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the Presidents message, is published in the Washing ton papers. ir is too long '' c i''N.rcd ontire m this paper. Wccontlense some oftie most interest ing paragraphs. The whole number of troops now in serycc is ten thousand six hundred and ninety four: consisting of seven hundred and twenty eight commissioned officers, and nine thousand and sixty six -coni officers, musicians and pryates The aggregate exceeds lhe number specified in the report of lsl0, by hundred and twenty-four. Of the whole number, nine thousand eight hundred and eightywo are reported present, and s,e residue, eight hundred and twelve, are absent sick of whom, four hundred and forty-sevpn absent detached service. To complete the organization of the Army eighteen hundred and thirty-cght cruits required During the past year the whole number recruited was four thousand nine hundred and twenty-two.

 The number of descrters, within the year, as com pared with the number enlisted, has largely diminsh ed.

 For the dispositsn of the inland troops, reference is made to the report of the Major Genera which has not yet reached us The residue of the army, about three thousand men, is employed in Florida Much commendaion is bestowed on the late conduct of the war in Florida, and encouragement given of early close.

 Some suggestions of Gen. Scott, respecting off, holding appointments at the same time, both in the line and in the sta with the right of promotion in each, and respecting the inequality of pay between officers of the grade, in the different branches of service, are recommended by the Secretary, of Congress.

 An increase of the army by two additianal regi mens is recommended necessary to man the forts, posts and Qualifications on jour inland and maritime frontiers.

 The Secretary next discusses the general subject of the defen,es of the country. These he treats der three distinct heads or divisions. First for the protection of the Western frontier against Indian kostes; second, precaut ions against aggresslons from the colonial possessions of foreign powers in our vicinity at the norh and third, the defence of our maritime frontier. .r

 Under the first division, the secretary considers it indispensable that chain of posts should be estab-

 sfed from the Council Bluffs to the mouth of Coum- bia river, so as to command the avenues by which the Indians pass from the north to the south; and at the same time maintain communication with the territories belonging to the Pacific.

 The plan of Mir. Ponsett, reported to the Senate in 1888, IS recommended, the forts to be stoekaded with log block houses.

 The following list is given of forts already estab- lsled, which may be considered parts of this plan.

 Fort Jesup, 20 miles southwest from Nachitoch es, on the road to Texas Fort Towson, near the confluence of ihe Kiamich and Red Rivers, m the Choctaw nation, 325 miles from Fort Jesup, and abeut 50 miles from the western boundary of Arkan- sas Fort Smith, situated on the Arkansas river, partly in Arkansas and partly in the Cherokee Ma ton; Fort Gibson, about 60 miles northwest of Fort Smith, on the Arkansas river, and 207 miles from Fort Towson; Fort Wayne, on the Illinois river, in the Cherokee Nation, not far from the western boundary of Arkansas, 60 miles from Fort Gibson; Fort Leavenworth on the right bank of the Mssour, riyer 2S6 miles from Fort Smith, Fort Smelling, at the junction of the St. Peter's with tue Mississippi river, 5l2 miles from Fort Leavenworth; Fort Craw- ford, 300 miles below Fort Smelling, on the Misss- sippi river, about miles from tho mouth of the Wis consin; Fort Winnebago, the portage between the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, about i30 miles from Fort Crawford Fort Howard, at the head of Green Bay, Il5 miles from Fort Winnebago; Fort Macki- nac on the island of Michlimackinac, at the outlet of Lake Michigan; Fort Brady, on the St. Mary's river, at the outlet of Lake Superior; and Fort Gra- tio, on the St. Clair, at the outlet of Lake Huron.

 Barracks are in progress nt Turkey river, in the Winncbago country, and at Fort Smith; and at Fort Leavcnworh extensive barracks have been completed.

 As respects the northern frontier-the second head of deience-the Secretary thinks that naval forces must be our chief defence, aided by fortified harbors on the lakes. Forts Niagara and Oswego; Detroit, Buffalo, and the outlet of lake Champain, indi cated as the principal points preparation.

 The third diyison--or maritime defence, is treated of more at length. In this. he refers particularly to the report made in May, IS40. by board of officers and engineers, which he considers as determiuDg the settled policy of the country. The elements of that system are-frst, naval forces; secondly, fortiGcn tons; thirdly, interior communications. On each of these, the Secretary dwells at length; and the inn portance of the subject will lessen it's interest, if we defer quoting his views in his own words, until our columns are less burdened byipubc documents.

 Accompanying the report, is plan for a national foundry for cannon. part of il is the dsusing with all civil superjplendence in the arnories, and the placing ot'he whole under the military superintcnd- ence of the Ordnance Department,

 The Secretary complains of tue arrearges of bus- ness in his office, not from any want of efclepcy in the auditors or their cerks, but from the increased amount of business, and the numerous calls of Con gress for information He wants more clcrks

 He speaks f,yorably of lle Academy at West Po'nt, recommending some improvements and details.

 Cuarter-Master's Department, and the Topograph- ical Engineers, are noticed with comnlendation.

 THEArRE.-We anticipate bumper this even.