Page:Memoir upon the negotiations between Spain and the United States of America which led to the treaty of 1819.djvu/92

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instance of Louisiana: so far from bringing any thing to the Treasury, while it belonged to Spain, the maintenance of it cost immense sums; but now, under the dominion of the United States, it produces a profit of three or four millions of dollars. The same thing will happen in a short time with the Floridas; for it is irrevocably decided in their politics, that these provinces must be theirs, amicably, or forcibly; and there is nothing at present to prevent it, locked up and surrounded as they are by the territory of the Union, with ten millions of inhabitants so disposed as to prevent any foreign nation from setting foot into them.

Military force of the United States.

Every citizen, in every State, from the age of 18 to 40[1] is comprehended and enrolled in the militia of the country, and obliged to serve when called upon. The only persons exempt are, the President of the United States, the ministers and officers of the Executive branches, those of the Judiciary, the members of the two houses of Congress, and their respective dependents; the officers and dependents of the Customs, post offices, roads and ports; inspectors of exports, pilots and mari-

  1. 45 is the exempting age. T.