Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-06-24

weak upon more equal footing with the
strong in rendering wars less frequent, and
allowing all the arts of peace to flourish in
uninterrupted vigor. cannot be doubted. Ii is
a source of muca qualification to observe tina,
several gentlemen OF high professional dis.
tnction in the army are employing themselves
in these appropriate studies. But while, i'm
carrying forward The plans devised in former
years, due regards should be had TO the i'm.
provements already Introduced in the means
oil defence. and, as far rs practicable, TO sucl,
notifications rs may be rendered necessary
by future discoveries, we must take care by
the most efficient application of the means al
ready known and approved, not to lose the
| advantage of present security.
The array of Northumberland facts and
results Of past experience, and the well sus-
tanned reasoning founded upon them, exhibit
ed in the report of the board of officers refer
red to in the accompanying letter of the Chief
OF the corps of Engineers, appears to be con-
elusive in favor of completing the system Of
defence therein recommended, so far at least
as TO place the country in what is denomna-
ted a GOOD state Of defensive preparation a.
galnst any sudden occurrence of war. To
this extent the completion of the works here
toiore projected may be regarded as indispen-
sable, however defective they may be as
perfect system Of national defence. 1t will
be seen from the estimates stated in the TO-
port alluded to, that TO effect that object will
require an appropriation of $9,693,547 upon
the Notifications, and $4,000 for the ar
maments; making together the sum of Sl2,-
1851. The obligation of the Government
TO apply this sum to the objects contempla-
ted as speedily as the nature and due perma-
hence of the several constructions will adj
NIT, is rendered imperative and absolute by
every consideration of public safety and pub
lie honor
II is estimated by the Chief Engineer that
the sum of 81 ,435, 800 can he judicousy
and most benefcially applied upon these
essential works of defence during the remain
der of the present year, in addition to the APP
preparations heretofore made for the same OBJ
jects. 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 ordinary
circumstances. How this has happened will
be explained by the fact that, soon after the
accession of your immediate and lamented
predecessor, all the means at the disposal of
this Department were directed TO be employ
ed upon the Notifications and other works
for the protection Of the Atlantic frontier, in
the manner deemed best calculated to pro-
duce the greatest possible efficiency in the
shortest time. This course appeared to be
called for by the unsettled and threatening
aspect of our foreign relations. While the
whole of the resources at the disposal of this
Department for this service were thus order
ed TO he applied 60 such unfinished works as
could be made available in whole or in part,
In reasonable time, it is proper to state, in
this connection, that directions Were at the
same time given TO supply, without delay,
the works already completed with their APP
propriate armament.
The promptitude and libcraliy with which
the Governor of New York and the commits
sloner of public lands in that State respond
Cd 20 the recent application Of the Depart
ment to be put III possession Of the works
constructed on Staten Island. under the SUI
pervision and at the expense Of that State,
for the defence OF New Yorll harbcr, deserve
the thanks of the country, and should be fur
ther acknowledged by the immediate appro-
pTlatlon OF the sum demanded as a compen-
satlon for the ground upon which they are
situated. The works are regarded as ofg great
Importance to the object for which they were
designed, and they are now in a course of re-
pair and Improvement, under the direction of a
competent officer oithe corps ofengineers. The
spondcnce between this Department and
the Governor oG New York. and the report OF
| the Chief Engineer, will show the terms mp
or which the title to this property will be
vested in the us.
1T will be seen from the accompanying re-
port from the Ordnance Department., that
some additional appropriations for that SER
wee are believed TO be important 10 the pub
lie interest. The amount called for is $780,
OG0. The importance of die operations OF
this Department. and its Immediate connex-
/ ic,, 1,-iti tI,n L
guns, gun-carriages, and other munitions. will
at once be perceived.
1t is necessary that the attention Of Con
! gross should be called to the policy recently
! adopted in the management Of the public ar
rnories. The duty of increasing. by every
practicable means, the efficiency Of these i'm
portant establishments, not less than due
regard to economy, Influenced the Depart
ment i'll giving its sanction TO the plan of dis
pensDg with the civil SUPPLEMENTARY au
| thorscd by law. After full consideration, j
was believed that this could be safely and ad
vantageously done. Accordingly the armo
Ties are now in charge Of skiIful and expert
cnced officers of the Ordnance Departments
I One defect in the policy Of taking superin
dents from civil life, is the want OF the prope
qualifications, in the persons usually selected
Some degree OF science AS shown by past expe
rience, as we'll as practical knowledge il
the construction end use Of arms, are indis
pensable requisites in the superintendsnts.-
The desired and proper qualifications ar
rarely 10 be found united in the same pcrso
in civil life, whose services can be corumar
ded by the Government. Another and NOR
serious objection to the system of superb
sion heretofore practsed is found in the dc
fective and inadequate control which the De
partment has been able TO exercise over tn
superintendents. Ut has been found impos
sible in some Instances, to enforce the mos
salutary regulations. The necessary degrc
of Difference to the orders and wishes cf tn
/ superior authority. tits manifest, has not bee
Gil rIl.ir rar..l...Ll.- i.. H. IL