Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1831-01-06

lafa square rs cts. Continuance over three weeks.
~ per cent per week A liberal deduction made for
advertisements continued or 10 months.
y AdrniRsiraiors' and Executors Notices, 81 co
Commissioner Notices, 25
!. All Communications must be postpaid.
Report Of the Secretary of TNar.-Mr.
Eaton represents our Western and South
Urn borders rs tranquil; and though some
fears were entertained, the vigilance and
activity oforr military force stationed there
has dissipated them. Desertions arc ex-
trcmcly common-a thousand this last
year: all remedies have failed. He rec
ommcnds a premium Of $3.50 to those who
serve ont their time, and are honorably dis
charged. BY an order from the War De-
parimeD., the whiskey ration has been ia
ken away, but the Secretary foresees no
benefit from tho experiment. The Mill
tary Academy at West Point is represent
ed as flourishing. N77
In the Engineer Department, great pro-
gress has been made. The navigation of
the Mississippi and Ohio has been much
improved, and the possibility and feasible
ness of more extensive ones amply proved.
He specially urges the expediency of push
ing on the operations Of this Department.
On the Delaware Breakwatcr, the Sccre-
tary observes, that I" it is valuable im-
provement, which within the last year, has
been rapidly. progressed With. The work
has already risen above the water, and par
TALLY shows the great Importance it is to
our commerce. During the violent gale Of
last September, several vessels which lay
under the protection of this work were pre-
served. The force Of the sea being brok-
en- by its opposition, they were enabled to
keep at their moorings, and to ride out the
gale in safety. Fifteen other vessels in
view, not possessing the advantages Of this
position, were driven on shore and lost, or
gotten of nj much expense. A few years
will complete this valuable work."
He recommends an additional appropri-
alton to complete tho armament Of the diff
fcrent Notifications along the coast, as the
annual appropriation Of S1O0 900 will not
accomplish that object in ten years.
The Indian affairs take up the remain
der, of tho report. TIc of course doubts the
constitn,ionality of the act of 1902, by
which all settlement on Indian lands, and
entrance into Indian territory, is forbidden,
and dcnounces it rs an infraction Of State
rights. and an invasion Of their just author
ity. His arguments on this pont are deep
~ imbued with the spirit of Modification.
a treaty has been concluded with the
Chociaws and Chickasaws. According to
tho Sccrc,ary's statement every effort was
made on the part Of the Commissioners to
obtain the free, impartial, and unbiased
voice Of the Indians on the treaties, and
the most frank and open means only were
employed to secure their acqnicscencc.-
The Secretary informs us, that in the ne
goiiation of these treaties, no had abundant
opportunities, and he availcd himself Of
them, to learn the actual condition and
prospects of the Indians. Very few of the
adults arc fitted for the labor and enjoy
mcnt Of civilized life, or arc capable Ut it.
They arc ignorant alike OF our language
and government, and no rational hope can
be entertained of much Improvement in the
present generation. The few intelligent
men in the nation arc half-breeds. Care
and instruction ofthe rising generation are
the most promising means of permanently
and eflectually meliorating the condition Of
the Indians. One Of the three divisions Of
this Choctaws is called the Christian dis
trict, and they are very industrious and re-
iigious. They are greatly improved be.
You'd the other sections of the tribe and
we are surprised that the success Of Chris
tian efforts among them. according to his
own showing, did not make the Secretary
hesitate in asserting so roundly as he does,
abe impracticabili,y of Indian civilization.
More than 5000 were present when tho
treaty was signed, and great unanimiiy as
60 the general policy ofit prevailed, though
exceptions we're taken to some Of its pro-
visions.
We cannot conclude this summary ofthe
report without expressing our surprise at
tho bold manner in which tho Secretary
would abrogme the obligation OF protecting
the Indians, because On some refined DIS"
sincsioas the nc, Of originating il Is thought
constitutional.
Eagy.-Thc Secretary of the Navy
gives q Gaifcring account OF its condition.
The active force employed within the year
consists Of Eve frigates. len sloOps Of war,
and four schOoneFs. OF these the most
efficient portion has bcen stationed in the