The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-01-09

land and Nv this ID would be impraccable, with any
heretofore used TO furnish the amount OF supplies
REQUIRED for the defence OF the Pacific frontier Al the
present prices over the best part OF this route the
Of land transportation alone for the annual supplies OF pro
visions clothing camp equpsge and ammunition Tor such
army would be necessary maintain there would
exceed 000 the land transportation Of each field
l2-pounder with due supply Of ammunition for one
year would cost $780, Of each 24pounder and ammun
ton, $4,000 and Of sea-coast gun and ammun
ton, $4,000 The transportation OF ammunition Tor
year for 200 seacoast guns would cost Sio0ooooo bu
The expense OF transportation would be vastly increased
by war; and at the rates that were paid on the norhern
frontier during the last with Great Britain the above
estimates would be rebed The time required for the
overland Journey would be from four TO siA months In
point Of fact however supplies for such an army could
not the cont emit On the arid and
barren bes be crossed the limited quantities OF water
and grass would be exhausted by the numerous
daught animals required for heavy trains and over such
forage could not be carried Tor their Subsistence
On the other band the enemy would send out his sup
plies al from oneevenh to one-wentieth the above rates
and IN less time, perhaps in onefourh the time II he
should obtain command of the isthmus routes.
Any reliance therefore upon furnishing that part OF our
frontier with OF defence from the Atlantic and nte
Ior States after the OF hosttes would be
and the next would be to accumulate there
such amount Of stores and supplies would suffice during
the continuance OF the contest until we could obtain
command Of the Assigning but moderate limit 10
this period the expense would yet be The for
ations depos and sorehouses would necessarily be on
the largest scale and the cost Of placing supplies there for
many respects the cost during would be equivalent
that during The pershable character of many
ces would render perhaps impracticabe TO put pro-
visions in depot for such length OF time and in any case
there would be deterioration amounting to some millions
OF dollars per year.
These considerations aud Others of strictly military
character the department examine with interest
all projects promising the accomplishment OF railroad
communication between the navigablc waters OF the Mis-
sssip and those of the Pacific As military opera
lions depend in greater degree upon rapidiy and GER
ainy of movement than upon other circumstance the
introduction OF railway transportation has greatly I'M
proved the Of defending Atlantic and inland
fontiers and give Of security from attack
upon The most exposed portion OF our territory re-
gusite that the facility of railroad transportation should
be extended 10 the Pacific coast. Were such road COM
pleed Pacific coast instead of being further removed
in time and less accessible than 10 enemy would
be brought within few days Of easy and
the of supplying army there instead OF being many
times greater TO us than to him, would be abont equal
We would be relieved Of the necessity of accommodating
large supplies that coast TO waste perhaps through
long years of peace and could feel entire confidence
that let come when and with whom 1t may, before
hostile expedition could reach that exposed frontier an
ample force could be placed there to repel any attempt at
invasion.
From the results of the surveys authorized by Congress-
derive at least the that the work pracuca-
BILE and may dismiss the apprehensons which, previously
we could but entertain the possibility OF defend
ing Pacific territory through long war with pow
erfnl maritime enemy.
of its completion must control future plans for the
military deece Of that frontier and any plan for the pur-
pose which should leave that consideration out Of view
would be imperfect if it should disregard all those
other with which and art aid the OPP
eratons OF armies
Whether shall depend private capital and enter
prise alone for the early establishment of railroad commu-
ncaton shall promote its construction by such aid as
the general government constutonay givc whether
shall rely the continuance Of peace until the increase
of the population and OF the Pacific States shall
render them independent OF aid from those OF the Atlantic
slope and Mississippi valley whether shall adopt the
system Of defence above referred questions
n II he n
Beyond the direct employment of such road for mill
ary purposes it has other relations TO all the great inter
OF coniederacy political, commercial and social,
The prosperity Of which essentially contributes to the com
defence OF these it is my purpose to treat fur
Their than TO point the additional resources which 1t
would develop and the increase Of population which must
attend upon giving such facility OF communication to
country tempting to enterprise much Of which having
most valuable products is beyond reach of market
refer to the reports Of the officer in charge Of the Capt.
tol and Post Office extensions for detailed information in
regard TO those works The progress Of the former has
been seriously retarded in consequence of deficiency in the
supply OF marble for the exterior The work s however
so far advanced that the interior finish must be con-
sidered. The original plan and estimate for finish
similar to that of the main building but this style would
not be fair sample of the present state of architectural
Skill and il Is supposed would not fulfil the wish of Con-
Eess IL has therefore, been thought proper to have pre-
pared for inspection specimens Of encausc thing instead
OF brick aud sandstone, for the floor of painting instead
OF whitewashin2 for the walls and ceilings These and
other contemplated improvements not included in the
original plan and estimates may be introduced to great
or or less extent Congress may provide Notifications
have already been made such the introduction Of orna
mental iron ceilings in the principal the substitution
of iron for in the frames for the roofs and the doors
and windows of the basement story, increased thick
Of the marble in the walls specially provided for by
law and costly and extensive corridor required by the
plan, but not contained in the original estimate
AT the last session Congress adopted plan and made
appropriation for dome 10 the Capitol No esti
Of the OF the work had been submitted, has
any yet been prepared. In fact at that time only the
terror had been studied and sketch made showing the
general effect OF the whole building completed. The
study OF the details has since been entered into and refer
10 the report of the officer in charge for narrative Of his
operations well for full description Of the conte-
plated structure which promises TO be object of rare
architectural beauty The exhibited in the
chncy designed TO raise the Of iron
posing the dome and to place them accurately in their ele
waited positions reflect the highest credit upon the capacity
aud skill engineer Of the officer In charge Of the
work.
Notwithstanding very unhealthy season, the work on
the aqueduct designed supply this city with has
been prosecuted successfully and TO the extent OF the
appropriated larger appropriation will be asked
in order realize the benefits OF this great enterprise
ealy and economically possible. Should the appro-
praon he granted at early period in the session. the
operations be continuously carried on but If 1t should
be delayed until the usual period Of making the annual APP
propraiions the springthe most favorable season for
workw he los, and the operation be again subjected
TO Interruptions resulting from the autumnal diseases
which prevail in the locality
have the honor to be, very respectfully your obedent
servant JEFFN DAVIS,
Secretary Of War.
To the President OF the United States.
REPORT OF THE SURGEON GENERAL OF
ruE INuTEn 9TATES ARMy