Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1842-12-17
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
The Report Of the Secretary Of War occupies
lumns of the Msdsonan and gives detailed statement OF
the operations Of that extensive branch Of the National
Government We annex synopsis Of the leading features
OF this important document. Posts and portions OF the
army the Secretary st have no, been inspected for
many years, have been exanined the Qualifications, he
amoes arsenas, and depots of military stores have been
visited and is believed thai but small portion OF
the and important military establishment OF the
Government has during tho year. escaped inspection. BY
this the Department has obtained much valuable in
formation. The estimates of the Department have been
prepared for the first months in lSi3. and for the
LIST of July lsi3 separately. Those for
the army proper for the half year of lS43, amount 10
1858 $50 50. The appropriations for the same purpose
for the service of 1912, amounted &C., OF which
the half would be S2li2 1884, This great reduction is
owing To the termination OF the Florida the stopping
OF the recruiting service and the curtaed operations IN
the Ordnance and Engineer Departments A desire To
economist has induced the moderate estimate tor the
service of the army proper during the fiscal year commence
ing July lst ls43 of 50 SOS 90, being 81 0S0, 100
40 less than the appropriations for the objects in 1912
and 1867 ,43O 40 less than the expenditures in 1870 The
Secretary believes that the present military establishment
the country including all the expenses of the military
denny, of permanent or contingent character, may be
maintained at cost not exceeding S3,l0O0O0. The APP
Preparations recommended for the fiscal year commencing
LIST July, 1913, S115,20O The appropriations for the
same object in 1912, 1921 300.
In the Engineer Department. the appropriations asked for
the ensuing s months, amount To 81 ,245,50O. The
mount appropriated in 1872 S21S, 000 The whole
amount OF the estimates for the military service of the
for the first half year of lsi3 exclusive OF or,caons
~
1874, is S4,144,l5i so.
The estimates for pensions also very much reduced
from the appropriated during the last year, which is
believed be justified by the dimnution the number
pensioners The estimates for that object for the first half
of lSi3, is Sll9,340 and for the fiscal year ending
July ls 1874, S697650 The appropriations for the last
were SI30UO0.
In the Indian Department. the expenditures being regu
lated by treaties or by law, there is for the
else OF discretion in the reduction of their As
these chiefly made within the first six months of
fact, for the service of the whole year, and
S!9l4Sl ~, and those for the fiscal year commencing
July list, lS43 amount SS50,97S, being, however,
nearly less than the sum appropriated in 1872
for the same department.
lie notices the of hosities in Florida, and
states that force consisting OF regiments and four
companies, amounting sixteen hundred and forty -four
retained Florida afford protection TO the inha
bans and sufficient number garrison the posts will be
kept there, with view all apprehension. Ii
was deemed of great importance bring together the
Notifications the Atlantic frontier many companies
possible that they might there practice the guns and
learn the exercise of garrison and held artillery.
The invasion of Texas by Mexico, has required the De-
psrtment 10 keep sufficient force Southwestern
frontier 10 check the Indians that quarter and prevent
any attempts the part OF citizens to engage in the
conflicts between Texas and Mexico.
The regular force authorized by law consists of
seven hundred and commissioned officers,
yenteen store keepers of whom fifteen attached To the
Ordnance, and the Purchasing Department. hun
dred and fifty enlisted for the ordnance service, and
seven thousand five hundred and ninety commissioned
officers, musicians, arcers, and prvates; twenty chap
lans and schoOlmasters and ordnance
as there military posts.
The of August % 1912 reduced the rank and file of
| the army 1890 men.
The reduction is gradually edng and supposed
the prescribed minimum will be reached by the beginning
| OF the year 1874.
From the general returns Of the army, appears the
whole number of troops in the thousand
eight hundred and forsevcn consisting OF seven hundred
and elghtyone commissioned officers, nine thousand
hundred noncommisoned officers, musicians artifcers
and prvates and two hundred and enlisted
OF ordnance The aggregate eight hundred and forse-
less than the number stated in the last annual report
The desertions have not been numerous but unpre
ceden number of have been discharged by the Judges
and (three hundred and eighty eight between July
lo4l and October 81, 1922 principally the ground
their being aliens. The OF the law this subject
has occasloned various constructions peTpleXng the of
icers charged with the duty OF recning embarrassing
the department, and injurious 10 the Government Ii IL
very desirable that should be rendered precise and definite
The Secretary IL OF opinion that reference the
dition o foreign relations and the quantities arms
cannon and carriages in possession seemed that
suspension could take place the operations of the
mics and arsenals, with less immediate public injury
convenience than IN other departments. Instructions
have been given TO complete the miskets the of
fabrication, and make five hundred rifles and five hum
dred percussion muskets each month"; the ensuing
months The arsenals will be chiefly employed III the
pairs OF arms, and in the manufacture of work of
gun carriages and military equipments. Our supply of
heavy cannon being good, IL contemplated
present TO purchase many OF that description, but su-
cient number ef large chambered guns forts will
be procured.
lie recommends TINT the reserved mineral lands the
north part OF Illinois and the Territories OF Wisconsin and
Iowa be allowed 10 be sold in lots of acres each at
minimum price of ten dollars per acre.
No satisfactory account of the work performed at the
different FORTS of their present condition be given
without minuteness of detail incompatible with the gene
raj design of his report.
The conclusion of treaty with the Of Great Bn
tain by which a cesson made of a strip of land along
the northern boundary of the States Of New York and Yer
mont which included the heretofore selected AT Rouse
Point fort rendered cxpedent To suspend all opera
in reference the works on either side of the
outlet of the Lake Champaign, which had been contempa
ed in place OF Rousc's Point when ascertaned that
the latter did not fall within our boundary.
The United States has expended more than 81 5000 in
erecting the works Staten Island upon land belonging
the State New ork That State hus offered convey
this land receiving the original purchase money and the
interest.
Ii is deemed necessary construct n work on Sandy
Hook, consequence Of channel having been dis
covered in the Bay of New York. He considers it most
scntia to the defence of that city.
The Board of Vsers tocxamine the military Academy at
West Point, highly complimenod for their able report
The alterations and improvements by the Board
Of Visiters have received the respectful considerations
and have been adopted where circumstances justified such
n course.
He recommends additional buildings for the accommo.
dation of the students, ordinarily three pupils
obliged to study and sleep scarcely sufficient
for one
An knowledge of the topography Of our very
extended tcory particularly Of it, maratimo aud internal
frontiers Of it, lakes aud ryers Of the distinctions
communication, and Of the positions requiring and
capable Of defensive works. indispensable alike
tegen legislation and to efficient executive administration.
lie urges the necessity Of harbOr the side Of
Lake Michigan, and the improvement Of the navigation
the mouth Of ST. Clair river. These exceedingly inpor-
the United States, enable furnish supplies
the Indian tribes and military and subsistence for the
troops which IN time Of peace, be maintained
that quarter and which, in the event Of hositos will af.
ford the only barrier between erociy and from