 10, and under
the age of28 years, shall form one corps.
90 be denominated the selec, corps. And
all over the age of %, and under the age
oil 40 years, shall form The other corps.,o
De denominsted the reserve corps. Bo,h
the corps TO be and 10 remain under the
same organization, and under the officers,
as is before provided, and shall be called
OUT by companies, one day in each year
together, for the inspection Of arms, and
Tor the purpose ofimptoVemenl in discip-
line.' %
The sixth section was read. Il pro.
Fldes that the select corps together with
all the officers and non commissioned
othcers OF The militia, shall be called ont
Sour days al one time in each year, hy
division, brigade regiment, OF battalion
for the purpose oftraining and perfectiDe
them in military discipline. Il fortheS
provides, that officers shall be daily de
vailed to command and train the troops
so called out and those officers who are
not so detailed, shall be exercised and
instructed IN the line Of their duty by
some of the officers best qualified for
That purpose: so that each officer will
have an opportunity Of commanding and
receiving instruction during the four DAYS
storessid. II is left TO The respective
states TO furnish the traons tvjtb eurb