The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-10-05

of clothing some public officer with the reoui-
site powers to carry them into effect A par
ticular detail of the steps which have been
taken and of those which appear to me essen
TIA tor the future safety of our frontiers will
FORM the subject of a special communication.
When VIC reflect that the present campaign
was one IN which the enemy had threatened
TO visit MS with his wrath and 60 make us feel
his power, we cannot but exut that thus far
we have sustained the shock with hrmncss,
and have even gathered iaurels from the strife.
lie has, II Is true, been able to maraud on
sea-hoard and harrass and ruin individual.
He has even penetrated to our Capitol. feebiy
opposed by hasty levy of undisciplined mi
Lila, an has wantonly demolished etliiices and
monuments of art hitherto held sacred in all
but bar5arous warfare.-But wherever we
have met with him IN fair and open contest, the.
resul has been siynally honorable TO cur arms
~ series oe brilliant actions, which have.
shed lustre upon &c Niagarr army, has emit
tied its distng ished generals Brown, Scott.
Porter, Games and Rjtiey, and their brave
associates to the lasting gratitude of their
country. The gallant deeds Of Porter, War
rington and Blakclv have well sustained the
spl ndid character or our navy. At the inva-
sion OF Baltimore where the foe was prompt
~ met, he was harrassed on his approach
But the late glorious triumph at Plattsturp.
Tor randcur of circumstance * Importance.
Vi effect renders all encomum feeble and in
adequate. This was the blow by which the
enemy hoped to lay open our northern from
tier. He advanced with Confidence in the SUI
pc ority Of his land & naval force, * counted
on a certain victory. Aftera severe & bloody
contest, his whole feet was conquercd-Sl cap
cured in the sight of his astonished army, his
aud troops were likewise discounted, and
driven to precipitate and ignominious re-
treat, before handful Of regulars under brig.
gen Macomb, and an inconsiderabe BODY of
the militia * volunteers of n. York and YER
mont, under Gems. Mooers and Stro:;g. The
conduct OF our troops on that occasion, bot h
IN requesting the powerful assaults of the eneZ
my, and in purs ing and harrassing him in
his retreat, rejects the highest honor on the
Nommandirg officers and their companions in
arms.
The achievement Of Commodore MO-
nougst and his intrepid Comrades, is not sur
passed IN the records of naval history. Il
sheds glory on the nation at large, but its i'm
mediate benefits are more peculiarly felt by
tie states Of New-YorlI, and Vermont per-
MT me to recommend a prompt and public
expression bv the constituted authorities Of
his state, Of their high sense Of the iliusrious
services Of these brave men who have so emf
nentiy contributed to the safety nd glory of
the nation, ard the presentation of some testi-
inomial o: gratitude, worthy of the dignity Of
the state, and the aceeptation of gallant and
high minded heroes.
have heretofore submitted TO the consi,e-
ton OF the Legislature the ,propretv of scliev-
i''g the poorer classes of the community from
bearing that unreasonable proportion OF the
burden Of militia duty to which they are
subjected by the existing laws. must be per-
mitted TO renew any solicitations upon that
subject.
The experience Of this campaign has fur
nished abundant evidence of the unequal ope-
ION OF the present syst m, and has shown
the indiSpensa e necessity Of substituting pro
Perty as the criterion of Contribution to the
public defence. We NAV then establish more
disposable, better disciplined and more eco
nomical and efficient force than can possibly
be organized from militia at large, hastily as
sembled at a moment of hurry and alarm
Inc p pulation & resources Of this state ena-
bic us TO place 1T the disposal of the nation for
the continuance Of the war, ten thousand uni
Lormed troops, and to reserve for local de-
renee ten thousand minute men, uniformed &
equipped end discipline to take the field ar
moments warning as a substitute for ordinary
militia. 1t is, however, due TO the militia of
I'll 5 state to acknowledge that they have re-
paired to their country's standard whenever
summon with promptness and aiacrity,
taat they have cheerfully endured the hard
SHIPS ard priyations Of the camp nd that they
have generally conducted themselves III ac-
ton with the Goodness and bravery of veteran
troops.
Gentlemen,
1t is with heartfelt satisfaction, that wit
ness the unanimity and patriotic spirit that
ammatcs all class OF the community. The
acrnnTony o, party has disappeared in thecom
Dmed eAeltion tor the maintenance of nation
Al h"nor and common safety The present
tine will form aproud era in the history of
tbs ate Nh deve.,pe the vast es her
resources, the strength of her population, the
lnteiisence and liberality of her legislative
bodies, and the valor and patriotism Of her CT
items She has it in her power to assume
dn attitude worthy of her intrinsic character,
to set an example Of open-handed muniG-
cehce that viii challenge emulation, to impert
Higor aud efficacy to The national arm, and
thus to secure and pefpetuate the indepen-
dence OF the US
DANIEL. D. TOMPKINS.
Albany, SIR. e, 1914.
Extract Of a ietter from al officer, dated
0dckctPs Hlr6oy Se6L On