Freemen and Soldiers of Kentucky.

YOUR Country again calls upon you to rally round her standard. Menaced from abroad by the enemies of our liberty and our independence; our country has but the alternative of submitting to become the humble slaves of their will, or stand firm upon our own dear bought soil of freedom;--prepared to meet and repel with our lives, their aggressions on our rights.

By an act of general government, passed in the year 1806, 100,000 militia of the United States were directed to be placed in requisition for two years, to serve six months after rendezvous if required, and to be ready to march at the call of the President. He was further authorised, by an act passed the 24th of February, 1807 to accept of the services of 30,000 volunteers, who were to be ready in like manner, and whose term of service was to be 12 months after rendezvous if required. The quota to be furnished by this state under the first mentioned law, was 5212. The citizens of Kentucky, except a few who preferred a life of indolence to one of freedom with danger, did not wait to be drafted--they crouded forward to be enrolled. This law expired; but the prospect of our affairs still appeared to be threatening. An act of Congress similar to it was passed on the 30th of March in the present year. Under this act, the quota of this state has been fixed at 5005--which are to be furnished by drafts, if volunteers sufficient are not enrolled--to be completely equipt, with arms and accoutrements fit for actual service, including blankets and knapsacks--to be ready to march at a moment's warning, and to serve six months if required--one twelfth of which are to be artillery, one sixteenth cavalry--from one sixteenth to one twentieth riflemen, and the residue infantry. The President, through the Secretary at War, has called upon us to have these corps compleated, organised, armed and equipped, and ready to march. Those who have heretofore enrolled themselvesas volunteers for twelve months under the law of 1807, are now to consider themselves in requisition, as well also those who shall hereafter offer their services,and be accepted, and liable momentarily to be called on.

Citizens of Kentucky, who of you will volunteer for the defence of your country, and your rights?

The officers of your choice will certainly be preferred, where the corps volunteering have not been already officered, unless men should be so unskilfully chosen who would in all probability lead you into danger, without a prospect of much service to your country--in such case, I must take the liberty of acting like a father, who has had some experience in camps, and judge for you, as you would do for yourselves had you the little information I possess--for I will not conceal from my fellow-citizens, that I have it expressly in charge, and that it is both my duty and my inclination, to select such officers without favor or fear, who know how and when to fight, if they can be had. Volunteers are preferred, and greatly ought to be, to those who wait to be drafted. Men who are reluctantly, forced to defend a treasure, do not care so much about the loss of it--but the brave centinel who flees to the post of danger, and asks only for permission to do so, will not easily abandon it in the hour of battle--but soldiers without discipline,and without arms, however brave, can effect but little. Let me intreat you therefore who voluntarily offer your services, to exercise, arm and equip yourselves. Let not too great a partiality for any particular weapon prevail--all are alike useful in the hands of the brave--all are useless in those of the coward. The Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, are mutual protections to each other--each has its advantages and disadvantages. I entreat you to let no idle clamors against the government lessen your zeal to come forward as the firm defenders of your country's rights. Difference of opinion on politics, has nothing in this case to do with our duty--The government is the one of our choice. Measures may be changed when wrong, by the free and regular voice of the people; but he cannot surely be a friend to his country, who would not support its constituted authorities. Suffer, fellowcitizens, an old man whom you have highly honored for his wish to do well, to tell you that there is no recollection sweeter than that of having encountered evey hardship and looked every danger in the face to assist in purchasing the independence, or in defending the liberties of our country.

CHARLES SCOTT.

Frankfort, {Begin inserted text}

{Begin handwritten}Nov^r.{End handwritten}

{End inserted text} {Begin deleted text}September{End deleted text} 17th, 1808.

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