The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-12
81 DOCUMENTS
ACCOMPANYING THE PRESIDENTS MES
SAGE I'd
FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT.

I.o.o.s n bring to your notice, at the pres
emf time only such matters connded 10 inc suPeI'n
tendence ofthe Department Of war as from 'ne,,
nature or pressing emergency, or from the general
interest they excite you may deem proper TO commu
ncas for the information Of Congress and the Public
Although the inspections directed since the adjourn
nentof Congress have been made with the greatest
prompness and furnish extensive body OF informa-
lion in regard 10 the state Of the public deences, as
well as TO the discipline and efficiency oil the army,
and bear full and satisfactory testimony TO the import
ofthe Inspectors Department, YET from the Inn
tied time allowed and the immense extent OF terrific
Iy over which the numerous establishments connect
ed with the military service distributed the insPec-
tons are necessarily Incomplete and Il Is therefore
not designed to notice all the considerations suggested
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 annual report from this Department. The regu
lar force stationed in Florida, consisting of eight
regiments, and numbering, in the aggregate by the
last returns five thousand and fftyseven has been
found expedent TO continue in service in that Terri
tory.
A few incursions by small detachments of our troops
into the Businesses of the enemy by which their
atrocities have been signally visited upon their own
heads have been the only expeditions TO the general
cessation of hostiies which took place last fall soon
after the regiments, reinforced ty new recruits and
provided with every necessary supply, were prepared
for active operations; nor have they been renewed
since that time Offers to negotiate from several
Chiefs the device by which those crafty warriors have
30 often baffied our arms at the period most prom
ous to success renewed under such circumstan-
induced the commanding general once more TO
embrace them. The strongest confidence appears to
have been felt that with the aid of suitable amount
offunds, applicable to that object, the whole ofthe
hostile bands might be persuaded to surrender and
tary in It's results continued TO hold such hopes of
complete success as to encourage the late Admins
taon in the belief that this proracteJ war had at
last been brought SO near close as to be no longer
subject of particular interest anxiety For these
reasons not thought expedent to check or in
errupt the negotiations in progress on the 4th Of
March last by directing different mode Corporations.
The result SO far since the negotiations were renewed
in the fall has been the surrender Of four hundred
and thirty lone Indians, including about one hundred
warriors, all Of whom have been transported tn the
country assigned them, west of the Mississippi Some
expectation is still INDUCED by the officer in command
that the remaining bands which have 20 long infested
the upper and northern districts Of the peninsula will
surrender in short time but regret to state that
but little hope can be justly cherished that this un
happy and wasteful war, which has already cost sc
great number Of valuable lives, and many millions
Of public treasure, will be terminated without still
further sacrifices Il appears that af six months o.
negotiation, no access has been had to the principal
and most powerful chief, TO any of his followers
Directions have accordingly been given for the most
energetic and effective prosecution OF the war the mo
ment further negotiations shall appear to be useless
Steps have also been taken to increase the efficiency
Of the at the disposal Of the officer in COM
mand and, in the mean time, the retrenchment OF
every expenditure connected with the service, for Pur
poses not essential in Indian warfare, has been
ncsly enjoined.
The many weghty considerations which invite the
immediate attention Of Congress to the subject Of the
public defences generally and particularly to the works
absolutely necessary to the security Of great com
mercial emporums and the keys 10 our mos. valuable
resources Of every kind, must be generally under
stood and appreciated that nothing this Department
urge could add any thing 70 their force and con-
clusveness. 10 say nothing OF the Destruction O
properly, and cur weakened condition in military
point Of yew attendant upon the carrying Of any o.
our most assailable points, the penetration of our ter
nory and the seizure Of even one OF our stronghold
by powerful enemy upon the sudden outbreak OF war
would seem 70 be equally the dictate Of patriotism
and wisdom TO make due provision against the in
mcnon OF such insults TO the national honor and cha
Factcr.
No. ben urged a. an objection to the further pro-
~ of the works heretofore projected for the defence
extenGve seacoast that the recent experiments
IN the o. seam power IN ocean navigation and the
ready Application Of the same powerful agent to the
defence Of our principal hsrbos, together with the
late inventions IN the means q increasing the desruc
veness shells must soon introduce an entire change
in the system of coast Defence well Of maritime
war in general. II is true that the mental activity
characteristic ofthe age other art and science
has not been less fruitful in suggesting improsemen,s
in the art Of war, the value OF of which has oil
ready been tested in Practice and doubtless Others will
in time, prove equally successful In no department
of public affairs may the natural connexion and de-
pendence between AL the sciences and inventions
art be benefciay illustrated than in the improve
ment of the means the national defence That the
of humanity will be promoted in proportion al
the existing systems and means Of defensive warfare
are perfected By new improvements, in aording TO al
Of their acquisitions and forms Of society and 60
yernment in putting the weak upon 4 more equal
footing with the strong IN rendering wais less fire.
quent and allowing AZ the ans 81 peace % flourish IN