The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-10
The War Department and tn. Frontier.

The War Department and the Frontier.
We had occasion the other day to show, by
reference to the Executive documents of the
last session of Congress, that President FILL
MORE had urged upon that body the necessity
of making ample provision for the defence of
the Texan and Mexican frontiers. In his an
nual message the PRESIDENT stated that the
military force in that quarter was altogether in
adequate, and recommended the immediate rails
ing of one or more regiments Of mounted men.
This recommendation was fortified by reference
10 the reports of Mr.. STU Art and Mr.. CONRAD,
and the report of General ScoTr. The general
in chief insisted, with great emphasis, on the
''urgent," absolute" and indispensable" ne
additional regiments of horse, on the ground
that no other troops would answer for the pro-
lection of our frontier settlements.
We also showed, by reference to the printed
documents, that Mr.. CONRAD informed Con-
gress that the estimates of the Quartermaster'
Department ''could not be safely curtailed."
Congress paid no attention to these urgent
recommendations of. the Executive Depart
meats. They did not augment the army by even
single mounted regiment. They cut down the
Quartermas,er's Department for the next year
much below the estimates; and, notwithstand-
ing the repeated efforts of the SECRETARY OF
WAR to induce them 10 act upon the subject,
they failed TO make adequate provision for an
ascert tanned deficiency IN Me appropriations for
the current year, which was brought to their
notice as early as the 9th day of February last.
n. a. Jo,, he 4
dressed a letter to the Committee Of Ways and
Means of the Senate, Ga copy was also sent to
the same committee of the House of Represen-
taiives,) Of which the following is an extract:
Extract Of letter from the Secretary of Uay to the
Hon. r. M. T HUNTER, Chairman Of the Commit
tee on Finance, dated
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WAsHiNoroN, February 9, 1851.
Sir: Should the expenditures of
the current year equal those of the past, as the
Quartermaster General has no doubt they will,
there will be deficiency in his appropriations of
nearly $3.50, 900, instead of the 500, 900 stated by
General Smith, viz:
The total expenditures of the year ending June
80, 1851, are estimated at. s. ,542 ,255
The appropriations were. ............ 3,Sl3,0S3
Deficiency to be provided for. ........ 729,l72
OF which $500 will be for transportation of the
army, and the balance, S229,l72. account of
regular supplies"
There is also an arrearage in the same par tment
on account of clothing for the year ending June
80, 1850, of Ss7 81, and deficiency in the appro-
priation for the current year Of S22,53O, which
have accrued, i am informed under the following
circumstances When soldier is discharged from
the service, he receives in money the value OF such
articles of clothing as he may have been entitled
10, but has not drawn during his term of service.
This allowance is paid by the paymaster who
makes the final settlement with the soldier but the
payment is properly chargeable upon the appropria
ton for clothing, and is so charged on the settle
ment OF the paymaster's accounts by the auditor.
A number of these settlements, which were long in
arrear, having been made within this year by the
Second Auditor, the amount Of the charges to be
transferred TO the appropriation for clothing, prior
TO the first Of July last, bas absorbed Of ths years.
appropriation the Of Ss7, 81. which should be
appropriated as an arrearage for the year 1890.
In like manner, during the current year, further
charges will be made for the same object to the
amount Of go, $50, which ehould be appropriated
as a efficiency for the current year. The estimates
for this money payment in lieu Of clothing were
formerly made, though improperly. by the pay
department; but the practice having been disson.
tinued without the knowledge Of the Quarterm.s.
ter General, no estimates have been made or mn
preparations granted for several ycars past, and
hence the present srrearage. Regular estimates
will hereafter be submitted for this object by the
Quartermaster General.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
G. NJ CONRAD,
Secretary Of War.
Additional estimate for Deficiencies. &c.s
For arrearagc of clothing prior 10 Jolly
/, 1850. $3.50. ...,................ Ss7.sTI 90
For clothing in current year ........ 1880 90
For regular suppbes in Qusrtermas-
ter's Department in current year 22o,lT2 90
For transportation Of the army in cur.
rent year. ...s....,......+,..,..t.. 10000 90
ss39.s73 ~
Thus il will be seen that Congress was sp.
priced Of deficiency OF sSS9,JJ3 ia the ap
preparations Of the current year, large portion
OF which was for @rearagss Of preriovs years.
and nearly all Of which was occasioned By "a
penditures incurred prior TO the present Nd