Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-12-13

particularly 10 Western fellow citizens, and one go
cmnenily beneficial 10 the operations OF the fedefa
Government in peace, and almost Indispensable I'D wa!
Tire expense of survey for the continuation OF thIs
road through tie States Of Illinois and Missouri 10 the
city of Jefferson, heretofore made undera resolution oil
the Senate have not been betrayed, and provision Tor
il wonld be but an oil justice TO the public creditors
by whom ii incurred.
The .eport Of the Board Of Visitors, appointed dn-
ring the last year examine the Military Academy al
Yves, Point accompanies that of the Colonel OF EngI
Ii evnces gren, ability, and the close and crit
cal scrutiny with which board OF disnterested and
independent citizens have lncked into every department
of this great national institution, aud the high praise
which they award 10 its professors, and
teachers the exact dsc pine maintained, and to the
thorough instruction impaired is enhanced by their
obviously emnen, capacity TO form correct ludg,
ment, and by their equally obvious regard tor as
eliminating truth. TIE testimony of the Chief I'm.
gineer, himself long and SO thoroughly acquainted
with all the operations OF the academy, That, IN his
opinion, sit has been i'll condition TO perfect
ly fulfilling the purposes Of its creation and mamie
nance now, is equally gratifying and convincing
A personal examination during the recess oil Con.
gress enables add what these testimonials scarcely
required nv own conviction Of their entire business.
Having the last annual report, expressed somewhat
large my views of the nestmable advantages OF this
Institution TO the whole country in dtfusing species
Of knowledge that be no otherwise acquired, ana
OF its absolute necessity for preserving and improving
That science upon which safety in must depend,
not deemed necessary TO repeat them. Indeed, the
steady adherence of Congress at all times and under
all circumstances of pecuniary difficulty, TO an
institution which SO much resembles that body in ITS
influences upon the formation of national character,
operating il dors upon pupils selected mainly by the
immediate representatives. of the people, from every
district Of the Union renders supcruous any extended
observation on the subject.
The alterations and improvements suggested by the
Board of Visitors have received the most respectful
consde ration, and have been adopted where crcum.
stances justified such The barracks for the
residence OF the students have been subject OF CON-
plant by every Board Of Visitors for several years past
The single fact that ordinarily three pupils and ire.
quen,y larger NUMBER obliged TO study and sleep
in room scarcely sufficient for one Of itself sui-
cient to show how indispensable additional accommo-
datons in tina. respect have become. In one oil Inc
buildings not only the pupils deprived OF the ordI
nary comforts OF roon but their health IS eoparded by
exposure TO storms and 10 sudden transitions cannot
too earnestly recommend the moderate appropriation
asked by the Engineer Bureau for addition to the bar
racks al the academy
The subject of corps oil artcers TO learn and prac
tse the duties of military field engineering, was
brought the attention of Congress in the last annual
report and is renewed by the Chief Engineer. Deem
ing impossible increase the cogency Of the
urged by him for provision the subject, cen
but again add my earnest recommendation these
repeatedly presented by my predecessor in favor othe
necessary provisions Ia effect that object.
The re port ofthc Colonel of Topographca Engineers
affords and continued evidence OF the great useful
ness of that corps and Of the zeal and ability OF its off,
GERS An accurate knowledge of the topography of our
very extended territory particularly of lis maritime and
Internal frontiers OF It's lakes and rivers, of the obstruc
ions INSTRUMENTATION and of the positions most
rquring and capable of, defensive works, is in
dpensable alike 10 intelligent legislation and TO eff
Gent executive administration. As question of
economy, such information can scarcely be acquired at
,os high price. The advantage of an organized sci
critic corps, qualified BY study and by practice for this
PECULIAR duty, the Irregular services of persons
ralsently employed, without organization and without
opportunities of mature and systematic deberaton,
doubtless dictated the formation of this corps And all
on. periencc has shown the wisdom of the measure
Tie reports detail Of the several officers of The corps
appended to that Of the Colonel presents of the
mot valuable information respecting the topography of
varpus parts of The Union, from the remote North to
the extreme South They exhibit the progress made
surveys, in the improvement ofLarbors and rivers
in lie construction Of lighthouses and break waters and
yariws other works in charge of the corps. brief
MOTTO Of few Of those which seem to require attention.
is alIthat will be attempted on the present occasion
h,