Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-03-04

The Coumnsione,s OF M,ss.,r.It> as have III sed,
in compliance With their Instructions, the payment
of much OF ,heu cl.n rs applies to the services
rendered bN The fifth dN ision, which have been au-
dhed, and should have no hesitation in admitting
~, IL did not think, under all the circumstances al
the case, tai TIE clam IN all us paris, rogniz
able by Congress alone. The prtiud which the
constitutions" oiicui'y was rased 10y the Exec ive
vi the state, was IA the giesi degree Important
WAS tue tenG-ncy ol the principle Tor which IL
tended, anu, winch was addicted during the war.
/ he punic mind ihrO"R bout the Uuion much cx-
cited by that Occurrences, an1 great soiicuute was
irit aS To 80 consequences. The Executive Of the
Unied States Was bound TO maininiu, aud did main
tam, jnsi construction OF the Constitution in do
ing ~ch, 1t Is gratifying Ia recollec, that the
friendly feelings wet" chez isied towards their brei
ten oi that state The I.Necutive OF the Stale
wal ned, IN the con cspuuJcnce wincl, then ,ouh
place, oi the lish, IN which conduct WAS viewed,
and ni the effect II would have, so lar as related
tsc right Ot the Executive uI the United States, TN
amy claim which nigh, afterwards he presented hy
the state To compensation for such services. Under
these circumstances the power of the Executive oI
The United States TO settle portion OF this clam,
seems TO he prcclndcd IL seems proper, also, that
this claim should he decided, on full inyes ration,
before the Public, that the principle, which i,
de''drd, may he thoroughly understood by our TEL
,w-ci,'zens Of every stale, which can be done hy
Congress alone vino alone, Also possess tie power
To pass the laws winch niay be necessary TO cary
such decision into effect.
la submitting this SUBJECT TO the ca Inn aud enlight
ened Judgment OF Congress, do it'wih peculiar sat
,siacuun, from know ledge that Won are now placed
hy the course ol evenis IN situation which vii!
able you to adopt such measures, will not only
comro't with the sound principles of our govern
ment, hut, likewise, ice conducive to other the highest
interests ui our Union. BY the remuneration at the
principle maintained 10y The then Executive of Mas
sachuseiis, as has been done by lis present Exccu-
ave and both branches ut the Legislature, in the
uost formal manner, and ~ accord with the senil-
menis oil 'he great body oi the people, the consilu-
nan is res'orcd, III very important feaure-lhat
connected with The public defence, and Ia the most
important branch, that of the militia, To ITS native
s'.eng'h. L. is very graiifyin know, that this
remuneration has been produced by the regular,
derry, and paclhc operation of our Republican sys-
TEN, whereby those, VINO were IN the right the
moment o difficulty, and who sustained the govern
meni with great hrmnes*, have daily gained strength
"n'l this 'esul' was accomplished. The points on
winch you will have tn decide, are, what is fairly
due Tor the services which wei actually rendered !?
by what means shall we contribute most TO cement
'he Union, and give The greatest support most
excellent constitution In seeking each object sep
arateiy, we are led Ia the result All that can
be cia'u'ed by our fellow citizens of Massachus SETS
IS, iiai The Constitutional objection lie waived, and
mat ihey he placed on the same footing with their
brethren IN the other staIes-hat, the ser
wees rendered by the militia OF other states for
winch compensation has been made, giving 10 the
rule the most liberal constructions like compensation
oe made ior similar services rendered by the militia
oi that STATE.
have been led to conclude, on great considera-
lion, that the principles of Justice as well MS due
regard Tor the great interests of our Union require
ha tins claim, IN the extent proposed, should be ac
ceded To. Essential service was rendered, in the
late war, by.he militia of Massachusetts and with
me most patriotic motives. IL Seems just, therefore,
lI't they should he compensated for such services
IN like manner with the militia Of the other states
the constitutional difficulty did not originate with
them, and has now been removed. IL compor,s with
our system To look TO the service rendered, and 10
award the compensation DINGHY, especially as il
may now be done without the sacrifice Ui principle
the motive, IN hsins,ance, The stronger, because
well satisfied AN, Ehal, 10y doing, we shall give
the most eiiecIudl support 10 republican insti:u-
mons No latent cause of discomfort will he left he
hind. The great body Of the people will he sraliii-
cd anu even those who now survive, who then
IN error cannot iail TO see with interest and satis-
faction, THIS distressing occurrence thus happily ter.
mtnaied. l. therefore, consider II my duly 10 recon-
mend II TO Congress To make provision for the settle
men' oil the claim OF Massachusetts for services rem
del ed III the late war by The militia of the STATE in
conformity with the rules which have governed ia
the settlement Of the claims for services rendered bv
the militia of the other states.
JAMES MONROE.
WLSLiUgkOu. Feb 90 1894