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It's not about guns...
It's about citizenship
The Potowmack Institute
[BOTTOM]
[HOMEPAGE].
[NRA v. Reno (July, 2000)]
[US v. Emerson PAGE]
[Printz and Mack PAGE]
[US v. Lopez PAGE]
[ARCHIVE]. Potowmack
Institute Files
[RESOURCES].
Newspaper, magazine, journal articles, books, links
[PotowmackForum], Interactive Posting
Other historical resources are provided at:
John Kenneth Rowland,
.../1197row.html, previously
unpublished PhD dissertation, Ohio State, 1978.
John Kenneth Rowland,
Appendix A, US v. Emerson,
Lawrence Cress,
"An Armed Community: The
Origins and the Meaning of the Right to Bear Arms,"
J. Am. Hist., 1984.
Leon Friedman, Conscription and the Constitution,Mich. L. Rev., 1969.
Don Higginbotham, The Second Amendment in Historical Context,Constitutional Commentary, October, 1999.
See our Resources File for more.
See also:
Henry Knox, 1786,
"A Plan for the General Arrangement of the Militia of the United States".
Henry Knox, George Washington, 1790,
"Organization of the Militia,". Plan submitted to Congress, January, 1790.
SENTIMENTS ON A PEACE ESTABLISHMENT, 1783
George Washington
Washingon's thoughts on military and militia organization make clear that the militia was a form of military organization. Deference to the sentiments of the time on the dangers of a standing army are expressed, but there is no implication that the militia was somehow built on a "personal right" to be armed outside of lawful authority. It is clear from Washington's recommendation that the understanding was that militia duty was conscript duty. Washington wants to make it "universally reputable to bear arms and disgraceful to decline." In context, to "bear arms," used only once here, had a military meaning.
bold added
italic in original
A Peace Establishment for the United States of America
may in my opinion be classed under four different
heads Vizt:
First. A regular and standing force, for Garrisoning
West Point and such other Posts upon our Northern,
Western, and Southern Frontiers, as shall be deemed
necessary to awe the Indians, protect our Trade,
prevent the encroachment of our Neighbours of Canada
and the Floridas, and guard us at least from
surprizes; Also for security of our Magazines.
Secondly. A well organized Militia; upon a Plan that
will pervade all the States, and introduce similarity
in their Establishment Maneuvres, Exercise and Arms.
Thirdly. Establishing Arsenals of all kinds of
Military Stores.
Fourthly. Accademies, one or more for
the Instruction of the Art Military; particularly
those Branches of it which respect Engineering and
Artillery, which are highly essential, and the
knowledge of which, is most difficult to obtain. Also
Manufactories of some kinds of Military Stores.
Upon each of these, and in the order in which they
stand, I shall give my sentiments as concisely as I
can, and with that freedom which the Committee have
authorized.
Altho' a large standing Army in time of Peace hath
ever been considered dangerous to the liberties of a
Country, yet a few Troops, under certain
circumstances, are not only safe, but indispensably
necessary. Fortunately for us our relative situation
requires but few. The same circumstances which so
effectually retarded, and in the end conspired to
defeat the attempts of Britain to subdue us, will now
powerfully tend to render us secure. Our distance from
the European States in a great degree frees us of
apprehension, from their numerous regular forces and
the Insults and dangers which are to be dreaded from
their Ambition.
But, if our danger from those powers was more
imminent, yet we are too poor to maintain a standing
Army adequate to our defence, and was our Country more
populous and rich, still it could not be done without
great oppression of the people. Besides, as soon as we
are able to raise funds more than adequate to the
discharge of the Debts incurred by the Revolution, it
may become a Question worthy of consideration, whether
the surplus should not be applied in preparations for
building and equipping a Navy, without which, in case
of Ware could neither protect our Commerce, nor yield
that Assistance to each other, which, on such an
extent of Sea-Coast, our mutual Safety would require.
Fortifications on the Sea Board may be considered in
two points of view, first as part of the general
defence, and next, as securities to Dock Yards, and
Arsenals for Ship Building, neither of which shall I
take into this plan; because the first would be
difficult, if not, under our circumstances,
impracticable; at any rate amazingly expensive. The
other, because it is a matter out of my line, and to
which I am by no means competent, as it requires a
consideration of many circumstances, to which I have
never paid attention.
The Troops requisite for the Post of West Point, for
the Magazines, and for our Northern, Western and
Southern Frontiers, ought, in my opinion, to amount to
2631 Officers of all denominations included; besides
the Corps of Invalids. If this number should be
thought large, I would only observe; that the British
Force in Canada is now powerful, and, by report, will
be increased; that the frontier is very extensive;
that the Tribes of Indians within our Territory are
numerous, soured and jealous; that Communications must
be established with the exterior Posts; And, that it
may be policy and economy, to appear respectable in
the Eyes of the Indians, at the Commencement of our
National Intercourse and Traffic with them. In a word,
that it is better to reduce our force hereafter, by
degrees, than to have it to increase after some
unfortunate disasters may have happened to the
Garrisons; discouraging to us, and an inducement to
the Enemy to attempt a repetition of them.
Besides these Considerations, we are not to forget,
that altho' by the Treaty, half the Waters, and the
free Navigation of the Lakes appertain to us, yet, in
Case of a rupture with Great Britain we should in all
probability, find little benefits from the
Communications with our upper Posts, by the Lakes Erie
and Ontario; as it is to be presumed, that the Naval
superiority which they now have on those Waters, will
be maintained. It follows as a Consequence then, that
we should open new or improve the present half
explored Communications with Detroit and other Posts
on the Lakes, by the Waters of the Susquehannah
Potowmack or James River, to the Ohio, from whence,
with short Portages several Communications by Water
may be opened with Lake Erie. To do which, posts
should be established at the most convenient places on
the Ohio. This would open several doors for the supply
of the Garrisons on the Lakes; and is absolutely
necessary for such others as may be tho' advisable to
establish upon the Mississippi. The Ohio affording the
easiest, as well as the safest Route to the Illinois
settlements, and the whole Country below on the
Mississippi, quite to our Southern boundary.
To protect the Peltry and Fur Trade, to keep a watch
upon our Neighbours, and to prevent their encroaching
upon our Territory undiscovered, are all the purposes
that can be answered by an extension of our Posts, at
this time, beyond Detroit, to the Northward or
Westward: but, a strong Post on the Scioto, at the
carrying place between it and the River Sandusky,
which empties into Lake Erie, mentioned in Hutchins's
Description of that Country Page, and more plainly
pointed out by Evans's Map, is indispensably necessary
for the security of the present Settlers, and such as
probably, will immediately settle within those Limits.
And by giving security to the Country and covering its
Inhabitants, will enable them to furnish supplies to
the Garrisons Westward and Northward of these
settlements, upon moderate and easy Terms.
The 2,631 Men beforementioned, I would have considered
to all Intents and purposes as Continental Troops;
looking up to Congress for their Orders, their pay,
and supplies of every kind. The Infantry of which,
being 1908 and, composing four Regiments may be thrown
into the following disposition.
Establishment and Dispostion of four Regts. of Infantry 1908 Men including Officers
[chart omitted]
Not having that particular knowledge of the situation
of the Southern and Western Boundaries of the
Carolinas and Georgia, which is necessary to decide on
the Posts to be established in that District, the
allotment of only one Regiment thereto, may be judged
inadequate; should that be the case, a greater force
may be established and a sufficient allowance made
them.
The above establishment differs from our present one,
in the following instances Vizt: The exclusion of the
light Company and reducing a sergeant and 18 Privates
from each of the Battalion Companies, and giving a
Chaplain to each Regiment instead of a Brigade. If it
should be asked why the Reduction of Non Commisd.
Officers and Privates is made, while the Commissioned
Officers remain the same? It may be answered, that the
number of Men which compose the Infantry, will be
sufficient for my Calculation, and that the situation
of our Frontiers renders it convenient to divide them
into so many Corps as have been mentioned, for the
ease and propriety of Command. I may also say, that in
my Opinion, the number of our Commissioned Officers,
has always been disproportionate to the Men. And that
in the detached State in which these Regiments must be
employed, they cannot consistently with the good of
Service be reduced.
It may also be observed, that in case of War and a
necessity of assembling their Regiments in the Field,
nothing more will be necessary, than to recruit i8 Men
to each Compy. and give the Regiment its flank
Company. Or if we should have occasion to add strength
to the Garrisons, or increase the number of our Posts,
we may augment 900 Men including Serjeants, without
requiring more than the Officers of 4 Companies, or
exceeding our present Establishment. In short, it will
give us a Number of Officers well skilled in the
Theory and Art of War, who will be ready on any
occasion, to mix and diffuse their knowledge of
Discipline to other Corps, without that lapse of Time,
which, without such Provision, would be necessary to
bring intire new Corps acquainted with the principles
of it.
Besides the 4 Regiments of Infantry, one of Artillery
will be indispensably necessary. The Invalid Corps
should also be retained. Motives of humanity, Policy
and justice will all combine to prevent their being
disbanded. The numbers of the last will, from the
nature of their composition, be fluctuating and
uncertain. The establishment of the former will be as
follows, Vizt:
Establishment for one Regiment of Artillery.
[chart omitted]
To this Regiment of Artillery should be annexed 50 or
60 Artificers, of the various kinds which will be
necessary, who may be distributed in equal numbers
into the different Companies and being part of the
Regiment, will be under the direction and Command of
the Commanding Officer, to be disposed into different
services as Circumstances shall require. By thus
blending Artificers with Artillery, the expence of
Additional Officers will be saved; and they will
Answer all the purposes which are to be
expected from them, as well as if formed into a
distinct Corps.
The Regiment of Artillery, with the Artificers, will
furnish all the Posts in which Artillery is placed, in
proportionate numbers to the Strength and importance
of them. The residue, with the Corps of Invalids, will
furnish Guards for the Magazines, and Garrison West
Point. The importance of this last mentioned Post, is
so great, as justly to have been considered, the key
of America; It has been so pre-eminently advantageous
to the defence of the United States, and is still so
necessary in that view, as well as for the
preservation of the Union, that the loss of it might
be productive of the most ruinous Consequences. A
Naval superiority at Sea and on Lake Champlain,
connected by a Chain of Posts on the Hudson River,
would effect an entire separation of the States on
each side, and render it difficult, if not
impracticable for them to co-operate.
Altho' the total of the Troops herein enumerated does
not amount to a large number, yet when we consider
their detached situation, and the extent of Country
they are spread over: the variety of objects that are
to be attended to, and the close inspection that will
be necessary to prevent abuses or to correct them
before they become habitual; not less than two General
Officers in my opinion will be competent to the Duties
to be required of them. They will take their
Instructions from the Secretary at War, or Person
acting at the Head of the Military Department, who
will also assign them their respective and distinct
Districts. Each should twice a Year visit the Posts of
his particular District, and notice the Condition they
are in, Inspect the Troops, their discipline and
Police, Examine into their Wants, and see that strict
justice is rendered them and to the Public, they
should also direct the Colonels, at what intermediate
Times they shall perform the like duties at the Posts
occupied by the Detachments of their respective
Regiments. The visiting General ought frequently, if
not always, to be accompanied by a Skillful Engineer,
who should point out such alterations and improvements
as he may think necessary from time to time, for the
defence of any of the Posts; which, if approved by the
General, should be ordered to be carried into
execution.
Each Colonel should be responsible for the
Administration of his Regiment; and when present,
being Commanding Officer of any Post, which is
occupied by a Detachment from his Regt., he may give
such directions as he may think proper, not
inconsistent with the Orders of his Superior Officer,
under whose general superintendence the Troops are. He
will carefully exact Monthly Returns from all
detachments of his Regiment; and be prepared to make a
faithful report of all occurrences, when called upon
by the General Officer in whose Department he may be
placed and whose instructions he is at all times to
receive and obey. These Returns and Reports, drawn
into a General one, are to be transmitted to the
Secretary at War, by the visiting General, with the
detail of his own proceedings, remarks and Orders.
The three Years Men now in service will furnish the
proposed Establishment, and from these, it is
presumed, the Corps must in the first Instance be
composed. But as the pay of an American Soldier is
much greater than any other we are acquainted with;
and as there can be little doubt of our being able to
obtain them in time of Peace, upon as good Terms as
other Nations, I would suggest the propriety of
inlisting those who may come after the present three
years Men, upon Terms of similarity with those of the
British, or any other the most liberal Nations.
When the Soldiers for the War have frolicked a while
among their friends, and find they must have recourse
to hard labour for a livelyhood, I am persuaded
numbers of them will reinlist upon almost any Terms.
Whatever may be adopted with respect to Pay, Clothing
and Emoluments, they should be clearly and
unequivocally expressed and promulgated, that there
may be no deception or mistake. Discontent, Desertion
and frequently Mutiny, are the natural consequences of
these; andit is not more difficult to know how to
punish, than to prevent these inconveniencies, when it
is known, that there has been delusion on the part of
the Recruiting Officer, or a breach of Compact on the
part of the public. The pay of the Battalion Officers
is full low, but those of the Chaplain, Surgeon and
Mate are too high; and a proper difference should be
made between the Non-Commissioned Officers (serjeants
particularly) and Privates, to give them that pride
and consequence which is necessary to Command.
At, or before the Time of discharging the Soldiers for
the War, the Officers of the Army may signify their
wishes either to retire, upon the Half pay, or to
continue in the service; from among those who make the
latter choice, the number wanted for a Peace
Establishment may be selected; and it were to be
wished, that they might be so blended together from
the Several Lines, as to remove, as much as possible,
all Ideas of State distinctions.
No Forage should be allowed in time of Peace to Troops
in Garrison, nor in any circumstances, but when
actually on a March.
Soldiers should not be
inlisted for less than three Years, to commence from
the date of their attestations; and the more
difference there is in the commencement of their terms
of Service, the better; this Circumstance will be the
means of avoiding the danger and inconvenience of
entrusting any important Posts to raw Recruits
unacquainted with service.
Rum should compose no part of a Soldier's Ration; but
Vinegar in large quantities should be issued. Flour or
Bread, and a stipulated quantity of the different
kinds of fresh or Salted Meat, with Salt, when the
former is Issued, is all that should be contracted
for.
Vegetables they can, and ought to be compelled to
raise. If spruce, or any other kind of small Beer,
could be provided, it ought to be given gratis, but
not made part of the Compact with them. It might be
provided also, that they should receive one or two
days fish in a Week, when to be had; this would be a
saving to the public, (the Lakes and most of the
Waters of the Ohio and Mississippi abounding with
Fish) and would be no disservice to the Soldier.
A proper recruiting fund should be established; from
which the Regiment may always be kept complete.
The Garrisons should be changed as often as it can be
done with convenience; long continuance in the same
place is injurious. Acquaintances are made,
Connections formed, and habits acquired, which often
prove very detrimental to the service. By this means,
public duty is made to yield to interested pursuits,
and real abuses are the Result. To avoid these Evils,
I would propose, that there should be a change made in
every Regiment once a Year, and one Regiment with
another every two Years.
An Ordinance for the service of Troops in Garrison,
should be annexed to our present Regulations for the
order and discipline of the Army. The latter should be
revised, corrected and enlarged so as to form a Basis
of Discipline under all circumstances for Continental
Troops, and, as far as they will apply, to the Militia
also: that one uniform system may pervade all the
States.
As a peace establishment may be considered as a change
in, if not the Commencement of our Military system, it
will be the proper time, to introduce new and
beneficial regulations, and to expunge all customs,
which from experience have been found unproductive of
general good. Among the latter I would ask, if
promotion by Seniority is not one? That it is a good
general rule admits of no doubt, but that it should be
an invariable one, is in my opinion wrong. It cools,
if it does not destroy, the incentives to Military
Pride and Heroic Actions. On the one hand, the
sluggard, who keeps within the verge of his duty, has
nothing to fear. On the other hand, the enterprising
Spirit has nothing to expect. Whereas, if promotion
was the sure reward of Merit, all would contend for
Rank and the service would be benefited by their
Struggles for Promotion. In establishing a mode by
which this is to be done, and from which nothing is to
be expected, or apprehended, either from favour or
prejudice, lies the difficulty. Perhaps, reserving to
Congress the right inherent in Sovereignties, of
making all Promotions. A Board of superior Officers,
appointed to receive and examine the claims to
promotions out of common course, of any Officer,
whether founded on particular merit, or extra service,
and to report their opinion thereon to Congress; might
prove a likely means of doing justice. It would
certainly give a Spur to Emulation, without
endangering the rights, or just pretentions of the
Officers.
Before I close my observations under this head, of a
regular force, and the Establishment of Posts, it is
necessary for me to observe, that, in fixing a Post at
the North End of Lake Champlain I had three things in
view. The Absolute Command of the entrance into the
Lake from Canada. A cover to the Settlements on the
New Hampshire Grants and the prevention of any illicit
intercourse thro' that Channel. But, if it is known,
or should be found, that the 45th Degree crosses the
Lake South of any spot which will command the entrance
into it, the primary object fails; And it then becomes
a question whether any place beyond Ticonderoga or
Crown Point is eligible.
Altho' it may be somewhat foreign to, and yet not
altogether unconnected with the present subject, I
must beg leave, from the importance of the object, as
it appears to my mind, and for the advantages which I
think would result from it to the United States, to
hint, the propriety of Congress taking some early
steps, by a liberal treatment, to gain the affections
of the French settlements of Detroit, those of the
Illinois and other back Countries. Such a measure
would not only hold out great encouragement to the
Inhabitants already on those lands, who will doubtless
make very useful and valuable subjects of the United
States; but would probably make deep and conciliatory
impressions on their friends in the British
settlements, and prove a means of drawing thither
great numbers of Canadian Emigrants, who, under proper
Regulations and establishments of Civil Government,
would make a hardy and industruous race of Settlers on
that Frontier; and who, by forming a barrier against
the Indians, would give great security to the Infant
settlement, which, soon after the close of the War,
will probably be forming in the back Country.
I come next in the order I have prescribed myself, to
treat of the Arrangements necessary for placing the
Militia of the Continent on a respectable footing for
the defence of the Empire and in speaking of this
great Bulwark of our Liberties and independence, I
shall claim the indulgence of suggesting whatever
general observations may occur from experience and
reflection with the greater freedoms from a conviction
of the importance of the subject; being persuaded,
that the immediate safety and future tranquility of
this extensive Continent depend in a great measure
upon the peace Establishment now in contemplation; and
being convinced at the same time, that the only
probable means of preventing insult or hostility for
any length of time and from being exempted from the
consequent calamities of War, is to put the National
Militia in such a condition as that they may appear
truly respectable in the Eyes of our Friends and
formidable to those who would otherwise become our
enemies.
Were it not totally unnecessary and superfluous to
adduce arguments to prove what is conceded on all
hands the Policy and expediency of resting the
protection of the Country on a respectable and well
established Militia, we might not only shew the
propriety of the measure from our peculiar local
situation, but we might have recourse to the Histories
of Greece and Rome in their most virtuous and
Patriotic ages to demonstrate the Utility of such
Establishments. Then passing by the Mercinary Armies,
which have at one time or another subverted the
liberties of almost all the Countries they have been
raised to defend, we might see, with admiration, the
Freedom and Independence of Switzerland supported for
Centuries, in the midst of powerful and jealous
neighbours, by means of a hardy and well organized
Militia. We might also derive useful lessons of a
similar kind from other Nations of Europe, but I
believe it will be found, the People of this Continent
are too well acquainted with the Merits of the subject
to require information or example. I shall therefore
proceed to point out some general outlines of their
duty, and conclude this head with a few particular
observations on the regulations which I conceive ought
to be immediately adopted by the States at the
instance and recommendation of Congress.
It may be laid down as a primary position, and
the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys
the protection of a free Government, owes not only a
proportion of his property, but even of his personal
services to the defence of it, and consequently that
the Citizens of America (with a few legal and official
exceptions) from 18 to 50 Years of Age should be borne
on the Militia Rolls, provided with uniform Arms, and
so far accustomed to the use of them, that the Total
strength of the Country might be called forth at a
Short Notice on any very interesting Emergency, for
these purposes they ought to be duly organized into
Commands of the same formation; (it is not of very
great importance, whether the Regiments are large or
small, provided a sameness prevails in the strength
and composition of them and I do not know that a
better establishment, than that under which the
Continental Troops now are, can be adopted. They ought
to be regularly Mustered and trained, and to have
their Arms and Accoutrements inspected at certain
appointed times, not less than once or twice in the
course of every [year] but as it is obvious, amongst
such a Multitude of People (who may indeed be useful
for temporary service) there must be a great number,
who from domestic Circumstances, bodily defects,
natural awkwardness or disinclination, can never
acquire the habits of Soldiers; but on the contrary
will injure the appearance of any body of Troops to
which they are attached, and as there are a sufficient
proportion of able bodied young Men, between the Age
of i8 and 25, who, from a natural fondness for
Military parade (which passion is almost ever
prevalent at that period of life) might easily be
enlisted or drafted to form a Corps in every State,
capable of resisting any sudden impression which might
be attempted by a foreign Enemy, while the remainder
of the National forces would have time to Assemble and
make preparations for the Field. I would wish
therefore, that the former, being considered as a
denier resort, reserved for some great occasion, a
judicious system might be adopted for forming and
placing the latter on the best possible Establishment.
And that while the Men of this description shall be
viewed as the Van and flower of the American Forces,
ever ready for Action and zealous to be employed
whenever it may become necessary in the service of
their Country; they should meet with such exemptions,
privileges or distinctions, as might tend to keep
alive a true Military pride, a nice sense of honour,
and a patriotic regard for the public. Such
sentiments, indeed, ought to be instilled into our
Youth, with their earliest years, to be cherished and
inculcated as frequently and forcibly as possible.
It is not for me to decide positively, whether it will
be ultimately most interesting to the happiness and
safety of the United States, to form this Class of
Soldiers into a kind of Continental Militia, selecting
every 10th 15th or 20th. Man from the Rolls of each
State for the purpose; Organizing, Officering and
Commissioning those Corps upon the same principle as
is now practiced in the Continental Army. Whether it
will be best to comprehend in this body, all the Men
fit for service between some given Age and no others,
for example between 18 and 25 or some similar
description, or whether it will be preferable in every
Regiment of the proposed Establishment to have one
additional Company inlisted or drafted from the best
Men for 3, 5, or 7 years and distinguished by the name
of the additional or light Infantry Company, always to
be kept complete. These Companies might then be drawn
together occasionally and formed into particular
Battalions or Regiments under Field Officers appointed
for that Service. One or other of these plans I think
will be found indispensably necessary, if we are in
earnest to have an efficient force ready for Action at
a moments Warning. And I cannot conceal my private
sentiment, that the formation of additional, or light
Companies will be most consistent with the genius of
our Countrymen and perhaps in their opinion most
consonant to the spirit of our Constitution.
I shall not contend for names or forms, it will be
altogether essential, and it will be sufficient that
perfect Uniformity should be established throughout
the Continent, and pervade, as far as possible, every
Corps, whether of standing Troops or Militia, and of
whatever denomination they may be. To avoid the
confusion of a contrary practice, and to produce the
happy consequences which will attend a uniform system
of Service, in case Troops from the different parts of
the Continent shall ever be brought to Act together
again, I would beg leave to propose, that Congress
should employ some able hand, to digest a Code of
Military Rules and regulations, calculated immediately
for the Militia and other Troops of the United States;
And as it should seem the present system, by being a
little simplified, altered, and improved, might be
very well adopted to the purpose; I would take the
liberty of recommending, that measures should be
immediately taken for the accomplishment of this
interesting business, and that an Inspector General
should be appointed to superintend the execution of
the proposed regulations in the several States.
Congress having fixed upon a proper plan to be
established, having caused the Regulations to be
compiled, having approved, Printed and distributed
them to every General Field Officer, Captain and
Adjutant of Militia, will doubtless have taken care,
that whenever the system shall be adopted by the
States the encouragement on the one hand, and the
fines and penalties on the other will occasion an
universal and punctual compliance therewith.
Before I close my remarks on the establishment of our
National Militia, which is to be the future guardian
of those rights and that Independence, which have been
maintained so gloriously, by the fortitude and
perseverance of our Countrymen, I shall descend little
more minutely to the interior arrangements, and sum up
what I have to say on this head with the following
Positions.
1st. That it appears to me extremely necessary there
should be an Adjutant General appointed in each State,
with such Assistants as may be necessary for
communicating the Orders of the Commander in Chief of
the State, making the details, Collecting the Returns
and performing every other duty incident to that
Office. A duplicate of the Annual Returns should
always be lodged in the War Office by the 25th of
Decr. in every year, for the information of Congress;
with any other reports that may be judged expedient.
The Adjutant Generals and Assistants to be considered
as the deputies of the Inspector General, and to
assist him in carrying the system of Discipline into
effect.
2d. That every Militia Officer should make himself
acquainted with the plan of Discipline, within a
limited time, or forfeit his Commission, for it is in
vain to expect the improvement of the Men, while the
Officers remain ignorant, which many of them will do,
unless Government will make and enforce such a
Regulation.
3dly. That the formation of the Troops ought to be
perfectly simple and entirely uniform, for example
each Regiment should be composed of two Battalions,
each Battalion to consist of 4 Companies and each
Company as at present of 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 11
Ensign, 5 Sergeants, 3 Corporals, 2 Music, 65
Privates.
Two Battalions should form a Regiment four Regts a
Brigade and two Brigades a Division. This might be the
general formation; but as I before observed, I
conceive it will be eligible to select from the
district forming a Regiment, the flower of the young
Men to compose an additional or light Company to every
Regiment, for the purposes before specified, which
undoubtedly ought to be the case unless something like
a Continental Militia shall be instituted. To each
Division two Troops of Cavalry and two Companies of
Artillery might also be annexed, but no Independent or
Volunteer Companies foreign to the Establishment
should be tolerated.
4thly. It is also indispensable that such a proportion
of the Militia (under whatever discription they are
comprehended) as are always to be held in readiness
for service, nearly in the same manner the Minute Men
formerly were, should be excercised at least from 12
to 25 days in a year, part of the time in Company,
part in Battalion and part in Brigade, in the latter
case, by forming a Camp, their Discipline would be
greatly promoted, and their Ideas raised, as near as
possible, to real service; Twenty five days might be
divided thus, ten days for training in squads, half
Companies and Companies, ten in Battalion and five in
Brigade.
5thly. While in the Field or on actual duty, there
should not only be a Compensation for the time thus
spent, but a full allowance of Provisions Straw, Camp
Equipage &c; it is also of so great consequence that
there should be, a perfect similarity in the Arms and
Accoutrements, that they ought to be furnished, in the
first instance by the public, if they cannot be
obtained in any other way, some kind of Regimentals or
Uniform Clothing (however cheap or course they may be)
are also highly requisite and should be provided for
such occasions. Nor is it unimportant that every
Article should be stamped with the appearance of
regularity; and especially that all the Articles of
public property should be numbered, marked or branded
with the name of the Regiment or Corps that they may
be properly accounted for.
6thly. In addition to the Continental Arsenals, which
will be treated of under the next head. Every State
ought to Establish Magazines of its own, containing
Arms, Accoutrements, Ammunitions, all kinds of Camp
Equipage and Warlike Stores, and from which the
Militia or any part of them should be supplied
whenever they are called into the Field.
7thly. It is likewise much to be wished, that it might
be made agreeable to Officers who have served in the
Army, to accept Commands in the Militia; that they
might be appointed to them so far as can be done
without creating uneasiness and jealousy, and that the
principle Characters in the Community would give a
countenance to Military improvements, by being present
at public reviews and exhibitions, and by bringing
into estimation amongst their fellow Citizens, those
who appear fond of cultivating Military knowledge and
who excel in the Exercise of Arms. By giving such a
tone to our Establishment; by making it universally
reputable to bear Arms and disgraceful to decline
having a share in the performance of Military duties;
in fine, by keeping up in Peace "a well regulated, and
disciplined Militia," we shall take the fairest and
best method to preserve, for a long time to come, the
happiness, dignity and Independence of our Country.
With regard to the third Head in Contemplation, to
wit. the "Establishment of Arsenals of all kinds of
Military Stores." I will only observe, that having
some time since seen a plan of the Secretary of War,
which went fully into the discussion of this branch of
Arrangement, and appeared (as well as I can, at this
time recollect) to be in general perfectly well
founded, little more need be said on the subject,
especially as I have been given to understand the plan
has been lately considerably improved and laid before
Congress for their approbation; and indeed there is
only one or two points in which I could wish to
suggest any Alteration.
According to my recollection, five grand Magazines are
proposed by the Secretary at War, one of which to be
fixed at West Point. Now, as West Point is considered
not only by our selves, but by all who have the least
knowledge of the Country, as a post of the greatest
importance, as it may in time of Peace, from its
situation on the Water be somewhat obnoxious to
surprise or Coup de Main and as it would doubtless be
a first object with any Nation which might commence a
War against the United States, to seize that Post and
occupy or destroy the Stores, it appears to me, that
we ought particularly to guard against such an event,
so far as may be practicable, and to remove some part
of the Allurements to enterprise, by establishing the
grand Arsenals in the Interior part of the Country,
leaving only to West Point an adequate supply for its
defence in almost any extremity.30$
I take the liberty also to submit to the consideration
of the Committee, whether, instead of five great
Arsenals, it would not be less expensive and equally
convenient and advantageous to fix three general
Deposits, one for the Southern, one for the Middle and
one for the Eastern States, including New York, in
each of which there might be deposited, Arms,
Ammunition, Field Artillery, and Camp Equipage for
thirty thousand Men, Also one hundred heavy Cannon and
Mortars, and all the Apparatus of a Seige, with a
sufficiency of Ammunition.
Under the fourth General Division of the subject, it
was proposed to consider the Establishment of Military
Academies and Manufacturies, as the means of
preserving that knowledge and being possessed of those
Warlike Stores, which are essential to the support of
the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States.
But as the Baron Steuben has thrown together his Ideas
very largely on these Articles, which he had
communicated to me previous to their being sent to the
secretary at War, and which being now lodged at the
War Office, I imagine have also been submitted to the
inspection of the Committee, I shall therefore have
the less occasion for entering into the detail, and
may, without impropriety, be the more concise in my
own observations.
That an Institution calculated to keep alive and
diffuse the knowledge of the Military Art would be
highly expedient, and that some kinds of Military
Manufactories and Elaboratories may and ought to be
established, will not admit a doubt; but how far we
are able at this time to go into great and expensive
Arrangements and whether the greater part of the
Military Apparatus and Stores which will be wanted can
be imported or Manufactured, in the cheapest and best
manner: I leave those to whom the observations are to
be submitted, to determine, as being more competent,
to the decision than I can pretend to be. I must
however mention some things, which I think cannot be
dispensed with under the present or any other
circumstances; Until a more perfect system of
Education can be adopted, I would propose that
Provision should be made at some Post or Posts where
the principle Engineers and Artillerists shall be
stationed, for instructing a certain number of young
Gentlemen in the Theory of the Art of War,
particularly in all those branches of service which
belong to the Artillery and Engineering Departments.
Which, from the affinity they bear to each other, and
the advantages which I think would result from the
measure, I would have blended together; And as this
species of knowledge will render them much more
accomplished and capable of performing the duties of
Officers, even in the Infantry or any other Corps
whatsoever, I conceive that appointments to vacancies
in the Established Regiments, ought to be made from
the candidates who shall have completed their course
of Military Studies and Exercises. As it does in an
essential manner qualify them for the duties of
Garrisons, which will be the principal, if not only
service in which our Troops can be employed in time of
Peace and besides the Regiments of Infantry by this
means will become in time a nursery from whence a
number of Officers for Artillery and Engineering may
be drawn on any great or sudden occasion.
Of so great importance is it to preserve the knowledge
which has been acquired thro' the various Stages of a
long and arduous service, that I cannot conclude
without repeating the necessity of the proposed
Institution, unless we intend to let the Science
become extinct, and to depend entirely upon the
Foreigners for their friendly aid, if ever we should
again be involved in Hostility. For it must be
understood, that a Corps of able Engineers and expert
Artillerists cannot be raised in a day, nor made such
by any exertions, in the same time, which it would
take to form an excellent body of Infantry from a well
regulated Militia.
And as to Manufactories and Elaboratories it is my
opinion that if we should not be able to go largely
into the business at present, we should nevertheless
have a reference to such establishments hereafter, and
in the means time that we ought to have such works
carried on, wherever our principal Arsenals may be
fixed, as will not only be sufficient to repair and
keep in good order the Arms, Artillery, Stores &c of
the Post, but shall also extend to Founderies and some
other essential matters.
Thus have I given my sentiments without reserve on the
four different heads into which the subject seemed
naturally to divide itself, as amply as my numerous
avocations and various duties would permit. Happy
shall I be, if any thing I have suggested may be found
of use in forming an Establishment which will maintain
the lasting Peace, Happiness and Independence of the
United States.
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