There has been transported, from the Atlantick States to the Western States and Territories, from 1812 to 1822, both years inclusive, the following number and description of Arms, viz.:

Total No. transported to the West, during 11 Years, 85,418

Equal to an annual average number of 7,765.

From the foregoing Statements, it results, that between 7 and 8,000 Stands of Arms have been annually transported to the West, since the commencement of the late War: that about 25,000 Stands are now necessary to be transported thither, in order to give the Wester Depots a due supply, and that, to keep up that supply, nearly 10,000 Stands must be annually sent there hereafter.

The amount which has been paid, for transporting Arms to the West, cannot be accurately ascertained. Heretofore, the cost of transportation has been estimated at one dollar per Stand, which was probably correct. But it is believed, that, owing to the present improved state of the roads, and the general reduction of prices, Arms can now be transported for 75 cents each.

"The probable cost of manufacturing Arms in the West," may be stated to be the same as the cost of the arms made at the Armories now established. Iron, from the same works which supply the Armory at Harper's-Ferry, can be delivered at any point on the Ohio, for the same prices which are paid at Harper's-Ferry. Pit-coal, charcoal, and Gun Stocks, can be procured in the West upon much better terms than at either of the present Armories. Other articles would cost more in the West than in the Atlantick States.

The wages of workmen, which forms about two-thirds of the cost of the Arms, may be stated to be as low, at least, in the West, as on the seaboard; for it may be presumed that labour will eventually be cheapest where subsistence is the most abundant and cheap.

The probable cost of erecting, at this time, on the "Western waters, such an Armory as that at Harper's-Ferry or Springfield,” may be estimated at 200,000 dollars, including the purchase of Sites, Millseats, and the erection of Mill-dams, Buildings, and Machinery. This cost, however, will depend materially upon the convenience and fitness of the Sites which may be selected.

It would require about three years to erect such an establishment. During the first year, little more could be done than to select the posi

tion, and to make preparatory arrangements for a supply of building materials. The Sites could not be examined advantageously until late in the summer, when the waters are low; the season would then be too far advanced to commence building. It is estimated that 30,000 dollars would be sufficient for the expenditures of the first year.

In reference to the expediency, or inexpediency, of establishing an additional Armory, it may be proper to state, that Muskets belonging to The United States, at the commencement of the late War, have been estimated at upwards of 200,000 Stands, and that the number of Muskets manufactured during the War was about 60,000. At the close of the year 1814, scarcely 20,000 Stands remained in the Arsenals, and great efforts were made to procure an additional Supply. Had the War continued another Year, the deficiency of Arms would have occasioned the most embarrassing consequences.

From this Statement it appears that at least 240,000 Muskets were : expended during the late War; a quantity nearly approaching the number now on hand, as stated in a former part of this Report. Thus it is seen, that nearly Eight Years of Peace have been required to make good losses occasioned by a War of less than Three Years' duration.

The great extent of Sea Coast, and Inland Frontier, necessary to be defended in time of War, will render large Distributions of Arms, to the Militia and other new raised Troops, indispensable; and it is reasonable to presume, as well from past experience, as from the nature of the case, that our resources will sooner fail in this respect, than in any other of our military supplies. And, as so much time is required to put into full operation an establishment for the Manufacture of Arms, upon a large scale, it will not be in the power of the Government, on a sudden emergency, to increase very materially the supply.

If it should be decided to establish an Armory in the Western Country, it would be advisable to advance it gradually, until it reached the extent of the present National Armories. Five or six years would be required for this purpose, because a sufficient number of experienced workmen could not be procured in a shorter period, without materially deranging the operations of the Armories now established.

The total annual product of Arms, with an additional Armory upon a scale equal to the present, may be estimated as follows, viz. Three National Armories, 12,000 each........................36,000 The appropriation for arming and equipping the Militia, 14,000

Total..

The Hon. J. C. Calhoun.

I have the honour to be, &c.

........50,000

GEORGE BOMFORD.

MESSAGE from the President of The United States to Congress, transmitting a Report of the Secretary of War, of the Expenses of the Ordnance Department, for the Years 1817, 18, 19, 20, 21, and part of 1822, &c.

To the House of Representatives of The United States.

In compliance with the Resolutions of The House of Representa tives of the 8th of January, 7th of May, and 17th December, 1822, requesting the President of The United States to cause to be laid before that House a detailed Statement of the current expenses of the Ordnance Department, for the Years 1817, 18, 19, 20, and 21, and as much as can be shewn for the Year 1822; and also the number and local position of each of the Armories, Arsenals, and Magazines, of The United States; the total expense of constructing and repair. ing the same, up to the Year 1821; the number of Cannon, and other Arms annually made at each; and the expenses of each Armory and Arsenal for each Year, from 1816 to 1821, inclusive; I herewith transmit a Report from the Secretary of War, accompanied by such Documents as will be found to contain the desired information. Washington, January 3, 1823.

JAMES MONROE.

Department of War, December 30th, 1822. THE Secretary of War, to whom was referred the Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 8th of January, 1822, requesting the President of The United States "to cause to be laid before the House, a Statement, shewing the amount expended for the current expenses of the Ordnance Department during the Years 1817, 1818, 1819 and 1820, and as much as can be shewn of said Expenditures for the Year 1821; with the particular items for which the Money was expended; the place where, and the Persons to whom, paid, what quantity of Timber has been procured for Gun Carriages and Caissons, its Cost annually, and where deposited; the quantity of Ordnance, of every kind, that has been provided during those Years, or paid for; the sums expended in the purchase of Sites for Arsenals since the Peace; the Cost of the Buildings erected thereon; and whether all those Arsenals are necessary for the Service of The Unite States;" and that of the 7th of May, 1822, requesting the President of The United States "to cause to be laid before the House, a Report, shewing the Number and local position of each of the Armories, Arse nals, and Magazines, of The United States; the time at which each was established, and the total Expense of constructing and repairing the same, up to the end of the Year 1821; also, the whole number of Cannon, and other Arms, made annually at each Armory and Arsenal, from its Establishment to the end of the said Year; also an exhibit, in detail, of the Expenses of each Armory and Arsenal, for each Year,

from 1816 to 1821, inclusive, shewing, 1st, the gross amount of Money expended at each, within each Year; 2d, the separate object to which the Expenditure was applied; 3d, the contracts and purchases made at each within each Year, by whom and with whom, whether publickly or privately, with or without Publick notice, for what articles or materials, the amount of each Contract for all purchases, and the amount given therefor, the names of all concerned as Principals, Agents, and Securities, their places of Residence, and the failures which may have occurred in any Contract; 4th, the whole number of Arms and Equipments transmitted to each State and Territory in the Union, under the Act of Congress for arming the whole body of the Militia of The United States; 5th, the whole number of Cannon, Arms, Equipments, and Munitions of War, of every kind, distinguishing the different kinds, now belonging to The United States, and where placed; 6th, the Annual Expense of transporting Ordnance and Ordnance Stores from the places at which they were made or purchased, in the Atlantick States, to the places at which they were to be delivered or used, in the Western States or Territories, specifying the several descriptions of Arms and Munitions so transported, and the cost thereof when purchased. The whole so arranged as to exhibit clearly the annual expenditure of the annual appropriation for each specific object:"-As well as the Resolution of the 17th of December, 1822, requesting the President of The United States "to cause to be laid before this House, a Statement, shewing the amount expended for the Current Expenses of the Ordnance Department during the Years 1817, 1818, 1819, 1820, and 1821, and as much as can be shewn of said Expenditure for the Year 1822; with the particular items for which the Money was expended, the place where, and the persons to whom paid; what quantity of Timber has been procured for Gun Carriages and Caissons, its cost annually, and where deposited; the quantity of Ordnance of every kind that has been procured during those years, or paid for, and the whole amount of the Arms, of every description, now belonging to The United States; the sums expended in the purchase of Sites for Arsenals since the Peace; the cost of the buildings erected thereon; and whether all those Arsenals are necessary for the Service of The United States ;" has the honour to transmit herewith the Report of the Lieutenant Colonel of Ordnance, and those of the Second and Third Auditors of the Treasury; which contain the information required, with the exception of the "expenditure of the Orduance Department for the Year 1822," which will be transmitted as soon as prepared.

All of which is respectfully submitted.
J. C. CALHOUN.

The President of The United States.

SIR,

Ordnance Department, December 30, 1822. In answer to the Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 17th instant, I have the honour to report, that a Statement of "the whole amount of the Arms, of every description, now belonging to The United States," is contained in the Papers marked H and I, which were communicated with my Report of the 27th instant, and that all other Statements, required by the Resolution, which appertains to this Department to furnish, is contained in my Report of the 28th instant, and the Papers therein mentioned; to which Reports and Statements I beg leave to refer, as containing all the information in possession of this Department, which is required by the Resolution. I have the honour to be, &c.,

Hon. John C. Calhoun.

SIR,

G. BOMFORD.

Ordnance Department, 27th December, 1822. I HAVE the honour to communicate herewith, sundry Statements, which contain the information required by the Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 7th of May last; as far as the same can be furnished by this Department.

Statement (A) shews the number and local position of each of the Arsenals and Magazines of The United States; the time at which each was established; and the total Expense of constructing and repairing the same, up to the close of the Year 1821. Also the Sums expended in the purchase of Sites for Arsenals since the Peace, and the cost of the buildings erected thereon.

The Sums expended in the construction and repairs of Arsenals, from 1799 to the close of the late War, amount to

The Sums expended in the purchase of Sites for Arsenals since the Peace amount to ....

And the cost of the buildings erected since the Peace, amounts to

Total amount expended in building and repairing Arsenals, from 1799 to 1821, inclusive, and in pur

275,787 78

26,201 33

974,782 95

chasing Sites for Arsenals since the Peace. Dollars 1,276,772 06

This Statement has been prepared from the separate Reports of the 2d and 3d Auditors. It is considered better thus to blend in one Statement these separate Reports; as the information required can, by this means, be presented at one view, and in a more condensed form.

Statement B exhibits the annual expenditures at the Armory at Springfield, Mass. for the purchase of Land, the construction and repair of Buildings, the manufacture and repair of Arms, and for