Litchfield enquirer., 1841-12-23

Report of Mr. Spencer, Secretary of War, which We have published in full, comments itself to the attention of our readers. Its pe- rusal, they must remark, is necessary, not only for military men, but for all others, who would keep themselves well informed of the growth and progress of the country Of this document even the Evening Post cannot help saying-"t is drawn up with MT. Spencer's usual ability"
 The whole number of troops now in ser- vice, it appears, is lO,694, of whom 726 are ganization of the army, 1888 more recruits are required.
 1 About $500 men are employed in Florida. It is expected that the Florida war will soon be brought to a close. Col. Worth is highly complimented.
 The Commanding General recommends the adding oftwo Regiments 10 the Army, in which the Secretary concurs. 1 A line of exterior posts, stretching into the Indian territory, is warmly recommended 1 They should be stockaded forts, with log block houses.
 The Secretary urges further means of de- fence upon the Lakes. Harbors, he says, should be made to succor our naval forces in stress of weather, and straits should be tor,i- | fled.
 
 1 is discussed at some length, with an allusion to the various plans that have been suggested. The Secretary says that in Notifications a. bout $ $4,OOOOOO have been expended, and S9,OOO,OOO more will finish all these, except some of minor importance. The works in. tended for the protection of the South are particularly urged.
 The remarks made upon the utility of rail- roads as means of defence, are especially worthy of attention. The facts stated as to the transport of munitions from New York to the West, during the last war, show us what means of defence these Railroads and Ca nals are. The Secretary says" If the ma king ot these works has been premature and improvident, in reference to the means of the States that undertook them, and has involved them in pecuniary endorsements, the Ma tonal Government should not complain of an enterprise that has placed these incalcu- liable advantages in its hands, and if it can not relieve, will at least sympathise in the ! mistOr.uneS that have resulted from such ef- forts."
 The necessity of a foundry for cannon be- longing to, and under the charge of the Gov ernment, is especially dwel: upon. Tn con- nection with this, the Secretary sets forth the different qualities of iron, and the duty of the government to have that best answer ing its purposes.
 The institution at West Point is warmly and ably defended, and it's advantages are set forth at length.
 The abolition of the office of superintendent of armories is recommended. The military, it is said, should have the charge of such du- ties.
 The Quartermaster General recommends Gin which the Secretary concurs) military road to supply subsistence, and other stores, to Forts Kent and Fairfield, in Maine.
 The propriety of permanent works in Flor ida is suggested.
 Details arising from the war in Florida occupy considerable space in the report.
 The great ability and usefulness of the corps of typographical Engineers is com- mented upon. Their surveys of boundary, and other lines, is set forth at length. The total estimate for the improvement of harbors, upon which there is an immediate necessity of action, is S575,0OO. During the last year, the number of Pen- sioncrs on the rolls have been diminished having occurred among the invalids, the rev. olutonafy pensioners under the act of lS3e, and the widows of certain persons of the rev. olution.
 The whole number of Pensioners on the rolls at present is 25,53l. A Board of officers arc visiting the West, to select suitable site for Western Arlno- ry.
 The Secretary is brief in his statement of our Indian relations, and he assigns as rea- son the short time he has been in office. We have hitherto expressed an opinion that Mir. Spencer's accession to the Cabinet was of high importance to the country; and every one who reads this, his report, will { feel that this is but a faint tribute to such energetic and valuable services as he is rem dering the country y.-N. Y. Express.
 Indiana.-The Legislature assembled on Monday week, and the Message of Gov. Bigger was delivered on the following day. He states that the aggregate length of all the lines of Internal Improvement in the State is 1291 miles, and the estimated cost of the same $l9,9l4,424. Up to this time only 26l miles have been completed, at an aggregate cost of $9,l64,529. And vet the State is now involved in debt to the amount of $l5.O6S,l46! The excess has been cre- ated by borrowing to pay interest, and by selling the bonds of the State to those who have not paid for them, or entrusting them to unfaithful agents. The suspended debt thus due the State from the Morris Canal Company is $2,l46,OOO; from other Com- panies $S94,OOO; property taken from the Cohens $34l, ,OOO: in all $3,391, ,OOO, which is pretty nearly dead loss. The annual interest which must be paid by the State amounts to $6l5,OOO. This heavy liability, the Governor says, the State is unable to meet at present. Her revenue for the cur rent year is estimated at $459,S84; and her ordinary expenditures for next year at only $92,750. We are confident she will work | OlOhf hn tox