The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-03
WESTERN MILITARY INSTITUTE.


To his excellency, J. J. CBITTESDEs:
SlR: The unders gned, visiters apponte by your
excellency to attend the annual examination OF the
cadets Of The Western Military Institute, under the
general superintendence of Colonel Thornton +.
Johnson, commencing on the nth and ending on
the 2lst instant, have performed the duty assigned
themj and have the honor, respectfully, TO submit
the following brief report Of their labor and observa
lions
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 matriculated, of whom seventeen
are absent on leave, thirteen have been honorably
discharged, seven have been dismissed, and one
hundred and thirty three were in attendance at the
close of the session.
The undersigned attended the examination and
exercises of the sec tons and classes 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 it 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, tbus afordng 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, advised, al
most identical with those of the United States Mill
tary Academy at West Point, in addition TO which
instruction in the ancient language given, which
may be considered fair average Of the course OF
study of the colleges of the United States; and as
three members of the Faculty were educated at that
school, and the others graduates OF colleges OF
high distinction and well qualified TO teach in their
respective departments, the Board can see no rea-
son why complete and thorough education cannot
be obtained at the Western Military Institute.
The Cadets instructed in military science ,
not so much with view of qualifying them for the
army OF promoting physical development, by
healthful exercise, good habits, subordination. and
discipline, and TO employ leisure hours which might
be otherwise devoted to coarse ainuscments, or be
idly and uselessy thrown away. But military cA-
erciscs are never permitted to interfere with the
academic studies of the Cadet.
The Board of Visiters 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 approbaton; and from
personal examination, and all the information
which they have been able TO obtain, they have
found The fare prepared for the Cadets to be clean
wholest me, and abundant. They also deemed 1t
their duty 10 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 Visiters
beg leave to add, that the location OF the institute
at the Blue Lick Springs is SO well and iavoraby
known not only in the Western States, but IN the
entire Mississippi valley, that 1t would be useless TO
set forth its advantages, and commend 1t to public
favor on that ground. But they are unwilling to
withhold an expression of their unqualified appro-
baton of the course of study, the good order po-
lice, and discipline observed and enforced at thc
Institute, and their entire confidence In the ingh
qualifications of the general and joint SnPerintend
ent and corps of Professors to command ana teacp
in their respective partments and Tor these rei-
sons they commend it to public favor and patron
age. respectfully, r. tpDLEi
Adiutant General and Er of. Chairman.
LUClUS DESHA,
w. G.. TALBOT,
JOHN ID. MORRIS,
GEORGE w. WILLIAMS,
JOHN 5. WILLIAMS,
July l5- Members Board Of Visiter,.