Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-08-14
WEST POINT MILITARY ACADEMY.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF VISITERs.
WEST PoISr, New York, JUNE IT, 1852.

Hon. z. NJ. CONRAD Secretary Of War.
! SIR: Pursuant to your invitation, fifteen gentle
men, (the sixteenth joined few days subsequent
| ly) from as many States of the Confederacy, as
senbled at this place on the 1st day of June, and
organized the Board of Vsiters for the year 1852
The purposes designed were, to attend the annual
examination of the Cadets, to investigate the condi-
tion of the Military Academy in reference to several
subjects brought to their notice by your letter. and
report to you the result Of their inquiries together
with any recommendations which might appear to them
judicious or important
The Board commenced their proceedings under the pro-
found conviction that national Military Academy
ganzsd In the best ana conducted Just prnci
PIES be of the very highest value United States
1t y ocnceised shat the period is distant when the pas
ons Of indviduals shall be subdued to perfect huani
y and the ambitious and often unscrupulous rivalry
nations shall be diverted into the elevated paths of
Gus and honorable competition in industrial and other
pursuits War must, therefore continue be pracsed
the science and art which guides its the sures
and speedies results while involving in their study the
and acquanances with all the exact sciences and
many of the arts should be thoroughly instructed To
omit such instruction would be place this Conederacy
far in of all the enlightened nations of the world in
the scale of importance, which is likewise that of selfin
terest and repectabity and the power of self protection
would be greatly impaired 1t may be well supposed that
powerful and prolific of and appliances for
resistance to be exempt from the possibility of hostile
invasion, with its train Of injurious consequences The
militia will constitute the great bulwark of deence and
as in past warfare again in that of the future their
strong and brave hearts ample against
entire subugaton. But to cast among them the seed of
military knowledge to train them in the highest princi-
Piles Of methodca war; mpart taem skill and in
pire them with confidence would and has
ten while often averng perils and always
Gaping the disgrace which frequently results from mis-
directed efforts.
1t may be assumed that impressions similar to these
induced the part of Washington the urgent and repeat
ed recommendations of the foundation of national mill
tary institution The very last pubished letter of his
life, of the 18th of December 1799 contained plea in
its behalf He desired such seminary to be established
respectable and extensive basis " and he regarded
it an object of primary Importance to the country
As the farewell legacy of the Father of his Country this
conception afterwards embodied into durable FORM and
existing at the present day. ornament and honor
the Confederacy, while it is proud monument to his
patriotic forecast should be fostered and cherished by
the American people.
The Academy West Point was erected under the ad-
minstraon OF jefferson; and in its humble beginning
destined educate officers solely for the corps of
military engineers During the of 1872 its eleves
distinguished for capacity and skill, and proved
themselves the equals at least of their British
About that period the number Of cadets increased and
the instruction enlarged With the favor of
tho Governmsnt and the peana, these he..eontinued
their progress the present time The army IN all its
of service, recipients Of highly educated and ac
complished officers. And the branches Of knowledge
taught have become in their variety and extent all that
be studied in the term of four years In consequence
of the efficiency the galantry, and the skill of its gra-
duates displayed particularly in the war; the
Academy at length to be duly appreciated by all
classes of our fellow-citizens.
The favorable extend its usefulness to the
entire country by enlarging its sphere of benefits.
These would unquestonaby from increasing the
number of pupils from impeipg the energy and kind
ling the enthusiasm of its conductors of all grades by
justly if not generously compensatng their services from
adding all the facilities of comfort convenience and of
instruction by liberal expenditures towards the various
improvements hereinafter mentioned from extending the
term of study to five years. which would elevate the stand
ard of education beyond that of any similar institution in
the world in word, from regarding the Military Acad
emy the great national seminary the science of war;
and the nursery of fitted for all the spheres
Of human action, and in accordance cherishng il with
the nations affections and promoting its nobles ends with
the nations bounty.
The Board of Visiters after minute and faithful exam
nation gratifed in expressing their entire approba
ton OF the basis upon which the institution founded
and their with its general management The
accumuatng experience of fifty years, carefully noted
and improved upon in practice from time time when
possible to do leave little to be altered And the
Board in the main have only recommend appropriations
for necessary physical improvements to afford comfort
the professors and give facilities for certain instruction
while placing the Academy the respectable foot
ing In all the departments displayed cultivated
TASTE economy Of expenditure and the efficiency in the
adaptations of the means TO the design In the
external improvements in the military exercises in the
branches of study Except logic in the administration
and superintendent of all its affairs and in the disc
pne which, sanctioned by the authority of law and nds
pensable to the eminent success of military institution
is the grand cement Of all the parts giving symmetry Of
form and gor Of action to the united WHOLE the Board
give their cordial assent and commentator.
With the view Of nsttung the most searching scruti-
ny which the brief period Of less than three weeks would
permit committees appointed from the Board, to
each of which a prominent subject ntrusted. Re-
ports rendered and having been discussed before the
Board, and adopted in after being amended,
they constitute the body Of the general report and
company il in the order in which they presented and
accepted In order readily the attention,
the several recommendations Of the Board to be found
distributed through the reports of the committees and
few not reported grouped together and numbered
as follows:
lst 1t is recommended that sixytwO additional cadets
be authorized correspond to the Senator's allowing
for each State
I'd. That the pay Of the cadets be increased S420
month, making S2S. 30 per month, which granted
previously to 1916 the amount at present is insufficient
($24) Nearly all who graduate are in involved in debt,
in despite Of the practice here Of the most rigid system
economy.
Sd. That the pay Of the superintendent be increased
from 81, 600 to SO 900. The entertainment Of disn-
guished men, scientific and otherwise, from abroad and
home who visit this place. is thrown almost wholly on
this ecer And for the credit Of the hospitality of the
nation II be and is borne The present supernten
dent has in years. since being stationed at this
post, expended SO, 900 over his pay