The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-02-27


for the appointment Of general officers
to command it. 1t will be proper that
authority be given by law to make such
organization, and to appoint, by and
with the advice of the Senate, such
number Of major generals and brigadier
generals as the efficiency of the service
may demand. The number of officers
ot these grades now in service are not
more than are required for their respec-
tive commands; but further legislative
acton during your present session will,
in my judgment, be required, and to
which it is my duty respectfully to in
vite your attention. O., l.r..s
Should the war, contrary to my earn.
est desire, be prolracted to the close of
the term of service Of the volunteers
nowin Mexico, who engaged for twelve
months, an additional volunteer force
will probably become necessary to sup
ply their place, Many Of the volun-
teers now serving in Mexico, it is not
doubted, woold cheerfully engage, at
the conclusion Of their present term, TO
serve during the war. They would
constitute more efficient force than
could be speedily obtained by accepting
the services Of any new corps who
might offer their services. They would
have the advantage of the experience
and discipline of years service, and
will have become accustomed to the
climate, and be in less danger than new
levies Of suffering from the diseases of
the country. reco mmend, therefore,
that authority be given to accept the
services Of such Of the volunteers now
in Mexico as the state Of the public
service may require, and who may, at
the termination of their present term,
voluntarily engage to serve during the
war with Mexico, and that provision
be made for commissioning the officers.
Should this measure receive the favor
able consideration of Congress, it is
recommended that a bounty be granted
to them upon their voluntarily extend
ing their term of service. This would
not only be due to these gallant men,
but it would be economy to the govern
ment; because, if discharged at the end
of the twelve months, the government
would be bound to incur heavy ex-
pense in bringing them back to their
homes, and in sending to the seat Of
war new corps Of fresh troops to sup
ply their place. s.. .@ '... .ta
By the ac, Of the 18th Of May last,
the President was authorized to accept
the services Of volunteers. ''in compa-
nies, baltallions, squadrons and regi-
ments," but no provision was made for
filling up vacancies which might occur
by death, or discharges from the SER
vice, on account Of sickness or other
casualties. In consequence of this o.
many Of the corps now in SER
vice have been much reduced in num-
bers. Nor was any provision made
for filling vacancies of regimenlal or
officers who might die or re-
sign. Information has been received
at the War Department of the resgna-
tlon of more than one hundred Of these
officers. They were appointed by the
State authorities, and no information
HIS been received, except in few
instances, that their places have been
filled; and the efficiency Of the service
has been impaired from this cause
To remedy these defects, recommend
that authority be given to accept the
services of individual volunteers, 10 fill
up the places ol such as may die, or
become unfit for the service and be dis
charged; and that provision be also
made for filling the places Of regimen,
tal and company officers who may die
or resign. BY such provisions, the
volunteer corps may be constantly kept
full, or may approximate the maximum
authorized and called in service
in the first instance.
While it is deemed to be our true po-
icy to prosecute the war in the man.
ner indicated, and thus make the enemy
feel its pressure and its evils, shall be
at all times ready, with the authority |
conferred on me by the constitution,
and with all the means which may be |
placed at my command by Congress,
to conclude a just and honorable peace.
OF equal importance with an ener-
yetic and vigorous prosecution Of the
war are the means required 10 defray
IS expenses, and to uphold and main
ain tho public credit. 9i2nlt .s2lI
In my annual message Of the 9Th De-
;ember last, 4 submitted for the con-
'ideration Of Congress the propriety OF
as a war measure, revenue
Iutles on some Of the articles now en-
'raced in the free list. The principal
rticles now exempt from duty, from
which any considerable, revenue could