New-York daily tribune., 1842-12-12
THE TRIBUNE.
Report of tine Secretary OF war.


very ful and satisfactory accouat of the state of
The Department under bis immediate control.
ysry thoroug inspection mas been made, under his
order, of all the military affairs Of the country, and
the information thus obtained, he says, is of the
most gratifying character. The estimates tor the
army proper for the first half of the year i813,
amount to $553,586; whereas the appropriations
for the same service for the half Of 1912 were
$2.14a, 1884 thus showing reduction OF 81 $780,
748-rade possible by the close of the Florida
war, the suspension of many expenditures in con-
sequence of the low state Of the Treasury and a
general disposition TO economise. The same
causes have Induced reduction of the estimates
for the fiscal year commencing July 1st, lS43, to
S3,204,569, being 81 $50, ,1G0 less than the equiva
len; appropriations in l942, and 1857 ,430 less
than those Of 1870. The Secretary believes that
tho present military establishment of the corntry
NAV be maintained for So, 100000, not including
stores, &c, nor expenses Of erecting fortiicaens.
The Recommendations for the ordnance service Of
the year, commencing July, 1843, are 200,
and in the Engineer Department FOR the next
eighteen months, $l,245, $50 are asked. The
for the fiscal year ending July l, 1914. is $4,l44,
l54. The estimates for pensions for 184S are
$6s7 $50. In the Indian Department the expenses
are regulated by law and will amount in l843 to
d $79I ,484.
The Secretary states that arrangements have
been made with nearly all the Florida Indians to
remove beyond the Mississippi and that during
lso -:
surrendered. A force of 1914 men is retained in
Florida The troops withdrawn have been station
ed at different points.
strcng force has been placed on Red River,
under Gen. Taylor, to keep the Indians in check,
and to prevent any attempts TO engage in the con-
test in which Texas is involved with Mexico. The
safety OF the Southwest, West aad Northwest
frontiers, in the Secretary's opinion, demand .he
continuance there of the present mounted regi-
ments.
From the general returns OF the armyit appears
that the whole number of troops now in service is
9847, consisting of 78l commissioned officers
$500 commissioned officers, musicians, artt
GERS, and privates, and 247 enlisted men Of ord
nance. The aggregate is S47 less than the nam
Der stated in the last annual report. The deser-
ton, have not been frequent though many dis
charges have been made Of foreigners and the
zseeretory recommends modification OF the laws
prohibiting the enlistment of SUCH nc ordinance
Bpreas is we'll conducted. Several OF the States
arc delinquent in the returns of their mliua--Ne"
Jersey, Delaware, Arkansas aid LOUISIANA not
having made returns for from II to 10 years
During the season no work has been done at inc
ermories, though operations are now resumed, ana
orders have been given to make 500 rifles and ooo
percussion muskets per month Tor the next SIX
menths The importance OF a national foundry 's
urged.
The reserved mineral lands in the North OF llll-
Yois, Wisconsin and Iowa arc recommended to
be sold in len acre lot. at the minimum rate OF
sIOO per lot; as demanded alike by the interest
of the United States in the lands and the prosper
ty and peace of the citizens occupying the lands.
Measures have been adopted for putting in order
Fort losup in Louisiana, and Fert Atkinson; tor
establishing the new posts on the Marm'ton river
and on or near the Fulse Wsshi!a as all anchorage,
at Detroit, Platssburg, Fort Sullivan, Fort Adams
and at various other posts.
The Secretary again isvokes the attention OF
Congress to the dishonored pledge given ny The
nuartermas,cr general in the name and BY the au-
thsrity Of this nation, to the Creek Indians, TO
remunera,e them for their services in Florida ana
as consideration for their removal. " The earn
esness," says the Report, with which gallant
soldier pleads FOX tho faith and honor of his coun-
try and for Justice TO he pless tribe, who nave
no resort but TO our own sense of tight, il Is hoped
will not only be excused by the circumstances bat
will find Q hearty response in every bosom"
Arrangements have been made whereby 2oSa
guns may be mounted at important points on the
,sa.coYst. The works e. Detroit and Buffalo will
be vigorously prosecuted: and operations at tho
ou,let of i,ale Champaia have been suspended
in consequence of the session TO oar Goveranien;
of Rolse's Point, where the commencement OF a
work is recommended. With regard to the de-
fence Of our owI. harbor the Secretary says:
Although the state Of the works for the de-
fence of the hacbcr Of New-fork is very CRAFTY
ag yetit should not be forgotten that they do not
complete the system, and that, without such con'-
piction, they do nor afford adequate PVosecnon.
The fortiicationa on Staten ls!and at the Aarfows
sre deemed more irgportant than The Opposite forts
Hamilton and Lafayette. The Unlted States has
expended more than Sis, 900 in erecting the works
on Staten Island, upon aEd belonging 10 the State
Of New-York That State has offered to convey
this land on receiving the ori ginai purchase money
and the interest. The difficulty respecting the
title, w!l;ch was supposed TO exist has been re-
moved by tho opinion of the Attorney General,
that the right the land uneues6onably il. the
State OF New,York. 1t is therefore confidently
hoped that the necessary apsrouriat;on will no,v