The Yazoo City Whig. [volume] (Yazoo, Miss.) 1844-1851, 1846-04-21
From the National IntClligencer.
The War EstinHles.


Our readers will recollect that on motion
of Mr.. Berrien, on Wednesday last, the com.
mittees on Military and Naval Affairs were
desired to lay before the Senate the estimate
for an increase Of the public delences com.
muncated to those committees by the res.
pecIive departments, and that, in obedience
thereto, Mr.. Benton presented from the
Military Committee paper which was or
dered to be printed. That paper will be
found below. 1t is not yet certain to what
extent the call on the Naval Committee will
or can be complied with, although, from
what fell from the chairman Of that commit.
tee in debate, much more curiosity is felt in
regard TO the naval estimates than those for
the army.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Dec. 20, 1916.
Sir herewith return to you the reso-
luton which you sent TO me on the 23d in
slant. The recommendations in my report
to tho President, of the 29th ultimo, have
reference TO permanent peace establish
ment. Under any circumstances am con.
WINGED that our sea coast and northen irons
tier should have larger force stationed on
them than they now have, or the department
can now place there by any proper disEosi>
ton ii can make Of the regular army at this
time. The number Of troops now in Texas
cannot under present circumstances be les
sened. There ought not to be less, indeed /
think there should be more, troops on the
Indian frontier. Should the suggestions in
the report to increase the rank and file of
of companies to sixty-eieht or eighty>four
privates, be approved and carried out by
Congress, there would be disposable reg.
ular force for the forts and Notifications on
the sea board and northern and western from.
tiers; but this force would not furnish ade.
quate garrsons in case Of an spprehended
attack. Besides, it would require some
months TO raise the men, incorporate them
in the old regiments, and get them in posi-
ton. Should the suggestion meet with favor
| still think that authority should be given
to the President to accept the services OF
volenteer companies, squadrons, and battal-
ions, regiments, and State troops for term
not exceeding one year. Our situation may
be such that, for the mere purpose of de-
fence, these volunteer troops or militia to
the number offfty thousand may be needed.
Under the direction Of Executive, the mum.
D~t ~Se0oiiy ISOClNOu 0Oulu UC IC SuiotGu "
circumstances. The present forti6caiionI
on the sea board, as well as temporary de-
fences which must be resorted TO in case o.
threatened hostilities, must be garrisoned
and the number have mentioned in addi
ton to our regular force, unless it was great
" increased, would certainly not be more
than sufficient to put the country in rea
sonable state Of security in case Of wal
with Great Britian. On the northern flon
tier, where there are now stationed only a
I bout four hundred and eighty men, proyis
ions should be made 70. placing, on III,
shortest notice, a force equal to that in Can
ada, which could be brought 10 assai tina
frontier il hoslilities from thatqUarter Shout.
be reasonably apprehcnded. There are d
this time about seven thousand regular Brit