The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-17

out Delng accompanied WIN dstOiIOhiiStt- -
barometrical observations. In this manner
series of positions may be determined, ana 'he
means gradually furnished of acquiring more
perfect knowledge of the geography OF the
country; and thus of constructing an accurate
map of the United States-objects of vast i'm,
portance TO the interest of their navigation ana
commerce.
The Military Academy has been conducted
in manner highly creditable to the superinten-
dent, and satisfactory TO this Department. Eve
ry effort has been made to enforce dlsclpiIne,
and instil into the minds OF the cadets a love OF
order and nigh sense of their moral and rell-
gIous duties; and it is believed that the standard
OF discipline, morality, and religion at tins instr
tuition, is equal to that Of any other college or
academy in the United States while the mathe-
NAUTICAL and military studies, as far as the theory
is concerned, are as complete as those taught In
any school in America or Europe. Nothing is re-
quired to give our young officers the same add
vantages are afforded to those OF other coun-
tries, but schools OF practice, which are about to
be established, and to which the graduates are
to be sent for one year after they are commits
stoned, and their destination ascertained, in or
der operfect them in the practical duties OF that
branch OF the service TO which they may be at
tached. The new library building is nearly
completed, and the mural towers attached to it
tions, and tearhing practically that important
branch of science, are well adapted for that OBJ
ject. The professor of astronomy was sent to
Europe IN order to procure some instruments
which are needed, and to examine the several
great observatories there, ascertain the manner
in which they are fitted up, and witness their
manner of observing. He has returned with in
formation which cannot fail to be highly inte-
resting and useful.
Whenever the condition Of the Treasury viii
permit, it is very desirable to erect new barracks
at West Poist. Those at present there are dr.
lapidated buildings, originally badly construct
ed, and now in state of decay, which renders
them unhealthy, as they are inconvenient. The
concurrent testimony of each succeeding Board
of Visitors, for several years past, shows the ne
cessity of renewing these buildings. With a
view to spread generally throughout the country
a knowledge of this institution, it has been de-
cided to appoint eighteen visitors from the alter
nate States every year, forming the remainder of
the Board from officers of the Army and Navy OF
the United States.
l must again repeat my recommendation that
twoof the present paymasters be appointed assis-
tant paymasters general, with the rank of lien
tenant colonel. This very important branch of
the service is incomplete under its present orga-
nization; officers of higher rank are required to
superIntend the operations OF the corps who may
be on duty in the field. 1t appears but an act of
Justice to the latter, to allow them moderate
per centage on the payments they may make to
volunteers and militia, to cover the unavoidable
losses to which they are exposed from being at
times compelled to make these payments in a
hurried and informal manner.
No loss or inconvenience has resulted from
employing during the last season, Indian agents
to pay the annuities and make their regular dis.
bursements to the tribes over whose interests
they have been appointed to watch These du-
ties have been well and faithfully performed;
but as a system for the fHal disposal of these
important and responsible duties, the plan resort
ed to on this occasion is incomplete; AID | again
recommend small increase of the number of
and that this duty be permanently
assigned to that branch of the militasy service
In rendering justice to the character Of the of.
icers of the war department, and to the efficiency
with w ich their duties are discharged, | cannot
orbear to bring to your notice the defects of the
present system OF paying the Army, and the evil
consequences which result from it. From the
remoteness of the posts, the soldiers are paid at
long intervals, and the guaranty of soldiers debts
given by the regulations to the suffers, induces
them to give credit to the whole amount allow
ed a disposition of which the thoughtless soldier
generally avaIls himself to the full extent. and
on paw day has the modification to see nearly his
i
sions great discomfort; while, on the contrary,
those soldiers who happen not to be in debt to
the sutler, receive large amounts, which they
too frequently waste in dissipation ;-and, until
these sums are expended, the post presents scene
of alternate drunkenness and punishment. The
only remedy for these evils will be found in the
prohibition of credits by the suffers, and more
frequent payments to the troops
The officers of the medical staff have maintain
ed the high reputation required by the jealous
attention to their duties in garrison and in the
field. The very strict examination to which cam
didates for this branch of the service subject
ed before admission, ensures high professional at
tainments in those of the lowest rank; and that
which the officers themselves undergo before pro-
motion. leads them TO severe application, for it
must appear that they have not only retained the
knowledge acquired at college, but also kept
mace with the progress of medical science, or
they cannot be promoted or retained in the ser
vice 1t is not surprising, therefore, that this
branch of the staff continues 10 be distinguished |
for professional attainments and cheerful devo-
lion to their duties
The report Of the board ofmedical officers, APP |
pointed by your direction. to ascertain the rela-
tive advantages of Pittsburg and Wheeling for |
the location of marine hospital on the Upper |
Ohio in favor of the former, having been appro- |
we'd by YOU the selections under the law for pur-
chasing sites for maine hospitals on the West |
ern waters are now complete. The amount APP
propriated for that purpose not proving sufficient
he Officers entrusted with the performance of
hat duty made conditional arrangements, sub |
cct to the ratification of Congress respect
ully recommend that such an appropriation be
asked for, - will enable this Department TO car
" INTO effect the benevolent intentions of the
aw. s4ts-.H
Having in several instances found deficient the
titles to lands on which forts and other public |
works are erected, measures were adopted to
perfect them; and am happy to report that |
tound, on all occasions, the State authorities
willing to convey to the United States the land
,yhereon such works are situated, The Depart
nent has not yet succeeded in settling the ques-
ion of the right of pro2erty in the Peapatch Is
and, notwithstanding its utmost efforts to do so
This is to be regretted, as its possession IS es-
,entially necessary to the defence of the Della
ware The works to be erected there cannot,
rom the nature of the soil be thrown up in haste
but viii require much to complete them; leaving,
in the event of war, the approaches to Philadei-
Ia, almost eptirelv axDnsed safa fuft Il