The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-13

! Leaving to be accounted for ........ S7S6 9lS %
! The accounts Of three decea ed officers due;
also of two assistant quartermasters and forty four
regimental and acting quartermasters and agents.
These accounts, when received, Will reduce the ba-
lance now reported, it is believed, three hun.
dred thousand dollars
A heavy arrearage occurred during the last fl
cal year from the entire nadcquacy of the appro
priations to meet the necessary expenditures under
the new and extraordinary circumstances of the
service. When the estimates were decided on by
the late Executive in the autumn OF lS4S, the war
expenditures, still TO be made, were supposed not 70
be large they turned out to be; hence the bal
ances of the appropriations applicable 10 the
service OF the year fell far short of what had been
counted on; added to which, the Indian hostilities
in Florida, Texas, and New Mexico, which have
caused heavy expenditure, were neither fOrcseen
nor provided for. Nor was any provision made in
the estimates to meet the state Of things in Calor
MIA, where the expenditures Of the Quartermaster
Department IN the ast year. Tor the small force EN-.
ployed, have nearly equalled those for the whole
army in lsf5.
The arrearages, far ascertained, will be
in the amount stated. as borrowed from the
civil fund in California, and that raised by the dis
bursting officers Of the department on drafts this
office, which were necessary in the absence Of ap
preparations to carry on the service, and which are
a charge the appropriation for the present hscai
year. The whole amount Of the arrearage will be
required in this year.
In the year ending the 3Oth Of June, Is4i, the
whole amount expended by the Quartermaster' =
ment shows that the sum expended in the last fs
cal year was iyefold that amount Now, the
army has been increased since that date little
more than bali, and, had the circumstances of
tie service remained the same the increase should
have been in the same ratio, but little than
fifty per cent. The enormous increase Of the
pendtureB is 10 be accounted for in addition 10 the
circumstances before stated, by the vast extension
of territory in the anne xation Of Texas, New
Mexico, and California, the stationing Of troops
there and in Oregon, and keeping up long lines Of
communication between our former frontier and
those Territories
In 1874 the extreme western posts extending
from the Gulf Of Mexico 90 Lake Superior were
Fort Jcsup, within twenty four miles Of steam
navigation on Red river; Forte Towson and Wash
tia, on Red river, above Fort Jesup; Forts Smith
and Gibson on the navigabe waters Of the Arkan
river; Fort Scott, the southwest frontier Of
Missouri; Fort Leayouworth, on the Missouri river
Fort Smelling, near the bead Of navigation on the
Mississippi; and Fort wilkins, on Lake Superior.
Several Of these posts were in populous and well
cultivated ncighborboOds, and all Of them were Of
easy access, and readily and chcaply supported !
consequently, the whole cost 81 transportation for
the army ia the year referred TO was less than
hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
The Outposts are now removed 10 the Rio Grandc,
the ella, the Pacific coast, Columbia river, and
Puget's Sound, with lorR intermediate lines Of
posts between the former and the present frontiers
The agricultural resources Of the new territories
haze been but partially developed; those Of Cali.
fOrnia and New Mexico are supposed 10 be limited
ter the hostile disposition Of the Indians, prevent
the inhabitants from avsilinR themselves Of the
few agricultural advantages they are supposed 70
possess Western and Northern Texas and Oregon
have abundant agricultural resources; but the gold
excitement ADD the Indian hOstlities produce the
same effects there though not In 30 great degree
az in California and New Mexico. The reinforce.
mcnts for the troops, we'll nearly all their sup
pies, are taken from the older siatcs, over long
land and water rOutcS, at an. enormous expense
Large trains, belonging 90 tho public, and hired,
have been constantly moving over the land route.
and with the troops the hcdi and vessels, at an
expense bearing some relation tho great increase
in the cost Of labor, have been employed in trans
porting troops and Building materials, forage and
other supplies, on the water routes; the conse-
quence Of all which IL, that, with the army in
creased a little more than One-half, or fifty per
cent. the cost Of transportation in tho last fiscal
year has equaled two millions OF dollars, or more
than fifteen hundred per cent
In the present condition Of the newly acquired
Territories with the posts established for their de-
fence necessarily far from tho sources Of supply,
and - large portion Of their garrisons mounted,
more than ten thousand horscs, oxen, and mules
are constantly required for transportation, and for
mounting guides, spies, escorts, and troops; forage
is therefore heavy item Of expense
The supply Of foe Ia limited throughout those
Territories, and is obtained with difficulty at many
Of the present posts; II 10 heavy item 90 10 the
hire Of mechanics, lsborers, and other operatives;
also the rent erection, and repair Of quartors bar
racks, storehouses, and other structures required
for the service. The expense Of neither can be
much reduced even With the most faithful and
rigid administration, unlcss the circumstances Of
the whole country, in relation 10 is cultivation,
communication, and means Of defence, be changed.
The Nornsdic Indians, between Texas and New
MEXICO, have, az long az trace their history
back, and down TO recent period, followed and
subsisted upon the immense herds Of buffalo that
once covered the plains east OF the Rocky noun
tsins. The buffalo have been rapidly diminishing
for many years past and nov afford the Indians
very scsniy supply. These Indians have ever been
varlike, veil mounted, and well armed. The
rapid dissppearanoe Of their accustomed means Of
subsistence has, for some time past, compelled
them 10 fight, steal, or stsrve. Brave men IN
savage state with arms in their hands, stsrve
Themselves, ALLOW their women and children 10
starve, when subsistence can be won by proves or
skill. For half century past, /. the game has