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Schedule of machinery, &c., required at each of the United States

armories.

2 model muskets (Maynard primer).....

New tools, machine-fixtures, and altering machinery.

2 sets verifying-gauges for the same..

1 machine for facing and rough-dressing stocks........

1 machine for first-turning stocks......................

1 machine for cutting bearings on stocks.

1 machine for milling ends of barrels...

1 machine for cutting out magazine for lock-plate..... 1 machine for turning bands..

1 machine for lever punching-press.....

2 machines for grooving bayonet sockets and clasps....

1 set machines for wood-screws.....

2 swedge-drops for forging components..

6 machines for rifling barrels......

1 tilt-hammer for miscellaneous work..

$700 00 1,500 00 7,500 00 1,200 00

1,300 00

800 00

500 00

900 00

1,200 00

1.000 00

2,500 00

450 00

1,000 00

450 00

6,000 00

27,000 00

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, March 9, 1854.

SIR: The act of August 23, 1842, "respecting the organization of the army," &c., section 6, allows "double rations to the commandant of each permanent or fixed post garrisoned with troops." By the army appropriation act of September 28, 1850, (9 Stat. 504, item "Subsistence of officers,'') this allowance is extended to ordnance officers commanding arsenals and armories, and to engineer officers commanding fixed or permanent posts. There is one permanent post neither garrisoned with troops nor commanded by an ordnance or engineer officer, and to which, consequently, the allowance of double rations does not extend-that is, the Schuylkill arsenal, under the Quartermaster department. The commanding officer of this arsenal has responsibilities more than equal to the average of the commandants of other arsenals and fixed posts not garrisoned with troops, and I recommend that a provision be inserted in the next army appropriation act extending the allowance to him.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JEFFERSON DAVIS,

Hon. JAMES SHIELDS,

Secretary of War.

Chairman of Committee on Military Affairs, Senate.

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, June 7, 1848.

GENERAL: I am directed to communicate the following instructions

for your guidance, as soon as you ascertain that the treaty of peace

has been ratified by the Mexican government.

It has been determined to augment the regular force now in Upper California by four companies of dragoons, and to hold Santa Fe with a like amount of cavalry and one company of artillery. Accordingly, on receiving authentic intelligence of the ratification of the treaty by the Mexican Congress, you will immediately put in march the nine companies for the destinations indicated, directing those intended for California to pursue the route which will lead to the headwaters of the Gila, being the one followed by Major Cooke, and believed to be the best.

Should the three dragoon companies (1st regiment) under Major Beall, serving with General Price's column, be still at Chihuahua, they, with one company (A or E) of the same regiment, must be sent to Monterey, Upper California. But should these companies have left Chihuahua for Sante Fe, and proceeded beyond striking distance, these companies, A and E, 1st dragoons, and two of the companies of the 2d regiment, attached to your column, will be ordered to the Pacific; and in this contingency the force to garrison Santa Fe will consist of the remaining company of the 2d dragoons, and one company of the 3d artillery, to be drawn from the "army of occupation," and the three dragoon companies (1st regiment) serving under Brigadier General Price. Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Washington, 3d artillery, who is hereby assigned to duty according to his brevet rank, will command the troops for Santa Fe, and on his arrival will act as governor of New Mexico until further orders.

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I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Bvt. Maj. General J. E. WOOL:

*

R. JONES, Adjutant General.

Commanding Army of Occupation, Monterey, Mexico.

Official extract.

[Orders No. 165.]

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, June 27, 1854.

SETH WILLIAMS, A. A. General.

[Extract.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION,

Marine, Mexico, June 27, 1848. Company "C," 3d artillery, two companies, "A" "E," 1st dragoons, and the three companies of the 2d dragoons, attached to the army of occupation, will hold themselves in readiness, under the directions of Lieut. Colonel Washington, to take up their line of march for New Mexico and California at the shortest notice.

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WASHINGTON, January 8, 1855. DEAR SIR: In the names, and with the consent, of two members of the Military Committee of the House of Representatives, (Messrs. Bissell and Faulkner,) I have the honor to present the enclosed amendment for the army appropriation bill, which it was the intention of those gentlemen to have offered upon the passage of the bill through the House of Representatives, which happened unexpectedly to be called and passed during the absence of both of them.

The object of the amendment is, to provide a very moderate compensation for the military services of the gallant Lieut. Colonel Washington, of the army, who was lost with the steamship San Francisco.

After his gallant services during the war with Mexico, during which few men were more distinguished, he was selected and appointed military commander and governor of New Mexico, by especial assignment of the War Department.

The difficult and important trust of organizing a disturbed and newly conquered country, suppressing Indian hostilities, and collecting revenue, devolved upon him.

He established order, quieted the various bands of Indians, and collected revenue to the amount of about $8,000; all of which he has satisfactorily accounted for, reserving not a dollar as compensation.

The prolonged march to Santa Fe, the unavoidable expenses incident to the commander and governor of a Territory, devolved upon him expenditures far beyond the amount of his army pay and allowances; and he returned home several thousand dollars out of pocket. The effect of the amendment will be, to give him the allowance prescribed by the rules laid down by General Kearney, known as the Kearney code that is, at the rate of $2,000 per annum from the period of his appointment and service as military commandant and governor-about a year and a few months.

With much respect, your obedient servant,

Hon. JAMES SHIELDS, Senator, &c.

R. B. LEE.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, January 10, 1855.

SIR: In conformity to an act passed at the last session of Congress, civil superintendents of the national armories have been appointed, and I have the honor to recommend that a provision be introduced into the army appropriation bill, allowing them a compensation equal to the pay and commuted allowances of a major of ordnance, to be paid from the appropriation "for the national armories." The grade to which it is recommended that their compensation be assimilated is that of the ordnance officers recently in charge of the armories. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JEFF'N DAVIS, Secretary of War.

Hon. R. M. T. HUNTER,

Chairman Committee on Finance, Senate.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, January 24, 1855. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a communication from the colonel of ordnance recommending an increase of the salaries of certain officers of his department at the national armories and arsenals, and concur therein only so far as regards the principal clerk at each of the armories, whose salaries I recommend to be raised to $1,200 per annum.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Hon. R. M. T. HUNTER,

JEFF'N DAVIS,

Chairman Committee on Finance, Senate.

Secretary of War.

ORDNANCE OFFICE,

Washington, January 13, 1855.

SIR: In the belief that the compensation allowed by law to the military storekeepers, master-armorers, and clerks, at the national armories, is at this time insufficient, in consequence of an advance in the cost of living; and as an increase of wages and salaries has been the consequence of such advance in regard to many other employés of the government, I would recommend an increase in the compensation for

the above-named officers.

The compensation of each of these armory officers is prescribed by the act of 23d August, 1842, as follows: For the paymaster-who is also storekeeper-$1,250 per annum; for the master-armorer, $1,200 per annum; and for the clerks, $800 per annum, each. I regard these rates as an inadequate compensation for the services and responsibilities attached to the respective offices. The paymaster and storekeeper receives, disburses, and accounts for all the money which is expended for public purposes at the armory. He is also accountable for all the finished arms and material for their fabrication, and for all other public property not in use in the workshops. For the proper performance of his duties, and a faithful accountability for the public money and property intrusted to his charge, he is required to furnish good and sufficient bond to the amount of $50,000. The average disbursements of the paymaster and storekeeper, at each armory, for the last five years, have been about $223,000 per annum, and the value of the public property, at the two armories, for which these officers are accountable, is about three and a half million of dollars.

The master-armorer has the general charge and supervision of all the workshops, and keeps accounts, with the foremen, for all tools and materials, rough and finished work, delivered to and received from them respectively. He is also the chief inspector of all materials and tools, and of all finished arms to be delivered into the public storehouse, and is responsible that they shall have undergone the prescribed proofs, and are complete for service.

The duties of the clerks at the armories include correspondence, the keeping of time-rolls, the preparation of pay-rolls, and of accounts

and returns of money and property; accounts of all materials issued for fabrication, and of the disposal made of them, and the copying and recording of all public letters, papers, and returns. These duties require the employment of three permanent clerks at each armory.

The foregoing is a general statement of the duties and responsibilities, at the armories, of the officers referred to in this letter. To understand their character and amount, and thus to form a proper appreciation of their value, it is necessary to know all the details of the system of management and accountability at the armories. From my knowledge and experience in this respect, I can confidently recommend the following as a fair compensation in each case, viz: For the paymaster and storekeeper and for the master-armorer, at each armory, a salary of $1,500 per annum; for the principal clerk $1,200, and for each of the other clerks at the armories $1,000 per annum ; the respective clerks to be designated by the Secretary of War.

The proposed salaries add about 25 per cent. to those now received by the paymasters and master-armorers, and from 50 to 25 per cent., according to the character of their duties, to those now received by the clerks.

In this connexion, it seems proper that I should also refer to the inadequacy of the compensation of the paymasters and storekeepers at the arsenals. Their salaries were fixed by the same act-that of 23d August, 1842-at $1,250 per annum for those at arsenals of construction, and $800 per annum for those at other arsenals. They are underpaid, considering the extent and character of their responsibilities and duties, and an increase of about 25 per cent. would not give them more than a fair compensation.

I therefore recommend that the military storekeepers, whose salaries are now $1,250, shall be allowed hereafter $1,500; and those whose salaries are $800, shall be allowed $1,000 per annum. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. K. CRAIG,

Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS,

Secretary of War.

Colonel of Ordnance.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 29, 1855.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the consideration of the Committee on Finance, a letter from the chief of the topographical engineers, submitting an estimate of the amount required to pay arrearages for allowances for fuel, quarters, transportation, and per diem to officers of his corps, for which there is no appropriation available, to the 31st ultimo; also an estimate of the amount which will be due for the same objects on the 30th June next, and one for the fiscal year ending the 30th June, 1856. I recommend that the army

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