The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-08-21
Communications.
A PLAIN TALK ON POLITICAL MATTERS
NOTED DOWN BY PETER rLoUoHBoY
SEVENTH DAY.

NOTED DOWN BY PETER PLoUoHBoY.
SEVENTH DAY.
| Mr. Capias returns The Documenfs-His Opsnion'
| Capias have perused the documents yon were
good enough 10 lend me, Colonel, and now return
them.
| Col r.. You have found, presume, thai nave not
misstated a single fact from theml
| Capias You have stated nothing but what is borne
out by their testimony No honest minded man can
read this document in relation the defalcations OF
public officers, and not come 70 the CONCLUSION tnat
the public robbery which is here disclosed winked
al by the Secretary that he was seiaHy blind to
the populations th't going under his nose and
before his eyes.
/ Col R. Did you look at the Florida War transac-
tons
| Capas | did, and must say don't know which
looks most dark Both indicate degree OF imbecity
or corruption never dreamed Of
| The Standing Army Of 100000 Men.
Col r. There is another very important subject to
which wish to draw your attention, Mr.. Capias
the plan proposed by the Secretary Of War and
recommended by the President, Of organizing the
mitil of the United States 10 have Standing
Army of 200 600 men at all times under the command
of the President Have you examined this stupendous
scheme7
| Capias. must confess | have not, though have
heard much of it.
| Col r. If you have mind, will do it
| Capias. But you do no, consider this plan of Mr.
Poinsett as that OF MIR. Van BUREs, do you
Col r. Certainly. Mr.. Van Buren, recommended
it his last annual message and thus made it his own
Besides you know that while Jackson was President,
our doctrine that he responsible for all his
acts and measures of his Secretaries. That doctrine
you know, we advocated several occasions and
especially in the of the removal of Mr.. Duane
and in justification of that act.
Capas. True, did so; but let US look at this
plan and see what it is like.
/ Col R. II proposes to divide the United States into
Military Districts, and to organize tho militia in
each District 10 have body of - 500 men in
each District in acfre serrice and another of equal
numl or as a reserve.
" This would give armed militia force of 200 900
men, drilled and stationed to be ready to take
their places in the ranks in defence of their country
whenever called upon, and
That every the militia roll above the age
of 81 and under IS, shall provide himself al his
expense, with good musket, bore of capacity to
ceiye lead ball of Is in the pound; sufficient bayo
net and belt; two spare fints knapsacki cartridge
box to contain at least 81 cartridges suited to the bore
of his musket and each cartridge contain ball and
three buck shot and sufficient quantity of powder
with good rifle, knapsack, shot pouch and powder
horn or flask with sufficient powder and bali for "a
charges, and two spare fints and that he shall APP
pear so armed accoutrcd and provided, when called
out for exercise or into service"
Recoect that all this is TO be provided By every
man on the militia roll, al his otrn erpense
| Capias. That would be an intolerable burden and
one which large portion of those who would do mi
! litia duty, could not bear. Many f them have
the to purchase these and accoutrements,
which would each from twenty to forty dol
lars, without distressing their families
| Col r. The 10th section Of the plan proposes
That within - months after the adoption and
establishment of this system there shall be taken from
the of the militia, in each State, Territory and
District of the United States by draft or by voluntary
service such number between the ages of twentyone
and thirty -seyen years, that the whole may not
exceed 100000 men, and in the following proportions
for each State, Territory and District respectively to
wit Maine A 400 men, New Hampshire :, 400, Yer
mont Z, 400 Massachusetts & 600 Connecticut 500,
Rhode Island 500 New York $4,000, New jersey
800 Pennsylvania 10, 400 Delaware 800, Maryland
| 3 200 Virginia 5000, District of Columbia 100 North
Carolina 4 400, South Carolina 400 Georgia 500,
Florida 400 Alabama 1000, Mississippi 800 louisa
ma 600, Tennessee 4, 400 Arkansas 400 Missouri
400 Iowa 400 Kentucky 400, Illinois 300, In
diana 800 Ohio 5000 Michigan 500 and Wiscon-
400 men This force to constitute the second class,
/ and he uenOnlnatcd the dcttre OF WOFeaotc JoFce.
Here is to be "acti,e movable force of 100
600 men, an army sufficient at any time, in the hands
of an ambitious, popular, and sknl General to over
turn the liberties Of country and establish mo
narchy or despotism upon their ruins Remember too,
that this army OF 100000 is to be under the
mand of the President and subject 70 such regulations
as he may think proper 10 adopt.
i Capas. This is truly fearful power TO entrust
any man with in Republic But where do you find
| il proposed to be given
| Col R. In the 18th section, which is in the follow
ing words
"That the President Of the United States he au-
ihorixed TO call forth and assemble such numbers of
the actire force of militia at sHc places in their respec
tive Districts at such times not exceeding twice
$780, days in the year, as he may deem necessary; and
during such period including the time when going to
and returning from the place of rendezvous they shall
be deemed in the serrire Of the Uned States, and Be
subject 10 sueh regulations the President may tiak
proper 10 adopt for their instruction discipline and
| Improvement in military knowledge"
Here, you will observe, the power is proposed to be
given the President to call forth and assemble such
numbers Of the aetire force, namely, ONE HUN
DRIED THOUSAND MEN, at such places and al
such times HE may deem necessary and that this
immense force is To be subject such regulations
the President may hink proper 10 adopt. And in
another section the 2sth il IS provided that officers
and pn,ates shall be liable TO be tied by courts
| tioi,