Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-07

departments Oh the army, that every branch of the
service Is marked with order, regularity, and dis
cipline. That from the Commanding General
through all the gradatons of superintendent, the
ohcers ee themselves 10 have been citizens before
they were soldiers, and that the glory of Repub-
lican Army must consist in the spirit of freedom,
by which II Is animated, and of patriotism by
which it is i,npelled. 1t may be confiden tly sta
ted' that the moral CHARACTER of the Army is in n
state OF continual Improvement and that all the ar
engagements for the disposal of its parts have con-
slant reference TO that end
But to The War Department are attributed other
duties, having indeed relation to a future possible
condition., of war, but being purely defensive, ahd
IN their tendency contributing rather to the security
ana permanency OF peace: The erection OF the
iortitcatons provided for by Congress, and adapt
ed to secure our shores from hostile invasion: The
distribution OF the fund of public gratitude and JUS
tlce to the pensioners of the Revolutionary war:
ihe maintenance OF our relations of peace and of
protection with the Indian Tribes: And the inter-
nal improvements and surveys for the location of
hoads and Canals, which during the last three
sessions otCongress have engaged so much of their
attention, and may engross large share of
| their future benefactions TO our country
by The act OF the 30lh of April, 1924, suggested
ana approved By my predecessor, the sum of thirty
thousand dollars Yas appropriated for the purpose
OF causing 10 be made the necessary surveys plans
and estimates, of The routes of such roads and
deem OF national importance in n commercial or
military pon, of view, or necessary for the trans
por'ation OF the public mail SURVEYS plans
and estimates, tor each, when completed to be laid
before Congress.
In execution of this act, Board of Engi-
neers was Immediately instituted, and have
been since most assiduously and constantly oc.
cupied, in carrying it into effect The frs
object TO which their labors were directed by order
OF the late President, the examination of the
| country between the tide waters of the Potomac.
the Ohio, and Lake Erie ascertain the practical
bity OF communication between them TO desiy-
nate the most suitable route tor the sane, and 10
form plans and estimates in detail of the expense
of execution.
On the Sd of February, 1925, they made their
iirst report, which was Immediately communicated
TO Congress, and IN which they declared that ha-
wing matureiy considered the circumstances OBJ
served by them personally; and carefully studied
the results OF such Of the preliminary SURVEYS as
Were then completed, they were decidedly of o.
Pinlon that the communication was practicable
AT the last session of Congress, before the
Board OF Engineers were enabled 10 make I'D their
second report, containing general plan, and pre-.
paratory estimate for the work, the Committee of
TIC iiouse OF Representatives upon Roads and Ca
n'is closed Inc session with report, expressing
the hope that the plan and estimate of the Board Of
Engineers might at this time be prepared and ,ha,
the subject DE referred to the early and favorable
Consideration OF Congress, their present session
That expected Report of the Board of Engineers
Is prepared, and will forthwith be laid before Won
Under the resolution Of Congress AUTHORIZING
the Secretary of War to have prepared complete
system OF Cavalry Tactics OF the United States. 10
oe reported 10 congress at the present session.
Board OF distinguished Officers of the Armv and
OF the Militia, has been convened, whose Repor,
VIII be submitted toyou, with that of the Secre,a
ry OF War. The occasion thought favourable
Tor consulting the same Board; aided by the results
OF correspoL dence with the Governors of the
| several States and Territories, and other citizens
oil intelligence and experience, upon the acknow
| lodged detective condition of our Militia system
and upon the improvements of which it is suscep-
tible. The report of the Board upon this subject
is also submitted tor your consideration.
| In the estimates OF appropriations for the ensr-
ing year, upwards OF five millions of dollar. will
be submitted for the expenditures to be pad from
the department of War. Less than tyy .tifths of
this Will be applicable to The main enance and SUM-
/ port CT the Army. million and half in the
form OF pensions, goes scarcely adequate tri-
butte 40 the services and sacrifices of former ace.
| ana more than equal sum, invested in fortifica-
tons, OF Tor the preparations of internal improve
msnt, provides for the quiet, the comfort and the
| happier existence OF the ages TO come. The ammo
| prialons 10 indemnify those unfortunate remnants
oil another race, unable alike to share i'm the eniov
/ IN.
| thopgh swelling IN recent years TO a magnitude
| ourdens9me TO the Treasury; are generally moi
without their equivalents, in profitable value. or
serve 10 discharge the Union from engagements
| more burdensome than debt
In like manner. the estimate of appropriations
| Tor the Navy Department will present an apere
| gate sum OF upwards OF three millions of dollars
About one-haif of these however cover the en-.
| rent expenditures of the Navy in actual service
and one-baf constitutes fund of national proper
| ty, the pledge Of future glory and defence II
was scarcely short year after the close of tho
late war; and when the burden of its expenses and
charges was weighing heaviest upon the country
that Congress, by The act of 29th pril, 1916 an
propriatej one million of dollars annually for
eight years, TO the gradual increase ofthe NAM
AT subsequent period, this annual approximation
was reduced TO half million for six wears. of
winch the present year IS the last. A yet more
recent appropriation the last two years for building
ten Shops OF War, has nearly restored the orieio
nal appropriation of 1916, of a million for everv
year. The result is before US all. We have twelve
line-oi-oattie Ships, twenty Frigates; and Sloops
oil War In proportion; which, with few months |
OF preparation, may present line of floating for
tifications along the whole range of our coast |
reauy 10 meet any invader who might attempt TO |
set loot upon our shores Combining with svs
TEN Of Notifications upon the shores themselves
commenced about the same time, under the auspi- |
ces OF my immediate predecessor. and hitherto
systematically pursued, it has placed in our possess
sion the most effective sinews of war; and has left
us a, once an example and lesson, from which
our own duties may be inferred. The gradual in.
crease OF the Navy was the principle of which the
act OF 18Th April, 1916, was the first deveIo,.
ment. ii was the introduction OF a system to act
upon the character and history of our countrv for
an indefinite series of ages. 1t was decIarstion