American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-07-25
OFFICIAL.-CiRCUI.AR.

universally suoscriDeu 10, than that well oroan
zrd and we'll disciplined Militia is the natural da
fence Of free People. Uniting mos, sincerely
in common with my fellow citizens in this onin;o.1
am anxious 10 system adopted BY the Na,;o S'
al Legislature, which will realize the hopes If ~
all, in reference to this great arm of national d.
fence.
BY resolution OF congress at their last se,son
am enjoned to cause to be prepared comn.,s
system Of cavalry tactics and, also, a system n
exercise and instruction Of field artillery, ncudins
manGuvrcs for lgh, or horse artillery for the ,,e
Of the Militia Of the United States; to be report.
ed for consideration or adoption by Congress al il,
next session.
| The wisdom Of this measure is made m,nir.,,
by the objects. which two fold frst the .slab.
llshmens Of the best system and, secondly tina, !,
shall be uniform The importance OF the last i,
scarcely inferior to the first for who can we'll an.
preciate the Inconvenience resulting from diAer,M
systems in the same Army? the Militia differing
among themselves, as also with the regular ARM
with which they may be called to act ; and vel IL,
believe, too tue, that but little uniformity prevails,
if practicable, this defect must be removed.
am duly sensible how difficult il is 10 estabshs
uniform system. The difference OF condition, pby
steal and moral, in the different States and the pre-
ferences which each has for that which from lime
they have been accustomed to, present serious OBJ
stacles 10 homogeneous system throughout all the
States, yet would fain hope not insurmounlable.
/ All our national institutions, and much of our
legislation, founded 10 that mutual spirit Of de-
ference and iorbearance which have so signaly
distinguished the People Of these States ard there
fore one may indulge the hope that, in object Of
such vital importance as a we'll regulated militia
minor objections will be sacrificed 10 the attainment
OF so great good
\ TO enable Inc to execute the duty assigned me
By Congress, ii is most desirable that should &C.
quire all the Information within my reach, and while
so doing, the opportunity seems seasonabe one, TO
ascertain the different systems, both OF organization
and instruction, which prevail in each State; and,
also The defects and remedies which observation and
judgment may have suggested, that by compaIi
son. system may be extracted which will most
probably, unite the greatest number in its ayori
which system, when matured, will be submitted 10
the wisdom Of Congress, who have had for several
SESSIONS this interesting subject under consideration
and who are alone competent to apply some oil The
remedies required portion OF the control o,rr
this subject being retained TO the States. Iii with
this view tina, address you, also the governor OF
each of the States and Territories, and such dslin
guisLed citizens known to me, from whose expert
ence expect to derive much valuable information
j To this end beg to submit the following qut
tons:
LIST. Wha, is the number OF your NIilitia'
Il Cd. Are they organized in strict conformity tolAs
, Law of Congress? If they dfer-in what!
j Sd Are the regular or volunteer Militia most
efrcient7
18th. Is there preference given for entering vol0n'
, teer corps
5th. Does the establishment OF the volunteer
Militia operate injutously on the regular Nlllls'
9th. What proportion do the volunteers bear 10
the regular Militia?
9TH Would i. promote the efficiency ofsountee'
] corps if they had the power by law Of making oy.
laws for their own government?
9th Would classification of the Militia DC ah
improvement; one to be called the actire, the ohes
the ssdentary?
OH. In making the classification, should age, OF
the single or married state form the distinction.
r 10Th. If age, what the proper periods'
lth. Would il be an improvement 10 issue con
missions only to inferior grades, in time oil peace
c if so, what should be the highest?
l2th Is not the period OF service for three mon'D
only, on one tour, attended with great sacrhces v
Il life and treasure and productive OF inefciencys
18th " so, to what period might 1t be pfope"'
h extended?
Nth. What are the regulations OF your o'a'e' "
is to training the Militia: ~.
18th. From your experience, are requen. NV
IS tiers advantageous TO the great body OF the Nill's
o. 10Th. Would it be an improvement to conhHe wv
il instruction TO the officers exclusively!
18th. Is the system Of Infantry tactics, dlree'''
by law, universally pursued?
18th. What system OF exercise and instruc''o"v
n artillery have you prartised or follower wha' ~
e lis defects and remedies?
/. 10Th What system Of cavalry tactics nave J0'
lie adopted wha, are its defects and remediess
e Asfrom some o! the Satesand Territories rsu.".
r. Of the Militia have not been made, the rs' o. '
&c queries became necessary in general letter. ),
~ Although the training Of the Militia IS connu. n
a. The States it is important that their regusuo"
Sc thi. particular should be known at this Depare
r and il will be attended with good effects ina. w
system Of each should be known by all the os's,
a, If any thing suggests itself worthy OF oon'nu~