MILITARY FLOGGING.
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necessary for me to enter into the various projects for its improvement, which from time to time have been entertained by our rulers, and adopted or rejected by the legislature : it is enough that I should state, in one short sentence, that all those plans have had the same common objects—to protect and benefit the private soldier, to encourage the recruiting of the army, and to improve the character of those who compose it, by bettering the condition of the soldier himself. In the prosecution of these grand leading designs, various plans have been suggested by different statesmen of great name; plans which I need not particularize, but to some of which, in so far as they relate to the present Information, it is necessary that I should direct your attention. One of the chief means suggested for improving the condition of the soldier, is shortening the duration of his service; and upon that important subject it is unnecessary for me to use words of my own, when I have, in a publication which is before the world, and I dare say has been before you (at least you cannot be unacquainted with the name and the fame of the author,) that which better expresses my sentiments than any language I could use myself. The arguments are there so forcibly stated, and the subject is altogether placed in so luminous a point of view, that it is better for me to give them in the words of the respectable writer, the gallant officer I have alluded to. It is Sir Robert Wilson, gentlemen, whose presence here as a witness, should it be necessary to call him, prevents me from saying, so strongly as I could wish, what, in common with every one, I do most sincerely feel—that there is not, among all the brave men of whom the corps of officers in the British army is composed, one, to whom the country, considering his rank and the time of his service, is more indebted —one who has more distinguished himself by his enthusiastic, I had almost said romantic, love of the