85
their situation, or animated with the flattering hope of rendering it better, they think of nothing less than the service of arms, and look upon it with disgust, or with profound repugnance. The vague idea they entertain of civil liberty, makes them still more incapable of submitting to the discipline, subordination and fatigues of military service; for all consider themselves equal, all resist obedience, and all believe that there is no law for disturbing them in the course of their proper occupations, or in the repose of their domestick life.
Such are the people, of whom the Anglo-American militia are composed, and I must not omit to observe, that although their number is very considerable, there are few who have arms. The Congress have passed various acts, at different periods, ordering that each State should provide its militia with a complete armament; but the order has never been complied with in the greater part of them.
The veteran army in time of peace, is reduced to ten thousand men, infantry, cavalry, artillery, and engineers. In time of war, it is increased by volunteer recruits from the different bodies of militia, for the Constitution does not allow of conscription or forced enlistments for the service; and hence it comes, that the government find it impossible to augment the army as it judges necessary or convenient in time of war, for it is difficult to find recruits. In the late war with Great Britain, authority was
