The Letters of Patrick Henry
Governour of the Commonwealth of Virginia
August 6, 1776 (Entire Text)
"Ordered, That the Keeper of the Magazine deliver out one thousand weight of powder, and Two thousand Flints to be sent to Colonel William Christian, for the same Expedition... Ordered, That a Circular Letter be writ to the several Colonels of the Minute Battalions of the Southampton Amelia, Caroline, Gloucester, Prince William & Culpeper Districts, requesting them to order all the Companies of their respective Battalions which are furnished with good Musquets, Guns, or Rifles, Cartouch-Boxes, or Pouches and Powder-Horns, immediately to hold themselves in Readiness to march whenever called upon; in order to replace the Regiments of Continental Troops ordered by the General Congress to the Flying Camp in New Jersey and that if any such Company should not have been already compleated, that that be done as soon as possible, informing them at the same Time, that no Men who are not so accounted will be intitled to Pay; and requiring them immediately to inform the Board what Number of Men may be expected from their several Battalions...."
Patrick Henry's Circular Letter,April 12, 1788. (Entire Text)
" As the volunteer scheme does not promise to succeed, the militia will be our only resource, and from that must be drawn so many men as the exigency may require."