The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-14

this time there exists general system such as pro-
pose, aud such as is absolutely necessary place this
branch Of the service level win that Of other
countries, and preserve il there.
Doubts having been entertained BY my predecessor in
Office Of the power Of the Department TO enter into
contracts for supplies OF cannon shd arms without pre-
yous advertisement has become the practice Of the
ordnance Office 10 make informal arrangements with the
proPneors oil ioundes and manufactures OF arms, 70
receive certain Of cannon and muskets in
speciion at settled price; an engagement equally
binding as written on the psu Of the Depart
ment, but uncertain IN Its obligation upon the manu-
factnrer The former method Of contracting for limited
periods, Is, III every respect, preferable. These essb
lishInents require expensive preparations, and having
no other market than that afforded by the demand OF
Government, ought TO have assurance Of the
articles they may manufacture being taken of their
hands. contract for limited period gives this
assurance, enabling them TO the most compe-
tent workmen, aud encouraging them TO render their
machinery as perfect possible. recent opinion
OF the Attorney General declares this method to be
legal and will be followed in future unless prohibited
by legislative enactment. The existence OF own
armores enables the Government establish standard
OF comparison 10 which the private manufacturers
compelled to conform, and secures the acquisition Of
good arms at equitable prices With the same view,
the establishment OF national foundery has been fire.
quenty urged. and beg leave, respectfully to
repeat the Recommendation. IL is not intended that
this establishment should, at once, furnish the amount
the Ordnance Department to make the necessary trials
and expcrments,so determine the proper mixture
OF metals TO combine the greatest strength with the
greatest ighness and produce the most perfect models
This would secure, at si times a sufficient supply
Of the best fair price. Intending TO submit
plan by which the casting Of and projectles
and the mandatory OF gunpowder shall be placed
under the supervision Of joint board OF the united
service OF army and navy the proposed establishment
WILL If adopted be made useful both branches Of the
service. -t,-~
The erection OF a mandatory Of small arms west Of
the Allegheny mountains cannot be too strongly
mended. The transpoiton Of the armament required
by the western portion Of Union very expensive
and ought to be avoided Il appears to that the
Enlistment best suited for that country IS one Tor hns
ing polishing and putting together, the several parts Of
the muskcts, be made by individual artisans, after
models furnished them by the superintendent and re-
ceived inspection. la this manner the works can
be curtaed or extended to any amount that may be
qured without Inconvenience, and this description of
manufacture become familiar a large class Of mecha-
MICS The buildings and fixtures suitable for this pur
pose, would be much less expensive than those Of the
present national armores and unlike them the humber
Of arms fabricated might be increased tcntod without
requiring any addition TO the original establishment.
This annory might embrace the manufacture and in
specton Of rifles for the supply Of the friendly Indians,
OF which numbers are purchased annually.
Disputes have arisen with persons who withhold the
lead due by them the United States, under the
to Government and, full consideration Of this sub
ject, think it my duty state that, in my opinion the
reservations Of the lands the lead region aud the plan
pursued Of collecting rent their produce for the
Of Government, whatever may have been its former
advantages, is prejudcis to that portion Of the
country where they situated and injurious to the
interests intended to foster Individuals will not
engage in extensive systematic and costly works, such
required in mining operations without some better
security than license for smelling Nothing
Than In ify he nj
the EARTH and the mine is gwen up at time when it
Yields most ore, because It's further extraction would
require outlay not justified by The tenure OF the land
The miner then removes to another spot, where the
process is followed aud the whole region Is dotted
over with these imperfect and abandoned works -
Whereas, if these lands were brought into MARKET to
be sold at moderate prices IN small tracts, to those who
will actually settle there and work the Mines they
might be purchased by enerprlsng and industrious In
dIvduas who would erect permanent works, develop
fully the mineral OF that region, and render
iron and lead abundant and cheap, that Government
would be benefited by the reduction the price there
Of articles of which is large consumer well as
by the general improvement O that portion OF the coun-
try. For these reasons 1t appears expedent that au-
thoy be asked OF Congress dispose Of these lands
and also Of all banks and lands containing minerals,
OF any description whatsoever under the control Of the
War Department.
The accompanying report Of the Commissioner Of
Indian Affairs contains full and lucid statement Of the
various and important matters under the control OF that
office The complicated and arduous duties Of that
branch Of the War Department have been performed IN
a manner highly credabe to the officers charged with
their execution But there some important subjects
connected with these duties which require the early
attention of Congress. The Commissioner represents
that the present system OF discussing, through the
agency Of military officers has proved inconvenlcn in
consequence Of their frequent transfer to other duties
and it my opinion, liable to still stronger objections,
imposes upon these officers duties foreign to their
and nnslI nhgtF
from their regiments and urfrequenty units them
to return TO them would recommend that this method
of dsbursng these funds be abandoned, and sufficient
number Of civil agents be appointed so that disburse-
ments may be made by persons giving bond for the
faithful discharge OF their duties. concur with the
Commissioner the proprety of providing by law for
the liberal compensation OF agents and interpreters
On their faithful execution Of the trusts reposed IN them
depends the Of all efforts 10 civize the
tribes and maintain the peace OF the frontiers; and the
price paid for such important services Is not equ-
vacn to that received by the class of persons in
the employment of trading companies, whose Interests
are not, am sorry TO say Identical with those OF the
Government and whose conduct too frequently coun-
teracts the human policy OF the United States towards
the Indians. ......,
Ia accordance with the opinion Of the Commissioner,
would recommend the passage Of law by which all
accruing moneys invested Tor the use OF the
several Indian tribes be deposited in the Treasury to be
drawn upon the Tequisltions oil tins Department. IN
tne usual thdl TIC WHoio
connected with the investment Of the funds for the
interest Of the Indians and the management thereof, be
transferred from this Department TO that OF the Treasu
ry, to which it properly belongs
Intelligence received at this Department early
in the spring that the Indians were IN an unquet state
northwestern frontier and apprehensions were
expressed that the hostile feelings which existed between
the Sioux and the Sacs and Foxes, might endanger the
peace Of our border settlements. Sensible othe weak
OF forces in that quarter having been compell-
ed, from the Of army 10 strip both the INLAND
and maritime frontiers Of their garrsons TO supply the
army Of Florida with sufficient regular force, 1t was
deemed prudent TO bring down to the seat Of Co.
vernment the principal chiefs Of those warke rlbes-