Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-12-25
suggestions with regard to lighthouses and the coast
survey. --Ru6dlo Com Adu

COm 1uO.
REroRT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.--A skeleton
abstract Of the report OF the War Secretary furnished
70 e ,o Conarcps ess ,S ssT os,
week. The heads of the different subjects enlarged
upon in the report were faithfully given, but they fur
nish but small idea the contents of the document
itself. Diiiusiycness IS the monomana Of public men
OF the present day The message Of the President and
te reports of the heads Of departments the present
Congressarc unwcldy and inirrstibe s,nohered with
intense verbiage, aud beyond the mastering of time
and patience Of the common reader Argument takes
the place OF stastics-eScuses are given IN the room of
facts-and special pleading occupies the strongest po-
sition in the annual reports OF the President and his adj
vscrs.
The War Secretary commences with detail of the |
operations OF the army OF Gen Taylor, from its move
ment rom Corpus Christi to the Rio Grandc, to the
occupation of Monterey. very small space is allow
ed to the history OF the army OF Chihuahua, and we have
very little enlightenment us to the object and end of
this expensive aud indefinite expedition. Those who
have studied the movements OF the army, and the var
ons reports ihcrcrom. will well recocc that Gen.
Wool has been declared mt various times to be on the
point OF eiectng Junction with Gen TAYLOR thereby
abandoning the apparent object OF the original xpedi
ton, but the report Of the Secretary does favor the
presumption that there be any change in the orig
NAL destination OF the army OF Chhunhul" We copy
the only paragraph which refers to this division OF the
, invading amy -
"1he advance column under Brigadier Gen Wool,
about 400 strong destined for Chihuahua, commenced
It's march from san Antonio de BcXar the 10th of
September, and was followed in few DAYS thereafter
by the rear division OF equal number By the last adj
vices from that officer, copy OF which accompanies
this report, 1t appears the column under his command
had crossed the Rio Grande penetrated the department
oil Coahuila to within thirty miles OF Santa Rosa and
was pursuing its route to Chihuahua in the direction OF
Monciova. Satisfactory, though not official iniormn-
ton has just been received that he entered Monclova
OH the 3ist OF October, without resistance and
| ccivcd i'll friendly manner by the inhabitants"
| The movements of Gen. Kearney, up to the occupa-
ton OF Santa Fc and his departure tor California are
duly chronclcd Our readers have heard of these be-
fore. But the destination OF the major part of the
troops which belonged to the expedition, and which
were left at Santa re by their commander is lett in
utter darkness The Secretary probably knows as lit
tie OF what IL going Oh among the turbulent and nsub
ordinate volunteers, who at the last accounts were eX
ercsng the largest liberty in the city of Santa Fe as
well as what is to become oil them, as any Of the unn
, ltiated.
good portion the report is filled with the adyen-
lures and peregrinatons OF Captain Fremont and his
, company in California. The Captau-Coloncl we
should say, Tor promotion grows rapidly among the ia
vorites OF the administration Captain is son
law OF Senator Benton and South Caronian to boot
and his deeds magniied into the most daring and
romantic adventures which the world has ever secn.-
The operations Of Gen. Taylor and his gallant army
sink into lnsignhcance when compared with the eN-
plots OF the near connection OF the Lord Privilege OF
the Senate Col Fremont, appears. with his sci
cntitic mission, composed OF armed soldiers, in the
heart OF Caornla, had awakened the suspicious OF
the Mexican authorities, who, i'll their simplicity could
hardly perceive that his objects peaceful was
represented, and Gov Castro made endcavors TO eject
=
ever, whose salaniry We would by no means impugn
upon discovering these movements, began to operate
upon the offensive and as we told in the report on
the 9th OF June last he determined to turn upon his
Mexican pursuc!s and seek safety, both for his own
party and the American settlers. merely in the de-
feat OF Castro, but III the total overthrow OF tine Mex
lean authority in California, and the establishment
independent government i'll that extensive depart
lnent"
The remainder Of Col. Frcmonts adventures are
pretty well known a political friend of the admins
,tl
proceedings in California savorng VERY strongly Of
the ireebooting spirit which sent Drake and the cut
. throat mlrau crs o'he sixteenth century arounl the
world, making war upon the Spanlards, Oh their own
, individual account" This is the age OF glory however
u and might makes right, when might is upon
" side. In July last according to the Honorable Secre
u tarv, Col Fremont received the gratifying intelligence
l. that war with Mexico had commenced" aud since
then his proceedings ar matter OF history He Joined
his forces to those Of Commodore Stockton--C atoria
u was declared TO be q territory OF the United States
- and by the decree OF the immortal Commodore, the
~ thrice Captain or Colonel Fremont, was
mode the inst OF Its governors under the jurisdiction Of
" the United States.
~, ,e.,,.inIa- ~s- -or~-. i, ia,
~ service, winch were properly forth the abstract
accounts OF treaties with the Indians and such snale,
matters, Alter announcing the annexation OF such
NJ vii and important territory our alrcu ~ eXtende,
country by the military authority OF the President anc
his walke Instruments all minor matters sink into in
l. significance. --Boston Courier.
REroRT OF TIE SECRETARY OF TIE NAvY--The Re
sned 10 Congress, but by the kindness OF the chic
~ Clerk of the Department., are enabled TO pre-en
: the following synopsis oi 1t. The Mediterranean
squadron has no, been continued during the last year
II Is proposed TO revive 1t as circumstances
- permit. The station ut Mahon has been discontinued
nj the earnest request OF the Portuguese government
AM measures are IN progress tor the removal OF tn,
publlc stores from that place. The East India SQUAD
~ ron, consisting OF the Columbus, ~, and the s.oap Vim
" ceancS Is supposed to have sailed Tor japan and Kan
% skaha, in the month OF May June last and TO hay
|r..st 81,
- by commence their homewayd cIuis, via the Nor
~ Pacific IN January or February Orders were sent
40 Commodore Bddl- IN January last to proceed to IN
~ west coast OF Mexico, ana assume the command of nh
- o. them has been received at the Department Tn
Brlzll squadron consists OF the trigae Columbus ON
- mander R!chie, and the brig Banbridse Leutenar
M commandlns Pennington. under Commodore Rossea,
" Iat African squadron consists OF the igalc Unite
- States, and the soop Marion brigs Dolphin and Boxe
:, AMI the store ship Southampton yO guns in all. 4 ia
D. aud interesting narrative IS gwen Of thr operations
the Pacific siullion since the war, both under ON
v modore SoaI and Com. Stockton ard copies are al
IS neAsd OF the official reports OF these officers
: lhes luajrun now consists OF the Savannah and III
CT Congress rlsates; the sioops Portsmouth. Levar
Warren, and Cyane; schooner Shark and store SIN
he Ere, The Ralce Independence IS her way o.
l. with Commodore SAubrlck who will onhis arrival rs
sumo command, an the s!oop Prebe has sailed Tor tn
" same destination he doints OF the home squadro
NJ are also tally narrated and copies annexed OF the OF
., ical reports OF CON- Conner iii reference to the block
s. AIDE. the designs on Ayarado the affair at TotasrC
st and the taking OF Tampico. Full justice is done to tn
IL commanders OF both squadTons, in whom the conf
l. dence OF the department seems undated Extinct
from the instructions uudvr which they acted show al
e So disposition on the part othe Government to ayo
Is all collision with Mexico, If possible. The vessel
tn comprising the Navy OF Texas seem to have be,l
found unworthy OF repair. with the exception of tin
Or Austin which is at Pensacola. The others have beer
al ordered to be sold The estimates Of the department
N are based ON the employment OF 10000 men, ,housl
Re no more than sol0 are now in service. Authority
t. asked to build Tour steamers to be cupuycd in con
lr necon with oar squadrons abroad The prarticabh
ID " OF the dry dock At New York is not doubted ant
IS the work is urged upon the favorable notice OF Con
e gress \ dock AT Pensacola is also recommended an,
N other improvements 10 increase the efficiency Of IN,
N yard AT that place The restriction on the Mcmph.
s. work adopted at the las, Congress it IS thought ina,
a. be ndyautag eously removed
The exclusive employment of naval officers as ma
val keepers abroad, is not thought 10 be wise
st and modification OF the law this subject IS recon-
OF mcnded. The naval school Is spoken OF in terms o
appreciation and the same appropriation is asked Tor
Of as was had last year suitable notice is also giver
the officers OF the observatory, whose valuable opera
to tons beginning to attract the attention they de.
serve. An addition TO the number Of assistant sur
rs geons is very much desired, and the department asc
recommends an increase in the rank and file of tn,
l. marine corps and in the number OF warrant officers
The report concludes with advising that authority b,
y given to the President to appoint out OF mid
vs. shpmeu at large irrespective OF the place OF residence
p OF the person appointed. Provision might thus b,
made for cases OF peculiar merit which are now eAc'u