The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-11

10 which they are exposed in consequence OF their pc
ing " separated from the wholesome restraints o.
friends and kindred, and deprived Of parental gu'u-
ance."
necessity Of new and enlarged barracks, as wei iof
the health the Intellectual Improvement OF ,he ca
dets present the subject strongly az not 70 ao' y
any further observations in their sapP"f eheep' inc
expression of the dec ded concurrence Of TINS Deps
menl in a recommendation that has already been siren
uously urged upon the attention Ut Congress
The course OF instruction at West Point Is, how
ever imperfect in one essential partlcusr-the means
of acquiring practical knowledge of the duties OF sap
ners miners and pontoniefs. Although II Is not prob
able that, IN any war ia which this country may be
engaged we shall have occasion TO attack many other
Qualifications than such may be captured from us by
an enemy yet, while the knowledge referred to wouli
be indispensable for such purpose, the defence
of such places equally requires that we should under
stand the by which they would be assaulted, that
we may be prepared 10 counteract them. But IN any
warfare which should be carried upon our territory
the most eaectual means Of crossing streams by tue
construction of bridges or otherwise with the great
est expedition OF embarrassing enemy IN his march
or retreat and Of protecting forces would be
elements ofthe greatest importance, and, like all other
operations OF human agency they are TO be improved
and perfected only by the combination of science with
practical experience is earnestly hoped that these
with those powerfully stated IN the
report of the Chief Engineer and those so repeatedly
urged by my predecessors, will induce Congress to
the necessary appropriation for the establishment
at West Point OF corps of saPpers, miners, and pom
toners.
The report Of the officer having charge of the Blu
reau Of Typographical Engineers affords the most sat
isacory evidence of the great ability and Usefulness
Of that corps Having been very recently organized
and being furnished with means for any extensive
operations until within the past year. s capacity and
utility now for the first time fully developed The
surveys ofthe mouth Of the Suwanee Of the boundary
line between and Texas from the mouth OF the Sa
bine to Red river, and Of the Des Moines and Iowa
rivers, have been completed while the most difficult
part Of the boundary between Michigan and Wiscon-
sin hss been finished The surveys OF the lakes, and
that Of the northeastern boundary, are in progress
The preparatory to active operations for the
removal Of the Red nyer raft are detailed In The re-
port, and that important work will be prosecuted with
yigor.
Il will be perceived that the works for the improve
ment of ha rbors already authorized have been arranged
into classes FIRST those OF great Importance and
immediate necessity; and second those OF perhaps
equal Importance but in respect to which there are no
peculiar circumstances so urgent for speedy action as
the first class. The plan OF proceeding gradually with
due regard economy and the condition OF the TIea
sury and with reference TO the just and equal claims
of the different portions Of the country, will is be-
eved, be more likely to accomplish greater amount
Of the desired improvement than any other mode.
The total estimates for the works OF the first class
is 1915, 900, while the very moderate sum OF S30oOO
asked preserve those OF the second class from de-
cay I.shoud not be inferred that any intention ex-
lists Of abandoning many ost valuable and important
works, for which specific estimates are submitted
On the contrary the very ndaon TO preserve
them proceeds from desire for their completion at
the proper time and in due course reference 10 the
principles before stated.
The works for which specific estimates are submit
ted upon the Atlantic and lake coasts of which
by far the largest amount Is for the former.
While justice 10 thus done 10 the maritime frontier,
in the Improvement of its harbors and in the provi-
sions for its military and naval deences the exceed
ingy important and rapidly increasing commerce OF
the lakes is fairly entitled consideration and assist
by rendering accessible the harbors universally OBJ
stIuc,ed by natural inpcdiments, and by ahording
light for hazardous navigation AT the pre-
sent time, this commerce, based the productions OF
States and one Territory, must annually exceed
25 600 600; and texpands and increases 1t will give
additional value the public domain, which will soon
add its tributary streams to the great tide of internal
trade that flows from Lake Superior to the Atlantic
Having now two corps OF officers, composed OF
gentlemen Of the highest scientific requirements, com
bined with much experience, there can no longer be
any for making appropriations To improve har-
bors rivers, in the absence of fu and accurate in
formation from those equally competent and disinte-
rested concur, therefore, entirely in the remark
made by predecessor in 500, that the whole system
may be brought into deserved disrepue, unless exam
nations directed and reports had previous to any
appropriations for such purposes.
The reports Of the Paymastcr General and the act
ing Surgeon General, show the operations of those
departments and the activity that prevails in them.
The report Of tho ComnssaTy General Of subss-
tence exhibits several gratifying results. The expense
for subsistence will be considerably diminished the
ensuing year. There has been great promptness in
the rendering Of their accounts by the dlsbLrsng off
GERS, and in the settlement of those Of the army and
special contractors and not cent has been lost dur
ing the year through the regular discussing officers
| Of the department., or its temporary agents
! The report of the Commlssary OF Purchases con
ains the usual statements OF the quantity of materials
Of clothing hand and procured during the year, the
quantity made up, and the balance remaining; the
quantity of each Of the different articers made up
the clothing establishment and issued, and The guam
tty on hand; and the quantity of clol hing, and OF
camp and garrison equipage on hand and purchased
during the year. the quantity issued, and the balance
on hand. There is also a statement Of the compare
tive cost of the different articles of clothing &c, for
the last three years, from which it appears there has
been reduction in the cost Of nearly all Of them
during the last year.
! Deeminv the establishment of clothing bureau at
the city Of w Washington in conflict with the provision
of the act of May, 1926, by which the Quartermas
ers department is charged with the duty Of receiving
from the purchasing department and distributing to
the army, all clothing and camp and garrison equip
age il has been discontinued, and It's business Will
hereafter DO conducted under the supervision Of the
Quartermaser General. BY this arrangement more
e6ectua accountability is secured
/ From the report of the Commissioner of Pensions,
II VIII be seen that during the last year. the NUMBER
of pensioners the rolls has diminished more than
one third, the greatest proportion baving occurred
among the invalds, the revolutionary pensioners IN
der the act of 1873 and the widows of certain per-
sons who served in the of the Revolution under
the act of 1888 The whole number, OF all descrip.
ilons, the rolls al the date OF the last annual
port was forty four thousand three hundred and nine
| ty-four The whole number at present is twenty-sx
thousand FIVE hundred and thirty one of whom two
thousand six hundred and five invalids; three
Il ousand nine hundred and ffty-eght receive pen
sons under the OF 1918; four hundred and thirty
six under the act Of 1928 sixteen thousand six hun
bred and eighty two under the act of 1882 two thou
sand three hundred and three under the act Of 1886
and five hundred and forty .seycn widows under the
act of 1889.