Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-06-25
FROM WEST POINT.

taOIlSncu IL tuis PiaSe3 iu ioo%'
General Joseph Vance. Of Ohio, President
X. c. Mallary, of Vermont.
Thomas 8. Reede, of Mississippi
A. II Powell, of Virginia.
John Barney, of baltimore.
A. n. Tracy, OF Connecticut.
George Blake, of Boston.
Joseph litner, Spea. of II. of R. PENNSYLVANIA
George q. Washington, Of Maryland
Lewis Condict, of New.jersey.
Rev. Mr. Leavins, Of New-York
Col. A. N. Provost, of Philadelphia
Major Stockton, of Delaware.
Major Staunton, u. S. Army.
Major De Russy, u S. Army, Secretary.
The examination continues nine hours day
for three weeks, and is the most thorough and
sitting that you can conceiye--being strictly i'm
partial, the capacity and requirements of the
Cadets are brought into prominent relief, and
their DEFICIENCIES fully exposed.
Mathematics, Alineralogy, French, Chemis.
try, Tactics, Natural Philosophy, military and
Civil Engineering History and Ethics, are all
embraced in The range Of their studies. 1t re-
quires high grade Of ineec. and intense an.
pl'calion, to obtain in -Four years ibe extent Of
requirement in those branches Which is lads.
pensable to enable them 10 graduate; and il i,
not surprising, that al least 2-5,hs Of The whole
number fail TO attain il. Tne calculation is
that out OF $50, an average Of loo.resign or are
dismissed. 1t is proud eminence for the sue.
ccss!ul aspirants-and amply rewards their d
gence, by qualifying them ior any situation in
lie, civil or military.
The Military School presents a most int.
resting example of strict order and high state
Of discipline; every duty, whether Of the soldier
or the student, is performed at its appointed
time, without The least confusion. and every
hour, e ON reveille to tattoo, has its appropr.
a'e employment.
The precision and correctness Of their mill
tary seyoluiions, their scientific atta,nmcpis
and their exemplary moral department, reflect
great credit on { oil. Ihayer, the Superintendent
and Major Worth, the Commandant, who. dis.
,inguished as officers, AMI accomplished as
gentlemen, uniting mildness, with irmness of
purpose, are universally respected. and beloved
WI lille the Professors, generally, many of whom
were educated At the Institution, afford the best
evidences Of its high state ofimproyement.
The localities of West Point are highly in
teresting, its scenery enchanting, and The views
from its lofty heights sublime.
The parade ground comprises a space of Sc.
vera hundred acres, nearly level, elevated about
200 fee, above the river. whose banks are pre-.
cipitous-this plain is enclosed by the river on
two sides, while to the west and south i, is
bounded by steep, rocky ridges, forming parts
Of mountains that rise to the heigh, from
70 TO | 500 feet. From the plain, view pre-
sents itself almost unryaed in beauty and ex-
tent.
The Hudson river is first seen, confined be.
tween rocky mountains, through Two ridges of
which il seems to have forced its way al some
former period, yet still presenting channel of
more than thousand yards, navigable 10 eve
ry part for the largest ships; beyond this, it
spreads into wide bay, and bending towards
the east, is lost to the sight; the shore of this
bay next appears studded with populous villa
ges. and rich with cultivation, over which are
seen succession Of woody eminences and fer.
tile wales, until the view is bounded by the dis
tant, lofty and picturesque SUBMITS ofthe Cats.
kill mountains. Steamboats,, thcky crowded
with passengers, and vessels Of endless variety,
moving upon the river in quick succession, are
hardly less interesting than the natural roman.
tic scenery, which we fully enjoyed last evening
by moonlight, floating on the Hudson, accom-.
panied by the delightful music of full band,
led by 'Willis's inimitable 5uSle ,rye rbera,irc
amidst the lofty mounsins on each side of its
banks.
West Point is distinguished in the annals o.
the Revolutionary War, as affording final and
msupcrable barrier 10 the favorile plan of the
British Ministry, which contemplated, by ST.
multaneous movements from Canada and New
York, 10 divide the Eastern from the Southern
States.
AT West Point, Arnold commanded when his
revolt had nearly furnished The means Of over.
throwing this barrier; and in the easements of
one OF its fortresses, the unfortunate Andre was
confined, 10 the brief and melancholy period
that elapsed between his capture, trial and
death.
AT West Point, too, Kosciusko, not less the
champion Of American than Of Polish liberty
long resided; and his favoriic. resort is still
shown, hanging like shelf Of vereiure from the
precipice, midway between The plain and the
river.
doubts had existed in my mind as TO The
revolution which Rail Ways are to produce in
our country by facilitating intercourse and dis,
tInguishing space throughout our widely ex.
tended republic, an inspection of the Inclined |
Planes, or Marine Rail Ways of Sal.m, Ncy
York, and Boston, would have dissipa,ed them
by way ofexperiment, single horse was vt
tached to brig of2oo tons, and found sulicieni
to draw her ont of the water. Liqh onI rim. 10