The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-06-12

| STAFF DEPARTMENT.
Doctor James Jones, Nottoway, Director
General CT the hospital * Medical Stores
Brigadier General Hugh Douglas, Lou
doun, Quarter Master General.
David l. Lewis, Alhemarle, Wagon Mas
ter General.
| Whereas it has been represented to me
that in sundry cases in forming the detach-
ment oi militia required by my orders here
tofore issued, apprentices have been recc;S,
we'd Us volunteers, have thought proper 20
ldifect, and do hereby direct that they i'm c.
very case be forthwith discharged, & their
places supplied by other volunteers or bv a
idraught--although, were they selected BY
draught, they would have been constrained
TO perform their tour OF duty, yet they have
no right OF their own Will and choice with
out consent of their masters to impair an
obligation heretofore created by their indcn-
lures.
! Sundry applications having been made to
this department for instructions in relation
to the mode and quantum of exercise which
the .mhitla III requisition should perform-I
addressed letter to the Secretary of War
upon this subject; his answer is that thew
are to remain subject to the laws of the state.
OF consequence, they are not liable to be
comfefied to perform more duty than is pre-
scrihed by law. But ! must appeal to the
patriotism OF the citizens who have been
placed in requisition, and TO regard for
their own safety. and coniure them to shew
the world by their Conduct that coercion il
not necessary to induce freemen to, encoun-
ter the small privations arising from FREE
quent Iousters tor the purpose Of becoming
disciplined.
1t has been represented to me, that I'M
pleasant collisions have been produced be-
tween the militia and recruiting officers, "a
rising from difference OF opinion as to the
right OF the NIen in reQuisition tc enlist in
the army OF the United States the rur-
pose OF obviating disagreeable consequcn-
ces, have thought proper to make public
the opinion CT this department, which is,
that these men have the right to enist, ard
any lnterposition on the part Of the militia
ofilcers is therefore improper, and IN future
will be avoided
1t is due to the brave and patriotic citi-
zens, who lii the present posture OF our af-
lars nave voluntarily offered their ser, ices
20 theif country, to express to them the.
hlgh sense l entertain OF this evidence of
thelr zeal and courage To preserve q mo-
nument OF conduct so honorable to these
brave men, and so aattering to the pride of
Vnginia7--the Brigadier Generals are here
by required to transmit in their returns to
the Adjutant General, as far as is practi-
cable, lists ri the names of both officers and
prWates who have volunteered their servi-
ces, that they may be placed among the ar.
chlfeS OF the state, &c DC laid before the re-
presentatiyes OF the people upon their con-
Ventlon. The prompt and voluntary offer
OF band Of citizens ESQ numeroue) to rally
around the unFurjcd amer Of their country,
Is gratifying to every lover Of republican
government, AVID Constitutes a firm guaran-
zee TO Or liberties and independence. in
a,ter-tnes when a grateful country shall
enquire who were thev that came forward
~ the day OF danger and were prepared at
the hazard of their lives, to defend whate-
Vsris dear to freemen, then each brave and
PGrIchc volunteer may triumphantly saw,
g was Of the number >
SNen uhder my hand at Richmond, this
4th June, 1912.
JAMES BARBOUR.