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The writings of James Madison,

comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed.
 
 
 
 
 

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TO JOHN ARMSTRONG.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TO JOHN ARMSTRONG.

MAD. MSS.

In analogy to the arrangement yesterday decided
on in[80] 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


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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.

 
[80]

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 Washington  120 
Ditto, from Carlisle say  200 
Regular infantry  1,000 
District ditto  1,000 
Marines  120 
District artillery  200 
2,640 
Of Barney's corps  500 
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.