The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-12-06


While making alusion to our possession, upon the
western waters, of elements TO be employed IN the
, defence of the Gulf of Mexico am justified in re-
gard to the union OF action OF the two military pow
OF tho country 10 suggest the expedeney of form
ing, IN ample time depots OF coal for the supply of
such armed steam vessels as may be employe ed upon
the coast.
Pursuing this interesting subject of the permanent
defence OF the commerce and possessions of our
southern fellow citizens upon the gulf il cannot es
cape us that Dauphin inland at the mouth of Mobile
bay has heretofore attracted the attention of Con-
gress and has always been recognised by engineers as
necessary and iii for the erection of a forlidoaiion
Whilst Fort Morgan defends the main channel of en-
trance, II leaves, without the Of resistance,
free passage TO enemys steamships through The
ample depth of water under Dauphln island. The
Introduction of armed steamers into naval exped-
tons will expose this bay and all shoaler chan
nes and entrances TO the Lmost serious attacks
modern and novel mode Of warfare rendering tho APP
peal for national protection TO those southern waters
the more serious and imperative This remark pro-
ceeds from the conviction that if we shall ever be
obliged by high national considerations to depart
from that wise policy which leads us to main ain
peace with all the world, the chief force of hostile
aggression would be directed and made our sourth-
ern frontier, where armed steam vessels would not
be employed merely as auxiliary, but would consti.
tute the principal power of attack and annoyance of
the enemy.
would invite attention to the propriety of organ
zng small force of engineer troops, company
Of sappers ana miners and for that purpose can do
nothing better than refer to corresponding reports
from this department and the chief eng neer hereto
fore made and communicated to Congress. They
species OF troops essential in seges and other mill
tary operations during war; necessary in time of
peace for the preservation Of the works of forti6ca-
tons; and their employment in repairs of the works
AMI constructions of engineers would be the
OF much economy in public expenditure.
The ordnance corps, which not only prepares the
arms for the regular service of the United States
but also those for armng the militia, usefuy and
efficiently organized and conducted perfect
knowledge OF metaurgy, connected with great care
and skill IN their manufacture will alone furnish
adequate security for the safety of cannon. Men
must have full confidence in their weapons, to
them With efficiency. national foundry, if estab
lished would afford for trying and test
ing all the materials-such as iron Ores coming
from different sections Of the country, and entering
into the fabrication of cannon-and for making
model guns, and further experiments the strength
and durability, as well as the best forms and dimen-
sons OF ordnance for both land aud service.
do not propose its establishment with the view Of
breaking off the connection between the government
and private workshops but Of regulating and perfect
ing that economical system of performing the public
work IN these shops, where competition brings the
price TO the lowest limit, and carries mechanical
skill to The highest. 1t may be Observed too, that
national foundry, by establishing standard OF quail
y, cost, and proof, in the manufacture Of cannon,
would exercise beneficial control IN these respects
over all private contractors, as is now done in the
manufacture of small arms by means Ct the national
armories. The private workers IN gun metals would
likewise derive important collateral advantages from
the national establishment because the results at all
its trials and Improvements would be thrown open to
the public. A national foundry is necessary to the
military service as national armory; and It's use
and advantages equally demanded by, and
applicable to- the service of the navy of the army
Every days experience renders the expediency OF
the establishment the more obvious. "A recent re-
sort by the ordnance bureau private foundries in
Boston, under an order OF my predecessor, issued
for the purpose of making necessary experiments
and trials of the nature, strength, and combination
# different metals, and Of alleged improvements IN
the proportions and the art of fabrlcating cannon
has been attended with much expense, but with such
practical and useful results, as to afford additional
reason for my concurrng in opinion with the nu-
merous reports upon this subject and expressing the
hope that an appropriation may be made of the
funds requisite for the purchase of site, and the
erection OF the necessary buildings limited IN the
first instance TO simple model foundry, but capable
: of the extension OF the establishment in case of
, emergency.
The enlisted men in the ordnance corps, limited BY
law to $50, should be placed the footing with
, other enlisted men Of the army, with regard TO pen
sions allowed for disability occurring IN public SER
vice These men are employed a. artihcers mocha
MICS and laborers, but enlisted governed by
the rules and articles Of war, and drilled and
erclsed as soldiers. ! cannot perceive the justice OF
the discrimination which excludes them from the be-
4 nehts of the pension laws.
On the 18th Of June last at the close of the session
Of Congress act passed continue for four years
the pensions OF certain widows Of revolutionary Off
and soldiers, without making The necessary APP
preparation TO effect the benevolent purpose of the
law. The pensions due the 4th OF September
last, could not therefore be paid IL only
ry refer TO this accidental omission TO insure pro-
ytgl nv n uah1 Tho hu
e promptly TO meet the demands upon il.
Keeping in view the provisions Of the act Of Con
gress Of the Sd Of March, 1897, which imposed GER
tain measures this department in reference to the
selection of sites for marine hospitals upon the west
ern waters II becomes my duty to remark and invite
the attention Of Congress to the subject that in Penn
: sylyania, Ohio, and Kentucky, the proPerj local
positions have been chosen, aud the land purchased
and paid for by the general government In each OF
e these cases IT only requires authorized dsburse
ment Of about SOS 900 for each TO give effect by the
erection Of the buildings TO the humane purpose OF
$ the legislature.
= My own impressions upon the effect Of the law OF
, the l4th April, 1918, which created the office Of
commissary general Of subsistence, and makes the
duty Of that officer to supply the army by contracts
unless m particular and urgent cases, the Secretary
d Of War should otherwise Direct would be entitled
! TO but little weight, were they not sustained by the
k long experience Of the present commissary general
y whose zeal for the public interests induces him to
press upon my attention me eNpedlcncy OF 20 mou
flying that act Of Congress to introduce system
of subsistng the troops either by purchases IN open
market or by the present mode by contracts as may
e be deemed most conducive TO public economy, and
the interests of the service. II IL shall be the p'a-
: OF Congress to make the alteration and conhde
y the trust to the haods of the appropriate officer, fee
we'll assured that the purchases Of supplies would be
made at less cost and CIT having the articles
to sell would always receive prompt ayment from tho
i government There would be no lab lily of an eI-
d cess of supplies, nor of failure Of delivery, which
often when the prices of the articles unex pec
eddy increase after the execution Of tho contract and
e the soldier would rarely If ever, be exposed to the
necessity of using rotons deieroated by having been
kept under contracts which provide Tor their de livery