Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-12-24

ARM ee ,vGa1neees Ce0poaiea.
Frequent calls having been mads upon HI Kxe.l-.
lency the Governor for arns Cor voluntesr Coapa.
mics, the following letter. addressed TO Nr Absr-
nethy, OF Lincolnton, is published for general infoe
nation. The reader will learn from the Govcsnofs
letter that the State has but small supply q anna
even Of the old-hshioned kind; and that our quota
tor the next year win not exceed four hundred and
twenty muskets, or two hundred rifles of the i'm
proved kind! In addition to this our militia system
is almost entirely inefficient II the dangers which
impend be real, does not the condition Of Affairs
which these facts disclose call for legislative acsions
The Governor Aas done and wiU DO all in his power
to organize the militia and nut the State in an st
tude Of defence; but an examination Of the militia
law, and the facts in relation to the want Of arms
contained in the Governors letter to Mr. Aberncshy.
will show that he is comparatively powcriesx We
repeat what We have said in another article in to
days paPer-and We do so, we beg leave to add.
without any intimation from or consultation with
His Excelency on the subcct-that if the people u
the State desire legislation Ros. let them signify
their wishes in primary meetings or in such mode
rs they may deem best.
EXECUTIVE OrNcI,l
Raleigh, Dec. Esd. 1858.
SR:-Your favor Of the 18th instant Is q, hand,
from which am pleased to learn that your neigh.
bors have resolved upon forming . volunteer con-
pany for the defence Of the State.
feel obliged to every gentleman. ~ doubt mn,
the public will, who interests himself in Organizing
military companies Of this character, a. our volun.
teer corps is almost the only species Of military
ganixatiOn now existing in the State The militia
system, established by law has become complete
ly protrated in many parts Of the State there srv
neither men enrolled, nor officers to whom orders
can be issued, nor do hope to he able TO give thi>
system any very useful vitality until additional leg
islation can be had upon the subject. The defects
OF the law are radical and until they arc amended
will not be possible to effect complete orsani1a.
ton Of our military forces.
regret exceedingly that it is out Of my power 10
comply with your request to lie furnished with the
moaern improved rifle. There is not one gun ol
this description at my disposal Fifteen hundred
flint and steel rifles and two thousand Hint
and steel mnskcts, together with small number o
pistols and cannon, the only fire arms to IL
found in our armories. and these. for all practical
purposes, may I've considered rs almost useless
With such weapons our troops could not face thoss
| armed with the modern rifle.
| In consequence Of this deficiency and the larg,
demand for arms by the volunteer companies recent
ly formed, all Of whom desire the modern rifle.
maue fequiSltlon upon the Secretary OF war to'
| two thousand long range rifles. have not yet re
ceived from him reply to my letter. ~ had ira
son to expect, but learn through one os our Scna
tors that the Secretary will not furnish us will
| these arms.
There will due the State. carly in the coming year
four hundred and twenty m',Skcts only. II rrceis
our quota in rifles, as expect to do. would M
get more than two hundred. The rifle bcing nor
costly than the muSkct.-and this number woal
not furnish more than oneiith part of our volun
teers who are nov without arms of any kind
This SIR is the condition IL the State with rrfcs
ence to arms for our defence, and have powc
| by Law to improve It.
l would suggest that all volunteer companies n
ccpt such arms We have. rs they would answc
the ordinary purposes "f drill
] rrinain yours.
Very respectfully.
JOHN W. ELLIS.
H. W. AssxxErHy, ESQ.
Lincolnton, y. Z.