Mass. Government Document – Report on Annual Returns -Militia of Massachusetts 1832

Mass. Government Document – Report of William H, Sumner, Adj’t. Gen. And Acting Q.M. Gen. Accompanying The Annual Returns of the Militia of Massachusetts For The Year 1832, To His Excellency John Davis, Governor And Commander In Chief; With A Plan Of Reform.  Boston: Dutton And Wentworth, State Printers. 1834. Title page is cover of this 110 page document/ pamphlet.  This copy was given to “His Exc’y R.P. Dunlap. (Robert P. Dunlap, 1794-1859,  Governor of Maine 1834-38, and held several other political, etc. offices during his lifetime.

A great deal of information here regarding the history of the militia going back to laws governing its role into the 18th century, (referring to various acts 1775, 1792, etc.), comparison to the national arrangement of troops, enrollment and exemption of certain types of potential persons, etc.. so much here to grasp, but deeply informative in understanding the militia in this time.  Governor Dunlap of Maine, wanting or needing a copy suggests his interest in updating Maine’s militia. The two states were one up to 1820 when the District of Maine was granted Statehood.