The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-12-13

last year, been disclosed in one on two Of our
principal ports, which engaged the attention OF
Congress at their last session, end may hereaf-
ter require further consideration. Until with
in very few years, the execution Of the laws
for raising the revenue, like thai OF all our 9TH
err laws, has been ensured more by the mora
sense OF the community, than by the rigors OF
"a jealous precau,ion, or by penal sanctious.-
Confdng in the exemplary punctuality and
unsullied Integrity Of our importing merchants,
gradual relaxation from the provisions OF the
collie elton laws, close adherence TO which
would have cauecd Inconvenience and expense
to them, had long been habitual; and indulg-
enccs had been extended universally, because
they had never been abused. II may he wor-
thy Of your SERIOUS consideration, VIII. Their some
further Legislative provision may moi be neces-
sary to come IN aid of This state Of unguarded
security.
From the reports herewith communicated OF
the Secretaries Of War and Of the Navy, with
the subsidiary documents annexed TO them,
will be discovered the present condition and
administration of our military establishment OF
the land and on Tie sea. The organization OF
! the army having undergone no change since
its reduction TO the present peace establish.
ment in 1921, il remains only to observe, that
it Is yet found adequate to all the purposes for
which permanent armed force can be need
ed, or useful. II may be proper 10 add, that.
from difference ri opinion between the late
President OF the United States and the Senate,
with regard to the construction Of the act OF
Congress, of ga March, 1921, to reduce and
fix the military peace establishment Of the u.
States, il remains hitherto so far without exc
cu;ion, that no Colonel has been appointed 10
command one OF the regiments of artillery. A
supplementary or explanatory act OF the l.egis
lature appears TO be the. cnly cxpedient prec-
ticable for removing the difficulty Of this APP
pointment.
In period OF profound peace, the conduct
| of the mere military establishment forms but
very inconsiderable portion of the duties de-
volving upon the administration of the Depart
merit of War. 1t will ne seen, thy the returns
from the subordinate departments Of the army.
that every branch o: the service is marked
with order, regularity. and discipline. That
! from the Commanding General, through all
the gradatious Of superintendent, the officers
feel themselves TO have been citizens beGpre
they were soldiers, and that the glory OF re-
publican army must consist in the spirit o! free
dom by which il is animated, and Of patriotism
by which il is impellej. 1t may be confident
iy stated, that the moral character Of the army
is in state Q! continual Improvement and
that ali the arrangements for the disposal OF
ITS parts have constant reference to that end.
But TO the war department are attributed
other duties, having indeed relation to iu-
lure possible condition OF war, hut being pure
lily defensive, and in their tendency contritut-
ing ruth.r 10 the security and I1ermancncy of
peace: The erection Of the Notifications pro-
vided-tor by Congress, and adapted TO secure
! our shores from hostile juyasion: The distri-
button OF the fund Of public gratitude and
justice to the pensioners Of the revolutionary
war: The maintenance Of our relations Of
Epeace and Of protection with the Indian
tribes: And the internal improvements and
surveys for the location oil roads and canals
which during the last three sessions Of Con
gress have engaged 50 much OF their atteption
and may engro:s SO large share of their fu-
ture benelactions 10 our country.
BY the act of the Both of April, 1924, sng-
! gosted AID "pP-"~od by my Predecessor, The
sum of thirty thousand dollars was appropriate
ed lor.the purpose of causing 10 he made The
necessary surveys, plans, aud estimates of The
! routes Of such roads and canals as :he Presi-
ient Of the United States might deem of ma
tioEal importance in a commercial or military
point OF view, or necessary for the transporta-
ton Of the public msil--the surveys, plans,
be laid before Congress.
| In execution of this act a Board nf Ensin
GERS was Immediately instituted, and have
been since most assidHously and constantly &C
! cupicd in carrying it into effect. The first oh
Ject to which their la5ors were DIRECTED, by
order Of the late President, was the examina-
ton OF the country between the tide waters OF
the Potomac, the Ohio, and Lake Erie, to as
certain the practicability of communication
between them, to designate the most suitable
route for the same, and to form plans and esti.
mates in detail Of the expense of execution.
On the Sd of February 825 they made their
hrst report, which was Immediately communicat
ed TO Congress, and in which they declared that,
having maturely considered the circumstances
observed Ey them personally, aud carefully stud
led the results OF such of the preliminary surveys
as were then completed, they we're decidedly of
opinion that the communication was practicable
AT the last session of Congress, before the
board OF engineers were enabled to make up their
second report, contsinlng general plan, and pre-
| paraory estimate for the work, the committee Of
the House of Representatives upon roads and
| canals closed the session with report exnress.
ing the hope that the plan aud estimate of the
board of engineers might at this time BE- prepar.
ed and that the subject be referred TO the early
and favorable consideration of Congress, at the ir
| present session. That expected report of the
board OF engineers is prepared, and will be forth
wl:,l laid before you.
Uuder the resolution Of Congress- authorizing
the Secretary Of War TO have prepared com.
plete system Of cavalry tactics of the United
States, TO be reported TO Congress at the presen.
session-a board of distinguished officers of the
army, and of the militia, has been convened
| whose report viii be submitted TO you, with that
of the Secretary of War. The occasion was
thought favorable for consulting the same board,
aidedb by the results Of a correspondence with the
! Governors Of the several States and Territories,
and other citizens of Intelligence and experience
upon the acknowledged defective condition of our
militia system, and upon the improvements Of
which IL is susceptible. The report of the board
upon this subject is also submitted for your con-
siCleration