Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-12-11

| SO the resolution was then concuireu IN. LIE
House then adjourned. JoM.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR,
WAR DEPARTMENT., 1st Dec. 1850.
TO the President ofthe Unhed States:
| SIR: have the honor to make known to you
the operations of this department during the pres
ent year, and to offer such suggestions as appear
TO me necessary to be presented. The army. at
the different positions it has occupied along our
western and southern frontiers, has been ensag-
ed In preserving quiet in those quarters, and has
fully succeeded. Fears were entertained OF a
serious rupture with some Of our northwestern
tribes of Indians; but the presence of military
force. and the exercise OF a proper discretion on
the part of those to whom the trust of reconcilins
them was coniided, has had tie effect to prevent
it, and peace has been the consequence. Similar
apPrehensions have recently been entertained Ot
the Indians who reside on our southwestern
boundary and precautionary steps have been
taken to prevent any acts of hostility. The vi
gigilanCe, intelligence, and discretion of our Off
GERS induce belief that, by their cxertions these
distant tribes can be retained at peace with each
other. Occasional Interruptions have arisen
from narauding parties, who range through the
forest. and at points distant from our posts. COM
nit depredations: these acts. in turn, produce
retaliation. 1t Is important to prohibit these az
sressions, ifpossble, though 30 other plan Can be
suggested than what has already. heretofore, been
presented. viz; IA authority 10 employ detach-
ment Of mounted troops. These. ranging
the country at irregular periods. would do much
more towards preserving peace with our Indian
tribes. and quier along our borders, than could
be effected through any augmentation four posts.
| regret to say that desertions from the Army
are not Of less frequent occurrence than hereto
fore. The number, for the present year, will
exceed one thousand. Various efforts have been
made, and many theories suggested, to arrest an
evil so injurious to tile operations and character
of an Army. None have succeeded. The be
nevolent intention of the act Of Congress of last
winter, which took from the offence the penalty
OF death, and in obedience to the spirit nf which.
all past offences of the kind were by you directed
to be forgiven, has had no restraining. no saluia-
nv effect. | ain not an advocate for the severity
of penalties. The hope of reward more fire.
quently than the fear of punishment. operates
beneftialy upon mankind. A resort to both
might be serviceable While penalties, cores
pOnding to the nature of the offence, might be i'm
posed upon deinquents, the faithful and good
sUldier should BE- cheered by the expectation of
reward. TO This end, an authority to make
some reasonable compensation TO those VINO OBJ
tain an honorable discharge should be granted
In conformity TO this opinion, | would take &C.
casinn to suggest, ;hat, while some adequate pen
atty lie imposed for 50 grass a violation of duty
a. that Of abandoning service voluntarily assum-
ed, il NAV also be pro, ided that the soldier who
serv' faithfully. and is hOnorah'y discharged,
shall receive, at the termination Of his enlistment.
one hundrcd and twenty dollars. Let him re-
cei,e Instead o! his present pay. four dollars
per month. retaining Inc sdue. payable at the
end Of service. The difference in expense thus
created 10 the Government for the five wears Of
enlistment would BE- ist sixty dollars; which in
crease. ii Is hoped. will be more than compen-
stated for BY saving III the expenses which are in
Cured, onder the present system OF restraining
drseriion. The amount retained should be for
feled, it, at aIy time toe soldier desert the rer
vice. Ii might operate as strong incentive TO
good conduct, and would serve as fund at the
close of his engagement, b. which to establish
him in some advantageous pursuit. BY the pres
ent mode, he retires from the Army, dependent
and poor as he entered; and often, instead # re-
turning for a time to his family, enters the Army
contrary to his inclination, induced only by lis
poverty and wants. Dissatisfaction takes place.
and desertiOn follows.
Repeated efforts have been made to arrest this
growing evil; aud they should be continued. 81
long as there is hope OF remedy. The loss of
the service is not so material. The grea, fear is.
that IN peace, the practice may become so fire.
quent and familiar. as in war to lose that obi
uln which should attach TO 50 aggravated an Of
fence.
Recently, by an order from the War Depart
ment' the "hskey part Of The ration has been TAX
en- away, with view to ascertain how faI theo-
ry frequently Introduced might BIZ pra, i,ailv
productive OF benefit. Timr has no. been afford
ed to test the experiment; ba lif'c ,nfdcnce
Is repc'ed IN The attempt. " ''r pian suggested
oil giving enlarged compensation 10 the non-com- |