Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-12-22

manner. In looking tn this branch Of
the object, the difficulty Of giving aiL
to one region Of the State BY drawing
succour from q distance, under exist
'ng eirebmstances. must be apparent
to every observer. Many DAYS must
elapse before an adequate force could
assemble at the point desired. and in
case oil any sudden or seriou. invasion,
upon every principle of military calcu
lation Of time and distance, an spp.,l.
Ing interval would intervene before the
troops could be assembled on the East
ern frontier, from the Western marches.
Were these Rail Road. completed,
with the view to admit locomotive en-
gines, an order from this city could be
conveyed TO the most distant point.
at the rate Of fifteen miles an hour. If
necessary, * an adequate force return
certainly at the diminished rate of ten
miles an hour. In this event you have
fresh troops, ready for actor, instead of
men worn down and exhausted by a
long and toilsomc march. In war. IL
enndot be doubted, speed is power, and
despatch victory.
beiorc | dismiss this subject, can
not otherwise than present to YOUR
view the situation of our country, i'm.
mediately at the head Of tide water:
their situation is such, that in affordin~
facilities Tor con- mcr cial purposes, little
can be done. as by nature they already
possess them in SO high degree. Yet
the road from Fredericksburg through
this city to North Carolins, ia Of great
Importance, and is an object worthy oG
attention it passes through n fiat
country liable to inundntion: bridge,
OF the most permanent kind ought To
be constructed, rs an exiscncy might
happen when it would be indispensa
ply necessary 10 pass in this point Of
view, few such bridges. on this and
other considerable lines Of communi.
cation. become objects of importance,
anu the expense Of consttuo ton TO tho
Commonwealth ceases to be a consi-
deration worthy Of regard.
These, together with the improve
ments ON the Shenandoah River, the
road through the Great Valley, and
other valuable Works, which will pre.
sent themselves in the course Of YOUR
deliberations, will doubtless receive n
due portion Of our kindness, What
farther has been done on this interest.
ing subject, will be made known 10
you, when l have the honor 10 present
10 you the report of our talented En-.
gIneer, and no doubt you will have am
pie cause TO be pleased with his ability
and industry.
IL will be necessary to call your al.
tentIon TO the present condition of our
Militia, and to recommend a thorough
revision OF the law on that subject
Much Of the strength and efficiency OF
mat KIND OF force, depends upon the
promptness with which they can be
ready for action, and some knowledge
Oh the first duties Of q soldier.
our Light troops might be increased
IN every Battalion and Regiment, with
a great advantage 10 the service. and
ought to be encouraged by priviie ges
anu exemptions, as they will ALWAYS
be the first called into service. and un-
ike the Infantry Of the Line, they
will be called out by whole companies.
instead of being detailed by duty, az
IS now the case, with the body It Mi
lI'ia. From the de1tcrity and skill of
our citizens, in the use of the Rifle.
and fondncss for that Kind Of arms,as
we'll as the great care aud time IL re-
CURES 20 drill Regiment in the Rifle
Exercise. the propriety Of organizing
them INTO Regiments is suggested
From the position in which th,s State
IS placed, aud the attitude occupied by
her, II becomes matter Of very seri
Gus reflection, whether n force moro
available than the militia may not DO
advisable and aitainable AZ a small ex-
pense. BY we'll organized, inferno
date force, even foreign iwar might
be sustained without disturbing the
quiet operations Of the government OF
VI the farmer. We have AZ tina time
an hundred and thirty nine Regiments
foil aud strong. Were one COMPANY
to be authorized by law 20 be raised by
voluntary enlistments from each Rer,.
meni, Or such number NJ Regiments az
would give the number Of men Eeauir-
ed, and put upon the footing Of the
Public Guard, YOU would have eheao
and efficient army ready 10 prsGorn
any and every duty. These soldier.
might be permitted toIive Al home and
work their crops ss heretofore. bot a,
All tunes subject 20 the call of their
officers. Some allowances should be
made them, and the equipment. of a
soldier furnished. ss an indecement 10
cniist. to be drilled once a month for
a. many days az the General Assem-
bly, should think proper, ard whilst on
Juii' TO receive ample pay Zoe has timr,
bat no other pay allow ed unless smbo.
died for sersIoe--Shen he pay ADD
allowance. should b. fhe aam. =. a.,