Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1817-12-31
Of war, which contains the information
desired. JAMES MONROE.


desired. JAMES MONROE.
December D, 1917.
= Ia compliance with the resolution Of
the house OF Representatives requesting
, the pcesident OF the United States /. to
cause to be laid before the House OF Re
representatives. return Of the present
strength OF the army OF the U. States,
with the distribution thereof among the
several military pusts which il is design
ed to protect, together with any lnforaa-
ton which he may be able to siford re-
sPecting the competency of such force TO
preserve and defend the Notifications, a.
nOBgst which it is distributed, and to aid
Al constructing, and 10 defend such other
military works, it any, as it may be in
the contemplation OF the government to
erect, Tor the more eifectual security Of
the United States, and 0i the several ter
ritOries thereOf;" the secretary Of war
has the honor to make a return of the
present strength Of the army of the Unit
ed States, with the distribution thereof
among the several military posts.
The military establishment as it now
stands, is sufficiently extensive to keep
the Notifications in state of preServa-
uon, ba: is wholly inadequate to defend
them against Segslar attack by force
st sufficient strength or skill. To garr:-
son the forts on the maritime frontier
alone wUnid require, according to the
best Information and estimates Of this de-
Part'ne!.t, more than thrice oar present
aSm)er, to repel the assaults Of such a
force. The portion OF the army station
ed in the neigbbOrh9Od Of Notifications
nov erecting, are employed TO all in
constructing them ; but Only an iDcsnsi-
derab!e numbsr has 6eCn SO engaged, ow-
lbs to its dispersed situation. Though
not immediately comprehenJed ia the re-
ISOLATION Of the house, it is but Justice to
Ike army TO observe, thk it has been em-
plOyed to considerably extent, the last
year, in the construction Of reads, arse
mails and other public works connected
With the deience OF the country.
Inc cx.sting Qualifications are thought
to be wholly insufficient in the event Of a
future wa. rs the declaration of war is
the act u the whole Community justice,
honor, and humanity require, that every
potion OF the county should, as far as
possible, be protected against its ravases.
THIS Is among the most sacred duties Of
the government; anil, impressed with its
Importance, z board OF the most skilful
officers IN our service has been cons titut-
ed, 10 examine the whole line of our from
tier, and TO determine on the position aud
extent Of works that may be necessary to
the defence OF the country. This great
work is not yet completed: and in its
present state, i, is Impossible to speak
with any precision Is to the extent 10
which our iOru6caylons oasht to be car
ried. The soldiers vi be able to render
important AID in const ucting the works
that may DE determined on but from the
composition If the army, they can only
come in aid OF regular and professed
workmcn. J. &. CALHOUN"
The detailed aud particular state
mant accompanying the report from the
adjutaut generals Office, states the actu-
al number Of the present peace establish
Inent at 1921, including officers.
The report was ordered to he on the
table. -
From tic COlumbus COhio) Gazette.
70 TIE CURIOUS