Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-02-23

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bn, which is still terror to The ignorant, |
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stock .Nercury
Defence OF THE WESTERN Frontier.
From communication from Quarter Mas
ter General Cross to the Secretary Of
War, which among other important docu
ments accompanied that officers report to
Congress, we extract the following in rela
ton to the defence of our western frontier.
The communication in question is nten-
ded to meet certain inquiries, which it does
IN very satisfactory manner.
1t is stated that the Western frontier is
regarded as extending from the Red River
on the south, to the Upper Mississippi on
the north and to defend this line Cen
Cross is of opinion tina. it woud be advisa-
bic to have an exterior and interior line of
posts. For the exterior line, he thinks
Fort Towson on the southern flank, and
Fort Smelling on the northern, and Forts
Gibson and Leavenworth (for the present.
between the two, and the addition of post
at the upper forks of the Des Moines river
will be sufficient. 1t is thought that For;
Leavcnworlh should after a while form q
portion Of The interior line and Council
Bluffs be occupied in lis stead. OF these
interior posts, the Gen. thinks there should
be two between The Red and Arkansas
rivers, four between the Arkansas and
Missouri, and two between Missouri and
Mississippi. They would be the auxiliary
stations for reserves and deppsires Of sup
plies and also serve as place of refuge
for the settlers by whom they could be
defended in case of need; whilst, in time of
peace they need no greater force to oc-
cupy them than would be necessary to
prevent them from seizure. He thinks
,ba, Fulton on Red river, Morrison's Bluff
on the Arkansas, the junction of the
Usage and Grand rivers and Lexington on
the Missouri would answer well as depols
Of fupplles in the rear Of these posts.
In relation to stations of reserve the Re.
port also says, that some one will be suili-
clen, and mentions Jefferson Barracks,
near St. Louis, as q point whence in the
event Of necessity troops might be sent,
with nearly equal facility up the Mlssiss p
pi Missouri or Arkansas rivers. 1t Is re-
commended however that a minor post
should be established on the Arkansas
above Little Rock, that stream not beng
navgabie at all seasons.
In treating Of the routes OF commun'
cation between the several stations on the
frontier, and from these to the depos in
the interior, Gen Cross is Of opinion that
the military road running parallel to the
frontier from one post to the other, being
exposed to constant attacks 10 case of war,
is comparatively useless lie says that
the communication should be either paral
lei to the frontiers or dlvcrglng from it, TO
the reserve posts with regard to the force
requisite to protect The frontier, aud the
border settlements and TO preserve peace
among the several Indian tribes. II is the
Generals opinion that such thing consls
tent with political cXpedlency, 80 900 men
would be no more than sufficient to enable
the government ito discharge its duties to
its own citizens aud redeem the pledge Of
protection to the Indians" THIS number
! however is not recommended. A mini
mum force Of 1000 men is named as lndls
pensable.
It appears that the location of the militia.
nv road, has not proceeded as promptly as
was anticipated. A circumstance in the
estimation of the author of the report not
to be regretted, as after review of the
matter, the government may be induced TO
prefer a different course.
On the whole this report is a very inter-
esting document and well worthy the at.
tention Of the public. 1t presents some