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that a well regulated Militia composed of the great body of the people is the surest safeguard of our existing institutions. It has already identified itself with the glory of the country and is well adapted to the spirit and principles of a free government. The laws of this State regulating the organization and discipline of the Militia, have long been deemed defective in many important particulars. My predecessors in office have at different periods invited to this subject the attention of the Legislative departments as being worthy of their especial consideration. There may be some sufficiently skilled in the exposition of statute laws, to overcome the defects of several amendatory acts which exist upon this subject. I feel confident, nonetheless, that to most of our fellow citizens many of the provisions which have been engrafted upon the Act of Eighteen hundred and twenty one relating to the organization and discipline of the Militia appear extremely intricate, if they do not deform the original which they were designed to improve. Permit me therefore to suggest for your consideration the expediency of so modifying our militia laws, as not only to remedy any existing defects in their provisions, but also to reduce them to a more intelligible form In this connexion, I cannot forbear to remark that the utility of legislation, under our popular form of government depends in a great degree on its adoption to the understandings of those who are to be affected by it. It is not sufficient for the people to be assured, that they have laws framed as that all, who are bound to obey, may readily understand them. In proportion as our laws are