Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-12-18
pidity at the expense Of the most meritorious

The accompanying report of the Secreta-
ry OF War will bring TO your view the state
Of the Army, and all the various subjects
contided to the superintendent OF that officer.
The principal part OF the army has been
concentrated in Florida, with view, and IN
the expectation, OF bringing the war in that
territory to a speedy close The necessity Of
stripping the posts on the maritime and in
land frontiers OF their entire garrison, Tor the
purpose OF assembling in the field an army
Of less than four thousand men, would seem
to indicate the necessity OF increasing our
regular forces; and the superior efficiency, as
we'll rs greatly diminished expense OF that
description OF troops, recommend this meas
ure as one OF economy as well as expcdiency
refer to the report Tor the reasons which
have induced the Secretary OF War to urge
the reorganization and enlargement OF the
staff of the army, and oil the ordnance corps,
in which fully concur.
1t is not, however comparable with the
interest OF the people to maintain, in time OF
peace, regular force adequate TO the de-
! fence oil our extensive frontiers In periods
Of danger and alarm, we must rely principal
| ly upon well organized militia; and some
general arrangement that will reader this
description OF force more efficient, has been
! long a subject Of anxious solicitude 1t was
recommended to the first Congress by Gen.
Washington, and has been since frequently
brought to your notice, and recently its i'm
dorlance strongly urged by my immediate
predecessor The provision in the Constitu-
ton that renders it necessary to adopt uni
form organization for the militia throughout
the United States, presents an insurmounta-
BILE obstacle 10 an efficient arrangement by
the classification heretofore proposed, and
! in ito ntf IN bo
be submitted by the Secretary OF War, for
the organization Of volunteer corps. and the
instruction OF military officers, az more sim
| pie and practicable, il moi equally advanta-
geoug. as general arrangement lthe whole
militia OF the United States.
A moderate increase OF the corps, both OF
military and Typographical engineers, has
been more than once recommended by my
predecessor; and my conviction OF the pro-
prleiy, not 10 say necessity, Of the measure,
IN order to enable them 10 perform the vari.
ous and important duties imposed upon them,
induces me to repeat the recommendation.
The Military Academy continues to an
swer all the purposes OF It's establishment,
and not only furnishes well educated officers
.o the Army, but serves To dinusc through
out the mass OF our citizens individuals pos
sessed OF military knowledge, and the scien-
neering Al present the cadet is bound, with
consent OF his parents or guardians, TO fe-
main in service five years from the period OF
his enlistment, unless sooner dschar ged; thus
eXacting only one years service in the Army
alter his education is completed. This does
not appear 10 Inc sufficient. Government
ought 10 command lor longer period the
services OF those who are educated at the
! public expense; and recommend that the
! time oil enlistment be extended 10 seven
years, and the terms Of engagement strictly
enforced.
The creation Of a national foundry for
cannon, 10 be common to the service OF the
army and navy Of The United States has been
heretofore recommended, and appears 10 be
requIed in order to place our ordnance on an
equal looung with that OF other countries,
and to enable that branch OF the service to
control the prices OF those articles, and grad
uate the supplies to the wants OF the govern
ment as well as TO regulate their quality and
ensure theG uniformity. The same reasons
induce me TO recommend the erection OF a
mannlactory Of gunpowder, to be under the
direction OF the ordnance office. The estab-
lishment OF mandatory OF small arms
west OF the Allegheny mountains, upon the
plan proposed by the Secretary OF War, will
the Improvements which exist in the es.ab-
lishmerls OF the Atlantic States and tend 10
a much more economical distribution OF the
armament required in the western portion OF
our Union.
The system Of removing the Indians ives,
o. Mississippi, com menced by Mr.. Jefferson
in 1904, has been steadily persevered in by
every succeeding president, and may be con
sidered the settled policy OF the country
Unconnected at first with any well defined
system for their improvement, ithe induce
ments hold oul to the Indians were confined
10 the greater abundance OF game 10 be
found in the West; but when the beneficial
ehectc of their removal were made apparent,
a more philanthropic and enlightened policy
was adopted, in purchasing their lands
east OF the Mississippi. Liberal prices were
given, aud provision inserted in trerties with
them, Tor the application Of the funds they
received in exchange, 10 such purposes as
were best calculated TO promote their present
welfare, and advance their future civilization.
These measures have been attended with the
hapesl results.
II will be seen, be referring 10 the report
OF the Commissioner OF indian Affairs, that
the most sangune expectations oil the friends
and promoters Of this system have been re-
aIized.--The Choctaws, Cherokees, and other
tnbes that first emigrated beyond the Mis-
isslppl, have, for The most part abandoned |
the hunter trade, and become cutivators oil !
the soil. The improvement in their condi.
ton has been rapid, and it is believed that |
they are now fitted TO enjoy the advantages |
OF a simple form Of government, which has |
been submitted TO them and received their |