Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-12-20
ssap, Mile. King. 9Th Regiment Artillery.

On molOA freSident added 10 the Committee.
On motion the Convention adjourned 10 O'Clock TO.
morrow.
December l2m-Tho Convention met pursuant 10 al.
loufnment.
Col. Watkins from the Committee appointed to ke in
TO consideration the Militia Laws, SC, reported that the
Committee had had the under consideration bu,
were not yet prepared report aud asked leave to SIT
again-which was granted
On motion, the Convention adjourned to 10 o'clock to.
morrow.
December l3th The Convention met pursuant to AL.
journnent.
Col Watkins, from the Committee appointed to take into
consideration the Militia Laws &c., presented the fellow
ing report
The Committee appointed to advise and recommend an
Improvement IN The present Militia System, aud the laws
IN relation thereto respectfully represent, that in the per-
iornance oil this Duty your Committee fully sesi.
Die they approached subject OF ordinary magnitude
nor were they unaware OF the great difficulty of recon
CLING the various conflicting views and interests SO as In
produce system, which would give the desired energy
and efficiency, aud at the lime, meet with general
appreciation; in recommending therefore, the outlines of the
proposed plan, they do not expect indeed did they
ann 10 ATTAIN perfect system: lit should only be the
means ol cradcaDg some oi the most prominent defect.
Is under existing circumstances, all they can hope for
our Committee not nsensibc OF the many importi
objections TO the present system, aud that the consignment
want OF an efficient militia has become most s.rous nuj
deplorabe evil they consider too the anuer of
lg the dulles now devolved the militia not only br
desone but useless acquisitions; but whilst vouf cot
ee are prepared 10 concede, that the present system il
deficient III all its most essential paris aud iadeouate o
Tie attainment OF Tie objects proposed they are mevcre
less, satisfied that these defects are mainly attributable 4,
e eure absence OF all good discipline, ouly amongst
e P''aes, out Tie commissioned officers themselves II
seems, ihen manifest TO your committee that il some eR
ceh', economical practicable mode could be devised m
remedy Tins radical and fatal evil the existence OF which
so universally acknowledged and 10 s pire Your ujli,
win thd true military prize and noble zeal which should
animate the citizen soldier in the attainment of AN ART so
essential 10 ms security, an Improvement OF the other
IecS oi The system, comparatively OF minor importance
would OF consequence follow in quick succe ssion and ,
then your militia would become IN reality what i, now
III theory only, the pride Virginia aud the great hull
ip lts nal Of,
people.
La accordance then with these views your committee
submit The following, in their opinion best calculated
10 mpar the greatest degree of discipline energy and
usefulness to the militia, consistently with lust regard 10
he puOc expenditure, and the enience OF the great
body OF the people.
ls That the entire military force of Virginia should be
arranged and distributed into Divisions B.igades Rcp
rncns, &c as is provided for by the sNi.,iup ,Ss
land mat all officers should receive their and
commissions in like manner.
ID That the number of officers shall correspond with
the system provided by Congress.
81. That each company of Infantry of the limo shall
consist OF not less than so more than 100 men
18th. That every able bodied white male citizen be-
tween the ages OF Is and 10 years should be enrolled for
militia duty.
OH. That volunteer companies should remain general
~ as at present organized, with adequate encoursgemen
10 keep the existing companies well filled and an induce
ineht 10 the formation Of other like companies
9th: That fines should be increased aud promptly col
lecled. F' w.
7. That the services of the Brigade Majors sonId h
dispensed with
Sh. That greater time should be occupied in the train
ing OF officers and all trainings should immediately prc
cede the Regimental muslers.
OH That Instructor, aud necessary assistant In
suciors, should be appointed, whose duty should be TO
attend The trainings for the purpose of Instrucng the of
hcers agreeaby to the system prescribed by Conres
certificate OF the entire performance of their duties should
be given by the commandants oil Regiments Whereupon
tile Instructors and Assistants should be allowed an ae
quate compensation.
lOi That Battalion musers should be restored and the
company musters increased.
llih That Brigader Generals, should attend tho Raj
mental or Battalion muscrs OF their respective Brig AIDES
l2th hat Conmandants OF Brigades aud Regiments
should be authorized, emergencies To emp oy rxores
es az oieId comPenSduons, to convey tIeE orders.
lS h ha Commandments OF Regiments, R4t'alions ami
Companies, should be authorized 10 employ comueen,
musicians ior tle drill and muslers.
l4th Tha all officers seven wears service shoud
not be competed pc form military duty in ime OF peace
Cui should be kept enrolled for service in time OF war
ioh. That Volunteer Companies should appear iu uni
oIm' "nd 'ha' each separate corps OF Volunteers the
same denomination shocld have uniform dIf ring from
the oilers, but peculiar to itself
18Th. The moe Of rendering The resiyna i'm o( Co,o
mission aud the tune OF holding the same should he be,
Ter provided for 10y law
l7,h. Thai classification of the Militia i, inexoeJep,
Is Ia Finally, Whether the pl,n herein presented or
the genera oaunrs Ot any Other plan should be sop,ed
your Committee would earnestly recommend As OF rraat
ihpoitahce, that the ovention shou select Delegates
from their own body, TO p'epae the with all he de-
Ia Is Tor tie consideration aud adoption OF the l. isaur,
All OF which is respec fully submit. ted.
On motion OF oil. Watkins,
Resoired, That the report be considered clause by
clause.
Whereupon the several clauses wero considered and
adopted.
On motion OF Lieut., Col. Hyde the following addition
al clause was adopted.
THAT it is expedicn, 10 certain portions OF the mi
tia; and that adequate penalties be enacted Tor the vre
servation OF the arms"
On motion Of Col Watkins, the Convention adjourned
TO meet again at 4 o'clock this afternoon
December l3M-Ihe Committee met pursuant TO adj
journmcnt.
On motion of Col. Watkins
ReSOlued, That committee consisting of tlirteen be
appointed by the Convention, draft system of orpsn
and discipline Tor the militia i'm coniornitv viii ,
principles adopted by This Convention and to present the
same together with memorial TO the Legislature
On motions severay made, tie following Officers were
appointed the Committee:
Col. Joseph 5. Watkins, Infantry
1t Col Charles H. yde, Infantry
Capt Samuel Watts Light Infantry
Col. George NJ. Darlington, Infantry
Maj. Thomas j. Randolph, Cavalry
Captain Henry G.. Street. lnf1nry
Captain Thos b. Bigger, Light Infantry
Brigadier General John &. Crump.
Captain Miles King, Artillery
Col. Robert Wallace Artillery
Captain William w McCreery, Infantry
Col. Archibald Richie Infantry
On motion, the President added 10 the Committee
On motion OF Capt Magruder,
Resoued, That lie proceedings OF This Convention b
published in the different newspapers edited in the civ Of
Richmond, and that the Editors of newspapers throph
the State be requested TO copy the their respective
papers.
On motions severAlly made, it was unanimously
HeSoUed, That the thanks of this Convention be giyen
to the President Secretaries and several Commitiees for
the manner IN which they performed the duties assigned
them
On motion of Lieut.. Col Guerrant
Resolved, That this Convention do adjourn sine die
VIM. LAMBERT, Precedent