The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-06

bertrand RoAd through 6hiJ Indiana and Illinois; aud
making sassey tortha coStas leu p that road to
Jetterson city, Missouri under resolution of The
Senate OF Janassy l6o04 all which are respectfully
recommended oattsation. - So esai7 81 81 4
Il is deemed proper add that tie cons. rue,ion of
military works upon the Dry Tortugas, Kew West
and BIscayne Key, or such olher positions on and
near the extremi Of the Peninsula Of FordA as on
examination and survey shall be found most eligible
Is deemed Of great importance if nut essentially ne
cessary IN our line of coast defsnces.ss, ~ 1850,
The Military Academy al Wesi Point exhibirs
continued evidence of Improvement in the course of
obstruction, and the Academic Board are endeavor-
ingto Keep pace in their system, with the advances
which science is making in all parts ofih world Il
cootinues annually to graduate number Of young
gestemen taught the public expense those branch.
- % science which are deemed essential to military
operations. BY the scsof 81 March last, Congress
directed that no Board Of Vs;tes should be selected
= = nAd LOT macy Years been Usual To enable The
c;oas = nave corTett information to the dis
c'Pne coufse OF studies and general state and condi-
lion ofthe Institution the M,h Nav Inst detail
ed the following officers of the Armv 10 comnose
Board at inspection ofhat Institution for The esent
year 10 wit; Major Gsnsfsl Scot Brsvet Brigadier
dsca, w. n Swift, Beaverton, L J. Beal ]. G. O..
sey, and w. q. Freeman. This Board assefnbIsd ~
West Point aRreeAby to instructions on the 5th sv
Of June, and attended throughout the examination Of
the classet and inspected the lnstution thoroughv
TIE performance Of these duties occ uped period Of
eighteen days, during portion of which the head of
the War Department attended in person..
Whilst FULLY concur in the importance of continu-
ing the practical instruction in Artillery Cavalry and
Infantry operations also recommend that the views
ofthe Colonel in charge the Bureau Of Engineers,
in relation to the proposed corps sappes and miners
Do carried OUT for the which he has 80 orcby
set forth. A
In addition to tho estimates for the Military Ac,a,.
my recommsnded By tie chsf Of the Corps of Enpi-
nesrs would ask that ANAL cum be- added TO he
approprationto enable The Proeeso, OF Civil and Mill
tary Engineering 10 visit and inspect the more re-
cent ahd Important works Of our country which ex-
bridges, docks railroads, inclined planes, and other
important machinery or mechanical Improvements, in
order that they may be fully planned iolhe Cadets
as matters OF instruction and Improvement.
Speaking from personal observation, must say that
The Superintendent and the several Professors nd In
strucoTs deserve great commenda,ion for the devotion
they exhibit in governing the Institution and eucng
the powers of mind of the youth committed TO their
charge; and that the general good conduct of The
young gentlemen constituting the Corps of Cadets is
credable TO them, and exhibits the best evidence of
the high morality required of them. From every view
can take OF the subject, | beg leave TO recommend
TINS lnslnton to favorable notice. as in an eminent
degree calculated to fit for service those on whom in
the troops required to defend our country and main
tam Its honor IN The field. The estimates of this In
stnution ior the next year, it will be perc Sived are
$4472 80 less than the appropriation of the previous
year. sir NJ M
The report Of the Chief of the Bureau IF Tooo-
graphical Engineers is of great interest to the
country at large, embracing as il does such variety
OF SUBJECTS and extending in its operations over the
whole Union. The attention Of the officers Of this
corps to their duties has been sssd,,ous and n. -
suits show the importance of their labors Imnor-
tant and valuable the general Typographical wor
has been, the subject of the harbors on orr Iakas
and the improvement Of our western ~vers will M
doubt especially command the attention of the Ma,
honal Legislature, as not only connected with the
safety OF an extensive commerce. but as esse.,iaIiv
necessary to naval operations the Lakes in tin ~
war. Great pains have been taken to ascertain tfa
value OF the trade upon the Lakes, which is exhibited
10 detail, as lar as our imperfect means Of plbrma-
ton would furnish the facts. trade which, two
years since, of the value of than sixty five
millions of dollars, has been since rapidly increasing
and is probably new equal in amount to one hundred
millions f u fr 1ttaf7I
The commerce of the Mississippi and its trbuta-
res is of immense value, and continuance and ex-
tension Of the system now in progress for removing
distractions in those streams, aud improving their
channels is called for by every consideration of pub
lie policy, due to the general interests of our :
western fellow citizens. The amount Of benefit con-
ferred by the appropriations already made,
est of what will be effected by continued, regular
and systematic efforts.
We have, as the report of the Chief of the Topo-
graphical Bureau states, Of nearly all our seapors
surveys OF positions for Notifications, aud of en-
frances by water into several harbors which will
furnish, when desired, correct information on all
those subjects" knowledge, however to the same
extent does not exist in regard to the Lakes and Lake
harbors. f u7fTi f eFHIfQ4
The recent extinction of the Indian title TO the
southern and western shore of Lake SUPERIOR and
The value Of those lands for their mineral wealth,
will probably lead to the peopling of that region with
great rapidly Sound policy therefore dictates that
means be promptly taken to make an uninterrupted
navigation from that Lake to Lake Huron This can
be effected by the construction Of a canal about a
mile IN length through the lands of the United States
around the falls Of ST. Mary with two locks suitable
Tor passing steamboats,, the expense Of which will
not probably exceed 100000 This will be more
than made up by the increased value Of the public
lands affected by it.
BY the commencement Of Typographical surveys
west OF the Mississippi il is thought that assurance
has been given for their prosecution The results as
far as asceraned highly satisfactory and credi.
liable to the scientific gentlemen in charge of the res
pective works. 1t is hoped that the surveys already
on the Platte and Kanzas rivers may be
prosecuted and that may be furnished and aiI-
thorty given TO construct road through the lands
belonging to the United States so as to afford safe
and expeditions route for emgrants to the Oregon
territory. This could be done at moderate ex-
pense as there would, generally be little TO do more
than survey and mark it out and construct bridges
over the larger streams The survey should also en-
brace the proper positions for military posts, which
will DO found necessary for thc purpose of keeping
the Indians in order, preventing misconduct in ira
ders among them, and furnishing security to travel
ers crossing the Rocky Mountains At these militia
~ posts, settlements would soon be formed and tra-
veliers instead of encouDtering the troubles incon
veneDces and dangers of long journey through a
would find themselves enjoying, on the
whole route the comforts and security of civilized
life.
Reference is also made TO the necessity Of correct
typographical Information to the country between
our principal cities and the sea board. This norma-
hon should be obtained and put record, to be used
when necessary for the purposes of defence
The report from the Ordnance Bureau shows that
the officers connected with that Department have
promptly accounted for the money placed in their
hands. In the Recommendations for arming our for
lications their construction advances and in The
,tv ,f Natl pIr a.,