Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-01-05

would consider the circumstances under which the
penses incurred, for which this claim for
lion made. The State surrounded by powerful
enemies formidable fleets threatened various parts OF
her coast application promptly made TO the General
Government for security and protection The Secretary
W ar responded that such the situation OF the public
that the protection asked Tor could be afford
cd. He requested the Governor Of South Carolina call
into rcqsion the Of the State To this request,
the Governor acccdcd.
MIR ID. read part Of the report of the Military Com
nee shelving the state oil facts under which the money
was eNpended.]
These circumstances made this casc he sad clear
ccpon 10 the general rules that had been heretofore laid
down and acted on. The State oil South Carolina, he said,
had never been troublesome petitioner TO this House.
Largely as she had contributed the resources the
Union she had rarely placed herself in her present at
tudc OF requesting pecunary justice from the Treasury
Under these circumstances, said he, will this House APP
ply the same rigid rules TO her reasonable and equitable
claims that they would to the demands OF sharper! He
hoped not.
Mr. McKennan, of Pennsy yana said he bad read the
Report OF the Military Committee with much attention.
and with anxious desire support the bill, if he
scicntiousy might But, after careful examination of the
acts he had GO me TO the conclusion with the gentle
man from Virginia (NIr. McCoy.) lie thought the prccc-
dent would open too wide door. lie would briefly
sign the for the vote he felt obliged TO give upon
this bill. IL proposes 10 refund the State the
pended. The expenditure not warranted by any law
The claim therefore, rests altogether upon equitable pu
cipies. Now what, said he, the facts? These
were drawn away from their homes in summer. This
appears distinctly from the date of the memorial Before
the time would arrive when blankets would become indis
pcnsabc, arrears OF pay would be due them sufficient
procure blankets any other necesacs which they
bound TO pay for out of their pockets In many SINH
lar he had been informed that had been advanced
TO the for these purposes. But here, pay would
have become due before the blankets became necessary
Ii had been said that militia men were poor-that they
were called away from home upon sudden emergency
that they destitute of the necessary clothing and
were unable 10 provide themselves that the State of
South Carolina, from feelings of humanity and beray
had accorded this relief 10 her citizen soldiers None
these considerations in his view afforded ground for rcm-
burscmcnt. Were all the and privatons he would
ask among the citizen soldiers in the service OF coun-
try during the late confined to those of South Carroll
ma! How was 1t upon every frontier TO which the militia
called: The sucrings of the citizen soldiers of S.
Carolina nothing those endured by those upon the
northern ana western frontiers How their suffer-
ngs levatcd! he would enquire Sir when the citizen
sodcry suddenly called out for the defence of the
country the bcraty of the community taxed fthey
were unprcpared. All classes contributed their COM
Tort In the town where he resided, said Mr.. Mex
tcliigcncc received that the enemy cominc-a
band OF Volunteer militia instantly embodicd-cvcry
man assisted IN making the necessary provsonevcry
man contributed her assistance in the preparation for the
march Sin, said Mr. Mex iiths claim allowed every per
son who made these private contributions would be entitled
TO remuneration Their amount TO be sure, might be r-
fling, but the principle is the Whether the relief
comes from the neighborS from the State there is no
difference in prncplc And said Mr. Mex tbs kind Of
relief confined to South Carolina Virsinia afford
cd it extensively, as suggested by the gentleman from
that State, (Ar McCoy) Pennsyva could present as
heavy claim Virginia That State was not exceeded
by any, in providing for the OF her citizen soldiers
Ii the precedent be established, Pennsylvania could
scape together large caims-lts Legislature well knew
that no lazy authorized the remuneration of such expend
lures Yet when appeals made in behalf of her cti-
zen soldiers they promptly responded. The Lcgis-
ature OF South Carolina worthy of all praise for their
honorable and humane attention the necessities of their
citizen soldiers. But they have ground call on the
public treasury for fhis opened 10 such
claims, the end Of them. For these rea-
bill. Wv
Mr. McDufie of South Carolina said he sbou,d he very
sorry 10 see State deprived of its Just rights because
other States had similar rights. The simple question he
said was-shall refuse 10 the State of South Carolina
tho money that she has honestly and fairly expended for
purpose, OF defence? If this claim made by the sol
dier' Themselves, we might aege that the law required
that they should provide themselves But here
cessary provision made by tho State. We asked said
! Mr. Med, for decnec--tlat we could not obtain-we
were told to defend ourselves We called for money
that we could not get. We told that must lay
out our own money The State in doing what the United
States should have DONE were bound TO do expcndeJ
the money which isnow proposed refund 10 them The
propety OF doing this be settled by the techn
cal rules OF the War Department This House. he said
would not so into minute calculations the subject If
gentlemen considered the relative situation of the United
States and the State he felt confident they would sanction
this bill.
Mr.. Ellsworth of Connecticut endured whether il was
rule of the War Department statute regulation nv
which this claim rejected by the Accounting Officers;
Mr.. Drayon said he not positive, but believed il
was a rule Of the War Department.
Mr. Ellsworth said, if that the fact the claim ought
to be settled the principles stated by the gentleman from
South Carolina (Mr. McDuiic) yfblankcts were ncces
ary for the militia, Government ought pay for them
Mr. Wmtcsey OF OHIO thought the gentleman from
south Carolina (Alr Drayton) incorrect his opinion
there was law that the Government should furnish the
volunteers with blankets but the militia whatever
S DC penOl oil ScrVice.-lt they furnished,
was to be deducted from their pay. If they go into the
service without blankets, and they furnished by the
States aud this be refunded by the General Govern
ment the consequence is that those who carry tier own
blankets as all bound to do wear them out and get
nothing for them-whle those who carry nome get them
at the expense OF the State. 1t such an expense is now
remuneraed those who have carried and worn them out
IN the service may make claim which could not be resist
cd on the principle. If the United States is bound 10
pay Tor blankets, they for clothing virginia furnish
cd her militia with shoes, hats and other clohinp-Tbese
were as necessary as blankets in the present instance
Mr. NHckolls said, do rise Mr. Speaker to discuss
the general merits of the claim now under consideration
mad hoped that when the House had considered the pe
cuar nature and the circumstances under which the Mill
mary claim oil South Carolina had accrued il would have
iSe to the justice, patriotism and honor of this
assembly so directly, to preclude all debate had par
ucuarlY desired that Representative from Carolina
shouiI iccl 1t necessary TO urge its allowance when the
very Tact oil It's existence reflected so much honor ON the
pubc spirit OF State relied on the interencc of
TINS body to estimate its Justice and their equity to direct
It's payment. But, Sir find mistaken Objections
arc raised to the particular in the of
inc mole, winch Is now before the House, This section
contains an appropriation of 81 500 for blankets purchased
ny he Slate Tor the use of her soldiers when the tents
iuTnsed by thIS Governments insufficient for tbcir
protection Honorable gentlemen have objected TO this
allowance as unusual and improper because by the re-
guations OF the United States blankets are not furnished
10 troops serving Tor less than year. Others object to it
because II be allowed in this case, other States may
prefer the same demand and that dangerous inroas y in be
made on the Treasury. Sir, win enter into no aror.
Inent, IN reply TO these objections But feel bound 10
say that they do not partake of that spirit which animated
Saona IN meeting the exigences of that day What was
nd hats iii Il.