The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
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TUESDAY MAY 20. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TUESDAY MAY 20.
On the proposal to discharge the troops who had been enlisted
for the war (amounting to ten thousand men,) from the want of
means to support them.
Mr. Carroll urged the expediency of caution, the possibility that
advantage might be taken by G. B. of a discharge both of prisoners
the troops.
Mr. Dyer was strenous for getting rid of expence; considered
the war at an end; that G. B. might as well renew the war after
the definitive Treaty as now; that not a moment ought to be lost
in disburdening the public of needless expence.
Mr. Rutledge viewed the conduct of G. B. in so serious a light
that he almost regretted having voted for a discharge of Prisoners.
He urged the expediency of caution, and of consulting the Commander
chief. He accordingly moved that the Report be referred
to him for his opinion & advice. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Izard.
Mr. Clarke asked whether any military Operation was on foot
that the Commander in Chief was to be consulted. This was a
He was agst. furloughing the men because they would carry their
arms with them. He said we were at peace, & complained that
some could not separate the idea of a Briton from that of cutting
throats.
Mr. Ellsworth enlarged on the impropriety of submitting to the
Commander in Chief a point on which he could not possess competent
materials for deciding. We ought either to discharge the
men engaged for the war or to furlough them. He preferred the
former.
Mr. Mercer descanted on the insidiousness of G. B., and warmly
opposed the idea of laying ourselves at her mercy that we might
save fifty thousand dollars; altho' Congress knew they were
violating the Treaty as to Negroes.
Mr. Williamson proposed that the Soldiers be furloughed. Mr.
Carroll seconded him, that the two modes of furlough & discharge
might both lye on the table.
By general consent this took place.
The Report as to confiscated property, on the Instructions from
Virg.a and Penn.a, was taken up, & agreed to be recommitted, together
with a motion of Mr. Madison to provide for the case of
Canadian Refugees & for settlement of accts with the British, and
a motion of Mr. Hamilton to insert, in a definitive Treaty, a
mutual stipulation not to keep a naval force on the Lakes.
| The writings of James Madison, | |