Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-06-15
DOCUMENTS
ACCOMPANYING THE PKEsIDENT's MESSAGE.
rRnM rnE MAR pEpARTMENT.

FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
DEPARTMENT OF WAR, May 81, le4l
Sir: propose TO bring to your no.ice' al l'e pre-
sent time only such matters coatcea 10 The suPern
tendence of the Department of War as, from 'he'r
nature or pressing emergency, or from Tue geheen
interest they excite, you may deem proper 10 com
municate for the information OF Congress ana the
Public.
Although the inspections directed since the adjourn
ment of Congress have been made with the greatest
promptness and furnish an extensive body OF inior
nation in regard the state Of the public deiences as
well as to the discipline and efficiency of the Army,
and bear full and satisfactory testimony TO the lmpoI
ance ofthe Inspectors Department, yet, froEi the IL
mited time allowed, and the immense extent OF ter
rtory over which the numerous establishments con-
nected with the military service are distributed, the
inspections necessarily incomplete; and i ~ there
fore not designed Notice all the considerations sug
rested by the information they afford until future
occasion.
In the general condition and disposition OF the Army,
there has been material change since the last an
nua report from this Department The regular torce
stationed Florida, consisting Of eight regiments a"a
numbering in the aggregate, by the last returns, hve
thousand and ftys-ven, It has been found expeden'
10 continue in service in that Territory
few incursions by small attachments OF our troops
into the businesses Of the enemy, by which thes afro
cities have been signally visited upon their own
heads huve been the only exceptions to the general
cessation Of hostltes which took place last TALL soon
after the regiments reinforced by new recruits, aho
provided with every necessary supply were prepafeG
fer active operations nor have they been renewed
since that time Offers to egota:e from several Chiefs
the device BY which those crafty warriors have SO often
baled our arms at the period most oroPlious 10 sue
cess, were renewed under such circumstances as m
duced the commanding general once more 70 embrace
them. The strongest confidence appears TO nave been
felt that with the aid Of suitable amount OF unGs
applicable To that object, the whole of the hostile
bands might be persuaded to surrender and aban
don the country. TINS line of policy, though ,ardy III
It's results continued TO hold out such hopes OF COM
plete success encourage the late Administration
in the belief that this proractea had at last been
brought close as 10 be no longer subject OF
particular interest anxiety. For these reasons II
not thought expedent TO check or interrupt the
negotiations progress the 18th of March last, by
directing different mode of operations. The resu,
far since the negotiations were renewed IN the FALL
has been the surrender of four hundred and thirty
one Indians including about one hundred WARRIORS all
of whom have been transported to the country assign
ed them, West of the Mississippi Some expectation
is still INDUCED by the officer in command that the
remaining bands which have so long infested the up
per and Northern districts Of the Peninsula will surren
der in short time but regret TO state that but little
hope can be Justly cherished that this unhappy and
waseful war, which has already cost great number
Of valuable lives, and many millions OF public trea-
sure, will be Terminated without still further sacrifices.
1t appears that after months OF negotiation, no &C
cess has been had the principal and most powerful
chief any of his followers. Directions have ac-
tive prosecution Of the the moment further nego-
tiatons shall appear 10 be useless Steps have also
been taken to increase the efficiency OF the means now
at the disposal Of the officer in command and, in the
mean time, the retrenchment OF every expenditure
connected with the service for purposes not essential
in Indian warfare, has been earnestly enjoined.
The many weighty considerations which invite the
immediate attention of Congress to the subject OF the
public deiences generally and particularly to the works
absolutely necessary to the security Of our great com
tho bow 10 hlai
resources of every kind, must be generally under
stood and appreciated, that nothing this Department
urge could add any thing to their force and con-
clusveness. To say nothing of the destruction Of
property, and our weakened condition in military
point of vew attendant upon the carrying of any of
assaahle points, the penetration of our terri
tory and the seizure of of stronghods by
powerful enemy upon the sudden outbreak of war; II
would seem TO be equally the dictate of patriotism and
wisdom TO make due provision against the iniliction
of such insults TO the national honor and character
it has been urged objection to the further pro-
gress of the works heretofore projected for the defence
of extensive seacoast, that the recent experiments
in the Of steam power in ocean navigation, and
the ready application OF the same powerful agent 10
the defence Of our principal ha6ors together with the
late inventions in the Of increasing the destruc
tiveness of shells, must soon introduce an entire
change in the system Of coas, defence, well as OF
maritime war IN general. II - true, that the mental
activity characteristic of the age in every other art
and science, has been less fruitful in suggesting
improvements IN The art Of war, The value of some OF
which has already been tested in practice, and doubt
less others will, time, prove equally successful In
no department Of public affairs may the natural con-
ne xion and dependence between all the sciences and
inventions of art be more benefically illustrated than
in the improvement of the means Of national defence
That the cause of humanity will be promoted in pro-
portion the existing systems and means of defensive
warfare are perfected BY Improvements, IN afford
ing TO all nations greater security TO the independe
enjoyment of their acquisitions and forms OF SO
ciety and government; IN putting the weak upon
more equal footing with the srous; in rendering
less frequent, and allowing all the arts of peace 10
flourish in uninterrupted vgor, cannot be doubted j;
is of much qualification 10 observe that
raj gentlemen of high professional distinction in the
army are employing themselves in tiese appropriate
studies But while, IN carrying forward the plans de-
ysed in former years, due regard should be had 70 the
improvements already introduced in he If de-.
fence, and, far practicable, 10 such notifications
as may be rendered necessary ny future discoveries
we must take care, by the NEST efficient application 81
the means already known and approved hot 10 lose the
advantage of present security.
The array of well-auhen,icatcd acts and results Of
past experience, and The well sustained reasoning
founded upon them exhibited in The report Of the board
of officers referred 10 in the accompanying letter at The
Chief of the Corps Of Engineers, appear TO be concu
sve favor of completing the system of defence there
in recommended far, al least, as to place The country
in what denoninaed good state Of defensive pre-
this extent the pleon Of the works heretofore pro-
jected may be regarded Indispensable, however de-
fecve they may he perfect system of national de-
fence. II viii be from tile estimates stated IN the
report alluded TO- tina, 10 effect that object will require
Appropriation IF S9,693,5i7 upon the Notifications,
and S249S,o Geo for the ornaments; making together
the sum of S12leO,ai7. The obligation OF the Co.
vernmen TO apply this to the objects contemplated
as speedily the nature and due permanrnce Of the
several constructions will admit, rendered impera-
tive and absolute by every consideration of public safe
ty and public honor
1t is estimated by the Chief Engineer that the sum
of 81 435 500 can be udciously and most bencfcaIly
applied upon these essential works OF defence during
the remainder of the present year, IN addition to the
appropriations heretofore made for the same objects
The expenditures in this branch of the service have
been more considerable in the current quarter than
usual, and hence the additional appropriations asked
for are larger than they would have been under ord
nary circumstances. How this has happened will be
Explained By the fact that, after the accession of
your immediate and amen,cd predecessor, all the
~ alorth