The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-12-09

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millions two hundred and uinety-six thou
sand aud ninety Mise dollars aud St. cents,
both III which, are redeensble at the plea
sure of the government.
The state of the army in lis organization
and discipline, has been gradually lmpIo,
ing for several years, and has now attained
high degree of perfection. The Military
disbursements Il been regularly mad,
ADD thr accounts regularly aud promptly
ircndefed for settlement. Tn. supplies o
various descriptions have been 0f good
qn1liy, and regularly issued at all of the
esls. A system Of economy anl accoun
liability has been Introduced into every
branch Of the service, which admits Oi
iititr addi,iona Improvement This de-
slrdble state has been attained by the act
recognizing the staff ofthe army, passed on
the fourteenth Of April, eighteen hundred
and eighteen.
The moneys appropriated for fortified
lions have been regularly aud nomically
applied, aud all the works advanced as
rapidly as the amount appropriated would
admit. Three important works will be
completed in the course Of this year that
IS, Fort Washington, Fort Delaware, and
the For at the Rigoets, in Louisiana.
The board of Engineers, aud the Topo-
graphical Corps, have been in constant
and active service, in surveying the Coast,
and projecting the works necessary for its
defence.
The Military Academy, has attained a
degree Of perfection in its discipline and
instruction, equal, as is believed, to any i'll
stitution of its kind in any country.
THE money app opriated for the use of
the Ordnance Department, has been re-
gulafly and economically applied. The
fabrication of arms at the national ar
morles, and by contract with the Depart
ment, has been gradually improving in
quality and cheapncss. 1t is believed that
their quality is now such as 10 admitof but
little Improvement
The completion of the Fortifcations
renders it necessary that there should bc a
appropriation for the purpose Of
iabricating the cannon and carriages neces-
sary for those works.
Under the appropriation offye thousand
dollars, for exploring the Western waters
for the location Of a site for Western
Armory, IA commission was constituted,
consisting of colonel McRee, colonel Lee,
and captain Talcott, who have been enga-
ged in exploring the country. They have
not yet reported the result Of their labors,
but il Is believed that they will be nrepar-
ed to do at an early part of the session of
Congress.
During the month Of June last, general
Ashley and his patty, who Were trading
under license from the government, were
attacked by the Ricarees vile peaceahly
trading with the Indians, at thrir request.
Several of the party were killed and wonn
ded and their property taken, or destroy
ed.
Colonel Layenworth, who commanded
Fort Atkinson, at the Council Bluffs, the
most western post, experimenting that the
hostile spirit Of the Rlcarees, would ex tend
to other tribes in that quarter, aud that
thereby the lives of thr traders on the Mis-
sour, and the peace of the Frontier would
be endangered, took immediate measurcs
to check the evil.
With detachment of the regiment s.a-
toned at the Bluffs, he successfully ct
tack, d the Ricareo village, and it is hoped
them, as we'll do the other tribes on the
Missouri, as will prevent a recurrence OF
future hostility.
The report of the Secretary Of War,
winch y herewith transmitted, viii exhibit
IN gre Ter detail, the condition of the De.
partment in its various branches, and the
progress which has been made in its adm
nISiraton, during the three first quarters o
the year.
transmit Il return of the militia Of ths
several states, according to the last report.
which have been made by the proper Off
GERS III each, to the Department of War. -
ny reference 10 this return, it will be sect
that 1t /. not complete, although great ex
ertlons have been made to make il so. A.
the defence, End even the liberties, of In,
country must depend, in times of imm
nent danger, on the militia, il is of tn,
highest Importance, that it be well olsa
nzed, armed, aud disciplined, Throughout
the Union. The report of the Secrctar,
oi WAR shews the progress made dunn;
the three tirst quarters of the present year
~ the application of the fund appropriated
Tor armng the militia. Much difficulty j
found in distributing the arms according Il
the act of Congress providing for it, from
the failure of the proper Departments il
many ofthe states, To make regular returns
The act of May the twelfth, one thousan,
eight hundred and twenty, provides tha
the system of tactics and regulations of tn
various corps in the regular army, shall h
extended to the militia. This act has hr g,
very lmperfectly executed, from the wan
of uniformity in the organization of tn
militia, proceeding from the defects of tn
system itself, aud especially in its appica
ton to that main arm Of the public defence
1t is thought that this important subject, il
all ITS branches, merits the attention o
Congress.
The report ofthe Secretary of,he Navy
| MhIch Is now communicated Clrnishrs ~