The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-12-02


mated to embrace a population OF l24,
900. Texas and New Mexico are sur.
rounded by powerful tribes Of Indians
who arc Il source Of constant terror and
annoyance to the inhabitants. Separating g
into small predatory bands, and always
mounted, they overrun the country, de-
vas,a,ing farms, destroying crops, and
numbering the inhabitan,s, or carrying
them into captivity. The great roads
leading into the country are infested by
them; thereby travelling is rendered ex.
,remely dangerous, and immigration is
almost entirely arrested. The Mexic an
frontier, which, by the 11th article Of the
treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, we arc
bound to protect against the Indians
within our border, is exposed to their
incursions equally with our own. The
military force stationed in tla, country
although forming large proportion OF
the army, is represented as entirely in
adequate to our own protecc cc!,on. or to the
fui6Iment OF our treaty s;r ss;;;rnla,ions with
Mexico. The principal deficiency is in
cavalry. | recommend that Congress
should, a, as early period as possible, pro.
vide Tor the raising of one or more regi-
men,s Of mounted men. For further sug-
gcstIons on this subject, and others CON
neclcd with our domestic interests in re.
ference to our frontier, refer YOU 20 the
reports Of the Secretary Of the lnte rior
and the Secretary Of War.
| recommend also to your favorable consider
alton the suggestions contained in the last sec
ton OF The report, and in letter of the General
in Chief relative to the establishment of an asy-
lum for relief Of destitute soldiers. This subicc
appeals SO strongly to your sympathy that it
would be supcriluous for me to say anything
more than barely to express my cordial appro-
baton Of the proposed object
The Navy continues to give protection to our
commerce and other national interests in differ
ent quarters OF the globe, and with the exception
OF sin rlc steamer on the northern lakes, the
vessels commissioned are distributed in SIX diff
fcrcnt squad:ons. The report of the head OF
that department viii exhibit the service Of these
squadrons and Of the several vessels employed
in each during the paSty year.
1t is a source OF qualification that while they
they had been continuity prepared f. any e.
nergcncy, they have everywhere mt with
the respect and courtesy due TO the dignity as
well as to the peace tnl disposition and just par
poses Ctthc nation.
The two bri gantncs accepted by the govern
mrnt from the generous citizens of New York,
and placed under coinnand of an officer OF The
navy, To proceed to the arctic ocean, IN quest OF
the British commanders Sir John Franklin and
Company, in compliance with the act Of Com
gress approved in May last, had when last
heard from, penetrated into high northern lat
ltudr, but the success of this noble and humane
enterprise is yet uncertain.
| invite your attention to the view OF our pre-
sent naval establishment and resources present
ed in the report Of the Secretary Of the Navy,
and the suggestions therein made for It's M
provemcnt together with the naval policy rec.
commended Tor the security Of our Pacific coast,
and The protection and extension OF our con-
mercc with eastern Asia. Our facilities i"r
larger participation in the trade of the east, ~
reason of our recent settlements on the shores
of the Pacific, arc too obvious to be overlooked
or dsregarded.
The questions in relation to rank in the army
and navy, and relative rank between officers OF
the two branches OF the service, presented to the
executive by certain resolutionsni the house OF
at the last sessi On Of Congress,
has been submitted to board of officers in each
branch Of the service, and their report may be
expected at an carly day.
| also earnestly recommend the enactment OF
a law authorizing officers of the Army and Ma
Wy to be retired from the service, when incom-
pcntelt for its vigorous and active dutles taking
care TO make suitable provision for those who
have faithfully served their country, and award
ing distinctions, by retaining in command those
who lad bcca particularly V consp ;uous tor gal
]amtry aud go' d conduct While we acknowl-
edge the obligation Of the country to MAINTAIN
and honor those to the exclusion Of other puv-
suits, and devoted themselves to It's a.duous scr
vice, this obligation should not be permitted to
Interfere with the efficiency OF the service itself.
am @raticu to be able to state that the cstl'
lnatci for naval expenditures fur the ensuing yea!
arc less by more than 81 100000 than those OF
the present, excepting the appropriations Wulch
may become necessary for the construction oi
the dock upon the coast of the Pacific, prcpari!
tons for which how being considered, and
for wllcla special report may be expected early
in your present session. There is an eviueul
lIslness III the suggestion OF the Naval report,
that the appropriations for the naval service prop
cr should be separated from those of fixed and
permanent OBJ jects, such as building docks, nuva.
yards and the fixtures attached, and the extraor-
binary objects under the care otthc Department,
winch, however important, are not essentially
naval.
a revision Of the code for The govern
ment Of the navy seems to require the
consideration of Congress; it S
system Of crimes and punishmcnts has
undergone no change for half a century
until the last session, though its defects
had been often and ably pointed out, and
the abolition of the particular species Of
corporal punishment which then took
place, without providing any substitute,
has left the service in State of dcleclivc-
ness which calls for prompt correction.
| therefore recommend that the whole
subject be revised without delay, and
such IL system established for the enforce
ment Of discipline, as shall be at once hu-
lnane and effectual.
The accompanying report of the Post
master General presents a satisfactory
view OF tho operation and condition Of
that department. At the close of the
last fiscal year, the length of the inland
mail routes IN the United States, not EN-
braclng the service in Oregon and Cali
fOrulu WAS 17S f1C - ut ..-.l