Today's congressional session is surely going to fire up conversations across campuses. Let's dive right into the highlights.

Speaker of the House Stanisław Małachowski started the session (yep, that's the dude with loads of experience in the legislative field—not a newbie, for sure). His speech, check it out on page 83-83v.

Senator Jacek Jezierski, an influential figure from Łuków, had his say, and he was followed by Stanisław Jabłonowski, a guy who has earned his stripes from Volhynia.

Now, Jabłonowski made quite an appeal. In short, he’s like, "Listen, folks, you decided to keep the Guard as is. I’m in charge of the Lithuanian-Belarusian Foot Guards, thanks to Prez's kind permission. As a service to our nation and President, I am asking for a little favor for the well-deserving officers of my regiment." He’s gunning for their advancement within the troops.

Jabłonowski mentioned his predecessor, Prince Adam Czartoryski, a dedicated man who made the regiment one of the best. He's asking that his officers get the promotion opportunities they deserve. There's a bit of confusion in the laws, where the accounting doesn't line up with the budget allocation, so he’s putting forth a little project to clarify the intentions of the law.

Joining in was Seweryn Potocki, who historically was against the guards as risky to freedom but does recognize their individuals' virtues. He's all for the proposal by Jabłonowski and wants officers from the guards to advance in rank, whether they stay in Warsaw or head out to sharpen other regiments.

Michał Strasz from Sandomierz proposed officer promotions by one rank higher, and Chancellor of the Lithuanian Confederacy, Prince Kazimierz Sapieha, expressed his concerns. On an emotional note, he said he felt like crying on the last day of the session. He praised the guards for their dedication but highlighted the importance of keeping military pacts that involve the guards, formulated by the President.

Suchodolski also chimed in, supporting the proposal by Prince Jabłonowski. Potocki revealed that there’s this big treasury deficit and the guards can't even finance their own wheels—they need a budget for that.

Mateusz Butrymowicz from Pinsk opposed the enlargement of the guards, arguing that officers serving for up to 30 years barely reach the rank of Captain, while others have risen to higher ranks in less time elsewhere in the military. He suggested that guards' officers should be guaranteed promotion opportunities so they can serve more productively in other regiments.

Kazimierz Rzewuski from Podolia, reinforcing the advancement recommendation, once more emphasized the deserving officers from the Guard for higher ranks and provided related proposals.

Then there was a debate about National Cavalry being preferable over the Marshal's Guard during Congress sessions, which the President and Congress Houses of Representatives seemed to support. Some members suggested that keeping the guards just for show without pay may save funds and offered proposals to reflect this approach in the law.

An additional touching moment when Jan Potocki, a well-known cavalry officer and starost of Brzostowicki, offered his Lublin palace to the Union as a sign of his dedication—what a gesture!

In a moving speech, Marshal Małachowski reminded everyone of their duties to the people who sent them here and encouraged reflection on how to better serve the nation. The President, from his throne, agreed to postpone a decision on the guards until other military reforms were clearer.

Wrapping up, the session was adjourned till the following day, with lots still pending. It's clear that there's a push for modernizing the military hierarchy and recognizing the value of those serving the Union. Stay tuned for the next report!

Topics: Marshal of Sejm; Guard; Officer Promotion; Public Treasury Contribution; Throne and Sejm Guard; Military Pay; Military Establishment Project; Regiment Chiefs' Rank; Parliamentary Procedures;

Regulations for the National Guard and Our Royal Militia

In the Union's ongoing quest to safeguard the welfare of its people, the law from September 3, 1789, establishes critical defense protocols. Firstly, four regiments of the guard, which are under the direct command of The President, are to be maintained at their current strength and with their current pay. Additionally, the Grodno battalion, previously funded and maintained by The President, is offered as a gift to the Union and is to be incorporated into the Lithuanian-Belarussian regiments with a clear directive to adhere to the ranks conferred by The President.

The law further demonstrates The President's benevolence by revoking the 1776 statute about the royal militia. It stipulates that upon The President's passing, two household cavalry regiments shall be transferred to serve the Union. Soldiers of these regiments must promptly swear allegiance to the Union and obey its commands. The responsibility to oversee this transition and manage the units has been assigned to the military commission of both nations.

The law also declares that no future Congress during The President's reign shall alter these current establishments, ensuring consistency in the Union's military structure.

Topics: Establishment of the guard of both nations; royal militia; guard regiments; pacta conventa; Grodno battalion; incorporation into the army of the Republic; 1776 constitution; court cavalier regiments; oath of allegiance; military commission;