General Orders.

Head-Quarters, Roxbury, May 1, 1798.

THE uncertain state of the foreign political relations of the United States, require the most vigilant attention to the means of National Defence, and induce the Commander in Chief to call upon all the Officers and other Citizens of the Militia of this Commonwealth, to use the most vigorous exertions, conformably to the Laws, in placing the natural Defence of our Country upon the best footing of which it is capable. To do this, would be useful to us as a people, even if there should be no collision between the United States and any Foreign Nation; but in case the reverse of this should happen, the advantages to be derived from an efficient Militia would be incalculable.

In Peace as well as in War, every State has found it necessary to have a Military Establishment. This is necessary not only to repel the Foe from without, but for the preservation of tranquillity within the body politic. In arbitrary States the Military Power is confided to a Standing Army; but in those that are free, the Citizens themselves form the bulwark of their own Liberty and Independence. Thus it is in the United States, the Free Citizens of America are their own Guardians; they constitute the Military Force destined to preserve the Peace of the Community, and to guard against Foreign Invasion. In a Nation thus situated, there can be no real cause of jealousy between the Civil and Military Powers. The Citizens composing the Militia having the same interests in the welfare of the community, they will be the faithful guardians of the Commonweal. Hence it is reasonable for the Commander in Chief to expect, that every Individual will do his duty with alacrity, that the Laws for regulating the Militia will be punctually obeyed; that order and subordination will be maintained, and that regularity and discipline will be fully established throughout the Militia of this Commonwealth. Although much has been done to accomplish these desirable ends, and much credit is due to the Officers and other Citizens of the Militia for their exertions to perfect the System of Discipline established; yet that they are capable of still greater improvement, will not be contended. To attain which, the Commander in Chief, equally relies upon those whose province it is to command, as upon those who are the objects of it; and he has a well grounded confidence in both, that they will unite their endeavours, at this critical juncture of our affairs, to put the Military Force of this Commonwealth in the most formidable attitude.

The Arms and Equipments of the Militia of this State, though good in general, and in some Divisions are very respectable, yet great and constant attention is required to those objects of Military strength. By the Law of this Commonwealth for regulating and governing the Militia, which passed in June, 1793, it is enacted, "That from and after five years from the passing this Act, all musquets for arming the Militia, shall be of bores sufficient for balls of the eighteenth part of a pound." The five years contemplated in the passing of this Act will expire in June next; it is, therefore, incumbent upon every officer in the Militia, to see it executed; and it is the duty of every Citizen enrolled, capable of providing himself, and who is not already so armed, to procure such Arms without delay.

The Quarter-Master General having procured twelve additional brass Field Pieces, by direction of the Legislature, for the supply of the deficient Companies of Artillery, the Commander in Chief has ordered the following distributions of them, viz.

• First Division, two pieces;
• Fifth Division, two pieces;
• Sixth Division, two pieces;
• Seventh Division, two pieces;
• Eight Division, two pieces;
• Tenth Division, two pieces;

The Major-Generals of the several Divisions will draw on the Quarter-Master General for the Pieces, and appropriate them to such deficient Companies, as they shall judge best for the public service.

The Commander in Chief will ever esteem himself happy in devoting himself to the wishes of his fellow Citizens, as expressed in the Constitutions and Laws of the Land; and pledges himself at all times to unite with them in the defence of those inestimable Institutions.

By Order of the Commander in Chief,
WILLIAM DONNISON, Adjutant-General.

Also See:

General orders, "Self-defence is the first law of nature, and applies to nations as well as individuals", June 13th, 1797

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