.NjE.MTUwOA

It is observed, that there are many deficiencies in the annual Returns for the year past. In several instances none have been received; and in others they are so imperfect as to be of little service in shewing the real strength of the Corps, entire Regiments and Corps being omitted; however, with a little attention of the Officers, a remedy is provided against the continuance of this evil, by the regulation requiring the Commanding Officer of every Company constantly to keep by him a Muster-roll, comprehending a complete state of his company, with the arms and equipments belonging to each man; & also requiring him annually to revise and correct the same on a fixed day of the year -- From this arrangement, if fully complied with, it will always hereafter be easy to obtain exact and punctual returns of the Militia. The Commanding Officers of Regiments will therefore be particularly careful not to suffer a neglect in the completion of the Company Muster-rolls; these being the only proper source from whence the annual Returns are to be derived. No omission of an entire Corps will be admitted in any Return in future; but if any circumstance shall make it absolutely impossible to obtain the Return of a Company, the last best Return of such Company must be inserted in the Return of the Regiment, and the cause thereof noted at the bottom.

However well satisfied the Commander in chief may be of the disposition of both the officers and men to carry into the full operation the system established for regulating & disciplining the Militia; yet he has some reason to apprehend, that from a want of conviction of its importance, indulgences are tolerated in some instances, which have a very pernicious tendency -- to suffer men to be unnecessarily absent from duty with impunity, is not only an offence against the Government, but is an injury