The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-17
WESTERN MILITARY INSTITUTE.
BLUE LICK SrRINos, KY, j.

To his excellency, ]. j. CBITTENDEN
Sir: The undersigned, visiters appointed by your
excellency to attend the annual examination OF .he
cadets of the Western Military Institute, under the
general superintendence of Colonel Thornton r.
johnson, commencing on the 18th and ending on
the 2lst instant have performed the duty asslgheo
them; and have the honor, respectfully, to submit
the following brief report Of their labor and observa
tom
Since the removal of the Institute from George
town TO Blue Lick Springs, one hundred and sixty
seven cadets representing seventeen States and one
Territory, have matrculated, OF whom seventeen
are absent on leave, thirteen have been honoraby
discharged, seven have been dismissed, and one
hundred and thirty three were IN attendance AZ the
close of the session.
The undersigned attended the examination and
exercises Of the sections and classes as they were
brought before their appropriate Professor the FAC
ulty and spectators, in whose presence they were
thoroughly and elaborately examined IN their
course of academic studies, and II is with no ord-
nary degree of pleasure the Board bear testimony
TO the prompt and correct answers given by the
Cadets to the questions propounded by the Faculty
and others present thus aording the best evidence
that they are well and thoroughly taught in their
respective departments.
The text. books used and the course of instruction
adopted at the Institute are, we are advised al
most identical with those of the United States Mill
tary Academy at West Point, in addition to which,
instruction in the ancient anguagesls Is giyen which
NAV be considered fair average of the course of
study of the colleges of the United States; and as
three members of the Faculty educated at that
school, and the others are graduates OF CoeEts ol
high distinction and we'll qualified TO teach in their
respective departments, the Board can see no rea-
con why a complete and thorough education cannot
bc obtained at the Western Military Institute.
The Cadets instructed in military scieRcc,
not 80 much with view of qualifying them for the
army a of promoting physical development, by
healthfu exercise, good habits, subordination and
discipline and TO employ leisure hours, which might
be otherwise devoted to coarse amusemens, or be
idly and uselessly thrown away. But military ex-
ercses never permitted to interfere with the
academic studies of the Cadet.
The Board of Visters have carefully inspected
the quarters of the Cadets, and find them neat and
comfortable, the police good, and such as in every
respect TO merit their entire appreciation; and from
personal examination, and all the Information
found the fare prepared for the Cadets TO be clean
wholesome and abundant. They also deemed IT
their duty to examine the arms, and found them IN
such admirable condition that the handling would
not soil white glove.
In concluding this report, the Board OF Nlslters
beg leave to add, that the location Of the institute
at The Blue Lick Springs is 80 well and favorably
known, not only in the Western States, but IN the
entire Mississippi valley, that 1t would be useless to
set forth it's advantagcs and commend IL to public
favor on that ground. But they unwilling to
withhold an expression of their unqualified appro-
baton of the of study, the good order, po-
lice, and discipline observed and enforced at the
institute, and their entire confidence in the high
qualifications of the general and joint Superintend-
ent and corps of Professors to command and teach
in their respective departments; and for these
sons they commend il to public favor and patron
age. Respectfully, p. DUDLEY,
Adjutant General and Er OF. Chairman.
LUCIUs DEsHA,
w. G.. TALBOT,
JOHN ID. NORRIS,
GEORGE w. WILLIAMS,
JOHN S. WILLIAMS,
lulyl5- Members Board Of Visifos.