Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-12-08

By the trsaeaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo we
ar, bound to protect the territory of Mexico
against the incursions of the savage tribes
within our border "with equal diligence
and energy" as if the same were made with
in our territory or against our citizens. l
have endeavored to comply as far as possible
with this provision If the treaty. Orders
have been given to the officers command
ing on that frontier to consider the Mex
lean territory and its inhabitants as equally
with our own, entitled to their protection
and to make all their plans and arrange
ments with view to the attainment Of this
object. Instructions have also been given to
the Indian commissioners and agents among
theses TRIES, in oil treaties, to make the
clauses designed for the protection of our
own citizens apply to these of Mexico. l
have no reason to doubt that these instruc-
tons have been fully carried into effect
Nevelt theless, it is probable that, in spite OF
all our efforts, some ofthe neighboring States
Of Mexico may have suffered, as our own
have, from depradations by the Indians.
To the difficulties of defending our own
territory as above mentioned, are superad-
ed in defending that of Mexico, those that
arise from its remoteness, from the fact that
we have no right to station our sroops with
in her limits, and that there is no efficient
military force on the Mexican side to coop
rate with our own. So long as this shall
continue to be the ease, the number and ac-
tivity of our troops will rather increase than
diminish the evil, as the Indians will natu-
rally turn towards that country where they
encounter the least resistance. Yet these
troops are necessary to subdue them and
compel them to make and observe treaties.
Until this shall have been done, neither coun-
try will enjoy any security from their attacks.
The Iudians in California, who had previ-
ously appeared Oft peaceabe character, and
disposed to cultivate the friendship of the
whites, have recently committed several acts
of hostility. As a large portion of the rein
forcements sent TO the Mexican frontier were
drawn from the Pacific, the military fol ee
now stationed there is considered entirely In
adequate to its defence. Itcannot be increas-
ed, however without an incease of the army
and 1 again recommend that measure, as in
dispensable to the protection OF the tsontler.
Invite your attention to the suggestions on
this subject, and others connected with his
Department, in the report of the Secretaryof
War.
The appropriations for the support of the
army during the current fiscal yenr endng2Ott
June next, were reduced far beluw the esti-
mate submitted by the Department. The
consequence of this reduction is a considora-
bls deficiency, to which invite your early
attention. ..=t s.-
The expenditures of that department, for
the year ending 3O;h June last, were $906o,-
268: SO. The estimates for the year commen-
cling 1st July next and ending June 80, 1853
are 81, 1898, 1858; showing a reduction CT
S1,16l, 1925. .....-
The Board of Commissioners, to whom the
management Of the affars of the Military
Asylum created by the act Of Sd March last
was entrusted, have selected site for the
establishment ola Asylum in the vicinity of
this 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 afoat during the present year
has been actively and usefully employed in
giving protection to our widely extended and
increasing commerce and interest in the vari-
Gus quarters of the globe, and our flag has ev-
erywhere afforded the security and received
the respect inspired by the justice and liber-
ality Of our intercourse, and the dignity and
power of the patton. -....
The expedition commanded by Lieut.. De-
Haven, despatched in search of the British
commander, Sir John Franklin, and his COM
panions in the Arctic Seas, returned to New
York in the month Of October, after having
undergone great peril and suffering from an
unknown and dangerous navigation and the
rgors of a northen climate, without any sat-
islactory information of the objects Of their
search, but with new contributions to science
and navigation from the unfrequented polar
region. The officers and men of the expedi-
ton, havingbeen all volunteers for this serVice'
and having conducted itas meet the entire
appreciation of the Government, it is sugges-
ted, as an act Of grace ard genorsy, tnat the
same allowance of extra pay emoulents be
extended to them that were made to the Of
ficers and men IF like rating in the late ex-
petition to the South Seas.
earnestly recommend TO your attention
the necessity of reorganizing the Naval Es-
tablIshment. apportoning and fixing The num-
Der of officers 10 grade, providing some mode
ofpromotion to the higher grades of the ma
Wy, having reference to merit and capacity,
rather than seniority, or date of entry into the
service, and for refining from the effective list
upon reduced pay those who may be incom-
petent to the performance Of active duty. As
a measure of economy, as well as efficiency