Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-10-14


fPament To examine the students National
at West Point The length the document prevents us at
nus hme from publishing it ene-we therefore present the
0"i"s "oSuac' oi Its contents: Bait liner
Inc report represents very favorable light the prof.
e"ey o the Cadsts IN engineerug-t recommends
works In civil and military engineering to complete this
o"hch oil education. The of the WISH
@ mink IN progressive state, and propose that cabinets
:" ioeisn and domestic minerals be obtained Geoprapty
history and ethics taught by individual and by
persons engaged IN other duesthe board
s different disposition of those studies, dispensed with
Ill examination of that department The phiosorbical
apparatus the board likewise think entirely Insufficient as
wen as the chemical apparatus Notwithstanding which, the
Eaues had made respectable advances this branch of
p"'osophy. In drawing topography &c. the proficiency
inc cadets had been great In the branch of ma
nothing more in the estimation of the board was To he
neSeo In the French language the board state that the
Nades translated from French English with n, cracv
ana easethey propose that the study the Spanish lam
guage be added, rendered important by with
mexico and the South American republics The Board
speak III terms of high applause of the of dividing the
Cadets into casscs:-
"As it would be impossible, on account of numbers TO
e'c whole class collectively each of four classes is
Vueu INTO convenient sections, according the talents
previous requirements and ambition the Cadets When
ever justice requires Cadets transferred from one
section to another, continual application is linus neces
say, To maintain distinguished character and place
i"perfect the system of generous competitions the iet
d.cr such senannual examination, on the
ro' a"d take their seats according merit-n doing
'' eone'd CONDUCT Is considered, well progress in
knowledge, that every who aspres 10 distinction
led to be visant his iIy department II is also the
custom each week TO make report of the and most
uehcieh III each secton and this report transmitted TO
the Department of War. IT, after semi MINI,
ton, found grossly deficient, they are turned hack
10 go over 'eir courses again; and it, the next
non, 'hey are still found wanting they dismissed from
the institution. Great Justice aud impa aIitv ire xerco
asar as the Board could Judge in making out the Roll m
heflh lie rank assigned to each Cadet the result of
ai Ruocy conducted, and the greatest publicity is piyep
TO TINS result by printing and distributing roll of Cadet.
arranged according merit. TIE influence of such
te' III eNcthg To honorable exertion needs not to be
enforced. ihe board therefore of opinion thar In.
system OF dividing into sections, according to ,e
CAPACITY OF the members of the classes, practical v ex
ceie ahNV"rthy OF being carefully ant, vigorously mai
tanned; and that public gratitude due the Sueripen
zen! OF inc Academy, and to the Academic Staff, for
having introduced powerful vet SO simple an
! OF emuauon and discipline, which requires only to be
| esta bl!shncnts for cation"
Inc ooafa further recommend increase of the library
."' ''e idhdS now held b. the United States
West Point amoun IL thousand acrce-thot nm ,bas.
i"S houses are but by individuals who are liable TO be
turned oil with their families the will of the superinen
t'ey loComnehd that the agreements should he
reduced formally to writing between the builders and the
superintendent They propose moreover that n formal
cesson of the state sovereignty of New York he o,ode to
Une Ci'ea states OF the lands aforementioned. Some
suitable place is recommended likewise to be buIt for nun
WORSHIP lhe board think that the necessary improve
Nts to be made the lands will REQUIRE an expendi
" we've thousand dolars--they that hospital
Is on every account indispensable.
The last gene al subject which occurred t,e =, ter, ~
me noafa Is that ot the military instructions military
administration, and police of the Academy The result o
W "q' MO this department., is, that the military in
s'iuco' - all Its branches scientific and PRACTICAL is
conducted with skill, and is consequently nrodctiye If
proficiency ana excellence worthy of the highest praise
"' "ii''ay instruction begins with the very elements
oi te art he drill of the here practically com
prelends careful incubation of all the rpls adan,d -,
s''e " "e Ca"e,s hne military carriage the body an
ana cadencer step, and perfect knowledge Of the
manual nc consequence is, that, in the lesson of the
platoon the files exhibit precision in the acne turpinge
ana wneegs' which prepares them for the mannuvres of
the battalion, which performed with promptness ee
gahce ana accuracy not surpassed by the efforts of
troops. " ~ "
Independently Of these exercises which are performed in
e ea oy all the Cadets the first graduating class
aHuen the unequvocal testimony of an extensive know
edSe OF the evolutops of the line by demonstratin ,
Vi tue most complete mangmvres the black board
III diagrams which explained with rre,t f,c;,, -, y
coplousness of illustration The different me,lods of r
s column Of attack, displaying column of grand divisions
the passage oil lines, the mode of retiring bv battalions
forming the columns of attack and squares while retiring
to meet the assaults of Cavalry the various modes m
ing detle advancing and retrmg with an exhibition nj
Inc several cschelon movements form but small norton Of
e demonstrations which this class of their prof.
cIcncy III the tatics of the field They also disrIar.d
very eminent portion of knowledge in the rules of
fhentaon the order of marches, the composition and dis
buton OF troops performing marches in reference n
the lace OF the country, character the enem0 nd
al and artificial mpedments, i'm the duties of aI,,o
flank and rear guards conveys and and in ,
different orders of battle, relative To offensive and ~
h,,
Major Worth, and furnished the best proofs of his ersoi
assidnty and skill, as well of the excellence of is
method of instruction. " ''
The school OF field artillery, as well as the service Of
artillery generally, is taught by lessons from LalIean
admirable treatise. In this department of the d ,
Cadets displayed very respectable attanmens altocehe,
cIedaoe to the officer Lieut. Knsley TO whom this branch
OF their instruction is confded
Inc discipline n" the Academy. whilst founded or the
o pe'ect SunoFdinaon, nevertheless parakes of the
character OF parental kindness and si,pervson which
adds temperate mildness the sanctions of military rle
cacuated 70 render those sanctions more impressive and
cicctual. The Board have every reason 70 bcIi ,h,
instances of abuse of authority are as rare as those Of oh
snate dSobedence., "
The police of the Academy leaves but little IN no dr.
sired beyond that which will be obtained when = moro
copous command of water procured in conformity with
the Plan already proposed by this Board At present If is
exhibited in an attention to the cleanliness of the persops
ueatness of the apparel and accouueme of the Cadets
aud IN the perfect order in which the barracks are tpp,
indeed the youthful form where exhibits finer pvs;ca1
developments than it does this Seminary where the
appearance of vigorous health muscular en,rpv afford
INC best testimony OF the existence Of those regulations
which are adapted to promote them"