The New York herald., 1850-12-03

midst al fertile and cultivated country. Now, oa
the conuery, they are either on the Pacific coast,
on the route TO Oregon, or far in the interior ot
Texas and New Mexico, remote from navigabe
streams and from the State where enstments are
made and whence all the supplies are drawn. The
distance of land carriage 10 many of these posts
is as has already beeu mentioned, very great,
and numerous trains of wagons are coz siintly
employed in conveying supplies TO them, as we'll as
in accompany Ipg the troops in their marches. The
exorbltant OF furnishing Supplies the troops ia
Texas aud New Mexico has already been stated
on the Pdcifc, owing To the high price of labor,
water transportation is proportionably expensive.
The consequence of all this is an immense increase
in the expenditure Of the Quarterm ister's DeJtrt-
ment. Ia the year eDdag June 30, ISli
The expenditures of that department amonn'ed 10
only -.-.-..- ............ SS1O,993 13
In the year ending June 30, 1850, they
In The year ending June SO, 1851, Gap
pfoprated) ......-.-- -. -. 3,9io.9) oU'
IN the year ending June 80, 1852, esti'
maied) 9oO,O0) o0
In the year 1914 the cost OF transportation for
the army was less than Si20 00O in the wear end
ing 50th June last it amounted 10 about 800 0O0,
showing an increase of about fifteen huadred per
cent.
II is hoped that as settlements increase and cu-
tivaion extends in Texas and New Mexico, and as
mining becomes less profitable and labor more d-
versihed in California these enormous expenditures
will diminish. In the meantime every effort viii be
made by this deparme 10 eurta them it is possible
that al points remote from the suprrvison OF lis
chief defects OF administration IN the qutttrHlas-
ter's department may exist; To remedy winch,
some change in the org lnization of that Depart
ment may become necessary.
No economy can, however, be effected by re-
duciDg the estimates, which are based upon posi-
tive data, and cannot safely be curiailed. The
only consequence which has heretofore resulted
from such .uctioDs of eAtimstes, without dimin-
isbing the objec,s of expense, has been the
cumulaton of arrearages. An arreardge which
has existed in the luartermaster department since
the year 1878, amounting 10 the sum of 81 2@O.s6O
81, is said 10 have originated ia ibat way. The
practice OF allowing disbursements 10 exceed the
appropriations is dengero in the extreme; bai #
esmates carefully prepare by the proper oiiicers.
are reduced, without diminishing the objects OF
expendlture, this iiIegularily may sometimes be
unavoidable.
hereto annex such portions OF the orrespon-
dence Of this department. as relate 10 the subjects
mentioned IN this report, together with The reports
Of the General IN Chi,I, aud OF the several head;
Of bureaus OF This department; to all whiah refer
you for more ample Information ia regard to its
operations. Respectfully submitted,
G.. NJ. CONRAD. Secretary OF " ir.
To the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
The amount stated for the year ending June 30
1851 IS that of the appropriations only. which
bSsed upon supposed increase OF the army OF hfteen
hund drsd i5C0l men instead Of three thousand tSo01l
provided by law IL is belle yei therefore. that ths
expt tndituTes will exceed the appropriations theulh
1882 in que OF th- delay which necessarily in
terveped after the passage OF the act OF June 1880 bs
tore he augmentation authorized ty it could BE- ee
tectrG.