Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-11-23
MILITARY CONVENTION, ST POWIiATAN
COlIRH-UOIISE

]
! AT Convention of the Delegates appointed by
the several Regiments composing the 4lh Brig ade
of Nirgiaa Militia, kcld at Powhatan Court House
on Monday the 29ih day of October, 1899, for the
purpose of lncmoralizing the Legislature Of Virgil
MA, on the subject of the present Miliu Systcmi'of
the State:
Present, Co.'s. Geo. w. Cole of Chesterfield
VIM. Lyon and Jos. b. Davis of Powhatan.
VIM. Wilson of Cumberland.
Jacob Roberts of Amelia.
Capts. Geo. G.. Moore OF Amelia.
Ben. p. Walker of the l0oih Regiment,
Buckingiia
H E."ry l. T. G a9pk ans OF rowha,nn.
Col. VIM Wilson called to the Chair, and
Ensign r. f. Gruvcs, requested to act as Score.
tary
On the motion. of Col. Days il was
Resoired, That all the Commissioned Officers OF
this Brigade, now present, and who are not dele
gates to this Convention be invited take their
seats within the Bar of the Convention, as mcn-
bers thereof; whcrnupon, Capt Richard W. Bass
bentenants X. Nj. Lnyne aud Lewis T.. Harvie,
and Ensign K. r. Graves took their seats accord
ingly.
On the motion of Capt. Walker. it was
ReS0iUed, That committee be appointed con-
sisiing OF one or more mom5ers from each Rsgi-
ment represented i'll this Convention, for the pur-
pose OF enquriug into and reporting what altera-
tons nccessdryto be effected ia the militia laws
OF ti'is State; whcreupon, Capt. Walker, Col.
Cole, Col. Roberts, Col Lyon, Capt Gay. Capt.
Hopkins and Capt. Bass appointed by, the
Chair, to compose the said committee; and the
motion of Capt. Gay, the Chairman was added
thereto; and then the Convention adjourned till
tomorrow morning, 10 o. clock.
TUESDAY, Oct. 3d. 1882.
ne Convention met pursuant tn adjournment.
Present, Colonies Wilson, Cole, Roberts, Ligom
aud Davis. Captains, Moore, Walker, Gay and
Hopkins Llcutcnants, Layne and Harve, and En-
sign Graves.
Capt Geo W. Daniel of Cumberland, and Capt
Francis D smith and Lieutenant VIM. &. Scott of
IA arnHa
bers OF this Convention.
Inc Committee appointed on Yesterday, to draft
memorial to the-ncxt Legislature of VIRGINIA this
day reported the same, together. with sundry Re-
solutions which, after~a full and free discussion
were adopted, and are as follows to wit:
"To The HDnOrobie the Legislature of Virgiaiq.
We, the Representatives of the different Regiments
OF the 9TH Brigade, Virginia Militia, assembled tor
the purpose OF taking into consideration the sys.
TEN of Militia Laws now in force in our State re-.
SPcctiully represent 10 your honorable body That
VIC are fully convinced, from careful and minute
observation of the practical operation of the exist.
| ing System of Militia Laws, that there are many
radical defects, which the peace, the welfare and
safety Of our country require should be taken into
consideration, and romcdied by the efficient action
OF the Legislature. This opinion has not been
hastily conceived, nor is it expressed, but az
ter much mobrre-rehoetion. And while we rejoice
that the attention Of the Legislature was, directed
to The subject by the Governor of tho Site IN his
annual message, we regret that it failed To at
tract tnelf dttettiODs as 10 produce SUCH thorough
and radical changes as were rendered necessary 10y
the rnperfection ofthe system. We are as much
as ever impressed with the belief, that The Militia
OF our country, the citizen soldiers, are not only
The best but the only military body calculated to
mantain the liberty and ensure the safety Of our
political institutions Feeling as we do an abiding
Interest this subject, and believing that energy,
beauty and strength may be impaired To our sys.
tenn, which has become almost parsly7ed by the
heretofore inefficient schemes of Legislation, We
B ~ v,ur fl,a s,i,
joined resolutions, as expressive Of the sense of
tins meeting in regard to the most prominent chan
ges necessary TO DO effected.
l. Resolced, That the lay in regard to musters.
should be 20 altered as to provide that there shall
he one Regmnental puste5in each Regiment some
time IN April or May in each year: ono Battalion
muster in each Battalion some time-in October or
November in each year; and four Company mus
teTs during the year, and That the drilling Of the
Officers should BIO conducted as now prescribed by
law.
2. Resoloed, That he law should be so altered
ii fegas 20 r1seeS ses - ;h9t.ar.r not commit