The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-15

this long line by troops for one year only would coal
more than 10 erect the works which have been plann
xeysI ron,s az attack along the whole coast. IL Is
true that an enemy could retain possession o. any POI
ton of our territory only for short PERIOD Du' "
defend an unortiied point Of attack, or 70 a.se =,
enemy from position he might occupy ~.a III
tended with great expense Of blood and treasure anu
while feel confident that the stout arms snu pia.s
hearts of our fellow-ezens would ultimately Piesa,
and drive any enemy from our soil, cannos nH'o's
the policy which would expose the best and orasss'
our artisans and working men TO encounter, withou'
discipline and without the Of Notifications, the
trained bands Of mercenary soldiers they would be OPP
posed 10. When we take into consideration the cna
racter Of people, and spaseness OF the population
in proporion TO the extent Of SOIL ID not Wise 70
rely altogether for our defence numbers and un-
taught yalor The baalions that must tight our bat
ties are composed Of soldiers taken from every class Of
the community, and the issue OF every contest must
necessarily deprive the country of some of its best and
worthiest citizens Every effort ought, therefore, TO
be made furnish them the means Of protection, and
TO instruct them defend themselves so that the loss
we must suffer such occasions may be as lighi as
possible.
No arpropriaton having been made at the last
sion OF Congress for the works of internal improve
ment which under the superintendence oil ms
department. they have, for the most part ceased
adhere 10 the opinion expressed IN my last report ta
the system requires TO he revised both with regard 70
the principle upon which such improvements ought to
be authorized and the in which they ought 10
be conducted.
The report of the Chief Of the Typographical En-
gineers submitted TO Congress at its last session, con-
tains elaborate statement OF the history ana pro-
gress of all the works of internal Improvement carried
on by the orders Of Government to which beg leave
refer II is to be regretted that Congress neglected
at its last session, to appropriate the small amount
asked for clearing away the timber lately accumulated
the Red river raf, which obs,ructs the navigation
of that stream. The expenditure necessary Tor TINS
purpose is perfectly legitimate, as all the necessary
supplies for the troops stationed at Fort Iowson are
transported up this river; and the measure Is recon-
mended by It's economy the additional cost of trans
portation by land for year, when this Navigation
is INSTRUCTED being greater than the amount required
to defray the necessary expense OF removing the drt
timber. Ii is recommended that provision be made Tor
the employment of few laborers and boat Tor
short time every season; and il i believed that in
few years the necessity for such precauuon VIII
cease and this portion of the river remain permanent
lysopen.
The survey spoken of in my last report has been
completed and a map constructed, which embraces
that portion of the territory Of the United States lying
betweeh the Mississippi and Missouri MYERS, rom
their confluence northern boundary, and limit
ed by the parallels Of latitude 80 and ~ NORTH and the
meridians 80 and 100 west Of Greenwich It Is based
upon numerous astronomical observations, mot less
than hundred and forty fye) on actual surveys,
and the best information which the exploring party
could procure of such small portions Of the Indian Ter
ritoiy they were prevented from examining py the
inevitable dangers attending the attempt or from want
of means and time very extensive series OF baro-
metrlca observations also made, and the Jealous
cooperation OF men of science, occupying situations In
the States who observed at the same periods OF
time has enabled Mr.. Nicolet to compare his own
with those of others made in different quarters of the
Union and thus accurately to determine the relative
level Of the whole region represented by the map as
well its elevation above the ocean, thereby ndcat-
ing the climate and face Of the country The map
will he accompanied by report calculated to give an
accurate knowledge Of that distant country and II Is
believed that the results OF this survey VIII be useful
both to the Government and to the people, and prove
acceptable accession to geography 1t VIII serve,
likewise to exhibit the manner in which future sur
veys Of the country are TO be made, it, it Is hoped
they should be authorized by Congress. Iappears to
be very desirable that those remote regions OF our coun
try should be known and the surveys ought, in my
opinion 10 be extended by degrees to the OF
the Missouri and the Rocky mountains to the
Pacific ocean. Nor ought that portion OF our country
which is nearer and accessible to be neglected
The existing maps do not rest on accurate data ne
true of great rivers and the forms OF the
magnificent chain of lakes which stretch along our
northern border yet to be truly defined The m
of the rising commerce OF the west require that
photographic surveys of these inland seas and great
avenues of trade should be made without delay A
small annual appropriation will enable the Govern
ment effect this important object through the agency
Of the typographical CORPS which Is composed OF of
GERS fully capable of performing this duty. NO survey
of any description should be made, in future without
being accompanied with astronomical and barnmetrcal
observations. In this manner a series Of positions
may be determined, and the gradually furnish
ed Of acquiring perfect knowledge OF the geo
graphy of the country and thus of constructing an
accurate map of the United States-objects of vast
Importance to the interests of their navigation and
commerce.
The Military Academy has been conducted in n
manner highly credtablc to the superintendent and
satisfactory to this Department Every effort has been
made TO enforce discipline and nstil into the minds
of the cadets love of order and high sense Of their
moral and religious duties and it is believed that the
standard of discipline morality, and religion, at this
institution is equal to that of any other college or
academy in the United States while the mathen.ati
cal and military studies, far as the theory is con-
cerned, complete those taught in any school
in America or Europe. Nothing is required to give
our young officers the advantages afforded
those of other countries but schools Of practice,
which about to be established and to which the
graduates to be sent for year after they are
commissioned and their destination ascertained, in
order to perfect them in the practical duties of that
branch of the service to which they may be attached.
The new library building is nearly completed and the
mural towers attached TO it, for the purpose of making
astronomical observations and teaching practically
that important branch of science well adapted for
that object The professor of astronomy was sent to
Europe, in order to procure some instruments which
needed and to examine tho several great obscrya
tons there ascertain the manner in which they are
fitted up, and witness their methods of observing He
has returned with information which cannot fail to be
highly interesting and useful.
Whenever the condition of the Treasury will per-
nit il is very desirable TO erect barracks at West
Point Those at present there dilapidaed build
ings, originally badly constructed and in state
of decay, which renders them as unhealthy as they
are inconvcnient. The concurrent testimony of each
succeeding board of visitors for several years past
shows the necessity of renewing these buildings
With view 10 spread generally throughout the coun-
try knowledge of this institution, il has been de-
cdcd to appoint eighteen visitors from alternate States
every year, forming the remainder of the board from
officers ofthc army and navy of the U nited States.
must again repeat my recommendation that two OF