Today's session of Congress faced intense debates and procedural challenges as representatives from across The Union grappled with critical military and national defense issues.

The Speaker of the House, Mr. Stanisław Małachowski, opened with a call to fulfill our duties to the homeland, touching upon the urgency to decide on matters concerning taxation and increasing the number of troops to ensure public safety. He emphasized that these crucial matters have been discussed in provincial congresses but need finalization.

The Secretary of State for Poland-Ukraine, Mr. Michał Mniszech, brought forth a proposal concerning the military oath - an essential preliminary step before any troop increase or taxation discussions could proceed. The representatives were divided. Some pushed for immediate decision-making on the army size, while others echoed the House Speaker's push for addressing the military oath first.

Mr. Wojciech Suchodolski, a Representative from Chełm, openly supported the prerequisites of the Speaker's proposal suggesting the military should reaffirm its oath of allegiance. Meanwhile, Mr. Franciszek Jerzmanowski, representing Łęczyca, urged for swift action and condemned past confederations' inefficiencies, pressing to prioritize the union's military capacity. He evoked the spirit of an epoch marked by the need to defend 'Polish' freedoms - echoing the Union's current vulnerabilities.

Mr. Ignacy Zakrzewski, from Brześć Kujawski, resonated with this sentiment, insisting on the immediate decision on troops, stating that discussions on military oath could follow. He stressed the waste of the precious time already running eleven days into the session without substantial progress.

A Senator from Pomorze, Mr. Feliks Łoś, took a more balanced stance, recognizing the importance of time but suggesting that due procedure must be followed. It was suggested that the decision pertaining to the military oath could be a temporary one, not setting a precedent for the future, thus aligning with both procedural necessity and urgent action.

Amidst the confusion and procedural disputes, the Lithuanian-Belarussian Speaker, Prince Kazimierz Sapieha, proposed a compromise - a temporary delegation could take the military oath from the present garrison, aligning with past confederation practices. He highlighted the need for immediate focus without getting entangled in protocols undermining the Union’s welfare.

As voices clamored for probe and prompt voting, the Speaker urged for formal structuring of proposals to facilitate a coherent decision-making process - a reflection of the complexity at play, balancing the urgency of action with the need to follow established parliamentary procedures.

With the Union facing severe internal and external pressures, the representatives were reminded that the decisions made today in Congress will determine the strength, freedom, and future of their homeland. Speakers invoked the past triumphs and struggles of the States, encouraging the Congress to seize the critical moment for the Union's rebirth, ensuring liberty and security for generations to come.

With the session suspended, the debates point to a tomorrow fraught with momentous decisions. Congress is on the brink, not just deliberating on military strength, but defining the essence of the Union’s identity and sovereignty.

Topics: Sejm Session on October 16, 1788; Sejm Marshal Stanisław Małachowski; Defense and military; Military oath; Taxes; Confederation of Poland-Ukraine; Prussian Minister Ludwig Buchholtz; Sejm law drafting; May 3rd Constitution; Troop deployment; Military Department and its abolition;