Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1851-12-13

their marauding expeditions. The nature of
the country, which furnishes little for the sup
port Of an army and abounds in places Of ref
uge and concealment, is remarkably wellRdap-
ted to this predatory warfare, and we can
scarcely hope that any military force combin-
ed with the greatest vigilance, can entirely
suppress it.
By the treaty oS Guadalupe Hidalgo we are
bound to protect the territory Of Mexico
against the incursions of the savage tribes
within our borders, with equal diligence and
, energy as if the same were made within our
territory or against our citizens / have en-
deavored to comply, as far as possible, with
this provision of the treaty. Orders have been
given to the officers commanding on that from
tier, to consider the Mexican territory and its
inhabitants as equally with our own entitled to
their protection; and to make all their plans
and arrangements with the view to the attain
ment of this object. Instructions have also
been given to the Indian commissioners and
agents among these tribes, in all treaties, to
make the clauses designed for the protection
of our citizens apply also to those of Mexico.
l havo no reason to doubt that these instruc-
tions have been fully carried into effecG-
Nevertheless, it is probable that, in spite of all
our efforts some of the neighboring States of
Mexico may have suffered, as Jour own have,
from depredations by the Indians.
To the difficulties of defending our own ter
ritory, as above mentioned, are superadded, in
defending that of Mexico, those that arse from
its remoteness, from the fact that we have no
right to station our troops within her limits,
and that there is no efficient military force on
the Mexican side to cooperate with our own.
So long as this shall continue TO be the case,
the number and activity of our troops will
rather increase than diminish the evil, as the
Indians will naturally turn towards that coun-
try where they encounter the least resistance.
| Yet these troops are necessary to subdue
them, and TO compel them to make and OBJ
serve treaties. Until this shall have been done
neither country will enjoy any security from
their attacks.
The Indians in California. who had previ-
ously appeared of peaceable character, and
disposed to cultivate the friendship of the
whites, have recently committed several acts
of hostility. As large portion of the reinforce
ments sent to the Mexican frontier were drawn
from the Pacific, the military force now sta
toned there is considered entirely inadequate
to its defence. II cannot be in creased, how
ever, without an increase of the army and
again recommend that measure as indispensi.
! bic to the protection of the frontier.
| invite your attention to the suggestions or
this subject, and on others connected with his
Department, in the report of the Secretary ol
War
The appropriations for the support of the
army during the current fiscal year ending
3oth June next, were reduced far below the
estimate submitted by the Department. The
consequence of this reduction is considerable
deficiency, to which invite your early atten-
ton.
The expenditures of that Department, fol
the year ending 30th June last, were $4,000,
I26s 5S. The estimates for the year com
mencing Ist July next and ending June 80
1858, are $7,s98,775 50; showing reduc
tion of $l,161, ,492 rs.
The Board of Commissioners to whom the
management of the affairs of the Military Asy,
lum created by the act of Sd March last wa;
entrusted have selected site for the estab
lishment of an Asylum in the vicinity of thi'
city, which has been approved by me, subject
to the production of satisfactory title.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
will exhibit the condition of the public service
under the supervision of that Department
Our naval force aAoat during the present yeal
has been actively and usefully employed il
giving protection to our wIdely-extended and
increasing commerce and interests in the vari
Gus quarters of the globe, and our flag has ev
eryNhere afforded the security and received
the respect inspired by the justice and liberal
I ity Of our intercourse, and the dignity ant
power of the nation.
The expedition commanded by Lieutenant
De Haven, despatched in search of the Brit
ish commander, Sir John Franklin, and hi.
companions in the Arctic Seas, returned Il
/ New York in the month of October, after hav
ing undergone great peril and suffering from
an unknown and dangerous navigation from
the unfrequented polar regions. The officers
and men of the expedition, having been al
volunteers for this service, and having so con
Quoted it as to meet the entire appreciation o
the government it is suggested as an act O.
grace and generosity, that the same allowance
of extra pay and emoluments to be extended
to them that were made to the officers anc
men of like rating in the late exploring expe
dition to the South Seas.
earnestly recommend to your attention the
necessity of reorganizing the Naval Establish
ment, apportioning and fixing the number o
officers in each grade, providing some mode o
promotion to the higher grades of the navy
having reference to merit and capacity, rath
er than seniority or date of entry into the ser
vice, and for retiring from the effective list up
on reduced pay those who may be incompe
tent to the performance of active duty. As 6
measure of economy as well as of efficiency
in this arm of the service, the provision last
mentioned is eminently worthy of your con.
sideration
The determination of the question ofrelative
rank between the sea officers and civil officers
of the navy, and between officers of the army
and navy, in the various grades of each, will
also merit your attention. The failue to pro-
vide any substitute, when corporal punishment
was abolished for offences in the navy, has oc-
casioned the converting of numerous courts
martial upon the arrival of vessels in port, and
is believed to have had an injurious effect up.
on the discipline and efficiency of the service
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