The Daily Advertiser

DURING the continuance of the Liberty of the Press, it is the privilege, nay, it is the duty, of every freeman, to animadvert publicly on every public measure. Being convinced of the propriety of this remark, I freely offer the following observations, on the management of the last brigade parade of the Militia of this city, and on other considerations incident thereto.

I am sorry to find so much dissatisfaction reigning thro' that respectable class of fellow-citizens, the battalion officers of this city, chiefly occasioned by the impolitic management of the last brigade parade. The complaints appear to be nearly as follow, viz.

That the band of music has been solely appropriated to the service of the uniformed troops; although it was raised by subscription throughout the brigade.

That the detaching of the uniformed troops from the respective regiments, previous to their march through the city, was, at least, impolitic, and served to draw a line of distinction between the officers of the one and of the other.

If these complaints are well founded (as I believe they are) I am not surprised that the battalion officers are dissatisfied. They certainly have an equal, if not a greater right, to the use of the band, as they subscribed perhaps as generously as any other description of officers whatever.

The detaching of the uniformed troops, previous to the march through the city, served to mar the appearance of the regiments; to create an unwarrantable distinction between the troops of the legion, and those of the battalions; and the appearance of the former, formed a contrast disadvantageous to the latter. This might easily, in a considerable degree have been avoided, had the uniformed troops been permitted to continue with their several regiments till the arrival of the brigade on the ground assigned for inspection; where the legion might have been formed.--Had this mode been adopted, I am confident the transactions of the day would have been facilitated; the troops in general would have moved with greater cheerfulness and celerity, and entire satisfaction would have been diffused throughout the whole.

I trust, however, that the battalion officers will act, upon this occasion, with becoming spirit; and, while they are determined to perform their duty like faithful and confidential servants of their country, they will assert their dignity as officers, and never tamely suffer any unjustifiable distinctions to subsist, in consequence of the insinuations and sarcasms of some of those gentlemen, who plume themselves upon commanding a number of pretty uniformed boys.

It may, perhaps, be observed, that a news paper is an improper vehicle to convey these observations; and that a representation should be made to the proper authority.---To this, I answer, that the arrangements here commented upon, are no secret; they were made in the streets of New-York, in open day, and in the presence of many spectators; consequently this is the proper mode of treating the subject.

Before I conclude, I feel myself constrained to declare, that I entertain the highest respect for the officers who had the principal commands on the 26th ultimo; and that the chief and only motive of publishing these remarks, is an ardent desire to promote the honor, unanimity and respectability of the Militia of this free country.

A REPUBLICAN SOLDIER.

New-York, December 3 1787.