The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-07-16

u. S. MILITARY ACADEMY, !
WEsr PoIST, JUNE 1920. (
To the Secretary at War.


Sir Having been invited by you 20 at
tend the examination Of the Cadets Of this
Institution, rs a Board OF Visiters, for the
present year, and having in that capacity
completed our observations and inquiries,
we beg leave TO submit TO your consideIa-
ton the result of our lsbouIs.
The examination commenced with tho
Mathematical Department., and nothing
could surpass the proficiency of the Cadets
IN whatever was connected with the science
Of calculation. The most complicated dia-
grams and figures were drawn with tho
greatest ncatness destevity and pvecisisns
and oil tho required demonstrations, how
ever elaborate or involved, were conductcd
with prompttude and correctness WHICH
quite sstonished some members Of tho
Board OF Visiters, whose previous experi-
cnce enabled them TO judge Of such exhibi-
tons. Norcould there be fallacy in this
or indeed in any other part Of tho examu-
alton, since in addition TO questions propos--
cd by the examining Professors, many qus-
ries, and some Of them Of the most abtruso
character, were propouDded by the Vlsiiers
themselves. Allwere answered Nth equal
readiness, Propriety aud exactness.
In Engineering, military and civil, tho
|isfactory.-In reference to military opera.
tons, the mode was exhibited Of construct
ing and srming Notifications, whether
permanent or temporary, and whether
such works were designed for attack or
defence, either IN the field or on tho sea
coast.
In tho civil department was stated the
manner Of collecting and preparing the
various materials used in masonry sad csr-
pcntry, in Architecture, ornamental and use-
ful, IN the structure of roads, bridges and
railroads, in remedying the distractions in
rivers, and in the formation ofcanals and
artificial haIbours.
While on the subject Of Engineering.
however, the Visiters arc bound TO remark,
that at present the civil branch Of the Sci
cnce can be more thoroughly taught than
military; the models, &c. belonging TO tho
former being more complete than those sp-
pertaining to tho latter. But ths school 10
primarily and essentially military. To se-
cure, consequently. not only the equalitys
but the just superiority Of Military Engin-
cering, tho Visiters would recommend thue
the appropriation, which hss been some
years annual, be continued for the purchases
4 Of models, ard this employment ofa models
over may DO requisite will be obtained, and
then tho expenditures may cease.
To the Mathematical sciences. and thair
various and important apple cations. snc-
cceded Natural Philosophy, embracing me =
chanics, optics. electricity, ms gnetisn,, and
astronomy. On these several sub bjscts.t the
requirements Of the Cadets wore highly
crcditable. but two Deficiencies were no.
ticed. First, the entire omission Of Acc.
tlstics, they not being contained 10 the
text books which are used. Secondly, tho
course Of instruction 10 not sufficiently
practical. The laws regulating the props-
gatiou Of sound are obviously connected
with military manoeuvre, and every Cadet
should be able TO illustrate, by experiment.
the truths which he has boen taught i'm
physical science. But this he cannot do
with the apparatus at present possessed by
the institution. To remedy this defect an
although judiciously disbufsed, has beeu.
found Inadequate, and will be in a grest
measure lost, unless il be further extended.
that small sum BE- granted, and q very
complete in this respect the experimental
department Of the Academy.
In Ethics, National law, &c. the cadets
proved BY the excellence Of the instruction
which they had received, and the valuable
use they had made Of that instruc-
ton. Under this head, consequently.
the Visiters have only TO advise, first, q
strict adherence to the directions Of the law
as it at present stands with regard to tho
subjects which the Professor Of this Do
partrnent is to teach; and secondly. that this
Professor have an additional Assists mt.
This last ccomen nds'ion involvesno o increase
Of expcnce and would if fcompliod with, hs
very advantageous. p. Z =
| In teaching Frcnch.the object 10 not that
the Cadets should speak the language will,
the strctest propriety Of accent, but that
they should be able to translate correctly
and with despatch sny work written in that
tongue. This end the Visiters think is at-
taned.
In Chemistry no regular prolcssorship
/, has been es,o blishcd by the Government,
until lately an officer Of the Medical De-
par,mept OF the Army, specially detailed
ior that purpose, discharged the duties Of
this chair. Those duties, since tho resig-
nation Of DIR. Torrcy, have devolyed upon
Lieut.. Hopkins, aud how we'll they have
been performed, the admirable preparations
of his class fully eyInced. For h:T year Of
toll and responsibility. Mr. Hopkins ro-
ceives, in addition to his ordinary pay az
Lieut.. he sum Of eight and forty doIiors.
Surely this statement Of the fact will at
once induce Congress to correct so mani
fest on impropriety. by erecting and en-.
dowing q Professorship ofChemistry, Min
eralogy and Geology. These sciences are
exceeded by none in utility, and surpass
oil others in The rapidity and extent ofiheir
impro, emeni.
while speaking or the Improvements Of