The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-03

The Indians Of California and Oregon, though
Of peaceable and friendly disposition, have been
recently engaged in several acts If hostility TO
the whites; and. in some instances, there is
reason TO believe they were goaded 10 such
course by the conduct Of our own people. Trea-
ties recently made with some of these tribes, il
is thought, if faithfully observed on cur part, will
go far towards rcconciIng This unfortunate race,
and preventing future outbreaks The Secre-
tary, therefore, recommends the rigid enforce
ment of the laws restricting intercourse with
| Indians and encroachment on their lands.
The Secretary suggests, however, that it
would not be safe to rely pacific policy al
together for the protection of our citizens in that
region. The entire military force there now is
only seven hundred and thirty six men, and
the Governor of Oregon has represented the
| fact, and urged an increase Of the force; and the
| Department is unable at present, for the want
of means. to comply with the demand. The
attention of Congress is called to the recommen-
dations Of the General-in-C Chief in regard to an
increase of the military force,
The entire number of men borne on The rolls
amounts to 1888; which, according TO the
of not more than S, 500 men. When it is con-
sdered. the Secretary says, that this small force
is scattered over frontier of several thousand
miles in extent, its insufficiency will be appa
rent.
| The Secretary next adverts to the enormous
expense of supporting the army, and TO the
causes that produce it, the principal one of
which is the immense transportation demanded
| by our newly acquired territories. The in
creased expenditures in our army resulting
from our recently acquired territory, including
Texas, amounts to S4,556,709 Is, according
to carefully prepared estimates.
| But for unexpended balances Of former ap-
preparations, serious embarrassment would have
| resulted to the service from the omission by
Congress, at their last session, TO provide for
deficiency in the Quartermaster's Department.
In pursuance of the manifestation of Con
gress to reduce the expenditures of the army as
far as possible, the Secretary has labored to re-
form abuses, and to enforce rigidly all economical
regulations. Among these he enumerates the
reduction of the ordnance department from 5S7
| men to $50, the number existing before the war;
| the dlsmountlng of SIX companies of light arlil
| lery, four of which to remain dismounted; the
diminuton of the number of clerks, &c., and
~. hoo,,I,;..t;as - - r. -,
-
| 800 1.,;,,, 1d a;s-o-A 80 ..;..1
| - e 80 .;I.s ~
III ,ho e., 81 ~ ,lFoa.,,.a. ,d.,,,al,
| by the Department, seconded by the jealous
d;soarn;hIo !, ,ns;Jo,.hIo rod,.,;o,, 20 ~
o-l:... .L-.:.-- g. e.I
| 80.
60. IS
M ~, -
10y 49, o., &c 49,
-. 40 oco oeo 70
~ coo 17S 90
= '''' ''O''' 90 1900. -
Sbo,,in roarot;on of 81 tet Ao9. TX
OtbeT measures ~ economv wonld have bean
carried ONT had not tho aid of ler;sla,ion heen
.o..
a..;-oI' .,a.. .,i,a-;,..
: .aI,oa - aa,,Jo ~ Eraor,;,-a - aLol;oi,
| 49, o..,h,;ah.u
| NJ c-.,. -
| -. -.
80, $500,
Tha rar,o,,.l of tbo oh.,r,,;oa ~ 49,
ration IF Rod river .nd ,bo d. C,anda onI1
r.,I,, ,odroo d., $3.50 - - -.
&c H. 800, ), rr.,.aa - NJ H.
;a J;.,;a;ot;-. ~. -
nor,,,;o,
Rrt ,ha o,a;,,os Sc ,t an 49,
- oaox,,o,,a Io.~.
.t,,;onad 81 80 froo,;or anS r. ,L;a.1 80
Secretary recommends that everv facility and
announcement be afforded TO the formation NJ i,
local militia in our new settlements, and that
arms be distributed among the inhabitants.
Policy and humanity. saws the Secretary.