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

sent contest, until ar least, Great Britain
! shall have agreed to abstain from prac-
tice, so offensive to our feelings, and so hos
tile TO our independence
| Il now becomes important 20 return from
| the long depression, into which have been
betrayed by the interesting considerations
| involved in the subject, to the particular
| part connected herewith, which has been
| performed by the Executive of this Com
| mowealth, during the recess of the Legisla-
| ture.
Placed by the partially of my country, in
highly responsible tr,lst, and greatly anx-
ious that nothing shouta be wanting on nv
| part, | kept AN attentive eve apon the pro
gress Of events, and believing that measures
were ncing to the catastrophe which ulti-
mately occurred, /, so early as March last,
addressed a circular letter TO the Lieutenant
Colonel Com niandants of Regiments, ex-
horting them to vigilant discharge of their
duty, pointing out the necessity of being pre-
pared for the event, and particularly, invi-
ting their attention to the condition of the
public arms a copy of this letter will be
| found III the packet 4. No. /.
| Awaiting myself Of the discretion given
by law, and with the advice of Council, /
caused moreover. the militia of certain coun-
| ties, whose situation was the most exposed,
TO be armed entire, with a deduction of 90
| per cent for non effectives. ordered a large
I proportion OF the mounted ordnance to be
distributed In the same section OF country,
also munitions of war to be deposited in the
most vulnerable parts, so that, at the APP
proach of danger, the whole country, (being
| Prepared,) might bv 4 simultaneous move
nent, unite its forces to repel invasion.
L received on the 18th April, letter
from the Secretary at War, (under date of
i u.tr e., 81. 2
dent of the United States, that should i'm
mediately place IN requisition, Virginia's quo
ia OF militia. (being 10000 in conformity
with law of Congress, passed April 10th,
1872, copy of which is in the same packet
marked 9. BY this it will be seen discre-
ton was given the executive of detaching
rlhemen, equal to one tenth part of the re-
QUESTION. That alternative was embraced
and, as the western part of the state abound
ed 10 good marksmen, j thought it favora
Die to the service. to detach the greater part
or that description of force from that quar-
ter, and the foot of the mountains on this
side; OF course relieving the infantry of the
line, IN the same ratio, in which the rifemen
were detached, and thereby preserving the
most entire quality to every part of the
state. Ny Senersl orders issued W pursu-
ance OF this request from the president of the
United States, are also transmitted, marked
NO. 3, by which it will be seen, that an ap-
peal was made to the courage and patriot
ism of our citizen soldiers, who were invited
by voluntary tender of their services to
suDercede the necessity of draft 1t is a
source OF pride to reflect that this appeal
was not made in vain ; in some parts of the
state, more came forward than were called
for. in others zuhoie Regiments made ten
der OF their services. Anxious to preserve
. a N o. Ia .NfvN .,Otscr
. those who furnished it. and so worthy OF
imitation by all, directed the Brigadier Ge-
nerals to report the name of each citizen,
, who had so acted, that he might be pre-
sented to the representatives of the people
to receive at their hands that need of aD-
i probation to which he is so Justly entitled.
wrote letter to the Secretary at War
under date Of April 18th concerning the
measures necessary to be adopted for the
. defence of this state, which will be found
mong the accompanying documents, marked
No. 4-Flis answer is transmitted, marked
No. Believing from the character of our
enemy, that the Eastern frontier was the
, only vulnerable point of this state deemed
it correct to repair TO Norfolk and lis vicini-
ty in person, for the purpose of learning
whatever might be essential to its defence
The result of nv observations, transmitted
to the Secretary at War, by letter No 6.
On the 22nd of June / received n lette,
+ from the Secretary of State, covering he act
ct Congress, declaring war against Great
Britain, Ireland and their dependencies. ant
| thought proper to transmit conies thereof
with a circular letter to the commandant,
ct regiments; copy of which correspon
t dence is marked Nc.7. On the Dist of July
J ] received letter from the Secretary a
e War, communicating the request of the pre-
cfflp 6 81, T,.,. Il
t the militia, before detached, in immediat,
{ requisition for the defence of Norfolk, II
conjunction with the regular force stationed
. there. In making the selection, resolved
a to leave the physical force of the country
$ most liable TO invasion, undiminishcd anC
at the same time, if possible, TO select the
e troops from portion Of the state, whose
$ climate and general character, correspond
s ed with the country they we about TO &C.
cupy, and thereby obviate the alarms which
= by some we're fell, as to the unheathines
OF the situation. These objects, it is beev.
y ed, were attained in the course pursued
except with respect to the company of Ar
! tiilery from Bedford. This, however. ha(
Y volunteered its service "a kind of force al.
[ ways preferred,) and was the nearest to the
= scene Of action, with the exception of those
companies residing along the shores of oui
] arge navigable rivers, which, for the rca.
= son before stated, had determined not I,
i, call from their homes. Although under tht
It rule had prescribed to myself (the propri
Is ETY. Of which is submitted to the Legisla
. 'ure,) | could not have done otherwise thar
D call upon this company, yet there is amplt
c cause Of regret in the loss Of seven Of tina
+ company. And sincerel; sympathize will
= their surviving relations, who no doubt vii
Z experience where it IS wanting, the liberia