The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-06
THE REPUBLIC.

The operations of the Bureau Of Typographical
Engineers have been various and important during
the last year.
The survey Of the northern lakes-a work Of
which the importance can hardly be estimated
has been prosecuted with great activity; and il
would have advanced still more rapidly had the
appropriations for that object admitted 1t. With
the view to hasten the completion of the work. the
estimates for il for the next year have been in
creased.
The survey of the Creek boundary from the
frontiers of Arkansas to nearly the Tooth degree of
longitude west and that OF route for road from
ST. Louis to the great bend of Red river have been
completed. and arc ready to be laid before Con-
gress.
The expedition to the Salt Lake of the Territory
Of Utah has also returned. The report which, by
a resolution of the Senate at the last session, was
ordered to be printed, will be ready for delivery
during the approaching session
The expedition under Brevet Captain Sitgreaves
mentioned in my last annual rePort) from Santa
Fe TO the headwaters of the Zuni, and down that
river to its mouth, is still in the field.
The survey of the Delta OF the Misslssippi, with
a view TO the prevention of overflows, for which
appropriation was made the session preceding the
last, has been nearly completed One of the gen
tlemen charged with this highly important work
has made his reports that Of the other has been de-
! ayed by his Illness but il is in course Of prepare
ton, and, il ia received, both reports will
| be laid before you.
| In consequence of the numerous demands made
on the corps OF Typographical Engineers, not only
| for the duties that properly devove it, but TO
meet the demands of other Departments under
| whose charge surveys arc made, the head OF that
corps strongly urges that the number of the officers
of that corps be Increased. The remarks on this
subject, contained in his report, which is hereto
appended, are entitled TO, and hope will receive
| your attention.
| laws organizing the Subsistence department. 1t
was the Intention Of Congress that this branch of
the staff should consist of fixed number of officers,
| who should be regularly appointed by the Pres-
| dent nd piv
the discharge of their duties. This plan, however,
has never been fully carried into OBJECT. The num-
Der of assistant commssares was limited by the
| act OF 1871 to nifty; bot this number being found
| insufficient, several laws, subsequently passed.
were construed TO dispense with the limita-
| ton, and occasionally thrice that number have
! been in service. Notwithstanding this great in
crease, it not unfrequently happens that, by
changes in the distribution of the troops, post or
detachment is left without any assistant commits
sary in which 1t is the practice for the COM
handing officer to designate some subaltern otflcer
as acting assistant commissary.
As the posts where these officers are stationed
are frequently very remote, it often happens that
the assistant and acting assistant commissaries are
in the actual discharge Of their duties, and enrust
ed with money and property for long time be-
fore they can receive regular appointments and
furnish bonds. The consequences OF this mode OF
transactng the business OF the Subsistence depart
ment are, that its highly important duties must
often devoye young and very inexperienced
officers; that large sums of money and property
of great value frequently pass into the hands OF
officers who have furnished no bonds; ana, hnally
great confusion in accounts, and consequent en-
barrassment and delay In their settlement.
know no other mode of Temedyin these evils than
by appointing a few additional commissaries, so
to enable the Department to send several to the
different military departments ON the frontier, and
to assign to each one the charge of certain num-
Der of posts. Some Of the assistant commissaries
could thus be dispensed with, and the accounts
and transactions Of the remainder placed under
more immediate and strict supervision. This plan
would not be more expensive than that now pur-
sued, and would afford better guarantees for the
faithful and efficient discharge of the duties of those
officers.
The board to whom the management of the mil
iary asylum for disabled and destitute soldiers,
ablished at the last session of Congress, was com
mitted, have devoted a great deal of time and at
tenton to the selection OF suitable sites. They have
determined on one in the vicinity OF this city; the
terms of the purchase have been agreed on, aud, as
soon as the titles shall have been examined and
approved the agreement will be carried into effect
| beg leave again to suggest the expedicncy OF
creating retired list of disabled officers. Further
observation has confirmed me in the opinion that
this measure would conduce both to efficiency and
the economy Of the service
By the act OF 2sth September, 1850, making APP
preparations for the support of the army small
additional pay allowed to the officers and col
diers stationed in California and Oregon That
provision expires by its own Limitation on the lst
of March next. The reasons for its adoption still
exist, and recommend that it be continued in
force, and that it include also New Mexico, where
these apply with at least equal force.
The act of l60S, providing for arming and equipr
ping the whole body of the militia. directs that the
distribution of arms provided for by that act among
the States and Territories should be based upon
the number of their defective militia" AS the act
specifies no mode in which this number shall be
ascertained, each State and Territory adopts me-
thod of its own The consequence is that come
States make very imperfect returns, and some nc
returns at all, whereby the law is rendered unequal
in its operation. This inequality might be pre-
vented, and some unnecessary trouble and expense
saved, by simply declaring that the humber of free
white male inhabitants over the age of - years
and under that OF years in the respective States
and Territories, as shown by the latest census, shall
hereafter be the basis of distribution.
Respectfully submitted,
C. NJ. CONRAD, Secretary of War.
To the PRESIDENT.