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2d Session.

No. 35.

DEPOSITORY FOR ARMS-WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

JANUARY 26, 1855.—Laid upon the table, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. FAULKNER, from the Committee on Military Affairs, made the following

REPORT.

The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the joint resolution of the Territory of Washington, praying Congress to make an appropriation for the erection of a depository for arms at the capital of said Territory, have, according to order, had the same under consideration, and report:

That it has not been the policy or practice of the government to provide buildings, in any State or Territory, for depositing the arms and equipments issued under the law for arming and equipping the militia, such arms and equipments being always turned over to the exclusive care and control of the State or Territory to which they are supplied. Moreover, the Territory of Washington not having made any return of its militia or population, is not entitled, under the law, to receive from the United States any arms or equipments.

The establishment, therefore, of an arsenal for the purpose indicated in the joint resolution, is not expedient or necessary.

For these reasons, the committee ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

2d Session.

MILITARY ROADS-KANSAS.

[To accompany bill H. R. No. 690.]

JANUARY 29, 1855.

No. 36.

Mr. FAULKNER, from the Committee on Military Affairs, made the fol

lowing REPORT.

The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill of the House No. 606, to provide for the construction of roads and bridges, and for the improvement of rivers, in the Territory of Kansas, and to provide for a geological survey of said Territory, have, according to order, had the same under consideration, and respectfully report:

That upon so much of said bill as refers to the construction of bridges, improvements of rivers, and the making of a geological survey of said Territory, they deem it inexpedient to take any action; but, viewing the roads provided for in said bill as highly important in a military view, they respectfully submit, as a part of this their report, several communications from the War Department relative thereto, and report a bill in lieu of the one referred to them.

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SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, enclosing House bill No. 606, to provide for the construction of roads and bridges, &c., in the Territory of Kansas, and asking to what extent the roads indicated are actually necessary for military purposes.

In reply, I transmit you reports from Deputy Quartermaster General Charles Thomas, Major E. A. Ogden, assistant quartermaster, and First Lieutenant E. B. Beckwith, 3d artillery, on the subject, and have to say that I fully concur in the opinions expressed by these officers as to the importance of the roads for military purposes. The bill is herewith returned.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Hon. C. J. FAULKNER,

JEFF'N DAVIS,
Secretary of War.

Chairman Com. Military Affairs, House of Reps.

QUARTERMASTER GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, January 3, 1855. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter of the Hon. Charles Faulkner, chairman of the committee of the House of Representatives, enclosing a bill for the construction of certain military roads in the Territory of Kansas, referred to this office for a report; and I have to state that the roads mentioned in the bill, if properly located and constructed, would, without doubt, be of much importance in a military point of view, as they would not only facilitate the movements of troops destined for New Mexico, Utah, and California, but would decrease the cost of transportation of the military supplies which we are now compelled to have transported to those sections of our country-both of which are objects much to be desired. They will also lead to the ssttlement of the country through which they may be constructed; as, at all such points as may be found susceptible of cultivation, settlements will be made, which will not only add to the facilities of military operations and decrease the cost of them, but actually aid in controlling the Indians of the plains.

I would, therefore, respectfully recommend them as of military importance to the Territories of New Mexico and Utah, as well as of Kansas.

The papers are herewith returned.

I remain, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
By order: CHS. THOMAS,
Deputy Quartermaster General.

Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS,

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 8, 1855. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, enclosing that of the honorable chairman of the military committee of the House of Representatives, accompanied by a bill for appropriations for certain roads and bridges in the Territory of Kansas, and to state in answer thereto, that, in my opinion, the roads and bridges contemplated by the bill for military purposes are of the first importance in connection with the march of troops and transportation of supplies to New Mexico, Utah and Oregon, not less than in the control of the various tribes of the plains. I am, however, doubtful of the expediency of fixing Fort Riley as the point for their eastern terminus, for it is certain that, if practicable at all for light-draught steamers, the Kansas river can only be so for a few weeks in each year, and therefore, upon any unanticipated emergency, supplies can only be received at that terminus by land transportation from the Missouri river.

The best route from Fort Riley will doubtless be found to cross the Republican fork of the Kansas at the fort, and follow the north side of the Smoky Hill fork until crossing Sycamore, Mosquito, Nepeholla, and Saline forks of that stream, with several smaller branches, the banks of which are miry and often as difficult to cross as the larger

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