The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-06

the 18th OF June last Prompt measures have
also been taken to carry into effect the provision
of the same act which authorizes the mounting
Of a portion Of the infantry stationed in Texas"
Sc But from the reports of officers in command
in Texas and New Mexico" Mr.. CONRAD re-
peats emphatically, Gas well as from other re-
liable sources Of information, the Department
: is fully satisfied that the force now stationed
on that frontier, with all the reinforcements
it will be able to send there in the spring,
,ciu be entirely insufficient for its protection"
The disposition of the troops is then stated, and
the opinion expressed very emphatically that
the only description Of troops that can put
stop to Indian forays and depredatons is cavalry.
Ii is further stated, as the concurrent opinion
of the officers in command in these departments,
that to keep the Indians to any degree in check
a larger torce, particularly in mounted men,
was indispensably necessary. The experiment
of mounted infantry is condemned, and Mr..
CONRAD adds: cit is therefore very much to be
desired that Congress will at an early period
consider the propriety of increasing the army,
and particularly of raising one or more regi-
ments of mounted men,"
With respect to the estimates for the Quar-
termaster's Department, Mr.. CONRAD speaks
of their immense increase since our recent ac-
cessions Of territory. In the year ending June
80, 1874, the expenditures of that department
amounted only to $3.50, 999 73. The estimates for
the year ending June 30, 1852, amounted to
A CSC, 900. Enormous, however, as these es-
Inmates were, Mr.. CONRAD on this point says
that emo economy can, however, be effected by
reducing the estimates, which are based upon
= positive data, and cannot safely be curtailed.
The only consequence which has heretofore
resulted from such reductions of estimates,
,cithom diminishing the objects Of capcnse,
6 has been the accumulation Of arrearages. An
arrearage which has existed in the Quarter
masters Department since the year lS4S,
amounting to the sum of 81 ,29O, $50 80, is
said to have originated in that way. The
practice of allowing disbursements to exceed
the appropriations is dangerous in the ex-
9 IRENE; but if estimates, carefully prepared by
the proper officers, are reduced without d.
minishing the objects of expenditure. this
irregularity may sometimes be unavoidable"
In his report Mr.. CONRAD calls the attention
of the PRESIDENT to the remarks on this sub
ject of frontier defence, contained in the report
of the Generalin- Chief. On turning to this
document, we find that General ScoTr had
thus presented the points with great distinct
ness and force:
''In my last annual report to the War De-
partment, dated November 3, lS49, repre-
8 scented the urgent necessity of an increase of
8 the military establishment, created mainly by
: the large accession of territory acquired by
the late treaty of peace with Mexico, and the
express stipulation, on our part to protect that
republic from the Indian tribes within our
limits. Congress, by the act of June IL,
1850, recognised this necessity; but the addi-
8 tional force authorized was inadequate, both
8 in numbers and description. The act en-
powered the President, whenever in his opin-
ion any exigency required it, to increase to
seventy four the number Of privates in com
panies serving on the western frontier and at
6 remote stations, and to mount such portions of
the foot companies, so employed, as he might
deem necessary.
''The great extent of our frontiers, and the
peculiar character of the service devolving on
6 the troops, render it indispensable that the
8 caralry element should enter largely into the
6 composition of the army. Two additional re-
giments of horse dragons or mounted rifle
mem are deemed absolutely necessary. The
service is. suffering greatly in Texas, New
Mexico, and on the Pacific, owing to the in
sufficency of the force now authorized by law.
For the want of regular cavalry, the COM
handing general in Texas has been compelled
6 to call out, at great expense, considerable
body of volunteer horse. The commander in
6 New Mexico has also made repeated and press
ing applications for cavalry, but not a com
pany could be spared from other quarters to
reinforce him. No other description Of troops
8 will answer for the protection of our immense
lines of emigration and frontier settlements
through and bordering on Indian tribes"
Thus it appears. that General Scorr urged
upon the SECRETARY OF WAR the great i'm
portance, the urgent" necessity-the 'abso-
Lutte" the indispensable" necessity-of aug
regiments of horse, and on the ground that no
other troops would answer for the protection of
our frontier settlements. Mr.. CONRAD called
the attention Of the PRESIDENT to the recon-
mendations Of the General-in-C Chief; and con-
frmed them by his own urgent appeal And
VIC nkosOLNA SonSIcoo W Tile IcpOiI VI
Mr.. CONRAD and of General ScorT, alludes to
our treaty obligations, and recommends the in
crease of our military force by zone or more
regiments of mounted men," Mr.. CONRAD,
we have also seen, called especial attention to
the estimates of the Quartermaster's Depart
ment, and stated that they "could not SAFELY
be curtailed."
As far as the Executive Departments are
concerned, we perceive, therefore, that there
has been manifested the most praiseworthy
solicitude for providing due defence of the
frontiers. What has Congress done2 Con-
gress paid no attention to the recommendations
Of the PRESIDENT with regard to the mounted
regiments. Congress took the responsibility
of reducing the appropriations for the support
of the army far below the estimates. The ap-
preparations for the Quartermaster's Depart
mont for tho pyeeanf war ara ,1rao1y nv