New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-12-09
Report or the Secretary of war.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Nov. 20, 1874
we present an abstract of this report, The re-
gulsr force consists of eight regiments Of infantry
two OF artillery, and two Of dr.goons Fort Ken,
IN Inc Madawaska Settlement, has been occspied.
ana military post established at Copper Harbor,
ON peninsula on the southern shore Of Lake Supe-
nor. The two Geographical divisions of the army
nave been reinstated, the Fourth Department and
the Ninth ere reserved. The troops are withdrawn
from Florida The Secretary has visited the Mill
tary School at West Point, and is satisfied there
with. Vacancies are usually anticipated by attach
ing the graduates of the Academy to the Army as
brevet second Leutenants the number OF this class
is not considered TOO great. A joint committee of
Congress is recommended for visiting West Point.
1t is recommended that law be passed by which
an officer, after 25 years good and faithful service,
should be allowed TO retire, and be entitled to Sec
ton OF land and two years furlough on foil paw II
IS suggested that officers of the Line, assigned to
staff duties, should receive the pay of STAFF officers
There is no important port north of Cape Ha,teras
without sufficient means of defence. A fort on Sol
ler's Point Flats at Baltimore 10 recommended the
resumption of the work upon Fort Delaware at the
Pea Patch, of Fort Calhoun, and the purchase from
the State OF New-fork the position upon Staten
Island Immediately opposite Fort Hamilton. The
survey of the Florida Reef and the Tortugas
recommends that the first work should be con-
sruc;ed either at the herbor Of Key West or
the Tortugas Rock. As auxiliary to the pro-
posed Naval Depot at Memphis the establishment
of strong fortihcation 10 suggested, placed we'll
in advance, as to overlook not only the vessels
navigating the Gulf, but every one doubling Cape
Antonio. A small force of engineer troops, one
company Of sappers and miners, should be organic
ed. The ordnance corps is well organized. and
National Foundry should be established. The pro-
per location for Marine Hospitals on the Western
waters, in Pennsy lvania, Ohio and Kentucky, have
been chosen. The removal of all restrictions from
the sale of Mineral lands is urged. The improve
ment Of the Western Rivers and the Lake Harbors
has been prosecuted with great vigor; and the Red
River Raft only be prevented IRON reformation
by continuing the appropriations. 1t is recommend
ed that The construction of Light Houses upon the
Lakes be transferred 10 the Typographical Corps.
A new Territory is recommended, in connection with
the extension of Military Forts. The valleys near
the head streams OF the ArkansGs the Platte or Ne
braska, and ths Yellow Stone Rivers, contain much
rich land
The Nebraska territory would embrace only our
undisputed possessions on this side OF the Rocky
Mountains. Its boundary line would commence al
the mouth OF the kanzas and run up the Missouri
river TO the mouth of the Running water river and
would pursue that stream to the head Of it's North
ern branch, and thence due West TO The Wind river
chain. From this point, turning Southwark, the
line would continue along the Wind river range,
hOu tnt iudlU IluChy ~ t[it
head ofthe Arkansas; and following that stream 20
the mouth of the Pawnee Fork, would pass by the
heads of the Nsosha and Usage rivers, again TO the
mouth Of the kanzas.
The limits of this territory include the extreme
head of navigation of the Arkansas, all the good
lines of communication with California, the road
from our frontier 10 the Mexican boundary and
Santa Fe, aud also excellent and more direct
pass 10 Oregon, discovered by recent exploration,
about $50 miles Southwark OF the great Santa Pass.
In carrying out these views he recommends an ep-
preparation of 100000 for erecting The military
posts from the Missouri River 10 the Rocky Noun.
tains.
Contracts have been made fer the removal of the
Choctaws and the Miamss, and three Commits
sioners appointed TO inquire into the difficulties in
the Cherokee nation.
- By tho estimates Of the Indian Bureau for the
coming year, demand will be made upon the Go
yernment for The estimated annual appropriation OF
one million one hundred and ninety-three thousand
six hundred and twenly-nine dollars and fourteen