New-York tribune., 1877-06-16
WKXT POINT.
WHO sFLvCTED 1T AS A PLACE FOR THE ACADEMY /
soME HISTORICAL OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES HUNT
INGToN PRoBABLY WORTHY or THE HONOR.

WHO sELvCrED TT AS PLAcE FOR THE ACADEMY T
soaE HISTORICAL ooRRESPoNDENCE-GRN. HUNT
INGToN PRoBABLY WORTHY or THE HONOR.
TO the Edttor or The Tribune.
SIR: In n recent letter from West Point IN
your paper, the writer remarks that whoevor may nave
rst suggested West Point the so for military aoad
einy his descendants should step forward and chain
him."
find in Sparks's Correspondence OF the Revolution
Vol a. page 20 letter frem Gen Jededah Huntington
10 Washington dated April 10, 1893, In which, after
urging the importance OF keeping Wost Point in state
OF defense and OF maintaining garrison there ne adds
and with small additional expense On academy might
be hero instituted for instruction In all the branches or
ME military art.2 In referring to "Sparkss Writings OF
Washington Vol 8. page AID, it viii be found that
Washington addressed letter to Baron Steuben on April
Ia 1888 I'm which, audng TO the receipt or iettor
from Col Hamilton. Chairman OF ComniHee or Con-
gess appointed TO consider what arrangements would
be proper to adopt with reference TO peace he asks
Baron steuben him with his thoughts upon this
subject In foonote the same page 1t will o seen
that a similar request communicated to all the
principal officers OF the army then in camp ana ao 10
Gov Clinton" 1t is further stated that seVerai me-
mOirs presented OF considerable length IN answer 10
washingtops request and that from these papers l1ter
was framed and forwarded by the CmmanderinCh'ef 10
the Committee oi Congress" The report handed In by
Col Pickering based upon this letter, IS spoken Of IA
interesting the suggestions ~ contains respecting
and tso SUGGESTIONS are quoted. 90 far as can nd.
tic ogly ersto WashBgtOns circMarnOe IN Sarkss
correspondence are from Gen. Huntington anu "c''
Clinton. ) .----...-
The GoyeEHor PROPOSED that "a prOfessorshlp
should be established onc seminary III ech state, ana
degrees oon,r4e1 the military science, hut made no
ausjon West Point This site may have been named
by other officer in tho "mem0rS spoken or nus as
there is evidence OF this in sparkss collection nay
not fairly bo concluded that Gen. Hunngton's letter
was singled for publication because Of the historical
Importance attached 10 ms suggesticnl Gen Cuilum,
the able historiograppT Of West PeD sRd the best living
authority all that relates TO his oyod Alma Mater
might perhaps throw further llght upon Me subject
Gen. Huntington married daughter OF Thomas Moore,
a member Of the Kings Council for the Pr0yinss wno
retired 60 West Point at the approach of the ReNOlNio
and her uncle stephen Moore, was poi5ietor OF iho
aDot now eccWsicd by the Military Academy. Gen.
Huntington was a member Of Goa. WasilBStonS ini-
tary family nc Wc4s Point and thcir relations hr"gi-
out tho war were marked by more than mere pr"es-
sonal attachment. It may bf admitted therefore wa-
oN dispara cement the foresight OF other Objects NAV
Gen Huntington at position peculiarly iavorsoie
itiOu of this stO Tor sch an nsllutlo
aud IaprCssing his views upon his commandment
Chef and il not the only, that there certainly can De no
oarlifr claimant to the distinction Of suggesting IL.
G0t7isoss y. l.. June II, 1871 r.