Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-03-28
THE WAR ESTIMATES.

Mr.. BERRIEN, on Wednesday last, the Committees
on Military and Naval Affairs were desired to lay
before the Senate the estimates for an increase OF
the public defences communicated to those commit
tees by the respective Departments and that in ODE
diencc thereto, Mr.. BENTON presented from the
Military Committee paper which was ordered to
be printed. That paper will be found below. II
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
committee in debate much more curiosity is felt in
regard to the naval estimates than those orthe army.
Wan DEPARTMENT, DEC. 20, ls45.
SIR herewith return to you the resolution which you
sent to the 23d instant The recommendations in my
report to the President of the Goth umo have reference
permanent peace establishment Under any circumstances
convinced that and northern frontier should
have larger force stationed them than they have
the Department place there by any proper disposition
make of the regular army this time The number
Of troops now in Texas cannot under present circumstances
be essened There ought to be less indeed think there
should be more troops the Indian frontier Should the
suggestions in the report to increase the rank and file of
Panes to sixty eight eghyour prvaes be approved by
Congress and carried out there would be dsposabe regular
force for the forts and Notifications on the seaboard and north
en and western frontiers but this force would furnish
adequate garrsons in Of appeended attack Besides
it would require months to raise the men, incorporate
them in the old regiments and get them in position. Should
this suggestion meet with favor, still think that authority
should be given the Pesdento accept tho services of
teer companies, squadrons baaons regiments and State
troops for term not exceeding year. Our situation may
be such that for the purpose Of Defence these volunteer
troops militia to the number of fifty thousand may be need
ed Under the direction of the Executive the number &C
tuay received would be regulated by circumstances The
present Publications the seaboard well as temporary
deences which must be resoed TO in Of threatened
Titles must be garrsoned and the number have mention
ed in addition to regular force unless was greatly in
creased, would certainly not be than sufficient put the
country in reasonable state of security in war with
Great Britain On the Northern frontier, where there
now stationed only about four hundred and eighty men, pro-
vision should be made for placing, the shortest notice.
force equal to that in Canada which could be brought to as
sail that frontier if hostes from that quarter should be rea
sonaby apprehended There this time about seven
thousand regular British troops in that Province should
prefer in case as necessary to call in the aid Of the militia
for the defence of the country to obtain the troops required by
the acceptance Of volunteers rather than by the present mode
of making requson the Executives of the States and
leaving to them to raise the number required by daughs
&C., though is probable that the number
required by the latter mode would be volunteers Volunteers
would I've likely to do effective service when first called
out than draughed militamen would respectfully refer
you to the acts of Congress this subject See VOL g. IT,
g. Laws, chap 47O session Of 1885, chap 1919, session
of $780,
In relation to raising additional regiments refer you TO
views expressed in my report the President and by
him sent to Congress.
In reference to peace establishment would recommend
two regiments the suggestion increase the rank and
file OF the present companies should not be avoraby received
In the present aspect of foreign affairs this mode of aug
menRg the regular force of the country commends itself to
my Judgment These regiments should they be rased
to be in addition to the troops proposed to be raised ga
son the chain of posts to the Rocky Mountains.
With this communication send you a statement from
the General commanding the Army, containing his views Of
the number of troops required to the Notifications, &C.
With view to give full and authentic information in
regard to the several matters embraced in the resolution which
you sent to me- have required from the Engineer
and Onance Bureaus, and herewith transmit them you
az in annies '-. chic nfrm..ion, all its
public trust the committee viii in the propriety of
this suggestion.
fobea eitcrae the suggestions in the report of the
Chief Engineer in regard to the Notifications temporary de-
ences &c., but commend them the favorable consideration
Of the committee The appropriations which suggests are
age but not than the safety Of the country requires
n the contingencies he contcmpaes The increased expen
iure upon permanent works outlay that be made
IN the Of very few years; and in my Judgment
sound policy indicates that should be in the power of the
Government to expend Immediately what under other crcum
Stances might be allotted such objects for two or three
II will be recoleced that the of the permanent
works will not be increased by acceerang the completion
them The remarks also applicable the expend
lures for ornaments ordnance stores, &c But if il should
be deemed nexpedent by the committee present to Con-
ports Of the Chief Engineer and the officer the head Of
Ordnance Bureau, if there would be likely be consider
able delay in getting bill making such appropriations through
Congress, would respectfully recommend that the appropra
lions for Notifications, and for ornaments and munitions
Of asked for the estimates already submitted from this
Department. should be granted without delay and that the
restriction which confines the expenditure Of them to the s
cal year should be far removed allow to them
II once.
II is considered important that the work on forts and orti
cations should be prosecuted with vgo and at the earliest
period and that the Department should know
what means it command in the Of few months
hat may forthwith mako preparatory arrangements for using
HEM II is equally important that it should lie once APP
priced Of the which will be placed disposal for the
armament, ordnance stores &c wanting make up
ul supply Considerable time required abrcate heavy
&c, and preparations cannot be safely made in
cpaton of the necessary appropriations Some of the
eas require to be provided several years before they
The best condition for The estimates for forifcaons
&C. already made, have exclusive reference permanent
works, Of them not begun and others in of
orwarness With all practicable dispatch will require
more than year to complete them. Should the points they
designed and protect be threatened the defence
Of them will depend temporary works. and these will re-
qure considerable expense For these estimate has been
submitted The precise character Of these temporary defen
cannot be designated it be determined where
they will be wanted would recommend that considerable
for these purposes should be placed the discretion Of
The Executive II not needed it would not be used In my
opinion three hundred thousand dollars might proper
be appropriated for those objects In Of threat
cned attack a much larger would be necessary.
Very respectfully, your obedicnt servant,
w. L. MARCY,
Secretary Of War.
Hon. THOMAS II. BENToN,
Chairman Of Committee on Military Affairs Senate.
c,,,rpxupuf,u nN cnrrAas