The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. IX, Part 62

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440

USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. IX > Part 62

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If one dollar per annum be fixed on as an equivalent for military duty, it will be a considerable relief to that class of our citizens who are conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms; and if the manner of collecting this should be changed, so as to have it done with the coun- ty rates and levies, it would be less offensive to them, and probably a much better account would be given of the moncy. In the neighboring state of New York, those who refuse to bear arms, are compelled to pay four dollars per annum, and in the state of Connecticut six, in lieu of military duty; while, under the proposed change, the same class of citizens, in our state, would have to pay but the small sum of one dollar a year.

Should an objection be raised, that by curtailing the number of the militia in the way proposed, would be an infringement of the constitution, which declares that " the freemen of this commonwealth shall be armed and disciplined for its defence;" and should this be so con- strucd as to require that every militia man should be armed and disciplined, your committee would reply, that this provision has never been complied with in that sense; for by every law that has been passed for the re- gulation of the militia, certain classes of our citizens have been exempted in addition to those exempted by acts of congress, and in some other states this exemption is carried to a much greater extent, so as to embrace fire companies, and those engaged in iron and other manufactories; nor would this system deprive any citi- zen of the right to bear arms.

If it should be said that a force, formed in this way, and to be raised and recruited by voluntary enlistments, would not be sufficiently permanent to depend on, for the public defence, it may be answered, that under the most adverse circumstances, without the patronage of government, volunteers have kept up a force for a num- ber of years past, from 3Q to 35 thousand, and it is rea- sonable to expect that if properly encouraged by the legislature, their numbers will increase rather than di- minish, and would be found to answer every demand in time of peace.

Something, however, like the present organization of the militia, must be kept up, in order to conform to the act of congress of 1792, which, as long as it remains in force, must be complied with by the several states; though in some of the states it is used, but very partial- ly enforced. What alterations may be made by con- gress, in the laws for organizing and disciplining the mi- litia, appears quite uncertain, as the subject has been frequently before them, without having produced any thing like a system. But as the subject has been press- ed on them during the present winter, by the legisla- tures of several states, it is hoped that something will ere long be done.

The military convention have recommended that vo- Junteers should be required to encamp at least three successive days in each year, and that they should be supplied with rations at the expense of the state. The committee believe, that whatever number of days should be made obligatory, would be spent to more ad- vantage in a camp, than in meeting but one day at a time, as a knowledge of camp duty is one of the most important acquisitions of a soldier, . and especially ne- cessary to prepare him for actual service. It may be fairly calculated, that three days in succession, spent in an encampment, would be of more service than double the same time spent in meeting one day at a time. Not only a knowledge of camp duty could be acquired by such encampments, but a good degree of field discipline also, if suitable fields were selected adjacent to the camps. As it may be expected that these volunteer corps, (as indeed is now the case) will be composed of the flower of our youth, it will be incumbent on the le- gislature to do all in their power to guard the morals of those who are to be the protectors of our liberties. It will be proper to provide by law, that suttlers shall be prohibited from disposing of ardent spirits at such en- campments, under sufficient penalties; nor ought this to be left discretional with the officers, as under the present law. It will be admitted hy all, that a corps of military men, of whatever description, will in a short time take its character from its officers: it is, there- fore, proper and necessary, that none should be select- ed for such responsible stations, who would not add to a knowledge of tactics and capacity to command, ha- bits of sobriety, and moral rectitude of character. An army of citizen soldiers, trained in this way, would form a bulwark behind which the liberties of the coun- try might rest secure.

The committee are of opinion, that it would be more convenient and expedient, to allow to each troop or com. pany of volunteers a certain sum in moncy, in lieu of ra- tions and other expenses, in attending the encamp- ments; and that the fund to be raised for their support, after allowing for procuring colors, drums, &c. should be divided pro rata among the several corps, having re- gard to the different description of force. For instance -an artillery company ought to be allowed about 25 per cent. more than a troop of cavalry, and a troop about the same ratio more than a company of infantry or ri- flemen; as the expenses of the former are considerably greater than those of the latter. By the last report of the Adjutant General, the whole number of militia is 102,205, including 34,377 volunteers. Admitting that the volunteers should increase to 50,000, if proper en- couragement was given, and deducting that number from the total, would leave something more than

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MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR.

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·130,000 enrolled militia; and after making allowance for minors, and also for those who have served the time required by law in volunteer corps, and who would of course be exempt, there would remain about 100,000, who would be subject to pay a tax or equivalent, which would amount to $100,000. By applying this fund to the support of volunteers, it is believed it would be suf- ficient to ensure the services of a force that would an- swer every demand in time of peace.

Respecting those who have served seven years in vo- lunteer corps, in conformity to the acts of 1818, and 1822, it is not expected that they could either be called on to uniform or attend the trainings in time of peace, or to contribute an equivalent, and would therefore be exempt in this case. What portion of those will be en- titled to exemption by the above recited acts, is a ques- tion which remains unsettled, and the practice of giving certificates in such cases is different in different sections of the state. For instance, some have contended that when a company is organized, and they agree on some kind of citizen's dress, such as citizen's coats, and other citizen's clothing, with badges and appendages, such as a sash and some trappings to the hat, that it ought to pass for uniform; but such a dress would not appear to be in any good degree complying with the provisions of the forty-first section of the act of 1822, which provides that volunteers shall conform in their dress, "as nearly as may be to the same kind of force in the army of the United States." It would, however, appear, that where a company had uniformed in good military style, and were inspected and returned by the proper Brigade Inspector, and had attended the requi- site number of days of training, that notwithstanding they had not in all cases conformed to the exact letter of the law, yet the intents and purposes of the law were fulfilled, and they would be entitled to exemption "ex- cept in time of an evasion, insurrection or actual war."

As it is properly the duty of Brigade Inspectors, not to organize or return any company which is not uni- formed according to law, a proper penalty ought to be exacted for a neglect or breach of that duty, for where a company is organized and returned, it is natu- ral for them to expect all the privileges and benefits at- tached to their station.

It is not expected there will be a sufficient number of tents and camp equipage, to supply all the volunteers at the same time, but such distribution inight be made by the Adjutant General as to give to each division its proper quota, and require the Major Generals to make such arrangements for their brigades, as to have them used alternately by the different corps, and that a pro- per latitude should be given in the time of meeting in camp, so that the tents and camp equipage might be used in turn.

By a resolution of the late military convention, it is recommended to the legislature, to vary the general law, so as to permit the volunteers of the city and coun- ty of Philadelphia, to organize in a manner that would be best calculated to prepare them for the protection and defence of that wealthy and flourishing city, the ex- posed situation of which might, in time of war, subject it to the plunder of an invading enemy; and that the fines collected in the district should be appropriated to the volunteer's of that division. The propriety of afford- ing to the citizens of our large maritime cities through- out the Union, every encouragement to place them- selves in a defensive attitude, must be obvious to ev- ery one who will consider their exposed situation, and that they have only their citizen soldiers to depend on in any emergency that may occur. The state would not lose much by such an arrangement; for notwith- standing the great wealth and population of this city, it has not heretofore done more than contribute its due proportion to the funds for the support of the militia system, and it is probable that if the fines of the first di- vision were exclusively appropriated to the volunteers

of the district, they would be collected more promptly, and a better account had of them.

The legislature of New York by their revised statutes, have made special provision, for organizing and disci- plining the volunteers of their metropolis, and your committee can see no reason why the c.cizens of Phila- delphia should not have a fair opportunity to prepare for their own defence.

In conclusion, your committee beg leave to observe, that after viewing the subject in all its various bearings, they have no hesitation in saying, that in their opinion not only the public safety, but the public morals would be promoted by the proposed change in the system, and that economy speaks loud in its favor. At an early period of the session, and shortly after the sitting of the convention, your committee had a conference with the committee of the House of Representatives, and alter due consideration, it was thought that as a radical change was contemplated, it would be most expedient to lay the subject before the people, until the next ses- sion of the Legislature, in order to ascertain how far it might have the sanction of public opinion. With this view, the committee have herewith reported resolutions authorizing the Governor to appoint suitable persons to draft a bill to be submitted to the next Legislature. The committee are persuaded that in order to have a bill pro- perly arranged, it ought to be done by persons who could devote their whole attention to the matter, which cannot be the case by a committee during the session. The Legislature of New York considered the militia law of their state of so much importance, that they not only appointed special commissioners to revise their militia code, but also held a special session for its considera- tion. All which your committee most respectfully sub- mit.

RESOLUTION

RELATIVE TO A REVISION OF THE MILITIA SYSTEM.

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representa- tatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in Gener- al Assembly met, that the Governor is hereby author- ized to appoint three competent persons, whose duty it shall be to draft a bill revising the present militia laws, and report the same to the next Legislature, at the com- mencement of their session. The bill to be predicated on the following principles:

1. That all the training except those citizens who will voluntarily uniform and equip themselves, or have already done so, and be attached to some volunteer corps, shall be dispensed with; and every able bodied citizen between the age of twenty-one and forty-five years, and who are not exempt by any law of the Unit- ed States, or may be thought entitled to exemption by the laws of this state, and who will not uniform and equip themselves as volunteers, shall pay the sum of per annum in lieu thereof, to be collected with the county rates and levies, which shall constitute a fund for the support of volunteers.

2. That volunteers shall be organized into divisions, brigades, regiments and battalions, as far as practicable, and be required to perform camp duty, at least three successive days in each year.

MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR

To the Legislature, upon returning with his signature, the bill relative to the Pennsylvania Canal and Rail- road, read in the House of Representatives, March 30, 1832.

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Com- monwealth of Pennsylvania:

GENTLEMEN :- The bill entitled "an act relative to the Pennsylvania canals and rail-roads," was presented late in the afternoon of yesterday for my approval; and much as I regret that it does not embrace within its pro- visions, all the interests that in my opinion ought, in the progress of its enactment, to have entered into the con-

1832.]

THE INDIAN LANGUAGES, &c.

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sideration of the legislature and been provided for; yet as it provides for the prosecution of objects of internal improvement, the completion of which are of vital in- · terest to the commonwealth, and the abandonment of which at this time, would be destructive of its best in- terest, I have,upon due consideration of all the cir- cumstances, come to the conclusion, that although the bill in its provisions falls far short of what its friends could have desired, yet that public policy requires that it should be approved and signed, which has been done, and the secretary has been directed to return it to the House of Representatives in which it originated.

But although this bill has now become a law, the rea- sonable, and 1 trust, the well grounded hope is never- theless indulged, that the representatives of the people now assembled, will not separate until justice shall, at least have been so far done as to relicve the people of the North and West branches of the Susquehanna, and those on the Beaver and French ereeks, along which extensive public improvements have been commeneed, from the ruinous and deplorable condition in which the legislation of this state, should it stop at the point where the present bill leaves it, will have placed them.

The 5th section of the act of 21st March, 1831, di- reets in imperative language, that the eanal commission- ers shall extend without delay, by canal and slaekwater navigation, the West Branch division of the Pennsylva- nia eanal; the Lewisburg cross cut; the North Branch division of the Pennsylvania canal; and that they shall make a canal or slackwater navigation from the Ohio river at the mouth of the Big Beaver, and up that creek to the town of New Castle. The several points from and to which the improvements are to be extended or made, are elearly designated, and the specifie appropri- ations made for carrying on the several works are de- clared to be for or towards the expenses for their eon- struction of that year. From the phraseology of the section just referred to, it is abundantly manifest that the legislature of 1831, did not entertain the opinion that the sums appropriated to complete the several works to which they were to be applied, would be suf- ficient for that objeet, and it certainly could not have en- tered their minds that the act of legislation which they designed for wise and valuable purposes, should ope- rate upon the citizens to be affected by it as a snare, by inducing them, in consequence of the prospects held out by its provisions, to enter into contracts requiring extensive preparations and the expenditure of large sums of money to enable those engaged in them to ear- ry them successfully into effect, and to permit (which under the circumstances they dare not resist, ) their va- luable farms to be entered upon, extensive excavations to be made, ditches to be dug, and fences to be destroy- ed, to the manifest ruin and destruction of much valua- ble property, and to the great damage of its owners, nor would it be doing justice to that enlightened body even to suppose that they entertained the remotest idea, that after the expenditure of the sums appropriated by them, the works would he abandoned in their unfinished state, and the good citizens through whose grounds they pass, left to mourn over their mutilated and ruined property.

That legislation eannot be just, which to save the pub- lic purse would work individual ruin; nor will it redound to the honor of the State, or to its character, for justice to wink at the destruction of individual rights and inte- rests occasioned by its own acts, and refuse redress, be- cause it may not be entirely convenient, at the moment, to yield it. If the legislation of the last session did not pledge the faith of the Commonwealth, that the works contemplated by it, should be completed without delay, it at least afforded strong ground for public confidenee that the constituted authorities of the State would not suffer the works commenced under the authority of law to languish at the expense of great individual sacrifice and individual ruin.

Satisfied as I am, that the rights, the interests, and the property of the humblestindividual within this Com-

monwealth, are to be equally watched over and guarded by those in authority with the interests of the state it- self; and believing, as I do, that a wise economy and sound poliey require at our hand that provision should be made for the relief of those of our fellow citizens whose condition must otherwise be deplorable, I have felt myself ealled upon to submit the few crude remarks contained in this message for the consideration of the legislature, and to ask permission to urge upon it the strong claims which the citizens eoneerned, in my opin- ion, have to its magnanimity as well as its justiee.

GEORGE WOLF.

Harrisburg, March 30th, 1832.

From " The Friend."

The Indian Languages and Pennsylvania History.

In the hope that historical topies may not be altoge - ther alien to the purposes of "The Friend," it is propos- ed to occupy a few of its columns in briefly examining several prominent works upon the aneestry of the In- dian tribes and the subject of Pennsylvania history.

Whatever may be thought or pretended by English writers, in derogation of our forefathers as a people, the diligence of our historical investigations, and the cheerfulness and ardor with which they are pursued, leave little doubt that we are either wholly destitute of sensibility on the subject, or entertain no apprehension as to the result. Massachusetts, with her characteristic zeal for truth and knowledge, commeneed her inquiries in 1790, and upwards of twenty volumes of collections attest the greatness of her activity and enterprize. New York followed her example in 1804, and since that period have sprung into existence many similar institu- tions in various sections of the United States. Among these the highly meritorious societies of Rhode Island and New Ilampshire, and the one recently established at Quebee, deserve special indication. An association called " The American Antiquarian Society," was form- ed in Massachusetts about the year 1812, for the pur- pose of unfolding the natural, artificial, and literary antiquities of America. This society, it will be per- eeived, comprehended a wider range of objects than any of its predecessors. It has published a single vo- lume under the title, Archaeologia Americana, a book wbich, for eurious learning and literary execution, re- fcets the most distinguished eredit upon the gentlemen engaged in its composition. Amidst this emulation of research, the American Philosophieal Society of Phila- delphia, did not hesitate to add a committee to the six originally existing, with a view to explore the vast fields of history, moral science, and general literature. This committee was separated in 1815, on the suggestion, it is understood, of the late Dr. Wistar, with whom it was a subject of surprise and regret, that, while other states of the confederaey were disputing the palm of industry in the clucidation of. their early and subsequent annals, Pennsylvania should be without a soeicty to contribute her proportion to the common stock of historical know- ledge. The duty therefore assigned to this committee was to investigate the concerns of Pennsylvania in par- ticular, as well as the United States and America in general-in a word, to develope the history, physical geography, topography, antiquities, and statistics of the state and country. In this extensive range of inquiry, the lineage and manners of the aboriginal tribes was an objeet which elaimed early, if not primary attention. Mueh curious information respecting their habits and character, was known to be possessed by John Flecke- welder, a Moravian missionary of Bethlehem, who had resided among the Delaware Indians upwards of forty years. Peter S. Du Ponceau, the venerable and very learned corresponding secretary of the committee, ad- dressed a letter to this gentleman, and seconded as it was by one from Dr. Wistar, elicited the letter No. 4

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NEWLY DISCOVERED CAVE IN PENNSYLVANIA.

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of the correspondence, accompanied by a copy of Zeis- berger's grammer of the Delaware language. The grammer being compiled in German, was committed to Du Ponceau for translation. In the prosecution of this undertaking, be became enraptured with the beauties of the Lenape idiom, and occasional difficulties presenting which required explanation, a regular epistolary inter- change was the consequence. This correspondence, together with the admirable reports of the secretary, and the excellent historical account of the Indians by Heckewelder, composes the matter of a volume, and the only one, which has been published by the commit- tee to the world. This is the more to be regretted, be- cause we were informed, so long ago as 1821, " that ample and precious materials had been subsequently collected, which only require the plastic hand of the artist to give to them form and proportion.

Of all the subjects connected with the business of the committee, few can be more attractive to us as men -few more exciting to our sensibilities as Americans- than the original condition, gradual decrease, and ap- proaching extinction, of the aboriginal inhabitants of this country. There was something so novel in their primitive state-so full of romance coupled with won- der- that the mind is staggered while it contemplates it, either in reference to civilized man, or their present re- duced, forlorn, and depraved condition. Their history, therefore, should possess for us a peculiarity of inte- rest and importance, and a corresponding zeal should be awakened to the investigation of their customs and language. Indeed, this seems to be a department of knowledge so peculiarly and intrinsically our own, that the cultivation of it is nearly connected-perhaps almost identified-with our national fame. The Germans, al- ready the uncontested proprietors of so many regions of science, are even now disputing with the Russians the possession of this magnificent and fruitful domain. If we make no additions to the lessons of our German instructors-if we permit these people to sink into the grave without adequate inquiry about their primeval origin, and give no account of their migration hither -- we shall prove ourselves unworthy stewards of a sub- ject committed by nature to our diligence and care.

The ingenuity of the learned in all countries, seems to have been unusually exercised in relation to the an- cestry of our aborigines. Some seem to opine that they belong to the lost flock of the house of Israel, and know not otherwise how to understand the prediction of Scripture. Without stopping to inquire, whether the passage has not at least an equal applicability to the present condition of the Jews, who, dispersed over every country, are aliens in all ;- we may fairiy claim --- with the utmost respect for Dr. Boudinot and his adhe- rents-something more conclusive of their origin. Le Page Du Gratz, in his history of Lonisiana, argues, with the assistance of a passage from Diodorus Siculus, that the Natches who emigrated from Mexico to Louisiana, are descended from certain Phænicians or Carthage- nians, who had been wrecked upon the shores of South America. This conjecture reposes upon the slender foundation, that a very large island, lying some distance from Africa, of delightful temperature, and filled with the greatest variety of fruits and game, was resorted to by the Africans for recreation in the summer. He like- wise hazards the opinion, that the ancient inhabitants of Mexico are derived from China or Japan, and assigns no other reason for the belief, than that he was inform- ed in 1752, by a man of learning, that the library of the King of France contained a Chinese MS. which affirms the fact of their emigration from Corea. These rea- sons, we are obliged to say, are most unsatisfactory. Now setting aside the probability of mistake on the part of Diodorus, that excursions so remote would be under- taken or projected for the purposes of health or of

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The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. IX, Part 62

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870 Publication date: 1828 Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ; Number of Pages: 440

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440