HISTORY OF VERMONT. 41S 



In their answer, to thank him much for this part 

 of his speech ; and to make the common re- 

 marks, that the militia are '* tlie sure and per- 

 manent bulwark of national defence ;" that they 

 ipiist be put into such a state, as to exclude all 

 pWrejice and plea for a standing arm}' ; and be 

 at all times able to protect and defend their 

 countrv. And with this martial arrantrement of 



« o 



ceremony, the- matter generally ends. If artil- 

 lery is wanted, if arms are to be procured, or if 

 the expense of a court martial is to be defrayed, 

 indi\iduals must bear the expense ; the legisla- 

 ture will not afford any aid. 'I'he unmilitary, 

 fensininc spirit of the federal c;overnment, has 

 also operated to damp the spirit of every thin^^ 

 military and energetic. With more sense of 

 military honor, and widi more attachment to the 

 reputation and safety of their country, the young 

 men in many places, retain the spirit of their 

 ancestors ; take up the business with vigor and 

 activity, and conduct it with propriety and hon- 

 or. In opposition to all the discouragements 

 they receive, the numbers that retain the feelings 

 of men, and the honor of soldiership is yet res- 

 pectable. In a return made by the adjutant 

 general in October 1803, the number of the mi- 

 litia is stated at 17,574 ; muskets, 7,559, pairs 

 of pistols, 948, pairs of holsters, 1001, horse- 

 men's swords, 957.* 



The militia of Vermont are a bod}^ of brave, 

 hardy, robust, and intrepid men. Trained up 

 to hardship, labor, economy, and hunting, they 

 have all the qualiiications that tend to ut men 

 for the military character : Discipline and actual 



♦ Journal foi 1803, p. 19. • 



