Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-05-11
REPORT OF MR.. PoINSETT on RENDERING His
RESIGNATION.
WAn nrpARrMrSr March 9. Is4l


Sir: In rendering you my resignation of the office
of Secretary Of War, think it my duty TO set forth
briefly the condition of the Department which have
conducted for the last four years.
More than forty thousand Indians have been remoy-
ed peacefully and are happily settled beyond the from
tiers Of the Western States Tranquility has been pre-.
served and regns throughout the whole OF that border
and there exist no which likely to lead to its
disturbance. The Indians are generally contented, and
are gradually advancing in the peaceful arts OF life
The only exception to universal peace IS tho condI.
ton of the Indians in Florida. There, too, am happy
to have il in my power say that hostltes are being
RAPIDLY brought close by the successful interference
of the Seminole chiefs who have been brought there
from the West Contcnted with their lot IN their new
residence beyond the Mississippi they are anxious to
nersade their brethren abandon hopeless contest,
and ion their kinsmen in the West My last advices
to regard these peaceful efforts as likely TO prove
altogether successful and the war may be CONSIDERED
virtually at an end. ~
The necessary employment OF the militia OF florIda'
durinp the late of Congress- will give rise to ar
rearages amounting about SOL SIG; but according
to The experience Of the Department in settling claims
of this character not more than one-ha OF tins sum
will probably be found valid, which will have 10 be DIS.
charged from the appropriations that have been asked
for The purpose Besides this amount there IS due the
Cherokees about million and half, and the balances
of former appropriations for Indian Affairs which, sti
remain in the Treasury, and amount to about miion
more How much of this may be required TO dlscnarge
arrearages is not known though IS not supposed
that the whole will be necessary Tor that purpose
YEAS never contemplated by the Department to invest
a amopnts for the interest Of which the faith OF the
H. S is pledged by treaty. 1T IS deemed SAFER 10 keep
these sums in the Treasury forever ana appropriate
annually the amount of interest due thcreoh 10 INC Sc
vcra tribes They not, therefore, considered as
part of the arrearages. !, ,,
Tho on,onns due for pensions in the present month
and mill Sentember next have all been sent TO the
arer,l nensons aucnts so that nothing is due OH lhal
account. c, .
Immediately on the passage OF the aet authorizing
tho issue of Treasury notes. directed mat all tue
outstanding claims against ,he Depar.eas had
been made should Immediately be Iquldated All
those for work done on the Notifications and at the ar
senas and armories, have accordingly been PfoVlusu
for excep, only about sixty thousand dollars the pay
ment Of which has been delayed only because inc ~
counts have not been presented.
For other various objects entrusted TO the Depart
ment the unpaid claims estimated TO amour. 70 MOI
more than $500 00 which have not been PAID LOT 81
mllar reason. mr.. a;h,rs;,r
According TO the reports of the different d'soursng
bureaus of the Departments, Inc uh'qh'uaeu t n,n
their respective branches of the service, al ns 'e
arc nrobaby not so great, certainly not grealef 'ai
they were four years ago. so that the amount OF pay
mcnts made since | took charge OF the Department.
fully equals all its liabilities created wlihih 'a
Tho army is in high state OF discipline, and IS COM
nosed If 10 O69 men, part in Florida and the residue
Stationed along our extensive frontiers Notwthsianu
mo the many causes which have existed during Inc
last four years. tending 10 increase the expenditures OF
the army growing out Of its increase IN S OF It's oPe
ration in Florida, and its employment IN the removals
Of Indians and along Northern rontIer ny the en-
forcement of system Of rigid economy ana accounla
b,y the relative expenditures have been cons'aefaol
diminished In report recently made by TINS depart
ment 10 the House of Representatives, 1t IS shown oy
an average made of the whole expenses oil Tue army
during each of the four years. that the expense OIL eac'
individual has been gradually reduced, win Inc eacep
ton Of the year e3S, when increase took place una
was necessarily incident to the raising, organizing
and eouippine the additional force. Inc expense -
each person in the army in 1857 vas Slo ,'' anu
1910, 1919 &C, showing reduction oil s24 - q
than six per cent. x.,derea very
The Ordnance Department has been rendered ..a
efficient and regulations adopted tor us
and for The better ordering of all matters conne.e.
With The foundries engaged in manufacturing am" ~
f,r C.oyernment Since the return from r"iop. -, -
,h Ro,rd Of Ordnance officers, models LOT guns u ''
aar, c,l,bres authorised 10 be used IN on. service
L.ns been submitted to the Department oil war; an'
have received my approval, and orders nave pee! peer
Ivan 70 furnish the artillery regiments with 'he'
The Engineer Office has been conducted ~ ~ a man
nor TO command my entire satisfaction. Inc ior'
have been and continue to be- as rapidly completed an
enaired as the amounts appropriated for that purpos
,v;ll hermit The institution OF corps oil sapPe'
and miners will tend to keep them in good condi,lo
hereafter.