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APRIL 14, 1830.]

Judge Peck-Buffalo and New Orleans Road.

days ago.

[H. of R.

print it, without rending, as it appeared to be a volumiMotions were made to commit the argument, and to mous statement: but

prevented. He would, however, say a few words in reply | in pursuance of the permission given by the House some to the observations of the gentleman from Kentucky, [Mr. WICKLIFFE] on the subject of the West Point Academy, and the errors into which that gentleman had fallen in relation to it. It appeared that the chief objection he had to that institution was, that it shut out from appointment in the army all who were not educated there. He would and withdrawn, then by Mr. DANIEL, and after proceedThe reading was demanded, first by Mr. WICKLIFFE, ask, what had ever been the system pursued in the army? ing some time. by him withdrawn; next by Mr. WILDE, Did not all its officers advance by the regular line of pro-and the reading continued some time longer, and then withmotion? He conceived, when those scholars entered the drawn; then by Mr. STORRS, of New York: and after the school, they became attached to the junior class of the ofreading had progressed some time longer, (in all an hour ficers of the army. If they proved to be qualified, and and a half,) Mr. S. withdrew his motion, and the further kept up with their classes, they were commissioned; if not, reading was suspended. they retired to make room for others. The doors of the institution, he contended, were open to all classes, even to the poorest boy in the country.

Mr. V. remarked that his indisposition was such as to prevent his pursuing the subject further at present.

Committee of the Whole to which was committed the reThe statement was then ordered to be committed to the port against Judge Peck; and

Mr. CLAY moved that it be printed, with one or two of the papers which accompanied and were referred to in it. Mr. Lawless, complaining of the conduct of the Judge. Mr. McDUFFIE moved to print, also, the memorial of? table. Negatived. Mr. STERIGERE moved to lay both motions on the

the printing the papers accompanying the statement of
Mr. DAVIS, of South Carolina, moved to except from
Judge Peck, which was agreed to; and

accusers, were ordered to be printed.
The statement of the Judge, and the memorial of his

BUFFALO AND NEW ORLEANS ROAD BILL. Committee of the Whole yesterday; and having concurred The House then took up this bill, as reported by the filling the blank with four dollars, as the daily allowance to the commissioners,

Mr. WILLIAMS said, he was opposed to the present organization of the army, and it never had been suited to the feelings of the House. It was fastened upon the House by the vote of the Senate. All the military experience of the House condemned its features; but they were compelled to accept of it at the time, as they were convinced that otherwise no reduction would be effected at that session. Mr. W. said, there appeared to be a contest between the gentlemen belonging to the Military Committee, on the subjeet of the proportion which the officers in the army bore to the men-one calculating it at one to seven, and another ¿at one to twenty. In either case, be contended, the proportion of officers was too great-the army should be reorganized, and the number of officers reduced. The gen-in tleman from Ohio [Mr. VANCE] had, in the course of his remarks, alluded to fifty posts to be garrisoned. He would have been obliged to that gentleman if he had, at the same time, named these posts. The House had on a former occasion received a report, stating that there were seventy posts, requiring twelve thousand men; but, on examination, the number of essential posts bore but a small com-wished to renew their amendments, withdrew his motion. parison with the report. He did not believe that there was need of fifty posts in the United States-indeed, he knew in committee to amend the bill. by striking out the part of none, excepting those of the northwestern frontier, and the frontiers of Arkansas and Missouri. He could not admit the necessity of even these, for he had ever believed that keeping up an armed force in the vicinity, was more likely to bring on Indian wars, than to prevent them. Such had been the experience of the country at all times, and in all cases, and he would not vote for keeping up a military force to provoke Indian hostilities.

the view not to take it up again.
Mr. SPEIGHT moved to lay the bill on the table, with

this question, and they were ordered; when
Mr. WHITTLESEY demanded the yeas and nays on

Mr. SPEIGHT, to accommodate his colleagues, who

Mr. CARSON then renewed the motion which he made

prescribing the route for the New Orleans road, and inserting a provision, directing the adoption of the "most direct, practicable" route.

servations on the length to which the discussion upon the Upon the amendment, Mr. CARSON offered some obsubject had already extended, and asked for the yeas and nays.

The call being sustained, they were ordered.

In relation to the engineer corps, Mr. W. said, he could not see the propriety of so many surveys by the General that it would not now be in order to reply to what had Mr. BLAIR, of Tennessee, said that he was aware Government. If the several States wanted these surveys been said by gentlemen in the opposition in the committee; made, they would doubtless see that they were performed. but as his friend from North Carolina [Mr. CARSON] has He said he believed, from the examinations which he had now repeated, in part, what he had said in Committee of made several years ago, that three thousand men were am- the Whole. he was gratified in having it in his power ply sufficient for the army. He was convinced of this at that to correct that gentleman in a gross error into which he time, and he knew of no reason why more should be re- had fallen, as to the organization of the Committee on Inquired now than were then. He thought the Military Aca-ternal Improvements, of which he was an humble member. demy at West Point should also be reduced. He had long been of the opinion that this institution should be placed western route was the result of combination in the comHe has charged that the location of the road upon the on the peace establishment. He thought it should be con-mittee, and has parcelled out to each member of that comfined to one hundred, and then it would not be so apt to prove a nursery for the education of those who were not designed for the army; indeed, its utter annihilation would be far preferable to its continuance in its present condition. He hoped the House would determine on its reduction, Mr. DESHA rose, but the allotted hour had expired. JUDGE PECK.

The SPEAKER presented to the House a letter from Judge Peck, accompanied by a written statement or argument, in explanation and defence of his official conduct in the case complained of by L. E. Lawless, communicated

mittee his portion of the local benefit to be derived from that combination. Sir, Leannot, I will not believe that my worthy friend intended to impugn my motives in this matter, though such would be the irresistible conclusion, from reading his printed speech. I take this opportunity of informing my friend that I am the only member of the committee who voted in favor of reporting the bill, who western route, or resided on or near to any part of that was in the slightest degree interested in its location on the extended line. It is true that my colleague on the committee [Mr. CRAIG] represents a district in Virginia which is intersected by the road, but it is due to that gentleman

H. OF R.]

Buffalo and New Orleans Road.

to say, that his determination to support the bill has been ing conversation between himself and a gentleman from made since it came from the hands of the committee, aud Tennessee. He was exceedingly sorry that his estimable was reported without his support. No other member of friend from North Carolina could, by any possibility, conthe committee resides on or near to this road, or the strue them otherwise. Mr. CARSON said that they had not been mentioned to branch contemplated from Zanesville to Florence; hence, if a combination of interested persons produced the loca-him as such. He was happy, however, to find that it was so, tion in the bill, I must have combined with myself, and as, indeed, had just been stated to him by the gentleman

with no one else.

from Tennessee.

Mr. DE WITT moved to strike out the enacting clause of the bill.

Mr. STORRS. of New York, moved the previous question. Mr. LETCHER, after a few observations, stated that his district did not approximate to the line which it was proposed to trace for the road in contemplation.

not counted.

To relieve the present committee from imputation, I can inform my friend from North Carolina, that this bill was reported by the Committee on Internal Improvements of the last Congress, as it now is, upon the western route. Will he look to the organization of that committee, and inform me who were the parties in interest then, and why Mr. SCOTT hoped that the gentleman from New York and wherefore was it that that committee selected the western route? If I am not mistaken, the gentleman from [Mr. STORRS] would withdraw his motion for a moment. Mr. STORRS declining to do so, the call for the preMaine [Mr. BUTMAN] is now the only member of that committee who voted for the road, who was of that com-vious question was sustained by a vote of yeas 117, nays mittee last Congress. This bill had been reported by our predecessors, (not one of whom resided on that route,) giving preference to the western route; and my friend from North Carolina will believe me when I say that their baving given preference to the route on which I resided was not likely to call forth any objection from me. Nor am I at liberty to suppose that the location of the road upon the route on which my friend resides, would have Mr. P. P. BARBOUR suggested that there were sevebeen calculated to give offence to him, were I to judge from the pertinacity with which he clings to his amend-ral members probably absent; and as he wished the quesment for changing the route to his own district. I have tion to be fully and fairly decided, he moved a call of the felt it due to the committee and myself, as well as to that House; which was agreed to. The roll was called, when it appeared that nine or ten substantial friendship which has subsisted between the gentleman from North Carolina and myself, to make this state-members were absent, most of whom it appeared from ment and correction, believing that if I were to suffer my-explanations given, were detained at their lodgings by inself to lie under the imputation to which his remarks disposition. would subject me, I would be in danger of forfeiting that good opinion which I am convinced he now entertains of

Mr. J. S. BARBOUR asked for the yeas and nays on the main question, but the motion was not adopted.

The main question, which was upon the engrossment of the bill for a third reading, was then ordered to be put.

me.

Mr. CARSON shortly rejoined, urging the advantages of taking the direct route, which it would be a truism to It would shorten the distance say was the nearest route. for fifty miles. The West, he observed, in the course of his argument, the West had received its full share, in the way of appropriation for their benefit, by the grants of public lands, for the purpose of improvement within the States, in that section of the amendment. To show the influence which had been brought to bear upon this matter, he might perhaps mention that it had been said by one of the members of the Pennsylvania delegation, that if Mr. CARSON did not vote for the bill, he [the person speaking] should not give his sanction to a bill, for the passing of which he [Mr. C.] was anxious. He also instanced a case in which a member from West Tennessee had used language of a similar import.

Mr. A. H. SHEPPERD thought the order in which the amendment should be proposed should be the same as had been followed in the committee. He therefore moved to strike out the word "western," in the fourteenth line of the bill, [respecting the location of the line of road] and insert "middle" route.

Mr. BARRINGER, Mr. ISACKS, and Mr. DWIGHT simultaneously rose to ask for the yeas and nays upon this question. They were ordered.

The main question being put, was decided in the negative by the following vote:

YEAS.-Messrs. Noyes, Barber, Baylor, John, Blair, Boon, Brown, Burges, Butman, Cahoon, Clark, Coleman, Condict, Cooper, Coulter, Robert Craig, Crane, Crawford, Crockett, Creighton, Crowninshield, John Davis, Denny, Doddridge, Duncan, Edward Everett, H. Everett, Finch, Ford, Forward, Green, Grennell, Hawkins, Hemphill, Hodges, Howard, Hughes, Hunt, Huntington, Ihrie, Ingersoll, Thomas Irwin, Wm. W. Irvin, Isacks, Jennings, R. M. Johnson, Kendall, Kincaid, Adam King, Leiper, Letcher, Lyon, Magee, Mallary, Martindale, Thomas Maxwell, Lewis Maxwell, McCreery, Mercer, Miller, Mitchell, Norton, Pearce, Pierson, Ramsey Randolph, Reed, Richardson, Rose, Russel, Scott, Shields Semmes, Sprigg, Stanbery, Standifer, Stephens, Strong Sutherland, Swann, Test, John Thomson, Tracy, Vance Vinton, Washington, Whittlesey, Edward D. White Wilson, Young.-88.

NAYS.-Messrs. Alexander, Allen, Alston, Anderson Angel, Archer, Arnold, Bailey, John S. Barbour, Philip P. Barbour, Barnwell, Barringer, Beekman, Bell, James Blair, Bockee, Borst, Bouldin, Brodhead, Buchanan Cambreleng, Campbell, Carson, Chandler, Childs, Clai borne, Clay, Coke, Conner, Cowles, Hector Craig, Cro cheron, Daniel, Davenport, Warren R. Davis, Deberry Desha, De Witt, Drayton, Dudley, Dwight, Earll, Ells worth, George Evans, Findlay, Foster, Fry, Gaither Gordon, Gorham, Hall, Halsey, Hammons, Harvey Haynes, Hinds, Hubbard, Johns, Cave Johnson, Perkins King, Lamar, Lea, Lecompte, Lent, Loyall, Lewis Lump kin, Martin, McCoy, McDuffie, McIntire, Monell, Muh lenberg, Nuckolls, Overton, Pettis, Polk, Potter, Ren cher, Roane, W. B. Shepard, A. H. Shepperd, S. A Smith, Speight, Ambrose Spencer, Richard Spencer Sterigere, Henry R. Storrs, William L. Storrs, Swift Mr. RAMSEY explained, in reply to Mr. CARSON. The Taliaferro, Taylor, Wiley Thompson, Trezvant, Tucker observations alluded to by his friend from North Carolina Varnum, Verplanck, Wayne, Weeks, Camp. P. White were merely jocular; they occurred in the course of a pass-Wickliffe, Wilde, Williams, Wingate, Yancey-105.

Mr. VINTON made a few remarks on the subject of himself and his constituents being entirely uninterested as to what course it might be decided by the House that the road should be run. He lived upon the banks of the Ohio, the great channel of intercourse between the East and the West, a circumstance which he felt it due to himself, and those whom he represented, to mention, with a view of showing that the vote he should give upon the question could not possibly result from any prospect, on his or their part, of reaping any advantages from the proposed road.

APRIL 15, 1830.]

The Army.

So the House decided against the third reading of the bill, and it was, of course, rejected.

Mr. P. P. BARBOUR, thinking [he said] that the House had done enough for glory for one day, moved that it now adjourn.

Mr. ISACKS demanded the yeas and nays on this question, which, being taken, were as follows:

For adjourning,
Against it,

After, on motion of Mr. VANCE,

The House adjourned.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1830.

THE ARMY.

78

111

The House resumed the consideration of the resolution directing the Secretary of War to report a reorganization of the army, with a view to the reduction of the number of officers.

Mr. DESHA said, he regretted very much that the remarks of the gentleman from New York, [Mr. TAYLOR] and of the chairman of the committee, [Mr. DRAYTON had made it necessary for him again to trouble the House with any remarks of his, but he was not willing that the vote should be taken without briefly replying. He would, however, promise the House that he would consume but little of their time upon this subject.

791 [H. OF R.

cheap, besides involving the nation in an unnecessary exservice performed by him in a state of war-an arrange pense. I would only brevet an officer for distinguished ment which would stimulate him to the performance of daring and gallant acts.

The gentleman from New York. [Mr. TAYLOR] in reply to some remarks I made a few days ago, said, that we are compelled to educate our sons at the West Point Acarle my, provided we intend them for the army. This I am aware of; and this is the very great objection I have to the institution, and it is the ground upon which I predicated my remarks the other day, when I stated I was opposed to all exclusive privileges. But the gentleman contended that it does not give exclusive privileges to any would ask, how is this? If there were a vacancy from my class of our citizens, for the institution district, and there were twenty applicants, could more open to all. I than one be appointed? No, sir. would; and in making this selection of one, should I not balance be excluded in this case? Most certainly they Well, would not the be apt to select the one whose parents would be able to serve me the most effectually at home? This is reasonable.

with my political friends, who had the power in their The gentleman from New York asked if I, together hands, am disposed to break down all the institutions in that I do not know the opinions of but few of the friends the country. I will say, in reply to that gentleman, no; with whom I act upon this floor; but will say for myself, that I am ready at all times to lop off all useless expenditures of public money, or to put down any institution where the sons of the wealthy and influential are to be educated at the expense of the people. I have no doubt but the gentleman from New York understands the details of this West Point Academy much better than I do, as it is located in his State; and, moreover, I have understood that the gentleman has been so fortunate as to get his son admitted into the institution, notwithstanding he informs us that there never had been but one young man at the institution from his district, and he was in the senior class. I must confess I could not exactly see what bearing that remark of the gentleman had upon the subject, and must believe the gentleman intends it as a compliment to himself.

The gentleman from New York, [Mr. TAYLOR] the other day, in order to satisfy this House that the army, as at present organized, is more suitable to both peace and war times, than any organization that can be given to it, had a report read at the Clerk's table, made by a former Secretary of War, upon a call of this House. The report goes upon the principle, that it is politic for this Government to keep on a peace establishment a number of officers sufficient to command fifteen thousand, instead of five thousand four or five hundred, the number fixed upon for the peace establishment. Now, [said Mr. D.] this is what I deny; and however high I may estimate the opinions of the Secretary of War, alluded to, I decidedly differ with him in the organization he would give to a peace establishment. He, with a great many others, thinks it necessary to keep an officer in the army a length of time, to prepare him for a state of war, and this with a view to have skilful officers to command. This is in accordance with the views of the gentleman from New York, over the way, [Mr. CAMBRELENG] who says, that, in the event of a war, we shall have nothing to do but fill the rank and file of the army, and we shall have experienced officers to command our forces. He says that privates can be had without difficulty, but that officers cannot. House what I have stated on a former occasion. It is, I will state to the that, from my experience, I do think, if an officer remain any length of time inactive, upon a peace establishment, that inactivity has a tendency to disqualify instead of qualifying him for active service in a state war; and that there is more difficulty in obtaining private soldiers than offiicers. I would ask the House, how it has happened that the expenditures of the army have been increasing for the last several years, if it be not owing to the nature of present organization, and to the very great number of officers who have been breveted since the war, and receiv- Affairs, [Mr. DRAYTON] says, that the Military Academy is My friend, the chairman of the Committee on Military ed the additional pay which their brevet rank entitles the bulwark of our defence, and that all our Presidents them to. I will state that, if there is not some radical have been in favor of it. Now, in answer to this, I deny change made, this expense will continue to increase. Iu that the nation will have to rely upon those educated at a few years the colonels will all be brigadier generals; the this institution, which have been so highly spoken of, for lieutenant colonels, colonels commandants; the majors, the defence of the country in the event of war, or upon lieutenant colonels; captains, majors; and the lieutenants, your regular army. No, sir. I consider the militia the captains by brevet; and all of these will, in every instance, bulwark of the nation; and in the event of another war, when on detachment, receive the pay attached to such we shall have to place our reliance upon them for defence. brevet commission. I am satisfied that the present regu- It is true that some of our Presidents have recommended Intion of breveting an officer according to the length of this institution to the fostering care of Government; but h's continuance in service, will make brevet rank too I will state that it was not contemplated, when this insti

the

suppose, to show that no abuses had been practised by The gentleman took occasion to say further, in order, I appointing to that institution more than a fair proportion of the sons of members of Congress, that there never had been more than sixteen boys appointed who were the sons of members of Congress. I do not know how this is, but from Kentucky and Ohio, who are sons of men who are I heard a member of Congress say, he could count twelve now, or who have been heretofore, members of Congress. But for the existence of this institution, which I so much deprecate, private institutions would spring up in the country, whence we should have an ample opportunity of preparing our sons to enter the army, at our own proper expense; and then let vacancies in the army be filled from the most worthy amongst the applicants who present themselves.

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tution was first established, that it should be more than a school of practice for a few officers of the army. But what has it grown to be? Two hundred and sixty or two hundred and seventy young men, preparing, by receiving a military education, to fill vacancies in the army, when half the number would be sufficient. Another objection which I have to the institution, is, that when a young man is educated at some thousands of dollars expense to the Government, he is permitted to return home, without rendering to the Government any services in return. Yes, sir, three-fourths of the number of young men who go there, do not intend, when they graduate, to remain in the army; but to return home, and adopt some other profession. It is very convenient for a man to have his son educated at public expense, and then put him to the study of law, medicine, or some other of the liberal professions. I therefore would say, that when a young man enters the institution, he ought to be bound, when he has received his education at the public expense, to render the country

some services as a remuneration.

The chairman of the committee also denies that any preference is given, in the appointments to that institution, to the wealthy and influential classes. Sir, that gentleman certainly has not examined the report laid on our tables a few days ago, or he would not hazard the assertion. If he will examine the appointments that have been made to the institution, he will find the number from the indigent but small, when compared with those from the wealthy and influential. I do not care what the Secretary of War professes, when he says the object is to appoint poor boys, if they are qualified, when I see the practice is at variance with the profession. I can point my finger to a number of boys who are there at this time, whose parents are immensely wealthy. In order to satisfy gentlemen that the adoption of the resolution cannot operate injuriously, I will read it.

[Here, Mr. DESHA read the resolution.]

Now, sir, the resolution does not require of the Secretary of War to propose such an organization as will possibly destroy the efficiency of the army, but such a one as will dispense with the services of a portion of its officers without injury to the public service. The expenditures for the army, it will be found, have rapidly increased for the last several years. The sum of four hundred thousand dollars annually is expended now more than was some years ago, and it will be found that the present peace establishment costs the Government as much as when the army consisted of one hundred thousand strong. These facts ought to satisfy the House that something ought to be done in the case.

The chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, in his remarks, stated that it required much time to learn the art of war. I admit, sir, that it does in time of peace; but I am satisfied that our officers will, when in a state of war, learn as much in six months as in that number of years du ring peace. The chairman also informed this House that the defeats which our army sustained at the commencement of the last war were attributed to the want of skilful and experienced officers. In reply to this remark, allow me to say that the gentleman is certainly advised of one fact, which is, that the army was officered at the commencement of the last war from men who had seen service. In saying this, I mean the officers of high rank, superannuated old men, and to this circumstance I attributed the many defeats of the last war. The gentleman says, General Washington was in favor of a standing army in time of peace, and that the present Chief Magistrate, likewise, is in favor of a standing army. It is true, sir, that the present Chief Magistrate does not recommend a reduction, nor does he an increase of the army; from which I imagine the gentleman from South Carolina has come to the conclusion that the President is in favor of a standing army in time of peace If I do not mistake, the President of the

[APRIL 15, 1830

United States, in his message to this House, says something about the reliance we may place on the militia for the de fence of the country in the event of war. My friend from South Carolina says, besides, that General Brown, too, was in favor of a standing army in time of peace. I have n doubt of it, sir; this I conceive to be natural enough; and you will not hear an officer in the army say that the num ber of officers ought to be reduced. My friends certainly would not expect it, for it is not reasonable to expect a officer in the army, more especially the general in com mand, to say that his command ought to be reduced.

I

My friend [Mr. DRAYTON] said that I was in error when stated what the proportion of the officers were to privates and, instead of seven and a half or eight privates to each commissioned officer, there are twenty. Now, I stated distinctly, there was one commissioned officer receiving pay for every seven and a half or eight privates; and one for every nine or ten, to count the non-commissioned officers and musicians. I did not say this was the proportion between the officers doing duty in the line, and the pri vates; but I here assert, without the fear of contradiction. that, to calculate the whole number of officers in commission, who are attached to the army, and in the receipt of pay, I am right in my calculation. My friend went into a long calculation to show that he had not officers enough to command the military posts, and that I ought to have made a deduction in my calculation of the number of officers on furlough, sick, courts martial, and on the recruiting service, and then I should be satisfied myself that we have not a sufficient number to command five thousand eight hundred men; and further, that in one or two instances companies had to be commanded by the graduates from West Point. To obviate that difficulty, I would suggest to the Secretary of War to order the officers, wherever they may be, to appear in their uniform. If this were to be done, it would be very easy to account for the scarcity of officers on duty. Yes, sir, you would find a number in this place, during the sessions of Congress, who, if kept on duty, as they ought to be, would prevent you bearing of such a circumstance as that of graduates from West Point commanding entire companies.

The gentleman says that, from the calculation he has made, the proportion of officers now is not greater than when a company consisted of one hundred rank and file and the regiment of one thousand. In this it appears me that he is greatly mistaken; and I beg to suggest to him, when he makes his calculation of the absentees, that in war times, when the army had a different organization from the existing one, officers frequently had to be on the recruiting service, were sick occasionally, were on courts martial, and even on furlough; and if it be right under one system of organization, it certainly must be so under another. But, sir, this is not all; the gentleman says, from the fact of the national debt being reduced, and the pro bability of a speedy payment of the whole debt, a necessi ty will be created of an increase of the army. I hope not sir; I cannot, for my own part, possibly subscribe to such a doctrine. An army of six thousand not sufficient, in time of peace, to take care of about fifty little military posts of our frontier! I cannot, I say, see the necessity of such measure. I am opposed, sir, to a large standing army time of peace, and so have been the greatest statesmen our country. The militia will have to defend this country in the event of a war, and the militia, where their service are available for such purpose, will not submit to be com manded by your regular officers. I will not follow my colleague through the war of our own revolution, in much as I deem it inexpedient.

My friend, in his remarks, paid a very handsome com pliment to the description and good order that existed the regiment to which I was attached during the last wan and accounted for it by saying that the colonel of the reg ment had been on the peace establishment before the war

APRIL 15, 1830.]

The Army.

[H. of R.

It is true, the colonel of the regiment had been in the six thousand three hundred and sixteen non-commission" army before the war; but it is not true that the discipline ed officers, musicians, and privates. Without adding an and good order that prevailed in the twenty-fourth regi- additional officer, or a single company, they may be augment, of which the gentleman speaks, is attributable to the mented, should a just precaution, growing out of our foskill and experience of its commander, or to the superiority reign relations, render it necessary, to eleven thousand five of any of the superior officers, of that regiment; but to two hundred and fifty-eight; and, pending hostilities, by addof its captains, who had never been in service before the ing two hundred and eighty-eight officers, the two corps war, but who were possessed of those natural powers, on the maximum of the war formation may be raised to which, of themselves, render persons eminent as military the respectable force of four thousand five hundred and men; I mean Holmes and Armstrong. I must do my friend, forty-five of the artillery, and fourteen thousand four hunthe chairman of the committee, the justice to say, that, dred and ninety of the infantry, making, in the aggregate, notwithstanding he consented to the resolution reported by nineteen thousand and thirty-five officers, non-commissionmyself, he was not satisfied that a reduction of the number ed officers, and privates, (see table E.) The war organiof officers in the army could be made, with propriety or zation, thus raised on the basis of the peace establishment, facility. He stated, distinctly, that it was a subject of great will bring into effective operation the whole of the expeimportance, and one that he had not sufficiently examined rience and skill of the latter, which, with attention, would, to come to a conclusion upon. The gentleman now tells in a short period, be communicated to the new recruits, us that he has examined the subject, and is satisfied that, and the officers recently appointed, so as to constitute a instead of too many officers, we have not enough; but that well disciplined force. Should the organization of full he will vote for the resolution. Now, sir, I bave never con- companies, on the contrary, be adopted for the peace estended, that, under the present organization of the army, tablishment, this process could be carried to a very limited there are many supernumerary officers; but, under a dif- extent. Six thousand men so organized can be augmented ferent organization, there would be a number whose ser- on the full war establishment only to nine thousand one vices could be dispensed with, without injury to the public hundred and fifteen, by doubling the battalions, (see table service, and would save an immense sum of money to the E.) Any additional force, beyond that, must be obtained Government annually. The gentleman says the cadets at by adding new regiments and battalions, with all of the West Point are officers of the army from the time they disadvantages of experience in the officers and men, withare received into the institution. If so, I acknowledge I out the means of immediate instruction. This was the fatal have been mistaken in my calculation; and instead of one error at the commencement of the late war, which cost commissioned officer for every seven or eight privates, the country so much treasure and blood. The peace esthere are one for every five. tablishment which preceded it, was very imperfectly organized, and did not admit of the necessary augmentation; nor did the Government avail itself of even its limited eapacity in that respect. The forces raised were organized into new corps, in which, consequently, every branch of Mr. TAYLOR rose in reply to Mr. DESHA, and express- military duty was to be learned by the officers as well as ed his hope that, before the House proceeded to act in re- men. But, with all of these disadvantages, the experience ference to the resolution, they would hear the views and and discipline of the old establishment was of immense use, arguments presented at the time the army received its pre- and has not been duly appreciated. The officers belongsent organization by a distinguished citizen, then Secretary ing to it gradually diffused their military knowledge of War, and now Vice President of the United States. The through the army, and contributed much to the brilliant rereport of that able officer would be found in the first vo-sults of the campaign of 1814. For the truth of this aslume of the Executive papers of the second session sixteenth sertion, I might with confidence appeal to those officers Congress, number twenty-one. It consisted but of eight who then acquired so much glory for themselves and their or ten pages, which every gentleman would find well country. worthy of perusal. He would at present request that the two last pages might be read from the Clerk's table. They contained, within a brief space, better views, and expressed in a more luminous and impressive manner, than any which he had to offer.

Mr. D. said, in conclusion, he hoped the House would take the vote on the resolution; that the discussion had already consumed more time than he had anticipated, as the resolution he considered to be one of inquiry only.

"Another reason remains to be urged, why, in the peace establishment, the number of officers ought to be great compared with the actual force. At the commencement of war, an adequate number of experienced officers is of greater importance than that of disciplined troops, "No position connected with the organization of the even were it possible to have the latter without the forpeace establishment is susceptible of being more rigidly mer; for it is not difficult to form in a short time well disciproved, than that the proportion of its officers to the rank plined troops by experienced officers, but the reverse is and file ought to be greater than in a war establishment. impossible. The qualifications of the officers are essenIt results immediately from a position, the truth of which tially superior to those oftthe soldiers, and are more diffic cannot be fairly doubted, and which I have attempted to cult to be acquired. The progress of military science illustrate in the preliminary remarks, that the leading ob- has not added much to the difficulty of performing the duject of a regular army in time of peace ought to be, to ena-ty of the soldier, or of training him, but it has greatly to ble the country to meet with honor and safety, particularly that of the officer. No Government can, in the present at the commencement of war, the dangers incident to that improved state of the military science, neglect with impustate; to effect this object as far as practicable, the peace nity to instruct a sufficient number of its citizens in a organization ought, as has been shown, to be such, that, science indispensable to its independence and safety, and in passing to a state of war, there should be nothing either to perfect which instruction, it is necessary that some porto new model, or to create; and that the difference betion of them (the number to be regulated by the resources tween that and the war organization ought to be simply of the country, and its relation with other Governments) in the greater magnitude of the latter. The application should make arms their profession.

of this principle has governed in that portion of the forma- "Table F exhibits the estimate of the saving which will tion of the proposed military establishment now under con- be made by the proposed organization. sideration. The companies, both of the artillery and in- "I have thus presented an organization which I deem fantry, are proposed to be reduced to their minimum peace the most effective, and which, in the future exigencies of formation, the former to consist of sixty-four privates and the country, may be of the utmost importance. A differnon-commissioned officers, and the latter to thirty-seven, ent one, requiring for the present an expenditure somewhich will give to the aggregate of both corps thus formed thing less than that proposed, might, in some respects, be VOL. VI.-100.

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