Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

To the Militia officers of the state of Virginia.

Gentlemen,

A brother officer who is by birth, principle and interest, inseparably attached to you, and devoted to the service of our happy country, begs a few moments of your attention.

We have this day been informed of a very extraordinary, and I will venture to say, a very unprecedented effort, made by a few individuals, to give an entire change to the course of our military proceedings, and to wrest from you, your rights as officers and as soldiers. The high authorities of our government, have long since communicated to us the outrages committed on our national independence.

The same authorities have called upon many of you to go forth to repel the aggressions of an arrogant, insolent and invading foe. You have obeyed to the fullest extent of the requisition-and an universal ebullition of patriotick zeal pervaded you all.

Every man of you was not only willing, but anxious to step forward and encounter those privations always attendant on military expeditions, in defence of the blessings which our gallant forefathers left us to protect-and which were, (and still are) determined never to abandon. But how are we to be requited?

Are we to be told that none of us are qualified? Or none of us trust-worthy? And that we are all to be put in the back ground to give place to a few gentlemen who wish to display themselves in martial exploits. That these gentlemen, unsupported by any existing law on the subject, shall anticipate such a law, and go on to organize (or attempt) a legion or brigade, nor recognized or authorized by either the national or state legislature.

That these selected few, should undertake to carve out for themselves, and those whom they may choose to favour, offices which are most completely and effectually to destroy your military grade, I am sure you never will consent or submit to.

Remember, gentlemen, a soldier's honour is his all--and that to surrender a just military right, is not less reprehensible, than to attempt to arrogate one. Neither of these will you ever do. I say it with confidence.

For the promoters of this "project," as they themselves very properly term it, I have a personal respect-but no respect for individuals, shall ever tempt me to do or sanction injustice to myself or brethren, more than I would burn the house that shelters my family to gratify the wishes of a lunatic.

We are told tho' that both state and Federal Executive sanction the measure, Has either the state or Federal legislatures (I would ask) done so? If they had, I would have been all acquiescence--but until they do, I conceive no Executive can without manifesting an entire disregard of our sacred constitution assume legislative functions.

Yes, gentlemen, we will be ready, willing, and I trust able, to discharge the duties to those stations, to which it has pleased our country to call us--and let us, while we profess to be soldiers, act like good and honourable ones-but let us never forget to respect ourselves. If new offices are necessary, why decide on those who are to fill them, in conclave?

Why select a few favourites? Why not speak out--give notice--and let us all start fairly-each upon his own merits? This is the ordeal we wish to pass through, and we shrink not from the investigation of military merits, with any of our Brigadiers or Colonels.

We will to the last, entertain a hope, that justice will prevail, and that the long-standing soldier is not to be elbowed out of his post, upon such occasions--nor will we believe, 'until we see it, that such palpable violations of right can be practised in VIRGINIA.

Richmond, 15th August, 1807.

P. S. It is requested that every press in the state, favourable to justice, will admit the foregoing address.