Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. There may
be a great deal of force in what fell from the
gentleman from Frederick (Mr. Schley, ) that
this convention would not be in a condition
to vote upon this subject properly, until we
had the statistical information. And if it
meets the views of my friend (Mr. Marbury, )
as we seem to be at a loss for this informa-
tion, I will submit a motion that the further
consideration of this resolution be postponed,
to be called up at any time when we have ob-
tained the necessary information, and then I
will submit a motion that a committee be ap-
pointed to correspond with the proper author-
ities and obtain the information desired.
Mr. PETER. Permit me to add a few re-
marks. before I close. Suffering as I have
been for some time with an affection of the
throat, I may not be able to attend the sit-
tings of the convention; or if I do, I may not
be able to speak. I have arisen here to-day
to discuss this subject as a matter of justice to
my people. And I would ask any man in
this convention to go to my county and view
the situation of our people there as it is at
present. And I think if he will honestly
take a view of that portion of our county bor-
dering on the Potomac river, and extending
out from nine to twenty miles from the river,
he will say—" in all conscience do not oppress
this people any more; the scourge of war has
already devastated them sufficiently; do not
put any more burdens upon them; let them
at least be spared any. further oppression of
any kind from this war." As to this post-
ponement, I think myself that we better first
' investigate and ascertain all statistical infor-
mation as to what numbers have gone, and
how they are credited.
Mr. THOMAS. I move to amend the pream-
ble by inserting after the word "population ' '
the following:
"By the incursions and raids of those in
arms against the United States, and by the
wholesale desertion of men of said counties to
the confederate armies."
That portion of the preamble will then
read:
" And whereas, the upper counties of this
State have been so entirely laid waste and so
depleted of their population, by the incursions
and raids of those in arms against the United
States, and by the wholesale desertion of
men of said counties to the confederate
armies, that they have scarcely men enough
left," etc.
Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. I now
move that the further consideration of this
preamble and resolution be informally post-
poned.
Mr. STIRLING That was the motion I was
about to make. Bull thought the gentleman
was to accompany that motion with a motion
to appoint a committee.
Mr, BERRY, of Prince George's. I will do
that afterwards. |
Mr. STIRLING. I am opposed to the ap-
pointment of a committee. I am perfectly
willing to have this matter laid over until we
get the necessary information. But I think
we can get it without a committee. I think
there is great liability that we may be taking
a leap in the dark about this matter. I know
that the State has suffered a great deal, and
that it has never received full credit. But I
am very much inclined to think that the
State has never been called upon for the full
number of troops the government had a right
to demand of it. And if we call for justice,
we may be told that we shall have it, and be
called upon for more men than we may be
ready to furnish.
Mr. BILLINGSLEY. We want only justice in
our section. I understand that a difficulty
has occurred between the national and the
State governments, in relation to this matter.
All we want is to be credited with such a
number of our population as have been en-
listed in the army, and been mustered into
the service of the United States. That return
has not been made by the proper officer. I
understand there is a difficulty between the
State government and Colonel Bowman, in
relation to this matter. And I think it would
be but an act of mere justice to the people of
the lower counties of Maryland, if this draft
is to go on, that they should receive full
credit for those who have gone into the army
from those counties. That cannot be done
until the proper returns are made by Colonel
Bowman. I understand there is a negotiation
going on between the State government and
the government of the United States, to have
this correction made. And if there is shown
a disposition on the part of the convention to
do us justice, I do think the government of
the United States will afford us some remedy.
Mr. CUSHING. I merely wish to say that
while I have no objection in the world to
justice being done to all the counties of this
State, yet, as the coming draft will probably
take place on the 5th of September, and as it
would be impossible for the United States
government to revise the quotas for the differ-
ent States before the fifth of next month, so
as to make good any allowance for Maryland,
this will practically result merely in an ob-
struction in the way of raising the troops
now absolutely needed. I think it would be
much better for those counties that have
been "oppressed," to do as other counties in
the State have done, raise their quotas by
offering bounties for volunteers, and then get
the credits that may be due them allowed on
the next draft.
I agree fully with my colleague that if all
the troops raised in Maryland, be put down
to her credit, it will be found that she has not
furnished to the armies of the United States,
the number of able-bodied men which her
population would require. Nor do I think
there would be any practical justice in credit- |
