The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-05

and organized into kind of militia, under the d-
reetion or officers Of the army render essential aid
IN protecting it against the sudden inroads or the
more savage tribes. The experiment is well worth
making, and, If authority were vested in the De-
partment to distribute arms and ammunition
among them, IL might be so exercised that no i'll
consequence could at all events result from it.
These, however, are only temporary exped-
ents. 1t is obvious that some other means besides
the terror OF our arms must ultimately be en-
ployed to restrain the Indians. Hemmed in, as
they are, on all sides by the United States, by
Mexico and the Rocky Mountains, as our settle
ments advance, the scarcity Of game will compel
them to fall back on our weaker neighbors, whom
by the treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo, We are bound
to protect against their incursons. Both policy
and humanity would therefore seem to dictate
that some system should be adopted whereby the
whole Of this unfortunate race might he induced,
a portion of them were by the Spanards, to
abandon their wandering life, to live in villages,
ard resort to agricultural pursuits.
The reg iment of mounted rihemen, which, when
the last report was made by this Department, was
on its march to Oregon, reached its destination in
safety, having in accordance with the act Of 18th
May, 1916, established line OF military stations
along the route to Oregon. In consequence of the
scarcity of f'rage and provisions at one of these
posts, Fort Hall it was subsequently abandoned,
and the troops stationed there were transferred
another post near the Dalles and to Fort Vancou-
yer on the Columbia river.
Since the conference held with their chiefs in
September, 1874, by Major General Twiggs, the
small remnant Of the Seminole tribe remaining in
Flo ida have abstaned from all acts Of hostility
against the whites. In one of the frontier counties
the sudden disappearance OF a youth recently
caused some alarm among the inhabitants. Or
ders, however, were given 10 the agent residing
among them TO institute rigid inquiry into the
matter, and the result of the investigation has been
the conviction on his part that the Indians had no
agency in 1t. Every information, on the contrary,
that has reached the Department leads to the belief
that this feeble band are at length satisfied Of the
utter futility Of prolonging a contest with the
whites. Under these circumstances, portion of
the troops stationed in Florida have been recently
Withdrawn. few companies, however, have
been left to guard against the possibility of an
other outbreak.
The Indians remaining in Florida, although
their number does not exceed one hundred men,
a source of terror and annoyance TO the whites
in their nelshborhood, and no doubt tend very
much TO retard the settlement Of that part Of the
State. So long as they remain in the country,
collisions will continually occur, and will only end
with the extinction of the race. No efforts, there
fore, have been or will be spared to induce them
to migrate and join the great body of their nation
in the West; and ii is confidently believed that
this desirable result will sooner be attained by
peaC cable means than by the employment of force.
Information has been communicated to this De-
partment that through the instrumentality and
persuasion Of the Governor of Minnesota and our
agents stationed among them, the Chippewa tribe
of Indians had been prevailed upon to make
treaty Of peace with the Sioux with whom they
were at war, and who had been the aggressors;
that shortly after the treaty concluded, it
broken By the Sioux, who had made an unpro-
voked attack on the Chippewas. AS the treaty
had been at the earnest solicitation and almost
command Of the Governor and the agent, and the
mn OILY w
both to the Chippewas that if it violated the
United States would interfere to protect them aud
redress their wrongs, the Department has been in
voked to make good these pledges. 1t is highly
important that these people should respect the
thority and confide in the promises Of the agents
Of this Government. 1t Is deemed advisable,
therefore, that small force be sent against the
Sioux. No doubt is entertained that the mere
appearance Of this force among them will suffice to
intimidate them and prevent what might otherwise
be a protracted and sanguinary war.
The Board of Military and Naval Officers ap.
pointed to examine the Pacific coast Of the United
States, and to des gnate such points thereon are
suitable for Notifications and naval depots, have
concluded their labors. Only preliminary reports
have as yet been made, but the Department is in
formed that certain positions have been designat-
ed, as well as adopted TO military and naval pur-
poses Measures have been taken to reserve these
sites from sale, but more detailed surveys will be
The delay which this operation will cause is the
less to be regretted, as the high prices Of both la
Dor and materials in all that region, would render
it inexpedent to commence the construction of
any important works on that coast at present.
In virtue of an act passed in March, 1919, max
ing an appropriation for military and geographic
cal surveys west Of the Mississippi, party, I'M
der the direction of Captain Stansbury, was dis
patched in that year with orders to explore and
survey the region in the vicinity Of the Great Salt
Lake. 1t is understood that the party have COM
pleted their labors, and are now on their way
home. As soon as their report is made it shall be
laid before you.
Under similar appropriation made at the last
session Of Congress, a party has been organized,
under the command Of Captain Sitgreaves, with
directions to explore the river Zun, from it's
headwaters to its junction with the Colorado and
the latter river from that point to the Gulf Of CAL
iforna.
An appropriation was made at the last session
Of Congress, to survey the Delta Of the Mississip-
pi river, with view to the deepening OF the chan
mel at its mouth and the prevention Of overhows.
The execution of this work, so important to a
large portion Of the Mississippi valley. has been
confded TO Major Long and Captain Humphreys,
two accomplished officers Of the corps of Topo-
graphical Engineers. In addition to which, Mr..
Charles Ellet, jr., distinguished civil engineer,
has been employed to examine this interesting
subject, and report the result of his observations
to this Department. These two parties will act
independently of each other, and yet will cooper
ate whenever it may be found advantageous to
do so.
Prior 10 the passage Of the law establishing a
Territorial Government in New Mexico, the in
habtans Of that country had held convention,
adopted State constitution, and proceeded to put
it in operation. On the other hand, the officer in
command Of the mili,ery department refused to re-
cognise the government thus established. To put
an end to a conflict of authorities which might be
productive of unpleasant consequences, as soon as
the above mentioned law was passed, instructions
were dispatched to the officer in command, to alb
stain from all further interference in the civil and
political affairs Of the country.
The Military AGA 'emy continues, by its excel
lent discipline and admirable course of instruction.
to afford ample guarantees that it will realize the
expectations of the country and sustain the high
reputation it has hitherto enjoyed.
beg leave To renew the recommendation Of my
immediate predecessor of the formation Of retired
list of officers of the army. There are many Off
GERS who, in consequence Of their advanced age, Of
wounds, or Of disease contracted in the service,
entirely disabled, but who nevertheless receive
full nav In would he more in accOrda nce with