Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1841-06-26

haNe Deeh transported To the country nssigne
them, west of the sissippi.-Some expecta,io
is still INDUCED by the officer in command ina
the remaining bands which have SO long nfeste
the upper and noriher0 districts of the peninsui
Will surrender In short time; but | regret T
state tina, but little hope can be Justly chershe
that this unhappy and wasteful war, which ha
already cost so great number of valuable lives
and so many millions of public treasure, will b.
terminated without still further sacrifices. II ap
pears that, alter SIX months Of negotiation no &C
cess has been had TO The principal aud most pow
erful chief, or TO any of his followers. Directions
nave accordingly been gwen for the most ener
getlc and effective prosecution ofthe war the mo
ment further Negotiations shall appear TO be use
less. Steps have also been taken 10 increase the
efhclency OF the means now at the disposal Of the
officer in command; and. in the meantime, the re
trenchment OF every expenditure connected with
the service, tor purposes not essential In Indian
warfare, has been earnestly epjoned.
The many weighty considerations which inv lite
the immediate attention of Congress to the sub
ject OF the public defences generally, and particu
larly to tho works absolutely necessary to the So
curity oto great commercial emporiums, and the
keys 20 our most valuable resources of every kind
must be so generally understo and appreciated
that nothing this Department, urge could add
any thing to their force and conclusiveness. To
say nothing of destruction OF millions OF property
and our weakened condition in a military poin,
of view, attendant upon the carrying Of any OF
ouE tloSt aSSdiiaOG points, tUS pcDctfatOn OF our
territory and the SEIZURE oil even of our strong
holds by a powerful enemy upon tho sudden out
break OF war. il would seem to be equally the
dictate Of patriotism and wisdom TO mike due
provision against the Iniliction Of such Insults to
The RATIONAL honor and character.
II has been urged on objection the farther
progress OF the works heretofore projected for the
for the defence Of our extensive sca-coast, that
the recent experiments n the use of steam pow
or IN ocean navigation. and the ready application
ct tho same powerful agent 10 ,ha defence of our
principal haI bors, together with the late inventions
IN the means OF increasing the destructiveness of
Shells must soon introduce entire change IN the
system OF coast defence, as we'll as of maritime
war In general. 1t Is true that the mental activ-
Ity, characteristic of the age IN every other art
and science, has not been less fruitful in suggest
ing improvements In the art of war, the value Of
some OF which has already been tested ii prac-
ice, and doubtless others will, ia tine, prove O.
qually successful. In no department of public
affairs may tho natural conneson and dependence
nn dTs fbneaaeesy Illustrated ,han in The
fnent OF the means OF national defence. That the
cause Of humanity will DO promoted in proper
ton as the existing systems and means of defen-
sIve warfare are perfected by new improve
nents, in affofding to all nations greater securi-
ty to the independent enJoyment Of their own
acquisitions and forms of society and govern
m ent IN putting the weak upon more equal
footing with tho strong; rendering wars less
frequent, and allowing all the arts OF peace to
houfish IN uninterrupted vlgoT, cannot be doubt
ed 1t IS source OF much qualification to observe
that several gentlemen OK high professional disinc
non in the army are employing themselves IN these
appropriate studies. But while, IN carrying for
ward the plans devised in former wears, due re-
gard should be had to the improvements already
introduced III the means of defence, and, as far
practicable, 20 eueh soAiGoa t.ons may tie
rendered necessary by future discoveries, we mus,
means already known and approved, no, TO lose the
advantage of present security.
The array of we'll authenticated and past
experience and the velostancd reasoning founded upon
them, exhibited III the report of te board
red ia the nFanyns letter Of the Chief Corps
Engineers, appear conclusive
the system defence therein recommended, far
least as TO place the country III what IS demon mated
good state of defensive preparation against any sudden
cuTrence of To this the completion of the
works heretofore projected may be regarded ndspena
ble however defective they may a perfect system of
ted in the report alluded to- that 70 etect object viii
uire appropriation Of 50 693,47 upon the Notifications
and S2195,0OO for the armaments making together the
sum of SI2Io6.o41 The obligation OF the Government
apply this the objects ated speedily
the and due of the several
tons viii admit rendered imperative and absolute by
cry consideration of public safety and public honor.
1t is estimated by the Chief Engineer OF
1855 can iudciously appli-
upon .,nrng
der of the year, addition 10 the appropriations
heretofore for the same objects The expenditures
branch the servvice been considerable
the quarter usual, and hence the addition
al asked for larger than they would have
under ordinary circumstances How this has happen
ed will be explained by the fact that after the
sion your Immediate and laented predecessor, all the
the disposal of this Department directed
employed the Notifications and other works for the
protection of the Atlantic frontier, the deemed
best calculated produce tho greatest possible efficiency
the shortest time This appeared II be called for
by unsettled and threatening aspect foreign
While the whole Of the the disposal Of
this Department for service thus ordered be
piled such unfinished works could De mado available,
in whole part reasonable time. proper 70
state. this COMMISSION, that directions the
tins given supply without delay the works already
Pleted with their appropriate armament
The pronlpude and iibera3ty which Governor
New ok and the Commissioner NJ public ian5s that
responded tne application Of 1hs Department
JI CT the works constructed Staten
Island under the supervision and tae expense Of that
az defence OF Nav fors the thanks
# Ire couatry, and shOlli Acknowledged by the
Immediate appropriation 5eHsal.e easi-