Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-07-28

physical anu moral, in the different States an, ,b,
preferences which each has for that which from,
"e ",ey nave oeeh accustomed to, present serious
obstacles to a homogeneous system throupbor, al
the States, yet would fain hope not insurmoun.-
table 1ou"
All our national institutions and much of orr !.
gisa,ion, are founded in that mutual spirit Of 10.
terence and Tolerance which have so signalv die
iInguished the People of these States and therefore
one may indulge the hope that, in an object of such
vital importance as well regulated Militia, minor
objections VIII be sacrificed TO the attainment of so
great good.
TO enable me oexecute the duty ASSIGNED mo
by Congress- it is most desirable that / should ,c
cure oil the information within my reach. and yyb;I,
so DONG, the opportunity seems a seasonabje ope
10 ascertain the different systems, both of organ;za
ton and Instruction, which prevail in each State.
and also, the defects and remedies which obsory.
lion and judgment may have suggested. thar he =
comparison, system may be extracted which
w'h, most probably, unite the greatest number II,
lis favor; which system, when matured will hn
submitted to the wisdom of Congress. who have
had Tor several sessions this interesting subject mr.
ger consideration, and who alone cornpeten, IN
apply some OF the remedies required; portion os
ths control over this subject being retained 10 the
@t"'es II Is with this view that address YOU. az
aIeo the Governor of each of the States and Tar
ruorles, and such distinguished citizens known IN
me, from whose experience expect TO derive mucl,
valuable information N"
10 this end beg to submit the following oues.
tons: q'es-
Isl What is the number Of yonr Militia
"a are they organized in strict conformity 10
he law of Constess? If they differ in ,vb.,3
% AIe the regular or volunteer Militia noe-
efficient; A' mus
ith Is there a preference given for ENTERING
volunteer corps9
9th Does the establishment of the volyr,ee-
1'ililiia operate njurously on the regular Militia
ON nhat proportion do the volunteers bear 10
9Th Would it promote the efficiency of vol,n,se-
corps il they had the power by law of MAXIM nv
laws tor their own government?
Sth Would Classification of the Militia h. =,
Improvement; one 70 be called the octive, the otbAr
the se1cntarg? ''''''
yin In making the classification, should age. o-
the single or married state form Inc di-tinc,ioo;
ION u age, what The proper periods,
I'm Noudit be an improvement 10 isst,e co,,,
missions only to inferior grades, in time If ra.
II so, what should be the h,rhesI
I2.h l. not the period of service eor ,,r.o
months only on one tour, attended with urea, g.
efficiency? VI IL
18Th ESQ, 10 what period nigh, i, be properly
li;h What are tie regulations Of vouy State %
TO training The Militia? '' a.
ION From your experience, are freopep, ,,,s.
e's adVan'ageous to the great body of the militia
ION Would 1t be an improvement, to conf;ne ~
instruction to the officers exclusivelyo
i'n IS 'he system OF Latantry tactics, directed
by iaw' universally pursued?
l5'h what system of exercise and jnstruc,;o, oe
aFhieFy have you pracii-ed or followed, ,,ba,..
MS detects and remedies'
l9'h what system of cavalry tactics have va,
adopted! what are lis defects and remedies,
As from some Of the States and Terr;toriss
urns a. -" Militia have no, been made. the frs.
vi 'heSe queries became necessary in a general e,
ter. ee'"i 'e'-
Although The training Of The Militia is conG,Isa
10 me STATES 1t is important that their repulatons
IN tins Particular should he known at this Dee,
inent, ami 1t will be attended with good eject
ttat the system OF each should be known by all ,b
u any thing suggests itself worthy of comnpn;-.
cation though not called for by anv particnIs,.
question: 1t will be highly acceptable.
As IN your STATE, l Goub, not, Won have MAN.
c'''"en7 Unknown 10 me, whose information AMI
experience would be very valuable, have nro
-ninsd 50 lar on your goodness as 10 ask Won TO d
eel ana forward the enclosed letters to nerso,s :,
that description I-'"' "a
nave to beg yon~ earliest attention 20 This s,b-
Jec', rs a foNd VIII he Immediately convened 80
-I4o.'1 we SPECIFIC duties assigned me- To tbia
BOARD shal! unite one OF more Militia Oaice,s
n"Ve 'uf'"er 10 request that the correspondence
winch may be Addressed 10 me ON these snbien,,
may he sadofsea 8 Militia Service :,
With the greatest consideration AMI re.,oo,
have the honor to be, your most obedien, ser,,sn,
JAMES BARBOUR.