Kaaterskill Books

A Copy in Jefferson's Library: William Plumer's Speech in Support of Government Power to Wage War

[War of 1812] Plumer, William.

[Speech of His Excellency William Plumer] New-Hampshire legislature. Quorums of both houses having been previously formed, yesterday at half past three o'clock His Excellency William Plumer delivered in presence of the legislature the following speech.

Concord, N.H. Patriot Office, 1812. 8 pp. 8vo. Stitched self wrappers. First edition. Moderate wear and soiling, corners creased, a few portions of text faded, still about very good. Amer. Imprints: 26231 & 26281. Sabin 63450n. Sowerby: Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson 3418. Item #45861

Imprint at head of title: Patriot Office, Concord, N.H., November 19, 1812. Signed in print, William Plumer, November 18th, 1812.

Plumer excoriates the British and argues for the right of the President to order up the militia over any objections from the governors of individual states, a position which did not sit well with his fellow New England governors, the Federalists governors of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. "The act of Plumer's administration that the Federalists most bitterly condemned was the one of which he was most proud -his prompt compliance with the national requests for service of the detached militia. During his twelve months in office, Plumer received four such requisitions, each of which he fulfilled unhesitatingly." (Lynn W. Turner: William Plumer of New Hampshire, 1759-1850. Chapel Hill : Univ. NC, 1962, p. 219).

"The President of the United States is by law vested with power and authority to callout the militia, to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections;, repel invasions, and when the United States are in imminent danger of being invaded. In executing the laws and providing against invasions, the President, who by the Constitution is appointed Commander in Chief of the militia of the several Stales, is judge of the time when it is necessary, and of the number of the militia that is requisite to be called into service.... To admit that he has power to order upon the Governors of the several States to order a portion of the militia into service, but that those Governors can with propriety refuse to carry those orders into effect, would establish a principle of insubordination incompatible with ail military principles, and would, in fact, nullify the authority vested in the President as Commander in Chief of the militia....if the respective Governors of the several States, are not bound to call out the militia upon the requisition of the President, but are to exercise their own judgment whether the state of affairs require it, some Governors, living nearer the scene of action and having more information, would comply, but others refuse. This diversity of opinion and conduct, would produce such a state of uncertainty and confusion, as might greatly endanger the public safety. As the Constitution has vested the President with the power of directing and managing our foreign relations, he must necessarily have earlier and more correct information, when the nation is in danger of invasion than any other officer can have, and of course he must be better qualified to determine when the aid of the militia is necessary."

OCLC locates only four copies: New Hampshire State Lib., New York State LIb., Duke, Lib. of Congress (Jefferson's copy). Also a copy at the American Antiquarian Soc.

Price: $500.00