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VOL: P414.' 113,
t4t 3ress.
FRIDAY,- DECEMBER 11, 1867.
Ermas OF 'THE CREDIT SYSTEM.
As' a Straw upon the stream indicates how
the current ttows, told a feather in the air how
the wind blows, so do. mere trifles sometimes
give "us 'The key to important events. !The
New:, York ,Express of Wednesday, in its
Itloneillarket article, affords such an indica
tion., •
statos-that, on last Tuesday, there had
been by auction, at the Merchants' Ex
mharige; by order of the assignee, the so-called
4 c assets " of .the late firm of PENDLETON,
8EE01424, & Co. Who these people may be, or
may'have been, we know not, and merely men-
Jima the name. of the, house to show that we
allu .
,to a real and not an imaginary treatise
lion. Their book accounts, says the Express,
:gold for $lO. z Not much of a sum, in truth,
for Miong them .was 'a debt duo by a Oincin..
nati- firm for $9,661.02. Anothef lot of hook
accounts, amontiting to $1,749, Sold for $l9,
and among these were two' Judgments against
a Nei; Orleans house for $684. Among the
•_
-if wspier were a sheafpof overdue notes from
Aireim4 patties, due* 1863 and 1864, snaking
Istigg6gate of $8,013Q - .: li s fiiivamonnt,Pn
paper; Which inalizedthe magnificent sum of
$lB. •
More is a pretty specimen of a rather loose
WaY.of doing husines.iia: The one Cincinnati
debt of $9,651.02 was only port of-a batch,
which went for $lO, but the KO total gives
over $20,000 of book debts an% bills sold, by
auction, for $47. A deplorable depreciation,
it Must be confessed'.
'Novi, what 'extraordinary wild credit must
'the ~Now York house have given, when its
debts realize, on public competition, less than
one four-hundredth part 'of the amount they
represent. Th 6 transactions were pretty
widely spread; From Binghamton, in New
York State, down to San Francisco, In Cali
fornia,- Irma Nee . Orleans right away into
Cincinnati. •,With New York as - the business
-centre, the transactions range from North to
South, frotit'East to West. 'Here is a curious
lo4inestfin credit, which, whatever point of
the co - waif:it touch, invariably has led to
the, one,. undeviating result of—nothing to
pay. , Alf things considered, including the
changes, and chances of solvency, just now,
ividarfs Say that, after all, the people whose
coMbliedbidsralsed $47 to purchase $20,000
worth of debts,"haVe made rather a risky bar
gain.- If thelebta were at all collectable, we
suppose that PENDLETON, BROWN, & Co.
would have got them in.
Allowing - such debts to be incurred. Is a
trade mistake, and is but, aianiple of the man
ner in whlebbusiness is done and credits given.
in N'ew York. That city, undoubtedly the
commercial capital of the New World, his suf
fered severely froia excess of energy. In
great metropolis,' the spirit of speculation is
much more rife than in a smaller city. It some
times builds up colossal fortunes, and some
times—it does not. It engenders a desirito be
come rick not by, steady anh legitimate means,
but by what_ may be called a hop-skip-and
jutip. ' It Is compelled, in the attempt to ac
complish this, to dingle the system of ficti
tious Capital and unlimited credit. What It gets
it is compelled to give. Every body else is
led into the same system, and, in the competi
tion for business, credits are rashly and largely
,
„They may be safe, for a time, but,
sooner or later, this falls to the ground, and
then "we have $20,000 worth of book-debts and
bills auctioned Of for $47, and no, bargain at
that. 1%. '
,f , The syStetnittionecitlyt.ttlottrished b e yond
alt pre l ocihinteinliew , torli,l4 id' limited to
that vast and busy .Placo of- trade. We, have
had something of ' it here' 'in "Philadelphia,
though We'are rather a manufacturing' than a
merely commercial community, but it has
gone ahead, pretty largely,' in other great
cities. No tonder. The ball once set roll.
lug, it increases as It goes, like the augmenta
tion of a snowball, and, Booth to +say, has a
t !miler aptitude for being finally resolved back
into its original unsubstantial elements. We
cannot, 'say of it, st Vires acquiret eundo,"
for it is not strength but mischief that It Ac
quires as it goes along. At last the end comes,
And $20,000 of liabilities realize $47 at public
auction.
' It Is the fashion in England to attribute the
financial difficulties of Europe to " American
over-trading and extravagance." They have
assisted, no doubt; but not these alone have
done the mischief. In America, and also in
England, excess of prosperity (paradoxical
as it ratty seem) has been the main cause •of
the present monetary troubles. Trade went
on very prosperously in this country until, on
'a sudden, It was discovered that California
was, in very truth, morn auriferous than even
the fabled El Dorado. Gold poured in upon
us in millions, until It seemed as if we had
become possessed of the exhaustless purse of
Fortunatue. No wonder, amid this plethora
of treasure, if enterprise, taking a lofty
flight, soared into tho dangerous regions of
Speculation. No wonder If, when gold became
as plenty as silver previously had been, the
public disdained small profits, and dashingly
went in to become millionaires, without the
slow process of steady trade, small profits,
and calm accumulation and investment.
Prettymuch the same thing occurred in
England, when Australia was found to be as
rich in golden treasure as our own California.
The increase of gold, to lavishly obtained, at
little more than the cost of labor, wrought as
vast changes in England as it had wrought in
California. Sobriety and discretion of trade
hecime almost despised, and the main object
was to ado a large business." This was the
case for a time. At last America gave in, and
then English creditors, who had trusted, "not
wisely, but too well," were themselves at their
wits' end for means to pay their own debts.
They should have exercised more discretion in
giving and taking credit.
The operation of Californian and "trailer'
golkylielded in such vast quantities, has led
not only to great speculative trading, but to
"Increased habits of expense. Who that looks
back and remembers this country even twenty
years ago, but Must be struck with the con
trast between • then and now. In those-days,
comparative plainness of costume and orna
ment was the rule, and extravagance in either
was the exception. Few, save the "potent,
grave, and reverend" heads of families, in
dulged in the luxury of gold watches. Fewer
still wore such gay ornaments as diamond
brooches and diamond rings. How is it now?
Every man sports his gold watch and chain,
and, as for diamonds, it would seem as if
Golconda had poured forth all her carbo
naceous brilliancies to adorn our men and wo
men. It Is the same in dress, in food, in fur
niture, in dwellings, in equipages, We have
gone on, very fast indeed, in all these points,
and, across the water, much the same process
has taken place. We owe our Want to our
Wealth.
After the mines of Mexico and Peru came
into the possession of Spain, the civilized
world envied and wondered at her great good
fortune. What use did Spain make of her
treasure? Luxury sprung up to enervate body
and mind. What is Spain now 7 The poorest
country in Europe. Let England and the
United States profit by the example. We
have lived like an eager heir, who anticipates
his wealth, and Whose imagination fancies it
even greater than it is. We shall got out
of our difficulties, for the vital principle of
energy is strong within us, and our coun
try is large enough_ and productive enough
to yield every thing whlch'we need for home
consumption, irrespective of imports from
Europe,. We have a steady supply of gold
from California, which (though there is a
threat that it may not be quite so much as it
has been) will enable us to drive a great trade
wherever it may please our white-winged com
merce to make a venture. We shall pay our
debts, in due course, and nothing can prevent
our flourishing orteediugly after this preseut
nol7•im4
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trouble has passed away; just as, after the
waters of the Deluge had subsided, the earth
looked beautiful lit fresher verdure titan before.
Are the 'Crisis and the Panic to teach us
nothing 1 Are we to renew the old game of
speculation, the old system of extravagance I
In a word, is business to revert to the alma.'
dity of giving such visionary credits that
$20,000 of debts, in various great commercial
depots, will again be put up to ruction, by the
assignee of a broken house, (it would be fool
ish to speak of it as a firm,) and realize no
more than $47 by the sale That is the ques.
tion, which Now York, Philadelphia, and other
great cities have to answer, tangibly, by their
future mode of doing business. The prosper.
ity of the Union is linked with it.
LITERARY CRITICISM.
THE POETS OE THE NINETEENTH CENTURY :
Selected and edited by the Rev. ROBERT ARIA
mom With gtileteli and American additions, ar
ranged by EVART A; DrITCRINME, editor of The
Cyriopadia of Atnerieatt Literature With 132 en.
gratings, draws by eminent artiste. I volume, impe
rial Bro., pp. 616. New York: Harper §' Brothers.—
Philadelphia : W. B. Zieber.
By far the most beautiful gift-book-of the
year. Its covers are "gloaming with purple
and gold; its typography is delicate, on hot
pressed cream-colored paper, and ,its many
engravings, by the first artists In England
and America, are exquisitely engraved • and
worked."'lthas a value beyond mere beauty,
however, for the taste which has guided two
'accomplished minds in the selection of pieces
has produced a collection of some of the finest
poetry of the age. Kr. Wilimott has labored
with judgment and poetical feeling among the
`poets of the old country, and Mr. -Dayckinck
has been equally zealous and fortnnate among
those of America. The result; thereforo, is a
volume of sufficient permanent value, despite
its delicate beauty, to take plaCe in the library,
as well as on the drawing-room table.
The poetry includetthere ranges from 1771,
when i 4 The Minstrel" was published, to the
present year, for it concludes' with W. A.
Butler's recent and popular "Nothing to
Wear." The Preface, by Mr. Wiihnott, is ad
mirably written, filled, as it is, with gentle and
genial feeling for poetry and poets. Mr.
Dnyckinek has added a third to the volume,
which makes it greatly superior (with addi
tional illustrations too,) to the original Eng-
Bah edition, published simultaneously. We
do not intend to catalogue the names of au
thors and artiste in this book. No good man
belonging to either line has been omitted. It
would have added to the value of the book,
for general readers, had brief biographical
notices of each author been appended.
This book owes a great deal to its Ameri
can editor. It is not alone that it contains
two hundred pages more than the English edi-. 1
tion, with 'which It simultaneously appears, but
the quality of Mr. Duyckinck's additions is very
high. Mr. Wilimott's idea was to present a
richly illustrated volume of British poetry;
Mr. Duyckinekel, to complete it by adding
good specimens, from the leading American
writers. Amongtho poets whom he introduces
ate Washington Alston, R. H. Dant, Samuel
Woodworth, R. H. Wilde, Charles Sprague,
Mrs. Sigournoy, J. U. C. Brainard, E. C.
Plnkney, 0. C. Moore, W. 0. Bryant, J. R.
Drake, Fitz Greene Halleck, R. W. Emerson,
C. F. Hoffman, Ralph Hoyt, W. G. Simms,
N. P. Willis, P. P. Cooke, J. G. Whittier,
E. A. Poe, IL IV. Longfellow, G. W. Holmes,
A. B. Street, H. T. Tuckerman, J. R. Lowell,
T. B. Read, and others. Nor has his labor
rested hero—though this is much.
Some English poets, omitted by Mr. Will
mott, are here introduced by Mr. Duyckinck,
to whom we are therefore indebted for speci
mens of Ebenezer Elliott, Caroline Bowles,
John Clare, Horace Smith, George Parley,
J. Blanco White, Samuel Ferguson, William
Motherwell, D. M. Moir, W. M. Thackeray,
W. E. Aytoun, Matthew Arnold, and W. C.
Bennett. He also has given additional poems
from W. Spencer, Wordsworth, Heber, Tenny
son, and Kingsley. It is odd enough that
neither English nor American editor has given
anything from John Wilson, John Gibson
Lockhart, William, Maginn, or "Father Front."
.The additional poems hero do not suffer; by
ennsparison - ,'witb respect to MOtt ilitistratlOns,
most of which are by American artists, among
whom we recognise Harley, Casiloar,
Hill, and
Hoppin. The British artists whose drawings,
most beautifully engraved, grace this book,
are D. Macßae, J. Delete], Birkett Foster, John
Gilbert, William Harvey, 11. Weir, J. Ten
niel, Edward Duncan, J. D. Harding, J. E.
Millais, Corbould, F. R. Plekersgill, C. Stan
field, W. Mulready, J. R. Clayton, D. Ed
wards, G. Hodgson, W. L. Leitch, F. M.
Brown, J. Godwin, and A. Hughes. Most of
' these are already world-famous names—the
rest give evidence hero of ability which must
speedily ripen into distinction.
Looking only twenty years back, when those
literary ephemera, the Annuals, were in pros
perous career, we find only more collections
of steel engravings, to illustrate which poetry
and prose were written "to order." Mere
picture-books, as they were, they bad their
day. Dut such volumes as this before us, which
really are valuable, as making Art and Poetry
mutually illustrate each other, possess a per
manent value. They are of the highest class,
and it Is a good symptom of our intellectual
improvement, when, in such "hard times,'? a
publisher is willing to risk a large expenditure
on their production. Not that Messrs. Harper
need have any doubt as to the success of the
undertaking. Its merit will command a sale
for it, and "The Poets of the Nineteenth Cen
tury"—like a beautifhl woman, in rich and
graceful attire—deserves to be admired by all.
POETICAL WORKS OP REGINALD HEBER, late
Lord Diabop of Calcutta. 1 vol., large Bvo., pp. 893.
Philadelphia: X. H. Butler 4. co.
Such a complete collection of the lyrical
and other metrical effusions of ono who emi
nently deserves the title of Christian Poet,
has been requirbd and is hero worthily sup
plied. It is a fine edition, well got up, and
enriched with numerous engravings, from
original designs by Selimolze. The portrait
of Bishop Heber, copied from an English
print, scarcely convoys an Idea 'of the ele
vated character of the original, by Thomas
Phillips—the artist, by the way, who executed
the finest portrait of Lord Byron. 'An Intro
ductory Essay upon the poetry and character
of Heber, and particularly upon his missionary
labors in India, very appropriately is placed
as Preface to the Poems. It Is appreciate
and concise, and was written by the Rev. Dr.
Howe, of this city. '
We have received from Charles Do Silver,
publisher, hr this city, a. new edition of Mr.
John Lord's School "History of the. United
States of America." It brings the narrative
down to the accession of President Fillmore,
and Is cloarly,and ably written. The wood
cuts are very indifferent.
LETTEn FROM PORTVGAL
fOOtTPIIpOrkdOOCO of Tho Prelim )
In a private letter from Lisbon, dated
November 7, there is the following interesting
account of a recent epidemic there, and the
heroic conduct of the King, Pedro 11, in the
distressing circumstances:
et On the young King's birth-day, Septem
ber 10, first broke out a pestilence which has
since stricken thousands of the inhabitants.
Some call it yellow fever, some typhus I it is
probably a mixture of the two, and has been
very fatal. There is something very Insidious
in its nature—lt advances to the various quer
tens of the town so slowly and surely, and
carries off its victims so swiftly. The Portu
guess aro a timid nation, and over a hundred
thousand persons have left the city. Cintra
and the adjacent villages are full to overflow
ing, and there is scarcely a person of society
in town. It is sad to go into the city, it Is so
silent and deserted ; the shops are closed, busi
ness is suspended, and one meets or.ly funerals
and litters carrying the sick to the hospitals.
The young King has behaved most nobly.
He had gone to one of his country places for
a month, but upon hearing of the appearance
of the fever, he immediately returned, and
since then has done all that he could. The
physicians pronounce the disease contagious,
but he has never hesitated in the path of duty,
though implored by his old counsellors, with
tears in their eyes, not to risk his life. Ho
visits the hospitals t all hours, and cheers the
sick and dying with kind words, and his own
sweet smile. It is very touching to see him
going about, so young in years, with all the
care and anxiety of a father for his people.
One of his aunts said to a Portuguese lady of
our acquaintance, 'Poor boy! he is heart
broirdiii be goes to his room, and I believe
it is to weep.
,
"For Portugal, such a cypher among the
nations, to have yielded such a' flower of
majesty, is Indeed a wonder and a portent."
George Butler, United States Indian agent
in the Creek nation, writing from Tablogab to the
Southwest (Mo.) Demorrat, says that a portion of
Kansas, between the 38th and 39th parallels,
near Pike's Peak, on the South Platte, is aurifer
ous. Mr. Beck, from the mining regions of North
georgic, has visited that part of tho Territory, and
says that for three hundred miles around gold may
be obtained. The Indian agent says there is some
excitement among the Creeks about them gold dis
coveries. Me says further, that it is unsafe for
small companies to visit the
. gold section, in con
sequence of the presence of hostile tribes of In.
diane. This auriferous country is in the extreme
western en 4 or Napes, Its thp mmuutgleoul region.
PHILADELPHIA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1857.
, REPORT OP
THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
WAn DEPARTIMNT,
WASHINGTON, 1100. 5, 1857
Sin : I have the honor to submit the following
report of the condition and operations of the army
during the past year :
The army considts of ninotcen regiments, divided
into ten of infantry, four of artillery, two of dra-•
goons, two of cavalry, and one of mounted rifle
men. The whole strength of the army, as posted,
consists of about 17,984 men; and the admit
strength, on the first of July last, was 15,744. In
addition to the movements which the troops have
been called on to make this year, which are set
forth in a separate paper, prepared* the Adju
tant General and herewith transmitted, this foreet
is called upon to garrison sixty-sight forts of a
large and permanent character, so far, at least, as
It is possible to supply men for the purpose ; and
to • occupy seventy posts less permanently estab
lished, where the presence of a force is absolutely
required. The area over which these torte and
posts are spread embraces a circuit of about
3,000.000 Square miles, and requires a journey of
many thousand miles to visit the principal ones of
them. •
The external boundary of our country, requiring
throughout a more or lees vigilant military super
vision, Is 11,000 miles in length, presenting every
variety of climate and temperature, front the in
clement cold of our Canadian frontier to the tropi
cal regions of southern Texas. But the oeoupation
of this long lino of frontier lea trifling difficulty in
comparison with that of protecting the double line
of Indian frontier, extending from the Lake of Uni
Woods to the banks of the Rio Grande, on the oast
aide of the Rocky mountains, and from beyond the
river Oregon on the British frontier to tho'head of
the Gulf of California, on the western elope of
those mountains. Emory:hied to these linos, re
quiring,te be,oecupied, are the great lines of inter
aolnalunioatiOn between the valley of the Masts
elppi and,the Pacific ocean, whioh imperatively
demand. that-protection which only the United
States troops can furnish.
These lines are 'v cry long, and, are now extreme
ly important, 'whilst every year renderb themmore
and more es. -From our western frontier of settle•
menu to those of northern' Oregon the distance is
about 1,800 miles ; from the same frontier to the
settlements of , -Ralifornia, via Salt Lake, is 1,800
miles ; from the frontier of Arkansas, at Fort Smith,
by Albuquerque or Santa Fh, to Fort Tejon, is
about 1,700 miles ; and from San Antonio, by El
Paso, to San Diego, near the borders of the white
settlements, is 1,400 miles; constituting an aggre
gate line of 8,700 miles which ought to be ma:-
pied, and which we pretend, in some sort, to keep
open and defend.
This simple statement of facts demonstrates,
stronger than any arguments could do, the abso
lute necessity for an increase of the army.
The policy of our Government, and the spirit of
our people, are alike opposed to a largo standing
army, and very properly so; but if an army is
needful at all, it should be organized in each a
manner as to answer the purpoeee for whioh it h
required. Its numbers should correspond with the
service it is Intended to perform. If from anyudis•
proportion in thisrespect it stops short of offieltiiiey
it becomes insignifloant, and entails upon the
country expenditures wholly incommensurate with
any service it can render.
It will not bo denied that an army, properly or
ganized and of sufficient strength, constitutes at
once the cheapest and most efficient moans by
which the indispensable services It is designed to
perform can he secured by the Government.
There is no substitute for on army; and to ren
der it at once economioal and efficient, adequate
numbers are essential. If there Is a higher duty
then another devolved upon a well-regulated
Government, it is to afford perfect protection to Its
Citizens against outrage and personal violence;
yet this great obligation is not performed by the
Government of the 'United States. For a largo
portion of the year, scarcely a week °lapel's with
out bringing to us intelligence of some Indian
massacre, or' outrage more shocking than death
itself; and It most frequently happens that these
acts go unpuninhed altogether, either from the
want of troops .for pursuit, or from their remote
ness from the mono of slaughter, which renders
pursuit useless.
In former times, when the hardy pioneer was
allured away from the lino of white settlements by
fertile lands alone, he scarcely ventured so far as
to he beyond succor awl 'protection from those he
loft behind. But far different is the state of things
at present. Our Pacific settlements, with their
great inducements of rich lands, ealubrious Climate,
and fabulous mineral treasures, present to the in
habitants of the Atlantic States temptations to
emigration which the privations of en intervening
wilderness and desert, and continual danger from
roving bands of savages hanging upon their march
for many hundred miles together, cannot deter
them from undertaking. This migration strength
ens the natural ties between the Atlantic and Pa
cific States, and Adds immensely to the defensive
strength of that remote region. Justice and W
inona), alike demand protection for these emigrants
at the hands of our Government.
To render governmental protection to our vast.
frontier and emigration - perfeet - a very largo
igkettaliod i§f the army woul d-mil 'be rorjurrid.,
Five additiOnal regiments would answer the par r
'pose If priiperly posted.,
It will be seen from a paper carefully prepaid'
from reliable data by the Adjutant General, that
no timers of our forces is so sufficient, or near
so cheap as the augmentation of our regular
army.
A line of posts running parallel with our fron
tier, but near to the Indians' usual habitations,
plated at convenient distances and suitable posi
tions, and occupied by infantry, would exorcise a
salutary restraint upon the tribes, who would feel
that any foray by their warriors upon tho white
settlements would meet with prompt retaliation
upon their own homes. In addition to this means
ot defence, there should be concentrated along
our own frontier, at eligible points, large bodies
of efficient horse, all or any portion of which
could, upon the opening of spring and the
first appearance ot grass, march to mash
aggression or repress any spiril of insubor
dination. These cantonments for cavalry should
be established at points whore corn and bay are
abundant and cheap. The present is a favora
ble period for the choice of permanent locations,
for the reason that upon a large portion of our
northwest frohlier, part' .ularly, settlements have
nearly reached the limits of cultivable lands, be
yond which, - while there are spots of rich soil and
tolerable pasturage, they are not sufficient for
extended settlement .' Hem there is no likelihood
of military stations being left, as heretofore, in
the heart of a thickly populated country, after the
lapse of a very few years. The posts selected in
the manner nose indicated would become useless
only when the Indian tribes ceased to be formida
ble, or disappear altogether, for they would be
upon the lino of permanent frontier, which has now
been readied.
Tho concentration of these largo bodies of horse
at eligible points upon our borders would have the
best influence both upon the dreelpline and abet
iveness of tho crops, Throughout the winter, when
field operations wero impossible, the mon could be
perfectly drilled; and the horses would be put in
complete order fur the most active and arduous
service in the earliest spring. This double line of
defence would constitute a perfect protection to the
settlements, in the first place, and would soon
prove far thu most economical system of frontier
protection, because it would greatly diminish and
cheapen tho transportation of military stores and
munitions of war, which is now the chief source of
our most unsatisfactory frontier expenditure. The
infantry stations would not necessarily be large,'
and supplies could be furnished them from conve
nient points at very moderate rates.
For there reason?, and many others which rea
dily suggest themselves, I venture to submit to
you the propriety of asking from Congress an in
crease of the army, I am strengthened in any
convictions of its propriety from the recommenda-
Lions of my predecessor, whose thorough know
lodge of the army and its requirements give his
opinions groat weight, and from the recommenda
tions, also, of the Genoral-in-Chief.
The army ban boon very Relively and constantly
engaged in the performance of arduous and im
portant duties. The Indian war in Florida claimed
the attention of a strong foroe, composed mainly
of the fifth infantry and fourth artillery during
the spring and early pert of the summer. This
war has been proaecuted with all the vigor which
the character of the country and that of the enemy
would admit of. The country it aporpotual RUC
consign of swamps and mornoses, almost impene
trable, and the Indians partake rather of the na
ture of boasts of the chase than of men capable of
resisting in tight a military poiyer. Their only
strength lies in a capacity to elude pursuit.
Exigent affeira in the West demanded the remo
val of those two regiments front Florida to the
Territory of Kansas ; but they have boon re
placed by volunteer; and the pursuit of the Indi
ana bas boon continued by tbo latter troops up to
the present time. The services rendered by these
volunteer troops have boon spoken of in terms of
merited commendation in the reports of officers in
command.
Two very important and momentous subjects
forced themselves "upon the attention of this de
partment at an early period of my incumbency.
These were the complications krrowing out of the
troubles in the Territory of Lams, and the still
more Involved and difficult relations borne by the
Territory of Utah towards this Government. The
latter has recently usainned a very threatening
attitude, of which I will presently speak.
The very anxious and earnest representations of
danger to the public peace which wore made by
the Governor of Kansas, growing out of exampera
lions between the different political parties there,
and his earnest cull for a large body of troops, re
quired the transfer of the tenth regiment of in•
fiintry and the fourth regiment of nrtillery to Fort
Leavenworth, and also the recall of Colonel Sum
ner's command, then in the field, and that engaged
in marking the southern boundary of Kansas,
under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John
ston, of the first cavalry. From other quarters,
likewise, troops were snored to Kansas, until a
force wise concentrated there sufficient, in the opin
ion of the Governor, to repress nil insubordination
and to insure the peace of tho Territory. The re
sult line fully answered the expectations of that
distinguished functionary. The peace of Kansas
has been undisturbed.
The requisite provision, however, for thilde.
siinble object, agreeably to the wishes of the Go
vernor, necessitated a very important modification
of the plants then already determined upon with
regard to tho movement of troops to Utah. A
largo portion of both horse and Soot, intended for
this distant service, was detached and remained
behind, leaving the expedition to proceed with the
fifth and tenth infantry, the batteries of Captains
Phelps and Reno, with a pert of the second dra
goons, which followed long after the head of the
column had set out on the march.
UTAH AND THE EXPEDITION THITHER
•
-•
This subject has very recently assumed so extra
ordinary nod important an attitude, that I doom
it proper to dwell upou it somewhat more at length
than under other ciretunstancos, would have been
required.
The Territory of Utah is peopled almost exclu
sively by the religious scot known as Mormons.
From the time thou numbers reached a point au Ift•
olont to tonstituto a community capable of any
thing lilts independent Wien, thip rive bays
claimed the right to detach themselves front the
bidding obligatiOns of the laws which governed
the communities where they chanced to live.
They' have substituted for the laws of th e land a
theocracy, bavibg for Its head an individual W.llOlll
they profess to believe a prophet of God. This
prophet demands obedience, and receives it impli
citly from his people, in virtue of what he assures
them to bo authority derived from revelations
received by him from Heaven. Whenever he finds
it convenient to emu's() any special command,
these ententunO eevelations of a higher law come
to ilia aid. Peon Lis decrees there Is no appeal;
against his will there la no resistance, The gene
ral Plan by which this system Is perpetuated eon
"-slats In mililug Into Wive play the very worse
trait, of the human character. Religious fanati
eistrtoupportar by imposture and fraud, is relied
on to enslave the dull and ignorant; whilst the
Mord crafty aud loss honest are hold together'by
sltatulating their selfishness and licensing their
eldeithee and tufts. Running counter, as their
tenets and praetifes do, to the cherished truths of
'Christian morality, it Is not to be wondered at that,
Wherever those people have resided, discord and
conflict with ,the legal authorities have steadily
eltaxaoterized their history.
140051 the fit,t hour they fixed themselves in that
remote and flmost inaccessible region of our Ter
ritory, from 'triad' they are now pending defiance
to the sovereign power,- their whole plan has been
toprepare' for &successful secession front the au
thority or 00 United States and a permanent
establishment of their unit. They have praotised
an exolusiVeness 'unlike anything ever before
knOnts in a Ohrititian country, and have hoodoo
ajtialeils -distrust of all whose religious faith
differed from their min ; whom they characterize
under the general denomination of Gentiles. They
havu filled their ranks and harems chiefly from
the' lowest cleave of foreigners, although some
germ .the Polled States have likewise contribu
ted to theirmiuthers. They aro now formidable
from their etrongth, and much more so from
the 'Penketetress of their position and the
ditilicultyl of traversing the country between
our frontiers and Great Salt Lake. This
Mormon brotherhood has scarcely preierved the
semblance of obedience to the authority of the
United States for come years past; not at all, in
deed, except as it might confer some direct benefit
upon themselves, or contribute to circulate public
money in thelr community. Whenever it suited
their temper or caprice, they have set the United
States autherity at defiance. OF late years, a well,
grounded belief has prevailed that tho Mormons
were instigating th e Indians to hostilities against
Our eitizons;and were exciting amongst the Indian
tribes a feeling of insubordination and discontent.
I need not recite here the many Instances In their
Oenithet• and history en which these general elle
gatlons aro founded, especially the conduct they
have adepted•within tholaat twelvemonths towards
the civil authorities of the United States.
Imo, nevertheless, always been the policy and
desire of the Yederal Government to avoid collision
with this Mormon community. It has borne with
the insubordination they have exhibited under elr
cumstaneei when respect for their own authority
has frequently eountelled harsh measures of diem
plinth Mid this forbearance might still bo pro
longed, and the evils rife amongst them bo allowed
to work aid their own cure, if this community oc
cupied nay other theatre, isolated and remote
from Shot seats of civilization, than the one they
now possess But, unfottunately for these views,
their settlements lie in the great pathway which
leads from our Atlantic States to the new and flour
ishing communities growing up upon our Pacific
seaboard. . •
They stand a lion In the path ,• not only themselves
dotxtug the military and cl I authorities of the GOtern•
twat. but encouraging, if not exciting, the nomad
savages whproato over the vast unoccupied region)* of
the continent, to the pillage and lIIIISSACTO or peaceful
and betide., emigrant families traversing the solitudes
of the wiCterness.
The tepid' settlemeut of our Pacific possessions; the
rights in Chore regions of emigrants unable to afford the
heavy expeneen of transit by water and the isthmus ; the
facility and safety of military. commercial; political, and
*eclat Inteverammenication 'between our eastern and
Western populations and States, all depend upon the
prompt, alrmiute l and thorough removal of a hostile
power betettirg this path mihesy of Ito route, eta point
where Rueter cud prevleinne should alwaye Do found,
rather than obstruetion, pria Atkinand outrage. How
ever anspausly the Government 'night &mire to avoid R
colilcion with thin or any other community of people
under iteittriediction, yet It is sot possible for It to post
pone the ditty of reducing to eubordination a rebellious
fraternity besetting one of the moat Important avenues
of communication tree ereing Its detrain, and not only
themeelses defying Its authority. but stimulating the
Irrespongible savages hovering along the highway to
acts of violence indiscriminately upon all ages, sexes,
and conditions of wayfarers.
Prom all the circumstances surrounding thin eubJect
at the time, It wan thought expedient dating the peat
Rummer to send a body of troops to Utah with the civil
ofticers'recently appointed to that Territory. Ac the
Intention% en sax merely to entablish these function
aries In the offices to which they had been commissioned,
and to erect Utah into a geographical military de
partment, the force then despatched and now en route
to the Territory was thought to be amply sufficient for
those purposes. Supplier' were abundant there, and
the position wax favorable for holding the Indiene in
cheek throughout the whole eircuntincent region of
country. It wax hardly Within the line of rennonable
probabillty that throe people would put themselves be
yond the pole of reconciliation withibe ftenarament br
StaleSOrtnatn773loX,Tale, wantow.tebettion.
'.alibis stela - however, from the documents accompany
ing tide apart, that flagrant edit of rebellion have
been t orninitted by them, in the face of positive as
marances given them that the Intention of the (loyern
ment lo lending troops Into the military department of
Utah aura entirely pacific.
CI reakcare had been taken, in preparing for the march
to Utah, that nothing ahead seem to excite apprehen
elan of env action on the part of the army in the leant
conflicting with the fixed principles of our institutions,
by which the military is strictly subordinate to the civil
autherity, The luntructlons to the commanding either
were deliberately considered and carefully draw u ; and
he was charged not to allow any conflict to tato piece
between the troops and the people of the Territory, ex
cept only In case he should be called on by the Governor
for sold ors to act as a poise eonaitatuts In enforcing
obedience to the loam
In conformity with this sentiment, and to mourn the
people of the real intention of the movement, an activo,
discreet °Dicer was vent In advance of the army to Utah
for tho parpooerof purchasing provisions forlit, mutter
assuring the people of the Territory of the peaceful
intentions or the Government, This duty wan faith
tally performed; the chief men of tho fraternity were
assured that no violence was intended towards them or
any ono, and that nothing could be further from the
intention of the Government or the tinny that, to em
lest any one fur their religious opinions, however ab
horrent they might bo to the principles of Christian
morality. Thin °Meer found, upon entering the Terri
tory that those deluded people, had al: oady, in advance
of his arrival, or of any intonation,- except as to the
march, of the column, determined to resist th eir ap
proach, and prevent, if possible, And by force, the cu
trance of the army into the valley of Salt Lake. Pup•
pee of every sort were refused him.
The day after his departure from the city, on bin way
back, Brigham Young issued his proclamation, substan
tially declaring war againet the United States, and, at
the earns lime, putting the Territory under martial
law. The facts connected with this mission of Captain
Van Yliel will appear more to detati from Me reports,
herewith transmitted.
In view of the menacing attitude el A ffairs in Utah,
and of the Importance of a prompt and' thorough sup
pression of the spirit of rebellion reigning there, I
must repeat my recommendation of tiro now regiments,
which I am persuaded is the very smallest addition to
the army which the exigencies or the novice {1 ill
allow.
Attention him been repeatedly culled to defects in thy
organization of tire army, and to various details in tete-.
rence to social of its parts. As them, evils Increase
with time and practice under them, I must again bring
them before you.
The beets of our existing system is the British army,
AD It served in the colonies before the Revolution, re
taining many of the dufeete, since corrected in Great
Britain, under the experience and necessities of long
wars. Provisions inconaudent with the existing system,
copied from other nations, and partial legislation de
signed for particular interests, have augmented these
evils, and we have committed the fault of adapting our
fundamental organization to a time of peace, instead
of booing It on the exigencies of war.
One of the greatest errors of detail is the separate, in
dependent character of our staff corps. This remove s
them fron their properposition AD aids or assistants to
the commander and constitutes them his equals. It con
tracts the sphere of observation and experience, and
thus unfitathe °nicer for change or advancement. and
begets an accumulation of precedent and prerogative at
war with the vital principle of military organuation—
the inviolable and tindivided authority of the hend Ile
is bound, as they are, by the law, and his construction
at it should govern them, not theirs him.
Another defect is the uncertain and ill-defir ed rights
of hers et rank. We hare adopted the is ord, but not its
eignidcaticet, from the English rule, and applied It fp
circumstances not contemplated or exisiting when drat
established Repeated docisions mid imperfect legiels•
lion have only Increased the evil by inviting new die
mulleins toil adopting now constructions.
I=il
We hive retained annals fault, abandoned, at least
practically, iu Almost every service among civilized no
tions, oven themost aristocratic and monarchical. This
la promOtion by seniority, Age and orperieuce should
bring excellence; but the test lies In the steal pos
session of tho latter, and not merely In the circum
stances which it Is assumed should produce it
Seniority, with the requirements essential for posi
tion, ought certainly to give precedence ; but without
these, that dignity and respect which belong to rank
and conttoind can nes el be secured.
All that hue been urged in favor of retaining It with
us in the danger of political or personal Inver govern
ing a Yolertlon. Their tune be danger from thin source,
but, by the rule of seniority, the weizr of of any
awn inn it, if lie lives, conic to ho one of the most im
portant and responsible unicorn under the tiovernmeut
—the colonel of a regiment Ily selection, It in ponnible
that the very bent mos not alu cyn be chosen, though
the chancre are In favor of thin hypotheses; certain
ly the very worst never rill be, and this In surely a gain
un the present rule.
To correct then° and other evils, I would urge no to
provide by hw for the construction of the regiments of
horse, artillery, and infantry, rig to approach them, tos
far an our clrcionntancen require, to the piactiee of all
nation+ long experienced in war, and so ne admit their
contractiou for peace and their re expansion in war
without altering thin bogie.
Thin can be dune without any increase of officers or
men, or augmentation of expense, by inerolv arranging
those already In service, on the companies of earls
corp. to sell the end proposed.
To place the staff In proper relation to the rest of the
army, the law should collect all the officers doing that
branch of itety into one cerps,to be assigned by authority
of the President to such duties as may seem to be best
fitted for, securing to each the rank and relative posi
tion be now holes, But, as 1103110 staff corps are confined
to duties requiring special instruction and long rope-
Hence, their separate organization might be retained.
A general provision dispensing with the staff bureaux,
and &lug the President authority to regulate the du
ties on the principles above stated, and to transfer,
when necessary, officers to and from the line And staff,
would restore the Institution to Its proper effectiveness.
Thus, tho staff near the War Department, representing
the authority of the constitutional corninender•ln-chief
of the army and navy, would bear the mime relation to
him as the staff attached to a corps to the field have to
the colonel or general who commands it
To avoid, for the future the difficulties attending
brevet rank, the best plan Is to create, permanently,
the general offices now exercised muter brevets, making
as many major-generals and brigadier generals en the
strength of the army requires. rids would afford pro•
motion to many brevet officers of Inferior rank, and
thus absorb nearly all ; as the strength of the army
requires these officers, and they have always existed
under the brevet rank, no increase of expanse would
follow their being permanently established. The law
should then provide that brevet rook should give no
right, under any circumstances, unless by the special
ausigument of the President in such case, retaining
that rank as a mere honorary distinction, except Incase
of special isslignmout, but at all Unica recommending
the bearer as a worthy candidate for promotion.
Promotion may bo made a reward of merit and an In
centive to seal by enacting that it shall take pines by
seniority in corps (unless in extraordinary cues) to the
rank of captain, and beyond that by selection from the
next grade In the RAM arm to that to bo filled an far As
colenei t tuelasive. General officers to be at the choice
of the remittent, as they now are.
NUA 411 Mu Old hi ti) tilt propriety of seperittillif
i th cc e n tr u l b uta m e ty o , f
f a r t . % el
the
o n
m d
Thin nyetern has been adopted In Prance, but is ob
jected to an giving to the civil officera than employed
c i e U r P c P p i r i o ui per an O d f t a h l e t
an Immunity from military control, injurious, if not
fatal, to the Interests of the service. This objection
a m m on v e . yed
would be fully toot by providing that thla class of offi
cers without receiving military rank, or being entitled
to command, should be amenable to military tribunal.,
nod thus act under the name responsibility that the dis
bursing officer now done.
It is certain that an officer looking forward to mili•
tary advancement and fame is tempted to incur risks on
the field of battle, the fatal issue of which might ruin
Ida festally, and some of his friende, and his own repu•
tattoo, through the disorder which his sudden death
might bring into his pecuniary affairs:
These propooted changes would restore our military
aystem to that simplicity which would render such
amendments as experience might tecornmend easy and
well adapted to existing circumstance..
I concur with my prodecoixor in other proposed amo•
lloratlons, and especially lu preparing for Infirm end
dicabled officers a competent and tranquil retreat, and
fur the unworthy a substantial dimities.' from the ear
s ice; than arming that efficiency of the army which
will entitle it to full respect from the Country, and
which the country have a right to demand.
This should be applied in two ways: Find, on the
application of the o ffi cer; and second, on the dtrection
of the President, an if on accusation. A board of me
officera of high rank to Ice detailed for each carte, and
the examination to be contlacted as though on charges
before a court martial; the President to decade on the
report of the court. The disponal of the officers to be
ono of three kindit : First, an honorable rolea.se from
duty, and from any carpe to which he may he attached ,•
remaining so a supernumerary officer with the pay and
emoluments of hie grade, as on leave of absence. Pe
cond, to be retired front the army, without censure or
disgrace, on hie pay proper unless he forfeits it by
misconduct. Third. to be ratted from the army, with
out payer compensation, except a gratuity of one year' a;
or elk or three nionthr pay, to secure him front the
evil consequences of absolute want.
I call special attention to the report of the General-in
chief, and ask for his recommendations es favorable con-
Adoration. It Is certainly true, that to call ()urea peace
establishment in a mere abuse of terms It is well known
that the casualties of the battle-fleld bear a very small
proportion to the lessor life front exposure and hardship
eneennterffil in long and perilous marches, and from
protracted campaigns. In every particular, with the
exception only of the battlefield, no hardships encoun
tered by any army prosecuting any war are greater than
those to which • very large proportion of our troops are
constantly exposed. And the danger. of battle are far
from being halo Meant, as the reports of these con
stantly recurring conflicts will abundantly show.
The plan of regimental depots for recruiting, I am
confident, will bo very tAvantageous to the service. It
will produce a spirit of generous rivalry, conducive in
the highest degree to good discipline and military bear
ing. The tone of the rank and file needs elevation ex
from*, and every means should be resorted to tending
to effort It. It our troops were massed sufficiently to
Insure perfect drill and discipline ; if they were made
soldier. Instead of day-laborers; it a feeling of pride
instead of degradation resulted from their connection
with the service the morale of the army would soon
take that elevat ion which is most des ruble in all
armies, and which certainly ought to be pee-eminent In
that of a great Republic. The habit of employing sol
diers as laborers Is extremely detrimental to the ear
vice.
They fool degraded because they are deprived of both
the emoluments and the Aunty independence of the la
boring man, who feels that his vocation Is honorable be
cause it Is Independent and free. The soldier who en
tern the service with somedegrse of military aspiration,
can but resent an a wrong tho order which changes him
from his legitimate vocation to that of a mere operative
deprived 01 hie fair wagee. I think it would conduce
greatly to the elevation of the rank and tile if promotion
to commission wee made readily and certainly attainable
by the really meritotlons men in the racks. If oar
army was put upon the proper footing, the anomalous
spectacle of having In 0-thirds of our rank and tie com
posed of foreigner' would certainly not be witnessed.
I NDLUf VIOSTILITIFB
'rho Olpenso4 of the army hare been and are con
stantly much augmented by the necessity of moving
large bodice of troupe, at the aborteat nosnible notice,
front remote pinta, to overawe or suppress Indian out
broaka. The temper awl spirit of the Indians are en
tirely unknown to tau War Department, except through
communications from the Department of the Interior,
which, of course, would never be made, except when
forces are deemed rtecespary for the public safety. The
NM= of defence proposed through the double hue of
poste, herein recommended. would, I think, in a very
greet measure, neutralize this evil.
RAILROAD TO THY PAO7YIO
The surveys heretofore ordered by Congress to moor
tale the beet route for the construction of a railroad
from the western boundary of our States lying west of
the Mienietippl to the Pacitic, have been carefully made,
and the results elaborately set forth in eight large vo
lumes. In the opinion of competent judges, there is
now ce controverey al to the loom eligible route for the
railroad, slimming that all the material facts in the
case hare been fully aecortained. The route from El
pane to the Colorado, besides being the shortest or all
yet morvoyed, possesses very denied advantages over
others In several Important particulars. The grades
are lower, the climate milder, and the distance scram
the desert region, common to all the routes, in less
upon this.
Water, too, is sufficiently abundant upon the tract of
this survey; en that in selecting a railroad route be
tween the Pacific mid the valley of the Mississippi, ac
far as our present information goes, that by EI Paso
would.be chosen; but the consummation of this prolect,
freed from all other daflicultion, would require Immense
sums of money arid a great length of time. Meanwhile
other military roads very urgently require special and
prompt opening and occupation. If the rallroad were,
to-day, completed from 11l Paso to the line of Califor
nia, a strong and urgent necessity would still remain for
main; at Mils Ana Keeping open at towrrivant pnratlier
routes, rot the passage of emigrants and the transpor
tatiqn of military stores to vast regions o' Our country
accessible only by these mouton. Then, as these routes
are to bo opened in nay event, true policy and economy
would seem to indicate that it should be done at once.
A line of stockade posts upon two of these routes
would not require a I ery large force to maintain them,
and, if placed at proper distances apart, would furnish
certain means of a safe and rapid transportation of the
mails and perfect protection to a telegraphic line from
one ocean to the other, which latter object would, in
itself, be worth far more to the country than the coot of
the posts, and the expense of maintaining them.
EXPLORATIONS AND STOMPS
There Is no appropriation of equal amount, in charge
of this department, that in productive of more real and
substantial !moat to the pubibt service than that for
military explorations and surveys. At this time we are
actually Ignorant of the geography and general char
acter of large tracts of country lying between the val
ley of the Missisainpi and the raciat ocean. Every day
is Whig new and Important facts to our present stored
of Itlatne ledge upon this subject. And, snatch as has been
accomplished within the last few plaza, it is hazarding
but little to say that we have only begun to acquire
what it is no useful for us to understand thoroughly.
Two expoditions hate been fitted out expressly to ex
plore tracts of country hitherto wholly unknown The
first was soot to the Norton eat, beyond the w diem of
the Upper Missouri, towards tho Black Ilills," and
w 11, no doubt, bring valuable information The other
Is engaged in exploring the Colorado of the West, of
which, to this time, nothing scarcely has been ate:,
rately kuiAn. I ace not without strong hope that this
exploration still result in discovering the bout means
by which the transportation of army stares eau be
effected to the interior of New Mexico and Utah.
. .
But for tho assistance rendered them explorations by
the troops detailed fur the purpose, the appropriations
would prove wholly inadequate for any material results.
I transmit bereaith the report of the Bureau of Ya
plerations and Furveys, for more detailed information of
the expeditions tilted out for these purposes, and of the
progress made in the experiment of arteattu
ME=
The military roads linietrifere in charge of this de
partment are progrming satisfactorily, under the su
perintendence of the officers harims them In charge.
Amongst them i 9 one front Fort Defiance to the mouth
of the Moist a river, it filch deserves special notice from
the plan adopted for its construction. The appropria.
lion for this work wee only fifty thousand dollars. a Mist
the length of the road ens about 350 miles. I directed
Edward F. beide, Esq.; to whom I entrusted the con
struction of thisread, to palm over rind horsey the route
throughout the entire length, to lay out the road and
make it passable for wagons at all difficult places.
With this party I sent thirty-five camels of those re
cently Imported nudes the direction of my predecessor.
This was intended as au experiment to test the efficien
cy of those animals as beasts of burden and transpor
tation through the barren cud difficult country of the
great mountain range separating the Mississippi valley
from the Pacific OtO&D. From the ' , CAM reports m
eek ed front Mr. Beale. It would appear that the camels
are likely to answer fully the high exprctations enter
tained of them for military purposes by the honorable
fiecretsay who Introduced them into the country.
Nothing worthy of =.peeial note has oreurred eit co the
last report upoo the subject of artesian wells. I think
there is not much doubt of the feasibility of procoring
abundant supplies of good water by this means, and tho
benefits requiting from it successful prosecution of this
euterpriso are too palpable to require any illustration.
For milltsay purposes, these WWI ore altogether ladle
pousable. The deceit country, Impassable now for
want of water by any considerable military force, will,
upon completion of the system of wells, be easily tra
versed from Fort Fillmore to Albuquerque, and from
Fort Colon to Banta Fe. The work is still under the
dlrertiou of Captain Pope, who has hitherto had it 111
charge.
111111litry reservations, heretofore ehtablishel
for the occupation of troops upon the Indian frontier,
having become useless for any military purposes, and
calcukted to retard the settlement ef the country, hare
Loco sad tltaPrs tow 1 . 4E , C4 at the hat session of Con
greqq. With the exception of tho reserve at Fort hip.
toy, the prices oftered ter these lauds seem satisfactory
The bids for the lands of the latter me...trillion being
considered too low, the sale was sot aside and the pro
perty retained.
1:1=
Undot a law of the /Rill l'ongro , l direotinz the rale 01
this tre,tern tniiittty uvluin at liar. 014tirg, ICentocky,
all atort was !ude to commmato it, but without effort
After due mud extoloove edxertiiionent of tbo slay of
sale, and upon the esgembling of biodere, the proporty
was ofierod at ',atilt, outcry, hut the loglioet nuns raPre , l
Oslo conglittlost by the apht for the. unto to Ina leqoate
that the property was wish Iraa a
The agyliiin In this Dktrlet ie, to a HIJIIt.I extent, ail
sooting the porpolies for xlitch it was est al lolled. It
furnlalitig a quiet end abundant home for thi• utvalud soh
diera who ore admittol to It.
The Importance to the public iorvi3O of eitabli4hing
• national foutAr) Inn beau ao of ten brought to the at •
lion of Cotigre+. I,y my prellece...r., that nothing but
con, ietion of Ite great consequence to the public and
private iotorests et the whole country encourage. rno to
niontiou it again
A a 011-nianaged national foundry would cry speedily
develop and establish facts which s, null add Immensely
to our national wealth. It in seal eely to be credited
that, with the Infinite variety of iron ores and their
bounillens extent in the United States, we should not
have yet discos crest a mine capable of making the very
best gun, or, if each be discovered, that there are no
Samaria by whirls the public ite tv ice can be beneatted by
It; but such in the fact
A national foundry would nerve an a great laboratory
at which the qualities and value of metals throughout
the whole Confederacy would be tested and lived Every
variety of Iron, a ith Its ecpecial adaptation to particu
lar uses, would, in a few years, be familiarly known to
the country, and individual enterprise would be saved
in experlinenta many limn the amount which the
works would cost, whilst agrent national branch might,
by this means, receive a legitimate and efficient en
couragement.
There is but little doubt that many American iron
urea aro equal at leant to thou: of Norway, and yet the
national armories are dais en by neceadty to purchase
from abroad the Nora egiau iron for the manufacture
of small arms. Choi:wog to bare the beet quality
of arms, we must go abroad for the best quality of iron.
A. national foundry would soon teach us to improve the
manufacture of iron nod we would be saved the morti
fication of bringinglron from abroad, and the money,
too, we have to pay fur it.
The coated' homy guns would presently be diminished,
and th e ir quality would be, undoubtedly, sexy mate•
rattily improved.
It therefore appears to me that every consideration of
sound policy and economy' demand!' the ostabilahmont of
a national foundry, which I accordingly renpeetfully re
commend.
CIIMIBEI
The report of the chief of ordnance will xplain in de
tail the condition of that most Import/tut brooch of the
public service. Its general operations have, in the
main, been satisfactory. The manufacture of small
arms at the two national armories continues with Yory
Much the same results es heretofore. The arms label•
ON HO ut the mot oupeagF qualith
TWO CENTS.
more than questionable whether the rief4 or grooved
musket Is any improvement whatever upon the musket
of the pattern adopted In 1342 for the use of the Intim.
try In the field.
The valuable property at Baton Rouge belonging to
the Government is being greatly injured by reason of
the decayed condition of the wooden.enclosure, which
was constructed many years since. It Is. therefore, ad
visable that some provision be made for building a sub
stantial iron fence, and thereby preserving the build
ings and grounds, which are now &abject to serious dam
age and constant depredation.
I would also advise that, for the purpose of still fur-.
they improving the grounds, authority be given to pur
chase jut of land near the principal building, and to
sell a piece of land at the extreme end of the property,
of little value for Government purposes. For these
objects a email appropriation will be required.
As a school of practice for the artillery is eatablished
at Fort 'Monroe, which is moth needed by the service.
it is eery desirable that one or two small tracts of land
in the Immediate vicinity of the post, and directly
affected by the target tiring, should belong to the Go
rernment ; therefore authority ought to be given to
purchase thin land, and thus remove all obstructions to
the satisfactory establishment of the school at this im
portant post.
TUB NATIONAL DEYTTCTS
The report of the chief engineer will inform yon of
the character and condition of our sea-coot defences.
It will be seen that these works are gradually, but cer
tainly, advancing towards completion, and when finished
will constitute a system of marilime defences formida
ble in extent, and of great magnitude. •
New York, the greet heart of commerce on this conti
nent, where more and greaterinterests concentrate than
at any point on our Atlantic coast, may be considered u
impregnable fa - many attack from the sea when the for
tifications now in progress shall be finished. The forti
fications will be better the guns hen ier and more
numerous, then those of Sebutopol.
cpx, the general system of seacoast defence it Is
hardly necessary to say a word at thin day. The policy
of the Oovernment seems to be fixed in that respect,
and wisely, too, no doubt, if the works be prosecuted
With a wise economy. Fortifications are row very Justly
esteemed the cheapest and far the most effectual means
of defence for every importitot commercial point; with
the heavy guns of the present day j no fleet can match a
fortification ; au4 when completeu, thus works eau be
kept in perfect repair at • very trifling coat until needed
for actual eervies. A fortification coating not much
more than double the sum necessary to build and guile
14first-clus line-of-battle ship, will constitute a forda
ble defence for a harbor, anal will routine to do so
throughout any length of time. The value of thia mode
of defence is becoming more apparent every day.
As our population increases, and the facilities for In
tercommunication are multiplied, a military forte of
any extent can with more and more readiness be colleen
tmted at any given point in the etiortest possible time.
Fortifications, which will naturally retard the landing
of a foreign foe, must give time to concentrate a force
at any given point equal to any emergency. A larger
force could be thrown Into New York in two weeks,
by means of Internal communication, than could be
brought there from abroad an a year by all means
which any European power could possibly command.
Our ramified system of railroads spreading through
out the whole country—those sinews of iron which bind
with indinoluble ties the commercial interests of our
community—confer upon the nation a capability for de
fence which obviates forever the necessity of standing
armies, or of a navy more numerous than le necessary to
give protection to our ships In the procreation of our
extended commerce.
The attention of Cotgrees has been frequently called
to the glaring discrepancy 'between the enactments regu
lating the pensions of soldiers and WO of sailors.
There is an invidious distinction between these two
arms of service which tests upon no principle of reason
or justice It would, beyoni doubt, conduce to the
interest of the army, and the public service, too, If pen
sions in the army were put upon the earn. footing pre.
cigely n ith those of the navy. The recommendation of
the General.in•Chlet I commend to your favorable no
tice end to that of Congress
The importance of regimental bands to the service
admits of no doubt In the estimation of military men.
In Europe all armies greet attention IS Paid to the sub
ject, end greet excellence Wats In this department.
Ileretotore, in our service, the bends bare been sup.
ported by contributions from the men In the shape of
ravings from the ration. Under the new regulations of
the army, this fund, which i certainly the property of
the soldier, has been returned to him In the shape of
more palatable addition to his subsistence, particularly
when complainiog from Indistmition. The bands Will
be broken up, unless some means are set apart for their
maintenance. This can readily be done by appropria
ting a sufficient tuna for the purpose out of the dries
end forfeitures of the army ' This fund could not be
devoted to a more desirable object.
OANOO3 AYD.WASAIIGTON C1L1111.3
By a law pitied the eighteenth day of August, 18.56,
a commission woe direct. 1 to be appointed for the put'.
pone of sseertoiniog the sum of money fairly dne to the
volunteerit of Oregon and Wenhingtou Territories for
their services in the Indian wax, which threatened to
Iny waste those Territories. In compliance with this
Captain Smith, of the first dregoonti, Captain Rufus
Ingalls, of the quattetmanter's deportment, and Lafay
ette Grover, Enq , of Salem, Oregon, were appointed to
examine the accounts and claims, and to make a report
in conformity with the law end upon the facts no they
sainted. so far, at least, as it was possible to ascertain
them.
These officers entered upon their duties on the 10th
day of October, 1856, and seem to have labored with
great assiduity and patience in discharge of them until
the 20th day of October hut. when they were brought
to a close. I have examined this report very carefully,
and conclude that, from the data they adopted for their
guide, as to the price of stores and sebalatanee, and
time of ierviee rendered by the men, it is not probable
that a more jut or accurate meta could be attained
than these gentlemen have arrived at. The =qua
ascertained to be due Is a very large one, and Congress
toad • • •• tloty-shall'ltluldated , of whtth Y presume
there eau now be no doubt.
IMXIOU-LOADI3II 17110
The appropriation for the purchase of the best
breech-loading rifle has been nearly all expended for
arms of different construction—some for experiment in
the fluid, thought to be far the best test, and some
have been purchased for use in the army, having been
already approved by trials in the hands of troops in
actual service.
I think there existed no arm of the sort at the time
the appropriation was made which has not been mate.
rially improved since, and much of this improvement
UP taken place since the trial made of this sort of arm
last summer, at West Point, under the direction of a
board of officers appointed for the purpose. The variety
of breech.loading 11.1911 is extremely great, and the in
genuity exhibited in constructing them highly credita
ble. Some of these arm. are best for one sort of ser
a ice, whilst others answer best for another, and the
numbs.. made have been determined with • view to
this object. Improvements are still going on in the
construction of this particular arm. and, with some
further encouragement, valuable results will no doubt
be attained.
eomo of theme arms combine, in a very high degree
celerity and accuracy of fire, with great force, nt lon.
range.
TOrOGRAIIIIOAL BURSA,:
The dear awl complete reports from this bureau will
fully apprise you of its labors during the past year, and
its present condition.
AQUEDUCT, CAPITOL, AND POST MICE EXTENSION
These works are still under the direction of the officer
heretofore in charge of them, and hie report will show
tho progress made in their prosecution, as Well an his
estimstrs for money to carry on the work in the fu
ture,.
QUARTERMISTER GENERICS BURRIU.
The operations of this department for the put year
will fully appear from the quartermaster General's re
port, herewith transmitted.
The puma expended in this branch or the public nor
vice are extremely large, but the duties performed are
very great, and the necessities for the payment of
ia
men,c taus of money In this del - mil:cent seem unavoid
able. This vast expenditure will cease to be a matter
of tirpri+o to any one who, with proper information,
ref its fully upon the extent and character of the
country ocer which our military operations aro con
ducted.
We are not apt to carry along, as an element of re•
Election in drawing a contrast between the present and
former espenditureff, the enormous increase of distan•
see to be traversed, and the flifticulties which multiply
themselves from transportation over a wild, barren,
sterile, uninhabited waste.
Our territory lying between the Missimippi river and
the Pacific ocean is about 1,200 miles in length from
north to south ; its breadth from east to weet, in lati
tude 49 degrees, is 1,500 mile.; latitude 38 &gene,
1,000 mites; end in latitude g. degrees, 1 500 miles;
the area being about 2 000,000 equate miles
The meridian of 105 decrees west longitude divides
this territory into two nearly equal parts. The eastern
half is a great plain rising gradually from the Missis
sippi river to the foot of the mountains along the meri
dian of 105 degree;,
where its elevation, near the north
ern boundary, is 2,500 feet; in the middle latitude,
0 000 feet; and near the southern boundary, 4,000 feet
above the sea The western half In a mountain region,
the chains of which, co fur IN vet known, hare, gene•
rally, a direction north and south.
If we draw a line nearly coinciding with the 'meri
dian of 99 degrees west longitude, dividing the great
plain Into two nearly equal parts, we shall find that
portion east of this line differing entirely from that
went of it. The eastern part is fertile. the western
arid and sterile. The width of the fertile district is
from 400 to 500 mile., of the sterile from 300 to 400
mitre The surface at this inactiltieable region. along
the routes generally travelled, is .lady, gravelly. end
pebbly It supporta no trees, except a few willow, sod
cotton-words along the streams, to which merquita Is
sided to the southern latitudes The grass is .parse;
numerous varieties of caque are abundant Portions
of the river bottoms (where the lolls of the different
°trate tecome mixes, end where water con be had for
irrigatioul are, to a limited eetent, cultivable The
minor etrearns frequently disappear in the .ands.
On the western border of the plain the mountain rice
abruptly from it The routes explored by the Pacific
Railroad parties entered the mountain region through
the lowest known paves. whose altitudes vary from
4,00) to 10,000 fret chose the Nen The mountain ridges
and peaks ri.o those these pastes trees 1,000 to 0,000
feet Nearly the entire distance to the Paeide is occu
pied by mountains separated be desert plains or basins
The two great chains forming the east and west border
of the mount tun region e the greatest elevation, hi
cloeing, a, it were, the others
Client aridity and •torilit, characterize the nionatam
region, except ttu Pacific slopes of its yrrst..rti border,
and generally the aspect Is dreary and 141olAte in the
estrouto.
To be sore, it the foot of then extern slop, of the
hi;,,lieit mountain chains and spurs, fs ride •oil. sod the
means 01 irrigation. ere often found And there are
small mountain valleys that aro cultivable, and also
river bottoms, but the Oaths may be callrl barren,
en•d, with rare odeeptons, the cult can only be culls.
sated alien the meant of Irrigation are at kind. Ores.
-lonalle belts of forests are found an, ng the moon
tales, teat the Instances are eck,ptionel.
rho great °unlit. able belt, including plain and
mountain rs gum, thiough w Lich all routes to the Pa
cific must pass, has a width neat our northern boundary
of 1,100 miles; in latitude 33 deg , of 1,200 miles, and
nor the sonthrru boundary, of I,o® nines, The
length of the roads through the belt is of course
greater
Over nearly thin whole region, and over distances
quite as great as these, the quartermaster's department
19 called upon to furnish transportation and supplies for
our troops, who are keeping up a continual patrol of
that vast territory, ani a great portion of the time en
gaged In warfare with the numerous and hardy savages
who range perpetually over those boundless wills.
heavy expenditures cannot be avoided In the quarter
master's department an long so we keep up a military
organization in the West.
I have the honor to be, rery reveettully, your obe
dient neryant, JOHN D. FLOYD,
Secretary or War.
To the PRP , IDENT OP Too CNITED STITIS.
Max Maretzek narrowly escaped being im
prisoned in Havana. It seems that the rules and
regulations of the theatre provided for a certain
number of seats to be kept for sale every evening
of performance ; but Max had disposed of them all
to subscribers. The authorities brought a suit
against him, and he was condemned to pay a fine
of Soo and to go to prison besides. The matter
w as compromised, however, by Maretrek giving
an extra night every week independent of sub
scriptions. Single seats and entire boxes, taken
up by speculators, have bean 3011 at three times
the regular prices, although these were already
higher than last season. A tailor offered to Ms
retzek to work for him gratis for the privilege of
obtaining a seat, which ho would of course have
paid for as well as every one else. The seat be
longing to an Individual killed in a duel has been
disputed by several Persons calling themselves his
kvlrs.
son= TO CORRatrospium6
Ootroapondonts for Tic Ihsevi will plow twat Is
mind the following robs
ivirry cosomunkittali mid be •00ant th•
name of the writer. In order to Inoue eoeresimeme or
the typography, bat am aide of • ain't ahonht he
written aeon,
We shall be greatly obliged to gentlemen in Penal*
Tula and other State* for contributions giving the ow
nut awe of the day to their pinkishr loisalinee, the
resources of the PIIIIVIMUng wintry, the Lyman of
population, and any Information that will be Latetesting
to the general reedit
GENERAL NEWS.
On Saturday afternoon last, a young lady,
named Miss Margaret MeGrann, died very sudden
ly at the residence of her father on the Petersburg
turnpike. Just a few minutes before her death,
say! the Lancaster (Pa.) Inland Daily , she com
plained of a pain in her far, and immediately
after she fell upon the floor; she was then raised
up and laid upon the bed; alarmed at her ap
pearance, they made an examination, when it was
discovered that the spark of life had fled. The
deceased was about seventeen yeses of age, and
from her modest and - gentle deportment attracted
a large number of friends around her. She was
buried on Monday afternoon ; her funeral was very
large.
William Pagan, a mulatto, former steward
of the barque Pentucket, h as been arrested.
charged with being one of the parties implicated
in the late robbery of $lO,OOO, in doubloons, stolen
from the Pentacket, at New York, a few days
since. He wan foun d by two detective pollee A
cme at Farmingdale, L. 1., where he had we
cceded in getting up the imprestdan that he was
a runaway dare, end was fast gathering about
him a host of earneet sympathisers and f riends.
Ile had In his possession $4,000 of the stolen money.
He has been looked up for trial.
George Randolph, a nephew of the celebra
ted John Randolph, of Roanoke, who died In
Charlotte county, Vs., on the 4th Instant, was the
lest in the line of the Randolph family. Ire was
born deaf and dumb, but was highly educated in
France. On returning home to 'Virginia, in 1914.
bo beard of the hopeless Hines! of his brother, at
Harvard College, and immediately became de
ranged. Front that time to the day of his death he
is 8111:1 never to have known a lucid Interval.
The Message started to California for the
use of the press of the Pacific side, by the last pre
vious steamer. It was duly sent off, says the
,Washington Star of Wednesday, on the day be
fore yesterday to the postmasters of the different
cities, so that it might be delivered to the press in
their reach at that time, as soon as the earliest
news of its delivery to Congress could reach the
various cities, per telegraph or otherwise.
By a table published In the St. Paul Pio - ism-,
it appears that the present has been the shortest
season of navigation on the Mississippi to St. Paul
for fifteen years. The river closed on November
14, having been opened only 198 days. The usual
average is about 225. - Nevertheless , the trade has
been larger than ever before. There have been
1,028 steamboat arrivals, which Li doable what
there were two years ago.
The tavern known se the Halfway House,
situated about sixteen miles from Montt Holly,
New Jersey, on the road to Cedar Bridge, was
burned to the ground on Fridny night last, and
lidut. Clevenger, who occupied it, was burned to
death in the building. From some circnmata•eea,
it is supposed that she was Ant murdered, and the
building then tired.
On Sunday night last an old man, a flatter
man, named George Moore, resident near POI!.
buten Point, In Monroe county, Ohlc, was brutally
murdered by some party or parties unknown. The
old man Is supposed to have bad about ib) In his
possession. A man named Cline has been arrested,
charged with the crime.
On Saturday Thomas Mutiny was crushed to
death in a yawl, between two tteareboatserringim
together at the levee, at St. Loais, Me. He
was aged thirty years, and leaves a wife •nd two
children.
A. steam boiler, in the foundry of J. 11. My
rick, at Lowell, Mass., exploded on the 47.1), killing
George S Potter. the engineer, and badly Injuring
wen persons The building wee meth chattered
Oa Sunday night last - a successful attempt
was made by some burglar to eater the watch end
jowelry store of John Felix, In Oilutabia. Pa., from
wbicb artioles to the eStlmated value of $2O woes
taken.
William Tracey WIS drowned in the Monm
gahela river at Pittsburgh. on Tuazlay. lie lovas
a wife and 11ra ohildron.
Mr. John Gordon wal robbed of Sl,Ctr3B, at
the Virginia Hotel, in Jeffenon city, Me, lest
week.
Benjamin F. Ileiller, a printer, trent Potts
ville, Pa
' died 'coin a N, in New Orleans, an Mon
day week. .
THE COURTS.
EMI=
[Reported for The Prem.)
Patus--Judge Thompson --Catherine Me.
Mahon, by her next friend vs. Samuel W. Cotten
An action to recover damage for injury sustained
by the plaintiff, by reason of negligence or care
lessness of defendant in keeping two faroeiona
dogs. The facts of the CB3O ara, that on or about the
first of May last, defendant, living on the Ifad-
passing efendan "a lonia -.• the evening, wins
the dogs ran out from the bone into the road.
end lacerated her arms, breast, and, other puts of
her body in a most horrible manner. It was in
evidence that other persons had been attacked by
the dogs.
Defence, that them were not Mr. Cattall's dogs;
but if they were, Mr. Cattell bad no knowledge of
their disposition to "attack and bite mankind.,"
On trial, 4 E l'. O'Neill and M. Veale, Rum., for
plaintiff; IfeElroy, Hsi , for defendant.
If. S. CoxxissloNEß a OFTICE.--Colmallitioter
Hemlitt.—ManassaPece was charged before Com
missioner Haallitt with dealing to counterfeit
coin. Joseph Roberts, one of the constables of
the Eighteenth ward, testified that on the eighth
of October, be, with his deputies, went to the
house of the defendant to arrest him and search
for counterfeit money. When they got to the
house the defendant was not at home, but arrived
before the officers left. He was attested, and upon
being searched en imitation $5 gold Piece was
found upon him, and a number of bank bills, some
of which are said to be counterfeit. Price was
taken to the office of Alderman McConaugh,y, and
the charge of dealing in counterfeit money was
preferred against him, which was dismissed, as
Roberts alleges, by the Alderman for want of ju
risdiction. It is mated that Roberts and a person
named Chesterone have been bound over on tha
charge of larceny, in stealini Price's money. Al
derman McConanghy testitle that no counterfeit
money had been produced at the heating before
him, and that he did not dismiss the ease for want
of jurisdiction, but for want of testimony. The
case was adjourned until this morning, in order to
have some further testimony.
DISITICT Cot - or--Judges Sitar-mood, Stroud,
and Hare —Yew trial motion list.
Cosmos PLEAS—Judges Thompson and Ludlow.
—The court was in session for a short time this
morning to hear some matters of no public interest.
QRARTEE BMW :SS—Judge Allison.—Terence
Mullin plead guilty to an assault and battery on
Mo'arren. Bentenced to pay costs.
Terence Carroll was convicted of an assault and
battery on his wife. Ordered to pay costs, give
bail to keep the peace, and one month's imprison
ment.
Bernard Donohoe pleaded guilty to an assault
and battery on J. Scanlan. Sentenced to one
month's imprisonment and to pay costs.
Bernard Donohoe was convicted of an assault and
battery on James Harbeson.
William Gurney was convicted of the larceny of
a watch. Sentenced to one month in the county
prisms.
Leeis Ciller pleaded guilty to the larceny of a
pair of shoes. Senteceed to four mouths in the
county prison.
Eliza Higgins was convicted of the larceny of
clothes.
William Bails was 0011CiOlea of the larceny of a
pair of boots.
William Gurney Will convicted of the larceny of
nineteen dollars. Sentenced to nine months in
the county prison.
William Wharton was cenviatsd of an assault
and battery on Pat Bradley
Joseph Walter was convicted of the larceny of
mackerel.
John Smith, alms Thunderbolt, was convicted of
the Inrceny of Broome. Sentence deferred.
131=
DETRIIIIER 10th—Evening.—There it very little
change noticeable in Breadstaffs tisoday, but tha
market continua+ dull and prices favor the buyer ;
about 1,200 bbls. Flour only have been disposed of
at 55 for superfine, erd 85 25 for extra ; a few
hundred half bbls were also sold on terms kept
private ; holders at the close being free sellers at
them rates. Nothing new in Bye Flour or Corn
Meal, and the prices of both aro Mealy at ,S 4 25
for the former. and $3 rar bbl for the latter.
Wheat Is but little inqulred far and oni,y abcsd,
1,900 bushel; red Lava teen E.:11 at 51 04 far
common, SI 1:s fsr good Souti.ern and Nan-
Imtnia red, 0 busbel , lema Tr out :zee r t
01 Is, and taus Sc , uthern whits at tl
$1 22, meetly at 1$ for quality. Can is
dull, with but little detomtlil shipring. nboLt
2,200 bushels Jersey yeticw brought 21e . 1 96.3
bushels Delaware do , the later nicer,
and 1.1)00 bushels old and net, mix , i at !!.2at.;5.: ;
old Corn is rinsileable, as I rovicti. qaotstiar:.
Oslo sell qlowly, and only clout l 340 go-A
Southern has e been ( 1i:1K-el at ,?3173ic Rya
is inactive at 7,:ss for Delaware. an for
Pennsylvania. Bark meet; with a steady demand
at $2O for first quality No. 1 Quereitron; the stock
is light and holders Oros at this rate. Groceries
are quiet; an auction of Coffee. about 1,400 bags
Rio, cause off to-day, and brought higher prices,
ranging from 91 to lee.. 60 days and 4 months,
showing an advance of fully jc. on the last sale;
nothing doing in other articles worthy of notice_
Provisions continue dull and unsettled; stacks are
accumulating. and the demand is limited at former
quotations. Seeds not much doing; Cloversml ii
selling as wanted at $5.2.5a5.3i'1 from first. and
ssr - SO per bushel from second hands Whiskey is
doll ; sales ranging at .21a2,1e. fir bbls , 22c for
hhils., and 21r for dredge.
HOGS AND CATTLE AT CINCINNATI, De&
Sth.—The market for Hogs has not changed much
during the week, though it has been quite irregu
lar, and the business done has been to a great ex•
tent confined to drovers, and of s speculative
character. The receipts have been fair, chiefly
from Kentucky, as the number received from this
State, Indiana, and Illinois has, .f , .) far. been un
usually small. The changes each day were so un
important that it is needless to 3 pecify them. The
closing rates are about tie same as they were at
the close of our last review, $540.15 being the
range for Hogs averaging 200 to 240 lbs.
In the market for Beet Cattle there is no chants,
anti we oontinue to quote , 11.4a-T3.4 Fel' Cwt,
iris a; the :rule,