The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-09


western rivers to the corps Of Typographical engi
neers .#..
1t is believed that this arrangementywill emf
nenty conduce to the speedy and economical
execution OF the works
Owing principally to the advanced season when
the appropriations We're made, little has been done,
Ia regard to many of the works, beyond making
the necessary arrangements 10 commence them as
early practicable in the spring.
For more detailed information on this subject
and on others connected with their duties, l re-
spectfully refer to the reports of the colonies of
engineers and Of the typographical engineers ap
pended to this report.
The estimates for such of the works require
additional appropriations will be submitted as soon
as they can be prepared.
The expedition which / mentioned in my last
annual report as having been sent under the COM
mand of Brevet Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves, to
explore the Zuni and Colorado rivers, from the
source Of the former to the Pacific, has completed
the exploration and returnedj but the report has
not yet been submitted. .'af
EARLY last spring Captain Marcy sent with
| party to explore the headwaters OF the Red Riv-
err. He accomplished the object, and has returned;
but the report OF the expedition has not yet been
prepared.
1t affords me pleasure to repeat my commenda-
tons of the good order and discipline which pre-
vail at the Military Academy. and to express my
conviction Of the benefits which result to the
vice from that institution
The reports of the chief of the Ordnance Bureau
and OF the Quartermaster's Department will show
the operations Of these branches OF the
service Several Of the suggestions cont tanned in
them are deserving OF attention.
The first Of these two reports exhibits very sat
isactory view Of the operations Of the national
concur in the opinion that benefit would be like.
ly to result from a return to the former mode OF
governing the establishments.
In my last annual report called your attention
to several points in regard TO which legislation ap-
peared to me to be necessary. will simply renew
these suggestions, without repeating the reasons
on which they were founded. They were
First. That the Department be authorized to
abolish such arsena!s ca no longer needed and
are a source Of useless expense.
Second. That an additional number of commits
saries be authorized
Third. That retired list of the army be estab-
lished, as measure of justice both to the oficers
that disabled and to those that not.
Fourth. That the distribution OF arms among the
militia OF the States and Territories under the act
of $685. be made hereafter on the basis of the free
white male inhabitants Of age to bear arms, as
shown by the latest census, instead of the official
returns of the militia, which are frequently not
furnished, and when furnished are often inaccu-
rate.
To these recommendations beg leave to add a
few more that further experience has suggested
BY the fifth section of the act of September 2S,
$780, IL is made the duty of the Secretary of War
to discharge any soldier who at the time of his en-
lisment was under the age of twenty one years,
unless such enlistment had been made with the
consent OF the parent or guardian of the soldier.
Young men are frequently enlisted who repre-
sent themselves to be Of age, but whose discharge
ID afterwards applied for on the ground Of minor-
ty. The consequence is that they are fire. quently
discharged after they have been clothed and fed
for months without rendering any service, or after
they have been sent at great expense to some re
mote station. There is reason to believe that in
come instances parties have enlisted with view
to defraud the Government.
recommend that any person being above the
age of eighteen years who sha | practice such an
i'm ha lad IN
Of enlistment.
IL further appropriations for Notifications and
for river and harbor improvements should be
made, the number Of officers in the corps of Enei-
neers and Typographical Engineers will be INSULT
cient to supply the necessary details for these
works and for the coast and lake surveys added to
the other duties they arc called upon to perform.
l recommend, therefore, that in that event the
addition to each for six years of not more than
three second lieutenans, to be taken heretofore
from the graduates of the Military Academy.
In consequence of the great number OF remote
military posts at which troops are stationed, the
number of medical officers has been for some
years past entirely inadequate to the wants of the
service the consequence of which ia that mum.
Der OF private physicians are necessarily en-
ployed.
l am satisfied that it would be measure of
economy to authorize an increase OF the medical
corps
Besides the above recommendations, there are
several contained in the report of the General in
Chief. hereto appended, which appear TO me to de-
serve attention. will mention particularly bis
suggestions that the third section of the act of
June II, 1850, entitled "An act to increase the
rank and file of the army to encourage enlist
ments," be repealed that measures be taken to-
distribute for the use of the militia of the States
and Territories the books OF tactical instruction
used in the regular service; and that the pension
laws be SO amended as TO place the widows and
pbans ~ officers of the army on an equal footing
with those of naval officers.
Respectfully submitted.
c. M. CONRAD, Secretary Of War
To the President OF the United States.