The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-29
The Army OF the United States.
from the Londen Times JauYI

Among the Reports periodically made by the
several departments OF the United States govern
men, that of the Secretary Of War. though not the
most important, is far from being the least interest
ing. OF course, the principles ofpolicy avowed by
the Secretary ofthe Treasury concern us far more
nearly than the ornaments OF State on the other
side Of the Atlantic with which every European
power is at peace. But the position of America is
SO singular, and its military institutions Of
ten appealed to by way Of contrast or example,
that tho report in question acquires an interest be-
yond that Intrnsically attaching to Its contents;
and some Of the disclosures recently made are
curious enough TO deserve at least passing notice.
II is certainly uae that the United States, with
an enormous territory, an almost interminable
frontier, and multitudinous population, maintain
regular army of less than Is 900 men, IL 326 being
the actual strength of the land forces as returned
on the Both OF last November. This is, doubtless,
an edifying contrast TO the estimates compounded
by Mr.. Fox Maule; bat there are several conside-
raons materially affecting the general conclusion.
Though the regular army of the States 10 small,
yet the irregular force is 30 large as to embrace
under some denomination or other more than half
the adult male population. Volunteers-militia,
light horse, and even artery-are enrolled and
bngaded through all the provinces OF the Union.
These oope II may be said, cost the State nothing;
which is true as regards the estimates, but incor-
rect as regards the general effect of the institution
Many OF the States, especially those bordering on
the Mexican frontier, now swarm with a disor-
derly crowd OF desperadoes, who, having once
tasted the license Of actual campaigning, are I'M
hted for the ordinary duties of civil life; and we
need only instance the threatened instruction in
Texas, and the outrageous invasion Of Cuba, TO
show what these bands are capable Of devising.
We must observe, too, that the expenditure OF the
American government upon operations Of war has
recently, IN proportion 10 its revenue, been some
thing enormous, and that the estimates now before
us confess to an aggregate excess of such an
amoant as would draw down a storm of indignant
exposlulation in our own House of Commons.
Whatever may be the nominal extent of the land
forces maintained by the Americans, IL is beyond
afto hat heu hau hen
provocauon and al greater cost than any kingdom
in the Old World; and we may add, too, for the
edifcation Of Sir Francis Head and his opponents,
that they are contemplating the systematic fortf-
cation OF their Atlantic seaboard.
But the most curious feature OF the report con-
slsts in the liabilities which the government now
finds itself TO have incurred by Its recent extern
sons Of territory We have more than once re-
marked upon the necessities to which the vast
space OF the American continent has given rise;
aud now, by the acquisition OF Oregon and Cali
fornia, the cabinet OF Washington is charged with
the administration and protection OF States which
are almost as far removed from the sea, Of Con-
gress as Liverpool from New York. Five short
years ago, the frontier posts of America were
situated on the Mexican gulf, the head Of the
Mississippi, and the shores of Lake Superior, so
that they were not only within comparatively easy
distances, but were generally accessible by water.
Now, however, they are in the remotest districts
Of Texas, or on the coast Of the Pacific, or in the
desolaie and half explored Wilderness uaversed
by the overland route to California. The conse-
qsence Is, that they are only maintained by ex-
traordnary efforts, and are frequently left iso-
lated and destitute as a ships company frozen up
in Bafiin's bay. Last August, a regiment Of in.
fantry was proceeding to Santa Fe-a post which,
by comparison, may be termed toleraby accessible
yet the march failed, and the troops returned to
quarters to await the spring season for the renewal
of what was literally an arduous expedition. In
fact, these garrsons are only supplied and recruited
by caravans toiing painfully desert tracts OF
enormous extent; and it is estimated as an average
result of these singular conditions Of SERVICE that
the actual effective strength OF the regiments on
duty is always short OF that nominally borne, by
some 30 or 40 per cent. To convey still more
forcible impression Of the facts. we may mention
that every barrel OF pork transmitted for the use Of
the nearest Texan post costs about CO in carriage
while for the stations on the Upper Grsndc the
charge is actually S4S, or upwards Of co los. So
great, indeed, hrs been the increase of cost thus
thrown upon the Quartermaster. Generals depart
ment that whereas in 1874 the total expense Of
transports for the army was only 900, the cor.
responding charge for the currenl financial year
amounts TO 81, 900, 000-showng an augmentation
Of 500 per cent, and equalling, in figures, the
charge for the whole artillery OF the British army
II may he asked, perhaps, what can be the nature
Of the duties requiring the maintenance Of garri.
sons on these remote and almost nominal frontiers
of a semip populated State not threatened by any
power The answer TO this que stion
involves another fact almost as curious as those to
which we have been abiding. The enemies are
the Indians, the suppression Of whose forsys was
one OF the duties expressly undertaken by the
American government IN Its recent stpulations
with Mexico. In the United States proper, IL we
may use the term, the Indians have been efiectu-
ally dealt with but their influence on the Re-
neral economy Of a State may be inferred |
from the fact that the relics Of the tribe still sub
sistng in Florida, though numbering less than |
one hundred warriors, are strong enough to |