After Speaker of the House opened the session with these words:

"Experience teaches us daily that it's harder to implement an idea than to conceive it. We find ourselves in a similar situation now that the Honorable Houses have reinstated the Military Commission, and its organization is so slow in progress that we may barely meet the deadline set by the parliamentary adjournment. It would be a most unfortunate situation for the country if, after completing the description of the Commission, we did not establish the Tax that will sustain the Army. It would perhaps be necessary for the Honorable Houses to know the revenues of the Public Treasury, which our Delegates will inform us about in great detail. However, such necessary reports will limit our time. Therefore, let us proceed more swiftly in our responsibilities so that we may find moderate and sufficient time for all tasks. Let us not be carried away by the scope of our ambitious thoughts, as they sometimes either accomplish an action with care or render it insufficient. Like a painter who, upon conceiving the first thought, does not immediately use the brush but marks the outlines and later colors it, without revealing the work of their hand with one stroke of the brush. Let us proceed similarly, we have outlined the military commission agreement, we have prescribed its specific regulations, some will be added, some we shall leave for a later time. Let us not carelessly throw in our precautions, which can barely be judged as appendices by our more considerate colleagues. And such are prohibited by Law. Moreover, in legislation, what is due to the Law is not included because it detracts from its dignity. When legislation, having carefully considered a particular circumstance, defines its judgment therein, combining matters it cannot make them harmonious, as by a more detailed description of one, the other may be subject to insufficient presentation. We see in the description of all laws how each circumstance is placed within Articles or Paragraphs, or as in the manner of writing in our laws, under an appropriate title. Not only is it easier to create laws in shorter descriptions, but it is also easier to find them when used. Our Predecessors must have felt the necessity of prohibiting appendices and laid the duty on appointed delegates for constituting laws, to even scrutinize propositions to be presented to the Houses of Congress. My caution in this matter comes from a desire to fulfill the loyalty I vowed to you, the Honorable Houses, as sincerely as possible, and to fulfill my honest duty since I have the privilege to be designated by their will. Hence, please accept my concern, O Honorable Houses, as I carry out my duties, and bless them with your kind realization."

Then Senator Jacek Jezierski from Łuków took the floor.

"We forget ourselves, Mister President, because we do not consider that when it's war, we are content, but when it's peace, we are miserable.

An external war provided us with the council we have now. An abrupt peace, when the Turkish sword speeds up, will ensure our certain enslavement, for we cannot stay without envoys to watch over it.

What is more, our brothers will go there, we pay their way, we do our duty. Do your part, Great Prince, or let us take over, as the Law in this unity has placed us."

Then Representative Wojciech Suchodolski from Chełm continued in the same thread:

"As your zeal, Mister President, has already crowned you with everlasting fame, when your enlightened decisions adorn legislative steps, when the desire to expedite public welfare completely rules your soul, then the smallest results of such beneficial actions will sweeten your labor, and revive the nation's zeal anew."

We can both advise and strengthen together. Let us proceed orderly in matters of the Military Commission Law, but let's issue ordinances, instructing the Polish-Ukrainian Treasury Commission to allocate funds to the regiments from the remnants and start recruitment in towns, especially here in Warsaw, where at least four thousand idle men could be found, thus benefiting the country."

Taxes that equally affect the country and do not become a burden, but a light levy in a reasonable distribution for the common defense, require more thorough time for perfect arrangement.

But in the case of urgent rescue, an urgent tax is needed; we can arrange the former, while in the meantime double the per capita taxes as many times as needed until we can quickly increase our army and thus secure our safety.

In such favorably promising circumstances for Poland, even the passage of a single minute is precious, let alone an entire year elapsed since the war broke out, which we may never recover. God grant that at least this becomes a lesson on how we should cherish the remaining hours and, gaining from our neighbors' occupations, increase our strength."

"Now the Pole, Mister President, has untied his purse, is making exemplary sacrifices, and talks of nothing more than of the army – let the government spring only take advantage of his zeal."

"It's time, O Honorable Houses of the Union, to take active measures, to begin recruitment, bring weapons, these small beginnings will delight when witnessed by the nation, and kindle a new enthusiasm in citizens from whom the country may expect the highest proofs of favor."

"Few moments are required to issue such orders, and then we can return to our debates, and we will find them more vigorous as ever, when we are supported by national strength."

"I expect unanimity on this proposal. You will assure it, Speaker Stanisław Małachowski, by inquiring about it with the States of the Union, and the general acclamation will convince the public that this Congress has the most exceptional purpose to place the Union in a respectable position in the eyes of Europe."

Topics: Military reforms and parliamentary regulations; Sejm constitutions 1789-1792; Royal prerogatives; References to military establishments; Officer patenting; Military ranks and seniority; Complaints and securing of claims; Border defense and public safety; Sejm sessions and formal matters; Voivodeship militias and project proposals;

Military Commission Part 5

Listen up, fellow undergrads! Here's the lowdown on the latest act passed by Congress from the session on December 1, 1788. So, the big news on the block has to do with military assistance and speeding up the process for our citizens in Poland-Ukraine. The legislative gang decided to revamp the law from 1784, applying only to the military aid bit.

Here's the deal: let’s say you’re a citizen and you bagged a decree from the court against someone under the law of '84. That decree can now include the phrase "using military help if needed" without grabbing any previously indebted assets. If some stubborn officer tries to block the handover of assets, the plaintiff can cry for help to the nearest division commander or to The Cabinet.

The commander or The Cabinet, after reviewing the decree and the officer's complaint, should add two privates and a non-com to lend a hand, pronto—no meddling with the decree's validity here. Division commanders and major generals swear to dish out military help quickly if an officer asks with a complaint and a formal request.

If a commander slacks and doesn’t provide the military help requested, they could face a penalty of 1,000 grzywnas payable to the plaintiff who asked for it. Victims of any refusal by The Cabinet can call them out to Congress for dropping the ball. Anyone illegally booted off their property can request more muscle from The Cabinet or commanders—those are the only guys who can approve this beefed-up backup.

Commanders and The Cabinet are off the legal hook for providing military aid as long as they're just following the decree and the officer’s request. And they're absolutely not cool with giving any military helps to dissidents for religious or financial tiffs. Any shifty requests that slip through the cracks will get axed in court if someone calls foul.

Moreover, if someone jumps the gun and snags a court order before their trial’s scheduled time, either the court or the officer in command could be fined and locked up for a month for messing with due process. But those calling ‘wolf’ without proof also get slapped with a fine.

In Poland-Ukraine, all court orders should come with a special note asking for military backup, and commanders have to pony up the necessary force within ten days, no excuses. The troops shan’t leech off the locals, but foot soldiers do get a ride at the requesting party’s expense. If a commander chickens out and denies the help, the plaintiff can tattle to The Cabinet, who’ll dish out punishment and make up for any of the plaintiff's losses. If The Cabinet drags this, they'll personally have to cough up the damages.

Finally, put this on repeat: troops in each state and county are there to back up the courts. If someone appeals to the Supreme Court, the troops have to escort the prisoner over. And whatever's said about dissidents here applies equally to Lithuania-Belarus.

Signing off, this has been your daily dose of parliamentary proceedings from your friendly neighborhood history buff. Democracy in action, folks!

Topics: Military Commission; Military assistance; Legal right to military aid; Judicial enforcement; Executionis decrees; Soldiers and commanding officers; Penalties for non-compliance with law; Ensuring public order and safety; Dissidents; Appellate application;