"Tom Rowley all over! but a gallant push nevertheless," vivaciously
exclaimed Samuel Robinson, in an under tone. "And yet, Mr. President,"
he continued, dropping the jocose, and now rising to speak in
form--"and yet, if our colleague's spirited proposal could be carried
into effect, and men be found to volunteer under such military leaders
as most of us would make,--or if the different towns, as has been
suggested by others, would order out the militia on our
requisition,--even then, it appears to me, we should raise a permanent
and regularly enlisted force, to serve a rallying point or nucleus for
the militia, or our patriotic friend's army of volunteers. I therefore
move, as I was about to do when others claimed the floor--I move the
raising of a regular force, however small our means may compel us to
make it; and as the smallest to be thought of, I will name one company
of one hundred men, to be raised and supported by one of the methods
suggested by the president."

"And I," said Clark, promptly rising--"and I, believing we may venture
to go a little higher than that, I propose, we have to raise two
companies of sixty men each."

"No, No!" cried several voices; "one company. Means can be found for
no more than one."

"Yes, yes! the larger number first, Mr. President! I go for two
companies," cried others.

"And I go for neither, Mr. President" said Ira Allen stopping short in
his walk, and turning to the chair. "For I believe the council, on a
little reflection, will conclude to do something more worthy of the