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United States in Congress Assembled. Thomson, Charles The sixth Article of Confederation re: military forces during peace time

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06026 Author/Creator: United States in Congress Assembled. Thomson, Charles Place Written: Philadelphia Type: Manuscript document signed Date: 1783/10/03 Pagination: 2 p. 32.2 x 19.8 cm Order a Copy

Resolution limiting number of warships and soldiers during peacetime and allowing Virginia to maintain two armed vessels and troops for defense of trade, public prisons and stores.

By
The United States in Congress Assembled

October 3, 1783.
Whereas it is provided in the Sixth of the Articles of Confederation that "no Vessels of War shall be kept up in time of peace by any State except such number only as shall be deemed necessary by the United States in Congress Assembled for the defence of such State or its trade; nor shall any Body of Forces be kept up by any State in time of peace except such number only as in the judgement of the United States in Congress Assembled shall be deemed requisite to garrison the Forts necessary for the defence of Such State" and the Delegates of the State of Virginia having applyed to Congress for their approbation of two Armed Vessels being kept up by the said State at its own expence for the purpose of securing her trade; and having also laid before Congress an Act passed by the Legislature of the said State entitled "an Act directing the inlisment [sic] of Guards for the public prisons and Stores"
Resolved That the State of Virginia may keep up at its own expence two armed Vessels for the defence of the trade of that State provided that the same do not exceed the number of fourteen Guns six pounders & seventy five men each - [2]
Resolved That the State of Virginia may keep up at its own expence to the number of 25 privates with proper officers to guard the public prisons and Stores -
Cha Thomson Secy

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