Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-02-16

lvcrnment is charged, almost all cfFcess
are raised from the ranks. l. is even
computed that nine out at ten of the mar
shas and generals, OF that iuvincibIe III y,
have been private soldiers.
Do not these examples shew the bene.
Hts derived by nation by giving rewards
and promotion 10 military merit I! Will not
the poor and obseufe Vireinian whose
humble education has never taught him
10 aspire beyond the axe and the plow,
fbe reused, IN the horor Of danger, to ri.
wal or TO surpass, the son of bis rich
neighbour, whose education has FL.
ted him for the higher walks in life -
These Questions are too well answered by
the military ey-nts of ancient as well as
modern times, to require a-suneit, or I'd
admit of doubt or denial. sill-tberefpre
proceed. more fully, TO illus,ra:c my ideas.
by submitting to public consideration,
same suitable propositions, in fhe form
Of iaw.-Let them be examined
and amended where necessary, with the
sole ,i=s. 10 public welfare.
Should The legislature separate before
anK eHsstu2s steps shall be taken TO suit
The present importan, Crisis. these propo.
sitioas viii nevertheless enable thos. indl.
viduals who may be disposed TO form the
advance guard OF the ration 10 derive from
them, such benefit as they may be capa.
Die of impart;ng. II is for this purpose
that they have been degested aud publish.
ed bJ their fellow citizen,
HENRY BANKS.
Propositions to form Corps of Vol
unters of ten thousand men, to be
called the Ad0aace Gaard ofthe Ma
tio7.
BE IL enacted By the General Assem-
,6ly, That there shall b. raised from
each regiment Of militia, one company
of volunteers which shall be orgainiz-
ed as follows:
Each Company shall consist Of at
least eighty FIVE men including officers,
They shall voluntarily enroll them
selves with the captains OF the respec-
tive companies of militia to which they
may belong, and shall be convened at
some place convenient for military ex.'.
lercise. These volunteers, when thus
convened shall be mustered at least six
days, under the adjutant Of the regi-
Ihenf, or other competent persons to be
assisted alternately by such of The
company as may be qualified for ths
respective duties. Upon the sixth day
they shall choose their officers by ballos.
The Lieutenants, Ensigns, Sesgeants
and Corpora!s, all to be chosen from
their own body, the Captains either
from their own body or elsewhere, as
they may prefer. They NAV be then
discharged aud return to their respec.
tive homes, and hold themselves in
readiness for marching orders.
When company shall be thas or
ganized, notice shall be given to the.
Executive, who shall issue commisai.
ons accordingly.
When two or more companies are
convened, the commend shall be repu.
lated by the dates Of the cam missions.
After sufficient naHibef Of conpa.
nies contiguous to each other, shall be
organized, to form Regimen, the
Executive shall fix upon time and
place where the captains, lieutenants,
and ensigas shall meet, aud upon the
third day after meeting, thay shall
choose by ballot one lieutenant colonel
and two MAJORS, either from their oga
body or elsewhere.
After four Regiments, contiguous
to each other shall be thus organized
--thc Executive shall appoint tioe
and place, where the colonies, In aiors
aud captains shall meet, and after re
naming three days together, they shall
choose brigsdier general. And in
the same manner the brigaliers, cole
nels and majors of two brigades shall
choose major general all the superior
officers of the same grade to take rank
according to their respective ages.
After the officers shall be thus cho.
sen, each regiment shall be assembI. 4
and shall encamp in a proper situation
for duty at least one fortnight; during
that time, they shall be reviewed by the
brigadier and major generals to whose
brigades and divisions they will b.
long. -
Promotions to be made in'each reei-
ment to the rank of captain according
to seniority.
No one afterthis corps shall be or