Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-12-13
WHOLE NO. ll2.
The annexation Of Texas and The ,c

lquislIion Of California and New Mexic,
! have given increased importance 10 ou
Indian relations. The various tribe
brought under our jurisdiction by thos,
|enlargemenis ofour boundaries are esii
mated TO embrace population of 1884,.
coo. Texas and New Mexico are sur
rounded by powerful tribes of Indians
who are a source Of constant terror and
annoyance to the inhabitants. Separa-
ting into small predatory bands, and al
ways mounted, they ovefrun the coun-
| Try, devastating farms, destroying crops,
and numbering the inhabitants, or carry
ling them into captivity. The great
roads leading into hecoun.ry are infes-
ted BY them, thereby travelling is rem
[dercd extremely dangerous, and emigra-
| ton is almost entirely arrested.
The Mexican frontier which, bv the
lith article Of the treaty of Gusdaloupe
Hidalgo, we are bound to protect agains,
the Indians within our borders, is ex-
posed 10 ther incursions equally with our
own. The military forces stationed in
the country, although forming large
proportion Of the army, is represented
as entirely inadequate 10 our own protec.
ton, aud the fulflment of our treaty
|stipulalions with Mexico. The princil
pal deficiency is in cavalry. | recon-
mend thai Congress should, at as early
"a season as possible, provide for the
raising of one or more regiments OF
mounted men. For further suggestions
on this subject, and others connected
with our domestic interests in reference
10 our frontier, refer yoc to The report
OF the Secretary of The interior and of
the Secretary of War. | recommend
also TO your favorable consideration the
suggestion in the last mentioned report,
and in the letter Of the General-in- Chief,
in reference 10 the establishment of an
asylum for the relief of disabled and
destitute soldiers. This subject appeals
so strongly 10 your sympallies that it
would te superfuous In me 10 say any
more than 10 express my cordial appro-
baton of the proposed object.
The Navy continues 10 give protection
TO our commerce and other national in
terests in the different quarters OF the
globe, and with the exception of single
steamer on the northern lakes, the ves-
sells in condition arc distributed in six
different sqIadrons. The report OF The
head Of the department will exhibit the
services of these squadrons, and of the
several vessels employed in each during
the past year. 1t is source of graft
fication that while they have been con-
stanly prepared for any hostile emer-
gency, they have every where met with
the respect and courtesy dive as well to
the dignity as TO the peaceful disposition
and just purposes of the nation.
The Two hrigantines accepted by the
government from generous citizen OF
New York, and placed under The COM
mand of an officer of the Navy to pro-
ceed TO the Arctic seas in quest ofsthe
British commander, Sir John Franklin
and his companions, in compliance with
the act OF Congress approved in May
last, had, when last heard from, penetra-
ted into a high northern latitude; but the
success OF tEis noble and humane enter
prise is yet uncertain.
| invite your attention to the view Of
our present naval establishment, presented
in the report OF the Secretary of the
Navy, and the suggestions therein made
for lis Improvement, together with the
naval policy recommended for the secu-
rity of cur Pacific coast, and the pro-
teciion and extension of our commerce
with Eastern Asia.
Our facilities for a larger participation
in the trade of the East by means OF
our recent settlements on the shores oi
the Pacific, are too obvious to be over
looked or disregarded.
The question in relation TO rank in
the Army and Navy, and relative rank
between officers of the two branches oi
the service, presented to the Executive
by certain resolutions of the House oi
Representatives at the last session Of
Congress, have been submitted TO q
Board of officers in each branch of the
service, and their report may be expected
"ssAA Staig
| also recommend the enactment Of .
law authorizing officers Of the army ant
navy to be retired from the service wher
incompetent for its vigorous and active
duties, taking care 10 make suitable pro
visions for those who have faithful,
served their couasry, and awarding dis
;inctions by retaining in command ,hos.
who have been particularly conspicuou
for gallantTy and in good Conduct
While we acknowledge the obligation
of the country TO maintain and homo
those who, to the exclusion Of olhe
pursuits, have devoted themselves TO il
arduous service, this obligation shonl,
not be permitted 10 interfere with tn,
deficiency Of the service itself.
am graiifed at being able to stat'
that the estimates for naval expenditure
for the ensuing year are less by NOR
than one million than those of the pres
eni, except the appropriation which ma,
become necessary for the consirnctiol
of the dock uponthe coast of the Pacific
propositions for which are now bein
considered, and on which a special re
Il nort NAV he exnecfed parl,r ~ Won