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sion, and to accomplish these objects in a manner compatible with the interest and liberties of a free people. 

   The plan is formed on the following general principles:
   1st.  That every independent nation ought to possess within itself, the means for its defence.
   2d.  That it is an essential security to a free state, for the great body of the people, to possess a competent knowledge or the military art.
   3d.  That this knowledge cannot be generally attained, but by stablishing efficient institutions for the military education of the youth, and that the knowledge acquired therein, should be diffused throughout the community by mean of rotation.
   4th.  That every man of proper age and ability of body, is firmly bound by the social compact, to perform personally his proportion of military duty for the defence of the state.
   5th.  That all the men of the legal military age, should be armed, enrolled, and held responsible, for different degrees of military service.
   6th.  That in order to have one common federal character throughout the militia of the United States, the arms, clothing and discipline, to be perfectly uniform, and according to the recommendations of Congress from time to time.

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