Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-12-03
IA dollars per annum.1

I a.,
deemed at a distant day,) for the materials
necessary TOR the camp eQupage As des-
patch was indispensable | thought proper
| to appeal To the patriotism of tho citizens of
| Richmond, and solicited their aidin NAL king
| OF tents, knapsacks. &c. Ii is a tribute of
| gratitude | owe them, and which cheerful
| ~ paw, tn make known to- you the repre-
sentatives of the people. he prom ntitude
with which they COMPLIED with NY request.
| Every age, every sex, and every condition
seemed animated by one sentiment. Thou
sands claimed share of the pious underta-
king; and in the course of few DAYS,
the whole eqnipage was completed, and
despatched TO the place of rendezvous, de-
! signated for the detachment, which has
| since joined the North Western Army, UNI
der the command of the brave General Har-
| rison, soon, trust, to redeem the wounded
honor OF our country, and take Il Just re-
| venge of her perhdious enemies and their
savage allies.
Although, after peace of thirty years, and
the nexperience in the art of war, whici, was
| ITS necessary consequence, some discomftures
wcre to have been expected in the commence
ment OF the conflict, yet, those which have
happened are greater than can we'll b. accour-
ted Tor For we have TO add, to The disastrous
| affair of Detroit, an unsuccessful attempt upon
Queentown. Whilst this fort proved unavail-
|
we are somewhat consoied with the reflection,
| that the American soldiers actually engaged,
| displaced valor and proves guorthy the des-
pendants ut the heroes of the revolution II IS
| with pleasure 1 call your attention from the .
| untoward incidents by land, to the signal prtSss
| OF courage and skill manifested on the ucean,
| danv occasions have occurred, but particulars
| ~ in the capture of the Guerrero where the.
| conduct OF our seamcn was eminenty caicula-
! ted to Halter our pride, and a sure pledge, we
have nothing to fear from our enemy, upon Ter
| o%n element, wherever the forces opposing
| each other are nearly equal.
| ihave thus, fellow-citizens, briefly recaDjtu.
| lated the causes which led to the war in which
we are engaged have recounted the prin-
cipa events which have occurred during IS
| progress, and disclosed TO you the part per-
| formed by the Executive of this Common
| wealth.
| When, to the arduous struggle with Great
| Britain. the duration of which the pride and in
justice of the enemy, win, (iudging from recent
appearances Protract, is added the long cata-
| lngue of unredrcssedw wrongs against'France for
which little hope is now entertainedof an honora-
| BILE repara' ion by pacific means, and which, in
| due season, should be avenged nv the most cner.
| getc measures and when we reflect that lar
| ring world is IN arms from the rising, 10 the
| setting sun; the crisis in which we are called
t. act, assumes deep interest, npps aiinr to-
the feelings, and calling for the aid, Of every
one to whom has been confded share OF thC,
public confidence. Although our external re.
latlons are very properly conided to tie Gem
| eral government, vet, from the peculiar struc,
ture of our Institu ions, much may be effected
by hearty co operation of the state authors.
ties. What course ii becomes the D werful
state oil Virginia pursue IN the presenttimes.
cheeriully submit to the wisdom OF her ,ep-
resentatives, not doubling that the result OF
their deliberations, will be proptious 10 the
1 welfare he tt-,If
tain the character she has heretofore display.
ed OF wise lberality, whenever called upon
to aid the common cause.
There are some subjects, however, Of sucIi
primary Importance, that | cannot f,rhear
bringing them to the particular attention of the
legislature among which, beg leave to-
mention the discipline of the militia
| recommend IA radical reform in our present
system, all temporising eXpeGients, upon the
present groundwork, will eventuate in ADORE
{ ton. The best interests of the commonwe 9TH
require, we should not conceal the fact, tbat
the effort to discipline the militia has, in all
its great essentials, materially failed IF the
wretched subject of despotism, TO defend his
government, such IS it is, be COMPELLED to de.
vote the prime of his life, what does the free>
man not Owe to his, which watches over his
happiness, and eXempts him from all the Gala.
mites of slavery
If it be the law of our nature that no great
blessing can be long enioyed without labor nd
: expense, why should we repine why hesitate
TO make the sacrifice, If il be trivial compared
TO ihe good TO be obtainedl ! presume TO
! suggest TO the Legislature two modes either
) OF which, it adopted, promises to produce the
most decisive advantages. r!ie first, and most
desrab is, the instruction of both ofic rs and
privatcs; the second, of the officers only To-
accomplish the first, each regiment should as
seTnble IN sJme central position, and continue
IN camp shch length of time, will furnish an
opportunity OF acquiring the necessary dextes
rity, IN tacfics, and from the duration of the
drill be calculated TO rivit upon the mind. Tho,
knowledge so acquired; whilst in that situao
ton, they should draw rations at the public,
expense. The candOur of every gentleman.
the least conversant with the mode now pursu-
= cd, viii compel him to acknowledge that. wifi,
some exceptions, it is attended with mere,
waste OF time. II the system proposed should
, be considered as involving the consumption oc
too much time, and attended with cxpenee too
great tor the object, It would seem advisable
to abolish all the musters, except the ANIMAL
reglmental array, and devote our attention ev-
clusively, to the improvement Of our offceys.
Ihey should rendezvous at some central place
IN their respective bTgadcs, and continue th.i,.
training from ten to fourteen days. The adj
vantage Of such an arrangement must be mani.
test For, you prolong the time, and increase
! | the opportunity for instruction you convene
s | much larger number Of officers dian AZ pre-
( sent, and, with them, the best talents OF the
Y brigade, and, thereby, excite emulation.
r An entire change IN the-Adiuiant Gencral's
= | department is essential. The compensation TO
that officer is two inconsiderable 20 Justify the
| devotion Of any ones time exclusively To the
d. duties Of the station. Those Of AdiuiaDt and
!, Inspector General, might be usefully blended
IN the same officer Ihc salary should b., SUI.
! hcienty liberal TO secure the best miiitary tai