The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-10
Report of the Secretary of War.

secretary DAVIS, In his report laments as a
growing evil, that applications for the discharge
Of minors are so frequent the infants who are
released subject the Government to a serious
bill OF expense. The Secretary recommends
that the contract should be made binding in ev-
cry case where deception has been employed
end 2 modification of the existing law is called
| Tor
The troops retain the same general distribu-
ton; four additional regiments have been or
gained. The cavalry companies which were
sent against the Sioux have gone into winter
quarters at Fort Leavenworth and will be in
position for operations in the spring. The 9th
| ,niant1y checks the Indians on the Oregon
route.
All intercourse with the Florida Seminoles
has been strictly prohibited. Efforts are in pro.
gFess for their removal from the Florida coun-
try. The troops have explored the region, have
opened roads, and have arrived at sources of
accurate information respecting the territory
now in possession of the Indians, so that future
operations will be greatly facilitated. The pro-
priety of levying volunteer reinforcements in the
Pacific department, for the purpose of chasti-
sing the savages on Thai coast IS question which
the Secretary declines to decide, preferring to
leave it to the military commander in the de-
| partment. The gallantry of the troops in the
| Indian campaigns of the year is spoken Of in
terms of high praise but the unusual extent of
operations has cansed large expenditures, which
have exceeded the appropriations.
In order to preserve the efficiency of the
army. several measures were suggested, viz
l. 1t is essential that there be a revision of
the laws regulating rank and command. The
right Of command should follow rank by one
certain rule; officers holding general commits
sions should be placed at once upon the staff,
but have opportunity to acquire practical mill
tary knowledge; troops equipped for the same
service should not be divided, nor should foot
be subdivided into artillery and infantry, or
mounted men into dragons and cavalry.
2. Officers no longer capable of performing
active duty should be retired from service, but
the rates of compensation should be increased,
and the laws respecting allowances undergo
revision.
3. The provisions of the act of Aug. 4, 1854
increasing payment Of rank and file, should be
extended to all enlisted men.
4. An increase of the medical corps is recon-
mended.
s. Five more military storekeepers are need
ed in the Quartermaster Generals department.
G. The prohibition Of the purchase of lands
for military posts causes embarrassments, and
should be removed. Useless military sites re-
qure to be sold.
The Secretary enlarges upon these points,
and presses them earnestly. A considerable
portion OF them are his recommendations of
last year.
The anticipations entertained at the time of
the establishment of the Military Asylum have
not been fulfilled. The average cost of main
tanning each inmate is $500. it is too much
and reduction is necessary. The number of
men received in four years is 2S1 cost, so far
S37 ,497. The new buildings near Washing
ton will accommodate $50. The Branch Asy-
lum at East Pascagoula, Miss, is discontinu
ed, and similar action is recommended in ref
erence to the Branch at Harrodsburg.
The camels and dromedaries which were or
dered from the East will arrive in February.
These animals have been found useful in the
Crimea, and will be employed in military SER
vice here,
new professorship of ethics, and sundry
other improvements at West Point, are recon-
mended
New models for all small arms have been
adopted, embracing the late improvements. A
new pistol, with increased length of barrel and
capable of instantaneous change into carbine
is particularly noticed.
The work upon the military roads has made
satisfactory progress. The survey of the North
western lakes has been prosecuted with energy
The snag boats on the Western rivers have
been sold.
The Pacific Railroad expeditions have been
successfully completed. 1t is decided that the
most practicable and economical route is that
OF the 32d degree parallel. The Colorado Des
ert is not unacceptable of culture The Secre-
ary Is quite favorable to this route setting forth
Its advantages in glaring colors The pract
caoillty OF sinking Artesian wells along the route
was tested. The contributions to physical sci
ence, included in the results of these surveys
are exceedingly valuable
The final position of the report is an elabo
rate consideration of the military defences of
our Pacific territory. 1t is argued that rail
road to the Pacific is indispensable. for the
reason that 1t will be the only means of throw
ing relief into the Pacific country. in case of
any collision with maritime Power. and our
navy being inadequate to the CONVOY of the
necessary number of storeships. A railroad
communication is not likely to be paving en-
terprise but it will have the effect of fortifying
the Western coast against attacks from abroad.
Report of the Secretary of the Navy.
The Secretary recommends an increase of the
navy, and particularly an addition of steam
ships of light draft of water A great naval
force, the Secretary hints, cannot be improvised
by the tap of the drum like a oreat army Us