Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-22
y fourth Colagrcss--Rst scss
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
.NO1d1U 1I1rck If


The House proceeded to consider the resolutions of
the Legislature of the State of New York. on the sub.
Ject OF the oith militia, presented for
ner day by Mr. Gillct who moved TO refer them to the
Committee on Militia, with the following instructions:
TO inquire into the exp"diency of SO altering the
laws relating TO the militia asEto provide:
lst That all free white nbe-b bodied male citizens of
the United States, between twenty-one and forty five
years of age, shall be enrolled in the militia
ID That OF the persons enrolled all who are under
twenty years of age, shall in each wear be
called out for period not less than six days main
under arms during that period, with the view of i'm.
Provement IN military discipline and martial exercise
and such persons to be minute men, first called upon
in case of nsurrection invas
3D.. That the persons who called out and re-
main under arms shall receive reasonable
for their time
4h That the Government of the United States shall
furnish at proper repositories for the of the
thus called out, all needfu tents, arms and accoutre-
ments.
9Th That there shall be deposited at the proper minis
The frontiers and seaboard all necessary and proper
arms, including brass cannon and accouiremens and
ammunition, TO supply the enrolled militia when called
into actual service, in defence of the country"
Mr. Gillet addressed the House at some lengtb on fe
subject embraced in the proposed instructions
MI Ilamer understood that this whole subject was oI
ready before the Committee the Militia, aud before he
was called upon to vote instructions for that Committee
tOrcport, he desired opportunity Of examine them
Mr. Ghet explained that the Instructions extended no
further than to direct the committee to inquire
Nj. iaDer about to move to have Them laid ON
the table and printed but they did not instruct the
committee to report he would not press the motion
Mr. Gascock, as chairman of the Committee on Mill.
into and embraced in the instructions Intended 10 be
to that committee already before that commit
tee ne had however no objection himself to the adop
ton OF the resolution All the bills hitherto reported TO
that House at former sessions and which unfortunately
had never been acted on, so then possession OF
the committee.
NIr G. further stated that he himself considered his
very important question, and believed that inca
sure should be enacted for the purpose of organizing the
militia throughout the country. Knowing and feeling
the Importance of this question: he informed the Uoos
that bill would be prepared before the adjournment of
the present session. and presented the consideration
OF the House Tic bill would be presented after great
delberaon, and important taken from the bills
heretofore introduced would be Incorporated in IT, lie
Oeheved such bill would be reported would meet the
views OF the majority. Whether il would be euorted in
time 10 be acted on during the present session Congress
was what Doubtful from the press Of business before
the House; but IL would at all events be repoied in y
10 days and might be acted during tie comm session
ne would suggest TO the gentleman from N y Mr. Gil
Ict that any amendment he might think proper In or
might be offered when the bill up for action II had
become s'mcwhat fashionable to committees as to
what tey were to do. This, Mr. G.. thought nnnecssarv
gentlemen had any snggestions 10 make with rcqafd
to any plans they might wish incorporate in any bl
they would always be listened 20 with attention bg the
chairman OF any member OF the committee. But indie
pendent ut this, let him ask, If the fact was not well
Known, that every ind gidual had il IN his power 10 Offer
any amendment, or any additional clause he ip think
proper at certain stages; Bearing this faci IN mind IL
Did seem 10 him that altogether unnecessary fo
instruct The committee ON the present OCCASION lie con.
ceved wholly unnecessary, particularly as the very
object Of the inquiry embraced in the instructions was h.
fore the committee, and ai the same time he egocd IL
TO be distinctly understood that be had no objection 10
their adoption.
Mr Haley moved The following amendment to come
IN as an additional instruction 70 The nstruciionsof Mf
Gilet ~ ''.
And that the Committee on tho Militia be- instructed
10 inquire mo Che cxpcdcncy Of paying The Ini, Of
inc Unied Staes when called out Tor military excfcise
inspection anh review, as nov orQanized
Mr. ~ explained That be introduced The ana .pJ,oeo,
at ths time IN order that he committee before rcp,ri
ing he bill might be 10 Of the views Of oiers
in relatou 10 the subject he was Of opinion thaf lie
militia onght TO be paid The Government fouod osos
and means to pay every body else who pers,fmed o1v
duty with the single exception Of the militia Tboo
compelled The militia O. perform services for frce DR.
four days IN th year subjected them fine and nDfi
sonnent for neglect Of daty, and al for nothing
M Lneo opposed The amendment at some louqfh
aud was IN favor Of the instructions Of the gentleman