The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-01-28
President 8 Message.


WAHTNc}rpN, january 2G-Tlle following
is the message of the President sent to the
Horse of REPRESENTATIVES on the subject OF co.sss
defence:
To The Senate and Ho,tse Of Representatsces:.
In NV annual message OF December |, 1873
while inviting general attention to all tne rec rec
cancellations made by the secretary OF war;
your special attention was lnvitea 70 c.lo lui-
portance of preparing for war in time OF peace
hv providing proper armament for our coast oe-
fences. Proper ornaments are OF vastly
more importance than Qualifications. Inc lat
fer can be, supplied very speedily for temporary
purposes when needed. The former cannot.
These views gain strength ana pertlhence
as years roll by, and have now again l.le noi.
or to call special attention to the condltioll ~
the armament of our Notifications, aud the az
solute necessity for the immediate vision by
Congress for the procurement OF heavy caIlon.
The large expenditures required to supply bic
number of guns for our forts is the strongest
argument that can be adduced for liberal an
nilaL appropriation for their accnmusaton. IN
time of war such preparations cannot DC 1iaue
canon cannot be purchased IN open nsaf ses,
nor manufactured at short notice, they THttss
be the product OF years OF experience anu
labor.
herewith enclose copies of the Chief OF Or-
dnance and board of Ordinance officers on inc
trial of an eight-inch rifle, converted 1rofn
ten-inch smooth bore, which shows very con-
clusively an economical means OF utilizing
these useless smooth bores and making them
into eight-inch rifles, capable of bearing seven
inches OF iron. -
The ], 1894 ten-inch Rodman guns should, in
my opinion, be so utilized, and the appropri-
alton requested by the Chief ordinance OF $3.50,
600 to commence these conversions is ear
nestly recommended.
While convinced of the economy and neces-
sity of these conversions, the determination OF
the best and most economical method OF pro-
viding guns Of still larger calibre should no
longer be delayed The experience OF other
nations, based Oh the new condition OF defence
brought prominently forward by the iftroduc-
ton of iron-cads into every navy afoat, de-
mands heavier metal and rifle guns not
less than twelve inches in calibre. These C.
norMous masses hurting a shot OF seven hum
dred pounds, can alone meet many OF the re-
qllirements of the national defence. They
must be provided, and experiments on large
scale can alone give the data necessary for the
determination Of the question.
A suitable proving ground, with all the fac
ilties and conveniences referred to by the
Chief Of Ordinance, with liberal annual appro-
priation, is an undoubted necessity. The guns
now ready for trial cannot be experimental
with without funds, and the estimate OF $3.50,
90 for the purpose is deemed reasonable, and
is strongly recommended.
The constant appeals for legislation on the
ssarmament of Notifications" ought no longer
to he disregarded if Congress desires in peace
to prepare the important material without
which future wars must inevitably lead to dis
aster. az
This subject is submitted with the hope that
the consideration it deserves may be given at
the present session. U. 8. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, January 20, 1875.