Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-06

thor duties, having lnQetu Teiadoh 10 IL tutuTs
sossible condition Of war, but being purely de
Srsiye, and in their tendency contributing "a
her TO the security and permanency of peace
die erection Of the fortihcations provided fol
50 Congress and adapted 10 secure our shores
s.oru hostile invasion; The distribution of the
s'od Of public gratitude and justice to the pen.
' ':oners of the Revolutionary War; The main
,.osnce OF our relations of peace and of pro-
.se,;on with the Indian Tribes; And the inter
~ improvements and surveys for the location
uDsRoads and Canals, which during the last
.sr.e sessions Of Congress have engaged so
N.nch of their attention, and may engross so
,.sge share Of their future benefactions to our
country. :,
,..,ed and approved by my predecessors, the
ssSn Of thirty thousand dollars was appropria-
ID for the purpose of causing to be made the
Sscsssary surveys, plans, and estimates, OF the
.,a,es of such roads and canals as the Presi-
as., Of the United States might deem Of ma
anal importance, in a commercial or military
so;u, Of view, or necessary for the transporta-
,;on of the public msil-the surveys, plans, and
.s,imaes, for each, when completed, to be laid
before Congress.
IN execution Of this act, board Of Engi-
,.,rs was Immediately instituted, and have
ss,n since most assiduously and constantly oc-
rupied, in carrying itinto effect. The first OBJ
;sft 10 which their labors were directed, by or
Ssr Of the late President, was the examination
os,he country between the tide waters of the
potomac, the Ohio, and Lake Erie, TO ascertain
,be praclicability Of communication between
hem. TO designate the most suitable route for
the same, and to form plans and estimates IN
detail Of the expense Of execution.
On the Sd Of February, 1925, they made their
srst report, which was Immediately commIni-
e,,ed to Congress, and in which they declared
,ba, having maturely considered the circum-
stances observed by them personally, and care
mlIy studied the results Of such of the prelimi-
,ary surveys as were then completed, they were
decidedly Of opinion that the communication
vas practicabe.
AT The las: Session Of Congress, before the
board of Engineers were enabled to make up
their second report, containing a general plan,
and preparatory estimate for the work, the
Committee Of the House of Representatives up
On Roads anG Canals, closed the session with
report expressing the hope that the plan and
estimate Of the Board of Engineers might at
this time be prepared, and that the subject be
referred to the early and favorable copsidera-
ion Of Congress, at their present session, That
expected Report Of the Board of Engineers is
prepared, and will be forthwith laid before you.
Under the resolution of Congress authorizing
The Secretary of War to have prepared COM
cle,e system Of Cavalry Tactics OF the United
States, to be reported 20 Congress at the pre-
zen, session, Board of distinguished Officers
of,he Army, and Of the Militia, has been con-
vsned, whose Report will be submitted TO you,
With that Of the Secretary of War. The occa-
sion was thought favorable for consulting the
same Board, aided by the results OF CORES
pondence with the Governors OF the several
States and Territories, and other citizens OF In
diligence and experience, upon the ackowledg-
ed defective condition OF our militia system,
and upon the Improvements OF which II is sus-
septible The report Of the Board upon this
subject is also submitted for your considera-
tiOn
In the estimates Of appropriations forthe en-
suing year, upwards of FIVE millions OF dollars
will be submitted for the expenditures to be
paid from the Department Of War. Less than
Two 6fths ofthis will be applicable TO the MAIN
tenance and support of the Army. "A million
and half, in the form Of pensions, goes as
scarcely adequate tribute to the services and sa-
er6ces Of former age; and more than equal
sum invested in Notifications, or Tor the pre-
partitions of internal improvement, provides
for the quiet, the comfort, and the happier e2-
istence of the ages TO come. The approprla-
tons to indemnify those unfortunate remnants
Of another race, unable alike to share IN the
arguments, and to exist in the presence OF ci-
ylizalion, though swelling in recent years to
magnitude burdensome to the Treasury, are
generally not without their equivalent, in pro-
stable value; or serve to discharge the Union
from engagements more burdensome than deot.
In like manner, the estimate OF approPria-
lions for the Navy Department will present an
aggregate sum Of upwards of three millions OF
dollars. About one half of these, however, co.
YER the current expenditures ofthe Navy in &C,
,ual service, and one half constitutes fund OF
NATIONAL property, the pledge of our future gio-
~ and defence. Ii was scarcely one short year
after the close of the late war, and when the
bur,hen of its expenses and charges was weigh
ing heaviest upon the country, that congress-
BY the act Of goth April; 1916, appropriated one
million ofdolars annually, for eight years, 10
The gradual increase ofthe Macy. AT subse-
qpent period, this annual appropriation was re-
duced 10 half million for six years, OF which
The present year is the last. A yet more recent
Appropriation the last two years tor building ten
Shops of War, has nearly restored the orlginai