[Done June 7. 1794 Secretary at War. 1794 May 19^th On the Subject of Arming & embodying Militia See Federal Constitution Article 1. S. VIII. — Virginia laws of 1792 Chap. IV — 5X. law of Congress 1792 C. XXX-III, XXX] WAR DEPARTMENT, May 19, 1794 SIR, I AM instructed by the President of the United States, to transmit to your Excellency, the Act herein enclosed, entitled, "An act directing a draughts from the militia of the United States." In pursuance of this law, the President desires, that you will take effectual measures, as Soon as may be, to organize, arm and equip according to lay, and hold in readiness to march at a moment's warning, [undecipherable: over three hundred and seventy seven] of the militia of the State of Virginia officers included. The field officers, to be either the present militia officers, or others in opinion of the Constitutional authority in your State. It will be necessary that the organization of the field Corps be conformable to the act passed the 8^th of May, 1792, entitled "An act, to provide more effectually for the national defence, by establishing an uniform militia, throughout the United States." The President further desires, to authorize your Excellency, to accept any independent corps of cavalry, artillery, or riflemen, who shall offer their service upon the said occasion, well armed and equipped; provided they shall, voluntarily engage in corps in Service. Knowing the great importance to the detachments, are mentioned exactly by the fourth Section of the faid act. But it is conceived proper, that the pay, rations, and forage, be more precisely specified as follows viz: Rank. Monthly pay. Rations Forage per month. Dollars. per Day. Dollars. Major General One hundred forty-six Fifteen Twenty Brigadier General One hundred and four Ten Fifteen Lieut. Col. Commandant Seventy-five Six Ten Major Fifty Four Ten Captain Twenty-five Two Six Lieutenant Twenty-two Two Six Cavalry. Cornet Twenty-two Two Ensign Twenty Two Sergeant [undecipherable] One Ten Six Surgeon's Mate Thirteen [undecipherable] Quarter Master Seven One Quarter Master Sergeant Seven [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] One Corporal Five One Senior Musician Six One Musicians Four One Privates Three The ration of provisions to consist of one pound of beef, or three quarters a pound of pork, one pound of bread or flower, half a pint of rum, brandy, or whiskey, or the value thereof at the current price, where the same cannot be furnished, one quart of [undecipherable] of vinegar, two [undecipherable], and one pound of candles to every hundred rations. The President hopes that your Excellency would immediately take the most effectual means that the whole of the militia of Virginia, encompassed within the foregoing requisitions, be armed and equipped according to law. The people of the United States increasing rapidly in wealth, population, and importance among the nations, might be exposed to the expedition of being exempt from agreeable dangers, which form inseparable from the human character. But it is our highness, that we should be in a perfect condition to protect and defend ourselves, against every insult, which we may be liable as a nation. The President therefore hopes for a prompt and universal compliance of the law, as a measure upon which under the protection of Heaven, our freedom and safety depend; and it is requested that you would be pleased to transmit as early as may be, the information of the measures which may be adopted in the State of Virginia in consequence of this letter. I have honor to be, with great respect, Your Excellency's Most obedient servant Knox Secretary of War. His Excellency The Governor of Virginia