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275

[1825]

[Governors Message]

assistance on great and pressing emergences [emergencies]. The importance of the Militia of this State is increased by its local position in the Union. Our extended frontier and sea coast can be secured only by the physical force of the whole effective population; and although we may hope that the occasion for calling this force into exercise will not again occur in our day, yet it would be unwise not to be prepared for so unwelcome event. I therefore recommend such alterations generally in the law regulating the militia as will have a tendancy [tendency] to render this natural and safe defence most efficient, and at the same time, as far as practicable, relieve the citizen from the performance, of all unnecessary military duty, and render that which must necessarily be performed more equal and useful. Keeping in view the great objects, security to the public on the one hand, and relief to the citizen on the other, the Legislature will find ample room for improvement. In addition to the more important alterations, there are some of a minor character, which experience has shown to be necessary. Commanding Officers of companies are prohibited from receiving excuses from their men for deficiences [deficiencies] of equipments. This prohibition cannot be considered unreasonable, inasmuch as it is made the duty of Selectmen, at the expense of their respective towns, to provide arms and equipments for such of their inhabitants liable to enrolment [enrollment] as are unable to equip themselves. Cases, however, frequently occur where this provision is ineffectual, either from neglect to make a proper application, or some other cause, and the officer finds it necessary to institute an useless prosecution against one wholly unable to defray even the expense, or to violate a plain and positive provision of law. My opinion of the necessity of furnishing the officers of Infantry with the Rules and