Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1812-08-17
The Drafted Militia.
Ma. SHIRLEY,

Mr.. SHIRLEY,
Ia time of war, il is highly important that
the citizens Of free llate, IN order 60 preferve
their liberties and al the fame time defend
their Dountry, ihoud fully underlland and ap.
preciate their constitutional privileges and du-
Iies. As IT reipeets the Often and Soi4isrs CT
the militia Of this Commonwealth, the remark
applies with peculiar force For il is 10 well
organized militia, competed OF al clafes Of cit
inensi "hoie property %aa connections atrsrh
them 10 the foil and rights Of T. itale, that {
are 10 look tor thar protection and prsierva-
ton of Freedom and Independence which has
been TO ofGeR deliroyed by the iutrieues Of arc
iul and aipiring men, when aided by regu-
lar Handing army. Hence arlles Tbs impor-
lance and seceility of militia il free govern.
mems. And Il Is believed that no ftate 40 the
Union can boat of better militia than Mat
iachutetts. Nor can any one dOubt Of the rea.
dIneis OF both Officers and Soldiers 70 obey
all contribution and legal demands for their
iervices. Tho Il may be hard cafe to take
the farmer from bis fed, aud march him TO
che frontiers particua rly At this leal0n Of the
year ltiil as the general government have de
clared war, IL may be neeelary Tor tbs de-
fence OF the State But this does nor forbid
the ioidler from inveltgatlnR his rights and az
PERTAINING what duty requires Of him ! believe
the courle purified by Governor Strong to
have been perfectly correct aud thar e meets
with very general appreciation. He has made
the Contribution aud the Laws his guide and
. Is only thoie Tho would deltroy the former
and violate the latter that condemn MIN. Men
who do not belong rsufhe Militia aud who are
as deiiiute Of all knowledge in military affairs,
as they are OF decency, truth or CandOur
Men who 70 crafty party iPirit and party
malice would readily annihiate the Gate iov
ere'gnty and contribution and thereby pave
the way for an abiolute government Yet
theie very men have the unblufhing impu
dence 70 denounce Gov Strong and the advo-
Gates of civil liberty and law, as traitors and
worle than Arnold. Let thele vipers gnaw the
file their malice is as imPolent as il is balc
aud their anathemas regarded az the Idle wind
FFeemen know their rights, and viii defend
them a, every hazard. The rights aud duties
OF the Detached Militia are interesting and
important not only 90 them!eives, but 10 the
Rate and union The Governor has iilucd 40
order for thee companies CD De ilauoned II
Ealport, and there is realon 20 expect more
wiIi loon be called for 10 garrIfon other
places.
With refpe1 10 this fubjea, | believe the
Executive have PubHihed no opinions, other
than what haa been contained in the General
Orders Of he Commander ii Chief
On the irG re4u lIton OF Gen. Dearb0rH,
find the Clarel4ieaf Hesstd cons ains the follow
ing Felult of the Council Ia thar itafe On the
iubjecf a. il i a mott lucid and correct view,
by giving i place il your paper you will
much oblIge MlLIIIAMAN
III a meeting gffde GsUsru5r and C5up-
eli ef t5g State II COEns5ficat. a.
Hartford aa rs 29t6 81 June, ii. ID.
1872.
His Exceliency the Governor has
requeited this boards ADVICE re-
fpect;Rg the courfe which il is proper
to take on requiiition Of the natloral
Government, communicated through
The medium of General Dearborn,
for detaching tive companies Of the
militia, drafted under the A6t Of