we have seen that the government can be sure of the support of the citizens in time of war and that they furnish the best kind of material of that description for military purposes. an army of great effectiveness can be organized in a comparatively short time, when important interests of the country are at stake. not so, however, with the arms they require to use for offensive purposes. these require time and skilled workmen to construct them. they are therefore kept in readiness for use in depots constructed for the purpose.

as early as 1794, congress enacted that three or four arsenals and magazines, with an armory attached to each, should be established for the safe keeping of military stores. an arsenal is a place where arms and military stores are kept. an armory is a place where arms are made or repaired. the armories where arms are manufactured are at springfield, in massachusetts, and at harpers’ ferry, in virginia. but there are many others where they are repaired.

in 1808, the president was authorized to purchase sites and to erect as many more arsenals and manufactories of arms as he might deem expedient. each of these establishments was formerly under the direction of a superintendent; but they are now placed under the direction of the ordnance department. the office of superintendent of the armories at springfield and harpers’ ferry, was also abolished in 1842; and its duties have since been performed by such officers of the ordnance corps as were designated by the president. in each armory there is employed a master armorer, who superintends the workmen. in addition to those already named there are arsenals and armories at pittsburgh and bridesburg, in pennsylvania; at washington city; at watervliet, in new york; watertown,[299] mass.; at columbus, ohio; at indianapolis, in indiana; and at rock island, in illinois. they are parts of the military establishment of the country, and belong to the war department.