, 1861-12-05

1
nf war through the bad filth Of those intrust-
ed with their control during the preceding |
administration. The A1mory at Harper's
Ferry having been destroyed to prevent its
mcnt was compelled to rely upon the single
Armory at Springfield, and upon private cs-
fof q supply Of arms. Every
effort has been made to increase the capacity t
of that Armory, the greatest product Of which,
prior to these troubles, Lad never exceeded
ergetic and able Ordnance officer, the force be-
ing doubled, and operations vigorously prose-
cuted day and night, there were made at this
establishment, during the past month Of Oc-
tober, total Of &, 800 muskcts; aud it is con-
fden1ly expected that 10, 600 will be nlanufac-
tured during the present month On a recent
visit, with a view to eniargc the capacity OF
tile Ar7nory, directed the purchase OF large
quantity Of machinery already finished, which,
when put in operation, will enable this cs-
year, twenty thousand stand Of the Justly
celebrated Springfield rifles. I respect
fully suggest the Recommendation Of Z liberal
appropriation by Congress for the purpose of
yet further Increasing the capacity of this Ar
ory, believing that it ean hs made sufficient e1
Government may hereafter need in any COLI |
tlnycncY. Located in hea1thful country, in |
the midst Of an Industrious and ingenious pco- |
pie, where competent workmcn can always be |
OHlalHcu NIlll0uL NltlNu&lf. :tuu suuC4GuL1s
near to all the materials needed in the nlanu-
Elcturc Of arms it is at the same time acccssl-
bic to every part Of the country by water and
railway communication.
IMPORTING ARMS.
After having made contracts for arms with
the private establishments in this country, it
was deemed necessary By the President, 10 In
sure Il speedy and ample supply, to send
special agent 10 Europe with funds to the
| amount Of two millions Of dollars to purchase
more. 1 aln gratiticd to state that he has made
| arrangements for large number OF arms, part
| OF Which have already been delivered. The
| remainder will bc shipped by successive steaM-
| er6 until all shall have lecn received.
Combinations among manufacturers, I'M
portrrs and agents, for the sale Of arms, have,
| in many cases, caused an undue increase III
| prices. To prevent advantage being thus
| takcn Of 4lc necessities OF the Government,
| Collectors Of Customs have been directed to
deliver to tic agents Of the United States all
arms aud munitions that may be imported into
this country.
| MASrFACTEEE OF ARMS.
The demand for arlus has called into existence
numerous establishments for their n1anufac-
turc throughout tile loyal portion Of tue
| country, and it has been the policy OF this
| Department to encourage The development Of
the capital, enterprise, and skill of our people
in this direction. The Government should
never have less than million Of musket5 in
its arsenals, with corresponding proportion
Of arms and equipments for artillery and cav
I airy. Otherwise, it may, at & most critical
moment, find itself deficient IN guns willie
having an abundance Of nlen.
4 NATIONAL FOUNDRY,
recommend that application be made tc
j | Congress for authority III establish NATIONAL
foundry for the manufacture OF heavy artillery
ut such point us may afford the greatest facli
: ties for The purpose. While sufficient NUN
!. t bcr Of cannon, perhaps, could be procured
c from private manufactures, iic possession Q
: national establishment would lead to c2pcri
ments which would be useful to the country
and prevent imposition in prices by the aceu
rnte knowledge that would be acquired of til
: real value Of work OF this character.
q REORGANIZATION oF TEE MILITIA.
s In my last report called attention to til
IS fact that legislation was necessary Tor the rt
e organization, upon uniform basis, OF III
/ Militia of the country: some genera pI,
10 States, by which our Militia can be organized
n armed, and disciplined, and made ehcctlyc
:, any moment for Immediate service. II tho
il ougbls trained in time Of peace, when occ;
+. army, confident III its discipline mud uncol
Al uucrab1e in its patriotism. In the absence
ia any general system Of organization, upwart
hc Of seven hundred thousand men have alreat
in ! been brought into the field; and, in view
a. the a1icriiy and enthusiasm that lave bes
ed displayed, do not hesitate to express the
dd da 1ief Fiat M combination Of events can ari
It. in which this country will not he able not On
M 10 protect ITSELF but contrary to its polio
hc which is peace with I'LL the world, to enter Il
hv On Aggressive operations against any pow
re- that may irterMedtlle with our domestic
ro | EairS 4 committee should be appointed
o. | Congress, with authority to sit duEinS the
ne cess 10 devise and report = plan fur the g
I'd. | cral organization Of the Mlltla Ut the INT
he | States.
in FRONTIER FoRT!F1cAT1oSs.
It is Of great Importance TINT immediate
. | tention should be given to the fort1nc2tlc
inc upon the scaboard and tho lakes, and upon {
1st exposed frontiers. They should at once
en- placcd in perfect condition for successful
rec fence. Aggrcssions are seldom made upo
NIL nation ever rt;dy to defend its honor aud
e repcl insults; and VIC should show to
ITO | world, that while engaged in 4uelling distu
the | ances ii home We are able to protect oursel
ted against attacks FROM abroad.
NE TILE MILITARY ACADEMY.
red I Icarncstly recommend that immediate ?
.di- | vision be- made for increasing the corps Of
led | dcts to the greatest capacity Of the Millt
aud Academy. There art now only 1a9 cadets
ere that important Institution. am assured
ritv thc Superintendent that 400 can at present
the accommodated, and that, with very tria
.crs additional expense, this number may be
ar; crrascd to five hundred. It is not necesss
me ut this late day, to speak Of the value of c
,eg- Gated soldiers. While, IN time Of war
Of upon our militia and volunteers, we &
the | always need thoroughly trained ofic
lun- | Two classes having been graduated
the ring the present year IN order that the SER
mn | might have the benefit Of their military edt
WV ton, had hoped that Congress, at its e,
rfn1 | session. would authorize in increase of
,on- number Having failed tq do 50, trust !
ina at the approaching session an increase vii
arce authorized, and that the election Of cadets
With bc limited eXclnsltei5 70 tIose " n1ch. Go-o
cred ating cordially with the Government b
en- brought their forces into the field to aid in
.nch maintenance Of its authority.
the COL. TnAYER-
hen In this connection, justice requires tl
should call attention to the claims of Yett
~ u!u- officer to whom, more than to any other,
tn ~ Military Academy is indebted for its prcs
,'pov pa prosperous condition. I allude to Cox
TT nea Sylvanus Tha,cr, Of the Engineer corps.
IA now> hy reason Of advanced years and lat
t ee public services. is incapacitltcd for duty in
LII .u1 iicld. Under the recent law Of Congress
pso, @ may justly claim to be retired from active
euso vice; but believing that his distinguished
: siu ~ vices should receive some mark OF ackn'
4" edgment from the Government, reeomn
that authority be asked to retire him upor
full pay and emolumcnts.
. the SANITARY MATTERS.
oops, 7ho h,,7+1 ,F,n ,,c,;e a cons;dcrstio,
: -.s nrr the highest conseQuence. Good men ana
~ ~ men i'll different States, inpel1ed by the Il
1ccrs l, '.n.t' J.; " az ~ +I,a e,1stituted san
o ac- | -. ,n...ort- - ~ Ta~a,.,.ant or3
the nlaufEesss 4f " .s s1'.';.t;;,,rr 80 5;s
2 AMI = 49,! oa...e -. - :: aaa.na oaES5fnr+
oi !" happiness to the life Of the sol
4 AZ. and imparting to our hospital serVl
niles, Sn1'L4t- - s;+-,o+;nr u Es1aoean+ass nf
~ 49, roundings have dictated tie choice Of the
IN. pta1 sites, and establishments for our sicE
t;a.s | wounded, of which We have every reason
;etanl | proud, have b en- opened in st. Louis, v
,etnrc ington, Georgetown. Baltimore, and AM
"a ~ lis and will be attached to every d1vislt
saror the army In the field To the close OF tht
s.a1 " yialant care shall be gigen to the health
,,t;on well soldier and to TIE comfort and Tzoo,'s
the sick.
nmon -. ....
ds fhe recommend that ths system Of promo
The which prevails in the regular service b
il con piled to the volunteer forces in tho respf
il our States; restricting, however, the promo
he i'm to MT n actually in the field. At present
he be- | Governor selects and appoints the office
ors in | the troops furnished b his State, and
Sc and | plant is not unfrequently made, that VII
nforce cancics occur in the field, men Of inferior
Of vic ifcations are placed in command over tn
his re- the ranks who nrc their euperiors IN M
eat to experience and capacity. The advancen
d into | merit should be the leading principle
q have | promotions, and the volunteer soldier q