cident as design. The local situation of the country, the spirit of the Government, the character of the nation, and, in many instances, the character of the prince, have all had their influence in settling the found ation and discipline of their respective troops, and render it impossible that we should take either as a model. The legion alone has not been adopted by any; and yet I am confident in asserting, that, whether it be examined as applicable to all countries, or as it may immediately apply to the existing or probable necessity of this, it will be found strikingly superior to any other:

"Ist. Being a complete and little army of itself, it is ready to begin its operations on the shortest notice, or slightest alarm.

2d. Having all the component parts of the largest army of any possible description, it is prepared to meet every species of war that may present itself; and,

"3d. As in every case of detachment, the first constitutional principlewill be preserved, and the embarrassments of draughting and detail, which, in armies differently framed, too often distract the commanding officer, will be avoided."

It may easily suggest itself from this sketch, that, in forming a legion, the most difficult task is to determine the necessary proportion of each species of soldiers which is to compose it.

This must obviously depend upon what will be the theatre, and what the style of the war. On the plains of Poland, whole brigades of cavalry would be necessary against every enemy; but in the forests and among the hills of America, a single regiment would be more than sufficient. against any. And as there are but two kinds of war to which we are much exposed, viz: an attack from the sea side by a European Power, aided by our sworn enemies settled on our extreme left, and an invasion of our back settlements by an Indian enemy, it follows, of course, that musketeers and light infantry should make the greatest part of our army. The institution of the section is intended to interest the patriotism and pride of every individual in the militia; to support the legal measures of a free Government; to render every man active in the public cause, by introducing the spirit of emulation, and a degree of personal responsi-bility.

The common mode of recruiting is attended with too great destruction. of morals to be tolerated, and is too uncertain to be the principal resource of a wise nation in time of danger. The public faith is frequently wounded by unworthy individuals, who hold out delusive promises which can never be realized. By such means, an unprincipled banditti are often collected for the purpose of defending every thing that should be dear to freemen. The consequences are natural; such men either desert in time of danger, or are ever ready, on the slightest disgust, to turn their arms against their country.

By the establishment of the sections, an ample and permanent source is opened, whence the state, in every exigence, may be supplied with men whose all depends upon the prosperity of their country.

In cases of necessity, an army may be formed of citizens, whose previos knowledge of discipline will enable it to proceed to an immediate accomplishment of the designs of the state, instead of exhausting the public resources by wasting whole years in preparing to face the enemy.

encampments, as well as the discipline acquired therein, will be an excellent preparation for war.

The artillery and its numerous appendages, arms, and accoutrements of every kind, and all species of ammunition, ought to be manufactured within the United States. It is of high importance that the present period should be embraced to establish adequate institutions to produce the necessary apparatus of war.

It is unworthy the dignity of a rising and free empire to depend on foreign and fortuitous supplies of the essential means of defence.

The clothing for the troops could, with ease, be manufactured within the United States, and the establishment in that respect would tend to the encouragement of important manufactories.

The disbursements made in each State for the rations, forage, and other necessary articles for the annual camps of discipline, would most beneficially circulate the money arising from the public revenue.

The local circumstances of the United States, their numerous seaports, and the protection of their commerce, require a naval armament. Hence the necessity of the proposed plan, embracing the idea of the States obtaining men on republican principles, for the marine as well as the land service. But one may be accomplished with much greater facility than the other, as the preparation of a soldier for the field requires a degree of discipline which cannot be learned without much time and labor; whereas, the common course of sea service on board of merchant vessels differs but little from the service required on board of armed ships; therefore, the education for war, in this respect, will be obtained without any expense to the state. All that seems to be requisite on the head of marine service is, that an efficient regulation should be established in the respective States to register all actual seamen, and to render those of a certain age amenable to the public for personal service, if demanded within a given period.

The constitutions of the respective States, and of the United States, having directed the modes in which the officers of the militia shall be appointed, no alteration can be made therein. Although it may be supposed that some modes of appointment are better calculated than others to inspire the highest propriety of conduct, yet there are none so defective as to serve as a sufficient reason for rejecting an efficient system for the militia. It is certain that the choice of officers is the point on which the reputation and importance of a corps must depend. Therefore, every person who may be concerned in the appointment should consider himself as responsible to his country for a proper choice.

The wisdom of the States will be manifested by inducing those citizens of whom the late American army was composed to accept of appointments in the militia. The high degree of military knowledge which they possess was acquired at too great a price, and is too precious, to be buried in oblivion; it ought to be cherished, and rendered permanently beneficial to the community.

The vigor and importance of the proposed plan will entirely depend on the laws relative thereto; unless the laws shall be equal to the object, and rigidly enforced, no energetic national militia can be established.

If wealth be admitted as a principle of exemption, the plan cannot be executed. It is the wisdom of political establishments to make the wealth

of individuals subservient to the general good, and not to suffer it to cor. rupt or attain undue indulgence.

It is conceded, that people, solicitous to be exonerated from their proportion of public duty, may exclaim against the proposed arrangement as an intolerable hardship. But it ought to be strongly impressed, that while society has its charms, it also has its indispensable obligations. That to attempt such a degree of refinement as to exonerate the members of the community from all personal service, is to render them incapable of the exercise, and unworthy of the characters of freemen.

Every state possesses not only the right of personal service from its members, but the right to regulate the service on principles of equality for the general defence. All being bound, none can complain of injustice, on being obliged to perform his equal proportion. Therefore, it ought to be a permanent rule, that those who in youth decline or refuse to subject. themselves to the course of military education established by the laws, should be considered as unworthy of public trust or public honors, and be excluded therefrom accordingly.

If the majesty of the laws should be preserved inviolate in this respect, the operations of the proposed plan would foster a glorious public spirit, infuse the principles of energy and stability in the body politic, and give a high degree of political splendor to the national character.

AN ACT more effectually to provide for the national defence, by establishing an uniform militia throughout the United States.

And it.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That each and every free ablebodied white male citizen of the respective States, resident therein, who is or shall be of the age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years (except as is hereinafter excepted), shall, severally and respectively, be enrolled in the militia by the captain or commanding officer of the company, within whose bounds such citizen shall reside, and that within twelve months after the passing of this act. shall, at all times hereafter, be the duty of every such captain or commanding officer of a company, to enrol every such citizen, as aforesaid, and also those who shall, from time to time, arrive at the age of eighteen years, or, being of the age of eighteen years and under the age of fortyfive years (except as before excepted), shall come to reside within his bounds; and shall, without delay, notify such citizen of the said enrolment, by a proper non-commissioned officer of the company, by whom such notice may be proved. That every citizen so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a knapsack, a pouch, with a box therein to contain not less than twenty-four cartridges, suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball: or, with a good rifle, knapsack, shotpouch, and powderhorn, twenty balls, suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder; and shall appear, so armed, accoutred, and provided, when called out to exercise, or into serVice; except, that when called out on company days to exercise only, he Lay appear without a knapsack. That the commissioned officers shall,

severally, be armed with a sword or hanger, and espontoon; and that, from and after five years from the passing of this act, all muskets for arming the militia, as herein required, shall be of bores sufficient for balls of the eighteenth part of a pound. And every citizen so enrolled, and providing himself with the arms, ammunition, and accoutrements, required as aforesaid, shall hold the same exempted from all suits, distresses, executions, or sales, for debt or for the payment of taxes.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the Vice President of the United States; the officers, judicial and executive, of the Government of the United States; the members of both Houses of Congress, and their respective officers; all custom-house officers, with their clerks; all post officers and stagedrivers who are employed in the care and conveyance of the mail of the post office of the United States; all ferrymen employed at any ferry on the post road; all inspectors of exports; all pilots; all mariners, actually employed in the sea service of any citizen or merchant within the United States; and all persons who now are, or may hereafter be, exempted by the laws of the respective States, shall be, and are hereby, exempted from militia duty, notwithstanding their being above the age of eighteen, and under the age of forty-five years.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That within one year after the passing of this act, the militia of the respective States shall be arranged into divisions, brigades, regiments, battalions, and companies, as the legislature of each State shall direct; and each division, brigade and regiment, shall be numbered at the formation thereof; and a record made of such numbers in the adjutant general's office in the State; and when in the field, or in service in the State, each division, brigade, and regiment shall, respectively, take rank according to their numbers, reckoning the first or lowest number highest in rank. That, if the same be convenient, each brigade shall consist of four regiments; each regiment of two battalions; each battalion of five companies; each company of sixty-four privates. That the said militia shall be officered by the respective States, as follows: To each division, one major general and two aids-de-camp, with the rank of major; to each brigade, one brigadier general, with one brigade inspector, to serve also as brigade major, with the rank of a major; to each regiment, one lieutenant colonel commandant; and to each battalion one major; to each company one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, and one fifer or bugler. That there shall be a regimental staff, to consist of one adjutant and one quartermaster, to rank as lieutenants; one paymaster; one surgeon, and one surgeon's mate; one sergeant major; one drum major, and one fife major.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That out of the militia enrolled, as is herein directed, there shall be formed, for each battalion, at least one company of grenadiers, light infantry, or riflemen; and that, to each division, there shall be at least one company of artillery, and one troop of horse; there shall be to each company of artillery, one captain, two lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, six gunners, six bombardiers, one drummer, and one fifer. The officers to be armed with a sword, or hanger, a fusee, bayonet and belt, with a cartridge-box, to contain twelve cartridges; and each private, or matross, shall furnish himself with all the equipments of a private in the infantry, until proper ordnance and field artillery is provided. There shall be, to each troop of horse, one

captain, two lieutenants, one cornet, four sergeants, four corporals, one saddler, one farrier, and one trumpeter. The commissioned officers to furnish themselves with good horses, of at least fourteen hands and an half high, and to be armed with a sword, and pair of pistols, the holsters of which to be covered with bearskin caps. Each dragoon to furnish himself with a serviceable horse, at least fourteen hands and an half high, a good saddle, bridle, mail-pillion, and valise, holsters, and a breastplate and crupper, a pair of boots and spurs, a pair of pistols, a sabre, and a cartouch-box, to contain twelve cartridges for pistols. That each company of artillery and troop of horse shall be formed of volunteers from the brigade, at the discretion of the commander-in-chief of the State, not exceeding one company of each to a regiment, nor more in number than one-eleventh part of the infantry, and shall be uniformly clothed in regimentals, to be furnished at their own expense; the color and fashion to be determined by the brigadier commanding the brigade to which they belong.

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That each battalion and regiment shall be provided with the State and regimental colors, by the field officers, and each company with a drum and fife, or buglehorn, by the commissioned officers of the company, in such manner as the legislature of the respective States shall direct.

SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That there shall be an adjutant general appointed in each State, whose duty it shall be to distribute all orders from the commander-in-chief of the State to the several corps; to attend all public reviews, when the commander-in-chief of the State shall review the militia, or any part thereof; to obey all orders from him, relative to carrying into execution and perfecting the system of military discipline established by this act; to furnish blank forms of different returns, that may be required, and to explain the principles on which they should be made; to receive from the several officers of the different corps, throughout the State, returns of the militia under their command, reporting the actual situation of their arms, accoutrements, and ammunition, their delinquencies, and every other thing which relates to the general advancement of good order and discipline: all which, the several officers of the divisions, brigades, regiments, and battalions, are hereby required to make, in the usual manner, so that the said adjutant general may be duly furnished therewith; from all which returns he shall make proper abstracts, and lay the same annually before the commander-inchief of the State.

Sec. 7. And be it further enacted. That the rules of discipline, approved and established by Congress, in their resolution of the twentyninth of March, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, shall be the rules of discipline to be observed by the militia throughout the United States; except such deviations from the said rules as may be rendered necessary by the requisitions of this act, or by some other unavoidable circumstances. It shall be the duty of the commanding officer, at every muster, whether by battalion, regiment, or single company, to cause the. militia to be exercised and trained agreeably to the said rules of discipline.

SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That all commissioned officers shall take rank according to the date of their commissions; and when two of