1. Proposed in the aftermath of Gen. Arthur St. Clair’s defeat (4 Nov. 1791), the bill touched off a major debate in the Committee of the Whole, beginning 26 Jan. 1792, on the morality and efficacy of the Indian war policy. Consistent with his advocacy of western development, JM voted with the majority when the House on 30 Jan. defeated an amendment to strike out the section raising three new infantry regiments. He voted on 1 Feb. to pass the bill to strengthen the frontier forces and on 28 Feb. to reject a Senate amendment giving the president alone the authority to appoint officers for the new units when the Senate recessed (ibid., 355, 430; U.S. Statutes at Large description begins The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America … (17 vols.; Boston, 1848–73). description ends , I, 241–43).