Mr. SCHENCK. I now move an amendment of a different character, to insert the following: For purchase of sites now occupied for temporary sea coast defenses, provided that no such purchase shall be made except upon the approval of its expe diency by the SecyWar and of the validity of the title by the AttyGen, $25,000. It has been developed, in the progress of the late war for the o. of the rebellion, as an existing fact that there are several important points of defense which ought to be in the possession of the Government. They have been occupied during the war by earthworks, temporary structures. Claims for rent for the use of the premises and for damages have been sent in against the Government, to pay which will amount perhaps to as much or more than would purchase all these sites. It is therefore proposed by the War Dept to have a small appropriation of $25,000 to enable the Government to purchase these sites, not with a view of constructing at these points permanent defenses hereafter in the shape of forts to be kept up, but to be used, as they have been heretofore, for the temporary construction of earthworks in case the necessity should arise for such defenses hereafter from a war with another country. There is an item in the bill for the purchase of sites for permanent sea coast defenses which is different from this. This is a smaller appropriation for the purpose of securing these sites on favorable terms for use as mere temporary defenses. I will send to the Clerk's desk to be read a communication on this subject made by the chief of Engineers to the SecyWar, inclosed in a letter of the SecyWar to myself, which will serve as the only further explanation that I propose to give on ject: the subWAR DEPT, WASHINGTONCity, February 4, 1867. SIR: I have the honor to send herewith, for the consideration of the committee, a communication from the chief of Engineersof February 2, respecting an appropriation for the purchase of occupied for sites now osea coastdefenses, which has the approval of this Dept. Very respectfully, sir, your obedientservant, SDWIN M. STANTON, SecyWar. Hon. R. C. Schenck, Chairman of Military Committee, HoRep. ExGINEER DEPT, WASHINGTON, February 2, 1867. SIR: During the late war quite a number of positions on our northern coastweretaken possession of and occupied with batteries of a temporary character to cover harbors against. raids of rebel privateers and to affordharbors of refugefor oeunremcoya. steArss and other yesselswhen pursued by the the necessity for the immediateprepa oration of these works was of too Pressing a character to permit of delay in negotiating with the owners of the sites for their purchase or rent, theywere taken possession of under the authority of the War dept without any agreement being enteredinto with the owners, who now in some instances have comeforward with claims for rent and damages. It is not proposed, in most of these cases, to replace theseworks by permanent fortifications, but to rely, in the event of war, upon temporary structures similar to those now existing, to be o breaking on the out of hostilities; and as the same siteswill be again needed it would be economy for the Government to purchase them and thus get rid of all claims to rent and damages, and at the same time secure the existing works from being destroyed. One of the largest items of the cost of these works is the earthen embankment, which, if the Government owned the land, could be mohintained attriflin expense. I. have, therefore, the honor to recommend that application be made to Congress at its Present sessionfor an “P.H.; for the purchase of sites as such it may be desirable, in the opinion of the War Dept, to retain. The exact amount that will be needed for the purchase of these siteshas not $o ortained, but it is believed that $25,000will e ample. The form of appropriation might be as follows: For purchase of sites now occupied for temporary Sea coast defenses, provided that no such purchase shall be made except upon the approval of its expediency by the SecyWar and of the validity of the title by the attyGen, $25,000. Very respectfully, your obedientservant, A. A. HUMPHREYS, Chicf of Engineers. Hon. E. M. STANToN, SecyWar.