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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO JOHN ARMSTRONG. mad. mss. - James Madison, The Writings, vol. 8 (1808-1819) [1908]

Edition used:

The Writings of James Madison, comprising his Public Papers and his Private Correspondence, including his numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed, ed. Gaillard Hunt (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1900). Vol. 8.

Part of: The Writings of James Madison, 9 vols.

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TO JOHN ARMSTRONG.mad. mss.

July 2, 1814.

In analogy to the arrangement yesterday decided on in1 reference to this City and Baltimore, and with a view to a systematic provision against invading armaments, the Secretary of War will digest and report to the President corresponding precautionary means of defence in reference to the other more important & exposed places along the Atlantic frontier; particularly Boston, New York, Wilmington, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah and New Orleans. In addition to the distribution at suitable Depots, of arms and other necessaries, the Secretary will report, a circular communication to the Governors of the several States, calculated to obtain from them convenient designations of adequate portions of their Militia, with every other arrangement depending on the State Executives for having them in the best readiness for actual service in cases of emergency.

[1 ]The plan of defense of Washington and Baltimore was decided upon in Cabinet July 1st and the following estimate of force was made. It is found among the copies made by Madison’s direction for the statement he prepared in 1824 in reply to General Armstrong’s communication printed in 1821 in the Literary and Scientific Repository. The letter is from the same source.

Estimate of force and preparation for defence of the City, made up in Cabinet meeting July 1, 1814.
Cavalry City of Washington120
Ditto, from Carlisle say200
Regular infantry1,000
District ditto1,000
Marines120
District artillery200
2,640
Of Barney’s corps500
3,140

10,000 militia to be designated & held in readiness 10,000 Arms and Camp equipage to be brought forward for use. Survey of the grounds &c.