The Portland daily press., 1862-12-03

q
States in the measures deemed necessary to
strengthen the armies and prosecute the war
at every hazard to final success, proves the
fidelity oi the people to the Government, and
their determination to maintain its unity and
uphold its authority over the whole territory
of the United States.
The Secretary says that experience has
shown that serious defects exist in the militia
law whclshould be promptly remedied. The
law relative to volunteers also needs amend
ment. The views of the department on these
subjects will be communicated to the appro-
pirate Committees of Congress.
1t will be seen that the Quartermaster's De-
partment, upon which, under the law OF the
18th July, providing for the employment of
colored persons, the charge of such persons is
chiefly imposed, has not found itself burdened
with their care, but that it has, on the contra
ry, derived valuable aid from their labor, and,
in a considerable portion of its field of opera
tions, has thus far suffered from scant rather
than from too great supply ofsuch labor. In
Louisiana, where at one time there was appre-
tensions of embarrassment from the number
of refugees, the reserve of a tract of rich land
along the railroad to Berrick's Bay opens up
territory in which many thousands can be
profitably employed if placed under proper
regulation and control AT Port Royal such
persons have been extensively employed in
lHt NOlh VI the tyudII
and in cultivating some thousands OF acres of
the sea islands of the coast, the products Of
which are used in the support of themselves
and families. In the operations OF the army
on the James river and on the Potomac, in the
lortiiications of Washington, and as laborers,
teamsters, and in the landing and shipping of
stores, they have been of great service, and
the demand for their labor has exceled the
supply available.
The successful movements of the various ex-
pedtions by sea, the transportation of such
large bodies of troops, and their regular sup
ply at distant points OF the coast, affords strik-
ing proofs OF the greatness of the military re-
sources of the nation. These movements have
been on scale of great magnitude. The col
lection of the vast armies which have been
raised, and their transportation to the field of
operations in so short period, would not have
been possible but for the extent OF our system
ofsteam transport by railroad, river and sea.
1t has not been found necessary TO exercise
within the loyal States the power conferred
upon the President by law to take actual arbi
trary possession of the railroads of the couIi-
try. The various companies met in conven-
tion in this city, and united in proposing a
uniform tariff for government transportation,
which appears to be just and equitable, and
they have performed all the services required
of them by the Department with promptness,
efficiency and cheerfulness which do honor TO
the patriotism of their managers.
Every means the country affords has been
put forth to complete the ornaments of our
forts and Notifications for the defence of har-
bors and coasts, as is shown by the report of
this bureau. Those details are for obvious
reasons not now stated and the legislation re-
quired by this branch OF the service will, by
your direction, be communicated to the appro-
pirate committee.
The subject of arming the Notifications,
particularly those defending the harbors of
our principal Atlantic ports, has received spec
ial attention, and all the means at the disposal
of the Superintendent have been applied TO
that end, SO far was possible and consistent
with meeting other imperative requirements
in consequence of the introduction into naval
warfare of iron-clad vessels, comparatively
safe from the effects of such batteries as had
hitherto been sufficient to guard ehectually
against the passage of hostile vessels, it be-
came necessary to provide heavier and more
powerful ordnance. The whole system of
such armament was carefully revised and
amended by board of the most experienced
and competent officers, and measures have
been taken to carry these recommendations
into effect. The Secretary calls special atten-
ton to the necessity of providing additional
means for the storage and preservation of ord
nance supplies, as recommended in the report
of the chief of ordnance. The attention of
the department has been earnestly directed to
to the forts and Notifications for coast and
harbor deiences. A personal inspection of
these important works has been made by Gen.
Totten, the distinguished Chief of Engineers.
The grants made by Congress for Notifications
at last session amounted TO So 5,000,535 for per-
manent and S750,000 for temporary works.
The Chief of Engineers reports that these
sums admitted of very material progress, be-
ing made at most of the important now in
process of construction. This has been real
lied in number of instances and in all de-
cided advancement has been effected. Great
difficulties have been experienced in obtaining
supplies of materials from the quarries and
stoneyards, owing to the demands made upon
the classes usually employed in this kind of
work by the War Department. Similar trou-
bles have been encounteredin procuring trans
portation for materials.
Much has been done in advancing the state
Of readiness of our principal commercial har-
bors for service, in preparing for additional
guns, in providing for the reception of arma-
ment of very large calibre in the existing bat
teries, and in placing all in effective condition
OF defence. Like measures have been observ-
ed with reference to our naval stations and
our frontiers generally.
lowing to the lateness of the hour, we are
obliged to defer the publication of the re-
mainder of the report this morning.