Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-12-11

and continued in the line Of the army, It is still,
NOT calculated to insure the best execution of the
functions appropriately belonging to the topo-
graphical engineers. The remedy would be to
remodel the corps, and permanently to attachto
il as many officers as may be necessary; and, oy
consolidating with ii the civil engineers:th the gene
raj operations would be simpli6ed, and the duties
of the corps might embrace all the objects con-
nected with the surveys for civil or military pur-
poses. There is, in this corps, a fund OF expe-
rience and information which cannot but De
useful to the country. i.
1t will be seen, by adverting to the report OF
the officer in charge of the Topographica bu-
reau, that difficulties have occurred IN tne exc,
cution OF the joint resolution OF Congress passed
at the last session, and providing for the CON
structton of a rail road through the pubic
grounds at Harper's Ferry. Some modihca-
ton will be necessary, before the OBJECT OF Ion,
eress and of the company can be %attained; ana
this mayprobably be effected by requiring eiat
ter to pay the value of any Improvements in]ur-
ed by the road, or by giving authority to replace
them in other positions, should they be deemed
Insufficient importance to require beingpa paid Tor
or removed.
The present condition of the work at the Del
aware ~breakwater is shown in the report OIL Inc
Quartermastcr General, and in that OF the COM
mission lately instituted by your orders to ex-
anime it. 1t has been known, for some time,
that gradual dispositions were making in the vi
cinity Of this work, by which the depth OF water
was somewhat reduced; but, until this season TIE
process was so slow and uncertain, that no anx'
iety was felt with respect to its final effect upon
this great national improvement. Recently, now.
ever, The accumulation of sand in the artihciai
harbor has been so much more rapid, ana inuicat-
ed the necessity ofa thorough examination, by
scientific persons in order to ascertain, it posi-
BILE, the causes of this occurrence. and to check
or obviate them. The views Of the officers Sc.
Iected for this purpose will be found in their re-
port. and, agreeably to yourdirection, they have
been adopted by the department. An estimate
for one hundred thousand dollars to be applied to
this work, is among the annual estimates OF
the department, and, if approved by Congress,
that sum will be appropriated, in the manner
pointed out by the report, to the completion OF
that part Of the work already begun, and yet
unfinished. In the meantime, by a series OIL op-
servations frequently and carefully taken, the
probable operation of the tides and currents
may be ascertained, and the best remedy 10
counterfeit them pointed out.
The act OF March I'd, 1929, " to continue the
present mode of supplying the army of the Uni
ted States expires by its own limitation, on
| the Cd of March next. The Subsistence De-
partment, which was continued by this act, has
been found highly useful to the army, and oene-
fetal to the public by the efficiency and econo-
my of its administration. From my own knowl'
Il tUSc Vi u OulCCIS u opC' no vi 80
from what I have otherwise learned of these, l
feel called upon to present this subject particu-
larly to your attention, satisfied that the contin-
nance OF the department is demanded by the
best interests Of the service.
The reports of The Major General, and OF the
other heads OF bureaus, will communicate all
| necessary information in relation TO subjects re-
spectively committed to them. | am not aware
that there is any particular matter requiring
your special attention. These reports are sa-
tisfactory in the views they exhibit OF The course
of administration, and of the reduced expendi-
lures, which are required Tor the service OF the
coming year.
the laws as authorizes the comforting OF Bre-
vets for ten years service in one grade was re-
pealed, and the nominations Of all officers, who
had completed that term prior to the repeal, was
confirmed. This change seems to bear with
some severity upon those, who had served du-
ring the greater portion, tho not the whole OF
such term. The existing laws, and the practice
under them, held out to all officers, as an induce
ment to good conduct. the prospect of promo
ton after ten years faithful service in one grade.
In military life the hope Of professional distinc-
ton is essential to a high honorable discharge
Of the duties to which its members are devoted.
If this is destroyed or neglected, little more than
a mechanical execution of these duties can be
expected. In our army this sentiment is as
uCdf duu 10 ~ NitOi iobCu % III ~ oN"SA
and if not the cause, it is certainly the ac-
compartment Of jealous devotion to the public
interest. All the officers who, before the repeal
Of this law, had entered upon what may be term
ed their probation, expected, and had a right to
expect, that if at its termination they should
have complied with the condition by faithful
service, the reward held out would be granted
to them. venture respectfully to suggest, whe-
Their justice does not require such a modification
of this law as to authorize the granting of bre.
vets to every one, whose term of ten years had
commenced before the repeal, at the end OF such
term, if the conditions of the law shall be fulfill
ed. This would insure the ultimate abolition Of
the practice which Congress had in view, while
it would seem to be giving due weight to claims
founded, if not in right, certainly in strong con-
siderations connected with the services and sit
uation Of the officers. This valuable class Of
the community is exposed to every vicissitude
incident to climate and situation, and the pecu-
mary considerations they receive is barely suft-
cient to enable them 10 meet the demands to
which they are liable.
Disclosures have been made during the past
so,sop ebnu;no Tho naceSsitvn If q thorouOh in.