Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-10-08

ron THE NATIONAL rsrxILlorscrs.

i
questioned on the floor of Congress, and under that
assumption, and the danger of standing armies in
time Of peace" the United States military school
was deemed by large party to be an unconsttu-
tional establishment, and the Academy at West
Point had well-nigh died by neglect in making
timely appropriations for its support This neglect
had produced species of apathy Congress- until the
campaigns of Gen. SooTr and President TAYLOR Mexico
had demonstrated the utility nay indispensable
sity, of that institution From that day the efforts to
destroy the school have ceased in Congress
The Military Academy West Point owes its gin to
the sagacy of WASHINGTON The last letter written by
him addressed to Alexander Hamilton on the 18th of
December $780, two days before the death of Washing
tom that letter commends earnestly the subject of
national military school, To prepare in peace for the
exigencies Of had occupied the thoughts Of Washing
ton, especially at the canonmcnt Of Newburg in 1888
AT that time he consulted those military minds about
him, in whose judgment he had relied, to the best
means of preserving memory of the experience in the
just then closing and also to preserve nucleus of
the then existing army and also to provide for school
to teach portion Of the youth Of the country the ec
ments of in time Of peace Among others Gen. Jared
Huntington, Of Connecticut in reply his opinion
the letter is in transcript in the hands Of the writer
Of this-that West Point the Hudson suitable
site for military school, and also g for arsenal and
then closing After the peace of 1888 and during
the Conederacy provision made by Congress to
tain small number of troops keep in order the forth
fcations the frontier. Early after the organization Of
the Federal Government President Washington advised
Congress- in provide for professors in the arts and
sciences to instruct the young officers and cadets of the
corps of artillery Books and apparatus according
ly provided and sent to West Point, and then reg
ment of artillery marched to the Point in order
that its subalterns mig be instructed by the elder OFF,
of that corps of whom Col Rochefontane and
Major Rvondi, had been educated in the schools of
France Like other young asprants the subaltern Off
imagined themselves to be too far advancedn know
ledge submit the drudgery ola schools about which
time, to wit, 1I95 the @ old provost the ncpient
demo edifce at West Pont-took fire and consumed,
with all its contents Of books and apparatus Congress
did repair this loss did it respond to the
mendations Of Washington that effect found in the
plans of Knox and McIenry his minister's In the sue
ceedipg administration OF Mr. Adams small provision
made by law of 1198 to increase the number of ca
diets and to form corps of engineers But the princi
pal military objects of Mr. Adams were directed the
resistance Of the aggresson OF France and to the orga
nizaton of the fright of national defence
navy; and it until the advent of Mr. Jefferson
the Presidency that revival of the school West Point
was essayed, in 1901
what political, but fur spleneticQl lie was Fede-
rat of the Washington school, but his good sense had
excluded politics at West Point, by infusing into the
minds of the cadets the just ideas of their national charac
tera blessing descended with time West Point
But Of the spleen above alluded to, Col W. had been
Of the thirteen who tried Gen. Wilkinson; that body of
men had been slandered by , being partial to
Wilkinson. This SANDER had been nourished by mar
prejudice and had influence in the promotion of gen.
emen at the opening OF the of 1922 but of that we
need say more just now, but proceed
In the year of 1901 Gen. Dearborn the Secretary Of
War; had concentrated West Point the few cadets of
the army TO receive instruction from Professor Baron
who introduced the black board at the school lie was
learned mathematician and had been the classlate Of
Charles Hutton, the celebrated teacher the Woowch
Academy, in England. The result Of Mr. Barons essay
had convinced Mr. jefferson that the academy required
military superintendent, and happy selection was
made in the person Of Major Jonathan Williams the then
inspector Of artillery and forfcatons and who Mr.
Jefferson said combined many Of the personal and scen
tifc qualifications Of Dr. Franklin and he was kns
man Of the Doctor and had been the agent Of the United
States in France during the embassy of Franklin His
association with the Doctor gave him facilities to inspect
the military schools of France This advantage in after
days. enabled Major Williams to prepare elementary
works artillery and fertilization for the Of the
school at West Point At the close of the year 1901 the
Major took charge of the school The general knowledge
OF this accomplished gentleman his polished manners
and liberal hospitality had combined to aid his devotion
to and the success Of the school, In the following year
Of 1902 the institution improved and extended in its
organization by law Of Congress- and in the fall of that
year the school had commenced send forth its gra
duates But unhappily party in Congress that
spoke of doubts Of the consutionaty Of providing for
the academy The War Department became apathetic
in reference to West Point, and Col Williams became
dissatisfied and retired from the academy and the army
However at the instance Of Mr. Jefferson the Colonel re-
sumed his commission and endeavored to nfuse conf
dence and favor towards the academy among members of
Congress The institution advanced slowly until the APP
proach of the war Of 1872 when the Government declined
to give Col Williams that rank in the army to which his
merits entitled him. The Of this neglect need not
be recouned here suffice it say they were never JUS
thed and the neglect caused Col Williams resign his
commission The benefit Of this gentleman's exertons
at West Point was eyinced in the number of its sons
sent forth to aid in the second War Of Independence
every Of whom received breyet honors for their SER
vices many Of them fell in battle These evidences OF
the usefulness Of elementary instruction the art Of war
had moderated the opposition Of Congress and nppro
prations had given permanency few plain academic
buildings at West Point Yet the fostering aid 10 the
institution which had been contemplated by WASHINGTON
tardy IN its application AT the close of the war
1912 the pecunary credit Of the Government had
questionable that Treasury could not be sed 70
sustain the academy The institution come to the verge
disbandment During this emergency the chief
received from the Executive authority to nsootate
o;nt 49,