Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-12-16

= uScN-Out the known llOeraiItY OF tnt
State oil tennessee, together with the deer
interest her citizens have in common wit!
our own IN the construction ofthis Rail road
give little room todCubt their underiakina
that portion which lies within their iurisdic-
non. Were even that hope disappointed, i
would be hardly less valuable 10 Virginia
confined 10 her own Limit.
Ahe great commercial advantages, which
The State would derive from these improve
ncnis, are in themselves sufficient TO induce
The undertaking: but there is another which
no prudent Stale ought ever 10 disregard
IT'S defence in war, and its ability TO use lis
power in the most speedy and efficient man
ner In looking 10 this branch of the sub
Jecl, The difficulty OF giving aid 10 one re
gicn OF the State by drawing succour from a
Instance, under existing circumstances,
must he apparent TO every observer. Many
days lauSt ciapSc before an adequate force
could assemble at the point desired and i'm
case oil any Sudden or serious invasion. unon
every principle o!mi!itary calculation of time
ana distance, an appalling interval would in
'crvene before the troops could Ire assembled
on the Eastern frontier, from the Western
marches
Were these railroads completed with a
OlIiDT
from this city could be convened TO the most
Gis'an! points at The rte Of fifteen miles the
hour, II necessary, and an adequate force re-
'uIh certainly at The diminished speed Of ten
miles an hour. In this event. YOU have
fresh and vigorous troops, ready for action
instead OF men worn down and exhausted by
a long and toiisome march. In war il ran.
mol be doubted, speed is power, and dispatch
victory.
Before | dismiss this subject cannot o.
therwise than present 10 your view the stu
atlon OF our country Immediately at the head
OF tide water: Their situation is such thai in
aliording facilities Tor commercial! PURPOSES.
Lille can lie done, as by nature they already
possess them in so high degree. Yet the
road from Fredericksburg through this city
10 North Carolina. is OF great Importance,
and IS an Object deserving attention il pass
es through tldt country liable to inunda-
Ton bridges OF the most permanent kind
ought TO lie constructed, as an eXircncy
might happen when it would be inGispcnsa-
bly necessary to pass; in this point of view
lew such bridges, on this and other consid-
cradle lines OF communica. ion, become OBJ
)ects OF importance, and the expense Of con
struction 10 the Commonwealth ceases 10 be
a consideration worthy Of regard.
hesc, together with the improvements
on The Shenandoah river. the road through
Inc Great valley, and other Yalual lie works,
which will present themselves in The course
OF your deliberations, will doubtless receive
due portion OF your kindness. What far
Their has been done on this interesting. sub
Ject, Will lie made known 10 you, when |
have the honor to present to you the report of
our talented Engineer, and do not doubt YOU
will have ample cause 10 lie pleased with his
ability and industry
1t Will he necessary to call your attention
to the present condition Of our Militia, and
10 recommend a thorough revision ofthe law
IN that subject. Much Of the strength and
OF that kind Of force, depends upon
he promptuess with which they can he ready
or action, and some knowledge of the first
lutics Of soldier.
Our Light Troops might lie increased in
every Battalion and Regiment, with great
advantage to the Service, and ought 10 be
encouraged by privileges and exemptions,
as they viii always he the first called
into the Service, and unlike the Infantry Of
the Line, they will be called out Ivy whole
instead OF being detailed Tor duty,
as i now the case with the body of the ILL
tia. From the deXterity and skill of our cit
liens in 'hc use OF the Rife, and a iondness
Tor that kind of arms, as we'll as The great
care and time il requires TO drill Regiment
in the Rifle Exercise, the proprieiy Of or
ganizing them into Regiments is suggested
From the position in which this State is pla-
ced, and the attitude occupied by her il be-
comes matter al very serious reflection,
hcthera force more available than Tie Mi
litia, may not lie advisable. and attainable at
i small expense. BY we'll organized in
icrmediatc force, oven q /, ign war might
be sustained without disturbing the quiet op-
rrations of the government, or Of the farmer.
W e have at this time. an hundred and thir-
ly-nine regiments, full and strong. Were
one company TO be authorized by law, 10 he
raised by voluntary enlistment, from each
Regiment, or such number of Regiments as
would give the number OF men required, and
put upon The footing of the Public Guard.
YOU would have a cheap and efficient army
ready toperform any and every duty. These
soldiers might he permitted TO live at home
and work their crops as heretofore, but at all
times subject 10 the call Of their officers
Some allowances should he made them, and
the equipments OF a soldier furnished as an
inducomcnt 10 enlist, to lie drilled once
month, Tor rs many days as The General AS
Sclnily ShOl'id thUlh proper ana NAtlSt on
drill, to receive ample pay for their time ;
but no other pay allowed unless embodied for
service, when tLeir pay and allowances
should be the same as that received by tie
Public Guard now in service.
1t will hc found, on inspection, that many
Of The public arms now in the Arsenal, need
repair, particularly those Of the smaller cali
bre, a part Of " hich by law were intended 10
has been made for the residue required for
that purpose, but has been delayed un;il this
could lie made 90 you Nor