Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-03-09

vet prisoners for trial. and about in hundred on short
leaves of absence. Considering the many sicky lines and
posts occupied and be occupied it is not e1traSagant TO
say that should in year. under the proposed maxi
mum, have average Of than 55 noncommlssloned
officers musicians acer and privaes, per company ora
grand total Of 10000 "pesent and fit for duty for pro-
dgous Of service and covering an area equal
about eighth) to the entire continent of Europe
In foreign armies, the regiment battalion, is the ut
but very rarely broken into deachnents. With US, on the
other hand many Of smaller posts in time OF peace have
been and continue TO be occupied by single companies
Hence, in the United States, the company generally the
unit and this from its smallness, with total OF sixty
pssnt and , for duty, is practically indvisibls for more
than momentary deachmenis.
Confident tina. the foregoing calculations and estimates
without any material error hops the proposed augmentation
may be substantially recommended by The War Department
There is one other topic take the liberty to present in
tbs volunteer communicao IN which the entire army
feels lively interest; and which all hope may again
win the support of the Department The following extract
from my annual report adds sssed to the Secretary Of War,
November 90 Is45, presents in short compass the subject
in question:
81 respectfully to invite attention to
retreat asylum for the out cayed rank and file
of the army The subject has been twice reported upon
avoraby, with bills, by Committees Military Affairs in
the House of Representatives (See report No. ~ I'd ses-
sion 26h Congress- and report No. l09 I'd session, 2sh
Congress.) IT. The usnt only be placed fully before
Congress- impossible doubt success the asylum
would impose no burden the treasury, but be supported
from the army itself in Deductions fines, and reversions
For the merits and details Of the proposed asylum, beg
that the documents referred in the extract be carefully
examined. cannot possibly conceive valid objection to
either.
While the army under my command lay at Pueba, part
Of the summer Of ls47 humble petition Congress in
favor of asylum the plan for the benefit Of enlist
ed men drawn up and signed by, believe, every
missoned officer then present presume presented
and if SO, may doubt be found the archives Of
or both Houses of Congress.
In connexion with that petition beg add the following
| facts 5....t. -
On the capture of the City Of Mexico, by the army
levied contribution upon the inhabitants Of sl5ooOo in
lieu of page which the city, by the usages Of war, was
under the circumstances, liable. In my orders the sub
| jectI said ~...
"Of the whole contribution be paid to the army
shall be appropriated to the purchase Of erra COM
forts the wounded and sick in hospital $780, 900 to the
purchase Of blankets and shoes for ga,utous distribution
among the rank and file Of the army and 600 reserved
for other necessary military pupoes (See in the Adjuant
General Office Washington printed copy of that General
Order No 2s7, dated September H. ls47.
also copy here as intimately connected with the
subject letter to the Secretary of War, dated at Mexico
February 8, ls4s. In that letter said
81 have reported the subject of secret disburse
ments since left Jaapa-s because Of the uncertainty Of
our communications with Vera Cruz and 3D. the necessity
certain explanations which, account Of others ought
never to be reduced to writing. may, however, briefly add
that have tempted the honor conscience patriot
ism of any man, but have held lawful in morals as in war,
purchase valuable information services voluntarily ten
dered me.
ssCharging myself with the money received Washing
ton for the purposes indicated with the Sl50000 levied
upon this city for the immediate benefit Of the army in lieu
Of age the proceeds Of captured tobacco taken from the
Ma farm in he
small sumsa of which shall strictly account or-I have,
the oher hand, expended s63745 so in blankets and
Shoes gratuousy distributed to enlisted men 900 ex
of hospitals, allowing SO to every crippled
man discharged or froughed 500, 600, think for
services, including native spy company whose pay
commencing in July, did ish to bring into account
with the Treasury, and enclose herewith dat
made up according the memorandum also enclosed hope
you will allow the draft to so 10 the credit OF an army ds
un and make the subject known in the way ypu may deem
best, the Military Committee Of Congress That sum is,
in small part the price of the American blood galanty
shed in this vicinity and considering that the army receives
no prize money! repeat the hope that its proposed desna
ton may be approved and carried into effect:
Number OF set OF bills Is TINS day transmitted
direct to the Bank Of America.
"The remainder Of the money in my hands, as well as
that expended shall be ready account for at the proper
time aud in the proper manner, this was done in ls4s
merely offering imperfect report to explain in the me a. time
the of the $780, 900 draft (See Executive docu.
men No co. page 1856, printed under resolution Of the
House of Representatives Of April %, 1889
Following tina, letter will be found printed the memoran-
dunn and draft alluded to. The draft was made payable to
and in order place the deposite beyond the control of
any individual furconary whatever endorsed it" The
Bank of America will pa:e the within TO the credit OF
ARMY As1LuM, subject TO the order Of Congress-"
Advised above, the Secretary of War, the presena
ton for payment, caused the dra to be protested whereby
the Of Sl00 900 turned by in cash, to the mill
a hes: Of the army for the current pay of the troops and
paid accordingly sequesered to the benefit OF the
United States Treasury. OF equal sum was saved
the Treasury oct of the appropriation made by Congress
for the current pay of the troops.
Tia. money hal belonged to the Treasury and the
Treasury had no legal claim whatever. Look the
uoraadu that shows the items Of which the made
upI So 900 received for licenses granted by my order in
the city Of Mexico 3D. s4s $50 A received for tobacco be-
longing the Mexican Government found in the capital
3d. $50 Is taken from the contribution levied upon the
capital ami 4,h s2650 40 saved at of the principal
army hospitals .... .....
What clai had the United States Treasury upon either of
those sums They ALL except the fourth or smallest
item, raised according the laws Of aud the rights of
conquest for just and laudable Objects and applied, or at
tempted to be applied accordingly.
The only title of legislation by Congress bearing on the
subject then existed will be found in the ssth Article of
War; April TO- 1906 copied and reenaced from the re-
solves of the old Congress- September 20, l776 (See Mill
tary Laws pp. % and il6 The article is in these words
"A public taken in the ensmys camp, towns, fos