Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/150

 The plan for embodying, arming, and disciplining the militia, proposed by the committee which has just been mentioned, was received and adopted, and is in the following terms:

“The committee propose that it be strongly recommended to the colony, diligently to put in execution the militia law passed in the year 1738, entitled, ‘An act for the better regulating of the militia,’ which has become in force by the expiration of all subsequent militia laws.

“The committee are further of opinion, that as, from the expiration of the above-mentioned laws, and various other causes, the legal and necessary disciplining the militia has been much neglected, and a proper provision of arms and ammunition has not been made, to the evident danger of the community, in case of invasion or insurrection: that it be recommended to the inhabitants of the several counties of this colony, that they form one or more volunteer companies of infantry and troops of horse in each county, and to be in constant training and readiness to act on any emergency.

“That it be recommended particularly to the counties of Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Spotsylvania, King George, and Stafford, and to all counties below these, that, out of such their volunteers, they form, each of them, one or more troops of horse; and to all the counties above these, it is recommended that they pay a more particular attention to the forming a good infantry.

“That each company of infantry consist of sixty-eight, rank and file, to be commanded by one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four sergeants, and four corporals; and that they have a drummer, and be furnished with a drum and colours; that every man be pro-