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

sary result of our treaty for the protection of Next
Give the Indians fair held for their predatory
expeditions in that republic, and they will never
trouble US; but il carry out the provisions OF our
treaty with Mexico in good faith-and no Ameri-
can take it for granted, would advise the contra
ry-the existing state OF things and the heavy ex-
pense attending it, must and will continue, unless
either feed or exterminate the Indians, or pre-
vail upon them to settle down as cultvators OF the
soil. No treaty we can make with them-no mat
ter what their wishes or how well disposed socver
they may be to fulfil their engagcments-will bind
them longer than their means OF subsistence last
The moment these lacking, resort must neccs
sarily be had to the only available mode Of supply
To hesitate would for them be to starve.
The estimates for the next fiscal year are made
from careful consideration OF all the circum
stances Of the service, and minute calculation OF
lis wants.
Ifthesecircumstances remain unchanged, and the
objects OF expenditure be not greatly reduced the
estimates will bear reduction; and respectfully
urge the necessity Of the whole being appropriated.
Unless objects of expenditure be reduced, the cut
ting of estimates down may produce arrearages
and embarass the public service, but will not save
money.
The regiment of mounted rilemen, for which
means Of transportation and supplies had been pro-
vidcd before the commencement OF the year, were
marched across the continent during the year, and
stationed in the Territory of Oregon, with the ex-
ception OF two companies left at Fort Laramie, on
the route, about seven hundred miles in advance of
Fort Leavenworth. For portion of the troops
quarters were erected; and for others, and for
Stores buildings hired. Fort Vancouver is
the most important point to be occupied in that
Territory 1t is now garrisoned, and is the prin
cipal depot OF the Quartermaster's Department 1t
is, believe, the property OF the Hudsons Bay Com
pany and, if it can be obtained on any thing like
fair terms, 1t should be purchased Ii Is said to be
the only place in the territory where a mounted
regiment can now be conveniently stationed 1t has
fair pasture ranges, fields for cavalry evolutons,
and ID accessible for supplies through three rivers
the Columbia the Willamette and the Cowtz-
all communicating with the most fertile parts of
the Territory. Building materials abundant in
Oregon, and a saw mill had been put up at Fort
Vancouver; and, at the last report, was to be
sent TO Astoria, and another to the Dalles. For de-
tailed information in regard to the march of the
rifle regiment and establishing it on the route and
in Oregon respectfully refer to the report of Ma
jor Cross, which ID appended, omar ked A.
In the course of the year considerable amount
of supplies has been sent from the Atlantic to Cali
fornia. Two storehouses, with quarters for two
companies, including officers, framed and
sent from the State of Maine, and six small iron
buildings were sent from New York as an expert
These buildings, it is ascertaned, will cost
far less than those put up from materials obtained
in California.
required at San Diego, ella, Colorado, Las Reyes,
Clear Lake, Camp Far West, Bcnicia. and San
Frapcseo, III addition TO buildings already put
up, and at Monterey. The estimates from the Pa
ci6c for the necessary buildings and including
transportation for the division, are twenty
Blk hundred thousand dollars. By sending all the
materials from the Atlantic, with mechanics to
erect the buildings il ID believed that the cost may
be greatly reduced, and propose, if it meet your
appreciation, 10 adopt that course.
For detailed information in regard to California,
well as Oregon, respectfully refer TO the report
of Major Ninton, herewith submitted, with the re-
ports and statements accompanying il, (marked
b
Supplies of every description due from this De
partment have been sent from Fort Leavenworth,
in Missouri, and San Antonio, Texas, TO New
Mexico; and transportation has been furnished for
troops marching thther, well as for the supplies
of other departments. Great difficulty is found in
supplying The trains aud the horses of the mounted
troops with forage in New Mexico The whole sur
plus products of the country, after supplying the
inhabitants, would hardly be sufficient for the
public demands If they were available; but much
of them necessarily 60 into the hands of the nu-
merous bodies of emigrants passing to California
by the route of the ella. The difficulty can be
obviated only by such policy as shall secure
the culuyator not merely from attack while
engaged in the business Of cultivation, but in the
quiet possession Of his crop after it has matured.
The most industrious por ton of the population are
said TO be the Puebia PiAdgs Indians, (NIexi-
cans) They suffer from the depredations Of the
wild or mountain Indians. They are represented
almost entirely without arms. Were they
armed and the troops disposed to afford their
settlements efficient protection, they would not
only diminish the public expenses by increasing
the supplies, but would be the cheapest well as
beat auxiliares OF our troops In their operations
against the hostile Indians For information in
detail, refer to the subjoined report Of Captain
Brent, who nearly two years the principal
quartermaster in that Territory with the report Of
Captain Bowman aud Lieutenant Whttlesey ap-
pended 10 u, (marked c.
Throughout the year the troops in Texas have
been more like army in the field in active war
than in garrison, and the regular force has been
increased by an auxiliary volunteer force. Sup
plies, with extensive means of transportation, both
public and private, and horses to mount portion
Of the foot, have been furnished required by the
general commanding.
The territory Of Texas Is so vast that the troops
for its defence, well the trains TO supply the
posts its frontier have TO traverse routes 80 long
and 40 entirely unimprovcd, that the expense Of
heavy. In cOnnexion with this subject, took &C
casion in my last annual report 20 ask the atten-
ton Of your predecessor 10 the importance Of i'm
proving the hsrbors, rvers, and roads of Texas.
] now take the liberty Of asking your attention TO
the matter. The improvement Of the harbors Of
Texas. with the navigation Of the Rio Grande, the
Guadalupe. Colorado, Trinity, and Upper Red
riycrs, with the construction OF good roads be
tween hc frontier posts and those posts and accos-
siblc points the coast and rivers would be worth
infinitely more in the defence Of the frontier than
any system Of fortihcntion
In regard TO the state Of the service the from.
tier Of Texas. and the condition Of the Rio Grande,
/ respectfully submit copies Of reports from Capt.
French (marled ID and Maj. Chapman, (marked
E)
Transportation and supplies we're furnished
throughout the year for the troops operating in
FLORIDA; also transportation for captured Indians
from the scene Of operations 10 New Orleans.
In relation 20 matters there, respectfully refer
TO the report Of Major Myers (markcd y, with the
memoranda appended,
In regard TO army expenditures generally, IT,
may not be out Of place here 10 remark that the
cost Of supporting given number Of troops is the
same TO most Of the administrative departments Of
the military service, no matter where they may be
stationed In the Pay and Subsistence Depart
ments, tho allowances being determined by posi
tive law, the expense depends upon the actual
force, and is materially affected only by the
increase or diminutOn Of numbers and grades.
In the Qusrtermaster's Department the oase IL
entirely different. There the expenditures are
influenced by all the varying and contingent
circumstance of the service, as well as the
dition and resources Of the country in which
the troops are employed. Take, for instance.
New Mexico and the posts the Oregon
route-slso Texas; and both pay and sub
sistence depend upon the number employed, and
would be about the same, were the force there sta
toned on the Atlantic. But, from the rcrnOtcDcss
Of all posts in these Territories from the Of
supply; and the difficulties and danger attending
the communication with them, the expense Of the
QUsrterfnsstcr's Department is from three 10 five
hundred per cent. more than u would be on the
Atlsntio-in come items more than a thousand per
cent. AZ the troops become more active, as their
81 tbosa