SENATE. Military Peace Establishment. fications. If the Peace Establishment be not limited to the number, requisite for these objects, it will not be easy to fix any bounds to it, till we arrive at the point that forms the rule of many European Governments; which is, to increase the military force as far as there is ability to bear the expense. Should we determine to maintain, in peace, an army sufficiently large to defend the country in war, the present establishment will be found entirely inadequate. Our remote situation, and the well established character of our people, are a sufficient security against invasion, for the purpose of permanent conquest. With a seacoast of more than two thousand miles, intersected by many deep bays and rivers, the country cannot be protected against depredations by any other than a naval force. This is demonstrated by our experience during the two wars in which we have been engaged with Great Britain. It is impossible by fortifications and a land force, however extensive, to secure the country against the plundering expeditions of an enemy possessing the uncontrolled dominion of the ocean. Our principal towns and harbors may, by fortifications, be secured in some measure against sudden attacks. But the attempt would be idle by such means to defend our whole coast. FEBRUARY, 1817. sals for the exchange of certain territories, are the subjects of the existing negotiation. Whatever may be our opinions of the merits of these claims, there is little reason to fear they will occasion a war. Had we intended to have waged war against Spain for these causes, we might have begun it eight years ago, with as much justice as we now can, and certainly with superior advantages. If, then, we do not intend to make war against Spain, is there any reason to believe that Spain meditates a war against this country? During the late European war, Spain has been more reduced and impoverished than any other nation. She has not only suffered greatly in her wealth and resources, but seems not to have profited by the occasion, to improve her military character and institutions. Is it then probable that Spain, thus reduced, and while engaged in a conflict with her colonies, of vital importance and doubtful issue, will unnecessarily commence a war against this country? Will she not perceive that a war with us would insure the independence of her colonies? It would be deemed an act of madness for that nation, standing alone and unaided, to make war on us. And there is no appearance of a disposition, in any Power of Europe, to aid or sustain her in the undertaking. We are in but little more danger of a war with Spain, than with Naples, against which Power we have a similar claim for spoliation on our commerce. The acquiring and retaining military knowledge and discipline, for the future occasions of the country, is often urged as an argument in favor of the present Army Establishment. It may be With such prospects the Military Peace Estabdoubted whether the present establishment tends lishment may with propriety be fixed as low, as much to the promotion of that object. Dispersed it probably ever can be, at any future period. We in small bodies as the troops now are, throughout have no reasons to flatter ourselves with the hope the vast extent of the country, neither military that the time will ever arrive when this nation knowledge will be acquired, nor discipline en- will have less occasion for a large standing army. forced. Indeed, little dependence can be placed Nor is it apparent, from the circumstances of the on an army that has indulged in the idle habits present time, that we now need a larger army, in which all armies will indulge, during a long than at any former period, since the formation of period of peace. This has been the common ex- our Government. About the time of the comperience of all nations, accustomed to keep up mencement of our present Government, the war their armies during peace, and was strongly ex-began, which continued till lately to agitate and emplified in the total discomfiture of the Prussian army at the battle of Jena., convulse all the nations of Europe. At several periods of that great conflict, this nation sensibly felt the danger of being drawn within the vortex. Does our safety require, at the present time, a larger_military force than was found to be suffi The present is a period of general peace throughout the world. The great Powers of Europe, fatigued and exhausted by a warfare of unexampled fury and extent, seem disposed to secure to them-cient for those periods? selves a state of peace and repose. Except the Whenever we refer, for instruction, to the contest between Spain and her colonies in South course pursued during the early years of this America, no war exists among any of the nations Government, we are always surprised by the simwith whom we have connexions. Judging from plicity and economy of those times, when compresent appearances, we are in less danger of be-pared with the present. In no department will ing soon involved in war, than we have been at this difference be found greater than in the milany former period of our national existence. itary. We have no considerable misunderstanding with any nation, except Spain. The information of the state of our negotiations with that Government, lately communicated to the Senate by the President, certainly exhibits no symptoms of war. The subjects of the negotiation are all ancient: our claim of indemnification for the interruption, twenty years ago, of our right of deposite at New Orleans; a like indemnification for spoliations on our commerce during the domination of Bonaparte; the settlement of boundaries, and propo- | The first act of Congress regulating the military department passed in the year 1790, and expressly provides that the whole number of men, to be at any time retained in service, shall not exceed twelve hundred and sixteen. In a subsequent year, a regiment of infantry, to consist of nine hundred and twelve men, was added to the establishment. In 1794, an addition was made to the corps of artillery, with a provision that the whole corps should not exceed nine hundred and ninetytwo. In several subsequent years, during the mis FEBRUARY, 1817. Military Peace Establishment. understanding between this country and France, Congress, by various acts, authorized the raising of additional numbers of troops. The acts, passed during that period, usually devolved on the President the power of raising a specified number of troops, if in his judgment the exigency of the times should render it necessary. In the year 1802, the Military Peace Establishment was fixed at the number of three thousand and forty men, exclusive of commissioned officers. At that number it remained, till the difficulties occurred which led to the late war with Great Britain. Some pains have been taken to ascertain the number of troops in service during the first twenty years of this Government. It cannot be determined, with much certainty, from any returns or documents in the office of the Adjutant General. It is, however, confidently believed that the average number, during those twenty years, could not have exceeded three thousand. This opinion is confirmed by an examination of the expenditures for the military service of those years. SENATE. whose military force in proportion to its numbers is so expensive as ours. Supposing the regiments and corps full, which is seldom the case, the average expense for each man would be six hundred and fifty dollars a year. And, after deducting such parts of the gross sum as are expended in fortifications and ordnance stores, which remain at the end of the year, the average expense for each man would still be at least five hundred and fifty dollars a year. From our past experience and from estimates, which may be relied on, it may be safely asserted that we can maintain a navy, with ten thousand seamen, in constant service, and including all expenses of building and repairing the ships, for a less sum than is now expended for the same number of land forces. The estimated expense of building and equipping a seventy-four gun ship is $384,000, of a forty-four gun frigate $263,000. The whole annual expense of keeping in service a seventy four gun ship, including the ordinary repairs, with a full crew of six hundred and fiftysix men, is estimated at $189,000. A frigate with four hundred and fifty men, at $134,000. Supposing the vessels to last only ten years, the whole keeping them in service, that term of time, with their full crews of eleven hundred and six men, would be $3,882,000. The expense of maintaining the same number of regular troops in the Peace Establishment, for the same period of time, at the estimated expense of five hundred and fifty dollars a year for each man, would amount to more than six millions of dollars. From the statements of the Treasury Department, it appears, that the whole expenditure for the military service, including the Indian depart-expense of building and equipping the vessels and ment, during the first twenty years of the Government, did not amount to twenty-nine millions of dollars. So that the average of annual expenditures, during those years, was less than one million and an half. The average annual expenditure, for three years subsequent to 1802, when the Military Peace Establishment was fixed, was only eight hundred and sixty-three thousand dollars. During the first twenty years, the Government was No one, who recollects the events of the late engaged in several expensive Indian wars, was war, can doubt the superior advantages to this compelled to put down by military force an ex-country of a naval over a land force, whether for tensive insurrection, and encountered heavy expenses, in preparation for a war with France. Where is the necessity for having, in the present time of general peace, a greater Military Establishment than was deemed sufficient for the security of the country, during that period of gen eral warfare throughout the continent of Europe ? Yet the number of troops now retained is more than three times what it then was, and the authorized expenditure for military service more than four times what it then was. purposes of defence or offence. Had we possessed, at the commencement of that war, a competent naval force, not only our own coast might have been protected against predatory expeditions, but the vast commerce of our enemy, together with her valuable West India possessions, would have been at our mercy; for this country a naval force is the cheapest and most efficient, is the most congenial to the principles of our Government. least dangerous to the rights of the people, and consequently least obnoxious to their jealousy. The Secretary of the Treasury, in his last an- There is no occasion for keeping in service, in nual report on the state of the finances, estimates time of peace, more regular troops than are nethe authorized expenditure for the military ser-cessary to guard the Western frontier, and take vice of the present year at $6,459,625. This sum, as being necessary for the military service, he includes in his estimates of the permanent expenditures of future years. In this sum is understood to be included $800,000 for fortifications, and certain sums for ordnance stores. But those sums were also in the estimates of the last year, and are considered by the Secretary as permanently necessary, according to the present system, for the annual military service. Such a great and sudden increase in the numbers and expenses of the Military Establishment, makes it the duty of Congress to lessen it, if it may be done consistently with the public safety. There is not, as is believed, a nation in the world 14th CoN. 2d SESS.-5 care of the forts and garrisons. I believe (said Mr. M.) half the present number sufficient for those purposes. No inconvenience was experienced for the want of troops during the time while only three thousand were retained in service. In my judgment, therefore, the Military Peace EstabIsshment ought to be reduced to five thousand men, the one-half its present number. I believe it would be consistent with the safety, and in furtherance of the best interests of the country. The saving to the Treasury that would be made, which would exceed two and a half millions of dollars a year, might be applied, partly, to a further increase of the Navy, and partly towards a more speedy extinguishment of the national debt. TUESDAY, February 18. Mr. FROMENTIN, from the Joint Library Committee, reported the following resolutions, which were read, and passed to the second reading: Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That it shall be the duty of the Commis. sioner of Public Buildings to cause to be erected and fitted up for the reception of the Library of Congress a suitable building, upon a plan to be approved by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, to be situated on Delaware avenue, north of the Capitol. Resolved, That when the said building shall be ready for the reception of the said library, it shall be the duty of the Librarian to remove the same and arrange the books therein. Mr. FROMENTIN presented the petition of William Hargrave, praying the privilege of entering with the register of the land office east of Pearl river, the tract of land on which he resides, not exceeding four hundred and eighty acres, as designated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise. On motion, by Mr. RUGGLES, the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads were instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing a post road from Fort Wayne, in the State of Ohio, to Chicago, in the State of Indiana. On motion, by Mr. CHACE, the Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill to provide for reports of the decissions of the Supreme Court; and no amendment having been proposed, the PRESIDENT reported the bill to the House; and the bill was ordered to be engrossed, and read a third time. WEDNESDAY, February 19. Mr. ROBERTS, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of Joseph C. Boyd, made the following report: That the petitioner was a Paymaster in the Army, and, on the 9th of March, 1813, he intrusted to Captain Joseph Westcott the sum of $1,374 35, to pay said Westcott's company, then stationed at Castine, in the District of Maine. Captain Westcott left Portland in the sloop Harriet of Portland, Jacob Orcutt, master, and, on the day he sailed, dropped the money overboard, and was deprived of the means of recovering it by a rough sea. Mutilated duplicate receipts, given by Captain Westcott to the Paymaster for the sum in question, are in the Accountant's office. It appears the usage has been, and is still continued, of the Paymasters sending their remittances to the officers of posts by such conveyances as they may select; it is, however, understood to be at the risk of the Paymaster. In this case, very full evidence is given that the loss was accidental, though the loose manner in which Captain Westcott was carrying the money was blameable. The effect of relieving the petitioner to the United States is the payment of the money twice. The committee are of opinion that, however severely the withholding relief may press upon the petitioner, the precedent such a grant would establish would be of the most evil tendency. It seems unwise to FEBRUARY, 1817. adopt any measure that would encourage remissness The report and resolution were read. Mr. ROBERTS, from the same committee, to whom was referred the petition of Thomas Ewell, made a report, together with the following resolution: Resolved, That the prayer of the petitioner is unreasonable, and ought not to be granted. The report and resolution were read. On motion, by Mr. ROBERTS, the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of John Otis, attorney of William Otis, late collector of the customs of the district of Barnstable, were discharged from the further consideration thereof. Mr. DANA, from the committee to whom was referred the motion submitted by Mr. FROMENTIN on the 14th instant, with instructions relating to the journals, made a report, which was read. The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 17th instant for instructing the Committee on Military Affairs to report a bill to the Senate to reduce the Military Peace Establishment of the United States; and, on motion, by Mr. KING, the further consideration thereof was postponed to, and made the order of the day for Friday next. The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 17th instant, for instructing the Committee on Finance to inquire into the expediency of authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase, or cause to be erected, suitable buildings for custom-houses and public warehouses, for the safe and convenient collection of the revenue of the United States, and agreed thereto. The Senate resumed the consideration of the motions of the 17th instant, for instructing the Committee on Finance to report to the Senate a bill providing for the establishment of a bank within the City of Washington, upon certain conditions, and to report a bill prohibiting, after a certain time, the making and issuing, by any unauthorized association or individual, within the District of Columbia, notes or bills, with intent to cause the same to be circulated and received in payment; and, on motion by Mr. GOLDSBOROUGH, the further consideration was postponed until the fourth day of March next. The bill respecting the transportation of persons of color for sale or to be held to labor, was read a third time, and passed. of the Supreme Court was read a third time, The bill to provide for reports of the decisions and the blanks were filled, first with 1.000, second with 80; and on the question, Shall this bill pass ?" it was determined in the affirmativeyeas 30, nays 6, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Ashmun, Barbour, Brown, Campbell, Chace, Daggett, Dana, Fromentin, Gaillard, Goldsborough, Hanson, Hardin, Horsey, Howell, Hunter, King, Mason of New Hampshire, Mason of Vir 0 ginia, Morrow, Noble, Ruggles, Sanford, Smith, Stokes, Tait, Talbot, Taylor, Thompson, Tichenor, and Troup. NATS-Messrs. Condit, Lacock, Macon, Roberts, Varnum, and Wilson. So it was Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be, "An act to provide for reports of the decisions of the Supreme Court." Mr. LACOCK presented the petition of Aquilla M. Bolton and Amos J. Yarnall, executors of Lieutenant John J. Yarnall, late of the United States Navy, praying relief in the settlement of his accounts, as stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise. Mr. CHACE, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was recommitted the bill to provide for the punishment of crimes and offences committed within the Indian boundaries, reported it with amendments; which were read. Mr. FROMENTIN submitted the following motion for consideration: Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of allowing to the judge of the sixth circuit court of the United States a sum equal to the salary of the judge of the district court of South Carolina, for the term of one year, during which time the said circuit judge was compelled, by law, to perform the duties of the judge of said district court. Mr. CHACE, from the Committee on the Judiciary, asked and obtained leave to report a bill in addition to an act, entitled "An act for the more convenient taking of affidavits and bail in civil causes depending in the courts of the United States; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading. SENATE. mittee on Military Affairs, to consider and report thereon. The resolution directing a building to be erected for the use of the Library of Congress, was read the second time. Mr. GOLDSBOROUGH submitted the following motion for consideration: Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be reported to the Senate, at the next session of Congress, such measures as he may deem most effectual for the security of the country watered by the Chesapeake bay and its tributary streams, against the maritime force of an enemy. The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill respecting persons escaping from the service of their masters. On motion of Mr. TALBOT, that the further consideration thereof be postponed until to-morrow week, it was determined in the affirmative— yeas 21, nays 14, as follows: Daggett, Dana, Fromentin, Gaillard, Goldsborough, NAYS-Messrs. Ashmun, Chace, Hanson, Horsey, On motion, by Mr. GOLDSBOROUGH, the Committee on Finance, to whom was referred the petition of the President and Directors of the Bank of the Metropolis; of the President and Directors of the Patriotic Bank of Washington; and of the President and Directors of the Central Bank of Georgetown and Washington, respectively praying charters of incorporation, were discharged from the further consideration thereof, and they were severally referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia, to consider and report there Mr. CHACE, from the same committee, to whom The bill entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year 1817," was read the second time, and referred to the Committee on Finance, to consider and report thereon. On motion, by Mr. BARBOUR, it was agreed that the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act concerning the navigation of the United States," together with the amendments reported thereto by the Committee of Foreign Relations be postponed to, and made the order of the day for, to-morrow. Mr. CAMPBELL presented the petition of Jesse Bean, representing that he has lately discovered a silver mine in the Missouri Territory, and praying the privilege of working the same for five years, on conditions stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the Committee on the Public Lands, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill to incorporate the members of the Columbian Institute; and, on motion by Mr. WILSON, the further consideration thereof was postponed until the fourth day of March next. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill to establish a separate Territorial government for the eastern part of the Mississippi Territory, together with the amendments reported thereto by the select committee. Mr. VARNUM was requested to take the Chair; and the amendments having been agreed to, with an additional amendment, the PRESIDENT resumed the Chair, and the bill was reported to the House accordingly. And the amendments having been concurred in, the bill was ordered to be engrossed, and read a third time. Mr. WILLIAMS submitted the following motion for consideration: Resolved, That the President of the United States The bill entitled "An act relating to the ran- be requested to lay before the Senate a copy of the som of American captives of the late war," was correspondence between the Government of the United read the second time, and referred to the Com-States and the Government of Spain, relative to the Mr. MASON, of Virginia, also presented the petition of the President and Directors of the Farmers' Bank of Alexandria, praying an extension of their charter, for reasons stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the same committee, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise. Mr. MASON also presented the petition of Alicia Carter, relict of William B. Carter, who died in the service of his country during the late war, previous to his being mustered, praying for relief, as stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise. Mr. TAIT, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill for the relief of the legal representatives of John J. Yarnall, deceased; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading. Mr. TAIT, from the same committee, to whom was referred the memorial of Edward Shubrick and others, officers of the late United States' brig Chippewa, made report, together with the following resolution: Resolved, That the memorialists have leave to withdraw their memorial. Mr. MASON, of New Hampshire, presented the memorial of the merchants of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and its vicinity, who have suffered from the depredations of French cruisers; representing, that during the wars in Europe which arose out of the French Revolution, their property, while engaged in lawful commerce, was subjected to capture and condemnation by the cruisers of the French Republic, upon the most frivolous pretences; that for these aggressions they had a claim upon the justice of the French Government, which they had urged with some success, but that by the convention of September 30, 1800, the claim of American citizens for indemnity for such captures was relinquished, in consideration of certain great political advantages in favor of the United States, whereby they conceive the United States are bound to discharge FEBRUARY, 1817. motion of the 19th instant, for requesting the The Senate resumed the consideration of the President of the United States to cause to be reported to the Senate, at the next session of Congress, such measures as he may deem most effectual for the security of the country watered by the Chesapeake Bay against the maritime force of an enemy; and on motion, by Mr. Barbour, the further consideration thereof was postponed until the 4th day of March next. The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 19th instant, for requesting a copy The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 19th instant, for instructing the expediency of allowing to the judge of the sixth Committee on the Judiciary to inquire into the circuit court of the United States, a certain compensation for having performed the duties of the judge of the district court of South Carolina; and agreed thereto. The Senate resumed the consideration of the referred the petition of Joseph C. Boyd; and in report of the Committee of Claims, to whom was concurrence there with, the petitioner had leave to withdraw his petition. The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee of Claims to whom was referred the petition of Thomas Ewell; and, in concurrence therewith, it was resolved that the prayer of the petitioner is unreasonable, and ought not to be granted. The bill in addition to an act entitled "An act for the more convenient taking of affidavits and bail in civil causes depending in the courts of the United States," was read the second time. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act concerning the navigation of the United States," together with the amendments reported thereto by the Committee on Foreign Relations; and the bill having been amended, the PRESI DENT reported it to the House accordingly, and the amendments having been concurred in with further amendments, on the question, "Shall the amendments be engrossed and the bill read a third time as amended?" it was determined in the affirmative. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill to set apart and dispose of certain lands for the encouragement of the cultivation of the vine, and other exotic plants thereon. Mr. VARNUM was re |