Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1851-12-18

lishcd at the junction OF the ella and the Colora-
do, and the feasibility Of establishing another
higher up the ella is under examination BY the
commander Of the Pacific division.
The depredatons in Sonora are committed
chiefly by the Apaches and Navsios; but il must
not, however, be supposed that The Indians that
infest the Mexican settlements all reside within
our limits, for some Of them have their habitual
haunts within the limits of Mexico.
There is reason, the Secretary says, TO be-
lieve that many of the rumors Of raVages have
been grossly exaggerated, and some of them en-
tirely fabricated. An idea that this Government
was bound by treaty TO indemnify citizens of
that country for losses by Indian deprcdations
has, in some instances, caused tales 10 be inven-
ted with view Of bringing in fictitious claims
for damages
The Indians of California and Oregon, though
Of peacable and friendly disposition, have been
recently engaged in several acts Of hostility to
the whites; and, in some instances, there is rea-
son to believe that they were goaded TO such a
course by the conduct of our people. Treaties
recently made with some Of these tribes, it is
thought, if faithfully observed on our part, will
go far towards reconciling this unfortunate race
and preventing future outbreaks. The Secre-
tary, therefore, recommends the rigid enforce
I Ulenl Vi TIC laws lHttTCOuTSc WIFI
Indians and encroachment on their land.
The Secretary suggests, however, that it
VIC uld not be safe to rely on pacific policy al
roge 'er for the protection of our citizens in that
teoiop. The entire military force there now is
ouly seven hundred and thirty men; and the
Governor Of Oregon has represented the fact,
and urged an increase of the force; and the De-
partment is unable at present, for the want Of
means, TO comply with the demand. The atten
ton of Conor,,ss is called to the recommended
tions of the Ge,. 'eral-in-Chief in regard to an
increase of the mih tary force.
The entire number Of meR borne on the rolls
amounts to lO,538; which according to the usu-
al estimate, will furnish an effective force OF
not more than $500 men. When 1t is consid-
cred, the Secretary says, that this small force
is scattered over frontier of several thousand
miles in extent, its inSufficiency VIII be appa'
rent.
The Secretary next adverts TO the enormous
expense of supporting the army, and to the
causes which produce it, the principal one o.
which Is the immense transportation demanded
by our newly acquired territories. The in
creased expenditures in our army resulting
from our recently acquired territory, including
Texas, amounts to $4,556, 709 rs, according to
carefully prepared estimates.
But for unexpended balances of former APP
preparations, serious embarrassment would have
resulted TO the service from the omission by
Congress at their last session, TO provide for q
deficiency in the Quartermaster's Department.
In pursuance of the manifestation of Con-
gress TO reduce the expenditures Of the army as
far as possible, the Secretary has labored TO re-
form abuses, and TO enforce rgidly all economi-
cal regulations. Among these he ennmerates
the reduction OF the ordnance department from
537 men to 250, the number existing before The
war; the dismounting of six companies of light
artillery, four Of which to remain dismounted;
the diminution of the number Of clerks, &c., and
the substitution of soldiers to perform their du-
ties; the cultivation of farms by the troops, and
various other econiinies.
/ A great laxity and disregard of economical
regulations had for some time prevailed in the
army; and the effect Of the measures adopted by
the Department, seconded by the jealous coop
GRAFTON of the superior officers, is already dis
cernble in a considerable reduction of the ex-
pendttures-the estimates of the next fiscal
year being considerably below the expenditures
of previous years.
The expenditures for the army for the year
ending on the Both of June
y last, were. S9,UOU, ZOS d
For the next year. $7.S9S.715 81
: Showing reduction OF. 81 l6l ,402 Is
y her measures OF economy would have beer
carried out had not the aid legislation been nee
essary.
y A number of arsenals, once needed at certain
points. are now entirely useles, and authority j,
asked to enable the Executive to abolish thes,
, establishments.
The Secretary presses a previous recommen
dsi!on, that the department is authorized to en-
list teamsters.
The removal of the distractions to the nayi
CATION of Red river and the Rio Grandie woulc
greatly reduce the expense, he saws, Of supply
ing many of the posts in Texas and New Mex
leo, by diminishing the amount of land transpor
tation.
But the expenditures Of the army will alway,
be enormous, so long Us large portion of it il
stationed or the frontier; and TO this end tn,
! Secretary recommends that every facility an,
encouragement be afforded To the formation Of
acal militia in our new settlements, and tina
IRONS be distributed among the inhabitants.
/ Policy ami humanity, says the Secretary, re,
quire that we should employ some other mean,
of putting stop TO these depredatIons than tn,
terror of our arms; and TO this effect he recon
rHends coiiciiiatory measures. Despair and hun
ger frequently operate upon the Indians. Thu
lands that afford nourishment to cattle and gam
are the first to tempt the settler; so that the In
dians are frequently driven into the arid plains
and mountains that afford no s1stenance. witt
the circle of white population rapidly closing a
round them-and particularly is this the case il
Texas, since the right Of occupancy by the Indi
ans is not recognized by that State This poll
cy II is that alarms and exasperates the Indians
and brings on collisions between them and tn
whites. The Secretary suggests that it is TO tn
advantage of Texas herself, as well as the JJni