The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-12-09


come redeenable. Additional portions u the
former will continue % become redeemable.
annnally, until tie year eighteen hundred and
thiriy-6ye. II Is believed, however. that III
The United States remain az peace, the whole
of that debt may be redeemed by the ordins-
lry revenue of those years during that period,
under the provision OF the act 81 March third,
} eighteen hundred ans seventeen, creating the
sinking fund, and 10 that case the only part Of
the debt. that will remain after the year cigb-
teen hundred and thirty-hye, will be the sew
co millions Of five per ceni. stock subscribed
To the bank OF the United States, and Lie three
per cent. revolutionary debt, amounting TO
thirteen millions two hundred and ninety-six
I thousand and ninety-nine dollars aud SIX
cents, both Of which are rcdeemable al the
pleasure 81 the government.
The state Of the army ia its organization
and discipline. has been gradually improving
for several years, and has now attained high
degree Of perfection. The military disburse-
ments have been regularly made, and the ac-
counts regularly and promptly rendered for
settlement The supplies Of various descrip-
tons have been Of good quality, and regular
y issued at all Of the posts. A system Of e
economy and accountability has been introdu-
ced into ever branch Of the service, which
admits Of little additional improvement. This
desirable state has been attained by the act
reorganizing the staff of the army, passed on
the fourteenth Of April, eighteen hundred and
/ Ieightecn.
. The money appropriated for Notifications,
: has been regularly and economically applied,
: and all the works advanced as rapidly as the
amount APPROPRIATED would admit. Three i'm
portani works will be completed in the course
Of this year; that is, Fort Washington, Fort
!, Delaware, and the Fort at the Rgolets, in
= Louisiana.
al The board Of Engineers, aRd the Topo-
Il graphical Corps, have been in constant and ac-
: tive service, in surveying the coast, and pro-
d ljecting the works for its defence.
s The Military Academy has attained de-
gree of perfection in its discipline and instruc-
ton, equal as is believed, to any institution
> of its kind in any country.
The money appropriated for the use of the
d Ordnance Department, has been regularly
$ and economically applied. The fabrication Of
e arms at the national armories, aud BY contract
e with the department, has been gradually ini-
2, proving in quality and cheapness II is be-
: lieved that their quality is now such as to adj
! init of but little improvement
The completion Of the Notifications renders
Z it necessary that there should be a suitable
appropriation for The purpose Of fabricating
2 the Cannon and carriages necessary for those
I works.
e Under the appropriation of five thousand
b dollars, for exploring the western waters for
r The Location of site Tor Western Armory,
a commission was constituted, consisting OF
COL Nc Rec, Col. Lee, and Capt. Tacott,
I who have been engaged in exploring the
Il country. They have not yet reported the re-
suit OF their lsbours, bat il is believed that
: they will be prepared to do it, at an early part
: Of the session of Congress.
During the month of June last, Gen. Ashley
I and his party, who were trading under license
: from the government were attacked by the Ri
; carees, while peaceably trading with the Indians,
t at their request. Several of the party were kill
led and wounded, and their property taken or
destroyed
= Col. Leavenworth, who commanded Fort At
kinson, and the Council Bluffs, the most western
Q post, experimenting that the hostile spirit Of the
r Ricarees would extend to other tribes in that
quarter, and that thereby the lives OF the traders
! on the Missouri, and the peace Of the Frontier
! would be endangered, took immediate measures
y to check the evil.
> With detachment Of the regiment stationed
+ at the Bluffs, he successfully attacked the Rcaree
villages, and it is hoped that such an impression
i has been made on them, as well as on the other
+ tribes on the Missouri, as will prevent recur-
n renee OF future hostility.
q The report of the Secretary of War, which
e Is herewith transmitted, will exhibit ia grea-
o ter detail, the condition the Department in
: its various branches, and the progress which
5 has been made IN its administration, during
o the three first quarters of the year.
i transmit a return OF the militia OF the sew
v era states, according to the last reports which
J. have been made BY the proper officers ia each,
Il TO the Department of War. By reference to
4, this return, Il will be seen that il is not COM
e plete, although great exertioHs have beer
a made, 70 make il so. As the defence, aud
d even the liberties, Of the country must depend,
l. in times Of imminent Danger, ON the militia, il
y Is Of the highest importance, that il be well
e organized, armed, and disciplined, throughout
the Uulon. The report OF the Secretary 81
e War shews the progress made during the three
D first quarters Of The present year, by the 40
|, plicaton OF the fund appropriated for arming
" the militia. Much difficulty is found IN dis
u tributing the arms according to the act Of
d Congress providing for il, from the failure Of
!. the proper Departments in many Of the states,
Q TO make regular returns The act Of May the
n twelfth, one thousand eight hundFed and
e twenty, provides that the system of tactics
and regulations Of the various corps in thereg-
d ular army, shall be extended TO the militia
r This act has been very imperfectly executed,
from the want of uniformity 10 tie .s-ganiza-
d ton Of the militia, proceeding from tue de-
) iects OF the system ITSELF and especially in its
: application TO that main arrs of tie ublic de-
: fence. II Is thought that this important sub
! Ject, IN all its branches, merits the attention
y Of Congress.
o The report of the Secretary Of the Navy,
c which Is now communicated, furnishes an ac-
q count ofthe administration Of that Depart
p ment for the three first quarters Of the pre-
) sent year, with the progress made In aug
c mentiog the navy, and the manner in which
y the vessels In commission h,-. hcan en-