The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-02
nation Of ireemen are no, TO be injured with

"The Thebans were indebted for their Veto
ries over the then unconquered Spartans, as
much 10 some new manGuyres which had been
introduced into their tactics. and which they
had praetsed with unwearied assiduiiy, as 10
the abilities OF their Generals, Epamnondas
and Pelopdas. That unexpected and rapid
movement, which decided the battle OF Leuctra,
could never have been executed in the face Of
such an enemy if il had mol been familiar 10
them from long previous practice; and AZ Man
tinea, although their operations We're directed
by perfect master Of the art OF war who did
every thing that depended ON him, by putting
the wing Of the enemy, composed OF Athenians,
ia he air, and bringing his Thebans To act hand
in hand with the Spartans, the event still de-
pended upon superior valor OF superior disci-
pine Valor was no more predominant with
the Thebans than with the Spartan infantry,
and their evolulions Were rs well understood by
the soldier as The General; but ,he superior
compactness Of the military wedge, composed OF
the proverbally stupid BGlians, the scosn Of
Greece, which practice had enabled them 10
preserve, trumphed over the defendants OF
Leonidas and the pupils of Agesilaus."
-f1vt her misi,ia be. dsei pl.aed, and the indie
pcndence OF America would BE- preserved
against world united. The loss Of her capital
and successive defeats might distress, but would
not ruin her: as long as she had men enough to
Greece Gas long as Greece was tree,) every man
was a soldier. Hence it happened that those
small republics could be conquered only by ex-
tirpation. In the disastrous Scilan expedition,
third OF the citizens of Athens perished and
yet she survived 10 reap new lacrels, whilst the
proud empire of Carthage was humbled in the
dust by a single defeat The immortal victories
of Marathon, Saamis, and Platea. were achey-
ed by disciplined militia; and the Roman e-
gons, which conquered the world, were nothing
more. Among those hardy republicans, nothing
could be more disgraceful than 10 be thought
ignorant Of the tactics then in practice, or to be
unable to manage with skill and dcxterity, The
spear and the shield"
BRITISH INDIAN MAssAcREs.
Letter TO Gen. Vincent, Sd March, 1913.
Will the Indians who still adhere 10 the
cause Of his Britannia Majesty, be suffered TO
continue that horrible species of warfare which
they have hitherto practised against our troops,
and those still more horrible depredatons upon
the peaccable inhabitants of our frontiers?
have sufficient evidence to show that even the
latter have not always been perpetrated by small
parties of vagfent Indians, acting at n distance
from the British army. Some Of the most
atrocious instances have occurred under the eyes
of the British commander and the head of the
Indian Department"
. To relaliate then upon the subjects OF the
king would have been justiiiable by the laws OF
war and usagcs of the most civilized natlons.-
To do so has been amply in my power The
tide of fortune has changed in our favor, and an
extensive and hourishing province opened to
our arms. Nor have the instruments OF ven
geance been wanting. The savages who sued
10 US for mercy would gladly have shown their
claims To IL by re-acting upon the Thames the
bloody scenes of Sandusky and Cold Creek
A single sign of appreciation would have been
sufficient to pour upon the subjects OF the king
their whole fury the future conduct Of the
British officers will determine the correctness Of
mine in Withholding it, II the savages should
again be let loose upon settlements, shall
with Justice be accused OF having sacrificed the
interests and honor Of my country, and the lives
Of our fellow-citizens to feelings OF false and
mistaken humanity. You are soldier sir, and
as sincerely believe, possess all the honorable
sentiments which ought always TO be found in
men who follow the profession OF arms Use,
then, | pray you, your authority and influence
TO stop that dreadful efliusion Of innocent blood,
which proceeds from the employment OF those
savage monsters. whose aid Gas must be disco
vered) is so little to be depended on when it is
most wanted, and which can h:.ve 50 trifiing an
effect upon the issue of the war. The effect OF
their barbarities will not be confined TO the pre-
sent generation. Ages yet to come will feel the
deep-rootcd hatred and ennity which they must
produce between the two nations.
81 deprecate most sincerely the dreadful al
ttrnative which will be offered to me should
they be continued but solemnly declare. that
if the Indians that remain under the influence
of the Britt ia Government are suffered 10 COM
nit any dcpredations upon the citizens within
the district that is committed 10 my protection,
will remove the restrictions which have
hitherto been imposed upon those who have
offered their services 10 the United States, and
direct them 10 carry on the war IN their own
way. ! have never heard single excuse Tor
The employment Of savages by our Government,
unless we can credit the story OF some British
officer having dared To assert that as we en-
ployed the Kentuckians, you had a right 10
make use Of the Indians II such injurious
sentiments have really prevailed to the preju-
dice of n brave. wcll-intormed and vlrtuous pco-
pie, il will be removed by the representations Of
Your officers who We're lately taken upon the
Thames. They viii inform you, sir, that SO
far from offering any violence TO the persons OF
their prisoners these sdrages would not permit
n word to escape them which was calculated TO
wound or insult their feelings and this, too, with
the sufleimgs Of their friends and relatives at
the river Rasin and Miami iie ii upon their re-
collection
MILITIA DEfENCE or THE UNITED STATES.
Report on the Militia in Congress, l7th
January, 1917.
The socitude which has been manifested by
the great men who have successfully filed the
office of Chief Magistrate of the United States,
for the adoption Of system of military dsci-
pine for the militia
sufficiently maniiests their sense Of is impor-
lance. The subject was often and warmly re-
commended by The Father of hi; country; and,
at an early period Of his Administration, plan
lor ne purpose was proposed by the Secretary
OF War; and, being corrected agrceably TO his
suggestions, was submitted To the National Lee
gslature Il Is believed that objection to the