Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1855-04-28

I of Quarter Master General and Master OF
Ordnance. BY referring to page 20 of n,v re-
port for last year, you will find that the " ant
/ OF proper military instructions, even Il, tn.
officers, did not escape the sagacious u,ind OF
the late COMMANDMENTS Chief, now our Sow
ereign. knowing His Majesty's views upon
that important want TO our effective Military
organization, and knowing also those of His
Royal Highness, now COMMANDMENT Chief.
in my Despatch TO the latter of the 18th March
last, (see ID in the Appendix | suggested that
special appropriation OF an adequate amount
should be made, for the purpose of procuring
from abroad, a scientific and faithful officer,
to serve as Military Instructor. The care of
selecting one, from WEST PoINT, a, a salary,
not to exceed 81, 500 year, has been confi3
ded to the Kings Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States,
the Honorable William L. Lee; and certain
ly, no one will exercise that trust, with more
caution and judgment, or greater desire to
obtain not only well instructed, but an Off
Ger loyal and faithful to His Majesty.
While frankly admit the excellence of the
Military education given at West Point-yet
the French have so long been The instruc-
tors Of other nations in the art of war; they
are admitted 10 be so superior in the details
of Military organization combining efficiency
with economy and i'll rendering troops effec-
tive in the field (of which the French Army
in the CrimeG, at present, affords so convinc-
ing an example) while the honor Of French
officer, his obedience to his superior, and his
kindness to the common soldiers are so pro-
verbal, that | would have preferred, to all
others; for general Military instructor, a
French officer While American or British
officers yield TO none, in bravery, very few Of
them possess the practical training, almost
universal among French officers; and habitu-.
ated to high pay and lavish expenditure of
money; they are far inferior TO the French in
turning small means 10 great account, in
which respect, aud perhaps in some others,
the French Army, excels any other in the
world Great as was fhe perfection to which
Napoleon Ist brought his army; il is admit
ted that Napoleon the III, during his, as yet,
but brief reign, has introduced vast improve
ments; and that, at the present day, nothing
can be conceived more complete, in the way
of equipment, or of command, for every pur-
pose of active warfare than a French regi-
ment of the line, whether Of Infantry, Cav
airy or Artillery; nothing more perfect than
their commIssariat system, and nothing equal
to their ambulGnees and other details for car
rying off the wounded, and afording TO them
and to the sick the most prompt and the best
medical and surgical assistance. In conclQ-
sion let me remind you Of the repeated re-
concentrations Of our late good King, TO pro-
vide for a better military or anization, for
which refer you to page Of my Report to
the Legislature of 1854.
You cannot disregard the strong hope ex-
pressed by our present Sovereign, in His gra-
cious Speech from the Throne, that you ap-
propriate the means necessary for that bet
ter Military organization and to placs the
Department of War upon firm and better
Footing.
Con PREsERvE THE King,
r. c. WILLIE.
War Office, 10th April, 1855.