Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-30

parting instruction to the militia, he would not pare
with the present one. deficient as il nigh, be.
Mr.. Ivitcher asked if there was any magic i ~
the mode OF appointing the drill officer? The b,iI
required the colnels to dill the officers, and if il
PASSED, we should, after time have as many otFi-
GERS competent TO conduct the drill as we have
regiments, whereas at present we have but one in
Brigade. Considering the bill both measure
OF economy, and advantageous to The militia, in
compelling The colonies TO qualify themselves to
perform The duty, lie should vote for il.
MIR. .HdyO contended that the officers depended
upon the Brigade Inspectors aud Adiutants to
diii the regiments, and to perpeuate the present
system was To PEI peua,e the existing ignorance
OF the officers. Pass the bill, and the colonel. will
be compelled 10 qualify themselves
Mr.. Ghois0n opposed the bill The subject of
the militia, lac said, was one which had never re
ceived that attention due 10 its importance in
country where there existed such strong objections
10 Standing Armies. la his part OF the cnun-
try tie militia officers were good but he did not
think Them 20 generally The Brigade Inspector
was always the best officer in the Brigade, and
impaired instruction, the benefits of which " ere
not TO be compared with the uifling expense in
Cured by them. Tie Beard of Officers LATELY as
semble'i at Washington, he under stood, had recom-
mendel system which if adopted by Congress,
- o"ld doubt be carried into effect by the State.
and il so, there was necessity for iessla,ins now
on the subject
Mr.. WaHdce, remarked that the Inspectors
had been training the officers ever since the late
war, and if they had been of any service the
Colonies were now surely qualified to drill their
own Regiments; II not, i. was owing to their
stupidity and The services of the Inspectors ought
10 be dispensed with. Mr.. w. alluded 10 The debts
OF The Safe, and commended that il was time 10
consult economy AID commence their payment
lie argued tina; TO dispense wi Ia the iaspec, ors
would improve he militia, by Causing the Colonel.
10 qualify themselves, resign in ~ cfercnce 10
exposing their ignorance.
Mr.. EPpeS commenic Cd on the importance OF the
Militia, and commended lha, If the Inspcc,or. had
not done good in h'ty years, there WAS no reason
ior their intinu &c; and if they had succeed
ed, they had qualified some Officers in each
Resiment 10 teach the Dir H. unless Indeed,
the officers generally were incapable OF learn
ing The resent system he thought cancer
eating into the treasury. and producing no goud
which could not be produced In a greater degree
by ano her system. He asked If the comma nding
officer OF Regiment, who skullsed from. the head
oil his regiment aud left il TO he commanded by an
Inspector, was worthy To wear his epau!et,es p
There were many such, who had been I.sced at the
head OF regiments By court influence, of which ali
here had some idea. He thought the probabilities If
training the militia, after dispensing with the in
speciors, rs l23 To % Every Colonel would
be a dill officer; and not stand by like British
othcer who buys his commission in he army, and
gean, or other officer paid for the purpose Mr.. f.
also objected TO the present system on accoun, OF
The amount paid 10 the Musicians, whom. he CON-
sdered generally unqualified, and not worthy oil
the pay Ihey received. They were dispensed with
by the bill.
MI. .Moson insisted that The conclusions drawn
by Mr.. Epp es & Mr.. Wallace were not legitimate
for tie officers were only Drilled three dsys in
the year and If they did no, become perfect,
they obtained at least the elements of military tao
ties, to be improved by study and practice. Il
you dispense With The inspectors, he cont ended
that there would be no drill. Those officers were
now paid for their services and usu lly drilled.
from morning until nigh. II you require the
Colonies 10 d III the officers without pay, was il
presumabie they would 10 ? Some from zeal,
would do IT no doubt. BY dispensing with the in
speciors, you will have nothing lef, but the pa
geanfy OF milria without its useiuness-- this he
SAID, would be manifest IN time OF wal, when &C u
al services and efficiency would be required.
Mr.. WGiiGce mad. few remarks In repiy 10 Mr.
NJ - MIR. Pds opposed the bill, He sad il i, pc S..
ed, bad asthe Militia System was i, would be made
verse. There were very few officers in ihe State but
he inspectors who wee, ia hs opinion, coupe-
tent TO conduct the drill, and impair, Instruction
to the officers.
The question WAS taken and the bill Dassed
without dis i-ion
Suniry bills Were read the second time and or
deTed 10 be engtoss,d.
Resolutions from the Committee of Couts OF
Justice were read and concuueI in, declaring Ies-
sonable the petition of Charles Roberts ~ and OF
Joseph, Isaac, Sarah and Mary \ mple aud re-
jecting those of James Thompson, and William
Dnwid.lie.
Resolutions from the Committee of Claims were
read and concurred in, declaring reasonable the
petition OF Samuel Tusley Ter pension u re-
solution rejecting the petition OF James Johnson
for pension, was reversed, on motion of MI.
GTareiy.
\ resolution favorable 10 the petition from Rock
lngham for ra'iDg sum Of money by lottery, to
erect bridge across the n orIh folk of the Shen
andoab. disagreed To.
MIR. Ofey obtained leave 10 bring in bill 10 le
gslize the appointment Of Comm .ionefs in the
County OF Bedford
An engrossed bill authorizing a sale Of certain
lands whereof James Gillian died seised-was
read third tine and passed.