The St. Landry whig., 1845-01-02
llnblif Documents.
OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.

REPORTO OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
The report ofthe Secretary Of War. accompa-
nying the Presidents Message, states the regu-
lar force Of the Army to consist of eight regi-
ments Of Infantry, four of Artillery. and two Of
Dragons. under the command ofthe Major Gen
eral. The Secretary has reinstated the two
geographical divisions ofthc Army, without, how
ever, destroying the military departments as es-
tablished by the general order of July. 1912 A
fort has been erected in the Madawaska settle
ment Our recent acquisition on the North-Eas-
tern ~frontier) for the protection of our citizensin
that section. A military post has been estab-
lished at Copper Harbor, on the extremity ola
peninsula that iuts far into Lake Superior, 10
preserve order in that quarter. Two other posts.
are to be established between Copper Harbor
and st. Peters, to complete the Gordon of forts to
the head Of the navigation of the Mississippi
An increase is recommended in the horse oflight
field Artillery.
The Secretary is in favor Of maintaining the
military establishment at West Point. The ay-
erage number ofvacancies amongst commission
ed officers, from all casualties, is about thirty per
annum. The report recommends the passage Of
la law allowing every officer, after twenty-five
wears faithful service, a section of.land and the
privilege ofa two years fnrlongh upon full pay,
with the understanding that his commission is to
be vacated at the end ofthat time. This would
enable officers to retire from the Army before
they become TOO old for other employment, and
aid promotion by encouraging designations under
circumstances honorable to the officer.
The Secretary suggests important additions
to the military Notifications upon The Atlantic
seaboard. The report urges strongly the cree
ton of forts south of Cape Hatteras-a section
ofour sea-board too long neglected. Dauphine
Island in Mobile bay, Key West and the Dry
Tortuges are mentioned as appropriate sites for
fortiRsations. With the Naval Depot at Mem
phisIand forts overlooking the navigation ofthe
GulEh and every vessel that doubles Cape San
Antonio, the report contends that the United
States would be the strongest naval power in that
sea.
The organization of a company OF sappers and
miners is recommended also the establishment
Of a national foundry.
An appropriation Of 8 100, 700 is recommended
to construct military posts from the Missouri n
yer to the Rocky Mountains, which, in %conjunc-
ton with a territorial organization and a militia
ry force placed in the dividing ridge between the
waters that flow into the GuIph Of Mexico and
the Pacific, would give effect to our title to the
Oregon Territory.
The report contains a variety ofuseful sugges-
tions in relation to Indian affairs, the improve
ment in the navigation ofthe Western waters,
we notice particularly a suggestion to place q
permanent fund under the Department to pro-
vide for keeping the Red river open at the raft
and other matters, which our limits will not al
low US to incorporate il this brief analysis.
sREPORTDF THE SECRETARY OF THE
NAVY.
The navy ofthe United States, according 10
this account, consi4Spfsix ships of the line, one
razee, fourteen irrigated ,twenty-one sloops Of war,
sixteen briggs and schooners, three store-ships,
and eight steamers afloat.
There are on the stocks, in an unfinished state,
four ships ofthe line, three frigates, one store
ship, an iron m at Pittsburg, and one at the
Navy Yard at Washington.
The vessels in commission are employed as
follows
In the Home Squadron, the frigate Potomac,
the sloops Vincennes, Vandalia and Falmouth,
the briggs Somers and Lawrence, and the steam
er Union, under the command of Com. Conner.
Our naval feet in the Mediterranean Sea, CON
sists ofthe frigates Constitution and Columbia,
sloops Plymouth and Fairfield and store-ship
Lexington, under the command of Commodore
Jos. Smith.
On the coast of Brazil the squadron consists of
the Columbus IA, frigates Raritan and Congress,
sloops John Adams and Boston, brig Brainbridge
and schooner Enterprise, under the command OF
Commodore Turner.
In the Pacific Ocean there have been employ
ed the frigates United States and Savannah,
sloops Cyane, Levant and Warren, schooner
Shark, and store-ship Relief. The United States
and Cyane have returned home and the Ports
mouth has been fitted up to join this squadron.
By the death Of Com. Dallas the fleet is under
the command of Capt. Armstrong.
No change has been made in the East India
Squadron.
The squadron on the coast of Africa, under
command of Com. M. C. Perry, consists of the
trigate Macedonian, sloops Saratoga and Deca.
tur, and the brig Porpoise, mounting in all 90
guns. Other vessels are fitting out for this fleet
which is saidto have rendered great service in
suppressing the slave trade. Anulnber of otheI
vessels have been employed upon special seryi.
ces.
The force estimated for and proposed to be
employed during the year, commencing on the
LIST day OF july, 1915, consists of 10 frigates, IL
sloops of war, Z briggs, 2 schooners, A armec
steamers, 8 small steamers, A store.ships, and Z
small vessels.
The Secretary thinks that ifthe other Chris
tan powers were to make it piracy to engage in
the slave trade as the United States have done
the traffic would be suppressed.
An increase in the number Of ships in com
mission and men employed in the service is re
commended as necessary to afford the protection
to our mercantile marine that is due to that in
@terest, An increase in the number of purser.
and surgeons is also urged.
Hemp agents have beenappointed for the State,
ofKentucky and Missouri, under the resolution,
Of Congress, designed to encourage the culture