Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-02-22


examined or well Understood. no.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. IL.
Mr.. Cambreleng, from the Committee on Commsrcs,
reported bill for the relief of certain importers Of 10
reign merchandise.
Mr.. Mercer made an unsuccessful motion to suspend
the rules oil the House tor the purpose Of laying
solution the table authorizing the President of the
United States TO ask all those nations with which
have intercourse, TO denounce and abolish the slave
trade.
REVOLUTIONARY ARMY.
Mr. Verplanck moved to take up the bill supplement
tary to for the relief the surviving officers and
was agreed to.
The bill for the relief of such of those surviving
omcers oil the army of the revolution not In.
Guided within the letter of the provisions Of the act Of
1928.
was so succinc and the same time so that
he should refrain from entering into an argument In
support oil their claims. He merely wished the memo
The memorial was then read
Mr.. Verplanck explained the object of the bill. II
went TO give TO those individuals who had retired from
the service after the capture of Corvallis but before
the conclusion of the war; the benefits Of the pension act
oil 1928 lie moved, in amendment, that such Of Thorn
cluded. -
Mr. Davis, of Mass, made some remarks in favor Of
the bill.
Mr.. Taylor said that when Il was considered What .
length of time had elapsed since these services were
rendered, he thought that service of years might
be considered sufficient eniitlc the parties to the
benefit OF the act. He submitted a motion to this
effect. -
The motion agree1 to. and several other blanks
In the bill having been filled up,
Inc subject was further debated by Messrs. ver-
panck, Taylor, Chiffon, Burgess, Draper, Bates Hunt
ingon' Drayton, McDuffie. and A. II. shepperd.
Mr. Tucker moved an amendment providing for an
extension oil the benefits Of the militia of the several
States who actually served for six months in the war of
| the revolution.
Mr.. Chiffon moved that the committee rise report
and ask leave to sit again. in order that the House might
go into Committee of the Whole the military PEN
ag hxs tho nI,,s,..
preceding day.
Mr. Williams was in favor of extending the provisions
oil the bill to the militia of the States. He trusted that
the committee would not rise until they came to final
decision on the subject.
Some discussion point of order, whether
the question oil motion for the committee rise were
debaeable.
twas decided by the Chair that the question of mo-
| ton TO rise, not debateable.
The question then taken on Mr. Chilton's motion:
which was negatived.
The subject under consideration was the amendment
oil MIR. Tucker.
Mr.. Williams resumed his observations in its sun
port.
Mr.. Spencer of N. York, argued that il the amend
men should be attached 10 the BILL would in his o.
pinon, be Individually lost in the Senate II would be
better that the militia should be compensated in the
same manner with the regular soldiers; separate bin
ON the SUBJECT should be brought before Congress.
Mr. McDufie was in favor of the amendment pro.
posed by his colleagues (Mr. Tucker,) and he assured
the gentleman from New YORK, (Mr. Spencer1 that IL
was not with view of defeating the bill nor did he
think it should produce that effect He thought If "six
months were stricken out, and 'nne months" inserted
In eu mat the bill ought 10 pass III the regular SOL
dier who served in the revolutionary war was entitled
to the relief OF Congress- he commended that the militia
soldier, VINO was equally meritorous, entitled TO
he same consideration Since the year 1918, all ree-
lar soldiers who had served nine months in the revou
tonary war, and were in needy circumstances, had
received pensions IL only asked that the same
provision shall be made Tor the militia man of eoual
merits as was made twelve years ago for the regular
soldier
Mr. Tucker had no objection to modify his amend
ment so as to place the militia the same footing a.
the soldiers OF the line, who had served nine months
Mr. Strong suggested that if Mr. Tucker should with
draw his amendment and the words of the con,,sr.,
line were erased from the bill, il would include The
troops Of all descriptions who served in that war.
MI Tucker declined to accept of any modi6cs ton
which woud1oieat his object. What that object wa,
he had before stated II was to render one and the
same JUSTICE 10 the regular soldier and the militia man.
Mr. l. subsequently, modified it, the bill should
read 10 include volunteers, State troops and militia
Mr. Wilde adverted to the eminent services render
ed by the m,is TO the battle OF Kings mountain. IN
the deeds OF Generals Marion and Sumter. and a
nHmerous other actions in which the militia and State
troops hau distinguished themselves during the revo.
luonary contest, and cont ended that thew de.erved
equally well CT their country, with the continental
troops.
After some remarks from Mr. A. H. Sbeposrd
Mr. Campbell moved that the committee rise: hat
the motion was negatived.
MIR Tucker then modified his ainendm ent. so Al, IN
provide for compensatng the officers aud soldiers of
the militia, in proportion the
TO The othcer' and soldiers of the continental line
Mr. Davis OF Massachusetts,, eulogized the conduct
oil me militia who, in the darkest pc of the Yeyo-
luton, and when they liable to The ignominiou,
punishment traitors and rebels, substantially achieved
the indep ndence OF the country. was thew who had
conquered al Lexington, at Bunker's Hill il wastbsv
VINO mad driven the British troops and navy from Bos.
oni who had captured Burgoyne, at Saratoga who had
Shoeo me bae oil Bennington, and repulsed the enc.
YIN hhoie Island He referred also to the hard
ships and Prvaions which they bed endured and oh.
serVea I'D conclusion, that he could vote for the
amendment, unless ii included the militia who h.d
served Tor less period than nine months; stating In
us'raon OF his reasons fer this, that the yery rots
VINO beseged and took Boston, was confused nj man
VINO engaged only Tor the term of eight months,
mr. burgess supported The proposition, and the ami.
Jec' was further discussed by Mr.. Wilde and NJ
od'es' tbe latter oil whom suggested that pro ,afa
compensation should be allowed TO all who bad served
"hether 10 the line or the militia either for nine n,
LOT SIX months This he thought necessaTy 10 be done
ana u was equally necessary that IL should be dons
peedily. w "o"o
MIR. Taylor moved an amendment providiog ,b.,
me o'a'e troops volunteers or militia, who should Al
one or more times have served for years or for an
period not less than six month 9, should be ineud,a
"i,hih The benefits Of the act.
MI Ellsworth opposed the amendments hut n ~.
carried without division. " "a'
Mr. Speight moved an amendment, providio. ,h.,
he provisions OF the act should only extend N bos
VINO are now, and may be hereafter reduced. IN liz
necessity oil applying to their country for suaport
Mr.. BarriDger hoped his colleague I'M, S,a,.h.N
would not press bis amendment IL wonld cnn,;ssnL
ana increase the odious distinction ut present ris,;n~
10 pension cases on the part Of the rich and poor by
Whlcn the latter Obliged uers conosu.J