The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-04-04

In relation TO raising additional regiments,
refer you to my views as expressed in my report to
the President, and by him sent to Congress
In reference to peace establishment, | would
recommend two new regiments, if the suggestion
TO increase the rank and file of the present com
panies should not be favorably received In the
present aspect ut our foreign affairs, this mode of
augmeniing the regular force of the country com
mends itself to my judgment. These regiments,
should they be raised, to he in addition To the
troops proposed To be raised TO garrison the chain
of posts to the Rocky mountains.
With this communication | send TO yon state
ment from the general commanding the army
containing his views of the number Of troops re-
CURED to man the Qualifications, &c.
With view to give you full and authentic
Information in regard to the several matters en-
braced In the resolution which you sent to me,
nave required statements from the engineer and
ordnance bureaus, and herewith transmit them to
you Ii is, in my opinion, important lha, the in
formation, In all its details, as sci forth in these
documents. should not be made public | trust
the committee will concur in the proprety of this
suggestion.
iorbear 10 reiternte the suggestion in the re-.
port OF the chief engineer in regard TO the fortif
cations, temporary deiences, Sc but commend
them to the favorable consideration of the com
mitee. The appropriations which he suggests
are large, but not more so than the safety Of The
country requires in the contingencies he coniem-
plates. The increased expenditure upon perma-
nent works is on outlay that must be made in the
course OF very few years and in my Judgment,
sound policy indicates that it should be in the
power of the government TO expend Immediately
at, under other circumstances might he allot-
ted TO such objects for two or three years II
will be recollecled that the cost of the permanent
works will not be increased by acceera,ng the
completion of them. The same remarks are also
applicable to the expenditures for ornaments.
ordnance stores, &c. But if it should be deemed
ineXpedent by the committee to present To Con.
gress at this time the large appropriations sup-
gesed in the reports of the chief engineer and
the officer at the head of the ordnance bureau, or
III there would be likely 10 be considerable de.
lay IN getting bill making such appropriations
through Congress, | would respectfully recon-
mend that the appropriations for Qualifications, and
Tor ornaments, and munitions of war, asked for
IN the estimates already submitted from this de-
Partment, should be granted without delay, and
that the restriction which confines the eXpendi-
ture of them 10 the fiscal year should be so far re-
moved as 10 allow resort TO them at once
Ii Is considered important that the work on
forts and Qualifications should be prosecuted with
vgor, and at the earliest practicable period and
that the department should know what means il
can command in the course OF a few months, that
1t may forthwith make preparatory arrangement
should be at once appraised of the means which
will be placed at lis disposal for the armament
ordnance store, &C., now wanting to make up a
tuli supply. Considerable time is required to
faorcate heavy ordnance, &C., and preparations
cannot be safely made in anticipation of the
necessary appropriations. Some of the materials
require to be provided several years before they
are IN the best condition for use. The estimates
for Qualifications, &c., already made, have ex-
rel in lie 6 IL
not begun, and others in NO state of forwardness.
with all practicable despatch il will require more
than year TO complete them. Should the points
they are designed to cover and protect be threat
ened, the defence of them will depend on tempo
rary works and these will require considerable
expense. For these, estimate has been sub
mtied. The precise character of these tempo
rary defences cannot be designated nor can it
be now determined where they will be wanted
| would recommend that a considerable sum for
these purposes should be placed at the discretion
of the Executive. If not needed it would not be
used. In my opinion, two 10 three hundred
thousand dollars might properly be appropriated
for those objects. In case of war or threatened
attack much larger sum would be necessary.
Very respectfully. your obedient servant,
w. l.. MARCY, Secretary of War.
Hon. THOMAS III. BENTON, Chairman of Com
mittee on Military Affairs, Senate.
Letter Of The Secretary Of The Manu- 10 Hon.
ISAAC f.. HOLMES. chairman of he Naval
Committee Of The House of Representatives.
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
January 8, 1876. {
SIR: In reply to the inquiries proposed in
your letter os the 23d uliimo, have the honor to
enclose TO you report from. the heads of bureaus
of this department.
Although the naval preparations of commercial
nations, which are struggling TO maintain them
selves in an unnatural position Of greatness, is no
criterion for country like ours, which seeks only
the occupation and defence Of its own territory,
the protection of its citizens and their interests
and the development Of its own resources and al
though the existing naval establishment of the
United States appears sufficient in all but sea 20
ing steamers for condition Of ascerianed and
undlslurbed peace, yet, the present aspect of our
foreign relations makes it duty TO suggest to the
Committee on Naval Affairs the propriely of
greater preparations than the ordinary annual a p
preparations contemplate.
These greater preparations should consist, as
tar as possible, Of such expenditures will be but
anilcipations Of what, at an early day, would be
required, even in Of the establishment Of har
mony with all nations.
They should consist, FIRST, of an accumulation
Of naval materials and stores necessary for the
rapid equipment Of the vessels which are a6oat.