The Enquirer

SELF-DEFENCE.

On Saturday last, the House of Delegates passed a Bill on this subject, after a long and arduous Debate, Ayes 76, Noes 66.

It proposes to raise 8 Companies of Infantry, 2 of Artillery, 1 of Cavalry and 1 of Riflemen, calculated to raise about 1000 men--to serve in the commonwealth alone the field officers to be 1 Colonel, 1 Lt Colonel & 1 Major--all the officers to be appointed and commissioned by the Governor and Council--bounty $20--pay $8 per month for the privates--to be enlisted during the war, & subject to the discretion and disposition of the Council of State.

The bill also empowers and requires the Executive to purchase $50,000 worth of munitions--to be stored in two depots, one in this City, the other near or in Norfolk--each Depot to be protected by guards under the superintendance of the Executive.

Yesterday the above bill came before the Senate, and was passed at one sitting, without any amendment--this is an example of promptitude and decision which is worthy of the times.--Virginia at length acts--it is a spirit of this description which will save the republic.

The H of D. were yesterday in Committee of the whole on the revenue bill to raise the wind for this new appropriation--various new sources of taxation are proposed--taxes on lawyers, toll bridges: merchant mills, tanneries, tobacco-factories, printers &c.~besides a certain addition to the old taxes--The whole calculated to raise, 135 or 150,000$. Agreed, say we!