Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-03-05
MESSAGE.
The President, on Tuesday, transmitted TO
Congress the subjoined special message:
WASHINGTON, February 26, 1856.

The President, on Tuesday, transmitted TO
Congress the snLjoined special messages:
WASHINGTON, February 26, 1856.
To the House of Representatives. Of The United
States I'll herewith Transmit and recommend
to the favorable consideration of Congress a
communication from the Secretary of War,
asking a special appropriation of three millions
of dollars to prepare ornaments and ammuni-
ton for the Notifications, to increase the sup
ply of improved small arms. and TO apply re-
cent improvements to arms of old patterns be-
longing to the United States and the several
States. FRASELIS PIERCE
WAsn1yaros, February 25, 1856.
SIR improvements in arms and munitions
of war having been receatly perfected where
by their efficiency has been much Increased;
it is very desirable that these improvements
| should be applied as far and as soon as practi-
| cable to the arms on hand, both in the Govern
msnt arsenals and in the possession OF the
States.
Although our present. supply of arms is as
good as and probably superior TO those OF the
same date of manufacture of any other nation,
we should have in the use Of them, IN their
present condition, to cope at disadvantage vita
others who may have been beforehand WITH US
in the actual application to their arms OF the
recent improvements
1t has been our policy heretofore to carry
on gradually and slowly the work of prepare
ton for military efficiency, both offensive and
defensive and in pursuance of this policy the
estimates of the War Department, from year
to year, have been limited TO the execution OF
such work only as accorded with the ordinary
means of our armories and arsenals, with but a
small force ofoperatives in employment. The
regular estimates last submitted to Congress
are based on these considerations In view,
however, of the propricty Of assuring, at the
earliest practicable period, military efficiency
as regards armament and munitions, eve have
it abundantly as regards men) it seems pro
per that more active and vigorous measures
should now be adopted that we should in
crease the capacity for production and the
force in employment at our afmories and ar
senals that we should prepare more rapidly
ornaments and ammunition for our fortifca-
tions; thai we should increase our supplies o.
iraprorei small arms by the manufacture Of
new ones and by the alteration OF those OF pas
dates of fabrication, including both United
States and State arms; and that we should pro.
vide ample supplies of ammunition, a%ccoutre.
ments, and implements for the immediate ans
most efficient use Of the whole.
In order to effect this it is necessary tha
more than ordinary means be placed Al the dis
posal of the Executive, and I respectfully sug
gest aud recommend that application be made
for an early appropriation Of three millions o
the country, to be applied, at the discretion o
the President. towards the objects before sta
ted.
I have the honor TO be, very respectfully
your obedient servant,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
To the PPrsTDFxr. Secretary Of War