The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-17

the most expensive and the least efficient ever
known TO our service. E &
beg, therefore, to recommend,,fo the reasons
given Ia my former report, that three regiments
be added 10 the establishment, two of light dra-
goons or mounted rtemen, and one OF infantry !;
that two companies be added to the present
forty-eight companies of artillery, and that the
fifty be organized into FIVE regiments Of artillery
one with its field and stall officers, for the
Pacific coast and that the President be au-
thoriled, according to the exigences of the SER
vice. to cause TO be extended, by regular enlist
ments, the number Of privates in every company,
| old and new, throughout the army, from forty
two, fifty, and sixty-four, respectively, to any
number not exceeding scventyfoGr prlYates per
company
Another years experience has confirmed me
in the opinion that it is only by such augmenta-
tons the army can be enabled to preserve our
Notifications along the British, the Atlantic, and
Gulf OF Mexico frontiers to guard the immense
lines Of emigration across the Rocky mountains,
and defend our numerous settlements bordering
on as many Unaffected Indian tribes.
In the same report Nov. 3, lSi9-(Executive
Document No. 5, PIP. 98-lO3)-I presented the
equitable claims Of the decayed or WORKOUT SOL
dlers-regula7s and volunteers-discharged or
who may be discharged, to an asylum, and
showed that one might be established out of the
funds already lodged in the treasury by the
army, and by other means, without original or
| subsequent charge upon the country. again
beg leave to commend this most interesting sub
ject to the attention of the higher authorities.
A bill providing for n eiired list Of disabled
and WORKOUT officers passed the Senate at the
last session, and will, hope, soon be taken up
by the House, and made a law.
10 third ~ or f,f
designed to encourage enIistmcnts in the vicinity
Of the remote frontier posts, by giving as u
bounty to each recruit the expense of subsist-
ing and transporting one from the principal de,
pot in the East to such post, has proved fail.
ure, and Dug t to be repealed The Involvement
1t presents is not sufficient to accomplish its OBJ.
Ject. Indeed, the main, if not the sole reliance,
for filling the ranks Of the army is, by recruiting
in the old States
An act making appropriations for the support
of the army, approved September %, 1850, sec
ton first, doubles the pay proper Of enlisted
men serving in Oregon and California. This is
a just provision, and ought to be extended to
New Mexico, where, it is believed, the expenses
OF living are nearly as great rs on the Pacific,
and the service more arduous The act limits
the payment Of this additional compensation to
March, 1852, but it will no doubt be found ne
cessary to prolong the time. 1t is also directed
that the gratuty be not paid to the soldier till
the end of his enlistment. This will certainly
serve as check to assertions, but it is apprc-
ncnded it may also prevent re-cuistmcnts. A
soldier receiving so large an amount Of back
pay at his discharge would not be likely to re-
enter for y second term. Perhaps both objects
the prevention Of assertions and encouraging
enlistments-might be secured by retaining till
the expiration Of service one-ha!J, Instead Of the
whole, of the additional pay, granted by the act
referred to, and it is recommended that the law
be modified accordingly.
have the honor to remain, sir, with high re-
spcct, your obedicnt servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. c. NJ. CONRAD, Secretary Of War.