New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-12-03

therefore seem To dictate that some system should
be adopted whereby the whole Of this unfortunate
race might be induced, as portion Of them were
by the SPaniard, to abandon their wandering life
TO live in villages and resort to agricultural pur
suits,
The regiment Of mounted riHemen, which, when
the last report was made BY this Department was
on It's march 10 Oregon reached It's destination in
safety, having in accordance with the act Of 10Th
May, 1916 established 2 line of military stations
along the route to Oregon. In c0nseqHence Of the
scarcity OF forage and provisions st one Of these
posts, Fort Halls it was subsequently abandoned
and the troops stationed there were transferred
another post near the Dalles and 10 Fort Fancou-
yer on the Columbia River
Since the conference held with their chiefs in
September, 1919, By Major General Twiggs the
small remnant Of the Seminole tribe remaining in
Florida have abstained from all acts OF hostility
against the whites In one OF the frontier coun-
ties the sudden disappearance OF youth recently
caused some alarm among the inhabitants. Or
ders however, were given to the agent residing
among them to institute a rigid inquiry into the
matter and the result of the Investigation has
been the conviction on his part that the In tians
had no agency in this matter. 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 tutility OF prOlongng
a contest with the whites. Under these crcum
stances portion Of the troops stationed in Flori-
da have been recently withdrawn. A few COM
panes, however, have been left to guard against
the possibility Of another outbreak.
The Indians remaining in Florida. although
their number does not exceed one hundred men,
are a source OF terror and and annoyance to the
whites IN their neighborhood and no doubt tend
verv much to the retard the settlement of that
part OF the State SO long they remain n the
country collisions will continually occur and VIII
only end with the extinction OF the race. No ct
forts bave therefore, been or will be spared to In
duce them to migrate and ION che great body OF
their nation in the West and 1t IS confidently
believed that this desirable result will sooner be
attained by peaceable means than by the employ
ment OF force
Information has been communicated to this De-
partmeLt that, through the instrumentallty and
persuasion OF the Governor OF Minnesota and our
Agent stationed among them, the Chippewa tribe
of Indians had been prevailed upon to make
treaty Of peace with the Sioux, with Thom they
were at war and who had been the aggressors;
that shortly after the treaty was concluded, 1t was
broken by the Sioux who had made anunprovoked
attack on the Chppewas AS the treaty had been
made at the earnest solicitation and almost com
mand of the Governor and the Agent, and the
most solemn assurances had been given by them
both to the Chippewas that if it was violated the
United States would interfere to protect them and
redress their wrongs, the Department has been
invoked to make good these pledges. 1t is highly
important that these people should respect the
authority and contide in the promises OF the
Agents of the Government. 1t IS deemed adylsa-
bic therefore, that small force be sent against
the Sioux. No doubt is entertained that the
mere appearance OF this force among them VIII
suffice TO intimidate them and prevent what might
otherwise be protracted and sangunary war
The Board oil Military and Naval Officers ap.
pointed to examine the Pacific coast OF the United
States, and 10 designate such points thereon as
have concluded their labors Only preliminary
reports have yet been made, but the Depart
ment is informed that certain positions have been
designated as well adapted to military and naval
purposes. Measures have been taken to reserve
these sites for sale but more detailed surveys
will be necessary before the works can be com,
menced. The delay which this operation VIII
cause is the less to be regretted as the high prl'
ces of both labor and materials in that region
would render it inexpedient to commence the
construction OF any important works on that coast
at present.
In virtue of an act passed in March, isi9, max
ing an appropriation for military and geographical
surveys west of the Mississippi, party, under
the direction of Capt Stansbury, was dispatched
in that year with orders to explore and survey
this region in the vic nifty of the Great Salt AXE
1t is understood To It the party have completed
their abors, 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 che last
session of Congress- a party has been organized,
under the command OF Capt. Stgreaves, with dl.
rections to explore the river Lunl, from It's head
waters to its junction with the Colorado, and the
latter river from that point to the Cult OF Cali
tornia.
An appropriation was made at the last session
of Congress to survey the Delta of the Mississippi
River with view TO the deepening OF the chan
mel at its mouth and the prevention OF oyertlows
The execution of this work, SO important TO
large portion of the Mississippi Valley mas been
confided to Major Long and Captain Humphreys,
two accomplished officers of the corps OF Iopo'
graphical Engineers. In addition to which Mi
Charles Elet Jr a 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 to the passage OF the law establishing
Territorial Government in New Mexico, the IN.
habtants OF that country had held a Convention,
adopted a State Constitution, and proceeded to
put it in operation. On the other hand the officer
in command ofthat military department refused
to recognise the government thus established 10
put an end to n conflict OF authorities which might
be productive ofunpleasant consequences, as soon
as the above mentioned law was passed. lnstruc-
lions were dispatched to the officer III command
to abstain from all further interference III the civil
and political affairs Of the country
The Military Academy continues, by its excel
lent discipline and admirable course CONSTRUCTION,
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 officers who in consequence of their ad-
vanced age, of wounds or of diseases contracted
in the service are entirely disabled bat who nay
ertheless receive full pay. 1t would be more in
accordance with justice, and no doubt with the
feelings of the officers themselves, that they
should receive less pay and be legally exempted
from duty. By this means justice to the officers
would be reconciled with economy and the ETH
cheney OF the service
In connection with this subject beg leave to
call your attention to the remarks contained In
the Report OF the Generalin Chief relative TO the