The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-12-24
WAR DEPARTMENT.

w An DEf All NE 4.
The following are abstracts of the Report
of the Secretary of War which accompanies
the Presidents Message.
The two g military schools of practice"
have suffered much in the elimination of
members by the necessity which existed of
supplying officers at different points ;Nnor
have nil the benefits proposed by their es-
tablishment been realized, owing to want
of proper equipments.
The quarrels with the Winnebagos; dis
turbances in the Leadmine District, and in
Maine, have rendered it necessary to garrl-
son the forts of Chicago and Prairie du
Chen. and of stationing a force in Maine.
1t has also been found necessary to station
forces along the Niagara frontier, to pre-
vent smuggling publicly threatened.
The general view Of the army, and of its
staff, is represented as highly satisfactory,
both in military discipline and fiscal econo-
my.
One portion of the corps of engineers is
engaged in constructing works for military
defence, and the other actively employed in
! the civil departments. The Quartermaster
! General is engaged in erecting places for
accommodating the soldiers, and also in
constructing roads and bridges; "and the
ordinance department, with the force under
its control, displays corresponding energy
and skill, in the fabrication of arms and
other munitions of war, as well for the mill
tia of the states as for the regular army.
/ The Military Academy at West Point is
mentioned in terms of appreciation, and its
! concerns declared to be in highly crafty
ing state.
The policy of extending our military posts
so far within the Indian country, (say fort
Lcavenworth, fort Smelling, &c. is question
ed. They are more likely to provoke than
prevent aggression.
The removal of a portion of the men who
compose the most remote garrisons of the
Indian country, is recommended.
1t is recommended to devote more atten-
ton to the comfort and well-heing of the
lndians-to take them more under the
especial care of the government. The plan
of removing them beyond the limits of the
states, good in itself, is likely to be defeat
ed by the use that is made of another vel
meant enactment:
"The annual appropriation of $4,000 tt
the purpose of educating Indian children
: and teaching them the mechanic arts, ha:
had the effect to draw to every Indian re
scrvation, in addition to the agents and in
: terpreters, considerable number of mis-
l sionares and teachers, with their families
: who, having acquired, principally by thu
$ aid of this fund, very comfortable establish
ments, are unwilling to be deprived of then
by the removal ofthe Indians; and thus W
have found that, while the agents special,
? employed by the government for this pur
pose are engaged in petsuading, by profust
distributions of money and presents, the In
dans to emigrate, another set government
agents are operating, more secretly to h
sure. but not with less zeal and effect, t
prevent such emigration"
He recommends a division of the new
lands among those who will remove, an
: adds:
t Let the $4,000 appropriation be aF
; piled within the new colony exclusively,
the same objects for which it is now eS
:, nendnd: - 4sr,a time.
much OF our other annual contributions a
: can he thus applied without violation G
: public faith"
: Those who remain should he provide
: for-but they should come under the mu
r nicipal laws of the state in which they ma
reside.