[Obj] [strikethrough: The Secy. of war is directed] respectfully requests [strikethrough: of the U.S.] [strikethrough: request the attention of the President, and] to [strikethrough: obtain him] the [strikethrough: appointment] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: for him] [strikethrough: to the] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: to the improvement of] [strikethrough: capable] [undecipherable] our military system, and solicits, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: being] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] submitted to Congress. [undecipherable] [strikethrough: our military system.] No sentiment is more just than this, that in proportion as the circum- stances and policy of a [strikethrough: country] [undecipherable] opposite to the maintenance of a [strikethrough: force equal to] exigencies large military [strikethrough: establishment], it is impor- tant, that as much perfection as possible be given to that which may at any time exist. [strikethrough: an irregular militia force] It is not however enough, that a [strikethrough: limited] [strikethrough: force] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: that] be rendered as [perfect] as possible in [undecipherable] organisation and discipline; with [respect] to form, organisation and discipline the dignity, [strikethrough: the] character to be [supported] [strikethrough: tained], and the safety of the [nation] [undecipherable] further [strikethrough: require that there should be] [undecipherable] provision [strikethrough: Institutions should be] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: establishments], capable of perpetuating the military art, and of forming officers qualified to [strikethrough: command] a new and enlarged army, fit fit for service, in the shortest time possible, [e]and at the least ([strikethrough: possible]) expense to the State. [strikethrough: Countries] Will it not be presumed that any [country] the government however favoured by the courage and [undecipherable] of its inhabitants, [undecipherable] for any length of time [undecipherable] military [establishments,] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] enemies. [undecipherable] [strikethrough: troops he must include his fields.] In like manner To insure safety to the nation, it is necessary that the [undecipherable] [that open] into it be guarded [with] [by troops &] [fortifications.] Before the invention of gun powder, the smallest villages were invested with walls so that a long siege was [often] requisite to reduce them. Since that epoch, the history of almost [undecipherable] not of every war contains undeniable and the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] to the defence of a country. proofs of the utility of fortifications. Would it be safe or expedient in us to pursue a different course, and shut our eyes against the innumerable facts, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in this [undecipherable] [on record] [undecipherable] we may lose [undecipherable] military [undecipherable] without engineers, the money employed on fortifications [undecipherable] will be always [undecipherable], if not thrown away, and generals of the most con- [undecipherable] summate genius, [forced] to capitulate in the field, [those retreat might have been] [undecipherable: guivrée] [undecipherable: midday?] It is a sound [undecipherable] [undecipherable] orders [undecipherable] from the [instructions] [undecipherable] ought to be an army [ought to learn]. & to it from the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] its generals & [must be] [undecipherable] [but] it is [undecipherable] [long been] [where a defection] from the [undecipherable] became [necessary] [undecipherable] not [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] involved in the most serious [undecipherable] consequences. It is necessary for the public good and to promote the [undecipherable] [or standing] armies as light as [that it] should be [undecipherable] and [that] orders [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] organs of The Executive to Officers subordinate in rank [undecipherable] under The command of others. — Nor [is] to be presumed that [all] whatever orders [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] war should be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] before [undecipherable] without [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [to consult] the President or [give him] the [requisite] [undecipherable] [instructions] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] considered, when instruction [undecipherable] [begin] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] from [undecipherable] [those things] [undecipherable] or more exceptionable. All [undecipherable] in the course [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [was] [undecipherable] be [absolutely] prudent [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [have been] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] circumstances [undecipherable] [undecipherable] 1st. That it is without [precedent], that the President of the U.S. [strikethrough: should issue the army] should issue orders, except through the [commanding] of the army, a [form] regulations for the army or the [officers] of any particular department of it, and issue them through the Secy. of war. Presidents of this [undecipherable] nature are numerous. I shall advert to a few of them.