The philosophical apparatus and astronomical instruments are of the best kind and of the latest invention, but many more are required fully to illustrate the course of natural philosophy.

The building which contains the library and philosophical apparatus is both unsafe and unstable, and the rooms are so small and inconvenient as not to admit of the necessary arrangement and display of them for useful purposes. Many instruments of the philosophical apparatus, which are delicate in their structure and uses, and require to be very nicely and accurately adjusted, are exposed to be injured by the constant and violent shaking of the edifice; and the finer astronomical instruments cannot be used, from the same reason, and from want of space. A large telescope is placed in a detached building entirely unsuited to its uses,

For these reasons, and from the intrinsic value of the books and instruments, the Board recommend the erection of a fire proof building, with an observatory annexed to it.

Upon a careful and minute examination of the public buildings of the academy, it has been found that they are inadequate to the purposes of the institution, and are not only badly constructed, but entirely too limit ed to afford comfortable or proper accommodations for the cadets who are lodged in them.

A number of cadets are from necessity crowded into a small room, which must produce a prejudicial effect upon their studies, their morals, and their health. That they have been exempt hitherto from the diseases which are engendered in confined and crowded apartments, is due altogether to the admirable system of internal police and strict attention to cleanliness which distinguish every department of this institution.

There is, besides, a want of accommodations for the assistant professors, and the quartermaster, paymaster, and adjutant are without offices. For all these purposes nearly fifty new rooms are required. The Board would recommend that the superintendent be instructed to furnish a plan of a building, capable of uniting all the accommodations required by the officers and cadets now at the academy, and of being extended whenever the Government may think it expedient to enlarge this institution, and render it proportionate to our vast territories and rapidly increasing population; and that, whenever it may be thought proper to erect the building now called for, it may be so constructed as to form part of an edifice hereafter to be completed with more extensive accommodations.

On examining into the fiscal concerns of the academy, the Board have every reason to be satisfied that great economy has been exercised in the administration of this department of the institution, and cheerfully bear testimony to the order aud regularity with which the books are kept, and the receipts and disbursements accounted for, as well as to the integrity and judicious economy with which the finances of the academy are administered,

There are several subjects, the importance of which is fully understood and acknowledged by the superintendent and academic staff, but which are not taught in this institution, for want of time. In military and civil engineering, it is thought that the following might be introduced with great advantage to the cadets: A course of applied mechanics on the io. vestigation and description of some of the most useful machines employled in the construction of public works. Some practical exercises in the

field, such as laying out and throwing up some of the works of a cam paign, which are most ordinarily used; batteries, trenches, cavaliers, the anner of conducting saps. the construction of gabions and fascines, &c &c, and a course of topog aphy as applied to military reconnoissances; indeed, such is the vast importance of this branch, that a new department, embracing the whole subject, could not fail to be very advantageous to the military student.

In the department of natural philosophy many important practical illustrations might be advantageously introduced. At present the experimental part of the course is principally confined to the illustration of such facts and general principles as may be established by experiments exhibited in the presence of the entire class. These illustrations are attended with the most beneficial effects, as they serve to make a very forcicle impression on the mind of the student; but they are alone insufficient. It is frequently important that the student should not only be acquainted with the name and use of an instrument, but that he should be able to employ it himself. This can only be done when sufficient time is allowed for each student to make frequent use of such instruments, under the immediate direction of the professor.

This deficiency is particularly felt in the course of astronomy, where an intimate acquaintance with the use of instruments and the habit of submitting the data furnished by observation to the process of calculation are essentially necessary to enable the student to apply bis theoretical knowledge to useful purposes. The instruction in practical astronomy is altogether too limited; the time which can be devoted to this object being scarcely more than sufficient to permit the professor to make the students acquainted with the objects of the few instruments in the possession of this department. This is certainly a great defect: important lines are frequently required to be established as boundaries between) States and Territories of neighbouring nations, where the accurate use o instruments is of the last importance, and the cadets of this academy ought to be practically taught to use them with perfect correctness. The principles of strategy or grand tactics might be taught with advantage

It is true, that there is no work treating of those subjects which is sufficiently condensed, and at the same time perfectly unexceptionable in its principles and illustrations; but the same industry and talent which has furnished text books in other departments of military science, might be employed for this purpose with great success, and furnish a series of lectures embracing a definition of the technical terms employed, and such general principles as admit of the clearest and most exact illustration.

It appears always to have been desirable that cavalry tactics should be taught at a great national military academy. This branch has hitherto been totally neglected, but it has become more essentially necessary since this arm has been added to the regular army of the country. The service of cavalry and horse artillery ought to form a part of the practical instruction of this academy, and the Board respectfully recommend this subject to your consideration. As the cadets are now occupied sedulously every hour of the day in the prosecution of the studies now taught in this institution, it will be necessary, if these subjects are deemed ot sufficient importance to be added to the present course, that the term

of the academic study shoul be extended, or the qualifications require on entering the acade by should be made much greater than they now ar. They are lower than is required by any literary institution in this country, and no dourt the frequent dismissal of those young men who cannot keep up with their class arises principally from this cause. Parents ought to be informed of the great advantage their sons would derive the first year of their course at this academy, by being well grounded in the classics in arithmetic and Algebra, and in rudiments of the French language

The manner in which the cadets are furnished with clothing was a subject of inquiry by the Board, who were satisfied that this was done in the most economical manner Their mess-room was inspected while the cadets were at their meals, and the Board were satisfied that the steward fulfilled his contract faithfully, and supplied the tables with abundance.

An inquiry having been made into the manner in which cadets are supplied with the class books and stationery, the Board are satisfied, after a complete investigation, that the cadets are supplied with all such articles at a lower price than they can be purchased for in New York, and in the most convenient, just, and economical manuer, and that the arrangement made by the superintendent in this particular is marked by the same prudent economy, order and intelligence which characterized the management of the institution.

The Board having learnt that the present superintendent of the Military Academy, whose health has suffered from his close attention to the affairs of the institution, has been called to the performance of other duties, cannot forbear to express the very high sense they entertain of his merit and services, during the long period of his command at this station. To the knowledge acquired with this view by Colonel Thayer, the Military Academy of the United States owes its present admirable organization; and to his zeal, capacity, and unwearied attention to his duties, is to be attributed the high state of discipline and improvement of the institution. To his exertions we owe, in a great measure, the success of this establishment, the extensive usefulnesss of which needs only to be understood by the nation to be fully appreciated.

Independently of serving to disseminate over the vast territories of the United States knowledge of a description which cannot enter into the usual course of studies in other academies, and furnishing the means of rendering most effective our army and militia, of securing our frontier, and improving the communication throughout the States, it is calculated to elevate the moral state of the military profession in our country, the importance of which to the general interests of the nation cannot be too much insisted upon.

The annals of history prove that success in arms is one of the most fruitful sources of personal popularity; and in a country where the soldier is still a citizen, and may be called upon to share in the civil governmeut, or rise to the highest honors of the state, the standard of study and discipline cannot be too high, which develops his talents and forms his character. The same annals show that, at the close of successful wars, the liberties of a country depeud, in a great measure, upon the character of the armies; at such a period, the fortunate soldier possesses

power, and great, and probably, well earned popularity; and if his character is not as elevated by nature or education as to lead him to prefer the solid fame of having preserved the liberties of his fellow citizens to the glitter of false ambition, and to sacrifice all personal views of aggrandizement to the good of his country, he may plunge the state into anarchy for rivet upon his fellow citizens the chains of despotism. If ever the [liberties of the states of Europe shall be recovered, it will be effected through the improved condition, character, and education of their officers and soldiers; and while we indulge the hope that the liberty of these States rests upon too firm a basis to be overthrown by the ambition of those who compose our armies, it cannot be concealed that, if they were not instructed, their ignorance and depravity might seriously endanger the peace of the country.

The Board have observed with some regret that the old works in the (neighbourhood of the academy have been, in some instances, disturbed. They ought, in their opinion, to be preserved as monuments of the glorious struggle which secured, our independence, The contemplation of such memorials cannot fail to have a beneficial effect. They are calculated to inspire all Amercians with sentiments of exalted patriotism, and to remind them of the extraordinary efforts and great sacrifices made by our forefathers to achieve the liberty and independence of the country, and cannot fail to lead them to form virtuous resolutions, and to reflect that, as heirs of the immortal fame of their ancestors, they are bound to emulate their glorious career, and preserve their bright inheritance with the same inflexible courage and un ieviating purpose.

STEPHEN VAN RENNSELAER, President. 1. S. SKINNER,

JOHN FOSYTH,
JOSEPH C. YATES,
JAMES FENNER,
JOHN A. TOMLINSON,
FRANCIS B. POVALL,
RICHARD POLLARD,
GEORGE READ,
JAMES RODGERS,

CHARLES COFFIN,

J. R. BURDEN,

LEVIN GALE,

JAMES RUSSELL,

T. HARTLEY CRAWFORD,
E BANKS,

JOHN R. FENWICK, Brig Gen.
JAMES BANKHEAD, Col US A.
J. R. POINSEIT,

ERASTUS ROOT,

JOHN NORVELL, Secretary.

An act to improve the condition of the non-commissioned officers and privates of the Army and Marine Corps of the United States, and to prevent desertion.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That from and after the passage of this act, all enlistments in the army of the United States, shall be for three years; and that the monthly pay of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers, shall be as follows, viz: to each sergeant major, quarter master sergeant, and chief musician, sixteen dollars; to the first sergeant of a company, fifteen dollars; to all other sergeant, twelve dollars each; to each artificer, ten dollars; to each corporal eight dollars; and to each musician and private soldier, six dollars; and that all eplistments in the marine corps, shall be for four years; and that the monthly pay of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers in said corps, shall be

as follows, viz: to each sergeant major and quartermaster sergeant, seventeen dollars; to the drum major, file major, the orderly sergeants of posts, and first sergeants of guards at sea, sixteen dollars each; to all other sergeants thirteen dollars; to each corporal, nine dollars; to each musician, eight dollars; and to each private, seven dollars.

SEC 2. And be it further enacted, That one dollar of the monthly pay of every musician and private soldier, shall be retained until the expiration of the two first years of their enlistment, when each shall receive the twenty-four dollars retained pay which shall have so accrued: Provided, He shall have served honestly and faithfully that portion of the term of his first enlistment.

SFC. 3. And be it further enacted, That every able bodied musician or private soldier, who may enlist into his company or regiment, within two months before, or one month after, the expiration of his term of service, shall receive two months' extra pay, besides the pay and other allowances which may be due to him on account of the unexpired period of any enlistment.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That every able bodied musician or soldier who shall re-enlist into his company or regiment, as specified in the third section of this act, shall receive his full pay, at the rate of six dollars per month, without any temporary deduction therefrom.

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That no premium to officers, for enlisting recruits, nor bounties to recruits for enlisting, shall be allowed after the passage of this act.

SEC. 6 And be it further enacted, That no person who has been convicted of any criminal offence, shall be enlisted into the army of the United States.

SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That the seventh section of the act entitled "an Act making further provision for the army of the United States," passed on the sixteenth of May, one thousand eight hundred and twelve, be, and the same is hereby repealed, so far as it applies to any eulisted soldier, who shall be convicted by a general court martial, of the crime of desertion. [Approved March 2, 1833]

Act for the more perfect defence of the frontiers. Approved March 2, 1333. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Unit ed States of America, in Congress assembled, That in lieu of the battallion of mounted rangers authorized by the act of the fifteenth of June, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, there be established a regiment of dragoons, to be composed and organized as follows, to wit: one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, one major, one quartermaster sergeant, and two chief buglers, one adjutant, who shall be a lieutenant, one sergeant major, one chief musician, and ten companies; each company to consist of one captain one first lieutenant, and one second lieutenant, exclusive of the lieutenant who is to be the adjutant of the regiment; four sergeants, one of whom shall act as quartermaster sergeant to the company, four corporals, two buglers, one farrier and blacksmith, and sixty privates.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the officers, non commissioned officers, musicians, and privates, when mounted, be entitled to the same pay and emoluments as was allowed to dragoons, during the war,