Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-12-03


his plea.v-e. Nothing can be more ncongru-
Gus than lie present system. There are TWEEN
~ different br'gaCes consequently, as many |
inspectors, and almost az many diitrre sys |
tcrs. Hence, hen attachments are called |
for'fiom several BriEades, grea, confusion is the
inevitable result Although there ave some
honorable exceptions, the inspectors too gen
orally, are NOT sufficiently versed even in the
first rudiments OF their profession; and all fall
lar short Of the information necessary 20 their
station, particularly in the Cavalry and Arti-
iery exercise, the perfection of which is so cs-
ecntisi TO every army. This want OF informa-
tion is in great measure to be ascrihed TO the
material Innovations which modern improve
meuts have Introduced, which in fact have Civ
en- 4 new character TO the military science so
that competent knowledge can be acquired
only by long attention and much experience. II
would have been TO me infinitely more agreea-
Ole to pronounce a panegyric upon the militia,
HnI. consistently with truth, To have declared
that they in every respect equslled the conf.
dence reposed in them; but the solemn con.
yictio1s of my mind are, that the system is RAJ
ideally defective, and that the consequences
may be of most fatal tendcncy. Under these
Impressions, 1t would have been an unpardona-
bic breach of trust, were from motives of de-
IcNcy, to conceal the extent of the mischief
ii - due, however, to the militia of Virginia, to
declare, that l have full confidence in their
courage, zeal and capacity for improvement,
and To express my decided opinion, that with
enlightened instructors, they would equal the
hopes and expeot atoms of the most enthusias.
tic admirers OF that species of defence. 1 have,
therefore, with tr2nkness exposed the defects,
and have presumed to suggest the remedy.
The collected wisdom of the common wealth,
to which il is presented, will be sure guaran-
tee, thst whstever course NAV be pursued, will
be propitious 20 the public service.
Connected with this subject, is letter from
Cpl. Duane, copy of which, (marked No I,
in Tie packet b. is among the enclosures; bv
references 20 which, ii v i'll appear, that he has
Transmitted to this department, (to be presen-
Ted to either House Of Assembly, if called for)
the copirs oftwo tracts which he has publish
ed upon the discipline Of Infantry and Rife
Sten; that inc has in n state OF preparation,
Srcatise upon the Cavalry Exercise and ex-
presses readiness to furnish with whatever
number OF either we may think p oper to or
der 1t was deemed advisable to present the
subject to the Legislature. l. may, however,
be proper to remark, that works of this kind
would be most valuable acquisition to the
service. The Hand Book for Infantry, / feel no
hesitation in saying, is the most valuabl. tract.
for its extent, that have met with. Our Ri.
lie Corps and Cavalry are in want of we'll di-
gested and uniform plan. From the character
CT Colonel Duane, rs tacticiRn, az well in
tllcory in practice, and from the various and
paiu2h!e military works lac has published, which
do him great credit, should hazard nothing
In guaranteeing the utility of the works, Oh
which he proposes we should become purcha-
SsrS
The consideration hue to the public arms,
tn r Distributors and preservation, seems ma
turslly 20 follow the preceding subject You
will have discovered, BY my letter of March
the Stat, before alluded 20, that called upon
the Colonel Commandments to report To me
l,.,r,ti 49, 3
spectiye regiments and, although this order
was issued so long since, ettIrus from many of
the regiments have not yet been received
However, from all the Colonies whose returns
have been made, with enc or two executions
armed with extreme pain, that the mot un-
psVl0nabe neglect in the officers or privstes,
land, in too many instances, on the part OF both)
hal .. ken place and, by consequence n LARGE,
proportion OF the arms, heretofore distributed
arc entirely &, for use. These returns ar.
so numerous, that have deemed il unadyisa
bic to furnish copies the originals are at the
command of either II use. They furnish the
most conclusive proof OF the indispensable ne
eessity o. legislative incorporation Had we
not fortun9ieiy had large supply on hand we
should, notwithstanding the extraordinary ex-
ertons OF this Commonwealth, scarcely have
been able to arm the requsition from thi.
state. As to the distribution Of arms the
course pursued WAS as follows, viz: As a.
boye stated, the counties below the falls OF oar
great rivers were armed completely, subject
to a deduction Of twenty per cent. for non ef
tectiyes fhc surplus muskets were duly sp
p1rtipne5 among all the ptner regiments in the
sta'e, aad those belonging to the re.ements a.
b1,e 'hc ridge retained in the arscna
TIE Executive preferring the distribution of ri
fes that country, for the reason above liscIo
Ssei and for this further reason it was ap
Pretended, If thai portion ofour militia should
II a 4 -
fence Ut GU eastern frontier, and they must
ne, esserily pass through this place Here the
muskets would be in good order, and ready
To- a stribution. When, however, it became
Necessary 10 de ich from that on ,rtcr TO the
North Western Army, despatched a sufiicien-
g. OF he best muskeis ~ the arsenal, to arm
tie detachment entire.
II is my duty to inform the Legislature, that
upon the application Of a company of VoIun
tees from Petersburg, and by the request O.
the general government, We directed them 20
be orme from the arsenal. Tae courage and
Patriotism which prompted these citizens to
E,aas tender Uf their services to their coiin-
try and the advantages to be derived rom
,sIch services, were deemed sufficient to iusti
~ tlIis measure.
Whilst upon the subject Of arms, I beg leave
further o suggest to the Legislature, that ou-
pieces % ordnance have become so numerous
as 20 exceed the wants Of the state, aud submit
to them The propriety Of autlorisng the Tx
ecuiye to dispose OF the surplus
Big leave 10 call your attention, farther.
tD the subject of the munitions of war. The
stock on hand at the commencement ofthe war
was so Unite. add the d, mands have been 80
numerous, that the quantity is now less than
that which prudence dictates should always be
kept on hard.
submit to the two Houses tho propricty OF
fncr asirg the sum hefctofo placed und