Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-01-20
OF THE SECRETARY or WAR.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY or WAR.
ihis document is OF more general interest than
those which have etuaiiuted FROM the same de.
pnrtncnt Tor several years past. Not hnviug space
To spare Tor The report us WHOLE we proceed to
extract such passages us relate to orr own FROM
tier, aud to subjects of national importance. OF
the necessity OF completing the system of ,rfen.
sive works along our northern borders the Secre
ary thus speaks J.: .Albsny .Adr.
The works directed hy Congress tn lie con
structed on the northern frontier have been com.
nenccd aud IRE in progress. IL ia to be regretted
that, ewing To some misunderstanding, the appro-
prinlion asked for 10 cunhlc the Department tn
friily the outlet OF Lake Champlan was strurl,
ont ofthe bill for the defence of the country. -
THIS work is deemed of essential importance, MS
likewise one ut or near old Fort Covington, aud
barracks AT Black Rock, aud IN the negthoihood
Of Detroit Hopes arc entertained lint Congress
will not again withhold the necessary opproprin
lions, 10 enable the department to commence these
works, and to complete those already begun with
rs little delay as practicable"
Our mi ilnry readers will he pleased to learn
that the Secretary has submitted n plan for the
more chrrinUl organization of the militia. It is
briefly ndvcred t. in III following paragraphs
the details being reserved for special report:
"lt is proposed 10 divide the United States into
eight military districts aud To iganZe the militia
IN carh district, us to have body 81 twelve
thousand five hundred men in active service; aud
another ofeqnnl nnnhrraS reserve. This would
give an armed miliiia fprre of Two huodred thou
sand men drilled and statiuned ~ to he ready
10 take their places IN the ranks in defence Of the
country, whenever called upon 60 oppose the enc
my or repel lie invader. The nge of the recruit
10 he frow twenty TO thirty seven. The whole
term OF service to he eight years four years in
The first class AMI four IN the reserve. One fourth
part, twenty five Thousand men, to leave The ser
vice every year, pussng, ut the conclusion of the
first term into the reserve, and exempted from or
binary duty altogether, at the end OF the second.
In this manner twenty five thousand men will be
discharged from military duty every year, and
twenty five thousand fresh recruits he received
into the SERVICE Ii will he sufficient for al useful
purposes, that the reminder of the mi'iiin under
certain regulations provided for 10y their govern
nrnt be enrolled aud he mustered at long and
stated intervals; for in due process of time, nearly
the whole mass of the militia will pass through
the first and second classes ard lie either mem
brrs of the active corps or of the reserve orcoun
ted among the eXempts, who will he liable 10 he
called upon only in periods of invasion or mlnin-
of days Of service, aud the rate of compensation,
ought 10 be fixed by law; but the details bad bet
ter he left subject to regulation; plan of which
am prepared to submit to yon /"
Of The Florida War, that disgrace to the FEEDER.
al Administration, the report presents very flat.
erlng picture. The cruelty aud trcachery of the
Indians are spoken of ia terms Of great severity
willie well nered praise is given to the officers
aud soldiers ri our gallant army. iur their conduct
throughout this trying and dsa 'rrious service. III
addition to the present military force employed in
n fatal territory, the Secretary asks for one tioti-
stnI men to serve during the war;