The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-31
CoNGREs sIoN Al.
REMARKS OF MR.. HARRISON
OF GEORGIA,

pufpoocs.
Mr.. HARALIsoN said. He had not risen for the
uarposs OF making set speech in favor Of this bin
Hs took pleasure in Stating that t had been reported
by The COMMITTEES on Military Affairs, after having
mature deliberation; but IL any OF lts PROVISIONS
should be found incomplete, the committee were not
80 welded 10 their own production NJ 10 W I'M
willing 70 hear iis mssits freely and fully eanyassed
Fur his own part, he was inclined TO the opinion
that il would be found on examination, to be every
thing which the egeneies OF the public service re-
auired and il was his desire TO show that Il was
nothing more than the public service did require IN
time Of peace and that IL had no connexion whatso-
ever with the question Of war, or with the condition
Of our foreign relations. Ii was true, that IN the
event of difficulty with Great Britain, any other
foreign power, this addition to military estab-
lishment would las the Earl of Aberdeen said }
though not intended directly for that service be very
useful and important. But he protested that the
only object Of the committee in reporting the bill
was to supply the deficiency IN the public service.
He should therefore proceed TO show why the
amendment proposed by the gentleman from indi-
ana, MIR. THomAs SmIrH,l should not PREVAIL and
thai these two regiments, together with the dscre-
ionsry addition TO each company Of the present es-
adjustment contemplated by the bill, were as small
an increase the public service could act efficiently
with. So far rs the amendment Of his friend from
Kentucky, mr. BoYp,l was concerned, he (Mr.
H. would here say that, for his own part, he was
willing TO see the President vested with the power TO
mount or dsmount such portions OF the two regi-
ments as he might at any time deem requisite and
proper. He was not OF opinion, however, for rea-
sons which he would state, that the whole OF this In
creased force should consist Of mounted men.
Although the bill itself did not designate the par.
tieular service in which this force should be employ
ed vet il had been announced that portion Of il
least was to be put the line Of emigration TO Ore
gon. He asked gentlemen to consult their own
good sense on this point. Would mounted men be
H. tha ain adj mi
every man who knew anything Of military matters
lware that certan services were required to be per-
formed in and about these stockades, and that IL
would he useless that every man there should have
q horse A detachment Of one or two companies
must remain every one Of these forts not only 70
protect emigmton, but to protect the public proper
". Il was, indeed, requisite that a portion should
be mounted, in case Of Indian attacks, or to escort
EMIGRATION if necessary, and to perform other ser
vices in which the speed Of mounted men might be
required-to repcl invasion, or 70 pursue an enemy
rssrvsfipg into the praires and whom men on foot
could not reach A mixed foree, therefore, at the
discretion of the President, or of the commanding Of
6cer on that particular service, was required. 80
much for that branch of the subject &c.. ID. F.,
!, II has been asked whether any increase of the
army was necessary Gentlemen who made this
inquiry could have but little confidence in the re-
ports transmitted 10 this House at the commence,
ment Of the session. The President Of the United
States, the Secretary Of War, and the commander
in-chief Of the army, had all concurred in recon-
mending an increase; and from whom, he would
ask, could correct information be expected If not
from them9 They declared 1t was necessary, and
in some instances have designated the particular ser
vice for which it was thought that this additional
force might be required But he would speak from
the record itself. 1t would there appear that the
largest portion of the army had been withdrawn
from the regular garrsons to meet an anticipated at
tack on the southwestern frontier.
Mr. g. 8. HoUsToN here made an inquiry, which
the reporter did not hear, but to which
Mr. HARRISON replied. There is a specific rec
omnendation Of an increase of force; but the alter
native is presented to Congress whether it will ac-
complish that object by adding to the existing regi
ments, or by creating new ones On the part of the
comnnander-in-chief both are proposed. He says:
aTo meet the wants of our extended frontiers to the
norhwest west and southwest and without reference to
any Immediate danger Of Indian or foreign beg TO
recomend small augmentation Of our regular iorces Tor
the ordinary service Of those frontiers This may be at
tanned by new reginentssay OF artillery and three Of
infantry would add to the establishment AZ off,
GERS and AHA enlisted (includng noncommssioned
"By adding 10 privates to each company of dragons
artillery and infantry AZ prvates each Of the present
establishment should have total increase y this
pan) for 10 companies Of Dragons 40 OF artillery and ~
Of infantry Of 1900 privates-wthout the addition Of
regiment Of AFOREMENTIONED officer musician, OF
arti6ceE" D."
Mr.. l. E. Holmes. Does the commander-in-
chief, General Scott, recommend IN his report that
these two regiments shall be raisedi
Mr.. HARRISON. Neither IN tnereport OF 'he pee.
retary Of War; nor Of the command in-chlef, ls u
any yhere IN be found that one or two or any par
.:y, Lo ~ roo;non,a ~ r;ganoen shoold he
ucuai hu'oei VI 'eSh"e".' VI iie ~
formed; but an increase OF tne army ID uisuneuy
recommended and is insisted on by the President
bv the Secrctarv of w ar and bv the commandments
chief.
have Just read an extract from the report Of the
commander-in-chef. ] commend his entire report
N the consideration of the committee
" r nv eso'.e - W. 4; H.; -, , $500.
Inc oecreary VI war, !" hs ANNUAL report, says
On onr northern borders along the line Of the British
from Maine to Lake Superior an extent OF two
thousand miles there is now stationed but single reRi
ment FROM the falls Of Saint Anthony on the upper Mis-
along the western and frontier Dor
derng on Inc Indian country fifteen hundred miles and ex
tending south to New Orleans only one regiment of dru
goons and two Of infantry are stationed The artillery
regiments reduced in strength by having four compane
detached from each now garrison few o. tho forticaton
upon the seaboard Newport In Rhode Island to New
Orleans the skgsne,es Of The public service hssss re-
Ssetts New Wampsbire and Maine The residue of IN,
army Consisting Of one regiment of dragons sixteen com
panes Of artillery and Ave regiments OF infantry const
tune more than half of the whole military force Of III
United States is now serving in Texas This importan
change in the position OF our military force was made h