The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-28
also resnectfullv recommend to favorable con-


time and the perils of an arduous service have pro
duced their natural accidental effects and take
| leave TO express my concurrence IN the views OF
the commanding general OF the army on this sub
iect Should the suggestions OF that officer be not
approved, il is then submitted that some plan OF be
ncvolence and gratitude be commenced under the
sanction Of Congress, which shall require all dis
bursting officers of the army to receive and account
for such sums may be voluntarily contributed
for this object. 1t is not doubted that at some flu
ture day fund will be thus realized, which, judi
ciously employed, will supply this essential want,
and accomplish purpose which will be universally
approved.
The effective power of the army is deemed to be
inseparably connected with the Military Academy
at West Point. As of the means OF national de-
fence, it is not only the best, but one OF the cheap
est unless the rule be inverted which admits that
the most efficient corps commanded by the
most skilful officers. Having its organization
popular basis, and difusing its benefits equally to
all sections of the Union, this institution may be
safely commended to the care and patronage of the
Government, not less for the brilliant achievements
of ts graduates than their happy example to others
who are to follow them.
The outrages committed by the Indians in New
Mexico have been of serious character, resulting
in the massacre of several OF the inhabitants, and
depredations upon the property OF the settlers to
considerable extent. The troops in that territory
have been constantly occupied during the past year
III giving protection to the settlements, and in
pushing their scouts against the hostile and ma
rauding bands. These duties have been performed
Win ana zeal, Dul Wluioul pIlNdtloH
and suffering the part of troops operating in
broken and difficult country, during the heats OF
summer and amidst the almost impossible SHOWS
of winter In the several affairs whic h took place,
the Indians generally encountered IN superior
numbers, and always routed with considerable loss
in killed and wounded. The attacks of these ma
rauding bands becoming more frequent the
spring opened and often resulting in the murder of
citizens, the commanding officer, in order to
afford greater protection than could be given by
| the limited regular force under his command,
called into service an auxiliary volunteer force.
! Four companies of lbs description of troops
| engaged for six months and distributed so az to
protect the lives and property of the Inhabitants
| most exposed to attack
In September movement made against the
Navaloe Indians In their stronghold at the Canon OF
| Cheile, which resulted in treaty with that nation
on terms similar to those granted to other tribes
upon frontiers. and the surrender of several
! captives.
| Attempts were made under the orders issued
] from this Department, in May last, TO open
munications with the Indians remaining in Florida,
with view TO ascertain their feelings in respect To
emigration. Whilst the officer charged with the
instructions was endeavorng to obtain interviews
with the several chiefs in the vicinity of Charlotte
Harbor, acts of violence and murder commit
ted by small band of the tribe upon the settle
ments ON Indian river and Pease Creek, which had
the effect to Illustrate, for time, any effort at ne
gotiation On receiving intelligence of these out
RACES from some of the inhabitants who had fled
from the scenes of violence, arrangements
st. Augustine, Tampa Bay, and Key West, to af-
ford that protection within their means which the
circumstances demanded. Prompt measures were
also taken by this Department to send reinforce
ments 10 the troops In Florida, with view to
troll the Indians, in il should appear, as this
Depar tment did not then suppose, that these out
RACES had been dictated by a general feeling of
hostility the part OF the several tribes. The
number Of troops thus collected in Florida within
the month of September was upwards of seventeen
hundred, officers and men-a force deemed suffi-
cient to give confidence to the inhabitants and to
! promote the emigration of the Indians
Upon renewing the efforts to negotiate with the
| Indians, the principal chiefs, with their sub
! chiefs and warriors, were met in council They
at once agreed to deliver up the offenders Give in
nuInber,) whom they represented having com
mittcd the murders without the sanction or know
ledge of any chief, and in opposition 70 the wishes
of the Indians. Three of these have since been
surrendered. OF the remaining two, one in at
tempting 10 escape, was killed by the Indians the
other effected his escape but his early capture and
surrender have been promised by the chiefs On,
the subject of emigration, the Indians requested
time Tor dehbcration, and meeting in council has
been arranged Tor a subsequent day The policy
which has been pursued, aud which will probably
be continued Tor the removal Of theso Indians 10
their brethren west of the Mississippi will be seen
IN the correspondence which accompanies this
\ report
/ During the past spring and part Of the summer.
the troops in Texas had become greatly reduced in
effective strength by the ravagcs Of the cholera
which prevailed there TO such extent 10 rctard
/ IN some measure, contemplated military move
ments, having for their object the establishment az
hnc OF posts for the proec ton Of the frontier set
! tlement again the attacks Of hostile bands Tn.
frequency oil ihese attacks and the difficulty Of
covering 80 extended frontier with the very limit
ed dlspOsabe regular force, distributed in small
commands at points remote from each other, made
~ necessary Tor the Commanding General in Texas
10 avail himself Of the authority previously p-yen
TO call upon the Executive Of that State Sr three
companie. Of mounted militia. Orders have been
given ior the discharge of those additional comma
MICS, and also those in New Mexico as soon as the
cNigcnc'cs under which they were calle, into ser
wee shall have ceased 10 exist, and il il recon
fncnded That appropriations be made by Con. rcss
tO pay them tor the time they may have ben en-
ploycd, No recent disturbances in Texas have
bccn reported; aud from the profers of peace which
have been lately made by tho Cama1rbc nation
through their nevly-clected head chief with mani
sstltions Of the most friendly dispositions towards
the United States, and determination by them TO
abstain from sny further deprcdations upon our
citizens, IL l. believed that the regular troons an
that country will be sufficient for any emerge nv
likely " arise. The operations in New Mexico and
lcNas have resulted IN the recovery Of many Of the
captves previously made by the Indians several of
wloin have been restored 81 their homes In Mexico
sgre'aby 10 the provisions Of the late treaty with
that republic.
The Department was prevented by the demand
ior troops IN Mexico during the recent war, from
cficctng much ia respect To the establishment of
military posts GU She route 10 Oregon REQUIRED bv
the at OF the 18th May, 1896 beyond the selection
Of 'hc hrst station ON Platte river, now Grand
Island, known az Fort Kearny. Within the last
! spnug arrangements were made To place the reei-
lnent oi mounted rifemen, originally designed Tor
thls service, upon the route. Early i'm Nav the
reglncnt'moved from Fort LoavenwOrth, and pro
ceedcd via Fort kearny 70 Fort Laramie and af
ter establishing az that point the second military
station, continued is march in the direction OF Ore
gou, Wy the last intelligence received, the regi
lnent bad passed beyond Fort Hall, on the upper
waters OF TIC Columbia river, and doubtless. ere
this, u nss reached its ultimate destination after
having established the intermediate station between
Fort Laramie and the Pacific. and giving escort To-
a large number OF euiigraAts.
To hasten and ensure the arrival of the Officer.
connected With The customs in California as well a.
OF navy agent Tor the port Of San Frsucisco. AMI
certain indian agents transferred TO- and sub agents
appointed Tor, the territories of New Mexico and
California, an order, under yo1r direction was
gwen TO the proper Department 10 furnish to them
transportation AZ pUhac expense About the same
time Information reached the Department that a
large numher OF emigrants had assembled az or
near Fort Lcavenworth, aud who, in their long
IA tlatr