The Yazoo City Whig. [volume] (Yazoo, Miss.) 1844-1851, 1846-04-21

fer, in case u was necessary 70 call IN the
aic Of the militia for the defence Of the
country, TO obtain the troops required, by
the acce ptance Of volunteers, rather than by
the present mode Of making a requistion on
the Executives of the States, and leaving 1t
TO them TO raise the number required by
draughts, &c; though it is probable that in
most instances the number required by the
latter mode, would be volunteers. VOlun-
$eers would be more likely to do more effec-
tive service when first called out, than
dTaughted miltia.men. / would respect
fully refer you to the acts of Congress on
this subject. ISee vol. Q, U. S. Laws,
chap. 40, session Of 1886; chap. 1919,
session of 1889.
In relation to raising additional regiments
refer yon TO my views as expressed in my
report 10 tire President, and by him scot to
Congress.
In reference TO peace establishment,
would recommend two new regiments, if the
suggestion TO increase the rank and file Of
the present companies should not be favor
ably received. In the present aspect OF our
foreign affairs this mode Of RugmeDting the
regular force of the country comments itself
to my Judgment. These regiments, should !
they be raised, are 10 be in addition to the
troops proposed to be raised TO garrison the
chain of post TO the Rocky Mountains.
With this communication send TO you
statement from the General commanding The
Army, containing his views ofthe number of
troops required 10 man the Notifications, &c.
With a view to give you full and anthem
tic information in regard TO the several mat
IL
sent to me, have required statements from
the Engineer and Ordance Bureaus, and
herewith transmit them to you. is, in my
opinion, important that the information, in
all its details, as set forth in these documents,
should not be made public. ! trust the
committee will concur in the proPriely Of
this suggestion.
forebear 10 reiterate the suggestions in
the report Of the Chef Engineer in regard
to the Notifications, Temporary defences, &c /;
but commend them to the favorable cons;de.
ration of the committee. The appropriations
which he suggests are large, but not more so
! than the safety of the country requires in The
contingencies he contemplates. The ncreas-
ed expenditure upon permanent works is an
outlay that must be made in the course Of a
very few years; and, in my judgment, sound
policy indicates that it should be in the pow
} er IF the Government to expend Immediate
ly what, under other circumstances, might
be allOtted to such objects for two or three
years Il will be Tecoecied that the costs
Of The permanent works will not be increas-
ed by accelerating the completion Of them
The sans remarks are also applicable to the
!, expenditures fof a,mameL t., Ordnance stores
&c. But :fit should he deemed inexpedi.
ent by the committee to present TO Congrts 8:
, at this time the large appropriations suggest
ed in the reports Of the Chief EngeneeT enc
the officer at the head Of the Ordnance Bo
d reau, or ifIhere would be likely TO be con-
siderable delay in getting bill making pucI
appropriations through COngre IS, i would
respectfully recommend that the appropra
tons for Publications, and for ornaments
n and munitions Of war, asked for in the esi
J.. mates already submitted from this Depart
e meut, should be granted without delay, anC
e that the restriction which confines the ex
/. pendituIe Of them to the fiscal year shoult
J. be so far removed as TO allow resort Il
e them al once.
e II is considered important that the worl
r on forts and Notifications should be prOsecu
e ted with vigor, and at the earliest pracliblo
It period; and the Department should know
II what means it can command in the cours,
m Of few months, tina: il may forthwith max
[. preparatory arrangements for using them
IN Il Is equally important that it should be a
,r once apprized Of the means which will b
placed at its disposal for the armament, ord
nances, stores. &c. now wanting 10 max
up full supply. Considerable time is re
D quired to labricate heavy ordnance, &c; an
D. preparations cannot be safely made in an
II ticipat;on Of the necessary aspirations Som
70 Of The materials require to be provided seN
4 eral years before they are in the best cor
4 ditoa for use. The estimates for fortifca
l. lions. &C. already made, have exclusive re
m ferences 10 permanent works, some OF ther
1t not begun, and otilers in no state of forward
i ness. With all practicabic despatch It wi
IS require more than year TO complete then
IS Should the points they are designed to COY
s. er and protect be threatened. the defenc
| Of them will depend on Temporary works. an
le these will require considerable expense. FC
in these, no estimate has been submitted. Th
Of precise character of these temporary defer
lr ces cannot he designed; nor can it be no
" determined where they will be wanted
9. would recommend that considerable SUI
IN for these purposes should be placed at III
d. discretion Of the Executive. II not needle
E. it would not be used. 10 my opinion, tvs
d or three hundred thousand dollars migl
le properly be appropriated for those object
m In case Of war or threatened attack muC
/. larger sum would be necessary.
or Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
n w. L. MARCY, Sec'y Of War.
If Hon. THOMAS H. BENTON,
/, Chairman Of Com'tee on Military Affair
m Senate.
Z Too Coon TO BE LOST. The correspoT
= dent of the New York Courier g. Enquire
~ saws. The nnIv rnrner. nra1alanf here hapin