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

Cvs uVSr which neither Wisdom non Talents
could have had any con-rJ. The secretary
Ui war. INK crisis like tie present, is pla
ICED Ia a most respectable situation, and the
want OF ah Intimate knowledge OF the COM
Iplicated and accumulated duties and de-
calls OF the war Office. tpcn the verge &C
war, naturally produces al impression, not
founded III correctness, tia: Unnecessary de-
Hay has taken place IN orauiginga militia
Try force. 1 wop!d ask tie persoas who
have made cem plaints otdeiav in this de
artment, to point out tn. number, nature
ahu extent OF tpc duties which have been o.
m ted or Observation-Disclosures for war
IA C progressed slowly Unfortunately So
Il has arisen from the novdty of our situa-
tiol. the nature of our tee government,
whicl prevents 4 hasty andorccipitate war,
| q NOT. from the wait of mus Try or talcn, ;
III the congress ofthe U. Staes or in the war
department and althounh we NAV not al
this time have force sufficient to invade
the possessions of cur enemy, We are in a
states very great security upon our sea
board, III our tortitications, upon the Cana
ida line and Detroit, as q ferce has been as
signed to those places and\w ill be i'm plac.
before any blow could be eX\eCted from our
enemy even if war was declared to-mor-
row; and although am not Connected, di-
rectly or indirectly, with the w,r office, my
situation and duty has given MIA view of
thh proceedings of that department, and ]
do not hesitate to say that an examination
OF the subject would satisfy any reasonable,
unprecedented mind that the se8etary of
war wants nicther talents nor indutry. and
that he has discharged his dutywith a,
much fidelity, ability and dispatches anv
individual could who has not had mSe ex-
perience. At this very moment thagrea
test difficulties are overcome, and rapN pro-
lgress is making IN the organization of an
efficient force, who will do honor to item
selves when brought in the field to Arve
their country, and the time for declain.
war need not be deferred on account ofthe
war department. The commencement Of
war in the United States will alwaysbe
more or less tardy but when once engaged
in it, the impulse and operations will be h.
Iresistable. It. is to be lamented, therefoie
that so many individuals, who cannot seei,l
detail the great and important duties of chn-
lgress and the administration, should mike
their indiscriminate complaints and On
lsures. l wish t. see the adIninistrationhc,
with wisdom and energy, as they have done
IL wish TO see congress act with ability
and prudence, Independent OF coiseq .ekccs
land all should recollect that the Aelre.
tary of war has always been distinauihed
principles, as a man of the revolution, ,nd
ievery allowance should be made for seem
ing delay in the operations of his depar,
ment, and until he is known. To be deficient.
support him. may be ander tic nccessi
IS of making other statements.
! (G) M1LLEpG EvILLE, April Is.
| Very different opinions are entertained
relative to the agency Of the United States
in the revolutacn Of East Florida We have
been informed, from source highly res
pectab C, that it was coRhenced without the
authority or knowledge lof the President ,
and that the DETERMINATION of government
was not ts rake hossessssn II The country,
unless IL were about 20 n o:cutied by a f.
reign tosver.-Having made no preparation
for the event, our executive has been involv-
| ed in much perpicXity by his i'll timed and
premature step; and the sfety Of the south
| ern frontier OF our state exposed to imminent
| danger.
The governor, sensible d The perilous ST.
tuation of Col. Smith and Is party at Pice-
! lsta, should the British lad troops in that
quarter; and taking intoview at the same
| time our own weak and iesenceless condi-
ton in the neighborhood c Florida, has, we
! learn. determined to call for about q tho,l
sand volunteers, to hold themselves in readi-
ne IS to march at a momen's warning. The
same considerations and he free 'e cy and
impor' ance of the public Dispatches received
ut the executive Office ha G, we under> Sand
induced his excellency t, postpone his visit
to the two western divisions of our militia
| he has just returned from reviewing the
divisions of generals Mfntosh and Twiggs
and we believe nothing hort of more press
ing duties would have p.erented him from
proceeding With the wliole. ID.