Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-12-13

enactmPnt of another 10 enable them to
retain the lands occupied. upon the pay
ment OF the minimum Government price.
They ask that which has been repeatedly
granted before. If the future may be
Judged by the past, little harm can be
done TO the Interests of the Treasury by
yielding to their request, Upon a critical
examination, it is found that the land sod
a: the public sales since the introduction
OF cash payments in 1920, have produced,
on an average, the nett revenue of only
SIX cents an acre more than the minimum
Government price. There is no reason
10 suppose. that future sales will be more
productive. The Government, therefore,
has no adequate pecuniarv interest to in
duse it to drive these people from the lands
they occupy, for the purpose of selling
them to others.
Entertaining these views, recommend
the passage Of the pre-empion law for
their benefit, in connection with the pre-
paratory steps toward the graduation OF
The price Of the public lands, aud further
and more otfectuaI provisions to prevent
:nrUsions hereafter. Indulgence TO those
who have settled on these lands with ex-
pectatlons that past Legislation would BIZ
made a rule for the future. and atthe same
time removing the most plausible grounds
on which intrusIOnS are excused, and
Od0pting more efficient means to prevent
them hereafter, appear to me TIE most ju-
dicious disposition which can BE- made OF
this difficult subject. The Limitations and
restrictions to guard against abuses IN the
execution of a pre-emption law, will ne
cessari'y attra:t the careful attention Of
Congress but under no circumstances is
it considered expedient to authorize float
ing claims in any shape. They have
been heretofore, and doubtless would be
hereafter, most prolific sources Of fraud
and oppression, and instead Of operating
to confer the favor of the Government on
industrious settlers, are often used oojy to
min ster to spirit of cupudity at the tx
pense of the mt ST meritorous Of that class.
The accompanying report of the Sec
rotary of war will bring 10 your view the
state ofthe Army, and all the various SUBJ
jects con6Ied 10 the superintendent Of
that officer
The principal part of the Army has
been concentrated in Florida, with view,
and in the expectation, ofbringing this war
in TINT Te rito'y to a speed y close. The
necessity ofstripping the posts on the mar
thine and inland frontiers of their entire
garrisons, for the purpose ofasscmbling in
the field an army ofIess than four thou
sand men, would seem 10 indicate the ne
cCssity OF increasing our regular forces:
and the superior efficiency. as well as
greatly diminished expense Of that de-
scrip,ion of troops, Recommend this meas
ure as one ofecnnomy as we'll as of expe-
diency. refer to the report for the rea
sons which have induced the Secretary of
War TO urge the organization and enlarge
ment Of the staff of the Army, and Of the
ordnance corps, in which fully concur.
1t is not, however, compatible with the
interest Of the people TO maiulain in time
Of peace, a regular force adequate to the
defence of our frontier Inperiods of dam
ger and alarm, we must rely principally
upon a well-organIzed militia; and some
general arrangement that will render this
description offorce more efficient, has long
been a subject of anxious solicitu1e. Il
was recommend d TO the first congress by
General Washington, and has been since
frequently brought to your notice. and re-
Gently its importance strongly urged by
my immediate predecessor. The provis-
) ion in the Constitution that renders it me-
cessary to adopt an uniform system of or
ganization for the militia throughout the
United States, presents an insurmouutabIe
obstacle, to an efficient arrangement by
the classification heretofore proposed, and
; invite your attention TO the plan which
} will besubmited by the Secretary of War,
for the organization of volunteer corps,
: and the instruction Of militia officers, as
? more simple and practicable, if not equal
: y advantageous, as a general arrange
ment c.the whole militia Of the United
= States.
| A moderate increase Of the corps both
? Of military and typographical en- gineers
: has been more than once recommended
: by my predecessor, and my conviction oil
= the propriety, not TO say necessity Of the
f measure, in order 20 enable them to per.
: form the various and important duties i'm
. posel upon them, induces me to repeat the
S recommendation.
|, The VI: .tlry Academy continues to an
It swer all the purposes Of lis establishment
? and not only furnishes We'll educated off
/. GERS to the Army, but serves to difns,
0 throughout the mass Of our citizens mdi
= viluaIs possessed OF military knowledge
1t and the scientific attainments Of civil ant
IS military engineering. Atprtsent, the Ca
V Diet is bound with consent of his I.aTent
IF or guardians, to remain in service fv
y years from the period of his en!istment,u n
it less sooner discharged; thus exacting on
10 ly one years service in the army after hi
,e education Is comnle.e1. This does no