Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-12-07

ls49 by Major General Twggs the small remnant Of the
Seminole tribe remaining in Florida have abstaned from all
acts Of hostility against the whites In one Of the frontier
counties the sudden disappearance Of youth recently caused
some alarm among the inhabitants Orders, however,
given to the agent residing among them to institute
quy into the matter, and the result Of the investigation has
been the conviction bis part that the Indians had
agency IN It. Every information, the contrary that has
reached the Department leads the belief that band
length satisfied Of the futli of proonging
test with the whites Under these circumstances portion
Of the troops stationed in Florida have been recently withdrawn
few companies however, have been left guard against the
possibility of another outbreak
The Indians remaining in Florida, although their number
does not exceed hundred men, of terror and
annoyance to the whites in their neghbohood and doubt
tend very much TO retad the settlement Of that part Of the
State. SO long they remain in the country collisions will
continually occur, and will only end with the extinction Of
the No efforts, therefore, have been will be spared
to induce them to migrate and join the great body of their
ton in the West and it confidently believed that this de-
sabe result will sooner be attained by peaceabe than
by the employment of force.
Information has been communicated to this Department
that through the nstrumentay and persuasion of the Gov
Of Minnesota and agent stationed among hem the
Chippewa tribe of Indians he'd been prevailed upon make
treaty Of peace with the Sioux with whom they war;
and who had been the aggessors that shortly after the treaty
concluded, broken by the Sioux who had made
unprovoked attack the Chppewas As the treaty had
been made at tho earnest solicitation and almost command Of
the Governor and the agent and the solemn
had been given BY them both to the Chppewas that if
redress their wrongs the Department has been invoked to
make good these pledges 1t highly important that these
people should respect the authority and confde in the pro-
misses of the agents of the Government deemed advsa-
bic, therefore, that small force be against the Sioux
No doubt entertained that the appearance Of this force
among them will suffice to inmdae them and prevent what
might otherwise be proracsed and sanguinary war.
The Board OF Military and Naval Officers appointed to ex
anime the Pacific coast Of the United States and to designate
such points thereon suitable for Notifications and naval
depo have concluded their abors Only preliminary reports
have as yet been made but the Department is informed that
certain positions have been designated well adapted mi
tary and naval purposes Measures have been taken
serve these sites from sale, but detailed surveys will be
necessary before the works can be commenced The delay
which this operation will the less be regretted
the high prices Of both labor and materials all that region
would render nexpedent to the construction of
any important works on that coast at present.
In virtue Of act passed in March, ls49 making an ap
preparation for military and geographical surveys Of the
Mississippi party, under the direction Of Capt. Sansbury,
dispatched in that year with orders to explore and SUR
vey the region in the vicinity Of the Great Salt Lake. is
that the party have completed their abor and
now their way home. As their report made it
shall be laid before you.
Under similar appropriation made the last session of
Congress- aPay has been organized under the command of
Capt Sgreaves with directions to explore the river Zuni
from its to its junction with the Colorado and
the latter river from that point to the Gulf of California
An appropriation made the last session of Congress
to survey the Delta Of the Mississippi river with view to
the deepening Of the channel its mouth and the prevention
OF overows The execution Of this work. important to
large portion Of the Mississippi valley, has been confded
GERS corps Of Typographical Engineers In addition
which Mr. Charles Elett , distinguished civil engineer,
has been employed to examine this interesting subject and
report the result Of his obsevaonsto this Department These
two parties will act independently Of each other and yet will
cooperate whenever may be found advantageous do So
fnor to the passage Of the law establishing Territorial
Government in New Mexico the inhabitants Of that country
had held convention adopted State constitutions and pro-
ceeded TO Pa in operation On the other hand the officer
In command Of that military department refused TO recognise
ne government thus established. To put an end to con-
lct OF authorities which be productive Of unpleasant
as soon the above mentioned law passed.
instructions dispatched to the officer n command to ab
stain rom all further interference in the civil and political af
falrs OF the country.
The Military Academy continues by its excellent discipline
ana admirable course OF instruction. afford ample
that will realize the expectations of the country and sstain
the high reputation il has hitherto enioyed
beg leave to renew the Recommendation of NV immediate
OF the formation Of retired list Of officers of the
army There arenany officers who in consequence OF their
age OF wounds of disease contracted in the ser
vice, entirely disabled but who nevertheless receive nll
pay would be more in accordance with Justice and no
doubt with the feelings of the officers that thew
should receive less pay and be legally exempted from duty
by this justice to the officers would be reconced with
economy and the efficiency Of the service.
In connexlon with this subject beg to call your at
ention 70 the remarks contained in the report Of the General
relative to the establishment Of asylum for disabled
and destitute soldiers
The Quartermaster's Department EMPLOYS in ts service
about five hundred eamsers who hired men, and have
recently exacted Besides not being subject
to the restraints Of military discipline they sometimes very
turbulent and ungovernsbe To obvae both these difficult
ues is recommended that authority be given to enlist such
number OF them be required BY the exgnces Of the
service and that higher of pay be allowed them than
ths prvstes in the army.
The usual annual estimates have been furnished to the Sec
reary OF the Treasury tobe by him submitted Congress
They embrace detailed reports from the heads Of the bureaus
OF this Department Of the that will be required by them
respectively during the year commencing on the rst Of JULY
1851 and exceed in the aggregate the estimates the current
year. This is owing chiefly the following causes
First NO appropriation required by the Subsistence De-
Partment during the current year. there being balance on
hand resulting from estimates during the war; sales of
subsistence stores &C. sufficient for the service Of the year.
Second BY act passed at the last session Of Congress the
rank and file Of all the companies serving on the Western
ed towards the close Of the session. the pay Of all the Of
fcer and serving California and Oregon was nearly
doubled Fourth An Increased expenditure in the Quarter
masters Department.
Prior to le45 frontier posts all established either
on the Gull OF Mexico, Lake SUPERIOR the head
waters o the Mississippi and s tributaries. They ALL
therefore, accessible by water and many of them situated in
The midst OF fertile and cultivated country. Now on the
contrary they either the Pacific coast on the route to
Oregon far in the interior Of Texas and New Mexico re-
mote from navgabe streams and from the States where en-
smens are made and whence oil the supplies are drawn
ne distance Of land carriage many Of these posts is as
nss already been menoned very great and numerous trains
OF wagons are constantly employed conveying supplies to
them as well as IN accompanying the troops In their marches
Inc exoresnt cost OF furnishing supplies the troops 10
..x1N N-- Az..-- A. n