Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-07-12

Tour years. and the under which the stuces OF
this department pursued in atmosphere in which the
sciences and their applications constitute the apeva
ing and controlling element
In the present straitened position Of the department. there
fore rigid analysis Of textbooks all perhaps which can Do
successfully attempted and the examination satisfied the
had been thorough and successful
The board would speak with appreciation OF the proficiency
Of of the sections examined in the French language
They read and translated from French into English and from
English into French with and pompude, evnc
ing knowledge of the and construction OF the language
sufficiently thorough to enable them, by intercourse with those
who habuay to acquire with comparative facility ine
power Of speaking and writing in that tongue
The examination Of of the sections in French dd NOT
seem the board be entitled the expression Of
probation They do doubt that the deficiency was owing
mainly lack Of diligence in this particular study.
The board moreover not quite clear that the class
ercses in French made carefully subsidiary to the
son the part the pupil Of greater precision power ana
finish n the Of the vernacuar.
The instructions Of the proper departments in artillery and
infantry tactics appear the board TO have been ana
proficiency Of the graduating class in these branches was
thoroughly and successfully tested on examination
The system of military police, the theory Of gsnnery and
the rules each of the service to be well
The practical exhibitions of the cadets in the various orms
Of infantry, artillery, and cavalry drill well as their prac
tce in the riding hall and fencing academy, were OF very
satisfactory character eyincng degree Of skill which reflect
ed credit the professional instructions Of the institution
The connexon Of drawing with civil az well as military en-
en Of great value and such appears to be pursued
with proper zeal by the cadets generally and Of with
that variety Of which is due to the various apudes
Of individuals for the art The style Of the numerous sPec
mems open to examination deserves high praise, and illus
traes the well the fidelity which guides the de-
partment. #s
On the review of the whole ground the board have be-
station in pronouncng the examination highly satisfactory,
and the welseed reputation of the Academy school of
science fully sustained.
Next the direct labor Of numerous, able and faithful
academic staff the board would ascrb the of the in
stuon the admirable discipline which the relations Of the
cadets to the military power Of the country enable the board
Of instruction to maintain with entire exacness.
It is difficult conceive any thing perfect than the
action Of this SYSTEM carried without fear favor
there is abundant reason to believe it to be.
In estimate Of the position Of the Military Academy in
the scale Of educational agencies it not to be forgotten that
it is not wholly and merely professional school.
In colleges Of medicine law and theology, the student is
supposed to have completed his elementary and
of instruction before the of his membership Of
the professional college.
The Military Academy does not, in like manner, confne
its action the preparation of men already educated for the
profession Of Il undertakes the elementary well
the professional education Of the cadets reqng qualf
cation for admission beyond the udmenta instruction Of the
domestic freside or Of the district school,
For this wofod character Of the institution, many satsac
tory may be assigned, not needu here to be spec
fed but the board will refer to needu to the proper
understanding Of change in the of instruction here
after to be recommended And that reason is that TO require
liberal of study in preparation Of the candidate for
into the Academy would be shut from the benefits
Of the institution those Of the Republic whose
not anequate the acquisition Of this extended educational
preparation.
Regarding this twood character Of the Academy, there
fore, fixed fact it will remain open question for the
consideration Of the Boards Of Visitation from year year
whether the elementary portion of the for the time be-
ing properly adjusted that which is professional and
whether constitutes in fact sufficient educational pepara-
ton Of the American officer for his high position and his i'm
portant relations to society and to the civil state
Entering upon the consideration of this question, it strikes
the board that if take away from the Of
instruction in the Academy all that be regarded as pro-
fessona leave resduum of elementary and general cu
ture which, in the just judgment of man, be styled
LIBERAL a
If this very plain proposition be granted the necessity of
least additional year the of instruction in the
academy-a measure frequently recommended BY preceding
Boards Of observation-disclosures an unavoidable inference
Should this important measure be resolved by the War
Department. (and it is within the competency Of that De-
parmen under favor Of the President of the United States
to be presumed that the Academic Board will receive the
project with entire cordiaity in making harmonious adjust
Of the whole of instructions to the improved
conditions Of the Academy.
The board would merely suggest preliminary, that
the entrance examination those candidates who may be found
rigid examination well prepared for the academic
may be admitted at to the fourth class Those who
should be found thoroughly prepared for the lowest
demc class may placed for the year in the preparatory class
This plan would to obvate real difficulties,
which have always been e connected with the
preparation Of the cadets the time Of their entrance be-
sides having the main recommendation OF opening whole
additional year to the liberal studies Of enlarged
demc
On the financial bearing Of the question, or cost which it
may involve, 1t is recommended in economical point of
view, by the small saving it will effect resulting from the
difference between the pay of the euenans and cadets for
the year. in which the promotion Of the latter postponed
1t s believed also that the number Of the cadets for
missions annually, after the first part in which the scheme
may 60 into operation, may be sufficient supply all
ces occurring in the army.
ADMINISTRATION.
To the efficient organization and administration Of this in
stuton, and its almost perfect adaptation to the elevated OBJ
jecs contemplated in its creation this board unhesita
ingy give its testimony Yet this result has been produced
by the safe process of gradual improvements annually
mended by the successive Boards Of Vsers and Inspectors
time and experience developed their necessity The lbe
rally of Congress, enlightened by those reports has almost
fully supplied the machinery both personal and MATERIAL
adequate to the full and efficient operation of the grand
system Of instruction pursued, leaving but few subjects
yet susceptible of improvement be noticed and recommend
ed by the present board.
Prominent, however, amongst these this board would pre-
sent to your attention the of suitable dnghouse for
cavalry exercises Such establishment deemed every
country, even in those enjoying mild and equable climates
indispensable means and appliance to proper system Of
cavalry instruction and in climate like this, having long
and rigorous winters rendering unsafe and nearly impossible
both to and horse outdoor exercises for long por
on of the year, suitable dinghouse becomes of nds-
pensable necessity.
Not merely required here as an efficient agent in the
acquisition Of cavalry instruction, but as the place where
alone the cadets during the gos Of winter and occa-
Storms needfll