The daily union., 1852-12-09


nenily qualified for this duty.
This arrangement not only enabled me TO dispense
with a number OF civil agents whose assistance would
otherwise have been necessary but Ga consideration OF
hardly less mporance) secure the invaluable aid OF
the distinguished head OF the corps of engneers
| al nrst intended 10 establish joint board composed
OF the heads and another officer Of each OF the corps
aided when circumstances would require il, by an o-
Ger oil the navy TO supentena the execution of all The
works but some difficulties having arisen 10 arrang ing
The details OF this pan finally determined 10 divide
the works between the two corps and TO establish two
boards-ons Tor each corps, composed OF its own on
GERS TO and It's head in preparing supervising and col
rectng plans and estimates, &c, the members 10 acl
separately as inspectors OF the works when IN process
OF construction. lt
This plan has been carried into effect and in pursu.
ance OF IT. the works on the Atlantic and the Gull oil Mex.
leo have been assigned TO The corps OF engineers and
those the northern lakes and western rivers 10 the
corps OF typographical engineers
Ii is believed that this arrangement viii emlneDtly
conduce TO the speedy and economical execution OF the
works.
Owing principally to the advanced season when The
appropriations made, little has been done, in regard
to many of the works, beyond making the necessary
arrangements to commence them as early as practicable
In the spring
For more detailed information on this subject and on
others connected with their dutes respectfully refer 10
the reports oil the coones OF engineers and TO The topo-
graphical engineers, appended 10 this report
The estimates for such OF the works require addl-
ona appropriations will be submitted as soon as they
can be prepared
report having been sen under the command OF Brewer
Captain Lorenzo Slgreaves 10 explore the Zun and Col
orado rivers from The OF the former 10 the Pacific
has completed the exploration and returned, but the
port has not yet been submitted
Early last spring Captain Marcy was sent with party
to explore The headwaers OF the Red river He accom-
shed the object and has returned but the report OF the
expedition has not yet been prepared.
IL affords me pleasure 10 repeat my commentators
OF the good order and discipline which prevail at the
Military Academy, and TO express my conviction o
the benefits which result 10 the service from that nsi
tuition.
The reports of the chief of the Ordnance Bureau and
the QnarermaseIs Department will show the opeI
of these important branches Of the service Several
the suggestions contained in them are deserving oi al
lenton.
The first of these reports exhibits very satisfac
tory view Of the operations of the national armories a
! Springfield and Harpers Ferry; and | concur in the
opinion that benefit would be likely 10 result from
return TO The former mode OF governing these establish
menis
In my last annual report called your attention 10
eral points in regard TO which legislation appeared 10 me
to be necessary. will smp these sugge stlons
without repeating the reasons on which they were
founded they
FIRST. That the department be authorized to abolish
such arsenals longer needed and source
OF useless expense.
Second That an additional number OF commssaries be
authorized.
Third Tha, retired list Of the army be established
OF justice both 10 the officers that are dis
abled and TO those that are not
Fourth. That The distribution OF arms among The mill
tia oil the States and Territories under The ac oil lS0S bt
made hereafter the basis of the free white male IN
habants OF age bear arms, shown by the aes,
sus, instead OF The official returns OF the militia, which
are frequently not furnished, and when furnished are
often inaccurate.
10 these recommendations | beg leave TO add few
more that further experience has suggested.
BY The hh section OF the act OF September 2Sih, 1850
II Is made the duty OF The Secretary OF War 10 dscbagt
any soldier who al the Time oi his enlistment unde
the age of twenty years. unless such enlistment had
been made with the consent oil the parent guardian
the soldier.
Young are frequently enlisted who represent, them
selves 10 be OF age, but whose discharge is afterwards
applied for the ground OF minority The consequence,
is that they frequently discharged after they bav,
been clothed and led tor months, without rendering any
service alter they have been great expense
some remote station There is 10 believe that il
some instances parties have enlisted with view 10 de
fraud the government
] recommend that any person being above the age o.
eighteen years who shall practise such imposition
be compelled to serve out his term OF enlistment
II further appropriations for Notifications and for rive
and barbor improvements should be made, the number
officers in the corps OF engineers and typographical
gneers will be insufficient TO supply the necessary deta
Tor these works and for the coast and lake surveys adde,
10 the other duties they are called upon TO perform
recommend, therefore, that in that event the officers
these corps be increased by annual addition TO eacl
for six years OF not than three second ieulenans
TO be taken as heretofore from the graduates OF the Mill
tsry Academy.
In consequence Of the great number OF remote military
posts at which troops stationed the number OF med
cal officers has been Tor some years past entirely made
quae 10 the wants OF the service the consequence o.
which that number ol private physicians are neces
ssrlly employed.
am satisfied that it would be a OF economy tc
authorize an increase OF the medical corps
Besides the above recommendations, there are severa
eonained in the report OF the hereto ap
pended, which appear TO To deserve attention. vii
mention particularly bis suggestions that the third sec
lion oil the act OF June 7h, 1850, entitled An act 10 In
crease the rank and file OF the army and 10 encourage
stmens," be repealed that measures be taken TO dis
tribute for the use OF the militia of the States and Terri
tories the books OF tactical instruction used in the regula
services and that the pension laws be amended as L
place The widows and orphans OF officers OF the army
an equal footing with those OF naval officers.
| Respectfully submitted.
II G. M CONRAD, Secretary OF War.
Il To the President OF the United States
ron nrsr-Tn. larr. .or.room and basement ap.a lor