Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-12-23
Report Of the Secretary of War.

N0Poit vi thO SCViVtuI! vi Wal.
The Report of the Secretary of War, recent
ly transmitted to Congress with the Presidents
Message, is an able document, and we regret
that its great length, and the many other press
Ing demands upon our columns at this season.
Will probably prevent us from giving it place
in our paper.
We learn from the Report that the whole num-
Der OF troops now in the service of the United
States, is 1894, and that to complete the organ
ization of the army on its present basis, 1888
recruits are needed. An increase of two regi-
ments is recommended.
The Secretary enters at large upon the consi-
deration OF system Of delences for the coun-
try, which he divides under the following heads,
First, the protection of the Western frontier a.
gainst Indian hostilties. Second, precautions
against aggressions from the Colonial posses
sions of Foreign Powers in our vicinity at the
North. And third, the defence of our maritime
frontier.
For the first, he recommends the establish.
ment of chain of military posts extending from
the Council Bluffs to the mouth of Colombia
river. For the second, Naval forces on the
Lakes, and harbors with Notifications, to shelter
them from tempests and protect their supplies.
And for the third, Naval forces, floating Bate
ries where the inlets small, and permanent
Notifications at our large harbors.
An element of great Importance in the con-
sideration Of the defences of the sea-coast and
the Northern and Northwestern frontiers. the
Secretary justly remarks, consists i'm the faci.
lily and rapidity of interior communications
They are strictly means of defence, and Incapa-
BILE OF being perverted to any purpose of con-
quest" The expedition with which troops and
supplies may be concentrated and transported
from one point to another by means of Rail-
roads and Canals, (more than equalling the IA
cllities afforded by the ocean TO movements for
the purpose OF attack. placed in striking con-
trast with the condition of things during the last
war. The necessity of embodying large masses
at every threatened point of attack is now done
away by these improvements. The whole force
along any particular line of improvements may
be made available for the defence of any one
point In that line. Troops may now be brought
from New York TO Washington in eighteen
hours, In condition to need little repose, and
may be concentrated at any intermediate point
In few hours. They may reach Philadelphia
from as far westas Pittsburg, in FIVE days, which
before would have required twenty or twenty fve
days-and so in regard 10 Buffalo, N. v, and
all other parts Of the county where railroads
and canals have been constructed. in closing
his anlmatlng view of the benefits which these
improvements have conferred on the Union, the
Secretary remarks :-''If, then, the making of
these works has been premature or improvdent,
In reference to the means Of the States that I'M
dertook them, and has involved them in pecuniary
eInbarrassments, the National Government should
not complain of an enterprise which has placed
these incalculabe advantages in its hands and,
if it cannot relieve, will at least sympatlize in
the msiortunes which have resulted from such
efforts.''
The Secretary states that the business of arm
ing the Notifications is progressing as fast as the
means afforded by Congress will allow. He re-
commends the establishment of Il National Foun
dry for the manufacture Of cannon. The Nation
al Armores, Military Academy, and every other
branch of the service, receive their due share of
attention in the report.
1t was remarked of Mr.. SPENCER, when he
came into Office, that 1t would not be long before
,e thoroughly mastered the business of his |
own department, and, as it was not his nature |
10 be idle, the other Secretaries would llIeu have !
10 look out, or he would be for righiing up their
affairs also. The character thus given Of him
IS well sustained by the report. 1t is certainly
very able paper, and considering the short
line he has been in Office, shows remarkable |
with, as well as a most matured
Judgment in regard to all the various public in
ercsts committed TO his care.
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b. w. Green has been admitted to bail by the |