Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-12-07

of the scarcity Of forage and provisions Of these posts
(For Hall, subsequently abandoned and the troops
stationed there transferred another post the
Dales and TO Fort Vancouver on the Columbia river.
Since the conference held with their chiefs in September
ls4s, by Major General Twggs, the small Of the
Seminole tribe remaining in Florida have abstaned from all
acts of hostility against the whites In of the frontier
counties the sudden disappearance Of youth recently caused
alarm among the inhabitants Orders, however, were
given to the agent residing among them institute rigid
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 feeble band
lengh satisfied Of the futly Of proonging
with the whites Under these circumstances, portion
Of troops stationed in Florida have been recently Withdrawn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 Flords although their number
does not exceed hundred men, of terror and
annoyance to the whites in their neghbohood and doubt
tend much 10 retad the settlement Of that par 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 body Of their
on in the West and il is confidently believed that this de-
rabe result will be attained by peaceabe than
BY the employment of force.
Information has been communicated this Department
that through the nstrumenta and persuasion of the Gov
Of Minnesota and agent stationed among hem the
Chippewa tribe Of Indians he'd been prevailed upon to make
treaty of peace with the Sioux, with whom they war
and who had been the aggresors that shortly after the treaty
concluded, it broken by the Sioux who had made
unpovoked attack the Chppewas As the treaty had
been made at tho earnest solicitation and almost commend Of
the Governor and the agent and the most solemn
had been given by them both the Chppewas that if
violated the United States would interfere protect them and
redress their wrongs the Department has been invoked
make good these pledges is highly important that these
people should respect the authority and confde in the
misses of the agents of the Government II deemed advisa-
be therefore, that small force be against the Sioux
No doubt entertained that the mee appearance this force
among them will suffice to intmdae them and prevent what
might otherwise be protracted and sanguinary war
The Board Of Military and Naval Officers appointed to ex-
anime the Pacific Of the United States and to designate
such points thereon suitable for Notifications and naval
depo have concluded their abors Only preliminary reports
have been made but the Department informed that
certain positions have been designated well adapted mi
tay and naval purposes Measures have been sken
serve these sites from sale, but detailed surveys will be
necessary before the works be commenced The delay
which this operation will is the less be regretted
the high prices of both labor and materials in all that region
would ender nexpeden the construction of
any important works on that coast at present.
In virtue Of an passed in March, ls49 making
preparation for military and geographical surveys Of the
Mississippi party under the direction Of Capt. Sansbury
dispatched in that year with orders explore and sur
the region in the vicinity Of the Great Salt Lake. is
understood that the party have completed their abos and
their way home As soon as their report is made it
shall be laid before you.
Under similar appropriation made the last session Of
Congress- apay has been organized under the command
Capt Sigreaves with directions explore the river Zun
from its headyates 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 overfows The execution Of this work. important
large portion Of the Mississippi valley, has been conded
Major Long and Captain Humphreys, accomplished Off
GERS OF the corps OF Typographical Engineers In addition to
which Mr. Charles Elicit jr, distinguished civil engineer
has been employed to examine this interesting subject and
fhop -
two parties will independently Of each other and yet will
whenever may be found advantageous to do So
ffor to the passage of the law establishing Territorial
Government 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
the government thus established To put an end to con-
ct OF authorities which might be productive Of unpleasant
as soon as the above mentioned law passed.
instructions dispatched the officer n command to alb
stain from all further interference in the civil and political a
| fairs Of the country.
The Military Academy continues, by its excellent discipline
course OF instruction. to afford ample
that will realize the expectations the country and sustain
the high reputation il has hitherto enjoyed.
Deg leave 70 renew the recommendation of my immediate
predecessor OF the formation Of retired list Of officers Of the
army ihere aeinany officers who, in consequence Of their
advanced Of wounds Of disease contracted in the
vice, entirely disabled but who nevertheless receive fn
pay II would be in accordance with Justice and no
doubt with the feelings Of the officers themselves that they
snouo receive ess pay ano De legally exempted from duty
by this means justice to the officers would be econced with
| economy and the efficiency Of the service.
In conne1ion with this subject beg leave to call your at
tenon 70 the remarks contained in the report Of the General
nChie relative to the establishment Of an asyum for disabled
and destitute soldiers
The Quarermaers Department EMPLOYS in its service
about ve hundred teamsers who hired men, and have
recently exaced enormous wages Besides not being subject
to the restraints Of military discipline they sometimes very
turbulent and ungovernsbe To obviate both these difficult
ties is recommended that authority be given to enlist such
number of them may be required by the exgences Of the
service, and that higher of pay be allowed them than
ths privates in the army.
The usual annual estimates have been furnished to the Sec
retay Of the Treasury, to be by him submitted Congress
They embrace detailed reports from the heads the bureaus
OF this department. of The that will be required BY them
respectively during the year commencing the first Of July,
1851 and exceed in the aggregate the estimates for
year. This owing chiefly the following causes
First No appropriation required by the Subsistence De.
parment during the 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 passed the last session Of Congress the
rank and file Of all the companies serving the Western
frontier greatly increased Third By another act pass
ed towards the close OF the session. the pay Of all the Of
cers and serving in California and Oregon was nearly
doubled Fourth An Increased expenditure in the Quarter
masters Department.
Prior ls45 frontier posts all established either
on the Gulf Of Mexico, Lake Superior the head
waters Of the Mississippi and s tributaries. They were 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 or far in the interior Of Texas and New Mexico
mote from navgabe streams and from the States where en-
smens are made and whence ell the supplies are drawn
The distance OF land carriage TO tnapy of these posts ia