L E T T E 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 ^>etretarpof ©Bar, 
 
 TO THE 
 
 CHAIRMAN of the COMMITTEE, 
 
 Appointed on the 9th of December laft, 
 
 ON SO MUCH OF THE 
 
 SPEECH of the PRESIDENT, 
 
 AS RELATES TO 
 
 " A Syftem of National Defence, Commenfurate 
 with our Refources, and the fituation of our Country." 
 
 13th February, 1800. 
 Ordered to lie on ihe Table. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2014 
 
 https://archive.org/details/letterfromsecret00unit_8 
 
LETTER. 
 
 War Department, 
 January 31/, 1800. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 1 HAVE the honor to fubmit, in compliance with 
 your requifition, a few fupplementary obfervations, and 
 a view of the probable expence of the Military Schools 
 refpe&fully recommended to confideration in my re- 
 port, communicated to Congrefs, by a meffage dated 
 the 13th inftant, from the Prefident of the United States. 
 
 The report contemplates certain military fchools as 
 an effential mean, in conjunction with a fmall military 
 eitablifhmeht, to prepare for, and perpetuate to the 
 United States, at a very moderate expence, a body of 
 fcientific officers and engineers, adequate to any future 
 exigency, qualified to difcipline for the field, in the 
 fhorteft time, the mod extended armies, and to give the 
 moft decifive and ufeful effects to their operations. 
 
 It is not conceived the United States will ever think 
 it expedient to employ militia upon their frontiers, or to 
 garrifon their fortified places in time of peace, nor that 
 they will be difpofed to place their reliance, for defence 
 againft a foreign invading enemy, upon militia alcxie; 
 but that they will at all times maintain a body of regular 
 troops, commenfurate with their ability to mainta/n them, 
 and the necefiity or policy that may demand fuch an 
 eftablifhment. 
 
 To qualify and keep our citizens in general, of fuit- 
 able bodily ability, prepared to take 'he field, againft 
 
4 
 
 regular forces, would demand the moft radical changes 
 in our militia fyftem, and fuch an uninterrupted feries 
 of training, difcipline and inftruction, to be applied, as 
 well to the officers, as to the men, as comports with re- 
 gular troops only, — while in its refults, the meafure 
 would be found on account of the lofs to the commu- 
 nity, occafioned by the abftraction from labour or oc- 
 cupation, and direct coft, greatly to exceed in expence, 
 what would be required to fupport a moderate military 
 eftablifhment. This pofition, which is thought to be a 
 found one, does not bring into view, the effe6fs of the 
 meafure upon the morals, induftry and habits of the 
 citizens. 
 
 Practically confidercd, may we not as well calculate to 
 be commodioufly lodged, and have the fcience of build- 
 ing improved, by employing every man in the commu- 
 nity in the conftruction of houfes, and by exploding 
 from fociety as ufelcfs, architects, mafons and carpen- 
 ters, as expect to be defended efficiently from an invad- 
 ing enemy, by caufing every citizen to endeavour to 
 make himfelf mafter of the feveral branches of the art 
 of war, and excluding engineers, fcientific officers and 
 regular troops. 
 
 There is certainly, however, a fyftem as it refpects 
 our militia, which if reforted to and perfevered in, may 
 fecure the utility of their fervices in times of danger, 
 without much injury to the morals, or materially affect- 
 ing the general induftry of the nation. 
 
 When the perfect order and exact difcipline which 
 are effential to regular troops are contemplated, and 
 with what eafe and precifion they execute the diffe- 
 2<? nt manoeuvres indifpenfable to the fuccefs of offen- 
 or defenfive operations, the conviction cannot be 
 refifta], that fuch troops will always have a decided ad- 
 vantage^ ver more numerous forces compofed of unin- 
 rufted nulitia or undifciplined recruits. 
 It cannot be forgotten, that in our revolutionary 
 war, it was not Mn til after feveral years praftice in arms, 
 and the extenfion f t he periods for which our foldiers 
 
5 
 
 were at firft enlifled, that we found them at all qualified 
 to meet in the field of battle thofc to whom they were 
 oppofed. The occafional brilliant and juftly celebrated 
 atb, of fome of our militia, during that eventful period, 
 dctrad nothing from this dear bought truth. With all 
 the enthufiafm which marked thoie days, it was perceiv- 
 ed and univerfally felt, that regular and disciplined 
 troops were indifpenfable, and that it was utterly unfafe 
 for us to truft to miiitia alone the iflue of the war. The 
 pofition therefore is illuftrated, that even in times of the 
 greateft danger, we cannot give to our miiitia, that de- 
 gree of difcipiine, or to their officers that degree of mili- 
 tary fcience upon which a nation may fafely hazard its fate. 
 
 The Great Man who conduded the war of our revo- 
 lution, was continually compelled to conform his con- 
 dud to the circumftances growing out of the experi- 
 mental leffons juft mentioned. What was the fecret of 
 his condud ? Mult it be told ? It may, and without ex- 
 citing a blufh or uneafy fenfation in any of his furviving 
 companions in arms. He had an Army of Men, but 
 he had few Officers or Soldiers in that army. Both 
 were to be formed, which could not be effeded in a 
 (ingle campaign, or while his regiments were continu- 
 ally returning home, and like the waves of the fea, each 
 in their turn loft in the abyfs and fucceeded by new 
 ones. It was not till after he was furniftied with a lefs 
 fluduating and more liable kind of force, that he could 
 commence with a profped of advantage, military inftruc- 
 tions or inforce t..e ordinances of difcipiine : and even 
 then he felt that time and inflrujUors were required to 
 render his labours ufeful and enable his army to meet 
 the enemy upon any thing like equal terms. Are we to 
 profit by or is this experience to be loft to our country ? 
 
 The art of war, which gives to a fmall force t^e fa- 
 culty to combat with advantage fuperior number, indif- 
 ferently inflrutled, is fubjeded to mechanics/, geome- 
 trical, moral and phyfical rules; it calls for profound 
 ftudy; its theory is immenfe; the detail infinite, and 
 its principles rendered ufeful only by a^ppy adaptation 
 
6 
 
 of them to all the circumftances of place and ground, 
 varioufly combined, to which they may be applicable. 
 Is it poffible for an officer of militia, to obtain a compe- 
 tent knowledge of thefe things in the fhort fpace his 
 ufual avocations will permit him to devote to their ac- 
 quifition ? Is it poffible for any officer, having acquired 
 a knowledge of thefe details, this theory and thefe prin- 
 ciples, to carry them into ufeful practice with a handful 
 of militia, in the few days in each year allotted by law 
 to trainings and exercifes? Is that perfect fubordi na- 
 tion and obedience of men to their officers, and of each 
 inferior to his fuperior officer, through all the grades of 
 rank from the corporal up to the commander in chief, 
 which forms a vital principle effential to the energy and 
 force of armies, to be acqu.red by or communicated to 
 a body of militia organized and trained according to our 
 laws ? And does it con fid with a humane and enlighten- 
 ed policy to march men fo imperfectly inftrucled and 
 difciplined, unlefs in cafes of the lafl extremity, again ft 
 veteran troops (where this principle reigns in full acti- 
 vity) commanded by fkilful and Scientific officers ? Ad- 
 mitting, however, that militia officers during the few 
 months the law permits their corps to be retained in 
 aBual ftrvice, could render their men by inceffant in- 
 ftruciion capable of fulfilling the object of their deftina- 
 tion ; yet as that advantage is but momentary, as thefe 
 borrowed inftruments mull be quickly returned to the 
 depot which furniffied them, as new ones mud be refort- 
 ed to and fucceffively inflructed ; what can be expected 
 from luch a fyftem, but perpetual incoherence between 
 the means and the end, and certain fhipwreck to the 
 k^ft connected and combined military projects. This 
 to f ure i s th e old fiory — it cannot, however, be too 
 often repeated, becaufe it can never be refuted. 
 
 The^ c ret of discipline, and the importance of mi- 
 litary icieu ee? were well known to thofe ancient govern- 
 ments whoit rrenerals and troops have filled the world 
 with the fpWdor of their victories. According to 
 Scipio, nothing <: 0ntr ibuted to the fuccefs of cnterpri- 
 
7 
 
 zes fo much as skill in the individual officers. The 
 feverity of the Roman difcipline is well underftood, and 
 the eftimation in which it was held by Cosfar. Livy has 
 obferved, that fcience does more in war than force. 
 Vigicius, that it is neither numbers, nor blind valor 
 which infures victory, but that it generally follows ca- 
 pacity and fcience in war. Machiavel, who has written 
 upon military affairs, placed fo much dependence on 
 an exact difcipline, and military fcience, as to efface from 
 his lift of great generals, all thofe, who with fniall 
 armies, did not execute great things : but to the com- 
 mittee, it is unneceffary to repeat the authorities of ge- 
 nerals and writers of the firft reputation, to (lie w the 
 high importance attached to military fcience and difci- 
 pline in all ages of the world, or refort to hiftory for 
 evidence of its effects. They muff be well acquainted 
 with the fa&s, and no doubt will give them their due 
 weight in confidering the fubjects now before them. 
 
 There is however an authority, fo much in point 
 relative to the effentiality of the institution in queftion, 
 that I cannot forbear to mention it. 
 
 The Marfhal de Puifegur, who has left an excellent 
 treatife on the art of war, the refult of his experience, 
 obferves : 
 
 " I have been perhaps at as many fieges as any of thofe 
 in fervice, and in all for*s of grades ; as fubaltern I have 
 commanded troops and working parties in a fiege ; as 
 Major I have conduced to the trenches and pofts to 
 which they were deftined troops and labourers ; I have 
 been Major of Brigade, Marflial de camp, and Lieu- 
 tenant General : however, as I have not learned forti- 
 fication, my practice has not enabled me to acquit my- 
 felf in conducting attacks, fo that I fhould be obliged 
 to fuffer my felf to be inftructed in many things by the 
 lights of Engineers, their practice being founded upon 
 principles which arc known to them, an ad van/age I 
 have not in this branch of war." 
 
 This is the candid acknowledgement of a man who 
 had ferved fixty years in the army, who /iad learned 
 
8 
 
 the military art under a father, that in forty years fer- 
 vice, had been prefent at two hundred fieges, and 
 who had himfelf paffed through all the military grades, 
 and arrived from an inferior to a fuperior rank, but 
 after having deferved each fucceffive promotion by 
 fome diftinguifhed action. 
 
 A flight attention to circumftances, and the actual 
 pofition of our country, muft lead to the conviction, 
 that a well connected feries of fortifications, is an ob- 
 ject of the higheft importance to the United States, 
 not only as thefe will be conducive to the general fecu- 
 rity, but as a mean of leffening the neceflky, and 
 confequently the expence of a large military eftablifh- 
 ment. 
 
 By ftrongly fortifying our harbours and frontiers, we 
 may reafenably expect, either to keep at a diftance 
 the calamities of war, or render it lefs injurious when 
 it fhall happen. It is behind thefe ponderous maffes 
 only, that a fmall number of men can maintain them- 
 felves for a length of time againft fuperior forces. Im- 
 pofing therefore upon anenemy, who may have every 
 thing to tranfport acrofs the Atlantic, the neceflity of 
 undertaking long and hazardous fieges, encreafes the 
 chances againft his undertaking them at all, or if he 
 does, in defpite of fuch circumftances, infures to us 
 the time he muft confume in his operations, to rally 
 our means to a point and unite our efforts to refift him. 
 
 We muft not conclude from thefe brief obfervations, 
 that the fervices of the Engineer is limited to con {truck- 
 ing, connecting, confolidating, and keeping in repair 
 fortifications. This is but a fingle branch of their pro- 
 feffion, though indeed a moft important one. Their 
 utility extends to almoft every department of war, and 
 every defcription of general officers, befides embracing 
 whoever refpects public buildings, roads, bridges, 
 canais and all fuch works of a civil nature. I confi- 
 der it iherefore of vaft confequence to the United 
 States, that it mould form in its own bofom, and out of 
 its own native materials, men qualified to place the 
 
9 
 
 country in a proper pofture of defence, to infufe fcience 
 into our army, and give to our fortifications that de- 
 gree of force, connection and perfection, which can 
 alone counterbalance the fuperiority of attack over 
 defence. 
 
 With thefe advantages in profpecl, is it not incum- 
 bent upon us to hallen with all reafonable diligence, 
 the commencement and completion of an inftitution 
 eflential to realize them. And are expenditures which 
 give fuch valuable refu-hs, to be otherwife viewed than 
 as real ceconomy. It is a well known fact, that England 
 had neither native artillerifts or engineers before the 
 time of the Duke of Cumberland, and till after fhe 
 eftablifhed military fchools. 
 
 I (hall now, having refpectfully fubrnitted thefe ob- 
 fervations, prefent an eftimate of the expence of the 
 military fchools which it appears to me ought to be im- 
 mediately inflituted. 
 
 Agreeably to the plan of the military academy, 
 the directors thereof are to be officers taken from the 
 army, confequently no expence will be incurred by 
 fuch appointments. 
 
 The plan alfo contemplates, that officers of the army, 
 cadets and non-commiffioned officers, fhall receive in- 
 ftruction in the academy. As the rations and fuel 
 which thefe are entitled to in the army, will fuffice for 
 them in the academy, no additional expence will be 
 required for thefe objects of maintenance while there. 
 
 The expences of fervants and certain incidental 
 charges relative to the police and adminiftration may 
 be defrayed by thofe who fhall be^admitted out of their 
 pay and emoluments. 
 
 According to the plan contemplated, fifty officers, 
 cadets, or non-commirlioned officers may be annua^y 
 inftrufted in the fundamental fchool and an equal num- 
 ber in the fchool of artillerifts and engineers; the only 
 fchools which it is deemed expedient to bring i/*o ope- 
 ration. 
 
To inftruft thcfe may require, when both fchools 
 are in full activity, the following proieffors, viz : 
 
 In the fundamental School. 
 
 Dots. Cts. 
 
 2. PuqifeflGbrs of Mathematics, at 8oo Dols. 
 
 per annum, and 2 rations per day, 1848 20 
 
 2. Ditto, of Geography, and Natural Phi- 
 
 lofophy, - - - 1848 20 
 
 1. Ditto, of Chemiftry, - - 924 10 
 
 1. Defigning and Drawing Mailer, - 724 10 
 
 5>344 60 
 
 In the School of Artillerijls and Engineers. 
 
 1. Profeffor of Mathematics, at 800 Dols. 
 
 per annum, and 2 rations per day, - 924 10 
 1. Ditto, of Geography and Natural Phi- 
 
 lofophy, - - - 924 10 
 
 J. Ditto, of Chemiftry, - - 924 10 
 
 1. Ditto, of Architecture, - - 924 10 
 
 2. Defigning and Drawing Makers, at 600 
 
 Dols. per annum, and 2 rations per day, 1448 20 
 
 5,144 60 
 
 Total, 10,489 20 
 
 The colt of the buildings for thefe two fchools, as 
 the one or the other of the annexed plan fhall be 
 adopted will be, viz: 
 
 Plan by John Foncin, Engineer. 
 
 For the Fundamental School. 1 9,423 
 
 Ihc School of Artillerifts and Engineers, 
 fuppo r ed to cofl an equal fum, - 
 
 38,846 
 
1 1 
 
 Plan by B. H. Latrobe^ civil Architect and Engineer. 
 
 For the Fundamental School, 40.OCO 
 The School of Artillerifts and Engineers, 
 fuppofed to coft an equal fum, - 40,000 
 
 8o ; ooo 
 
 It may be proper to remind the Committee that no 
 appropriation for the fchool of engineers and artillerifts 
 will be required perhaps thefe two years, or till after the 
 completion of the Fundamental School. 
 
 The Secretary takes occafion alfo to mention, that 
 the laws have already made provifion for four teachers 
 or profefibrs to the artillerifts and engineers, at a falary 
 of eighty dollars per month, and two rations per day, 
 which maybe confidered equivalent to four thoufarid 
 three hundred and thirty fix dollars, and forty-fix cents 
 per annum, and that the a£t providing for raifing and 
 organizinga corps of artillerifts and engineers, pafled the 
 9th May, 1794? makes it " the duty of the Secretary 
 of War to provide, at the public expence, under fuch 
 regulations, as mall be directed by the Prefident of the 
 United States, the neceffary books, inftruments, and 
 apparatus for the ufeand benefit of the faid -corps." 
 
 According to the plan and eftimate of the buildings 
 by Mr. Foncin, the two fchools will coft thirty-eight 
 thoufand eight-hundred and forty-fix dollars. 
 
 According to the plan and eflimate by Mr. Latrobe, 
 the two fchools will coft eighty thoufand dollars. 
 
 The modification of the two regiments of artillerifts 
 and engineers, will liberate twenty thoufand nine hun- 
 dred and fifty-five dollars annually. 
 
 The eftablifnment of the two fchools will liberate!^ 
 falaries of ths four teachers before mentioned, or^ur 
 thoufand three hundred and thirty-fix dollars ap* lla hy. 
 
 The books, apparatus and inftruments dire^d to be 
 provided for the ufe of the artillerifts anfKngineers, 
 are confidered as an adequate offset t for books, ap- 
 paratus and inftruments required for- ne li * e of the 
 
12 
 
 fchools ; confequently no charge has been flated in the 
 cftimate for thefe objects. 
 
 If, therefore, we oppofe the fums thus annually li- 
 berated to the annual falary of the profeffors and ori- 
 ginal coft of the buildings, whichever of the plans is 
 adopted, we {hall find the meafure propofed, viewed 
 merely in the light of an operation of finance, to refult 
 in a confiderable faving to the United States. 
 
 An individual would think it a good bargain to re- 
 ceive twenty-five thoufand two hundred and ninety- 
 one dollars, annually, the fum liberated, and to give in 
 lieu thereof ten thoufand four hundred and fixty-fix 
 dollars, annually, the falary of the profeffors, and a 
 principal fum equal to the colt of the buildings. In 
 other words, he would receive fourteen thoufand feven 
 hundred and twenty-five dollars, annually, which is 
 equivalent at fix per cent, to a capital or principal of 
 two hundred and forty-five thoufand four hundred and 
 fixteen dollars ; a fum greatly exceeding the eflimated 
 cofi: of the buildings upon either eflimate. 
 
 The committee while they perceive that the feed 
 which it is now propofed to fow, is to yield a future 
 harvefl, will at the fame time, juftly appreciate the va- 
 rious beneficial confequences which muft refult from 
 the immediate adoption, and the finking inconvenien- 
 cies and danger to be apprehended from a poflponement 
 of the meafure. 
 
 Whether our country is to be plunged into a war or 
 enjoy for a length of time the bleffings of peace and in- 
 terior tranquility ; whether the portentous events which 
 have afflicted Europe, and in their progrefs threatened 
 the United States are to fubfide into a fettled {fate of 
 things; whether the bleffings of peace and the cuftoma- 
 r >' relations among the transatlantic powers, are to take 
 place orhoflil ities fhall be continued protracled and 
 exteno-d beyond their prefent limits, in either view it is 
 equally «*fuggeftion of policy and wifdom to improve 
 our means a* defence, and give as much perfection as 
 poflible to fu- n eftablifhments as may be conceived 
 
effential to the maintenance of our rights and fecurity 
 from infults. 
 
 The unavoidable collifions growing out of trade and 
 the reciprocal reftrictions of great commercial Itaies; 
 the apprehenfions and jeaioufies natural to powers pos- 
 feffing contiguous territory; the inefficacy of religion and 
 morality to controul the paflions of men, or the intereft 
 and ambition of nations; the impoffibility at times, for 
 governments to adjufl their differences or preferve their 
 rights without making facrifices more to be dreaded 
 than the hazards and calamities of war; all thefe 
 confiderations, illuftrated by volumes of examples, teach 
 the foundnefs of the axiom, Si vis pacem para helium. 
 And what time more proper to prepare the materials for 
 war, than a lime of peace, or more urgent than that 
 fn which a nation is threatened with war. 
 
 I have the honor to be, 
 
 With the greateft refpeft, 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Your moft obedient fervant, 
 
 JAMES M'HENRY, 
 Secretary of War. 
 
 Harrifon G. Otis, Efq. 
 Chairman of the Com- 
 mittee of Defence. 
 
mm 
 
i£x ICtbrtH 
 
 SEYMOUR DURST 
 
 When you leave, please leave this book 
 
 Because it has been said 
 " Ever'tbinQ comes t' him who waits 
 
 Except a loaned book." 
 
 ON l H~n <«> Box 5 2. 
 
 Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library 
 Gift of Sfymour B. Durst Old York Library