Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-09

could De asSemoieu Oh 'he 'a''''
the Western marches. =,
w.re these Rail Roads completed with view
n admit Locomotive engines, an order from ths
c;,v cnud be conveyed to the mpst distant points
At tho rate of fifteen miles the hour, it necessary
and an adequate force return certainly at the d.
minishej speed Of ten miles hour In this event.
vou have fresh and vigorous troops, ready Tor &C
t;on. in stead of men worn down aud exhausted
he = Iono and toilsome march. In war 1t can
not be doubted, speed is power and despatch VIC
tory.
BEFORE dismiss this subject, | cannot other.
wise than present to your view the sitaa!oh oil
our country; Immediately at the head OF tids wa
ter: their situation is such, thatin afordins 'ac"'
tie, for commercial purposes, little can be DONE
az NV nature they already possess them in SO high
a deyree. Yet the road from Frederlcksburgh
through this city to North Carolina, is OF great
importance, and is an object deserving attention;
bridges of the most permanent kind ought TO oe
! constructed. as an exigeucy might happen when
it would be indispepsaby necessary to pass; I'D
tins point Of view, few such bridges, on mis- ann
otherconsiderable lines of communication, become
| objects of importance, aud the expense of, con-
struction to the Commonwealth ceases to be
consideration worthy of regard.
These, together with the improvements on The
Sheneuduah River, the Road through the Great
Valley, and other valuable Works, which viii
present themselves ~ the course Of your delDer-
tions. will doubtless receive due portion OF your
Kindness What farther has been done VIII be
known when have the honor to present to you
the report of our talented Engineer, and 90 not
doubt YOU will nave ample cause to be pieased
with his ability and industry.
1t will be NECESSARY TO cali your attention to the
present condition of our Militia, and to recon-
mend thorough revision of the law on that sub
iect. Much of the strength and efficiency OF that
kind of force, depends upon the promptness with
which they can be ready for action. and some
knowledge of the first duties of a soldier
Our Light Troops might be increased IN every
Battalion and Regiment, with great advantage to
the Service, and ought TO be encouraged by pri'
vileges and exemptions, as they will always be
the first called into service. and unlike the lnfan
try of the Line, they will be- called out by whole
companies, instead of being detailed tor duty. as
is now the case, with the body of the Militia. -
From the dcxterity and skill Of citizens in
the use Of the Rifle, and fundness for that kind
of arms, as we'll as the great care and time 1t re-
ouires to drill Regiment in the Rife Exercise,
the propriety Of organizing them into Regiments
is suggested.
From the position in which this State is placed,
and the attitude occupied by her, it becomes a
matter of very serious reflection, whether force
more available rhan the Militia, may not be advi'
sable, and attainable at small expense. by a
well organized intermediate force, even foreign
war might he sustained without disturbing the
quiet operations of the government, or OF the TAR
mer. We have at this time, an hundred and SO
regiments, full and strong. Were one company
to be authorised by law, to be raised by voluntary
enlistment, from each Regiment or such number
of Regiments as would give the number of men re-
uuired, and put upon the footing OF the Public
Guard. YOU would have cheap and efficient ar
INV ready to perform any and every duty. These
soldiers might be permitted to live at home and
work their crops as heretofore, but at all times
subject to the call of their ohicers.-Some allow
ances should be made them, and the equipments
of soldier furnished as an inducement to enlist,
to be drilled once month. for as many days as
the General Assembly should think proper, and
whilst on drill, to receive ample pay Tor their
time; but no other pay allowed unless embodled
for service, when their pay and allowances should
be the same as that received by the Public Guard
now in service.
1t will be found on inspection, that many OF
the public arms now in the Arsenal, need repair,
particularly those Of the smaller calibre, part
of which by law were intended to arm the 2lst
| neutrality-suspicious. udS ucCu WauC WI WV W
sidue required for that purpose, but has been de-
layed until this representation could be made to
you. Nor can refrain from calling your atten-
ton to the necessity of providing sword slings,
cartouch boxes and holsters, Of which at this time
the Militia are much in want, besides some equip.
ments for the Artillery.
In conformity with the wishes Of the General
Assembly, letters were addressed to many OF the
most res pectabIe citizens of the Commonwealth,
requesting their views in relation to the formation
of an efficient militia system, which would secure
to Virginia all the benefits which could be derived
from her strength and advantageous posiuon. The
answers received to these communications are
herewith laid before you.
1t is proper here to remark, that by the appoint.
ment Of Robert B. Taylor, Esq. to be Judge OF
the Superior Court, a vacancy has been created
in the command of the Fourth Division Of Vlrgi.
MIA Militia, which it will be your duty fill. l
regret to say TO YOU. that by the resignation of
that valuable officer, Brsader General Richard
Eppes, also known in the Legislative Hall as a
useful and distinguished citizen. there is a vacan-
CIV in the command of the Eighth Brigade, which