Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-12-21
DOCUMENTS
Accompanying the Presidents Message

4 j
ito Communicate information so full.
/ y, and in detail, upon the measures
which have been pursued in the various
branches of the public service, that
shall content myself with very cursory
view ofthe most important objects. The
document marked A is report Of Ma
jor General Brown on the state of the
army. The dispersed situation of the
Infantry of the army in various gafri-
son, and frequently so reduced as rarely
to exceed captains command at any
one place, was attended with great in
convenience and injury to the service
and their utility had in many instances
been superseded by our rapidly extend
ing settlements. twas desirable to al
ter this state of things--to effect il,
concentration OF the army, as far as
practicable, was ordered on the right
bank of the Mississippi few miles be-
low St. Louis, at the Cantonment JEFF
ferson. The advantages OF this position
are obvious. The troops can be easily
transported to the eastern or western
frontier. whenever the public exigencies
may require their presence.
In salubnous and fertile region,
their health will be preserved, and their
supplies may be chesply obtained, and
delivered with facility But the leading
consideration remains TO be noticed
the effect Of the movement on the dis
cipline ard good character Of the army.
1t is admitted by the most intelligent,
that both these desirable qualities are
mere generally found in large masses
of troops than in small detached COM
mands. ProEtiug by the presence of
officers of superior grade, and greater
professional skill, emulation is excited
by the presence AMI rivalry Of SO many
asouauts for reputation, and subjected
to the wholesome control Of the opinion
Of NO increased number of brother of.
GERS. to whose eye the conduct Of each
is exposed, their discipline and moral
tv must be greatly improved.
Reports from tin. Quarter Master tfe-
neral, Commissary General Subsistence,
Pay Master General, Surgeon General,
Comnlissary General of Purchases, and
0rdnance Department, marked b. Z. u.
and G. disclose all the information need
full 10 be communicated on the admins
trat;on of these branches of the public
service. add with pleasure my test
naony to the fidelity Of all the officers,
Superior and inferior, connected with
these branches, among whom not sta :
gle delinquency has occurred.
From the report Of the TisiteTs al
West Point, that establishment contin-
ues TO equal the public expectation es
annually presenting to its coustry large
nunber of youths prepared TO defend It
in war, or to adorn it ia re lca. Legs
lative aid rs still necessary 70 the im-
OF this establishment Its
wants are presented, and an estimate
for the necessary appropriation, furnish
ed by the Chief Engineer, is submitted
in the annual estimates Of this Depart
ment.
The document n is the Report Of
the Engineer Department The duties
performedby both Corps win at once as
certain that great efforts have been.
made to perform, as far as practicable,
the service expected of them. From the
present number, more could not be &C
complished; and yet, from the various
calls made upon the Department for
reconnoisances, it has been utterly inn
practicable to comply with the wishes
OF many of our citizens; and such must
continue to be the case without an in
crease of the Corps. | beg leave to
refer you to this report, and to that of
the Quarter Master General, as show
ing the measures which have been pur.
sued in execution of the special Acts Of |
Congress at their last anI former SEES.
sions, in relation 10 Roads, Harboufs,
and Canals.
In executing the resolution of Con.
gress assigning to this Department the
duty of having prepared SYSTEM of
Cavalry Tactics, and system Of in.
struction for Artillery, for the use of the
Cavalry and Artillery of the militia, |
thought could not fulfil the wishes Of
Congress more effectualiy than by con.
vening Board composed Of officers of
the militia and of the army whose vari-
Gus experience united would enable it
to digest the best and most practical sys-
tenn. The occasion was too favorable
to be lost, and was, therefore. eagerly
seized, of profting by this collection Of
talent and experience, to review our
present defective Militia System, and il