Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-07-17
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
DEPARTMENT OF WAR, May 81, 1841.

VI DECnE nm L vi w hl''
DEPARTMENT OF WAR, May 81, 164l.
SIR: propose to bring to your notice, at the
present time, only such matters conhded to the
superintendent Of the Department of War as,
from their nature or pressing emergency, or from
the general interest they excite, you may deem
proper to communicate for the Information OF
Congress and the Public.
Although the inspections directed since the
adjournment Of Congress have been made with
the greatest promptness, and furnish an extensive
body Of information in regard to the state OF the
public defences, as we'll as to the discipline and
efficiency Of the army, and bear full and salts
factory testimony to the importance OF the In
spectors Department, yet, from the limited time
allowed, and the immense extent OF territory
over which the numerous establishments con-
nected with the military service are distributed,
the inspections are necessarily Incomplete and 1t
is therefore not designed to notice all the con-
sideratons suggested by the information they al
ford until future occasion.
In the general condition and disposition OF the
army there has been no material change since
the last annual report from this Department.
The regular force stationed in Florida, consist
ing Of eight regiments, and numbering in the ag.
gregate, by the last returns five thousand and
ffty.seven, it has been found expedient to con-
time in service in that Territory.
A few incursions by small detachments Of our
troops into the Businesses Of the enemy, by which
their atrocities have been signanally visited upon
their own heads, have been the only exceptions
to the general cessation of hostilites which took
place last fall, soon after the regiments, reinforced
by new recruits and provided with every neces.
sary supply, were prepared for active operations,
nor have they been renewed since that time
Offers to negotiate from several chiefs, the de-
vice by which those crafty warriors have so often
bafHed our arms at the period most propltlous to
success, were renewed under such circumstances
as induced the commanding general once more to
embrace them. The strongest confidence aP-
pears 10 have been felt that, with the aid oil
suitable amount Of funds, applicable to that OBJ
iect the whole OF the hostile bands might soon
be persuaded to surrender, and abandon the coun-
try. This line Of policy, though tardy in its
results, continued to hold out such hopes OF com
plete success as to encourage the late admins
traton in the belief that this protracted war had
at last been brought so near close as to be nc
longer subject Of particular anxiety Fol
these reasons it was not thought e1pedent tc
check or interrupt the negotiations in progress on
the 4th OF March last, by directing different
mode OF operations. The result so far, since the
negotiations were renewed in the fall, has beer
the surrender Of four hundred and thirty one In
dams, including about one hundred warriors, al
of whom have been transported to the country
assigned them, west of the Mississippi. Some
expectation is still INDUCED by the officer in
command that the remaining bands which have
so long infested the upper and northern district:
of the peninsula will surrender in a short time
but | regret to state that but little hope can bt
Justly cherished that this unhappy and wastefu
war, which has already cost so great numbe
of valuable lives, and so many millions Of public
treasure, will be terminated without still furthe
sacrifices. 1t appears that, after six months o
negotiation, no access has been had to the prin
cipal and most powerful chief, or to any of hi
followers. Directions have accordingly beef
given for the most energetic and effective prose
cution OF the war the moment further negotiation
shall appear to be useless. Steps have also beef
taken 10 increase the efficiency Of the mean
now at the disposal Of the officer in command
and, in the meantime, the retrenchment OF ever
expenditure connected with the service, for puI
poses not essential in Indian warfare, has bee
earnestly enjoined.
The many weghty considerations which invit
inc lllllucutdtC dbtCutlOil VI OOHSIeSo W put
lie defences generally, and particularly to. tn
works absolutely necessary to the security Of OF
great commercial emporums, and the keys to OIL
most valuable resources Of every kind, must b
so generally understood, and appreciated th'
nothing this Department can urge could add an
thing 10 their force and conclusivenesss. To So
nothing Of the destruction of property, and Of
weakened condition in military point of view
attendant upon the carrying OF any of our mo
assaiable points, the penetration OF our territor
and the seizure OF even one Of our stronghold
by powerful enemy upon the sudden outbrea
of war. it would seem to be equally the dicta
OF patriotism and wisdom to make due proviso
against the inaclon OF such insults to the NJ
tional honor and character.
Il has been urged as an objection to the funh,
progress Of the works heretofore projected for Il
defence OF our extensive sea coast, that the Z
cent experiments in the use Of steam power
ocean navigation, and the ready application
tho same powerful aSeut to the defence OF o,
principal harbors together with the late invc