148] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1817. 



ticable footing. To put our ex- 

 tensive coasla in such a state of 

 defence as to secure our cities 

 and interior from invasion, will 

 be attended with expense, but the 

 work when finished will be per- 

 manent ; and it is fair to presume, 

 that a single campaign of invasion 

 by a naval force superior to our 

 own, aided by a few thousand 

 land troops, would expose us to 

 greater expense, without taking 

 into the estimate the loss of pro- 

 perty and distress of our citizens, 

 than would be sufficient for this 

 great work. Our land and naval 

 resources should be moderate, but 

 adequate to the necessary pur- . 

 poses : the former to garrison and 

 preserve our fortifications, and to 

 meet the first invasions of a fo- 

 reign foe ; and, while constituting 

 the elements of a greater force, to 

 preserve the science, as well as all 

 the necessary implements of war, 

 in a state to be brought into acti- 

 vity in the event of war. The lat- 

 ter, retained within the limits 

 proper in a state of peace, might 

 aid in maintaining the neutrality 

 of the United States with dignity 

 in the wars of other powers, and 

 in saving the property of their ci- 

 tizens from spoliation. In time of 

 war, with the enlajgement of 

 which the great naval resources 

 of the country render it suscepti- 

 ble, and which should be duly 

 fostered in time of peace, it would 

 contribute essentially, both as an 

 auxiliary of defence, and as a 

 powerful engine of annoyance, to 

 diminish the calamities of war, 

 and to bring the war to a speedy 

 and honourable termination. 



" But it ought always to be 

 held prominently in view, that the 

 safety of these States, and of eve- 



ry thing dear to a free people, 

 must depend in an eminent degree 

 on the militia. Invasions may be 

 made too formidable to be resist- 

 ed by any land or naval force, 

 which it would comport, either 

 with the principles of our Govern- 

 ment, or the circumstances of the 

 United States, to maintain : in 

 such cases, recourse must be had 

 to the great body of the people, 

 and in a manner to produce the 

 best eifect. It is of the highest 

 importance, therefore, that they 

 be so organized and trained as 

 to be prepared for any emer- 

 gency. The arrangement should 

 be such as to put at the command 

 of the government the ardent pa- 

 triotism and youthful vigour of 

 the country. If formed on equal 

 and just principles, it cannot be 

 oppressive. It is the crisis which 

 makes the pressure, and not the 

 laws, which provide a remedy for 

 it. The arrangement should be 

 formed too in the time of peace, 

 to be better prepared for war. 

 With such an organization of such 

 a people, the United States have 

 nothing to dread from foreign in- 

 vasion. At its approach an over- 

 whelming force of gallant men 

 might always be put in motion. 



" Other interests of high im- 

 portance will claim attention, a- 

 mong which the improvement of 

 our country by roads and canals, 

 proceeding always with a consti- 

 tutional sanction, holds a distin- 

 guished place. By thus facilitating 

 the intercourse between the States, 

 we shall add much to the conve- 

 nience and comfort of our fellow- 

 citizens ; much to the ornament 

 of the country ; and, what is of 

 greater importance, we sliall short- 

 en distances, and by making each 



part 



