The New York herald., 1851-12-03
Report of the Secretary Of War.
War DEPARTMENT


In my last annual report, briefly adverted
20 the nature Of these ncursons Unlike their race
IN this part Of the continent these tribes aotu
ated not 20 much by hostility to the whites as by
motives Of Plunder. Accustomed, from time imme-
mortal, to carry on predatory warfare against
the Spanish settleme in their vicinity, they sub
NIT with reluctance TO the eorts of new and more
powerful race to put stop to their incursions The
character Of the country, which affords wonderful
facilities to escape, aud presents almost insurmount-
these marsuding expeditions AS infantry Is Of Lit.
tie in O service which consists principally in
pursuing small parties, who are always mounted, I
recommended, in my last report, the raising Of an
reference to this service Congress not having
adopted this recommendation, all that remained for
the Department to do was to mako such dis posi-
ton of the force at its disposal as would most eec-
tually protect our own territory, and fulfil our
treaty obligations to Mexico. Accordingly, prompt
measures were taken to concentrate on the confines
of Texas and Mexico many Of the troops adapted
to this service as could be spared from other quar-
ters
The Indians in California and Oregon having al.
ways appeared of an unwarlike character, and dis
posed to cultivate the good will of the whites. II
was thought that the services Of the regiment o
mounted rifemen might be dispensed with on ths
Pacific. II was therefore ordered to Texas Bro
vet Major General Smith, its commander, was put
In command of the eighth military department., and
Brevet Brig Gen. Hitchcock was ordered to succeed
him 10 the command Of the Pacific division.
In the interval of several months which elapsed
between the death Of Brevet Ma Gen Brooke and
the arrival of Brevet Maj Gen. Smith in Texas,
the command Of that department devolved on Brsyes
Brigadier General Harney, during wh hloh time this
officer displayed his accustomed activity In arrest
1pg tho incursions OF the Indians, and the good
effect of the measures adopted by him are already
descernible in the comparative tranquility which
that section Of the country has tor some time past
enjoyed.
ktih n
portion of Texas where the streams that aow
iuto the Mississippi, as well as those that
empty themselves directly into A;o the Cult md
make frequent ferays, not only into Texas
and New Mexico, but across the Rio Grande into
fhe Mexican territory. With the double object of
overswng these tribes ard of afording projection
20 such emigrsnts may take that route to Texas,
New Mexico or California, deemed it advisable to
establish chain Of military posts ON that frontier
For this purpose, the fifth regiment Of infantry
(whioh was already stationed high mp the Red
River and the Arkansss) was ordered to advance
further into the interior, and to establish chain
OF posts extending in western direction, and fol-
loving as nearly as ESsc,Ss1e Sn .ns rGn'e @ Gaed
cys route"
The seventh regiment of infantry was ordered
from Jefferson Barracks, to occupy the stations aban-
doned by the ffth.
Ia New Mexico, the Indians had become 30 bold
a. 70 commit their depredations within few miles
of the military posts and regret to say tha. ia no
instance was their audscity chastised. To remedy,
II possible, this state Of things, Brevet Colonel Sum
ner ordered to the mand of that department.
Ho arrived at Santa Fe in the month Of ally last,
Aid his 6rst step was TO make new, and 1t 10 be-
heved. q more judicious arrangement OF the military
posts His next was to set out, with portion of
his command, on an expedition into the country OF
the Navsjos, a powerful tribe which has long
spread terror, not only in Texas and New Me xico,
expedition is not yet known but if he should 40
compiish more than TO establish a military POST
ameOg them, and retalate upon them, by capturing
their herds and destroying their aelds. tas e1pedi-
tioa viii not have been trpltcss
Experience has shown, that tho mos. efectuai
cay 60 protect our settlements Is to ovsraws tae
Indiana by Q constant display Of military force in
th,ir Immediate neighbornood ter thi. reason, as
the town. and villages on the troops. the command
ing officers, bo n in Texas and New Mexico. were
directed to remsye the stations q: aess the son:isss a.
with their accustomed pronptude taken steps TO carry
khs messure into effect ard made an entirely
ssnymeut OF posts looking as far a. practicable Axe
TO de defence Of country and that OF Mexico
Strong hopes entertained that when their plans shall
bRVe been fully developed the Indians viii be disposed
t. ssaks treaties, and to observe them
The Uoited States have thus enieavored 20 fuli 70
Their fullest extent the Obligations imposed upon them
by theu late treaty with Mexico II surely never
ecptemPsyed that the entire expense aud responsibility
OF defentiDg her territory against these ncrrsious
should devolve upon The language Of the treaty
admits Of q, such constructop and II II did Il souia
require OF what IL would be obviously possible for
u As the United states have rxhs to
station their troops within the limits Of Mexico, how
~ n posibs for them. entirely to rrotec. her against
tribe most Of whom occupy the vast desert lying be
tween the two countries Al that do is TO make
common cause with her TO make her wrongs our own
TO chss,ise. II possible the tribes by whom they
pommtted to compel them, whenever IL Is possible 10
do So 90 make restitution Of Mexican prisoners and
property and finally. In our treaties with them, 10
guard tas interests of Mexcsn citizens as carefully
those OF our own and to punish any violation of the
one ~ severely DO that of the other u smani
Test too that whatever efforts we may make fof tn,
protection Of Mexico will not only be fftiess bat abso
lutey prjudcia unlsss they aided BY correspond
ing efforts on her part. The number Of military
pos.s tbs vigilance activity and ceursgs OF troops
all tss1 to drive these nsrauders from our border
ioNH1s taat OF Mexico where they can carry their
uePredas.oas with almost certain impunty.
The oGrenee In the character Of the inhabitants Of
The tro Countries also tends to the same result Our
Seopis al familiar with the Of and readily
1orm Themselves into militia companies for their Own de-
fence IL this circumstances, joired with q native
hardhood OF character that enabled the po Of all
States 20 subdue tribes far formidable than the
rtbbei bsnds that infsst Of Mckee The
inhabitants OF Mexico the contrary have little skill
sps @ " S.i ssrss ma prsSay ghIss
the esry settlers Of our o-u country IL b not sur.
prisnz therefore that the l. dans stand less In Of
the heEicaBs than they do OF our people and that
where bo.h countries present equal temptations 20
piuniss hey should direct their noursons towards shs
foxEeg rather than the latter.
It ia not impro babe also that the feebsnss Of the
fsdes authority In Mexico the distrssted state OF that
repub- sod the civil coetes, that hsvs 90 long 'iei
her ps5rA may impair hsr influence smoag Who
os yht but power and no motive but shs seAs Of
its eterc0e
The por.on of Mexico which IL said 20 have Suffered
from tse-e depredstions is the State OF sonoa
Between that state and the inhabited portions q Texas
sbd scy Mexico there Is an extensive range Of noun.
tain snj 1sse for the most part uupbsbitsbe ani AZ
certain eeeons Of the year almost impsssbe TO seud
fherrs,e 20 that frontier sufficient force to sdcrd
any efec'usi protection aud 70 maintain u there would
sttent>d with difculties almost insuperable post
bovcver has been estabshed st the Junstign Of tn.
Ola snd the Colorado and the commander Of the Pacific
dviyn has been directed 70 examine whether u would
not b practicable and exp.ont 70 establish one OF more
utss higher up the ella III report That subeo. has
not ys, been received IL has besn fully ascerta'nei
ttat 20 maintain even an inconsidefa5!e tfce
in that region would be attended With an ensrmous
pense -.
Thes dstredstions in Sonora COMMITTED ehieay By
the Apactss and the Nsvsostbe same tribes that AZ
che most troubleeome In Texas and New Mexico The
troops employed In the defence OF our own eettement
Therefore Indirectly adrg In the defence OF sonoa
tor succeed in compelling these tribes 70 MAKE
treaties 10 fun them, the MEASURE VII be a. con
IL. Al.