The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-16


ALARGE CROPPING received, some days
since, letter from Mr.. J. B. Nol, of Ohio town.
ship in this county, giving the quantity of produce
raised by him on 81 rods of land or nearly .fUe-
eighths of an The following is the result in
pounds:
ss5 pumpkins averaging 2l lbs. each 1885 lbs
do {" IS " nearly Ala =
(The largest one Of these weighed
1873 lbs; the smallest 55 lbs The
5grew on one vine)
10 bush. of potatoes at 65 lbs per bush. 1850 K"
20 corn at So lbs. per bush. 1,l20 "
Total number of lbs. "a 500
Being IL tons and 669 lbs. of the whole.
Mr. Noll says that the smallest of the first 10 of
pumpkins weighed lbs., and the largest ones, of
the same lot, averaged Sc lbs. There was also ras-
ed on the same ground a small patch of water-mel-
ons, sweet potatoes, and some other articles of
produce, of which account was taken
From the above our readers will perceive That
our County Surveyor is up 10 raising gardenhuch,
as well as measuring the contents of land
CONGRESSIONAL the House, on the
I'd inst, Mr.. Wentworth, of Illinois, submitted
the following resolution, which was apopted by
vote Of yeas lis, nays rs:
Resolued, That it is inexpedent 10 levy any tax
upon tea and coffee.
Almost the entire time of the House is occupied
in the discussion of war measures A bill for en-
couragng the enlistment of troops, by providing
abounty of $I2, passed both houses the 9TH INST
On Monday, the 4,h the President transmitted
the following message to Congress, which was re-
ferred to the committee ON Military Affairs
To the Senate and
House of Representatives of the u. States:
In order to prosecute the war against Mexico
with vgor and success, it is necessary that au-
thority should be promptly given by Con-
gress TO increase the regular army and TO remedy
existing defects in its organizaton With this
view, your favorable attention is invited to the an
nual report of the Secretary of War, which ac-
companied my message of the Sth instant, in which
he recommends that ten additional regiments of
regular troops shall be raised to serve during the
war.
Ofthe additional regiments of volunteers which
have been called for from several of the States,
some have been promptly raised; but this has not
been the case in regard to all. The existing law
recurring that they should be organized by the in
dependent action of the State governments has, in
some instances occ asoned considerable delay; and
il is vet uncertain when the troops required can
be ready for service in the field.
1t our settled policy to maintain in time of
peace as small regular army as the exigencies OF
the public service will permit In state OF war,
notwithstanding the great advantage with which
our volunteer citizen soldiers can be brought into
the field this small regular army must be increas-
ed in its numbers in order to render the whole force
more efficient.
Additional officers as well as men, then, become
indispensable. Under the circumstances Of our
service peculiar propnety exists foI increasing the
officers, especially in the high grades. The num-
ber of such officers who. from age and other
are rendered incapable of active service in the
field, has seriously impaired the efficiency of the
army.
From the report of the Secretary of War, it ap-
pears that about two-thlrds of the whole number
of regimental field officers are either permanently
disabled or are necessarily detached from their
commands on other duties. The long enjoyment o
peace has prevented us from experiencing much
embarrassment from this cause; but now in state
of war, conducted in foreign country, it has pro-
duced serious injury to the public service
An efficient organization Of the army, composed
of regulars and volunteers, whilst prosecuting the
war in Mexico, it is believed, would require the
appointment OF general officer to take command
Of all our military forces IN the field.
Upon the conclusion of the war, the services o
such an officer would no longer be necessary, and
should be dispensed with upon the reduction OF the
army to peace establishment.
Il recommend that provision be made by law
for the appointment of such general officer tc
serve during the war ar
II srespectfully recommended that early action
should be had by Congress upon the suggestions
submitted for their consideration, as necessary Ia
insure active and efficient service in prosecuting
the war, before the present favorable season fol
military operations in the enemy's country shall
have passed away. JAMES X POLK
Washington December 20. lSt6