Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-04-17
THE FRONTIER.

their opinions are remembered only to be
disregarded.
"In the midst Of peace prepare for uar," b
was the language of "the father of his coun-S
try rule of conduct based upon an init
mate acquaintance with that country's re-
sources, means of defence, and most vul-
nerablc points of attack. 1t was the opn-
ion of GEORGE WASHINGTON, predicated
upon the experience of his whole life, and
dictated by the principles of sound policy.
Bearing, as it does, conviction upon its |
face, it is matter of no little surprise that it
should have been so entirely disregarded
by our rulers. The late administration
were culpably negligent of the real inter-
ests of the nation, in their omission to pro-
vide efficient means of defence for the pro-
lection of our territory. Our army has
but nominal existence-our ships of war \
are unable to either fight or hy-our from
tier is unguarded, and should the recent
causes of difficulty result in war with
Great Britain, it is impossible to foreseeE
how disastrous may be the consequences
1t is not our intention however, to write5
a phatip'c against the past, our design is toll
press upon the consideration of the present.
administration, the defenceless condition of
the Western frontier. The grand error of
the late administration was in legislatng
as if the frontier of twenty years since|
was the present western frontier of the
United States, ignorant or forgetful of the
tremendous tide of emigration, which has
made, what was once the Far West, the
centre of numerous population, at the
distance of hundreds of miles from the
actual frontier; the consequence is, that
military posts that were, when established,
useful means of defence, are now excellent
recruiting stations, but utterly worthless for
any other purpose, and affording not the
slightest protection to the enterprisng in
habitants of the frontier settlements.
We would therefore recommend to the
consideration of Congress and the Secre-
, tary of War, the establishment of a chain
Of military posts at convenient intervals,
connected by military road and patrolled
by mounted dragons, for the prosecution
of the peace of the border and the pre-
vention of illicit traffic with the Indians
in the articles of whiskey, rifles ammuni-
ton, &c. The Legislature of Missouri
have memoralized Congress upon the sub
ject of the State detences; but we would
60 step further, and extend the chain
from the western settlements of Iowa TO
the southwestern corner Of Arkansas thus
embracing the fortresses already establish
ed, and connecting the stations to be erected
at intermediate points with Fort Leaven-
worth. on the Missouri, and Gibson, Coffee
and Townson, on the Arkansas frontier
And until such posts are established and
properly garrisoned, and mounted patrol
organized, it will be impossible to ensure
the peace and security Of the border inhab-
itants.
1t is a matter of notoriety that the exist
ing defenccs are insufficient for the protec-
ton of the frontier in time of peace, and
utterly inadequate in event of war with
Great Britain, as many of the indian ma
tons arc Canadian in feeling, and ,uere in
the pay Of the British Government during
the revolutionary and late war. They
would therefore be easily induced to take
decided part against our countrymen on
the frontier the more readily in conse
quence of occasional differences and zeal
ousies, which the influence of their agent.
and the presence of the military is ina de
quate to restrain.
But apart from any question of nationa
policy in establishing the projected chain Of
military posts. The frontier settlements
have the strongest claims upon the protcc
ton of the General Government. 1t should
be remembered that they have incurred
this danger from their vicinity to the Indi
an nations, TO secure the quiet and peace Of
the other States Of the Union. Nation afte
nation have been removed from the terri
tories of the different States, and LOCATED
upon the frontier of Missouri and Arkan
sas until at this time the Indian population
in the country west Of these States, mum
bcrs two hundred and thrty-fve thousand
Of whom fifty thousand are Uarriors. l
must be evident then, that the small militar,
force at present upon the frontier is who'll,
inadequate to prevent the predatory incur
sons of these numerous tribes in time o
peace, or to sufficiently intimidate them il
event of a war with a power capable o
cxerting an influence upon them. The In
dams are as hostile to the whites as the,
ever were, and the imprudence of occasion
al pioneers has increased instead of dimin
ishing this fecling-they are but wantin
their opportunity of wrcaking their ven
geance upon those who reside nearest t
them, the moment they become sensible O
their own strength, and Of the weakness O
the frontier, we shall again be exposed t
all the horrors Incident to savage warfare
There is another matter intimately cor
nccted with this subject which we cannc
refrain from noticing. The superinter
dency Of Indian affairs is at 81. Louis,
distance Of four hundred miles from tn