The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-24


TO the amendment, when
Mr.. JONES moved to commit the bill to the
Committee Of the Whole on the state Of the Union.
Mr.. BURT trusted that the reference would not
be made. He desired To say that this bill for
the protection of the frontiers of country. The
present condition of the frontiers made it the ALSO
lutte and imperative duty of the House to provide
for its protection. The bill proposed TO authorize
the President, when any company OF artillery shall
be mounted, that il shall be increased to sixty -four
men, rank and file; and that certain companies of
infantry IN the remote portions OF our country shall
be increased to seventy four. and these companies
shall be mounted when in the opinion of the Presi-
dent, the defence of the frontiers shall make il alb
solutely necessary. When the exigency shall
cease, the President is to reduce the rank and file
of each Of these companies to their present number,
which is forty-two. During the Mexican war, the
number OF a company was allowed to be increased
to one hundred. At the close of the war the number
was again reduced to forty two. All military men
well know that il is impossible 10 keep company
up to the compliment authorized by law. The ex-
piraon OF terms Of enlistments, deaths, and deser
TONS the casualties of the service, reduce il about
one fourth. The bill asked nothing more than what
he had stated II proposed to allow enlistments on
the frontiers of country land to recruits the
amounts which it would cost to transport enlisted
troops from depots OF enlistment to the frontier
on which they are to serve. The Committee on
Military Affairs were unanimous in reporting the
bill to the House. The force is called for by the
Secretary OF, War in his annual report The army,
prior to the Mexican war; was not sufficient for the
frontiers. Oregon required a regiment OF mounted
men, and one authorized tobe raised for the spe
cial purpose of protecting the people fthat Terrific
ry and emgrants on their way thither. Since which
time we have acquired California and New Mexico.
He desired that the House should know that, on the
borders of the United States, there thirty thou
sand Indian warriors. In New Mexico, the regu-
lar trade OF these Indians ID to capture women and
children. after putting the TO death, and car
rying them into the Indian country with view to
obtain ransom for them. Everybody who reads
the newspapers remembers the shocking atrocities
committed on the wife OF citizen OF the United
States and her daughter, only few weeks ago. He
had been informed that there were other cases.
There have been, within the last two months, con-
hicts between the troops in New Mexico and one of
these Indian tribes. And, unless the House mean to
leave the frontiers undefended and women and chill
dren to be given up to the savages, he trusted that
they would not be deferred from passing the bill by
the cfy from any quarter, that this is proposition
to increase the army. 1t was the very best propo-
sition which could be offered. 1t proposed to in
crease the rank and file merely, to continue 30 long
as the public exigency may require. So as
that ceases it will become the duty OF the President
to reduce the companies to the present complement
Of forty two.
Mr. JONES said that it was not his purpose to
enter into the discussion, but it seemed to him that
the motion of the gentleman from South Carolina
was unprecedented in the legislation of the House
bill had been reported from the Committee on
Military Affairs, to increase the army to the extent
of thirty three per cent. The bill was not printed
and not referred to the Committee of the Whole on
the state of the Union No gentlemen had seen it
Affairs. And it is to be hurried through the House
under the pretence that the exgency of the country
and the protection of the frontier require IT. 1t
would be recoected that when General Taylor,
with his army, was surrounded by the enemy, a
bill was reported to give him aid and comfort by
sending a force to relieve him. This was referred
to the Committee of the Whole on the state OF the
Union, and there underwent some consideration.
He ventured to say that has BILL increasing
the army to the extent that this does, passed the
House and become law without being first refer
| Al -. A. h1l,
the Union, printed, and discussed. He expressed
the hope that the House will not, in this instance
depart from the course heretofore pursued.
Mr.. EVANS, of Maryland, said that the bill was
looked at in every possible light in committee, and
that they came TO the unanimous decision that 1t
was proper, just, and the best which could be ma
tured. II it sent to the Committee of the
Whole the state of the Union, ii must be lost.
MIR. MEADE inquired what the amount Of
the increase proposed?
| Mr.. BURT replied that it impossible TO tell
He had stated that the purpose was to increase the
rank and file of those companies only which were
serving on the frontier. The bill was war bill;
| there has already been fighting between the In
dians and the Mexcans, and we are bound by
| treaty to help the Mexicans. The Indians have
been committing depredations from Iowa to Ell
| Paso, and TO the very mouth of the Rio Grande.
Mr.. JOHN A. KING said that the bill before them
had been too long delayed 1t ought to have passed
long since; not only that protection might be at
| forded to our people, surrounded by dangers, but
that our treaty stipuations with Mexico should be
carried out
Mr. EVANS, of Maryland, further contended
that il necessary TO put the bill its pas
| sage. He gave way to
! Mr.. COBB, of Alabama, who expressed himself
| against any increase of the army but in favor of
transferring troops from the Atlantic seaboard,
where many were unemployed.
Mr.. BURT asked whether any man would rise
and say that even five men of the rank and file of
the army we're not usefully employed at this mo-
| ment
| Mr.. EVANS, of Maryland, having concluded his
| remarks in favor Of the bill, succeeded by
! Mr.. BAYLY, who desired to submit few re-
marks to the House to the financial aspect of the
| bill. The appropriations asked for this year by
the Departments for the army and navy amount TO
upwards OF seventeen millions, which is four mil
lions more than the amount expended for all pur-
poses under the administration Of John q. Adams,
and he was turned out for extravaganza!
Mr.. KAUFMAN inquired whether eleven mil
| lions were not for the navy
Mr.. BAYLY. No. A little upwards of nine
millions for the navy, and about eight millions for
the army. At present, the army establishment
consists OF eight thousand seven hundred and
eighty seven men, rank and file; and including
officers of all grades ten thousand five hundred and
this is to cost the Government about eight millions
Of dollars. II this bill should pass in it's present
shape il would increase the army three thousa nd
in the rank and file, and would double the appro-
pration. He for the purpose Of expressing his
view that the President should be authorized 70 in
crease the rank and file the frontiers by re-
ducing the number on the Atlantic coast.
! Mr.. GIDDINCS conceded in the views expressed
by the gentleman who had Just addressed the
House He contendcd that we should always rely
on the people, who were prompt to defend the soil
and not on standing armies, which a curse &c
all free governments. We have paid out six hun.
bred millions TO maintain the army and navy. He
in favor Of reducing the army to four thousand
men, and the appropriation for the navy to two
millions, laying up in ordinary the vessels which
are not necessary TO protect our commerce.
Mr.. HARRIS, ofIllinos, gave notice Of an amend
ment, authorizing the President to raise mounted
rangers to serve for one year, to protect the from
tiers.
Mr.. HOWARD also gave notice Of a substitute
proposing ten regiments ofmounted rangers, armed
with rifles and Colts pistols, TO remain long al
the service may require.
Mr.. HARALSON said that we are under IN,
highest obligations 10 place force entirely ampl,
the frontiers, TO project the people and 70 carry
out treaty stipulations with Mexico. He was
however, opposed TO the bill. He did not belicy,
the regular army efficient in Indian warfare
but men picked up in the ordinary walks Of iii,
were more serviccable than those who have beer
long in service.
Mr.. HOWARD said that he had a letter in hi
possession from officer at FL Paso, stating tina