Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-12-17
NO.. V.

Texas, and its commander, Brevet Major
General Smith, placed in command of the
military department, while Breyet Brigadier
General Hitchcock succeeded him on the
Pacific.
Experience has shown that the most eff.
fectal way to protect our settlements, is to-
overawe the Indians by constant display
of military force. For this reason the COM
manding officers in Texas and New Mexi-
co were directed to remove their stations
near the frontiers, and strong hopes are en-
tertained that, when their plans shall have
been fully developed, the Indians will be-
disposed, to make treaties and observe them.
The United States have ehdeavored tor
| fulfill to their fullest extent their treaty opl
legations toward Mexico. 1t was never
contemplated that the entire expense and
responsibility of defending her territory
should devolve on us. The language of the
treaty does not admit of it, and If it did it
would require an impossibility. The UnisI
ted States have no right to station troops
within Mexico. All that we can do is to-
make common cause with her, to chas-
tise the tribes who commit wrongs up
on her, and compel them to make resti-
tuition of Mexican prisoners and property Il
in fine, to guard the interests OF Mexican
citizens as carefully as We do our own
Our efforts, too, must be seconded by corr
responding efforts on her own part.
| The State of Sonora is said to have suf-]
fered the most-to send sufficient force to|
which would be attended with dificulties|
almost insuperable. A post, however, has
been established at the junction of the GIla1
and the Colorado, and the feasibility of esd
tablishing another higher up the ella is un:I
der examination by the commander Of the
Pacific division. -..r
There Is reason, the Secretary saws, to3
believe that many of the rumors of ravagesI
have been grossy exaggerated, and some of
them entirely fabricated. An idea that
this Government was bound by treaty to|
indemnify citizens of that great country
for losses by Indian depredations has, inI
some instances, caused tales to be invented
with view of bringing in fictitious claims
for damages. - ,.-.r sr-1if- het
The Indians of California and Oregon;
though of peaceabe and friendly DISPOSE
ton, have been recently engaged in seve-
raj acts of hostility to the whites and, in
some instances, there is reason to believed
they were goaded to such course by the|
conduct of our own people. Treaties recentS|
ly made with some OF these tribes, it isl
thought, if faithfully observed on our part,
will go far towards reconciling this unfor<
tunate race, and preventing further odt<|
breaks. The Secretary, therefore, recom<
mends the rigid enforcement of the laws
restricting intercourse with Indians and en<
croachment on their lands.
The Secretary suggests, however, that i'll
would not be safe to rely on pacific poli-
cy altogether for the protection of our citIs
zees in that region. The entire military
force there now is only seven hundred and
thirty-six men, and the Governor of Ore.
gon has represented the fact, and urged ari
increase of the force; and the Department
is unable at present, for the want of means,
to comply with the demand. The aHei-
ton OF Congress is called to the recommen-
dations of the General in Chief in regard to
an increase of the military force. sr
The entire number of men borne on T. 81
rolls amounts to 1883; which, according
to the usual estimate, will furnish an effect
i've force of not more than $500 men,
When it is considered, the Secretary says,
that this small force is scattered over 81
frontier ofseverai thousand miles in extent;
its .insuficiency will be apparent.
In pursuance of the manifestation Of Coh-|
gress to reduce the expenditures of the ar
my as far as possible. the Secretary has la
bored to reform abuses, and to enforce figSI
idly all economical regulations. Among
these he enumerates the reduction of the|
ordinance department from 5S7 mento $50.
the number existing before the war; the
dismounting of six companies of light. astl!-
lery, four of which to remain dismounted 4
the diminutlon of the number of clerks. &c.,
and the substitutions of soldiers to perform
their duties the cultivation of farms byl
troops, and various other economies.
The expenditures for the army for the yeart
ending on the 30th of June
last, were k f $4,000, 1858 58]
For the next year 1888, IT'S 8S|