tactics for Cavalry, and of instruction for Artillery, have been digested, and are in the hands of a copyist, and will be communicated in a few days. I intentionally forbear making any remarks on the various alterations recommended by the Board of Officers. The wisdom of those to whom they are submitted, should Congress determine to legislate on the subject, will correct any errors into which they may have been betrayed, and supply any defect which may have escaped their observation. I cannot, however, abstain from calling your attention to the highly interesting fact, that we have, according to the last census, 2,000,000 of male Citizens between the ages of 18 and 45. The diffeindicated between that number, and those embodied in the Returns of the Militia from the States, results from the exemptions from Militia service, which, in some of the States, are equal to one half of their whole number, which, from their ages, should be enrolled. From our happy position in regard to Europe, and from the no less fortunate relations maintained with our neighbours, and their actual condition, it would appear that, keeping up a system of the Militia so extensive as the present, and burthensome, without any advantage, to a large A different class of our Citizens, was altogether unnecessary. rence organization, therefore, by which at least 1,500,000 of our most useful Citizens would be relieved from the unprofitable pageantry of Military parade, for 5 or 6 days in the Year, constituting so injurious a draft on their industry, must be one which cannot fail to be well received by the American People; and when, too, it is believed, that, notwithstanding this relief, a superior efficiency will be imparted to this natural arm of the national defence. The Document K is the Report of the Officer particularly charged with Indian Affairs, by which it will be seen that several Treaties have been negotiated with various tribes, and which are herewith submitted. By two of which, large tracts of land within the limits of Indiana have been relieved from the incumbrance of the Indian title. Although the proper measures were adopted to effect a similar result in other quarters, they, unfortunately, have not been successful. During the recess, information was continually communicated to the Department, that a bloody, and most probably an exterminating War, was about to break out between the Osages and Delawares, and their numerous Allies, which it was urged, nothing could avert, but the employment of a respectable portion of the Army of The United States. The power of the Executive, without Legislative provision to that effect, was deemed too questionable to justify the measure; all that could be done, was immediately performed to prevent the threatened mischief. A part of our military force was ordered to make a demonstration in the direction of the probable scene of hostility, whose object, not being known, might have the effect of overawing the Indians, and the Chiefs of the various Tribes were assembled to impress on their minds the calamities which would ensue from a perseverance in their hostile purposes. Contrary to expectation, we succeeded in pacifying them for the present. The duration of this state of things, is, however, most uncertain, and the subject is brought particularly to view for the consideration of Congress. The mischief likely to result from placing in the same neighbourhood, without a controlling power on the part of the Executive of The United States; different and hostile Tribes, have already been submitted in a Report from this Department to Congress at their last Session. The events just referred to have tended to confirm the views formerly taken, and I feel myself impelled by an irresistible sense of duty to state, that, unless a preventive is speedily furnished by Law, I fear that, at no distant period, those unfortunate and unhappy people will be exterminated by intestine Wars, and thereby, that a subject fruitful of unavailing regret will become a portion of the inheritance of the American People. I have the honour to be, &c. The President of The United States. Sir, JAMES BARBOUR. (A.)-Letter of General Brown to the Secretary of War. Washington, November 30, 1826. In compliance with your instructions of the 3d ultimo, I have the honour to lay before you the following Returns and Statements, viz: A Statement of the organization of the Army, conformable to the Acts of Congress. A Return of the actual strength of the Army, from the last regimental and other returns. A Return shewing the distribution of the troops in the Eastern De partment. A Return shewing the distribution of the Troops in the Western Department. A Statement shewing the number of men enlisted, the amount of money advanced for the purposes of recruiting, and the amount for which recruiting Accounts have been rendered for settlement, from the 1st of October, 1825, to the 30th September, 1826. An Estimate of the amount which will be required for the current expenses of the recruiting service for the year 1827. By Statement E, it will be seen, that the sum of 10,850 dollars 63, remains unexpended in the hands of the Recruiting Officers. This amount is in a regular course of application to the Recruiting Service, and will doubtless, in due season, be properly accounted for. In the early part of the year, Brevet Major General Scott commenced a tour of inspection and review of the Military Posts in the Eastern Department, which tour was extended southwardly as far as 'T St. Augustine, but, on account of serious indisposition, he was prevented from prosecuting his tour to the north and east. Brevet Major General Gaines has commenced a tour of inspection of all the Posts in the Western Department. Colonel Wool has inspected during the last year the Posts of Fortress Monroe, Charleston, Pensacola, New Orleans, St. Philip, Petite, Coquille, cantonment Jesup, cantonment Towson, cantonment Gibson, Fort Mackinac, Green Bay, Sackett's Harbour, West Point, Eastport, Portland, Portsmouth, Boston, Newport, New London, New York, Detroit, Niagara, Plattsburgh, Castine, Salem, and Marblehead. The six posts last named are unoccupied by Troops, but contain ordnance and ordnance stores requiring inspection. To these are to be added, the arsenal of Baton Rouge, Augusta, Richmond, Watervliet, Rome, and Watertown, and The United States armory at Springfield. Colonel Croghan has completed an inspection of the remote posts of the Northwestern Frontier, including the cantonments at St. Peter's and Council Bluffs, but his Reports have not yet been received. The Companies of the Artillery Regiments have been generally inspected by the Field Officers thereof, but their detailed Reports are not yet received at General Head Quarters. By information gathered from inspection Reports, as well as from personal observation, it is found that the general condition of the Army continues to be as favourable as circumstances will allow. In discipline and instruction, a decided improvement is perceptible, and, in the Departments of Administration, there is no want of due regularity and promptitude. The necessary evils resulting from a wide dispersion of our Forces, and the number of small commands which are consequent to the system, have been, in some degree, corrected in the Artillery Regi ments, by the operation of the school of practice. Although destitute of the aid which has been sought at the head of Legislation, and still struggling with exceedingly limited resources, this establishment has already afforded the most decided evidences of its usefulness, and an earnest of the salutary effects, on the efficiency and welfare of the Artillery, which must result from its preservation and prosperity. It is a truth which cannot be disguised that the virtues of an Army, employed during a long period of Peace and inaction in little else than the ordinary course of Garrison Service, are in danger of deterioration. In order to preserve the energies and the active vigor of our ranks, and to guard against the approaches of sloth and imbecility, it seemed necessary to adopt some measure which might operate, at least partially, if not effectually, in favour of these desirable objects. The influence of concentration, as a system, independently of the various branches of theoretical and practical instruction which might be enbraced in it, would, of itself, prove sufficiently beneficial to justify the ta adoption of it, as a measure of sound policy. The present location of the school of practice is, perhaps, as favourable, in every sense, as could be chosen for the Artillery, under existing circumstances, and the plan of periodical details, with which it is connected, comprises many of the advantages which result from occasional changes in the stations of the Troops. The benefits which are believed naturally to spring from the system in question, are important and manifold. Among them may be noted, in general terms, habits of uniformity and accuracy in the practical routine of service; fresh incitement to the cultivation of Military knowledge; emulation and esprit de corps among the Troops; and mutual conformity and general elevation of Individual character among the Officers. But, by the enervating influences of a passive Garrison life (influences which, without the adoption of this or a similar system, it is impossible to resist) these high qualities, so invaluable to an Army, must, in a measure, be forfeited. With this view of the subject, it has been thought desirable to extend the principle as far as possible for the benefit of the Infantry also. Duties of an active nature are perhaps more frequently enjoined on this arm of service than on the Artillery, but it stands in no less need of the advantages to be derived from a school of practice. The numerical strength of our Infantry Regiments is indeed small, considering the wide extent of Frontier which they are commissioned to defend, and detachments could not, perhaps, be permanently drawn from them, without prejudice to the ulterior object of their maintenance; but, while this objection would be effectually obviated by the increased efficiency which such an Institution is calculated to produce, the salutary operation of it, in other respects, it is hoped, will, in time, be generally felt and fairly appreciated. The number of desertions from the Army, during the last year, has been somewhat less than in the several years preceding, but it is still such as to call for the vigorous interposition of Legislative Enactment, to arrest the progress of the evil. The measures relating to this subject, recommended to you in my communication of the 17th of November, 1825, and presented by you for the consideration of Congress, at their last Session, will, it is hoped, be finally acted on by that Body, during the ensuing Session. The design of offering additional pay to the approved Soldier, as a condition of his re-enlistment; that of withholding a portion of the same, as a restraint and security for faithful service; and the plan for the improvement of the non-commissioned grades of the Army, by a judicious increase of their emoluments; are measures which I still consider as promising the happiest effects, as well promotive of the general welfare of the Army, as restrictive of the evil which so greatly impairs its organization and efficiency. ༡༢༤༩༢ While we rest in the pleasing assurance that our small Military Establishment suffices, in most of its branches, for the immediate purposes of peace, we can never be unmindful of its high importance as the repository of the Military science of the Country, and as the nucleus of future organization, when the exigencies of the Nation shall demand its enlargement. That it may always be found equally worthy, and well prepared for that degree of expansion which is commensurate with this object, no effort should be unappreciated or suffered to be unavailing, which tends to its moral elevation, and to the maintenance of those Military virtues on which its future efficiency must mainly depend. I have the honour to be, &c. Hon. James Barbour, Secretary of War. JAC. BROWN. SPEECH of the Emperor of Brazil, on the Opening of the National Assembly.—3rd May, 1827. (Traduction.) AUGUSTES Representans de la Nation Bresilienne, Je viens, ainsi que le détermine la Loi, ouvrir cette Assemblée avec le même enthousiasme que m'a toujours inspiré cet Acte solennel, mais non avec la même joie; elle est en ce moment remplacée dans mon cœur par la tristesse et par la douleur poignante dont m'a pénétré la mort de ma bien-aimée, chérie, et à jamais regrettée Epouse, l'Impératrice, qui, le 11 Décembre passé, à dix heures et quart du matin, à quitté ce monde pour la demeure des justes, qu'elle occupe sans aucun doute, puisque tous nous avons la foi qu'elle est réservée aux êtres qui marchent comme elle dans la voie de la vertu et de la piété. Ce événement, qui nous pénètre tous d'une douleur si vive, et qui, encore en ce moment, se représente à mon âme comme s'il venait d'arriver, me surprit pendant mon séjour dans la Province de Rio 'Grande, où je rassemblais tous les moyens que l'amour de la Patrie pouvait me suggérer pour terminer la guerre entre le Brésil et BuenosAyres, par l'enthousiasme que j'espérais faire naître dans les cœurs valeureux des habitans de cette Province. Cette guerre, dont l'année dernière, dans ce même lieu, je vous ai annoncé l'existence, continue encore, et ne cessera de continuer, tant que la Province Cisplatine, qui nous appartient, ne sera point délivrée de ses envahisseurs, et que Buénos-Ayres refusera de reconnaître l'indépendance de la Nation Brésilienne, l'intégrité de l'Empire, et l'incorporation de la Province Cisplatine, qui, librement et spontanément, a voulu faire partie de cet Empire. Je parle d'une manière aussi claire, parce que je me confie dans les secours de l'Assemblée à cet égard; elle fera tous les efforts qu'elle m'a solennellement promis l'année dernière par l'organe de la |