Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-01-23

sral, and he will leaye not 3 stone uniformed ID
set il. Such is the current report here now and
from all zen gsthsr, l. am inclipedto,believ
Il ia pretty nearly tue. As the matter progresses,
will give YOU the Items. II is doubtful Whether
the bill will pass, but as his own party say, he
brushes all who oppose him. fear msy induce
many 10 sustain him. who Otherwise would not.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE, : ''' j.
Recommending the appointment of a Lieu
tenant General. s7s - 30 ~ .9siooG sd
To The Senate and House of Representatives.
.,sg5..,i,, ,s,,...,-. ofhe United States: -
sIn order to prosecute the war with
Mexico with vigor and success, il is necessa-
ry tina, authority should promptly be given
by Congresssto' increase the regular army,
and to remedy existing defects in its organ
izatior. With this view, your favorable,
attention is invited to the annexed report
oil the Secretary of War, which accompa-
MED my message Of the 9th inst. in which
lhe recommends that ten additional regi-
fmanis OF regular troops should be raised 10
serve during the war. ,-- ..,...,.--,
Of'ihe 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 10 regard TO ?
all. The existing law requiring that they
should be organized by the independent ac-
ton of the State Governments has in some
instances 'occAsi5hed considerable delay,
and it is, yet uncertain when the troops re-,
quired can be ready for service in the field
lis our settled policy to maintain, in
lime OF peace, Us small regular army asthe
exigencies of the public service will permit.
In state OF war, notwithstanding the great
advantage with which our volunteer, citi-
zens soldiers can be brought into the field,
the smalLregu'ar army must be Increased in
its numbers, in order 10 render the whole
force more efficient. 20 tas.s ..J!7FF
Additional officers as well as men then
become in dispensable. Uuder the circum-
stances a peculiar propriety exists for in.
creasing the officers, especially in the high.
er grades. The number Of such officers
who from age ami other circumstances, are
rendered incapable ofactual service in the
field has already impaired the efficiency OF
Of the army. 'a ''''@t r
From the repor. Of the Secretary Of War,
| it appears that about two thirds OF the
| whole number Of regimenta field officers
are either permanently disabled, or are ne.
cessariy detached from their commands on
other duties. The long enjoyment Of peace
has prevented us from experiencing much
embarrassment from this cause; but now ia
state of war, conducted in foreign coun-
try it has produced serious injury to the
public service. .--57l l...a s. -rf ps,s
| An efficient organization Of the army,
C imposed Of regulars and volunteers, while
prosecuting the war in Mexico, it is beiiev.
ed, would require the appointment Of
General Officer to take The command of
all our military forces in the field. ~
Upon the conclusion Of the war, the servi.
ces OF such an officer would no longer be
necessary, and should be dispensed with
upon the reduction Of the army to peace
establishment. .'..,l.-a ..tg
L recommend that provision be made by
law forthe appointment of such a general
officer to serve during the war.
|, is respectfully recommended that early
action should be had by Congressppon the
suggestions submitted for their ,considera-
tons as necessaryato secure active and Of.
ticient services inprosecuting the war be-
fore the present faxorableyseason for militia
ny operations in the eneny's country shall
have passedfaway. + an
r. JAMES X! POLK.
Washington, Dec. 90, 1916.