Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1815-02-06
legislattire q passafbusetts.
SEN1zE.
WEDkkSuAH, TEB. 9.
IMPORTAN 1 REPORTS

uC GUAntAtAtbCC ~ OOtu HOUSES, 10 whom
was refs red % much of the Messaxe of his
ExcelIency the Governor = relates % ,he de-.
fence Of the. 5 ate II Massachusetts beg
lesve respectfully, 10 report ia psrt--
THAT in the opinion 81 your committee,
il was expedient that his Excellency the
Governor, should postpone the establish
ment of the Military {erps, ~s.s.-s> ssas. an
thorised by the aci Of the legislature, pass d
on the Goth October Issi.- The act was
passed but few days previous TO the ac-
journment Of the legislature, and thence
obasscies occurred, to prevent the sct from
being carried into effect besides, those
arising from the impaired state OF the iinan
css, in CONSEQUENCE Of expense incurred in
the purchase Of munitions of war, and the
pay ofthe militia during the last year. The
necessity of that measure became less ur-
gent, as the force Of the enemy employed
on the coast Of the United States, after the
rising ofthe legislature, was not increased,
and the militia called into service we're
deemed a sufficient defence
From accounts ofthe commissioners Of
sea coast defence, and Of the board Of war,
which are amongs. the documents commu-
nica,ed by his ExceIlency; j, appears that
a sum not much short OF million Of dollars
has already been paid, IRIS shortly 10 be
paid, for the expensts of the pas, ycar; a
large portionof which has accrued since
June last leaving The state Of the treasury
nearly exhausted, and pointing strongly 10
the necessity Of adopting such means Of
defence, as will be least expensive, consist
emily with safety.
The people of this Commonwealth, and
especially those living on the sea coast Of
the state, were thrown into great alarm.
during the last summer and autumn, in
consequence of the capture Of the City Of
Washington, the plumber Of Alexandris,
and the taking possession by the snenhy, Of
part Of the District Of Maine Under
those circumstances, it was deemed neccs-
sary by the proper authority, 10 continue in
force General Order, otJcly 1912, which
authorised officers Of the militia from the
Msjor General TO Subaltrrns, 10 cal: ou.
such portions Of the militia, as were under
their respective commands, when in tl.eir
opinion, i should be pecessary--u nd,r this
authority, troops were in some cases called
out, under appss hensions Of danger, which
proved gsounaless and in other instances
more than were necessary for The occasion
/: is the opinion Of your committee, thut
in SOME instances, ca Is were made upoa The
militia, when the officers who made them
wsrs less Influenced by lLsir own sppre
tensions OF danger, than by the fears oi
those who compelled The IN by constant ap
plicaticns 10 yield to their snsreatiss and
pray ers--the readiness with whir the
m litia obeyed the call when made pom
them, is sufficient proof, that under such
regulations as may be entered into, we can
With safety place our principal reliance,
under Providence, for asde iensive warfare,
upon the hardy yetmanry Of our country,
Organized as militia, who have hitherto so
honorably discharged the duties they have
been called upon 10 perform.
Your committee arc strongly fortified 10
this opinion, By the result ola confr, encc
held IN this metropolis, The last autumn,
with the Major Generals aaa Brig. Gener-
ais residing in this vicinity who were
summoned to meet by THE Adiutant Gen
efa:, 10 consult with his Excrllency che
6o,snor, and the commissioners OF sea-
Coast defence as 10 the sbiily Of thei
several divisions, and brigadss, 10 furnish
troops Within given true, al OF near 10 the
town Of Boston; the result cf which con
ference was, that in the opinion OF the gen
cral officers convened, a body Of al less,
eighteen thousand infantry, light infantry,
artillery, and cavalry, might be brough 40
point, in this vicinity, in twenty four hours
alter an alarm and propor,ionate number
on the other parts Of the sea coast
As we have sea coast extending nearly
600 miles, liable 10 be attacked and !.
many forts have already been elected vi
considerable expense, and which REQUIRE 10
be guarded thu Dug hout the year, ycvr com
:nittee think proper TO recommend tor the
consideration Of The legislature, the exps
diency ofrequcssing the supreme exrcu-
tive, to cause 10 be enlisted, one thousand
men, 70 compose 4 part Of the military
corps already authorized BY law, 10 serve
for enc year, unless sooner discharged
This number oftroops il is presumed win
be sufficient for forming guards in the sew
eral Forts, and may Be Usefully employed
in attachments moi grraserihan Msiar'sl
command.