with the proper purpose and action of the forti6-
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cOmmodations for the soldiers, cannot omit the
rize the substitution of the single iron for the


double wooden bedstead, and the erection OF build


ings for religious worship and schools at all our


the comfort health and cleanliness OF the soldier


aud the two latter would certainly elevate his mo-
| raj condition-an object to which the national e-
gslature has SO far benevolently and effectualy


attended to, as to give TO the rank and file of the


army and elevation Of character not to be found in
the military service OF other countries


OF the horse, or light field artillery, we have now


four companies, well drilled and expert in their


exercises, and yet defective their organization
To make these companies fully efficient, and to


enable them to receive all the instruction which SO


valuable an arm Of the military service demands,


portions OF the army, It is necessary that legal
authority should be given for the enlistment OF a


tew additional men to each Of these companies


inconsiderabe 1t would obviate too, the necessity
OF resortng to an expedient adopted in general


orders OF the l7th of October last, by the com


maapaGs general Of the army from his very proper
| tion now impaired to those light companies OF
artillery by periodical changes in their regiment,
and to have the number of men necessary to each


schoollof exercise to maneuvre with full, instead


OF partial battery. The horse artillery is generally


lnJudiciousy stationed when in forts, for it is en-


phsucalIy an arm for open field service. Superior
ltyHn horse artillery in the French revolutionary
wars generally securedthe victory 1t is therefore
an arm which cannot with impunity be neglected
Il should be stationed in time of peace in the in
terlor or on the western States, where forage and
serve to more advantage, as a model for forming
spirited uniformed volunteer companies that portion


OF the militia the most efficient and the more to be
encouraged


visited the military academy at West Point
during the examination, and must unite my CON-
nendatlens OF this valuable institution to the ma
py Al! my predecessors lts great prototype, the


celebrated Polytechnique, the creation of that bold


and great convention. which, with all It's faults,


showed that liberty in its very excuses still paid
homage to mind and science-this school. 40 iden.


titled with the glory Of France, and SO instruments.
al In the diffusion of modern science, has been
dency; while ardent but jealous lovers of freedom
IN our own country attack the strongest if not the
only democratic element of our military system


With, ] appIehend. mistaken and groundless
charge OF arlstocratlc tendency. The register OF
appointment of cadets affords ample testimony Of


the impartlality which follows the practice adopt
ed by the department, in the nominations to the


academy, aud that great portion Of the selections
are made from those conditions in our society the
least likely to imbibe principles, in the course OF
valuable education, at variance with the free re-


pb',,a psbcaan; IN institutions Of the country Neither
science acquired at the academy are equally and
fairly dlffnsed; and in very many and highly i'm


portant instances, the graduates, whether they


life, engaged in the execution of civil and CON-
nlercial works throughout the country.


Whilst, in my opinion, neither good sense nor
sound policy can sustain proposition to cut Of
the very principle of vitality from a military
tabllshment, yet it must be admitted that the
rage supply OF new members to army must be
made to depend upon its size; and It certainly
should not be allowed much to exceed the annual
number OF casualties, causing vacancies in the


service; otherwise the lower grade if left open to it,
would at times become SO encountered with num-
and promotions The tables Of the adjutant gene.


from ,rci I'll c.s,: .s,: ss ~; 4 re . ssan,
thirty; which,, therefore, should be the limit Of
annual promotions from the academy, or Of new
| appointments in the army. The vacancies are
| usually anticipated by attaching the graduates Of
the academy TO the army brevet second lieuten-
ants. 1t is objected that the many graduates thus
carried into the army by brevet commissions, have


been so great as to swell that class OF young Off


cers not very Justly designated a" supernumary,"
to number unnecessary and .burdensome upon
| the government. This would be true if all the
officers belonging to regiments and companies


duty; but the records of the adjutant generals Of


nee show that one officer s necessarily absent from
each company to perform duty in the general staff,


attne military academy. IN the general recruiting
| sence, and very few occasionally engaged on
| some special duty. When regard is paid to. the


oGcers thus drawn of, it will be found there is no


redundancy; and the technical military term s.ss-
pcrnumsry" 10 unjustly applied in our service,
public duty.


L


on casualties. and OF course SO vbratesas at times
life.


So long, therefore, as these brevet second lieu.


tenants are actually necessary, and engaged in pub


ic service, and whilst it may be deemed the po-
hey OF the country 70 secure and preserve a.
mount. OF military skill and knowledge which
might be diffused and employed with advantage


and efficacy through larger army, if our safety de-
| manded the increase, trust that public expedi-


ency may be so brought to bear upon this subject
profession for which they have been well and la


bOrously educated, and encouraged 10 enter by the
institutions of their country.


What may be the effect of the reduction Of the
l number o cadets appointed agreeaby to the pro-


visions of the recent act of Congress Of lst March,


lS43, is yet to be discovered. If the consequences
Of that act when fairly brought out, shall SO d.


mlnlsh the classes Of graduates that they will not


be equal to the casual annual vacancies in the army
| would II not be proper to pause, and suspend the
| adoption OF any contemplated measure in relation


to-he breyet second ieutenants, until it shall be


ascertained by experience whether that class of


young officers will not be gradually reduced, and


finally absorbed, by the operation OF the present


law! ! think such will be the ultimate effect,


aotwlhsiandns % iit Il may safely be admitted as


ilcipation OF more than the probable vacancies in


ne army In promoting a graduating class This


result may the more safely be relied upon, unless
The present admirable system should be departed


from, and graduation become a mere form inciden-
| ;al TO-. and necessarily following, as appointment


as cadet; j, is only while high proficiency shall
| be ngidy exac,ed from each cadet, that this


school will retain its reputation. If, however, a
| mistaken leniency shall ever be allowed to impair


lhis, II Will then no longer be merit to graduate


at this institution. Its reputation departing, true
friends of science and lcaraing would demand its
| bandment.


In closing my remarks upon the academy, can


not avoid the expressing OF my earnest desire that
/ aJointscommlttec Of Congress may be appointed,


and enabled TO visit and make a close and rigid in


spccuen OF the institution; TO report it's condition
andisuch amendments as they might deem to be
| expedient. II legislative enactments render the
| selection Of such a committee impractica-
| BILE, thinkn would then be proper 10 restore TO


this department the authority to appoint an annual
board OF visiters.


| do not consider il to be disadvantageous in the
military service Of republic to encourage resg-