Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-12-03

and the navigation of our principal rivers and recon-
mended that appropriations should be made for compile.
ting such works as had already been commenced. and
Tor commencing such Others might seem to the wis
dom oil Congress TO be OF public and general lmpor-
lance. Without repeating the reasons then urged
deem 1t my duty again 10 call your attention 10 this
| important SUBJECT The works many Of the ha5-
| bors lett in unfinished state and conseq emit
y exposed TO The action OF the elements, which Is fast
| destroying them Great numbers OF lives and vast
amounts OF property annually lost Tor want of sale
and uvenent harbors on the lakes None but those
who have been exposed TO that dangerous navg alton
can fully appreciate the Importance OF tbs subject
| The whole northwest appeals to you for relief and
trust their appeal will receive due consideration at youl
| hands.
The same is in a measure true in regard to some
| the harbors and inets the seaceast.
| The unobstruced navigation OF our large rivers is o
| equal importance. Our settlements now extend
ing to the of the great rivers which empty into
and form part OF the Mississippi and the value Of the
J public lands in those regions would be greatly en-
HANGED by freeing the navigation of those waters from
distinctions In view, therefore, OF this great interest
| | deem it my duty again to urge upon Congress to
make such appropriations for these improvements
| they may deem necessary.
! The survey OF the Delta of the Mississippi, with
view TO the prevention of the over1ows that have
proved go disastrous to that region OF country, have
been nearly completed and the reports thereof are
| in course OF preparation and will shortly be laid be-
| fore you.
The protection four southwestern frontier, and Of
the adjacent Mexican States, against the Indian tribes
within our border, has claimed my earnest and con-
slant attention Congress having failed at the last
session, TO adopt my recommendation that add-
tona regiment OF mounted men especially adapted 10
that service should be raised all that remained to be
done make the best use OF the means at my dis
posal. Accordingly, all the troops adapted to thai
service that could properly be spared from other quar-
tiers have been concentrated on that frontier and Off
GERS othlgh reputation selected to command them A
| new arrangement OF the military posts has also been
made, whereby the troops brought nearer 70 the
Mexican frontier and to the tribes they intended
| overawe.
Sufficient time has rot yet elapsed to realize all the
benefits thatare expected to result from these arrange
mens, but have every reason to hope that they will
| etfectualV check their marauding expeditions The
nature OF the country which furnishes little for the
support OF army and abouuds in places of refuge
and concealment, is remarkably we'll adapted 10 this
predatory warfare; and scarcely hope that any
military force, combined with the greatest vigilance
| can entirely suppress 1t.
| BY the treaty of Guadalupe Hdalgo we are bound
to protect the territory of Mexico against the incur
Sons OF the savage tribes within border with equal
diligence and energy as the made within
Our territory or against our citizens. have endeay
ored TO comply, as tar as possible, with this provision
OF the treaty. Orders have have been given the Of
hce's commanding on that frontier t. consider the
Mexican territory and its inhabitants as equally with
our own entitled to their protection and to make all
their plans aud arrangements with view 10 the at
talnment OF this object. Instructions have also been
gwen 10 the Indian commissioners and agents among
these tribes In all treaties to make the clauses designed
Tor the protection Of our citizens apply also to
lhoSe Oh MEXICO nave no reason TO doubt that these
INSTRUCTIONS have been fully carried into effect Ne
vertheess, il is proabe that in spite of all our efforts
some OF the nelghborng States of Mexico may have
suffered as our own have, from depredaions BY the
Indians.
To the difficulties OF defending our Own territory
as above Mentioned are superadded, in defending that
of Mexico, those that arise from remoteaess from
the fact that we have right 10 station our troops
within her limits and that there is efficient military
force the Mexican side to operate with our own
so long as this shall continue to be the case, the
Der and activity OF our troops will rather than
diminish the evil, as the Indians will naturally turn to.
wards that country where they encounter the least re-
slstance Yet these troops are necessary to subdue
them AID compel them 10 make and observe treaties
Untl this shall have been DONE neither country will
enjoy any security from their attacks.
The Indians in California, who had previously ap-
peared OF peaceable character, and disposed to
cultivate the friendship of The whites have recently
committed several acts of hostility. AS large por-
ton OF the renorcements sent to the Mexican frontier
were drawn from the Pacific, the military force now
stationed there is considered entirely inadequate to its
defence. 1t cannot be Increased, however, without al
increase OF the armyi and again recommend that
measure Indispensable 10 the protection of the from
tier.
Ject, and on others connected with his Department. in
the report OF the Secretary OF War.
The appropriations for the support Of the army du.
ring the current fiscal year ending Both June next
reduced far below the estlmale submitted by
the Department. fha consequence OF this reduction
is considerable deficiency to which invite your ear
ly attention.
The expenditures of that Department, for the year
ending 3oth June last, were $e.O6o26s So The esti-
macs Tor me year commsncng lst J lily next and
ding June 80. 1853 are 81 ,s98775 SO; showing re-
ducuop OF 8 ,l6l ,492 Is
The Board of Commissioners, to whom tn manage.
ment OF the affairs OF The Military Asylum created by
the act OF Sd March, last entrusted have selected
site for the establishment oil an Asylum ia the vicinity
OF this CITY, which has been approved by me- subject to
the production Of a satisfactory tie.
he report OF the Secretary OF the Navy will exhibit
the condton OF the public service uader the super
vlsoa OF that Department. Our naval force afloa du.
rng the present year has been actively and US fully
employed 10 giving protection TO wdely-eX, en-.
deo and increasing commerce and inlere It's in the
nous qusrers OF the GLOBE and our fl g has everywhee
afforded security and received the respect Inspired by
the justice and Fberaity of intercourse and the
dI2nlty and power of the nation
The expedition commanded by Lieutenant De Ha-
ven, despa ched in search OF the British comma nd r.
Sir John Franklin, aud his companions in the Arctic
Seas, returned to New York in the month OF October
alter having undergone great peril and suffering from
an unknown AMI dangerous nav CATION and the rigors
OF northern climate, without any satisfactory informa
ton OF the objects OF their search, with con-
tfoutlons TO science and navigation from the unire.
quented polar regions. The officers and mon of the
expedition, having been all volunteers for tn is eurvice
and having 30 conducted it to the entire ap-
probation OF the Government, it is suggested as
an act oil grace and generosity that The allowances
OF extra pay and emouments be exted to them that
were made to the officers and men of like rating in
the late exploring expedition 10 he South Seas.
earnestly recommend 10 your attention the necessity
OF reorganz ng the Naval Establishment, apportionug
and fixing the number OF officers each grade PROV.
ding some mode of promotion to the higher grades of
the navy having reference to merit and capacity, rath
er than seniority or das OF entry into the sev ce and
for retiring from the effec i've list upon reduced pay
those who may be incompetent to the performance Of
active duty. AS measure of economy as we'll as OF
efficiency in this arm ofhe survce, the provslon Last
mentioned is emnentY worthy of your consideration
The determination OF the question: of relative rank
be ween the officers and civil officers OF the navy
and between offers OF the army aud navy, in the va
rlous grades of each will also merit our attention
The failure toprovide any sales.--future, when corporal
punishment was abolished for Offences in the navy has
occasoned the ming of numerous courts, mar ia
upon the arrival of vessels in port and belle we'd e have
had Injurious effect upon the discipline and efficen-
cy of the service. To moderate punishment from
one grade 10 another is among the humane reforms
so generally to oHences on chip bolrd, ami provide