The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-12-05

oilicer should be az the seat of government.
his knowledge should be of a cast to en-
brace The whole range of military opera
tons. Under the auspices Of such an in
structo uniformity of system so essenti-
al To success in military operations, would
be introduced. The Brigade Inspectors
should be appointed, and annually instruct
cd bv him, and removable at his pleasure.
Nothing can be more homogeneous than the
present system. There are twenty differ
emf bfigades consequently, as many in
spcctors. and almost as many different sys-
tens Hence, when detachments are call
ed Tor from several Brigades, great confu-
sion is the Inevitable result. Although there
are some'honorable exceptions. the inspec-
tors too generally, are not sufficiently ,ers
ell even in the first rudin,ents of their pro-
tession; AMI all fall far short of the infor-
NATION necessary TO their station, particu-
larry M the Cavalry and Artillery exercise.
the perfection of which is SO essential to eve
ry army. This want of information is in a
great measure to be ascribed to the materi-
al innovations which modern improve enc nts
nave introduced, which in fact have given a
new character to the military science SO
that competent knowledge can be ac-
CURED only by long attention and much ex-
perience. 1t would have been to me Infinite.
re upon the militia, and, consistently with
truth, to have declared that they it, every
respect equalled the confidence repcsed in
them but the solemn convictions Of nv
nind are, that the system is radically defec-
tive, ce that the consequences may be Of
most fatal tendency. Under these impress
sions, 1t would have been all objectionable
breach of trust, were from motives of deli
cacy, oconce al the extent of the mischief.
It's due, however, Go the militia of Virginia, to
declare. that l have full confidence in their
Courage, zeal and capacity for improve
ment, and to express my decided opinion,
that with enlightened Instructors, they
would equal the hopes and expectations of
the most enthusiastic admirers of that spe-
cies OF defence. / have, therefore, with
frankness exposed the defects, and have
presumed to suggest the remedy. The COL
lected wisdom of the commonwealth; to
which 1t is presented, will be a sure guaran-
tee that whatever course may be pursued,
will be propitious to the pubic service.
Connected with this subject, is letter
from Col. Duane, copy of which, (marked
No. 1, in the packet b. is among the enclo-
sures; by reference to which, it will ap-
pear, that he has transmitted to this depart
ment, Ito be presented to either House of
Assembly, if called for) the copies of two
cipiine OF Infantry and Riilemen /; that he
hasn state of preparation, treatise up
on the Cavalry Exercise; and expresses a
readiness to furnish us with whatever num-
Der OF either We may think proper to order
it was deemed advisable to present the sub
Ject to the Legislature. 1t may, however,
De proper TO remark, that works of this
kind would be M ost valuable acquisition
70 the service. The Hand Book for infan-
try i feel no hesitation in saying, is the most
valuable tract, for its extent, that have
met with. Our Rifle Corps and Cavalry
are in want of a we'll digested and uniform
plan. From the character of Colonel Du-
ane, as tactician, as well in theory as in
practice, and from the various & valuable
military works he has published which 10
MN great credit. si:ouii, il 1iiili nothing in
guaranteeing the utility of the works, of
which he proposes we should become pur-
The consideration due to the public arms,
their distribution and preservation, seems
naturally to follow the preceding subject.
GU will have discovered, by my letter OF
March the 31st. before alluded to, that l
called upon the Colonel Commandments to
rePot b me forthwith, the state of the
rms m their respective regiments; and,
although this order was issued so long since,
returns from many of the regiments have
not yet been received. However, from all
the Colcnels whose returns have been
maze, with one or two exceptions, learned
win extreme pain, that the most unpardon-
able neglect in the officers or privates, (anl,
IN 100 many instances, OH the part of beth)
mad taken place; and, by consequence,
large proportion of the arms, heretofore disc
tributed, are entirely unfit for use. These
returns are so numerous, that / have deem
ca 1t unadvisable to furnish copies the ORR
nails are at the command of either House
hey furnish the most conclusive proof OF.
the indispensable necessity of Legislative in
terposition. Had we not fortunately had
large supply Oil hand, we should, notwith-
standing the extraordinary exertions OF this
scarcely have been able to
arm the Tequisition from this state. AS to
the distribution of arms, the Course pursued
was as follows, viz AS above stated, the
counties below the falls Of our great rivers
were armed completely, subject to deduc-
ton OF twenty per cent. Cor non electives.
L he surplus muskets were duly apportioy ed
among all tn Their regiments in the state &
hose belonging to the regiments above the
ridge were retained in the arsenal /; the
Executive preferring the distribution of ri
.feS III that country, for the reason above
disclosed; and for this further reason; il
W as appreheaded, if that portion of our mi
lltla should be called 20 the field, it would be
Tor the defence OF our eastern frontier, and
they must necessarily pass throsgh this
place. Here the muskets would be in good
order, ana ready for distribution. When.
however, 1T became necessary to detaSh
from that quarter to the North Western
Army, dispatched suHicency of the
mi pf i,,f he, IL, Il