James Monroe to unknown discussing the establishment of a standing militia - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC05280
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1815
Title	James Monroe to unknown discussing the establishment of a standing militia
Date	11 January 1815
Author	Monroe, James (1758-1831)
Document Type	Military document; Correspondence
Content Description	Monroe discusses the establishment of a standing militia. He also criticizes the Hartford Convention, arguing that it may lengthen the War of 1812. Authorizes military protection for the Springfield Arsenal, should it be necessary. A half-sheet of paper is glued onto the original letter's 3rd page. General Henry Dearborn, then the senior major general in the United States Army in command of the northeast, was possibly the recipient.
Subjects	War of 1812 Military History Global History and Civics Foreign Affairs Standing Army Militia Weaponry Ammunition Hartford Convention
People	Monroe, James (1758-1831) Dearborn, Henry (1751-1829)
Place written	Washington, D.C.
Theme	War of 1812; Foreign Affairs
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information	Many Federalists believed that the War of 1812 was fought to aid Napoleon in his struggle against Britain. Some opposed the war by refusing to pay taxes, boycotting war loans, and refusing to furnish troops. In December 1814, delegates from New England gathered in Hartford, Connecticut, where they recommended a series of constitutional amendments to restrict Congress' power to wage war, regulate commerce, and admit new states. The delegates also supported a one-term presidency (to break the grip of Virginians on the office) and abolition of the Three-Fifths Compromise, and talked of seceding if they did not get their way. In this message, Madison's Secretary of State, James Monroe, expresses concern over the Hartford Convention and fear that New England Federalists might seize the federal armory at Springfield, Massachusetts.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Confidential no. 181 Department of War January 11th 1815 Sir It is expected that a bill will pass Congress in a day or two, authorizing the President to accept State Corps to a number not exceeding 40,000 to be apportioned among the states, according to their population, and also to raise a like number of volunteers for general service, to serve for the war, or any term not less than one year. These corps tho called volunteers, will in effect be regular troops; all the privledges, in case they serve for long terms belonging to the regular corps, will be granted to them. It is intended to raise a considerable part of this force in the northern section of the Union. Your aid to this government and that of General Ripley, of Generals King and Miller, will be required, to enable it to make a judicious selection of officers, to fill these [2] corps. The proceedings at Hartford have excited much anxiety, as likely to embarrass the measures of the government, and by the countenance they have afforded the enemy to prolong the war, if this should not lead into worse consequences. General Swartout has [3] been authorised to take measures, in case they should be necessary, for the security of the arms at Springfield. He will communicate with you on these subjects, and from your joint counsels, & those of Governor Tomkins, I trust that any evil which may be contemplated, however great, will be defeated. I have the honor to be with great respect & esteem yr very obt servant Jas Monroe

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