Circular letter urging state governments to maintain strong militias in accordance with the militia system adopted by Congress through an act in 1792 - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC04626.01
From Archive Folder	Collection of 2 documents pertaining to the United States militia system
Title	Circular letter urging state governments to maintain strong militias in accordance with the militia system adopted by Congress through an act in 1792
Date	February 1803
Author	Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)
Document Type	Government document
Content Description	Circular letter urging state governments to maintain strong militias in accordance with the militia system adopted by Congress through an act in 1792 (GLC01959). He comments that having the nation armed is especially important because rights "most essential to our welfare have been violated, and an infraction of treaty committed," referring to French maritime infractions. The letter is accompanied by a pamphlet concerning the militia system (GLC04626.02).
Subjects	Military History Militia Presidential Speeches and Proclamations France Treaty Maritime Global History and Civics Foreign Affairs President
People	Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)
Place written	Washington, D.C.
Theme	The Presidency; Foreign Affairs
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information	In 1795, Spain granted Western farmers the right to ship produce down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, where their cargoes of corn, whiskey, and pork were loaded aboard ships bound for the east coast and foreign ports. In 1800, Spain secretly ceded Louisiana Territory to France, and closed the port of New Orleans to American farmers. Westerners, left without a port from which to export their goods, exploded with anger. Many demanded war. The prospect of French control of the Mississippi alarmed Jefferson. Spain held only a weak and tenuous grip on the river, but France was a much stronger power. Jefferson feared the establishment of a French colonial empire in North America blocking American expansion. The United States appeared to have only two options: diplomacy or war. In response to growing concerns from the western states, Jefferson, with Congressional approval, called for the state governors to raise a militia of 80,000 men in preparation for a possible war with France.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Related documents	An Act more effectually to provide for the National Defense by establishing an Uniform Militia throughout the United States Report of the Committee Appointed on so much of the President's Message of the 15th December last, "As Related to the Militia Institution of the United States."
Transcript	Show/hide Sir, Washington City February 1803 In compliance with a request of the House of Representatives of the United States, as well as with a Sense of what is necessary, I take the liberty of urging on you the importance and indispensable necessity of vigorous exertions, on the part of the State Governments, to carry into effect the militia System adopted by the national legislature, agreeably to the powers reserved to the States respectively by the constitution of the United States, and in a manner the best calculated to ensure such a degree of military discipline, and knowledge of tactics, as will, under the auspices of a benign providence, render the militia a sure and permanent bulwark of national defence [sic]. None but an armed nation can dispense with a standing army. To keep ours armed & disciplined, is, therefore, at all times, important; but especially so at a moment when rights the most essential to our welfare have been violated, and an infraction of treaty committed without colour or pretext: And, altho' we are willing to believe that this has been the act of a subordinate agent only, yet is it wise to prepare for the possibility that it may have been the leading measure of [2] a system. While, therefore, we are endeavoring, & with a considerable degree of confidence, to obtain, by friendly negociation [sic], a peaceable redress of the injury, and effectual provision against its repetition, let us array the Strength of the nation, and be ready to do with promptitude and effect whatever a regard to justice and our future security may require Accept assurances of my high consideration & respect. Th: Jefferson

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