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ners, and those exempted by the laws of their respective States.
According to the President's message to Congress, on the 9th March, 1816, the total of the militia of the Union amounted to 748,566 men; and as the number of the citizens of the Republick cannot have increased much since that period, it must be very little different at present. It is a generally acknowledged truth, that the militia are the firmest and most powerful bulwark of national defence, particularly in a republick; and I believe they might become equally so in a monarchy. Well organized, and well disciplined, they might serve in garrisons, and in the field when necessary; and besides, they might furnish the best recruits for the army, and supply a people already acquainted with and accustomed to arms, for the formation of new veteran corps,[1] as circumstances required.
The Anglo-Americans are, in general, of a robust constitution, and have all the qualities necessary to make good soldiers. They have per
- ↑ New veterans, is rather a droll term in the English language, but the meaning of the author is sufficiently evident. It is quite a new thing to see the minister of a monarchical government, an advocate for Militia. Don Onis, however, was well aware that the Supremacy of the Cortes was firmly established; and that it would be much more to his interest to evince a respect for republican principles, than to prop the falling dignities of his Majesty. T.
