"Of all things tending to the greatness of any Kingdom or State, the principal is, to have a race of military men."

1814.

LORD BACON.

THE RIGHT HONORABLE

LORD VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH,

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

MY LORD,

Permit me respectfully to offer for your Lordship's consi deration the following Remarks on the Bill you have lately introduced in Parliament, for rendering the Militia disposable for Foreign Service.

I am encouraged to this address from having received the favorable opinions of several distinguished officers, on the measure I had the honor to recommend twelve months since, in my “Observations on the Military System of the British Empire," as well as from a perfect conviction that your Lordship will with pleasure receive suggestions respectfully offered for the improvement of the Bill in question: more especially as it has, in a great measure, failed of acquiring that success which your Lordship must have expected; and from a knowledge that before the object you have in view can be possibly attained, the Bill must undergo some very material amendments. I have further to assure your Lordship that only such observations shall be intruded as, I am certain, are in unison with the opinions entertained by officers of long service and talents, and whose ideas on so very important an alteration in the military systems of this Empire claim, and I am convinced will receive, attention both from your Lordship and the British Legisla

ture.

I have the honor to be,

With sincere respect,

MY LORD,

Your Lordship's very obedient servant,

London, March 1, 1814.

J. PHILIPPART.

OBSERVATIONS, &c.

THE various remarks I have at different times given to the public on the military systems and economy of this country, have been solely prompted by a firm persuasion that it is the duty of every Englishman to contribute, to the utmost of his abilities, towards the safety and benefit of Great Britain. If, therefore, either in proposing improvements and remedies, or pointing out defects, my observations are of service, I am fully recompensed.

The Bill for rendering the militia disposable for foreign service, is of the highest importance to the military interests of this country, and if a measure of that kind could be effectually carried into execution, our military capabilities would be much greater than they have ever been, and there is no period in the history of this country when we more required a powerful British military force, or when it could be of greater service, than at the present moment.

In discussing therefore the merits and demerits of the Right Honorable Secretary of State's plan, I feel sensible that my motives will be understood and, I trust, that this attempt to prove in what manner the militia might be rendered disposable, will be read with attention by those whom it most interests.

To afford every individual who may peruse this paper a correct view of the Bill in question, as well as of the propositions I shall offer, it will be necessary to insert the clauses contained in Lord Castlereagh's Bill, with observations on those that, in my humble opinion, have prevented the measure receiving the success his Lordship must have expected.

1st Clause. His Majesty empowered to accept the voluntary offers of a proportion of the Militia to serve in any part of Europe.

2d Clause.-Bounty of eight guineas to persons making voluntary offers. '

Unobjectionable.

3d Clause.-Commanding officers to explain that the offer is to be voluntary.

4th Clause.-The services of three field-officers may be accepted with nine hundred men. Two field-officers with six hundred men; and one with three hundred, &c. And proportion of other officers according to the establishment.

With regard to this clause, it should be inquired whether the field-officers in general of Militia regiments can possibly be considered competent to the command of regular regiments on service? Many militia field-officers I admit to be gentlemen of great ability, but if by his Majesty's regulations it is required that an officer should serve a certain number of years before he can be qualified for the situation of field-officer; surely it is reasonable to conclude, that those officers who have never seen any service, who are practi

'Militiamen volunteering for the line, if inlisting for an unlimited period of service, are to receive sixteen guineas; if for a limited, twelve guineas.—Vide Appendix (B.)