Davis, Jefferson; Dobbin, J. C.; Campbell, James; et al. Message from the President of the United States to the Two Houses of Congress, at the Commencement of the Third Session of the Thirty-fourth Congress. Volume II. [Reports of the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Postmaster General]. Washington: A. O. P. Nicholson, Printer, 1856. First Edition. [12518]
Bound in the original blindstamped black cloth, "Senate Document" in blind on the spine, title in gilt, 9 x 6 inches. Binding is edge-worn, frayed at the ends and corners, and has a faded white ink call number at the base of the spine. Inked library stamps on the front and back end papers. 894 generally clean pp. with some infrequent foxing. Fair. Hardcover.
34th Congress, 3d Session, Senate Ex. Doc. No. 5. This volume provides the supporting documentation for President Franklin Pierce's message to Congress, which would be volume one of this resource (not included here).
The Secretary of War was Jefferson Davis; the Secretary of the Navy was James Cochran Dobbin; the Postmaster General was James Campbell.
The Report of the Secretary of War, pp. [3]-404 presents a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the US Army in 1856. Much of the information pertains to the distribution and use of troops in the American West against the native Americans of the region.
"The accompanying tables exhibit the distribution of troops in the several military departments. During the past year the department of the Pacific has been reinforced by three companies of the 1st dragoons and the 9th regiment of infantry. A post has been established at Tueson [sic], New Mexico, for the protection of the valley of the Santa Cruz, and the restraint of the Indians north of the Gila, and is at present garrisoned by four companies of the 1st dragoons. The regiment of mounted riflemen, in consequence of threatened hostilities with the Navajo Indians in New Mexico, was ordered, in June last, to that department from Texas. Two companies of the 2d dragoons and the 2d regiment of infantry occupy the posts located on the Upper Missouri at the close of the late campaign against the Sioux Indians...An expedition has been sent to the northern boundary of Minnesota Territory..." - p. [3].
This very large report contains hundreds of letters and statements regarding actions with Indians, the disposition of troops, the maintenance of forts, the monies spent, and the output of the armories.
The Report of the Secretary of the Navy is pp. 405-762, and is about 350 pages of detailed information regarding the US Navy in 1856, information on every possible aspect of the fleet, officers, sailors, ports, engagements, &c. It contains charts of contractors, costs of timber, iron, ordinance, &c.
The Report of the Postmaster General is pp. 763-894, which treats with mail routes, contractors, expenses, incomes, a treaty with Great Britain regarding mails, Mexican mails, &c., &c. This includes charts of postal railroad service - the routes, distances, trips per week, annual pay, annual incomes, &c.
