The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-12-19
Report OF the secretary.

Report Of the Secretary.
Mr.. CONRAD, the Secretary Of War, who
is generally supposed to be the weakest, men
tally, of the Cabinet, has presented, accord
ing to our judgment, the best report Of all the
Secretaries. It is brief clear and forcible.
From it, we learn that the personel of the
army consists of l0,538 men, the effective
force of which is $500 men. This is consid'
cred too small for frontier of several thou.
sand miles in extent, and its increase is there
fore recommended.
The subject that has most engaged the at
tention of the Department, has been the de-
tense of Texas, New Mexico and the Mexican
territory adjacent 10 our own; against the in
cursions of the neighboring Indian tribes
As many of the troops as were adapted to the
service, as could be spared from other points,
were concentrated on the confines of Texas
and Mexico.
Some of the fiercest and most insolent oi
the Indian tribes occupy the northern portion
of Texas. From this region they make theil
forays not only into Texas and New Mexico
but across the Rio Grande into Mexican Ter.
ritory. To keep these bands in check chair
of military posts has been established along
that frontier.
In New Mexico the Indians are very bold
committing their depredations within ths
immediate neighborhoods ofthe forts. Thei
object does not appear to be so much to take
the lives of the whites as to plumber from
them. .t.,
Force must be more relied on to keep thest
tribes in awe than peaceable means. That il
the case with all savages.
AS to the obligation imposed on the Uni
ted States by the late treaty with Mexico, to
protect her territory from savage excursions,
Mr.. CONRAD says:
1t surely was never contemplated that the
entire expense and responsibility of defend
ing her territory against these incursions,
should devolve upon us. The language ol
the treaty admits Of no such construction
and, if it did, it would require Of US what il
would be obviously impossible for US to per-
form. AS the United States have no right tc
station their troops within the limits OF Mex.
leo, how is it possible for them, entirely to
protect her against tribes, most of whom oc'
cupy the vast desert lying between the two
countries? All that we can do is to make
common cause with her; 10 make her wrong
our own to chastise, if possible, the tribes
by whom they are committed; TO compe
them, whenever it is possible to do so, tt
make restitution of Mexican prisoners ant
property; and finally, in our treatieswith then
toguard the interests OF Mexican citizens al
carefully as those of our own, and to punisl
any violation of the one as severely as we dC
that Of the other. 1t is manifest, too, tina
whatever efforts we make for the protection
Of Mexico, will not only be fruitless, but alb
solutely preiudicial, unless they are aided BY
corresponding efforts on her part. The mum
Der of oar military posts, the vigilance, &C
tivity and courage Of our troops, all tend tC
drive these marauders from our border TO-
wards that of Mexico, where they can carry
on their depredations with almost certain
impunity.
There are strong reasons for believing, says
the Secretary, !hat the rumors which have
reached us of ravdges committed by Indians
from American, in the Mexican Territory
have been greatly exaggerated, and sometimes
entirely fabricated.
The Indians west of the Rocky Mountains
are represented to be of less warlike disposi.
ton than those who inhabit east of that
range. Treaties have been formed with ma.
ny Of these tribes.
Owing to the increased distance of oul
frontier posts from the source Of supplies anc
the additional number of animals required
the transportation has increased nearly 90.
000. 900 since l845. In that year but 847 an
imals were used in the Quartermasters De
partment, now they number some 5000.
Maladministration both in the Quarter
master and Commissary Departments, il i
thought has contributed to swell the expense
of each.
Besides, it is not to be disguised that
gfeat laxity Of expense and disregard of III
regulations looking to economy, have becom
somewhat prevalent in the army. These th
Secretary has determined to rectify, and h
acknowledges the disposition of The officer
in the service TO aid him. This we are har
py to hear.
The expenditure Of the army for the fiscs
year ending June 30, 1851, was $9,06O,26
So. The estimates for the next year are 81
898, IT'S SO, showing reduction of $l,l6l
49275. bs' ISL
The enlisting Of men as Teamsters is aga
recommended.
It Is recommended that in the frontier Sc
Elements arms be distributed by the COVER
ment among the people and every encouag
i1ent held Quito them to organize themselv
into a local militia, This the Secretal
thinks would have good efectin keepir
the Indians in check. M
Healso recommends that measures be talre
to furnish for o series Of years. food and otl
ef necessaries TO such Indians as viii abando
their predatory habits and cultivate the sol
The recommendation Of aretired listisF n
isswed, sisa sbg
The Military Academy at West Point, On
The National Armories At Hdypefs Ferry an
Springfield are in flcurishing condition.