The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-06-16

revived to aid in the attempt to make breach
between Gen1. jackson and Mr.. Calhoun, and
Mr.. Lewis and Mr.. Van Barren acted in concert,
as l shall hereafter show
am admonished that my space is limited, and
must reserve, for another number, the further
developement of the conspiracy.
MIR. POINSETT AND THE STAND
ING ARMY.
The Richmond Enquirer contains CORES
pondence between the Editor, as Secretary to the
Van Buren, Committee, and Mr.. Poinsett, in re-
lation to the Report of the Secretary on the sub
iect of converting the Militia into a Standing
Army. Mr.. Poinsett very modestly says, that
Mr.. Van Buren, knew nothing about the Report,
although he recommended it to the favorable no.
tce of Congress, and Mr.. Richie shouts that
the Presidents skirts are freed from all censure
in relation to it, because he did not read it
Now all this is very fine, truly! MIR. Van Buren,
recommends to the special favor of Congress,
MIR. Poinsett's Report. 1t is, upon examination,
found to be military CONSUMPTION, and is de-
that it is doing injury to the party, and appeals
to MIR. Poinsett, who modestly undertakes to tell
the people, you must not blame the President for
this. 1t is true, he recommended it in his mes
sage, but he knew nothing about 1.-THE never
read it.
We would put it to the candid of all parties,
whether the recommendation of the President is
not declaration that he has read and approved.
The constitution requires him to recommend to
Congress such measures as he believes will adj
vance the public good--in obedience to that re-
quirement of the constitution, he does recommend,
and, in the face of that recommendation, we are
now told by his Secretary, that it is not true
that the President approved of it, because, al
though the President did recommend it, he never
saw it. Verify, it seems to us that this certify
ing does not mend the matter. 1t only proves
that the President is very remiss in his duty, and
that no reliance is to be placed in his official de-
clarations.
But it is apparent that the plan was a delibe-
rate copy from Bonaparte's code, as will be seen
from the following letter of respected cores
pondent;
To the Editor Qfthe Pilot
commended by the President to Congress, rela-
ting to the organization of a military force of
200, 200 men, called so forcibly to my mind the
''code of CONSUMPTION" of Bonaparte, (Which may
be found in Baine's History of the Wars of the
French Revolution, vol. I'd, chap. W that could
not resist the curiosity to refer to it, part of
which have extracted and send you, and which,
if you please, you may publish for the informa-
ton of all who may admire reject such sys-
tenn of CONSUMPTION for our Republic.-Here it Isl
CODE OF coNscRIPTIoN OF BoNAPARTE.
France, at the time now under consideration,
was divided into thirty military governments.
The civil divisions consisted of 122 departments.
These departments were divided into districts,
&c. The CONSUMPTION was first published in the
form of general law, by the Council of the An
clients, (similar to our Senate in 1898. The law
by which the whole number of conseripts was
limited, regulated at the time the contingent
of each department, proportionally to its popula-
ton. All Frenchmen, between the full age OF 20
and IS complete, were liable to the CONSUMPTION.
They were each year thrown into five classes
the first of which consisted of those who had COM
pleted their 10th year; the second, eff those who
had terminated their 21st year, and SO on, in the
order of seniority. Eight days were allowed for
the preparation Of lists; the conscripts were then
assembled in each canton, and examined by the
administration. BY these meetings, all pleas of
exemption scratinized. Lists were then
formed of those who were adjudged compe-
tent to serve, whether present or absent, for the
quota Of the district Absentees not present.
ing themselves within month, were declared re-
fractory, and pursued as deserters These were
the conscrpts of esactive Service" but, besides
these, the law required an equal number to form
SEths CONSUMPTION of reserve.' A third body was
then created of the supplemental conscript."
They marched under an escort Of gendarmesie,
"a species of armed Constables,) to various quar-
tiers through the empire, and were there first sup
Piled with arms and clothing Absentees, or
fractory conscripts, were EMERGED in sum of
1900 francs, together with the expense incurred
in the pursuit. A special council of war decided
on the cases of desertion, and the penalties were
were death, punishment of the ball, or hard la
Dor. Yours, w.
MISCELLANY OF VERSE AND
PROSE, by G. Fl. Calvert Esq, author of Goa