EPORT


OF THE
SECRETARY OF WAR.

(coNcLUsIoN.)
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the main channel Of entrance, 1t leaves without
the means Of resistance, Tree pesssga to any
my amshrs throu gh the ample depth ofwaer under
Dauphn Island. The introduction of into
naval expeditions will expose this bay all
er channels and entrances to the most serious a,tacksa
modern ana novel mode Of warfare rende ing the appeal
for national protection to those southern the
serious and imperative. This remark procet ds from
the conviction that II we shall ever he obliged by high
national considerations depart from that wise policy
which leads to aInain peace with all the world the
chiefforce OF hostile aggression would be directed and
made upon oxr southern fiontier where armed steam
vessels would not be employed merely auxiliary, but
would constitute the principal power OF attack and an
noy ance.


fwoud invite attention to the propriety Of organizing


small force of gineer troops company of ssppers
then fer to spending ports from this Dep rmen
and the Chief Engineer h,ret. fore made and communi
Gated to Congress They are species OF troops ssenti
sary in time II peace for the of the
wo ks OF fertilization and their smpioymen repairs
Of the works and copstrucon Of would be the
means oil much economy Ia public ex Expenditure.


The ordnance CORPS which not only prepares the arms


for the regular Of the United States but also those
for arming the mill ia is useuly and efficiently organ
lied and conducted perfect kno Wedge Of metalurgy
connected with great skill 10 tn r manufacture.
cannon. Men must have full confidence in their weep.
ons, to use them efficiently. national foundry, If
he maeralssuch as iron ores, coming from different
sections OF the country and entering in tn, fabrication
Of fcannon-und for making model guns, and furih,r
pertinent the strength and durability ss well as the
and dimensions Of ordnance for both land and
service. Go not propose its establishment with the
view Of bresking the connection between the govern
and private work shops but Of regulating and per-


ctng that economical system Of performing the public
work in these shops, where competition brings the price
10 the lowest limit, and carli mechanical skill 10 the
highest II be Observed oo that national f,undry
oy establishing standard Of quality, and proof in
the manufacture OF cannon, would exercise a beneficial
control in these repscs all private contractors
done in the manu- acture Of small by means
metals would like wise derive important collateral adysn
tages from the nationsl establishment because the results
all its trials and improvements would be thrown open
to the public national foundly IL a. necessary to he
military service as national armory and its
sges equally demanded ty and are apple b.
to- the service the navy OF the army Every days
rence render the expediency Of the establishment
the obvious. recent resort by the ordnance
bureau TO private uudres in Boston, under order Of
my predecessor, issued fer the purpose Of making
necessary experiments and trials of the nature strength
and combination Of different metals, and Of alleged I'm.
provtmens in the proportions and the art Of fabrcapg
cannon has been attended ith much expense but
such practical and useful results, TO ard additional
f,r my concurriug in opinion with the numerous
reports upon this subject and expressing the hope thai
en- sppro my made of the funds quse for
The purchase Of site and The erection OF the necessary
buildings, limited in the first instance to simple model
ouudry bn capable the extension of the establishment


The enlisted men in the ordnance corps limited to 25O
should be placed the footing with other enlisted
Of the army with regard to pensions allowed for
disability occurring iu public service. These men are
I'm ed artfcels mechanics and lsborers but
enlisted by the rules Of war; and drilled
and exercised soldiers cannot perceive the justice Of
the discrimination which excludes them from the benefits
ofthe pension laws.


athe 18th of June last at the close Of the session Of
Congress, act passed to continue for four years the
pensions ofcers n widows OF the revolutionary officers
and soldiers without making the necessary appropriation
10 the bcneve purpose Of the law The pensions
due on the lh Of September last could not therefore, be
paid is only necessary TO refer ts this acc isnai
sion TO insure provision ty Congress to enable the PEN
sion bufesu promptly to meet the demands upon it.


Keeping view the provisions OF the act Of Congress
Of of March, 1887 which impose certain measures
this ccpai in reference 10 the selection of sites
marne hospitals upon the western waters becomes
my duty to and invite the attention Of Congress
the that in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kentucky
the local positions have been chosen and the land
purchased and psii Tor ty the general government In
each Of these cases it only requires authorized dis
OF about 25 600 tor each to give effect by the
erection OF the buildings to the humane purposes Of the
Legislature.


My own impressions upon the effect Of the law of the
sth April lss which created tbs Office Of
general Of ond mikes the duty Of that officer
supply the army by contracts unless IN particular
md urgent csses the Secretary Z. War should
direct" would be entitled to but little weight they
oct by hs long experience Of the Mt
missary general whsso zeal Tor the public interest
induces him press upon my attention the expediency
81 mody ing that of Congress, introduces
system Of subisng the troops either by purchases in op
market by the present mode BY contracts,
deemed most conducive to public economy and the in
lf the service II shall be the pleasure Of Con-
sress msks the alteration and conf e The trust to the
Of appropriate officer feel well assured that
he purchases supplies would be made cost
having the articles to sell would always
;eive its prompt pay mentrom the government. There





failure Of delivery hch often occurs when the prices o
articles xpectedy increase after the execution
contracts; the soldier would rereiy ever be
posed to the necessity Of usug rsons deter oratsd by
uavipg been kept, under contracts which provide for
their delivery in anticipation OF the time when they may
De required tor use.


Il f..quenty happens that troops are removed, end
occasionally posts abandoned and in all such
and penses thrown upon the government;
and sometimes the necessity make double purchases
forced upon it. All the articles Of soldiers ration
oeng ihsbe it 10 great object that the supply asto
fuse yiuns rba 1p.


and nearly p, p,actcable and thus expense to
government The period which espses between the
giving OF contract and is fui ment, which some
protrsc,ed in sixtcen or eght.en months an
other reason or my urging the purchase of supplies at
such times as they may be required.


These views justified and fully sustsned by the
gained in South duIing the late Seminole
war; when purchases were made Ia open market, bling


parti1 urgent cases. ut cheaper rate, and oi


better quality, than If hey had besn ontaned by ceL


Inc proposed change would require no additional
a clerks in the officer Of the conimssary general
Of subsistence ht


Saouid the pleasure cf Congress to enter into the
Consideration # the policy which Produced the law OF
TAN II May, 1870 limiting the duration of the commits
ons certain officers Of the government to the period
u fur regard may we'll De PAID 10 the vi. ieken
Of this subject IN the report OF he pay meser Of
the army shall merely rems,k that pay ms are
the only military officers Whose appointments limited
by law 10 of and 50 ampy the Interests ci
gov OF protected that in instance
the passage fthe act Of May 10. 1890 has been
ouud necessary resort TO s provisions In refusing
renewai cf the for the purpose # relieving
III branch the service Of peent or unfathu
officer


ire mineral lands Of 'he nation every day coming
pubic disclosing their and
their importar and valuable treasure. would
mend th al ofsll specisl from the sal.
f tho lands leaving hem under the regulations
With other ube lands being sai fed that the ob
jcct oil the policy OF the Government will be best
pshed by the individual enterprise and energy which
distinctly mark the American character and the fruitful
and happy influences Of which are manifested every
where mound the region ofores. Should this be
adopted Congress would take care TO guard the interests
OF those who have made locations, received leases
sgreeably the established rules Of the bureau
which tho superntendencc Of those lands hes been in
rused Would the fair acquisition and distribution
), those lands by purchase, amongst individuals, be the
Of carry log into this country capital popula
ton, and improvement calculated readily TO bring
market the ch products OF the mlnes-highly valuable
advansges not likely 10 he gained BY shgi aitrg upon
ne Government great nud profitable monopoly
'eutai IN its character, snd at variance with oil our
'egislati and institutional


The ;ia report suNltted by the chief Of the corps
ftopos aphical pes nts clear and full detail
., thesa's OF the civil and military works isng within
he control Of this department. attention his duies
ed him to mako personal uspecsn ot he greater par,