Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1851-12-18
Abstract Of the Rep the Secretary

Inc secretary OF war, Ill submitting MS Ne
port of the operations of his Department during
the past year, states that the defence oil Texas,
New Mexico, and the Mexican territory ada
cent &c our own, from the incursions of hostile
Indian tribes, has chiefly engaged the attention,
OF the Department These tribes are actuated
less by hostility to the whites than by motives of
plumber. The country is well adapted TO these
marauding expeditions. AS infantry is of little
service, he recommended in his last report an
additional mounted regiment, equipped specially
for this service. Congress, not having adopted
this recommendation, the Department had to
make such disposition of its forces would
most effectually protect our own territory and
fulfil our treaty obligations to Mexico; and prompt
measures were accordingly taken to concentrate
all the troops that could be spared on the con-
fines Of Texas and New Mexico. The Caifor-
MIA and Oregon Indians being of an unwarlike
character, and am;clby disposed, il was thought
! the regiment of mounted riflemen could be dis
! pensed with on the Pacific, and 1t was accord
! ingly ordered to Texas, and its commander.
| Brevet Major General SMITH, placed in com
mand of the 9Th military department, while
Brevet Brigader General HITcHcocK succeeded
him on the Pacific.
i In the interval between the death of Brevet
i Major General BRooKE and the arrival of Bre-
vet Major General SMITH, Brevet BrigadieI
General HARVEY had displayed his accustomed
activity in arresting the incursons of the In
dams, and the good effect OF his measures are
already apparent.
With the object of overawing the fierce and in.
/ seent tribes in the northern portion of Texas
and of protecting the emigrants vino lake that
f route to Texas. New Mexico, or California, the
Secretary deemed it advisable to establish q
chain of military posts on that frontier. The
fifth regiment OF infantry, already high up The
| Red river, ami the Arkansas, were ordered fur
Their into the interior to establish chain OF post:
in the direction of the route known as "Marcy's
youte," and the seventh regiment OF infantry tc
occupy the stations abandoned by the fifth.
In New Mexico the Indians committed their
depredations within few miles OF the military
posts with impunity; to remedy which Brcvet
Colonel SUMNER was ordered TO the command of
that department He arrived al Santa Fc in
July last, and commenced making a most judi
} cious arrangement of the military posts, after
; which he sci out on an expedition against the
|, powerful tribe OF the Navajos, and the result OF
his expedition is not yet known.
Experience has shown that the most eifectual
way tie protec our settlements is TO Overawe the
Indians by constant display of military force
For this reason the commanding officers in
: Texas and New Mexicowcre directed 10 remove
their stations near the frontiers and strong hope;
are entertained that, when their plans shall have
J been fully developed, the Indians will be dis.
S posed to make treaties and observe them.
e The United States have endeavored TO fulf
70 their fullest extent their treaty obligations
towards Mexico. 1t was never contemplated
e that the entire expense and responsibility of de-
Tending her territory should devolve on us. Th'
language of the'treaty does not admit Of it, ant
, if it did, it would require an impossbility. Th'
, United States have no right to station troops
8 within Mexico All ihai ave can do is TO make
, common cause with her, TO ohsstise the ribs
70 who commit wrongs upon her, and compel then
i TO make restitution OF MeXicar prisoners ans
: property; in fine, to guard the interests of Mexi
4 can citizens is carefully as we do our own
Our efforts, too, must be- seconded by cores
e pondng efforts on her own part.
: The number, vigilance, activity, and courag,
Of our troops, AMI the difference in the charac
q ter Of the inhabitants Of The two ceunlries, ten
{ TO drive these marsuders from our border int,
] that of Mexico; where the feebleness of m,
b Federal authority enables them 10 carry on thei
depredations with impunily.
The State OF Sonora is said 10 have sufFere,
E the m0st--to send a sufficient force TO whiol