The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1851-12-16
Report of the secretary Of War.

The Annual Report of Mr.. Conrad, secreta-
ry of War has the merit of breuty, ii nothing
more. We learn from this report that the SUBJ
Ject which has most engaged the attention Of
tho Department, has been the defense of Tex
as. New Mexico. and the Mexican Territory
adjacent to our own. against tho incursions of
the neighboring Indian tribes. These trihcs
seem to be actuated more by desire for plum
der than feeling of hostility against their
white neiyhbors. The character of the tcoun-
try, affirding wonderful facilities for escape,
| aud presenting insurmountable obstacles to pur-
suit, is peculiarly adapted to these maraudng
expeditions. As many troops. adapted 10 this
service, as could be spared from othor quarters
have been concentrated upon tho fiontiers of
Texas and Now Mexico to oporste against the
| savagcs.
The indians of California and Oregon being
Of an unwnrlike disposion, tho regiment Of
mounted rifemen was ordered from the Pacific
TO Texas. In tho interval OF several months
between the death of Brevet Major muel
Brooke and the arrival of Brrvet Major Con.
| Smith in Texas the command Of that Depart-
ment devolvcd upon Brevet Brigader Gen.
liarney, who displayed great and efcctual ac-
| uvity in arrestog the incursions ofthe Indians.
| With tho double object of oyerawng the fierce
tribes occupying the northerH port of Texas, and
of affording protection to enigrants, chain of
military posts was established on that frontier.
In order 10 chastise and help in check the In
dians ofNew Mexico who had become exceed
ingly bold and troublesome. Brevet Co. Sumner
was ordered to that Department and set out in
Jnly last with ponton of his command on an
expedition into the country Of the New Mexico
aud Sonora. The result OF tho expedition is
not yet known Experienced is not yet known.
Experience has shown that the must cffectual
way TO protect froniisr settlement is t. over
y "A of mill
tary force; for this reason. among others tho
Military Stations in Texas and New. Mexico
have been removed as near as possible TO tho
frontiers.
THUS. says the report. the Unit cd States
have ondeuvored TO fulfill their treaty obligations
with Mexico IL surely never was intended
that we should incur Tho entire oxrense and
responsibility of defending her territory from
these invasions. The language of tho Treaty
admits OF no such construction; and if it did, II
would be impossible to carry it out, as we have
no right to station troops within her limits
All VIC can do is to make common cause with
her. chastise the depredators when possible
and in treaties with them guard Mexic an ute
rests as well as our own. Our efforts will be
iruiiess, however unless Mexico CO operates
with us, for our own military movements nee
essary tend to drive the Indians toward the
frontiers of that country. We have brave.
Indians INVASION; our Mexican neighbors have
nothing that deserves the name of militia. and
little daring intrapedty. This difference in
character undoubtedly ends TO lead the savage
to commit their outrages upon Mexican torri-
tory. The feebcness of The Federal authority
Of Mexico also impars her influence among the
Indians. who know no right but power, nor mo-
tive other than fear of its exercise. With a
view to the portion of Sonora as far as possible
f,,rt hoa t.ho .t tt,o g
the Giia ard tho Colorado. The prevailing
ide that the United States arc bound TO indem-
Nifty Mexican citizens for losses by the indians
has undoubtedly led to gross exageration in
accounts of the nvnsions.
The Indians OF the west side of the Rocky
Mountains arc less warljke, but several out
breaks have occurred in California and Oregon.
Treaties recently concluded, If faithfully car
lied ont on our pari, will probably prevent fu-
ture outbreaks. 1t would not, however sug-
ges;s tho report, be safe TO trust implicitly 10
rust implicitly to any pacific policy Cor the pro-
Ieeiion Of those re,nnte regons. The entire
military force on the rank and file Of the iufan-
ny and artillery Is recommended, as well an
additional regiment ol cavalry.
The entire army force is put down al l0,536,
y hch gives an effective force Of 500 men.
Tive increase in the expeuse OF supporting
the Amy is nleationed, and the causes are sta
Ted. The increase resulting from our newly
acquired territory (ineluting Texas) amounts
to 81 $50 7O7,75.
Ailer an enumeration of measures adopted
10 curtaIl The expenses of the ARMY. The result
IS shawn ip areiuclion of Sl,l6l, 1925. OH
~ contemplated reforms require The aid Of Leg
sIation.
The enormous expense of maintaining
srge portion Of the Regular Amy on he from
'er must continue. il the force is maintained.
i is recommended, with visw 10 reducidg
hese expenditures. that the necessity Tor tegu-
az forces be dmnnshed by encouraging the
ormarion of local militia in The iron Ter terri
oriee, BY distributing arms among the inhab-
ants. The vory TACT that the people were
fmed would intImidate the Indians.
BoTh policy and humanity require that we
hould endeavar TO stop Indian deprodations by
oociliatory measures. instead of the tenor of
ur arms. SrsaIion n, forcedupon the savages
y the advancement, OF the whites upor their
outing grounds. has frequently insri-ated
,eir ouirsges. The Unied States, as The own
rs ofthe public bomaiu, have always acted on
le principle that the Aboriginal race had the
ght OF occupancy in the soil, and have exIiu-
ui>hrd lher clam To the iaud by purchase
hon required Tor use. Texas, on the contra
!, Us the owner of all the vacant land in her
mis-, acknowledges no such right and has
ii IL off and proceeded TO soil 1t ~ oDcc--a
,urse we'll calculated 10 alarm aud exaspcrate
e Isdans, aud TO bring about collisions with
e whites
The condition Of The Wost Point Academy,
e National Armoiies, aud the opertioos Of
e various Busesux in the Department. are
versiiy alluded TO, and commended, aud an
dition To the Commisssry iorce is asked for.
retu,ed LIS, of disabled army officers is again
ecd upon the attention of Congress A con-
'usuce of the additional pay allowed BY the
I Of September, 1850, 10 the officers and SOL
or. s,a,ioneJ ,o the Psc,ffic. ,s recommended. ~
- - = !. - 80 a.
c. Fielding mentions clergyman who
ways preferred punch 10 wire, for this or,ho-
* reason that the to'mer was a liquor no.
he snnken ~ ainsi 10 scrintnie.