Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-01-31

Sellticlndn foM virginia. but II Uodld not answer
tor me. Mr. w protested against being governed
by any such influence. The sovereign People of
Maryland felt anxious FOR information, aud would
not be content without il. and, for himself he
could with truth declare that he wished it, and
would receive it any how, rather than not have it,
although he should prefer having it without any
thing like that massive weight that accompanied
some OF our documents: Tor instance, the Georgia
atiSr-the immense bulk Of which deferred almost
every man from attempting, 10 wade through it
No sir, said Mr.. w, that man whose character
and conduct 20 DC affected by it, will. like pure
gold. seven times refined, be found the more pure
the oiicner his conduct patriotism shall be
tinted. shall not trouble the House further, at
this time, said Mr.. W. from hope sir, that the
gentleman from Ohio and the gentleman from Ken
lucky will be able so to modify the proposition as
not only TO agree themselves, but TO produce an
accordance throughout the House.
Mr.. Floyd of Virginia, said, that he had heard
il declared, on all sides of the House. that gentie-
men want information; that they seek the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
wish this "a strongly as any one; and because
want this, don't want any speeches from the
Department. The gentlemen who profess TO want
the correspondence most give to me the strongest
evidence, by their speeches, that they are perfect
iy conversant with it. shall not dive into their
motives that belongs TO another power-a power
from which this Administration once claimed its
right TO rule. had, like others, hoped that
should have met 10 transact the public business;
and that>wc should have agreed TO leave this ques-
ton TO the Peoples but il is vain TO conceal the fact
that this House is intended TO be made an
which to excite the passions of the People. We
see an individual branded with rcproach for hav-
ing consented TO the execution of some militiamen
we who nursed by the pap OF the Treasury
II Is no expression OF mne-pap-it comes from the
Treasury, of course it must be good-we are told
that these are the proper scenes to engage the
minds of men, and not the vulgar scenes OF bloody
war. At the same time we do sec a General of
the United States trying soldiers Norfolk, and
shooting them too, for desertion. l know it to be
tact for was eyewitness. A gentleman
near me says, that these were not mtiamen.
believe two of them were. derive my informa-
ton from source entitled to at least much
dit, as il it was drawn from hired and pcnsioucd
writers in of the Departments. But, sir
II they were not mitamen, they were men; and
is not The life of man dear? And are we now 10 be
told that no regard is 10 be shewn TO the life of
common soldier? My information goes still farther.
An order was issued by United States COmman-
der to 90 IN pursuit of deserer, and ii he could
not be taken, to shoe, him. and he was shot Why
was not the noise made then, that there is
made now, and why not information of that
fact laid before the House, by the same gentleman
or his friends, who have stirred this inquiry 1t is
true belong to the Committee on the Militia, but
have not been called upon TO attend it, until this
morning.
"a sentence, or two, OF the speaker here escaped
the Reporters ear
Sir have no doubt the Department of War is
TX mas learned 10 prOlt by past
experience, and that the Military Chieftain will
| find its discipline much better than it some
years ago. To that end had proposed 10 move
an amendment, calling for the number of dosertcrs
from the Army in 1925 and 1926. No doubt this,
also, will be valua bic information on the bill to re-
gulate the Militia.
Mr.. Wickliife now signifed his agreement 20 the
proposal of the gentleman from Tennessee (NIr.
Bell) to modify his amendment in such manner,
rs to retain the call for the whole correspondence
Il
ify his resolution, by striking out the following
words and if no such order exists on files Of the
( " War Department, TO state that fact TO this
House.
Mr.. buchanan now obtained the floor but Weld
ed it 20
Mr.. Wcklif1e, who said, his desire was, that eve
~ fact connected with the six m'litiamen should
be developed; he desired 90 keep back nothing
IL gentlemen wished H. he would even consent to
call tor the celebrated letter of Harris which so
| feelingly invoked the public sympathy last Sum
mer, If the TigiRGi could be found in the Depart
mcnt OF War. | will said MIR. W, Withdraw the
amendment 20 strike out, andsubstitu;c a motion TO
insert call for copies OF two letters written by
the II th and 3lst January, 1871
Mr.. Floyd now made some explanations, which
appeared TO be directed 10 one of his colleagues,
but from his position, not heard by our repor-
ter with sufficient dstinctness TO attempt report
OF it, He understood, in conclusion TO state,
that Of two men who were tried for deserton at
Norfolk one miiaman and one not, and
that it was the soldier and not the militiaman who
was shot
Mr.. Sloane now signifed his acceptance OF the
addition proposed by Mr. WickIiffe and the rcsolu-
ton, as thus modified, was finally adopted, in the
following form:
"Resoired, Thatthc Secretary OF War be direc-
ted TO furnish this House with copy OF the pro-
ceedngs OF Court Martial, which commenced its
sitiings at or Mobile, on the fifth day OF Dec
one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, for the
trial OF certain Tennessee Miiitiamen, together with
copy OF all the orders for the organization of said
Court as well as those subsequently issued in rela-
ton to its decisions.
''And, also to furnish copies of all papers, letters,
and uoccments, relating TO said Court Martial CO.
pics at all orders general special, made or issued
by the President Of the United States, or by the
Secretary Of War, concerning or relating 10 the
length Of service the detachment of the Tcnncs-
see Militia, detailed under the order of the Govern
or of said State issued the twentieth day of Nav
one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, and az
forwards placed under the immediate command of
Lieutenant Colonel Philip Pikin; also, copies Of
such order, and ofthe muster and pay rolls Of said
Miliiiamen, which may be on file in the Depart.
lncnt of War.
"And to furnish copies ofany orders ofthe Prssi-
dent or Secretary Of War, by which, in the exer-
else Of the discretion vested in the President by
the 18th section of the act Of 18th April 1911 the
term Of service Of Tenn Militia may have been OK
tended beyond three months; also, copies Of two
letters FROM the Secretary of war to Gov Biount
dated the lith and 3lst OF Jan. 1914.
"And, also 70 furnish copies of any corrcsp
dence in the late War Department between the
President or Secretary of War and the Governor Of
Tennessee, during the late war. on the subject of
the time which the drafted militia of said State
should be required TO in The armies Of the L
States"
The House then adjourned.