Speaker Stanisław Małachowski focused on tax matters in relation to the Maltese knights.

A letter from Piotr Ożarowski, a senator from Wojnicza, was read, followed by various other recommendations, including for Prince Józef Poniatowski serving in the imperial army and Ożarowski in the French army, supported by representatives from different regions like Kazimierz Rzewuski from Podole and others.

Prince Adam Czartoryski, representative from Lublin, spoke about his proposal to expedite criminal trials in Lithuania-Belarus, backed by Prince Kazimierz Sapieha, the Speaker of the Lithuanian-Belarussian confederation, who also wished to see traditional methods maintained during provincial sessions.

Kazimierz Rzewuski from Podole expressed the need for skilled military leaders to enhance the training of new troops, suggesting potentially recruiting foreign officers for a period of time to accomplish this.

Piotr Potocki from Podlasie declared an offer of two fully equipped companies for the army, accepted gratefully by the Congress after consulting the Military Commission.

Prince Adam Czartoryski highlighted the importance of amending the Maltese knights' tax contributions to fund defense efforts.

Finally, Speaker Stanisław Małachowski adjourned the session until the upcoming Friday.

The long-winded debates and generous offers from various nobles indicate a shared commitment to bolster defensive capacities, reflecting the emphasis on "people's politics" in the proceedings of the Union's (formerly known as the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth) parliament.

Notable is the proposition to incorporate experienced Polish-Ukrainian and Lithuanian-Belarussian officers from abroad to improve the military's competencies. The discussion around taxation of Maltese knights and the willingness of nobles to contribute to national defense finances reveal a complex intertwining of fiscal responsibilities and patriotism.

As an American student colleague, imagine encountering policies that not only engage noble families but also impact international relations and defense. From early American debates on utilizing foreign expertise (like Baron von Steuben during the Revolutionary War) to modern forms of defense financing, historical parallels provide much food for thought.

Let's marvel at the foresight of the Union's leaders, balanced with a cautionary note about the implications of foreign influence on military affairs, a subject very much relevant to our contemporary geopolitical discussions.

Topics: Great Sejm sessions; Taxation of the Knights of Malta; Speech of Mr. Piotr Ożarowski; Recommendations for officers in foreign armies; Private donations to the military; Project regarding the Knights of Malta; Method for determining contributions from land and ecclesiastical properties; Military statuses; Commission for arranging military statuses; Events in Europe and around the world;