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

the most expensive and the least efficient ever
known to our service. #
beg, therefore, to recommend, for the reasons
| given In my former report, that three regiments
be added TO the establishment, two Of light dra-
goons or mounted ritlemen, 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 ofartillery
One with its field and stall officers, for the
Pacific coast and that the President be au-
| thoriIed o:ding 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 seventyforr prlvates 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)-l presented the
equitable claims Of the decayed or WORKOUT SOL
diers--reguass and olunteers-discharged or
who may be discharged, to an asylum, and
|
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
ect to the attention of the higher authorities.
A bill providing for n etired 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 law.
The third section of the act Of June IT, 1850,
designed to encourage enlistmcnts in the vicinity
Of the remote frontier posts, by giving rs Il
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ure, and Dug It to be repealed. The Involvement
it 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 near y as great as 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 tho time. 1t is also directed
tllnt the gratulty be not paid to the soldier I'LL
the end Of his enlistment. This will certainly
serve as check to dcscrtions but it is appre-
nended it may also prevent re-enlistmcnts A
soldier receiving so large an amount Of back
pay at his discharge would not be likely to re-
enter for second term. Perhaps both objects
tho prevention Of assertions and encouraging
nlstments-might be secured by retaining Till
the expiration Of service one-hay, 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.