5212. MILITIA, Mutiny.—[continued].
The best way, perhaps,
is not to go against the mutineers [militiamen]
when embodied, which would bring on,
perhaps, an open rebellion, or bloodshed most
certainly; but, when they shall have dispersed,
to go and take them out of their beds,
singly and without noise; or, if they be not
found, the first time, to go again and again,
so that they may never be able to remain
in quiet at home. This is what I must
recommend to you and, therefore, furnish
the bearers with the commissions as you
desire.—
To Colonel Vanmeter.
Ford ed., iii, 25.
(R.
1781)