Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-12-12

suggest the recommendation Of liberal
| appropriation by Congress for the purpose
I of yet further increasing the capacity OF
! this Afmorys believing. that it can be made
sufficient to ssppIy aifthe nauskets and rifles
(Which the Gosernhent may hereafter need
In any contingency. Located in healthful
| country, in the midst of an industrious and
| Ingenious people, where competent workmen
can always be obtained without difficulty,
and sufficiently near to all the materials
F needed inthe manufacture of arms, it is at
the same time accessible to every part of the
| country by water and railway communicsl
| tion. Fs $50, e.rg----7--E %
After having made contracts for arms
with the private establishments in this
country, it was deemed necessary by the
President, to insure a speedy and ample
supply, to send o special agent to Europe
with funds to the amount of two millions of
dollars to purchase more. 1 am gratifed to
state that he has made arrangements for q
large number of arms, part of which have
already been delivered. The remainder will
be shipped by successive steamers until all
shall have been received. go y
Combinations among manufacturers, i'm
porters and agents, for the sale of arms,
have, in many cases, caused an undue in
crease in prices. To prevent advantage be-
ing thustaken of the necessities of the Gov
eminent, Collectors of Customs have been
directed to deliver to the agents of the
United States all arms and munitions that
may be imported into this country
The demand for arms has called into ex-
-istence numerous establishments for their
manufacture throughout the loyal portion of
the country, and it has been the policy of
this Department 10 encourage the develop
ment of the capital, enterprise and skill of
our people in this direction. The Govern
fnent should never have less than a million
Of muskets in its arsena1s, with a cores
ponding proportion of arms and equipments
for artillery and cavalry. Otherwise, it
may, at most critical moment, find itself
deficient in guns while having an abundance
recommend that application be made to
Congress for authority to establish a national
foundery for the manufacture of heavy ar
tillery, at such point as may afford the
greatest facilities for the purpose While
sufficient number of cannon, perhaps,
could be procured from private manufacto-
ries, the possession of national establish
ment would lead to experiments which
would be useful to the country, and prevent
imposition in prices by the accurate knowl-
edge that would be acquired of the real
value of work of this character.
In my last report, called attention to
the fact that legislation was necessary for
the reorganization, upon uniform basis,
Of the Militia of the country. Some gene
raj plan should be provided by Congress in
aid of the States, by which our Militia can
be organized, armed and disciplined, and
made effective at any moment for immediate
service. If thoroughly trained in time of
peace. when occasion demands, it may be
converted into a vast army, confident in its
discipline and unconquerable in its patriot
ISM, In the absence of any general system
of organization, upwards of 700, 900 men
have already been brought into the field;
and, in view of the alacrity and enthusiasm
that have been displayed, do not hesitate
to express the belief that no combination of
events can arise in which this country win
not be able not only to protect itself, but,
contrary to its policy, which is peace with
all the world, to enter upon aggressive ope-
rations against any power that may inter-
NEEDLE with our domestic affairs. COM
mittee should be appointed by Congress,
with authority to sit during the recess, 10
devise and report a plan for the general
of the Militia of the United
States. ---
should be given to the condition
of our Notifications upon the seaboard and
the lakes, and upon our exposed frontiers
They should at once be placed in perfect
for successful defense. Aggres-
sions are seldom made upon a nation ever
ready to defend its honor and to repel in
suts and we should show to the world that
while engaged in quelliDg disturbances at
home we are able to protect ourselves against |
from abroad. f..ste- 1
/ eafnes,ly recommend that immediate |
provision be made for increasing the corps |
Of cadets to the greatest capacity of the |
Military Academy There are now only 1872 |
cadets at that important Institution. | am |
the Superintendent that 400 can /
1t present be accommodated, and that, with /
very triding additional expense, this uum- /
Der may be increased TO five hundred. 1t /
is not necessary, at this dsy, to speak Of the |
value of educated soldiers. While, in time /
Of war or rebellion, we must ever depend |
mainly upon our militia aud volunteers, we
shall always need thoroughly trained Off
GERS. Two classes having been graduated
during the present year, IN order that the
service might have the benefit of their mill
tary education, l had hoped that Congress,
1t its extra session, would authorize an in
crease of the number. Having failed to do
so, Il trust that at the appros ching session
an increase will be authorized, and that the
sefectionof cadets will be limited exclusively
ethose States which, cooperating cordial
y with the Government, have brought their
forces into the field to aid in the maintain
ance of its authority. r ..-,
In this connection. justice requires that
I shold call attention to the claims of vet