Today's Congress session, led by Speaker of the House Stanisław Małachowski, focused on People's politics—specifically, the issue of military recruitment in Poland-Ukraine and Lithuania-Belarus as well as borderland exemptions.

Secretary Jan Łuszczewski read a provision concerning the recruitment process, proposing that borderland properties be exempt from providing recruits in person for three miles into the country's interior. Instead, these properties would contribute financially: two gold pieces from hereditary lands, four from royal and ecclesiastical lands.

Representative Franciszek Mikorski from the state of Kalisz argued against the three-mile exemption as excessive, successfully advocating for a reduction to one mile.

Alexander Zieliński from the county of Nur countered this change, citing the risk of emigration, suggesting that landowners might prefer to pay a higher financial fee rather than provide recruits in person.

Representative Michał Czacki from the state of Chernihiv proposed a compromise—a two-mile exemption—leaving it to landowners to decide whether to send recruits or pay the fee.

Further debate ensued with various Representatives voicing concerns about the methods of recruitment and the potential burden on landowners. There was particular apprehension regarding the potential for forced enlistment of disreputable individuals, such as deserters from foreign armies, rather than the dependable and settled populace.

Speaker Małachowski later announced that Franciszek Żeleński from the Senate of Biecz, relinquished his amendment proposal, appreciating the swift action of the Congress.

When representatives touched on the topic of civil obligations and the oppression of serfdom, Józef Mierzejewski from Podolia brought up a pertinent question: what about the noble class who, dwelling on rented lands in the Polish-Ukrainian provinces, are not accounted for in the recruitment law?

The day concluded with a collective decision exempting certain types of residences from the provision of recruits. Notably, properties with only personal dwellings, such as single-family homes, were given the choice either to provide recruits voluntarily or pay the aforementioned fees.

Congress ended on a note acknowledging the complexities of the issue and an invitation by Speaker Małachowski for further discussions on other crucial matters tomorrow—a day remembered for the coronation of our esteemed President.

To be continued tomorrow... For further details, check out each representative's opinion on the Genealogy of the Great Sejm website.

Topics: Four-Year Sejm; Recruitment Law; Personal freedom of the subjects; Freedom of the borderland landowners; Savings of rural population; Rights of the clergy and townspeople; Taxation and public burdens issues; Discussions on law projects; Parliamentary decisions; Law enforcement; Reservations and amendments of deputies;