The Litchfield County post. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1826-1829, 1826-12-12

With regard 10 the collection of Revenue Of
Impost, certain occurrences have within the
last year, been disclosed in one OF our rrinci-
pal ports, which engaged the attention of Con-
gress at their last. session, and may hereafter
require further cOnsidGfAtion. Until within
very few years, the execution Of the laws. has
been ensured marc by the moral sense of the
community, than by the rigours of Jealous
preCautiOn, or by penal sanctions. Coniiding
in the exemplary punctuality and unsulied in
tegrty OF our importing merchants, gradual
relaxation from the provision of the COllec-
tlOnLaws, close adherence to which would
have caused Inconvenience and expense to
them, had long become habitlal; and indul-
genee had been extended universally, because
they had never been abused. 1t may be wOr-
thy of your serious consideration, whether
some further legislative provision may not be
necessary to come in aid Of this state of TN
guarded security.
From the reports herewith communicated
of the Secretaries of War and Of the Navy,
with the subsidiary documents, annexed to
them, will he discovered the present condition
and administration of our Military establish
ment onthe land and on the sea. The organ
iAation of the Army having undergone no
change since its reduction to the present peace
. establishment in 1921, it remains only 10 OBJ
serve, that it is yet found adequate to all the
purposes for which a permanent armed force
IN tlmeof peace eau be needed, or useful. 1t
may be proper to add, that, from difference
OF opinion between the late president of the
United States and the Senate, with regard To
the construction Of the act of Congress of Sd
March, 1891, to reduce and fix the Military
Peace Establishment af the United States, it
remains hitherto SO far without execution, that
no Colonel has been appointed to command
s. - e
mantary or explanatory act of the Legislature
appears 10 be the only expedient practicable,
for removing the difficulty Of this appoint
Nlent.
Ina period of profound peace, the conduct
of the mere military establishment forms hut
a very inconsiderale portion fthc duties de-
vnivng upon the administration ofthe Depart
n!ent of War. 1t will he seen by the returns
from the subordinate departments of the Ar
my, that every branch of the service is mar
krd with order, regularity, and discipline.
That from the Commanding General through
all the gradations Of supcrintendence, the Of
ficers feel themselves To have been citizens be-
fore they were soldiers, and that the glory Of
Republican, Army must consist in the spirit
ot fr"cdnpl by which it is animated, and Of
patriotism by which it is impelled. 1t may
he confidently stated, and the moral cilarac-
provement, and that all the arrangements for
the disposal of It's parts have constant refe-
rcRcc 10 that end.
But to the War Department are attributed
other duties, having indeed relation to fu-
tnrc possible condition of war, but being pure
lv defensive, and in their tendency contribu-'
ting rather to The security and pcrmanency of
peace: The erection of the Notifications pros
H.te1 Tor by Congress, and adapted to secure
ear shores from hostile invasion The distri-
bntion of tine fund ofpuhIic gratitude and JUS
lice 10 the pensioners of the Revolutionary
war: The maintenance Of our relations of
peace and of protection with the Indian
Tribes And the internal improvements and
surveys for the location of Roads and Canals,
which during the last three sessions of Con-
gress have engaged so much Of their attention,
and may engross so large share of their flu
t;re benefactions to our country.
BY the act ofthe 30th Of April, 1894, sug
g"sted and approvedby my predecessor, the
sum Of thirty thousand dollars was appropria-
ted for the purpose of causing to be made the
necessary surveys, plans, and estimates, of'the
routes Of such reads and canals as the Presi-
dent of the United States might deem of ma
t!onai Importance in a commercial or military
peint of view, Or necessary for the transporta
ton Of tile public nail-the surveys, plans,and
estimates, for 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 assiduonsly and constantly
occupied in carrying it into effect. The first
object to which their labors were directed, by
order Of the late President, was the examina-
ton oft the country between the tide waters of
tine Potomac, the Ohio; and Lake Erie, to as
certain the praeticability of "A communication
between them, to designate the most suitable
route for thesame, and to form plans and es-
Inmates in detail of the expenses of execution.
On the 81 Of February, 1895, they made
their first report, which was Immediately
communicated to Congress. and in which they
declared that, having matureiy considered the
circumstances observed by them personally.
and carefully studied the results of such Of the
preliminary surveys as were then completed,
they were decidedly of opinion that the COM
Ysuncation was practicable.
At the last session of Congress, before the
Board of Engineers were enabled to make up
their eeeond report, containing general plan.
and preparatory estimate for the work, the
Committee OF the House of Representatives
upon Roads and Canals closed the session
with a repnrt, expressing the hope that the
plan and estimate Of the Board of Engineers
4I,;, f;r,., he fsrpnarn6 and that the