The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-16
WESTERN MILITARY INSTITUTE.
BLUE LICK SPRINGS, KY, June 81, 1850


To his .xcellency, J.J. CBITTENpEN:
Sir: The undersigned visiters appointed py your
excellency TO attend the annual exanfnauoh oi tue
cadets of The Western Military institute uhder 'ne
General superintendence of Colonel Thornton r.
1obnson commencing on the 18th and ending on
the 2istinstant, have performed the DUTY assignee
them: and have the honor, respectfully, to submit
the following brief report oil their apor anu
ton:
Since the removal of the Institute from George
town to Blue Lick Springs, one hundred ano sixty
seven cadets, representing seventeen Sthtes anu one
.Territory have matriculated, oil whom seventeen
are absent on leave, thirteen have been honorably
discharged, seven have been dismissed, and one
hundred and thirty three were In attendance al the
close of the session.
The undersigned attended the examination ana
EXERCISES of the ections and classes AZ they were
brought before eirapproPriate Professor the as
ulty and spectators, In whose presence uhey weIe
,ho-oughly and elaboratey examined In their
conrse Of academic studies, and 1t is with no ordl
nary de- ~ree OF pleasure the Board pear 'esuihony
10 the pron,pt aud correct answers gwen oy tne
Cadets to the questions proPounded py tne aSui'y
md o,bsrs nre ent thus afordng the best evidence
,h.t thev are wei and thoroughly taught IN their
respective department -s.-,-.,.,;o,,
The text books us ed and the course OF ihsu
adopted the Institute are as we are soV.su ,,ai
most identical with those OF the Unitec Staus Sii
tarv Academy at West Point, in addition 20 whicn'
instruction in the ancient languagesis gwen, ~0
may be considered fair average OF the course o'
study of the colleges OF the United states ana ar
school and the others graduates OF colleges oil
high distinction and well qualified TO teach In their
respective departments the Board can see no rea-
son why complete and thorough educauon cannot
he obtained AT the Western Military Institute.
The Cadets are instructed in military science
no, 10 much with view of qualifying them ior the
army as of promoting physical development, by
hcalhul exercise, good habits, subordination, anu
discioline and TO employ leisure hours, which might
be otherwise devoted to coarse ainusemens, or De
idlv and uselessy thrown away. But military ex-
erc,ses are never permitted to interfere with the
academic studies OF the Cadet.
The Hoard of Visiters have carefully inspected
the quarters of the Cadets and find them neat and
comfortable, the police good and such as In every
respoct to merit their entire appreciation; and from
oersopal examination, and all the Information
phicb they have been able To obtain, they have
6und the fare prepared for the Cadets TO be clean
wholesc me, and abundant They also deemed IL
their duty 10 examine the arms, and found them IN
such admirable condition that the handling would
not soil a white glove.
In concluding this report the Board of Visiters
beg leave to add, that the location OF the institute
at the Blue Lick Springs is 80 well and favoraoiy
knospn not only in the Western States, but IN the
entire Mississippi valley, that would oe useless 70
set forth its advantages, and commend 1t TO pubic
.-,yoe on ti,at ground. But they are unwilling to
"a. "a hold AN expression OF their unqualified apPro'
ta,,a Il the course of study, the good order, po'
49, and 'iscipiine observed and eniorceu AT ,ns
uoe, , am tLeir entire confidence in the higt
'1'sas ;' ~ tbe general and joint Superintend-
~ "a earns Of p -sfessors to command and teach
W a, az s..p..,. 40 ~>rtpents; and fs these rea-
cons they commend il to '''bc iaVIr m1 sn1 PSsro'
age Respectfully, n rLn,rno,
Adtutanf General and ,-1 VI
LUCIUS DESqA,
w G.. TALBOT,
JOHN ID. MORRIS,
GEORGE w. WILLIAMS
JOHN s. WILLIAMS,
July I6- Members Board Of Visitrs.