Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-12-24

additional motives for providing these cooperative defen
ccs. Alternately protecting and protected oy Tie hxed
batteries, these movable ones viii DC onno 10 DC Of
the highest Importance In fact with an adequate to.ce
Of this desert pton stationed in the vicinity OF our perma-
nent military works. and enabled to take reuge under
their cover, whenever necessary, host'e meet "ond
scarcely venture pass the position and thereby
itself to the hazard Of annoyance in DETAIL ana OF being
captured and destroyed, whenever change Oh "lnd or
any other Of the many accidents to which maritime
force is LIABLE might furnish favorable opportunity tor
the action Of the steam batteries Our Atlantic frontier
will not be properly secured till this means oi eAIcent
corporation in its defence is introduced.
In my last annual report, communicated the iacts
which appeared to render proper that the operations
upon the two most important works. Fort calhoun and
the Delaware Breakwater, should be Temporarily sus-
pended Experiments have been made to test the effects
and probable extent Of the which were III opera
ton, and which threatened to inuTe, if not destroy the
utility of these works 1t is believed that the dspes'
sion of the foundation Of Fort Calhoun nearly check
ed that further danger is not to be aPprehebdcd But
will be seen by the report OF the Quarer-master Ge-
neral the experiments at the BreakWater have mol oeen
decisive TO settle the question conneetru Win thal
work. and has been thought best to ask OF Congress an
appropriation only Of one hundred thousand dollars,
which, under any probable circumstances, can pc uul'
ciousy is To be hoped, that the expert
ncns which will be continued andth scientific cXana-
ton it is proposed make next season. furnish data Tor
lust conclusion on the subject OF this important struc-
turc and indicate, either that the causes which have
threatened nure its utility, have produced their !ul
effect that they may be counlcractcd by some changc
in the original plan This artificial harbor IS 100 Vaiua
bic 10 extensive commerce. peculiarly exposed not 10
engage every effort in completing and preserving 1t
from destruction.
The report of the Vstcrs appointed to inspect the
Military Academy, and the documents transmitted by
them, submitted for your consideration, together
with the suggestions they have made, and which arc
calculated in their opinion, TO promote the efficiency
of that institution. These annual examinations by
body Of highly respectable citizens called from various
E,,l cha Ike
on any improper tendency which all public establish
rnents are more less liable, hut they are satlSaco-
ry when they bear testimony to the value OF the syS
tem and 10 the correctness OF It's Administrations ana
practically advantageous by the suggestions they otter
That improvements may be nude in the several depart
mcnts of the Military Academy, cannot be doubted
Nor can it be doubted that thorough examination by
Congress of its various concerns whether admhstra-
tive financial, instructive. would be highly uselui,
and would tend 10 its permanent meIoraon. us re-
suits far these be judged by the character con-
duct and qualifications OF the officers OF the urmy; about
twohrs Of whom have been educated at this ins.ltu-
lion have ucen decidedly beneficial The standard OF
requirement for The military profession has been ralsed
habits Of discipline and subordnaton necessary hrS |"
learn before the duty of command can be properly exc
cucd have been acYuircd elementary knowledge Pecu-
larly adapted to military lite has been more extensive
" and accurately taught, and we have been Oetef Gnu
BLEED to Keep pace with those improvements, which the
nations of Europe have made and are making IN this I'M
portant branch Of modern science
Agrecably to your perinssIon have introduced into
the estimates an additional sum for the armament OF the
Publications. Without going into any unnecessary de-
tail upon this subject at this present me will barely
remark that this called for by the actual state
of our preparations and by provtent regarG TO Inc
~ of self defence. If increase takes place IN THIS
Notifications and arsenas sufficiently provided.
a resolution passed the IloGse OF Representatives, at
the last session. requiring the Secretary Of War TO pro-
cure certain iniornation having on to the establish
A., - c-.l.. INI,,,,
formation which has been collected will DC communicated
in obedience TO Tie resolution; but am so Impressed with
the lpoI OF the measure, that am induced to bring
it to your notice in this report.
The United States have establishment for the
facurc of cannon The supplies wanted, we'll for the
field artillery ofhe army and militia as tor the armament
of the Notifications, now procured from tour private
ouDdrcs: one near Richmond, one at Georgetown, one
oppositc West Point, and one at Plttsburg winch APP
near TO have been established at several periods IN the
expectation that their products would DC received by The
Government the public necessities might require. and
at such prices as might from time to time be Judged
reasonable As there private demand Tor tins manu-
acturc in our country it obvious that no person would
make the requisite peparatos winch are understood
to demand considerable investments, and The en-.
ploynlent CT skitu workmen, practically acquainted
with this branch Of business, unless expectations OF
inst reimbursement were held out. Contracts Tor limit
ed periods have from time 10 time been made, providing
for the delivery of stipulated guanttsics BIT as ad the
honor 10 communicate 10 you IN my ahhuai report
1900 seems to present serious difficulties in the way OF
such an arrangement and since that time no lorIal con-
tract has been made for the supply OF cannon The pro-
prctors of these loundrcs have been annually informed
That if the appropriations would permit, and II cannon
Of DESIGNATED quality and size were fabricated these
would be purchased. In this manner The SUBJECT has
linrercd without any authority on tie part OIL tIls De-
pnttmcut to make efficient arrangements. During
the present year. the appropriation tor the armament oil the
fortcations has been principally expended IN procuring
iron oun.carrarcs; and the ioundres have not been
emul0ycd in the fabrication of cannon Tor the military
branch of the service. 1t Is believed that THIS circu
stance by dcranGng their operations has been seriously
iuiurious and if it again occur, may induce some OF
,c TO discharge the worsnen ccially employed upon
this business and who may hereafter he collected win
great difficulty. The Government now depends upon
This lemporarv and uncertain arrangement tor the sup
py of this indispensable element OF national defence
The circumstances which required the change, had
the honor submit four years since !hey nave 1851
none OF their force during the period winch has inter
vened and independently Of the considerations present
cd yinr relation 10 the uncertain condition Of these cS
tabshmrnts there others bearing upon Tic quality VI
the M cria and workmanship. wh,h render important
that the Government should be lis own nnaactuTrr OF
this article The cost of cannon while th's Is Kept w'th
REASONABLE, limit not object, compared with the two
qualities Of strength and iightne5S Flls"he c1rrtionS
he present manufacturers OF cannon, so lar as the ne
crssary facts known 10 me, Fave reason 10 De sau
fed But il is sufficiently obvious, that IN branch Of
business where slight difference in the material and
lL, nr5lect in the process may produce rremcd!abr
mischief and where from causes not easily asccGaIneu,
these defects may disclose themselves in the midst of the
most active service and after the guns have resisted al
the usual proofs the manufacture Of the article should
be carried on where these negecs are least hKey TO
b,nnrn where in fact there be no interest t. use
,hr ,,,n the best materials, to employ any other
than the most sku artisans-Tims and experience are
to found and perfect establishment for this
purpose upon a scale suited to our wants
Ii does not necessary to exhibit IN deta' the num-
H.. ,r cannon now in possession Of the Government,
md distributed in its forts arscnas and temporary posts,
.nJ Tho number that vii! be required 10 complete the
armament of the Publications already constructed, OF
those in the process Of construction and Ct these pro-
cd AM, the number cessary for the proper demands
r Gold service is sufficient 10 observe here, that The
.au j. Car mntc ilan enouah 70 inst:Ey extensive