University of Virginia Library

5227. MILITIA, Slaves and.—

Slaves are
by the law excluded from the militia, and


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wisely as to that part of a soldier's duty
which consists in exercise of arms. But
whether male slaves might not under proper
regulations be subjected to the routine of
duty as pioneers, and to other military labors,
can only be determined by the wisdom of the
Legislature.—
To the Va. House of Delegates. Ford ed., iii, 36.
(R. 1781)