Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-05-13

astcdS, tOupiaibiHg 81 tBc ucicNcelesS and
suffering condition in which the Mexican
Frontier has been left, b. the neglect Of
Congress to provide sufficient force to pro
tect it from Indian barbarities; ard says,
"our investigations have brought to our
knowledge, evidence fixing On tho Wig
party, the responsibility Of the indian oatra-
ges committed in Texas, and Of the rceIama-
tons for similar outrages that will be made
by the Mexican Government, under the
eleventh article Of tue treaty of guadaloupe
Hidalgo"
That our citizcus in Texas and New Mex.
leo suffer greatly, for want Of due protection
against the deprodatons Of sayagcs, there
can be no doubt Almost every mail from
that region, brings fresh news Of the murder
Of men; ofwomon and children taken cap
tive, and subjected to unheard of cruelties
Of farms laid waste, houses burnt and prop
erty carried Of, or destroyed 1t is the du-
ty of the federal government to afford
them protection. IT is also the duty Of
tho Federal Government, to protect the
citizens Of Mexico from outrages committod
by Indians. living within the limits of the
United States This Is expressly required
by The eleventh article Of the treaty Quad
aloupc Both these duties have been ne.
elected, however, and tho Union wishes to
fix the neglect on the Wing party That
the Union should attempt to fasten this, and
all similar abuses, growing out of tho me-
gIect, or opposition of Democratic Con-
SFcss, upon wing administration, is not
surprising. 1t would be matter Of sur
prise, if it should satisfy its readers of the
truth of what it endeavors to prove. in this
instance
A few months after Gen. Taylor was
elected to the Presidency, and before he
could gain satisfactory information Ct the OK
act force necessary to be employed on our
extended frontiers; or The extent to which
the Indians would carry tEeir barbarities, he
was called on to send message to Congress,
which proved to be his FIRST and Of " annual
message. Up to this time the frcnticrs had
been comparatively quiet, and there was
prospect that they would remaiJl so. "No
recent disturbance in Texas haze been re-
ported, said Mr. Crawford, "and premises
Of peace have been made by the Comanche i.
nation" With this report before him, the
President recommended such an increase to !
the regular army, as was deemed sufficient for
the purpose of protection Had he recon-
mendcd greater increase, there is every
reason to believe it would not have been au-
thorised by Congress.
The Indians afterwards becoming more
hostile it was asccrtaincd that the force en-
ploycd was inadequate to the defence of our
own citizens, as well as those of Mexico,
who under the treaty we were bound opro-
tcct. tn view Of this fact, Mr.. Fillmore
in lis first message, urged upon Congress an
addition to the regular army, Of one or two
regiments of cavalry lie said:
The annexation of Texas and the acquisi-
tion Of California and New Mexico have Civ
en- increased Importance to our Indian rela-
tons The various tribes brought under
our jurisdiction by these engagements of our
boundaries are estimated to embrace pop
ulation of one hundred and twenty four
thousand
Tcxasan New Mexico are surrounded by
powerful tribes Of Indians, who are source
Of constant terror and annoyance to the in
habitants. Separating into small predatory
bands, aud always mounted they oycr-un
the country, devastating farms destroying
crops, driving off whole herds of cattle, and
occasionally numbering tic inhabitants or
carrying them into captivity The great
roads leading into tho country are infested |
with them, whereby travelling is rendered |
extremely dangerous, and immigration is al |
most entirely arrested The Mexican from
tier, which, by the lth article Of the treaty
Of Guadaloupe llidalgo, we are hound TO
protect against the Indians within our bor-
der, is exposed to these incursions equally
with our own. The military force stationed
in that country (although forming large
proportion of the army) is represented as en-
tirely inadequate to our own protection and
the fulfllment of our treaty stipulations with
Mexico. The principal deficiency is in cav
airy, and recommend that Congress should,
at as early period as practicable provide
for the raising Of one or more regiments Of
mounted men
For further suggestions on this SUBJECT,
and others connected without our domestic
interests, and the defence of our frontier !
referyou to the reports Of the Secretary Of
the Interior and of the Secretary Of War
The same recommendation was made By
Mr. Stuart, Secretary of the Interior and
Mr. Conrad, Secretary of War, with how
much effect, is known as well to the Union,
as to the country. 1t was made to Con-
gress, composed principally of Democrats,
and upon that body must rest the eensure, Of
having left thousands Of miles Of our from
tier, exposed to the mercy Of the ruthless
savage.