The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-09

the site Of the works erected and to put thm in re-
pair. Should any apprehension be felt OF a want OF
means, they can probably be supplied by the sale of
the site OF fort Gansevoort, on the North river,
which has become comparatively useless, and by the
application OF the proceeds OF such sale TO the works
on aten Island.
Another and most essential part of the defence OF
the harbor OF New York, which has been rendered
more necessary by the discovery of new channel,
consists Of work Sandy Hook, the immediate
commencement Of which is strenuously urged by the
chief engineer by the most convincing consldera-
tons. 1t IS most earnestly and respectfully recon-
mended to the consideration of Congress.
would earnestly invite attention 10 the recon-
mendaons contained in the last annual report of this
Department in favor of the establishment of military
deiences on the remote southern portion Of our At
antic frontier. As there appears To be some ques-
ton whether the points the coast within the State
OF Georgia, heretofore indicated, the most advis-
able the appropriation asked by the engineer bureau,
| and which is recommended by this Department, may
be for the commencement of work on the coast Of
Georgia. at such site the President shall select al
ter The necessary military surveys.
The recommendations in the last annual report of
works for the security of Mobile bay renewed
This very exposed frontier would to demand
more protection than has hitherto been awarded.
The r port of the colonel Of engineers shows the
necessity oil some provision for completing the work
on the national road which begun, but which Is
lett unfinished, and is now exposed to rapid desruc-
ton Tor me want of that finish which is essential TO
its protection. If il be the determination of Con-
gress not to authorize any further expenditures on
this road II is suggested whether some measure might
not be adopted by which the States through which il
passes may be enabled to complete and Keep in re-
pair an avenue Of such great Importance TO the whole
community, and particularly to western fellow
citizens, and one emnently beneficial to the ope-
rations of the Federal Government in peace and al
most indispensable in war.
The expense of a survey for the continuation Of
this road through the States Of Illinois and Missouri
TO the city of Jefferson, heretofore made under
solution Of the Seuae, have not been betrayed and
provision for it would be but act of Justice TO the
public creditors by whom IT was incurred
The report OF the Doard of siters, appointed du-
ring the last year to examine the Military Academy at
West point, accompanies that of the colonel of eng-
neers. teyinces great ability, and the close and cr
cal scrutiny with which board OF dsnterested and in
dependent citizens have looked into every depar ment
OF this great national institution, and the high praise
which they award to its superintendent professors and
teachers, to the exact discipline maintained and to the
thorough instruction impaired, is enhanced by their
obviously eminent capacity to form correct iudg
ment, and by their equally obvious regard for dis
eliminating truth The testimony of the Chief Engi-
neer, himself so long and so Thoroughly acquainted
with all the operations of the academy that in his
opnloh "t has never been In condition to perfect
ly fulfilling the purposes Of its creation and maine
nance as now," is equally gratifying and convincing.
personal examination during the reces. of Con-
gress enables to add what these testimonials
scarcely required, my conviction of their entire
business. Having in the last annual report, express
| cd somewhat at large my views of the inestmable
advantages of this Institution to the whole coun nv in
diifuslng species of knowledge that can be no 9TH
erwse acquired, and of its absolute necessity for pre-
serving and improving that science upon which our
safety in must depend it is not deemed necessa-
ry to repeat them Indeed, the steady adherence of
Congress at all times and under all circumstances
even OF pecuniary difficulty, 10 an institution which
so much resembles that body in its influences up II
the formation of national character operating as it
does upon pupils selected mainly by the immediate
representatives of the people, from every district of
the Union renders superhuous any extended observa
! tons on the subject
! The alterations and improvements suggested by
the Board OF Visters have received the most respect
full consideration and have been adopted where cir.
cumstances justified such course. The barracks
for the residence Of the students have been subject
OF complaint by every Board Of Visitors for several
years past The single fact that ordinarily three p,-
pills, and frequently larger number are obliged 10
study and sleep IN room scarcely sufficient for one
is Of itself sufficient to show how indispensable addi-
tional accommodations in that respect have become
In one OF the buildings not only are the pupils de-
prived OF the ordinary comforts of room, but their
health Is eoparded by exposure to storms and to sud-
den transitions. cannot too earnestly recommend
the moderate appropriation asked by the engineer
bureau for an addition to the barracks at the aca-
DENY.
The SUBJECT OF corps OF artificers TO learn and
practice the duties Of military field engineering, was
brought to the attention of Congress in the last ann
al report, and is renewed by the Chief Engineer
Deeming it impossible to increase the cogency of the
reasons urged by him for some provision on the sub
ject, | can but again add my earnest recommended
ton to those repeatedly presented by my predeces-
sor in favor OF the necessary provisions TO effect that
! object.
| The report of the Colonel of Typographical Enei
neers affords and continued evidence of the great
usefulness of that corps, and of the zeal and ability
of its officers. An accurate knowledge of the topo-
graphy OF our very extended territory particularly of
its maritime and internal frontiers of its lakes and
rivers, of the distractions to INSTRUMENTATION
| and Of the positions most requiring, and most capable
of defensive works, is Indispensable alike to ntelli
gent legislation and to efficient executive administra
ton As mere question of economy such informa-
ton scarcely be acquired at too high price,
The advantage OF organized scientific corps quail
fed by study and by practice for this peculiar duty
the irregular services of persons transently en-
ployed without organization and without the oppor-
tuntes of mature and systematic deliberations doubt
less dictated the formation of this corps And all our
experience has shown the wisdom of the measure
The reports in detail of the several officers of the
corps, appended to that Of the Colonel presents a
mass Of the most valuable information respecting the
topography of various parts of the Union from the
reno north TO the extreme south. They exhibit
the prsgress made in the surveys in the improvement
OF harbors and rivers, in the construction Of light
houses and breakwaters, and various other works in
charge of the corps brief notice of few of those
which to require attention. all that will be at
tempted on the present occasion.
ITO b; continued
The late mild weather has caused the ice in the