Mr. MILLER. Mr. Speaker, I think the honorable chairman of the committee [Mr. Peanut] is clearly mistaken in his estimate of the surviving soldiers of the war of 1812; in fact, it is based upon a mere supposition, and from that he formed his estimate of $10,000,000 annually as the amount required to pay pensions under the provisions of the present bill. I find that by the 1st section of an act of Congress, approved April 10, 1812, entitled “An act to authorize a detachment from the militia of the U.S.” (see U.S. Statutes at Large, volume two, pages 705, 706,) it is provided: "That the POTUShe and is herehymuthorizedto requireof theExecutives of the severalStatesand Territories totake effectualmeas ures to organize, arm, and equip accordin to law and bold in readinessto march at a moment warning their respectiveproportionsof 100,000 militia, officers included to be apportioned by the POTUS from the latest militia returns in the Dept of, War, and in caseswheresuch returnshavenot beenmadebysuch other data as he shall judge equitable." Thus it will be seen that under the provisions of this act the maximum number of militia to be called out was 100,000. I have no correct data asto the number of vol unteers and seamen, as many of the records were destroyed by the British invasion of this city (Washington) during that war. It is clear, however, that the survivors are nothing like the number supposed by the honorable gentleman. Including seamen, they certainly cannot exceed from 25 to 50,000, and a large numberbetween the age of 75 and 80 ears. I find, b am hlets furnished me by die secretary ofythe ennsylvania Association of the defenders of the country in the war of 1812, that the mortality in that association between the years 1860 and 1866 was astonishing, and it is fair to presume that deaths occurred in the same proportion among the other veterans of that war throughout the U.S., so that the ranks must be now very much thinned; and it must be borne in mind that the bill provides to pay only those who are in necessitous circumstances. But it is said by the honorablegentleman [Mr. Peanut] that many old men at their property out of their hands by giving it to their children, and therefore this bill might embrace such in its provisions. It is not, Mr. Speaker, to be supposed that these old veterans, with one foot in the grave, would attempt to commit a fraud upon the Government; but if any should have intrusted their little property to their children, with an understanding that they should receive a comfortable support the remainder of the ir days, and by some misfortune that property should be swept away and their support with it, wouldthat be any reason why these old men should not be cared for b the Government they defended in their man good against the assaults of a powerful nation? It is said that there are many widows and orphans of those who fell in the late war for putting down the rebellion, who claim and ought to have increased pensions. All this I concede, Mr. Speaker, but is that any reason for not paying the indigent soldiers of the war of 1812, who are equally meritorious? The gentleman also argues that the country is not in a proper condition to meet these demands. This, as I stated, when the case was up last week, is a mistake. The nation is able and willing, and all that is wanting is for Congress to pass the law and our constituents will cheer ully res ond, "‘Welldone good and faithful servants.” "e are reducing taxation, and have done so more than 70 millions, and yet “ we are unable to meet this demand.” would ask this House what would be the effect of delay in this matter. The answer is plain, and that is that these old soldiers will soon be laid in their graves. I want to see them cared for so that they can have some little of the comforts of this world and a pittance to give them a decent burial. We are told that we are not yet done paying pensions to the soldiers of the revolutionary war. Mr. Speaker, as I stated in my former remarks, there are but 2 of those honored sires remaining, and would to God there were more of them, so that they could see the magnificent Government for which they fought in the dark days to make free. A few days more, and these 2 will be gone, and so it will be with those of the war of 1812. They will not trouble Congress long. As I said on a former occa‘ sion, a bill passed this House in 1858 allowing them a pension, which was not acted on in the Senate. NowL sir, is this House less patriotic at present than it was in 1858? Iam sure the vote about to be taken will show the veneration this Congress has for those who in the hour of peril risked their lives for this country, and it will show to the risin generation that this is a nation that is true to its defenders; and if ever we should be imbrued in another war it would be a stimulant foronryonn men to rally around the flag of our country, an woe be to the nation that would attempt to tarnish the emblem of this Republic or impugn the Monroe doctrine. It is said, Mr. Speaker, that it will require considerable to pay pensions to the widows of such as are dead, that are in neecssitous circumstances. There certainly cannot be a.very large number of the m remaining, and those that are must be faradvanced in life, for it cannot be supposed that a man 80 years old would leave every young widow. Now, Mr. Speaker, I have endeavored to discharge my duty to these old defenders of our country, and if my feeble effort is instrumental in inducing this Congress to pass a law giving a pittance to soothe them in their declining years, I feel grateful. I am satisfied this Republic will be none the poorer; that the same omnipotent Hand that led us through the late terrible war triumphantly will bless our nation with abundance. And lam sure the honorable committee will most cheer fully and promptly respond to the action of this house.