Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-11-19
ROGER GRISWOLD,
,H1nora6lc Wjn. Eustis,
Secretary Of Har.
SHARON. (Con.) July Cd, 1912.

SIP,
lis excellencv governor Gi'iswold has
received from major general Henry Dear
born. letter under da;e of the twenty Sc
ccnd vt last month, req Ies'ing that live cora
pan:es of the militia of this state. detached
c"nf'rmably to the act Of congress of April
30h 1912, NAV be ortcrded into the service
OF The United States, to wit: ' two compa-
nies of artillery, and two companies of iDfan-
try, to- be placed under the command If the
commanding officer q; fort 'Frumbull, near
New London. and one company Of artillery
70 be stationed n, the battery n the entrance
Of the barber of New-Havcn.
Impressed with the deep Importance Of
the reqnisitcn, and the serious considerati-
ons L involves, his excelicncy deemed it ex
pedient to convene the Crunch at Hartford,
en- Monday, the 29th uiimo. lie has taken
their advice upan this interesting subject,
and has formed his own Deliberate opinion !;
but as he is under the necessity OF leaving
the state OH a journey for the recovery of
his health, it becomes my duty, as lieutenant
governor, TO communicate 10 you the lie
suit.
The assurance contained in the governors
leuerofthe 18Th jane last, in answer toyours
of the twelfth of the same month, was ne
cessariiy given in III confidence that no de-
mand would be made BY general Dearborn
but in strict conformity to the constitution s
laws Of the United States. His excelency
regrets tn perceive that the present requi-
81 ion is supported by neither.
The constitution of the United States has
ord sined that congress may " provide for
calling firth the militia 10 crccuie the LIzvs
efthe u'i9n, sVhhresa mSH;Tcc.ions and re-
fel inUasious." Accordingly the acts Il
Congress of February, 1895, and of A pril
1872. do provide for calling forth the militia
"in the eSigeucies above mentioned The
governor is not informed of any declaraupr
~ de by the president Of the United States
or Of notice by him given thar the militia
arc required "to ex; cute the laws ofthe IL
nion. suppress irsurrections or repel Bvasi-
ons." or that the Uuitcd States are in mmi
merit danger Of invasion" As, therefore
none Of these contingencies enumerated i,
the constitution, and recognized by the law,
a'e shcwn to have taken place, his eXcellen
cy considers that NJ portion of the militia o
this state can, under existing circumstances
be Withdrawn from his authority.
Farther, i. the cali had been justified by
either ofthe constitutional exigcnces alrea-
iy rccited. Still, in the view of his exceIlcn-
cy, an iasIperable objection presents iiscl
against placing tae men urdc; me bRmfdi-
att command IF an,c6iee7' or cbiccrS oftht
S',gy n nc u Stairs.
The ippointmen' OF the officers Of the
militia is, BY The constitution, expressly re
served go lie sta'esresrcctively." IN The
event of Their beng called INTO the actua
sertice Of the Unned States, in the case.
before specified, the laws OF tie u. State'
provide forthe.r 5c;ng called forth as mRti
fuunshed With proper Officers by the state
AID, SIR. il wiz not escape your rec0llccti.
on. that the letaChnent from The militia cfihis
STATE, Under the act Of congress Of the I0tl
Apr' last, is regularly organized into a di
Vision, consisting Of brig Ides, regiments bat
tAiions ard companies, and supplied cpnior.
m1bly to- law with ali the necessary officers
lis exceilency conccit Is then, that as order
T. dctach number Of companies sufficient
fer the command OF battalion officer, and
ri ce them under I've command Of IN off
CO. of the United Sta:es, cannot, with pro.
priety, be executed unless he were also
prepared 10 admit that tie priSatcs may be
separated from their company officers, and
transferred into the army If tie u. states
thus leaving the officers cf the militia with
out any command except IN name, and IN
t9act imp9iring, II not annihilatiDg the nil
q itself, ~ sacrcdly guaranteed by the con-
st,sunon 70 the several states
Under these impressions the governor hes
thought proper, BY and with he advice 81
tht Council, 90 refuse a compliance with the
rtGuisition Of major general Dearbprn
His excellency Is sincerely disposed N
COMPLY Drompdy with ~ he Constitutional
reqae,te the T. tfnai cxeCuti,e. q dispd
gu0R EbICn has ever been manifested b.