Litchfield enquirer., 1836-12-09

eTH1ents tItere would seem t06e no adequate l cause for any longer maintaining that posi- lioE; and he was accordingly instructed, in case the troops were not already withdrawn under the discretionary powers before pOS- seSsed by him, to give the requisite orders fer that purpose on the receipt of the instruc- tions, unless he shall then have in his posses sion such information as shall satisfy him that the maintenance Of the post is essential to the protection Oi our frontiers, and tO the due execution 0t our treaty supulatiOns, as pre-. viOW~.y explained to him. Whilst the necessities existing during the present year, for the service of militia and volunteers, have furnished new proofs of the patriotism OC our fellow citizens, they have also strongly illustrated the importance of an increase in the rank and file of our regular army. The views of this subject submitted by the Secretary of War, in his report, meet my entire concurrence, and are earnestly commended to the deliberate attention of Con. gress. In this connection it is also proper to remind you, thlt the defects in our present militia system are every day rendered more apparent. The duty of making further pro. vision by law for organizing, arming and dis ciplning this arm of defence has been so re- peatedly presented to Congress hy myself and predecessors, that deem it sufficient on this occasion to refer to the last annual message, and to former Executive communications, in WlliCtt tIbC SuuleCI uHS UceU ulSCuSScus It appears from the reports of the officers charged with mastering into service the vol unteers called for under the act of Congress | of the last session, that more presented them- selves at the place of rendezvous in Tennes- see than were sufficient to meet the requis- ton which had been made by the Secretary of War upon the Governor of that State. This was occasioned by the omission of the Governor 10 apporton the requistion to the different regiments of militia, SD as to obtain the proper number of troops, and no more. 1t seems but just to the patriotic c!iZens who [ repaired 10 the general rendezvous, under circumstances authorizing them to believe | that their services were needed. and would be accepted, thnt the expenses incurred by them while absent from their homes, should be paid by the government. accordingly recOm- Congress, giving them compensation, which will cover their expenses on the march to and from the place Of rendezvous, and while there in connection with which, it will also be prop CT to make provision for such other equitable claims growing out of the service of the mili- tia, as may not be embraced in the existing laws.
 On the unexpected breaking out of hos. tiIi,ies in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, it became necessary, in some cases, to take the property of individuals for public use. Pro- vision should be made by law for indemnify ing the owners ; and would also respect fully suggest whether some provision may not be made consistently with the principles of our Government, for the relief of the suf- lerers by Indian depredations, or by the op- erations of own troops.
 No time was lost after the making of the requisite appropriations, in resuming the great naliona work of completing the un- finished Notifications on our sea board, and of placing them ID proper state of delence.- In consequence, however, of the very late day at which those bills were passed, bNt lit- tie progress could be made during the seasen which has Just closed. A very large amount of the moneys granted at your last session ac. cordngly remain unexpendeG but as thework will be again resumed at the earliest moment in the coming spring, the balance of the ex. lstlng appropriations, and in several cases, which wi!! be laid before you with the prop. CT estimates, further sums for the like ob. jects, may be useIully expended during the neX' year.
 The recommendations of an increase in the Engineers Corps, and for reorganization of the Typographical Corps, submitted 10 you in my last annual message, derive additional strength from the great endorsements ex- perienced during the present year, in those branches of the service, and under which they are now suffering. Several oi the most important surveys and constructions directed by recent laws have been suspended in con. sequence of the want of adequate force in these corps. The like observations may be applied i0 the Ordinance corps, and the Gen. era S;af, the operations of which. as they are now organized, must either be frequently interrupted, or performed by officers taken from the line m the army, to the great pre-. judce of the service.
 For general view of the condition of ihe military academy, and of other branches of the military service not already noticed, as well as for fuller illustrations of those which have been mentioned, refer you io the ac-