Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-11-09

compeuce should be made to those .yho r..
ueve others from the barthen,: one hue
ared acres Of land aati fifty ioixrs To each
recra.t VIII, It is presuned, be deemed saf
4 is presumed that this additional force
saau TORN part of any plan thar may be
SECOND PLAN. e
This plan consists of a CLASSIFICATION OF
the militia, and the extension of their terms
of service. a - - - -
Let the whole militia ofthe United States
De d.visisdinto the following classes, viz
All Tree male persons Capable Of services
between the ages of Is and IS, into one
CLASS all thoss between the ayes Of as and
~ into another class--and those between go
and As into third class.
IL is proposed also that the president shall
nave power to call into the service any pot-
tion OF either of the classes which In his
Judgment the exieencies of the coun,rv NAV
require to remain ia service two years, from
the time each corps shall be assembled at
the appointed place of rendezvous.
~ Is believed that a shorter term than 9
years would not give to these corps the eff
cency In military operations that's desired,
and deemed Indispensable, nor avoid the
evils that are sensibly felt, and generally
complained OF, underthe present arrange.
ment. Itrequires two campaigns TO make
complete soldier, especially where the.
corps, oHicsrs and men, are alike raw and
inexperienced. In the interim. the nun
osrs must be multiplied to supply the defect
OF disciPlins. And it requires the ext en-
SION OF the term of service, to avoid the adj
ditional proportional augmentation Of having
SO many in the field at the same time. in
marching to the frontier and returning from
II Ihc Inconvenience to the parties, and
loss to the community in other respects,
need not be repeated. 1t is proper Is add,
only, that if substitutes are allowed in the
service. It must put an end to the re-.
cruitiBg OF men for the regular army, es-
pecialiy the old corps. OF the justice of
this -emark. What has occurred in the pre-
sent year has furnished full proof 1t fol-.
lows, that if this plan is adopted the militia
must'be relied on principally. ifnot altogetl-
er. IN the further prosecutions of the war.
The additional force for local, service. a.
mounting to forty thousand men, will like,
wise form part, as already observed, of
this plan.
THIRD PLAN.
It is preposed to exempt every Ave men
from militia service, who shall find one to
serve for the war. 1t is probable some re ;,
/ u -
or all the states. But it is apprehended that
| II would prevent recruiting in every other
| mode, blythe high bounty which some of the
wealthy might give. The consequence
would probably be very injurious, as it is
| not believed that any great number could
be raised in this mode.
FOURTH PLAN.
Should all the preceding plans be found
objectionable. it remains that the present
| system ofrecruiting be adhered to, with an
augmentation of the bounty in land. Should
this be preferred. it is advised that in add
ton to the loo acres of land now gives, 100
be allowed annually for every year while
the war lasts.
These plans are Thought the more deser~
wing the attention Of the committee than a.
ny that have occurred, The first, Or the
reasons stated. is preferred. It is believed
that 1t will be found more efficient against
the enemy, less expensivs TO the public, and
less bIrthensome TO our fellow citizens:
1t has likewise the venerable sanction of
our revolution. In that great struggle re.
sort was had to this expedient for filing the
ranks of our regular army, and with deci,
sive effect.
1t is not intended by these remarks, should
the first plan be adopted, to dispense al.o-
gether with the service of the militia. Al
though the principal burthen Of the war
may thereby be taken from the militia, reli-
ance must skill be placed on them for i'm
portant aids, especially in.cases of sudden
invasion. For this purpose it will still be
advisable that the men be classed accor-
ding to age, and that their term of service
be prolonged. Even should this plan be at
tended with all thu advantages expected of
il, such an arrangement could not fail to
produce the happiest effect. The proof
which it would afford of the impregDable
strength of the country. of the patient virtue.
and invincible spirit of the peopIe, would adj
monsih the enemy, how vain and fruitless
his invasions must be, and might dispose him
to speedy, just and honorable peace. OF
the very important services already
rendered by the militia, even under the pre-
sent organiza ion, too much cannot be said
lf the Unsed STATES make the e5ertion
which is proposed, 1t isprepa5ie that the
contest will soon be at an end.
1t cannot be doubted that il is in thc IL pow
er TO expel the British forces from this con-
tinenf, should the British government By
| persevering in its unjust demands. make tha
an object with the American people. A.
ganst our united and vigorous efforts, the
| resistance OF the enemy will soon become
| light and feeble. Success in every fair and
honorable claid, is within our easy grasp. -
And surely the Upited States have every
possible Involvement to make the effort ne.
ecessary tosscure it should insult tbs. under.
standing and wound the feelings Of the com :
mittee, if touched on the calamities Incl
| dent to defeat Dangers which are remote
and can never be realized, excite no alarm
II W n col orxfa n