Newspaper Page Text
“WISDOM—JUSTICE—MODERATION.”
VOL. H.
ALBANY, BAKER COUNTY, GEORGIA, WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1846.
NO. 13.
THE ALBANY PATRIOT,
■ rOBUSMBD EVERY WEDSUDAT MUDS, BY
NELSON TIFT & SETH N. BOUSHTON,
. Editor« and Proprietors.
TERMS.
TWO Dollar, per annum, if paid in advance, or
Three Dollars at tlie end ofthe year.
A.lverti*eme>iU not exceeding twelve lines, will
Sr inserted at One Dollar for the first insertion, and
Fifty cents for each .continuance. Advertisements
not pSYing the number of insertions specified, win
he pnbiialied until forbU.
Hales of I surd and Negroes by Executors, Adminis
trators and Guardians, are required by law to be
advertised in a public garotte, sixty days previous to
tire day of sale.
The sales of Personal Property must be advertised
m.liko manner forty days.
Notice to Debtors and Creditors of an estate must
be published'forty days.
Notice lliat application will be made to the Court
of Odinary for leave to sell Land and Negroes, must
he published weekly for four months.
Monthly Advertisements,One Dollar per square
for each insertion.
rr All Issuers on business must be post paid.
POETRY.
From the Southern Patriot.
THE BIBLE TO THE YOUNG.
■T * TO TOCTH.
Know ye the blest, the heeling stream,
Tint flows with waters chaste and pare,
That angels stir,—the halt the lame,
The deaf, the blind, to heal—to caret
The fountain rich, that stream so bright,
Flow* :r«.in the blessed Word of Truth;
*Ti« there a pure, a brilliant light,
Shines out with power—tindying youth.
All other lights may fado away,
The stars themselres “ grow dim with age, r
And sinking nature, pall, decay,—
Still brighter glows this sacred page.
As Time wends on his rapid course,
And changing seasons round us roll,
Its page shall gather power and force,
To mend tlic heart—lift up the aoul.
Then seek while yet thy ductile mind,
In youth its prccej** can secure,
Its treasures there with power to bind,—
Its varied blessings to insure.
MISCELLANY.
THE ItOAD TO MEXICO.
The following description of the coun
try lielween Mutnmorasand lbe table lands,
via Monterey, Camargo, &c., wc find in
n letter from the Army in the Iasi num
ber nf the N. O. Picayune. It goes to
confirm in every particular the opinion
expressd to us some lime since by a for
mer resident of Matamnras, nnd we com
mend it to the attention of those who de
sire coricct information nn the subject:
Sac. Republican.
Gentlemen—As the eyes of our people
are beginning to turn towards the “Hulls
of the Montezumas,” perhaps it would
gratify them to know something about
the road between this place and that. It
is probably that the army will march to
within striking distance of the city of
Mexico, if it do not enter that city. If
(ten. Taylor goes as far as Saltillo, the
Mexicans will assuredly be satisfied that
further resistance will lie useless. Sal
tillo is within convenient transportation
distance of extensive grain-growing re
gions. From this place to Mexico the
roads are good. To arrive at Saltillo,
the army will have to pass through Mon-
teiey—the road between the two places
winding along n deep ravine between two
high mountains, the sides of which are
sleep and covered with rock. The width
of the valley varies from one to two miles.
The distance is eighty miles, and the
pass can be obstinately defended by good
troops, with ample means. There is
one farm-house on the road, called the
“Riconda.”' Wagons travel over the
road, and there is an abundance of water
contained in a natural creek, which con
tinues along some distance near the road,
and in artificial ponds. These last could
be drained by an enemy- Monterey is
about three hundred anil ten tnilcs from
Matamoras, and two hundred from Ca-
margo. There is only one village be
tween Monterey and Camargo, which is
thirty miles this side of the former, and is
called Caiderta, but there are occasions!
INDIA RUBBER BRIDGE.
Mention has been made of an order
S 'ren for the construction of an India
libber Bridge for the army in Mexico,
(t appears that a similar bridge was in
vented some lime ago, and used during
the Creek war in Alabamu some ten years
ago. Tbe following is a discretion of it:
“ It consisted of large bags, or pontons,
something like cotton bags in shape, made
of India Robber cloth, which being filled
with air and attached latterally together,
formed a bridge of fourteen feet width
and of any length, according to the num
ber of bags used; upon these were laid
tight timber to support boards placed lat
terally, which forming a smooth level sur
face, admitted tho passage of wagons,
horses, Ac. A detachment of six hun
dred men with all their arms and accou
trements, including the field officers
mounted upon horses, marched on it at
once, and often remaining a quarter of nn
hour going through evolutions to test its
strength, they coOntcr-marchcd, with as
much facility as if on terra finna. Field
pieces with their complement of matras
ses, and their caissons filled with ammuni
tion. and loaded wagons, were also driv
en over with the same ease. It was said,
that a troop of horse arriving at night at
a river where this bridge was, and seeing
it stretched across the stream, crossed it
under the impression that it was a com
mon bridge. The great advantage nf
this bridge is its portablcncss, all the pon
tons and cordage for a bridge of three
hundred and fifty feet being capable of
transportation in a single wagon; where
as the former ponton equipages consisted
of cumbrous and bulky pontons of wood,
sheet iron and copper.”
THE CLIMATE OF MEXICO.
It is said that there is a greater variety
of climate in Mexico llian in any other
country of equal extent in the known
world. The low situations are the hot
test and most unhealthy. What is called
the rainy season usually lasts from the
monlh of May till October; and it is then
that ihe yellow lever commits its rava
ges. But it is only on the coast and a
few leagues inland, ami there principally
(o the newly arrived, that the climate
proves destructive to the human constitu
tion, As you rise to the table-land the
air begins to cool, vegetation, altogether
changes, the tropical plants disappear,
and those liclonging to temperate regions
supply their places. It is said that where
die oak tree is f >und in abundance, llio
yellow fever seldom prevails; and in
those regions a perpetual spring abides,
die woods arc never unclothed, nnd vege
table productions are always to be obtain
ed in the markets. High winds are sel
dom known in the interior of Mexico, and
whole years elapse without witnessing a
single storm.— Cin. Chronicle.
one instance, however, it is some twenty
to twenty-seven meiles between watering
places,;which could bo avoided by taking
some new route. Tuis road is level, anc
heavy lor wagons in wet weather, but in
other respects good. From Monterey to
Mier, the road is higher and drier in wet
weather. Tho distance from Camargo
to Mier is twenty-four miles. The pro
ductions of Monterey are corn, sugar and
A WELL-GUARDED SAFE.
The Rntshchilds, of France, have in
vented a wonderful piece of mechanism
to prevent any removal of their deposites.
It a person attempts the lock, or tampers
with it in tbe slightest degree, an iron
hand and arm is thrust out from the door,
and clenches the offender, and bolds him
motionless in its iron embrace, while at
tlie same instant a bell is struck in a room
over head, occupied by a watchman, giv
ing him notice that his presence is requir
ed below. Should the watchman not get
down to the assistance and release of the
wretch held by the arm, in fifteen min
utes time, then a blunderbuss is discharg
ed into the body of the trespasser. Thus
he is mercifully allowed fifteen minutes
grace to reflect upon the enormity of his
offence. It is told that a few years since
a man was caught by the iron nippers,
and the watchman came to his release
only two minaies before the blunderbuss
would have been discharged.
[Saturday Com ter.
FAMILY RECIPES.
Recipe for making Bread.—Mr. James
Roche, a baker of Baltimore, well known
for tbe excellency of bis bread, has furnish
ed for publication the following recipe for
ranchos along the road, and plenty of making itTake an earthen vcmeHar-
fresh beef, water and musquit wood. In ger at the lop liwnoi the bottom, sad tn_rt
pul one pint of miUt-warm water, one and
a half pounds of flour, a half pint of mall
yeast; mix them well together, and set
away—in winter it sboulo be in a warm
placc.'uniil it rises and falls again, which
it will in from S to 5 hours—it may be set
at night if wanted in Ihe morning, then
put two large spoonbills of salt into two
quarts of water, and mix it well with the
above rising, then put in aboni 9 pounds of
flour, and work your dough well j and put
by until it becomes light, then make it out
QUEEN VICTORIA’S CORN BREAD.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert have
been breakfasting on cron bread, made
from Dr. Bartlett's recipe, viz—one lb.
of Indian meal, one quart of milk, two
eggs, a few small lumps of butter, and a
little salmratus—baked in a flat pan.—
Washington’s ash cake, which is lighter
than this, will, do doubt, also become
popular in England. It is made of In
dian meal scalded, the dough rolled into
cakes an inch thick and placed between
two cabbage leaves, and then cooked in
the cinders or asbes, ns potatoes are roas
ted. Eaten warm, with a little piece of
butter, it is equal to tho bread. The hoe
cake, made like tho ash cake, is cooked
in front of the fire, on a hoard or plate.
Washington’s breakfast bread, the Indian
meal scalded, made up with eggs and
milk, with or without sugar, baked in a
pan, like an ordinary pan loaf, is also
very good.
From the Charleston Mercury.
VOLUNTEER MIRTH.
We have been favored with the follow
ing merry extract from ihe letter of a young
uon-coniuii*rioned officer in the Kentucky
mounted rifle regiment, dated
“ Camt Oakland, near
Louisville, June 12, 1846.
“ Dear L : I deferred writing at an
earlier day in order to be able to give vou
some salwfnctiory informal ion in regard to
our departure and destination. When w e
shall he tn route, is as yet uncertain. The
general inspection of the troops here pick
eted and encamped has not as yet been
completed. My health has been excel
lent, notwithstanding the duties of the
camp and the inclement weather with
which we have been annoyed. The fare,
to be sure, will not bear comparison in gas
tric excellence and rpiey comfort with the
ralion-ol comforts of the homestead table,
and lias been, in truth, only middling. The
scene presented here at this present scrib
bling is well worthy of my plumiesl fancy
and powers of description. I am in the
midst of n canvass metropolis, around and
within which arc seen a busy multitude,
and columns of infantry and troop after
troopnre commingling, the whole lighting
up a level valley within the circle of a mag
nificent race course. The design of pla
cing us military in the race course is, doubt
less, tu keep us in racing order; but ob
serve, I mean chasing the enemy ; and wc
urc to be trained for the heats of llie South.
I cannot, huwever, give yuu even a rough
sketch of the busy landscape ; for I nin
now writing on a loosely covered camp-
stool in front of the officers’ marquee, ana I
fear me that the rain-cloud which is now
moving hitherward will soon make me de
sist from this pen-work or drive ine within
my canvass apartment ;• and this must be
my apology for the rough manner in which
this letter is concocted. How long wc
shall remain at this place is yet uncertain,
and fears are expressed by some of the
' bo-hoys’ as to our going southward at all;
but at present these speculations are not to
be depended upon. * • • I have
been as much pleased and delighted with
every thing connected with our muster and
the camp as my state of mind at parting
from a pleasant home, and tried friends
would permit. • • • Tell Miss
that her Adonis, Mr. IV, it well, but
grievously given to sighing.’ I see him
just now coming hit mare in the rear of
Capt. Beard’s canvass villa. His *gal!ant
gray’ is looking ‘beautiful,’ and deports her
selfmost dashingly, I back the oldest,
(probably,) but knowiugest, fattest, fastest,
tallest charger in our troop ; and 1 have
every reason to hope that he will outlast all
the horse-flesh we have with us. Our
troop roantruvres now as harmoniously as
a piece of music arranged by Signor Jucho,
of L., and executed by Mrs. 'a fair,
fairy daughter, Fanny. Our tigers and
flre-calert are all well, save perhaps only
three or four, who are only slightly affected
from *drinking at the wrong branch.*
FUNDS~FOR CARRYINCTON THE
WAR WITH MEXICO.
MESSAGE
Oftlie President of the United States, is
answer to a resolution of the Senate of June
3, 1846, calling for information relative
to the mode qf reusing fined*for carrying
on the tear with Mexico.
To the Senate ofthe United Stales
In answer to tbe resolution of tbe Sen
ate of the 3d inst., I communicate here
with estimates prepared by the War and
Navy Departments, of the probable ex
penses of conducting tbe existing war
Iblapkela, and tbe place, as to size, popn- £ lives'. New flour requires one-fourth
lotion and character of the people, re- more saluhan old and dry flour. Thewa-
aerahlct Matamoras. Camargo is three ter should be tempered according to the
utiles .from the Rio Grande, on the Rio weather; in the spring and fall it should
San Juan. ' From Camargo to Matama- only be milk-warm; in hot weather, cold;
FBMl U about one hundred and ten miles and in winter, Warm.”
■oCfaltajHPf09’* pf lb* river the A nke and wholesome Sweetmeat.—Pare,
raid is rood for wagons, but on this side or not* u you choose, * quantity of sweet
tbo roaiVnotcut oul all the way for ^^^rtS^^nSTif
wagons. Yrom^ynosa-to Matamoras ftSSSSS *“•
•l »s shout sixty miles. A small degeb- a (hick paste or flour and >vater, and put it
[°s«afibeSd.mfMtry WoqtoutloItey- frgffigfc *Lel
"*»a,a day orltwo since to ..establish a ^em stand till morning. They then Itfive
ktheffiAflfeE will find plenty to the flavor of baked pears, find call .bo had
fresh at all seasons.
with tbe augmented and additional du
ties now proposed and enumerated in
schedule A. This change of the bill re-
! wrted by the committee, omitting the
ourth section, would make an addition to
the revenue to be produced by that bill,
of $4,034,067.
After a very careful examination of
the additional data which it has been in
my power to obtain since the month of, this evening. We may do so at some fu-
tbe quantity and amount of other* which
are imported are greatly diminished. By
reducing these duties to a revenue stand
ard, it is not doubted that a large amount
of tbe articles on which they are imposed
would be imported, and a corresponding
amonrit of revenue be received at the
treasury from this source. By imposing
revenue duties ou many articles now per
mitted to be imported free of duly, and
by regulating the rates which the revenue
standard upon others, a large additional
revenue will be collected. Independently
of the high considerations which induced
me, in my annual message, to recommend
a mollification and reduction ofthe rates
of duty imposed by tho act of 1842 os be
ing not only proper in reference to a stnto
of peace, but just to all the great interests
ofthe country, the necessity of such mod
ification and reduction as a war measure
must now l e manifest. The country re
quires additional revenue for the war-
It may be obtained, to a great extent, by
reducing the prohibitory and highly pro
tective duties inqiosed by the existing
laws to revenue rules; by imposing rev
enue duties ou tbe free list; and by mod
ifying the rates of duty on other articles.
The modifications recommended by
the Secretary of the Treasury in bis an
nual report in December last, were adapt
ed to a state of peace, and the additional
duties now suggested by him, are with a
view strictly tn raise revenue as a war
measure. At the conclusion of the war
these duties may and should be abolished,
and reduced to lower rates.
It is not apprehended that I lie existing
war with Mexico will materially affect
our trade and commerce with the rest of
ihe world. On the contrary, the reduc
tions proposed would increase that trade,
and augment the revenue derived from
When the country is in a state of war
no contingency should be permitted to
occur in which there would be a deficien
cy in the treasury, liir the vigorous pros
ecution of tlie war; and to guard against
such an event it is recommended that
contingent authority be given to issue
treasury notes, or to contract a lonngfnr a
limited amount, reimbursable at nn early
day. Should no occasion arise to exei-
cise the power, still it may bo important
that the authority should there be a nec
essity for it. _
It is not deemed necessary to resort to
direct taxes or excises—the measures re
commended being deemed preferable os
a means ol'incrcasing the revenue. It is
hoped that the war with Mexico, if vigor
ously prosecuted, as is contemplated,
may be of short duration. 1 shall beat
all times ready to conclude an honorable
peace, whenever the Mexican government
shall manifest a like disposition. Tlie
existing war has been rendered necessary
by tbe acts of Mexico; and whenever
that power shall be ready to do as justice,
we shall be prepared to sheath tbe sword,
and tender to her the olive branch of
peace. JAMES. K. POLK.
Washington, June 16,1846.
TRKAirar Department,
June 16,1846.
Sir: I have duly considered the reso
lution of the Senate, of the 3d of June,
1896, together with the estimates of tbe
Secretary of the Navy, of the 9th instant,
and of the Secretary of War of the 13th
instant, submitted by you to this depart
ment, and respectfully report to you as
follows:
It appears that the aggregate estimated
expenditures of the War and Navy De
partments for the fiscal years terminating
on the 30th of June, 1846, and tha 30th
of June, 1847, nmount to $23,962,904,
over and above the estimate* made by
these departments in December last, and
then submitted in my annual report loCnn-
gress. In that report it was supposed
by this department, that upon tbe expen
ditures then estimated for a state of peace,
there would remain on tbe 1st of July,
1847. a ballance in tho treasury of $4,-
332,441,07. Deducting this ballance
from the excess of expenditures above
estimated by the War and Navy Depart- .
meats, there would result • deficiency of are most available, and that there are
$19,620,463. occasions when treasaiy notes are much
It is believed, however, this deficiency better adapted to meet the emergency ;
the present and the whole of the next fis
cal year. I communicate, also, * report
of the Secretary of the Treasury, based
upon these estimates, containing recom
mendations of measures for raising the
additional means required. It is proba
ble that the actual expenses incurred du
ring the period specified may fall consid
ably below the estimates submitted, which
are for a larger number of troops than have
yet been called to tbe field. As a precau
tionary measure, however, against any
possible deficiency, tbe estimates have
been made at tbe largest amout which any
state of tbe service may require.
It will be perceived from the report of
the Secretary of the Treasury that con
siderable portion of the additional amount
required tony bo raised by a modification
of tbe rates of duly > imposed'by the ex
isting tariff Jaws. The high, duties at
present levied on many articles totally
cxcludo them from importation, whilst
with Mexico, during the remainder of will, from augmented receipt accrued
.... •< •• •: . H
1 have the honor to lie, sir, most r^u
spectfnllv, your obedient servant,
^ ;* Vf R.J. WALKER.
Secretary of the Treasury.
To the Presidbnt. I
[The schedule A, refered loin the above
letter, is made out in an intricate tabular -
form ; and in consequence it ji not prac
ticable for us to lay it before our readers-/
February last, it is my conviction that
tbe bill of the committee will produce a
net revenuo of utleasitwenly-six millions
of dollars. If to ihis be added the addi
tional duties proposed to be levied in
schedule A, the bill of the committee,
with the modifications embraced in that
schedule, would produce a net revenue
of $30,034,047. This would make nn
addition of $6,634,067 to the revenue that
would be produced under the act of the
30th of August, 1842. If, then, we de
duct (his $6,634,067 from the deficit a-
bovo estimated, it would still leave a de
ficit of $14,080,406.
If, in addition to the modifications of
the torifi'above suggested, tbe warehous
ing system were adopted, as recommend
ed in my annual report of December last,
it would make an addition to the annual
revenue from customs of one million of
dollars, which, deducted from the above
deficit, would leave a deficiency still .re
maining of$13,(l86,40C.
It is true that the introduction of the
warehousing system might diminish the
revenue during a portion of the first year
succeeding its adoption; but that it would
add one million of dollars per annum to
the permanent annual revenue from cus
toms is not doubted.
It is believed also that the reduction
nnd graduation of the price of the public
lands in favor of settlers and cultivators,
ns recommended in your message of Do-
cemtier last, would make an annual ad
dition ofahalfa million of dollars to the
revenue derivable from the proceeds of
the sales oftlie public lands, by bringing
into market many millions of acres of the
public domain which arc wholly unsalc-
nnlc at the present minimum price es
tablished by law. Deducting this sum
of half a million of dollars from the deficit
Inst abovu mentioned, wuuld leave still
unprovided for the sum of 812,5SG,40G,
which must be met hy loons, treasury
notes, direct taxation, or excises.
In addition to the strong objections
which have been urged against direct tax
es and excises, it would be difficult to
put in operation such a system in all the
Stntes and Territories, so as to realize
the required amount in cash, before the
30th of June, 1847, A system of direct
taxes and excises, it is believed, would
not meet the sanction of tho people, un
less in the emergency of a war with some
great maritime nation, exposing our com
merce to great hazard, and greatly re
ducing the revenue from duties on im
ports.
The only remaining means for supply
ing this deficit within the required periral,
it by loans or treasury notes; and 1 wouid
accordingly recommend, with a view to
the most vigorous prosecuting of the ex
isting war with Mexico, so as to bring it
to a speedy and honorable termination,
that a contingent authority should he ves
ted in this department, withyour sanction
to issue treasury notes, or effect a loan of
a sum in the aggregate not exceeding the
fast above mentioned deficit of $12,6SG,-
406.
I think it would be most advantageous
to the government, that a portion of this
money should be raised by treasaiy notes
and the remainder by loans, limiting the
interest in both cases to a rate not exceed
ing six per cent, per annum, nnd forbid-
ing the negotiation in either case below
the par value. If the authority were lim
ited so as to cover this deficit, and the
power given to resort to loans or treasury
notes, or both, asth* emergency might
require, the money might, be raised at a
much lower rate ol interest than if the de
partment were confined either to loans
alnne', or to treasury notes. Tbe expe
rience of the government has demon
strated that there are periods when loans
and the power to select both. or either,
and accruing for tbe fitcial year* 1846 from time to time, would render tbe no-
and 1847, be diminished four million* of gotiation more certain, nnd. probably
dollars, which would reduce (he deficit save a Very large amount of interest to
on the 1st of July, 1847, to $16,690,463. tbe government. If tbe war should be
It is ascertained by experience, that speedily terminated, it is passible that a
for tbe ; certain, prompt, and convenient resort to loans or treasury notes might not
payment of the public creditors, at all be required, or if to, for an inconsidera-
times and places throughout oar extend- ble amount. The same power that is
ed terriitory, and the supply of the mint now given by law to redeem tbe loan,
and branch mints for coinage, a earn of eeVn before its maturity, whenever the
four millions of dollars, especially during funds of the government win permit, so
a sure of war, must remain on hand in as to liquidate any public debt as speedi-
ibe treasury, which woold again raise tbe It as possible, should be continued, as
sum to be provided for before tbe 30lb of also toe authority for the reissue of the
June, 1847, to.$19,620.463, treasury notes as heretofore provided by
It is believed; however, that a sum law, as well as lor their receipt in revenue
equal to $6,534,057 of additional revenue payments.
may be produced by the modification of The additional duties designed in
the tariff herein proposed—namely, to schedule A, are recommended as a war
adopt, as a basis, the bill reducing the measure, and to terminate with the re-
tariff reported hy the Committee of Ways storntion of peace,Of as soon thereafter
and Means to the House of Iteprescnta- as the sure of tho public finances will
lives on the 14th of Anril last. - ■•** ’ L * ! :
u —, --- . | ponun iiicir nummiuuancc.
lure day.]
War Department,
Washington, June 13, 1816. ,
Sir : I have tho honor herewith to •
submit to you the estimates, which have t
been made at this department, to enable
you to answer tbe resolution of the Sen- |
ate, ofthe 3d instant, requesting to boR
furnished wi(h an estimate of tho amount l
of money required during the present ,
and next fiscal year for such a prosecu-A
lion of the existing war with Mexico oa ,
will most likely result in its speedy and (
honorable termination. . p
These estimates are made upon the as- .
sumption that the regular army will soon tJI
be filled up to iu maximum, which will .
amount to 16,500 men, and that a volun- ,
teer force of20,000 foot, and 6,000 moun
ted men, is to be at once organized, re- .
ceived into service, and kept therein un
til the end of the next fiscal year—to wit.;,]
to the 30tbof June, 1S47. The estimates
are made for aa army of over 40,000 men,
mostly operating in the field, in an en
emy’s country, deriving their supplies
principally from the United Stales.
How long it will be before tbe regular
army can be filled up to tbe extent author
ized by law will depend upon success itr
recuiting. Its numbers as yet do not
much exceed one half its maximum;. It
is hoped that in a few months the ranks
will be nearly filled; its average total
number through the next fiscal year will,
not probably exceed 12,600.
The numbet of volunteers actually /
called for immediate service, byv irtue of
vour orders under the act of 13th of May,,
Inst, will amount to about 18,000, and/
whether a greater number will or will not
he required for the ensuing campaign can- r
not now be determined. Should the
number already called for lie deemed
sufficient for the successful prosecution of
the war, the estimates being made on q ■
basis exceeding that number by [seven
thousand, will be found proportiooably
too large. V, ,|
Should these views aa to tlie extent of <>
the regular and volunteer force be real-it
ized, the army will not exceed 30,000
men; and all or nearly all the estimates n
presented herewith might be reduced •*
one-fourth ir. amount; yet it is impossible q
to foresee tbe exigencies of the service, i
It may require the fall amount of the";
force on which the estimates have bpeo >
made, and even more; and I have not [
therefore felt at liberty to make any re--'
ductionsnf the estimates presented byn
the several branches of this department,
I take the liberty to direct yonr portico—-
larattention to tbeestimatesofthe quarter
master general. Yon will perceive they •
are largp, very large, anti 1 hope much ex-/ ■
cced the expenditures which may be re
quired. They are made on tbe suppntt- ’
non that our army will penetrate for into
tlie interior of the enemy’s country, and
that all supplies, and the ammunitions of -
war will necessarily be transported on >
long lines nnd those far from being east- * 1 '
ly traversed. Should the enemy’s coun
try abound in forage, the expense oftrans-"
portation will be greatly reduced; but
the uncertainty asto the country to be in
vaded, and toe still greater uncertainty '
as to its resources, do not warrant de
ductions to be made on the estimated
items for supplies, and the transportation a
of them to the places where they may be
needed. Should the navigation of then
Rio Grande be found practicable for^
steamboats of light draught to Camargo,'-
or above, much will be saved probably '
by the use of that river, yet considerable' i
sums must be expended in the purchase' i
of boats, Ac. . r.
It is further to be observed that no' io-
considerable amount of the expenses'
which will fall on tbe qunrtertnasler's'dfc-^
part ment, is in tbe nature of an - outfit, *
and would not be required to be repeated
should the war be protracted beyond the
next fiscal year. Th? estimates in the.;
quartermaster’s department are:made-
without much regard to the chances fa
vorable to diminiahed expenses. Provis
ion had not been made (for the-restricted
appropriations in past years wonld.aoM
permit it to be made): for a sudden aug
mentation of our force to four timesiiia.
usual amount. Tho necessity of making,
such a provision on tbe shortest notices
will greatly increase the cost or it, and
this foils mainly on the quartermaster’s
department.’ ItishopedtbqtUteuaotMki
expenses of this branch of the service
wiUfidl some two or three millions short
ofthe full estimates here presented, vet
this is not so certain as to authorized the
department to cut them down in that a-
mount. • ; fcgad
- >01 oni; with great respecl,
•ji-vJNil - Your obedient servant,
W. h. Mao
H, — „..uvt,
. ao tho President*