American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-12-19
Extracts from the Message Of Samuel sicrens, Jr.
ESa Go,ernor of UarULdnd Dec, a. 1885,.

Esq. Governor of Maryland, Dec. 4, 1895.
A copy of the resolution respecting the great ma
onal road, leading from Cumberland to Wheeling,
was agreeably TO the directions OF the last General
Assembly, sent TO our Senators and Representatives
il Congress, with request that their best eXertions
might be used for the accomplishment ofthe objects
contemplated in that resolution. In stating to the
legislature the n which their directions have
been complied with, gives us pleasure 10 be ena-
bled to add, that an appropriation Of twenty five
thousand dollars has been made to repair the road
in question, the importance of which to The interest
and convenience Of the people OF the United States,
must be evident to every rejecting mind, and has
not Gas this procedure evnces) been overlooked by
our national rulers.
A copy OF the resolution relating to internal i'm
provemen,s and system OF defence, and approving
the conduct Of the general government relating
thereto, was duly sent directed by tie last egis-
ature, to our Senators and Representatives in Con-
gress, accompanied with request that they would
cooperate in the promotion OF all such measures as
would tend to enhance the interests OF the union at
large, and Of our own slate in particular.
| We transmitted as directed by the legislature to
our senator's and representatives in Congress, copy
OF the resolution requesting them TO use their best
lexertrons TO procure such amendment OF the
constitution Of the United States as would extend
with proper limitations the power OF Congress, in
adopting and executing system OF internal i'm.
proyement.
We appointed Theodorich Bland, Geo. Winches-
ter, and John Patterson, Esquires, commissioners
to lay out and survey route for canal, which will
connect the waters of the Susquehannah with the
lefty oil Baltimore and Athanasius Fenwick, DR..
William Howard, and William Price, Esquir IS, to
lay out and survey route OF canal from the city
OF Baltimore 10 the river Potomac, agreeably TO GER
sin resolutions Of the last Gesera Assembly relat-
ing thereto, and in pursuance oil the have adj
yanced from time to lime TO each Of the said Com
missloners, such sums as they have required to
ldetray the expenses incident TO the work in which
they are engaged.
We take leave to call your attention to letter of
The Secretary OF War, that was transmitted to the
General Assembly by the late Governor at the last
session, by which will be seen, that no returns OF
the militia have been made by the state to The Presi
dent OF the y. States, as directed bv the act oil
Congress, passed on the eighth day OF May, seven
teen hundred and ninety Two. since the year eigh.
teen hundred and eleven, and that The state may not
have got her quota Of arms Cue for several years
Jack, under the provisions Of the law of the UniedI
States Of April eighteen hundred and eight for al
ming the whole body OF the militia of the United
States, in consequence of that omission, as there
has been doubtless an increase OF militia since that
period, and as repeated exertions have been made
by the executive 10 obtain returns without effect /
we would suggest the expectancy Of your passingI
such law as would by its provisions be calculated
TO enforce due execution hereafter OF the law oil
Congress, and enable this Department 10 complyl
with the calls that have so often been made on ill.,
by The Secretary OF War by order Of the Presidenl
and thereby prevent similar occurrence. WhiIel
on this subject, We cannot forbear to remark upon
the laudable military spirit evnced in dfferent parts
OF the state 10 promote which every legislative aid
should be afforded. In governments like ours, are
standing armies have ever been viewed with dis
trust and apprehension, while we'll organised militia
has been regarded as (what in reality isl the only
secure and efficient deience.-The truth of this /
principle should the more animate Americans, be
cause il has been fully tested in the late war that
there appears to be defect either in the oreanza
ton or the administration Of our present military
system, all must acknowledge. In free country
like ours, TO protect whose rights, every citizen IS
bound by the strongest ties, and where every man
has his liberty and Preside Defend we hazard no
tear OF contradiction in asserting our opinion that
iew' 1t any, Will be found unwilling to devote por-
tion oil their time to acquiring knowledge of the 4
use oil arms, that they may become skilled in the
science oil war, and attain practical knowledge Of
tactics, as to be at all times ready to face impend
ing danger, and resist the attacks of hostile foes
In order to encourage this ardor for military
we have on our part supplied such companies asl
nav "h''o Hheu theDseYeS, WIN arms out OF the
public ArmoTes, having first taken bond and secu-
rlly Tor their return in good order when required
by the proper authority, and as The arms loaned have
with few exceptions) been selected from among
The uncleaned ones, aud subsequently put in orde,
by those to whom they loaned, the State hasI
been saved a considerable expense by the measure
AT time like the present, when the spirit of in
ernal improvement has been so meritorously ava
kened, and by the exercise oil which our sister
states have advanced in national character and opu
ence--every talent and feeling are required on your
part to devise ways and means, by which we mayI
again become independent and aourishing. Thel
embarrassed state Of our finances demands, there
lore, your early and prompt attention Need We c