14th. The examination of the fourth class, on the same subject, was commenced on the evening of the 16th, continued on the 17th and 18th, and resumed and concluded on the morning of the 20th. The examination throughout was creditable to the cadets and their instructors. The use which was made of the blackboard at the examination deserves to be known. There were two blackboards in different parts of the room, four cadets were called up at the same time, two to each board, and each cadet was told by the examining professor what he wished him to do; they then constructed the diagrams and wrote out their demonstrations and solutions on the board. While they were occupied, questions were put to one or more members of the class until one of those first called up was ready at the blackboard; he then read his demonstration or solution; but this was done with a readiness which showed that it was fully understood. He was then questioned in relation to the demonstation or solution, and the examination continued until the cadet next to him was ready. By this means, the student had time to reflect and to work out his demonstration or solution; he was free from embarrassment whilst thus engaged, because he knew that all present were attending to the person under examination. Besides the able professor who presides over this department, seven as istants are necessary to enable him to do justice to his classes, while the law provides but for one. This deficiency was fomerty supplied by the selection of the most distinguished cadets, but it was found that the cadets thus selected were unable to progress with their class, and at the same time give useful instruction to others. Subsequently, officers have been detailed from the army and assigned to the discharge of the duty, but as no compensation is allowed by law for this extra service, the officers detailed have no inducement to retain their places in the institution. The consequence is, that this most important department is continually subjected to the evils of frequent changes in the instructors. At the close of the present term, as the board are informed, every assistant, except the one provided for by law, leaves the institution, strikingly ilustrating the necessity of some provision to guard against this great inconvenience. It is believed that the provisions of an act reported at the last session of Congress, would, if adopted, correct this evil and many others to which the institution is exposed. The professor in this department has felt the want of a large theodolite, with Hassler's improvement, the purchase of which the board would respectfully recommend. In French, the attainments of these classes are respectable and the examinations in this department were very satisfactory to the board. With regard to the police of the institution, the board have found much to commend, and nothing which, in their opinion, requires alteration. An admirable system has been matured, which is fully understood and vigilantly enforced. Every thing which can conduce to the health and comfort of the cadets, consistently with a due attention to study and the performance of their military duties, has received attention. The discipline established by the regulations of the academy, is favorably illustrated in the personal appearance and manly deportment of the cadets; the neatness and uniformity of their dress and accoutrements, and their strict and willing obedience to the orders of their superiors. The seeming rigor of the requirements prescribed, has had the most salutary operation, in engendering a spirit of many and honorable emulation, the distinguishing characteristic of the students of this institution. The relations subsisting between the superintendent and instructors, and the cadets, are in strict harmony with their respective duties, and ca.culated to inspire the latter with a strong feeling of self respect. Every motive which can be addressed to their pride and Judgment to influence a devotion to science, is here presented; and it affords the board unqualified pleasure to state that they have not been unmindful of the advantages they enjoynor lost sight of the high destinies to which, in the future concerns of their Government, they may reasonably aspire. The books and accounts of the Quartermaster, and of the Treasurer and Paymaster, have been examined, and found to be correct. A strict system of accountability has been established in regard to the receipt and disbursement of the public money, sufficiently guarded to prevent its misapplication; the accounts of the cadets are regularly and accurately kept; their clothing and other necessary articles are so furnished as to avoid ali imposition, and at prices, if not below, certainly not above the ordinary rates. The board likewise examined the food served up at the meals of the cadets, which they found of excellent quality, and, prepared with a cleaminess and regard to comfort, worthy of all praise. To the many inquiries proposed to the cadets themselves, the reply has uniformly been, that their food was not only good but abundant. The medical department has also engaged the attention of the board. The hospital erected within a few years, is convenient in its arrangement, airy, and comfortable. The coneerns of this department are exceedingly well directed by the distinguished surgeon uuder whose supervision it has been placed. The fiscal concerns of the institution appear to have been conducted with great ability; and the appropriations of the Government to have been expended judiciously and faithfully. By the practice of a judicious economy a considerable fund was not log since accumuated which has been chiefly expended in the erection of useful buildings, embracing a commodious hotel for the acconinodation of the parents and friends of the cadets, and of other persons visiting the academy. In connexion with the subject of the public buildings, the board feel it to be their duty to reiterate the recommendation heretofore repeatedly made, that a competent appropriation for the erection of a house of worship, be asked of Congress. he room now used for the purpose, never was designed to be so appropriated; it is too small to accommodate the eadets, and others who frequent it, and is, in all other respects, inconvenient. The library of the academy has been procured with much trouble, and at considerable expense: it is valuable, and should be preserved. 1o provide for its security, the board would respectfully recommend that a fire-proof room to receive it, be connected with the chapel, which they propose should be erected The room now occupied as a library, should this recommendation be effected, may be advantageously used as a lecture or recitation room. A reference to the reports of former and successive boards of visiters, will show that a strong conviction of the inadequacy of the existing rank and pay of the Superintenden, of the acad emy, has long obtained. In this conviction, and the recommendations founded on it, the board entirely concur. The services required and diligently performed by him, are extremely laborious; the responsibinty of his station is great, and the expense to which he is necessarily subjected, very considerable. The zeal, talent, and industry which have been so long and conspicuously displayed by him in the faithful discharge of his important and arduous duties, entitie him, in the judgment of the board, to the favorable consideration of the Government. The board forbear to multiply suggestions, in relation to the wants of the institution already brought to the view of the Government by boards of visiters who have preceded them. They believe that the prompt and full gratification of these wants would iminently promote the public welfare, by giving increased efficiency to an institution whose interests are bound up with those of the nation. Every facility has been afforded to the board, in aid of their investigations, by the Superintendent and those connected with him in the adminstration of the affairs of the academy. To the merits of all, the board take pleasure in bearing testimony; in their capacity and devotion to science, the national confidence may be safely reposed, in the assurance that the interests committed to their charge wit be faithfully guarded, and zealously advanced. We have the honor to be, Sir, your ob dient servants. WINFIELD SCOTT, Major General U. S. Army, H. LEAVENWORTH, Brig. Gen. U. S. 4. President of the Board. LEANDER J. SHARP, JOHN PAGE, J. EVEREY, Surg. U. S. A. SIMON CAMERON, JOHN NELSON, Sec. Board of Visiters. A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE Of the more important Treaties between the principal civilized Nations; with notices of the Wars and other Events with which they are connected: from the beginning of the Fourteenth Century to 1832. 1326 War between England and France, on the subject of a fortress in Guinne, which Edward II. ciaimed as his of right. 1327 Peace between Robert Bruce and Edward III. The independence of Scotland acknowledged. 1336 Edward IIL renews his pretensions to the crown of France, and enters into a league with the revolted Flemings. 1356 The German Constitution, know by the name of the Golden Bull, sanctioned; and the mode of electing the Emperor determined. 1360 May 8: Peace concluded with France, at Bretigny near Chartres, whereby England retained Gascony and Guinne, acquired Saintonge, Agencis, Perigord, Limosin, Bigorre, Angoumois, and Rovergne, and renounced bef pretensions to Maine, Anjou, Touraine, and Normandy; England was also to receive 3,000,000 crowns and to release King John, who had been long prisoner in London. 1370 War recomanenced between France and England. 1381 Peace ratified between Venice and Genoa. 1385 The French united with the Scotch against England, upon which Richard II. invaded Scotland and burnt Edinburgh. 1390 The Sultan Bajazet ratified a treaty with the Greek Emperor, John Paleologus. 1412 Henry IV. of Eng and leagued with the Duke of Orleans, Regent of France, in order to oppose the Duke of Burgundy. 1415 August: Henry V. of England commences war against France. 1420 May 21: treaty of Troyes between England, France and Burgundy, whereby it was stipulated that Henry V. should marry Catharine, daughter of Charles VI., be appointed Regent of France, and after the death of Charles should inherit the crown. 1423 Treaty between England and Burgundy. 1436 September 22: treaty of Arras between France and Burgundy. Several towns arnexed to the duchy of Burgundy. 1439 The Pragmatic Sanction settled in France, 1egulating the election of bishops, and moderating the power of the pope. 1453 The first ailiance entered into between the French and Swiss. 1464 A league designated" For the public good," formed between the Dukes of Burgundy, Brittany and Bourbon, and others, against Louis XI. of France. 1465 Treaty of Conflans, between Louis XI. and the chiefs of the above league. Normandy ceded to the Duke of Berri. 1468 Louis XI., having placed himself in the power of the Duke of Burgundy, was forced to sign a treaty at Peronne, confirming those of Arras and Conflaus, with some other stipulations. 1474 Peace concluded between Edward IV. of England and Louis XI. of France. 1475 The peace of Pacquigni. 1475 Charles the Bold, of Burgundy, concluded a treaty with the French king, but speedily afterwards leagued against him with Edward IV. of England, and the Duk of Brittany. Louis XI., on the other hand, entered into a treaty with the Switzers, and succeeded ultimately in becoming an ally of England, which unexpected change determined the Duke of Burgundy to conclude a truce at Vervins for 9 1476 Charles of Burgundy commenced war against the Switzers, in which he eventually lost his life. years. 1482 The treaty of Arras, between Maximilian of Austria, the husband of Mary of Burgundy, and Louis XI. of France, whereby Margaret, daughter of the former, was espoused to the dauphin, son of the latter, with Artois and Burgundy as a dowry. 1482 Peace concluded at Edinburgh between England and Scotiand. 1494 War commenced by France for the possession of Naples, bequeath d to the king by Charles du Maine, which was opposed by the Pope, the Empero, he King of Spain, the Venetians, and the Duke of Milan-France being ultimately forced to abandon her claim. 1497 Treaty between England and Scotland, by which Perkin Warbeck was compelled to quit the latter kingdom. 1501 Treaty between Louis XII. of France and Ferdinand of Spain, for the division of the kingdom of Naples; this partition, however, gave rise to a war between those powers, and eventually Naples remained in possession of Spain. 1508 December 10: the league of Cambray against the Republic of Venice, comprising the Pope, the Emperor, and the Kings of France and Spain. Venice forced to cede to Spain her possessions in the kingdom of Naples. 1510 Holy league against Louis XII. of France. 1514 France obliged to sue for peace, which was obtained from the Pope, by promising to abolish the Pragmatic Sauction; from the King of Spain, by uniting his grand son, the Duke of Ferrara to Renee, daughter of the King of France; and from Eng and by Louis XII.espousing Mary. sister of Henry VIII. 1515 On the accession of Francis I., a war was commenced by France for the recovery of the Miianesc. 1516 August 16: the treaty of Noyon. 1521 Edict of Worms, proscribing Luther and his adherents. 1521 First war between France and Charles V.; France endeavouring to reinstate Henry d'Albret in the kingdom of Navarre. 1521 The Emperor Charies V. prevailed upon Henry VIII. to declare war against France. 1522 War commenced between France and Scotland, and also between France and England. 1525 A treaty concluded between France and England. 1526 Francis I., to release himself from captivity, signed a treaty with Charles V., surrendering Burgundy, Artois, Flanders, &c., and renouncing all pretens ons to Italy. 1527 Second war between rance and Charles V. 1527 A treaty of mutual obligation entered into betwween France and England; and the the Pope taken prisoner at Rome. the same year a fresh treaty, for the purpose of carrying war into Italy to restore the Pope to liberty. 1529 August 5: the peace of Cambray. 1529 December: the league of Smalcald in Franconia, entered into between the Elector of Brandenburg and other princes of Germany, in defence of Protestantism. 1532 June 23: a new treaty of alliance ratified between the kings of England and France. 1532 August 2: the treaty of Nuremberg ratified 1536 Third war between grace and Charles V. for possession of Milan. 1538 June 18: treaty of Nice between Francis I. and Charles V. 1541 Fourth war between Francis I. and Charles . 1542 Henry VIH. of England attacked Scotland, in order to force an alliance between the Young Queen Mary and his son Prince Edward, which was terminated by a peace the following year. This attempt was as unsuccessfully renewed in 1547, after the accession of Edward VI. 1544 League between Eugland and the Emperor Charles V. against France; shortly after which peace was concluded and signed at Cressy in Valois. 1548 May 15: the Interim granted by the Emp'r Charles V. to the Protestants of Germany. 1549 Peace ratified between France and England. Boulogne restored to France. 1551 October 3: treaty of Friedwald, between France and the Protestant princes of Ger many. 1552 January 15: treaty of Chambord, confirming the league between France and the Protestant princes of Germany. 1552 August 12: treaty of Passau, ratified between Charles V. and the Protestant princes of Germany. Freedom of religion established. 1554 Treaty of Naumburg, between Augustus Elector of Saxony, and the deposed elector John Frederic-the electorate to descend to John Frederic and his heirs, in default of heirs male of Augustus. 1555 Peace of Religion, concluded at Augsburg,-a confirmation of the treaty of Passau, establishing the free exercise of the Protestant religion, 1556 England entered into an alliance with Spain against France. 1558 February: the French took Caiais, which had been in possession of the English since 1347. 1559 Peace of Cateau Cambresis, between France, Spain, and Piedmont. France ceded Sa voy, Corsica, and nearly 200 forts in Italy and the Low Countries. 1560 Peace ratified between England, France and Scotland. 1561 Treaty of Wilna, between the Northern Powers. 1562 The French Protestants having had recourse to arms, Elizabeth sent over succours to their assistance. 1563 War between Sweden and Denmark. 1564 April 29: peace ratified between France and England. · 1570 Peace of St. Germaine. 1570 December 13: peace of Stettin, between Sweden and Denmark. 1571 Spain, Venice, and the Pope combine against the Turks, who were endeavouring to subdue Cyprus. 1572 Peace concluded between England and France. 1576 The United States of the Netherlands send deputies to the Hague, who declare Philip II. divested of his principality, and appoint William, Prince of Orange, for their governor or stadtholder. 1576 November 8: pacification of Ghent, by which foreign troops were expelled from the Netherlands and the Inquisition abolished. 1576 The League begins in France. 1579 January 22: the union of Utrecht, formed by Holland, Utrecht, Zealand, Friesland and Guelderland, by which the republic of Holland was constituted. Overyssel joined in 1580, and Groningen in 1594. 1595 War declared by France against Spain. 1595 May 18: peace of Teusin, between Russia and Sweden, which powers had been at war with an interval of seven years' truce, from 1572. 1598 May 2: peace ratified at Vervins between France and Spain; Spain restores her conquests of Calais, Amiens, &c. 1603 A treaty between James I. of England and Henry IV. of France, in order to support the States General against the Spanish branch of the house of Austria. 1604 August 18: peace between England and Spain ratified, 1609 April 4: the truce of 12 years between the Spaniards and Dutch. 1610 Treaty of Halle, between the Protestant princes of the empire. 1610 League of Wurzbourg, between the Catholic princes of the empire. 1613 Peace of Siorod, concluding a war of two years between Sweden and Denmark. 1619 Peace between France and Spain; marriage of Louis XIII. with Anne of Austria, infanta of Spain. 1619 September 5: the Elector Palatine, Frederic V., son-in-law of James I., accepted the the crown of Bohemia offered to him by the Protestant states. This was the begin ning of the Thirty Years' War. 1620 July 3 peqce of Ulm, by which Frederic V. lost Bohemia. 1622 Conquest of the Palatinate, by the Emperor Ferdinand II. 1625 Danish period of the Thirty Years' War, when Christian IV. became the head of the Protestant party. Treaty between Deimark, England, and Holland, 1626 League of the Swedes, Dutch and the Protestant princes of Germany, against the Emperor. 1627 War commenced by England against France, in favour of the distressed French Pro testants. 1629 War commenced by the King of France against the Emperor, the King of Spain, and the Duke of Savoy, in favour of the claims of the Duke of Nevers to the territory of Mantua. 1629 April 14: peace ratified with France. 1629 May 22: peace of Lubeck, between the Emperor and King of Denmark. 1630 France joined the Protestant princes of Germany, Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, and Holland, against the house of Austria, in Germany and Spain. 1630 England also acceded to the above alliance, with a view of procuring the restoration of the Elector Palatine. 1630 June 24: Swedish period of the Thirty Years' War, when Gustavus Adolphus made a descent on the Iste of Rugen. 1630 October 13: peuce of Ratisbon, between France and the Emperor; terminating the war for the Mantuan succession. 1630 November 27: peace proclaimed between England and Spain. 1631 January 13: subsiding alliance of France with Sweden. 1631 April: alliance of Leipsig, between the Elector of Saxony and the Protestant princes. 1631 Treaty of Chierosco, by which the Duke of Nevers finally takes possession of his Mantuan territories. 1633 March: Treaty of Heilbron between Sweden and the Northern Protestant States of Germany, after the death of Gustavus Adolphus. 1635 February 23: alliance between France and Holland. 1635 May 30: peace of Prague between the Emperor and the Elector of Saxony. 1635 May 19: war declared by France against Spain, France entered actively into the Thirty Years' War, forming the French period. 1640 Civil wars in England commenced; the Scotch army take Newcastle. 1641 he Duke of Braganza, having been declared King of Portugal, entered into an alliance with France, in their contest against Spain. 1648 January 30: peace of Munster between Spain and the Dutch. Independence of Holland fully recognised. 1648 October 24: the peace of Westphalia signed at Munster and at Osneburg, between France, the Emperor, and Sweden; Spain conti uing the war against France. By this peace the principle of a balance of power in Europe was first recognised : Alsace given to France, and part of Pomerania and some other districts to Sweden; the Elector Palatine restored to the Lower Pa atine, the civic and politics rights of the German States established; and the independence of the Swiss Confederation recognised by Germany, 1651 October: war commenced between the English Commonweaith and the Dutch. 1654 April 5: peace ratified between the Dutch and the Commonwealth of England. 1653 November 3: articles of peace signed between England and France. 165 February 15: Spain declared war against England 1656 Nov mber 10: treaty of Liebau, which annulled the feudal subjection of the duchy of Prussia to the crown of Sweden 1657 March 23: treaty of alliance between England and France, against Spain. 1657 May 27: alliance of Vienna between Poland Denmark, and the Eniperor, against Sweden. 1659 May 21: treaty of the Hague between England, France, and Holland, to maintain the equilibrium of the North. 1559 November 7: peace concluded between France and pain, by the treaty of the Pyranees: Spain yielding Roussillon, Art is, and her rights to Alsace and Fiance ceded her conquests in Catalonia, Italy, &c., and engaging not to assist Portugal. 1660 May 3: the peace of Oliva ratified between Sweden, Poland, Prussia, and the Empe ro. Esthonia and Livonie given up to Sweden. 1660 September: a proclamation issued at London for the cessation of hostilities with Spain. 1060 May 27: peace of Copenhagen between Sweden and Denmark, 1561 June 23: in aty of alliance between England and Portugal. 1663 ane entered into a defensive alliance with Holland and Switzerland. 1664 November: the second war coramene d between England and Hodand. 1664 War between the Turks and the Emperor of Germany; after the Turks had been defated the truce of Teameswar was concluded, on September 7, for 20 years; the Emperor ceding Great Waradem and Neuhansel. 1666 January 26: France declared war agamst England; the Danes also entered into a league with the Dutch against England. 1666 October: war declared by Eng and against Denmark. 1667 July 25: peace of Breda concluded between England, France, Holland, and Den mark. 1668 January 28: a treaty of alliance ratified between the States Genera! and England, against France, for the prot, ction of the Spanish Netherlands;, Sweden afterwards joned the league; it was known as the Triple Alliance. 1668 February 13. peace of Lisbon concluded between Spain and Portugal through the mediation of England. Independence of Portugal acknowledged by Spain. 1668 May 2: peace of Aix-la-Chapelle between France and Spain signed. France yields Franche Comte, but r tains her conquests in the Netherlands. 1569 May 7: treaty of the Hague between Holland and Portugal: the Dutch allowed to retain their conquests in India. 1672 Treaty between France and England (12th February,) and Sweden (1th April) against Holland, 1672 August 30: An alliance entered to between the Emperor, Spain, and Holland, against France. 1673 June 16: peace of Vossem between the Elector of Brandenburg and France. The for mer engaging not to assist the Dutch. 1673 France deelared war against France. |