The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-04
Reports from Heads OF Departments.

O'Clock
| Reports from Heads OF Departments.
Yesterday published the reports of the Secretary OF
War and the Postmaster General and to-day we lay be
fore readers the reports OF the Secretary Of the Navy
and the Secretary Of the Interior II is needless to
comment at length on these papers; and we therefore
present basy abstract OF their leading points We shall
lay the report of the Secretary Of the Treasury before our
readers it is received and shall then take occa
sion 70 comment more at large upon Of the points
arising in all these epors-especiay respecting the ap
propriations asked for and recommended
| REPORT OF THE SECRETARY or WAR.
The Secretary OF War states the aggregate strength
Of the army, rank and file, at IL 927 men, supposng
| each company TO have its full complement as fixed
by law and he estimates the deduction to be made
from that number, on account OF incomplete compa-
MES, sickness and casualties, at an average OF thirty
or forty per cent Seven thousand seven hundred
and nineiy-sx officers and men, or more than one
half Of the whole army, are stationed in or under
orders for Texas, New Mexico California, and Oregon
This force seems TO be inadequate 10 protect our own
frontier and the frontier OF Mexico from the depredations
OF Indians residing within the limits Of the United States
and the Secretary states that the military establishment is
entirely Inadequate to lis wants
Prompt have been taken TO carry into effect
the Of the 18th Of June last, which provided for
mounting portion of the infantry stationed in Texas
After the experience which has been Cleaned this point
surprised that Congress should have passed such
law; for il entaed heavy expense, without any ade-
quate advantage. The Cumaches, and other prairie In
dams, have but little regard for infantry either horse.
back foot Thus far the only result that has at
tended the practice Of placing infantry horseback that
we have heard Of has been TO furnish the Cunanches
with American horses in lieu OF their mustangs, at the
expense of the treasury We therefore concur in the
Secretays recommendation to raise additional cavalry
force for this service In that event. the would be
enlisted with reference to the duties they intended
to perform, and would do more than inic needless and
| useless expense upon the government.
Mr.. Conrad suggests the organization and use OF por.
ton Of the Pueblo Indians under United States officers,
species of militia to keep the more savage tribes Of
New Mexico in due subsection and would respect
fully suggest Congress that the best of aordng
Texas that protection to which she is manestly ent-
tied, and TO give The Mexican frontier that security
which we are under treaty engagements TO Afford would
be to enlist mounted for that especial service with
that they should not be subject orders for any
other service By that methods the necessary enlistments
might be soon obtained, and more regiments
speedily raised consisting OF accustomed TO from
tier e and who never could he induced to enlist into
the regular army OF the United States subject be
toned any part OF the confederacy from the Atlantic 10
the Pacific Our attention called TO this beet
time SINCE BY the daring orays of the Cumaaches We
possessed ourselves of the OF OF intelligence
and experience from western Texas, who have been
gagged in conflicts with the Cumanches and are
WINGED Of the uselessness OF infantry except for garrison
and depot duty. that frontier Nothing but cavalry
can render eectua service; and ensments after The
manner have suggested would increase its efficiency.
i Mr. Conrad repeats the recommendation OF Mr.. Craw-
ford form retired list Of the officers of the army.
that those who are ncapacaled from age, wounds OF
disease contracted in the public service may be exempt
from duty, and receive reduced pay He also comments
the plan OF the General Chief for the establishment OF
1 an asylum for disabled and destitute soldiers. .1
Through the agency OF the governor OF Minnesota
and the agent OF the government, the Chippewa Indians
have been induced to make treaty Of peace with the
Sioux under assurances that il il violated the Uni.
ted States would only interfere to protect them, but
would redress their wrongs Soon after the treaty
concluded il was violated by the Sioux, who made an
attack upon the Chippewas. The Secretary recommends
that small force be sent against the Sioux When the
faith Of the government is pledged, wish 10 the
pledge redeemed and humanity requires that the United
States authorities should every exertion to promote
peace among the Indian tribes and advance their we'll
being But we not prepared TO sanction method Of
procedure by which the United States becomes response
BILE for Indian faith involved in the between In
dian tribes.
The residue OF MIR. Conrad's report is taken up with
the movements OF various portions of the army and the
expenditures which are necessary. We shall not com.
ment on that portion OF il al this time, may find Il
necessary 10 submit observations relative 10 the
expenditures OF all the departments for the last and the
estimates OF appropriation for the next fiscal year, as
submitted by the Secretary Of the Treasury.
REPORT OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL.
| The Postmaster General reports;
"The number OF mail routes within the United States
at the close Of the fiscal year ending the 3oh Of June
last was 59o the aggregate length Of such routes was
IT'S STA miles, and the number OF contractors employed
thereon AGO. $685. 3s
| 1.-THE annual transportation Of the mails on tbese
routes was 4e54l,4aa miles. at an annual cost OF
s27af.i2e making the average cost aboat FIVE cents
and eight and a half mills per mile. ....
| The increase the number Of inland mail.routes
durng the year was $40; theincase in the length Of
mail routes was 10000 mes; and the annual trsnsporfa-
ton OF the year exceeded that Of the previous year by
9p7 asa miles, at an increased cost OF S3a244o.
~.