The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-03

The survey of the Delta Of the Mississippi with
avlew TO the prevention Of the overaows that have
proved 50 disastrous to that region OF country,
have been nearly completed, and the reports there
OF are now IN course OF preparation, aud will
shortly be laid before you
The protection Of our southwestern frontier, and
OF the adjacent Mexican States against the Indian
tribes within our border, has claimed nv earnest
aud constant attention. Congress having failed
at the last session, TO adopt my recommendation
tnst an additional regiment of mounted men spe-
cialy adapted TO that service should be raised all
that remained to be done was 10 make the best,
OF the means at my disposal. Accordingly, all
the troops adapted TO that service that could pro-
perry ue spared from other quarters have been con-
cenuated on that frontier and officers of high re-
patatlon selected TO command them. A new ar
Management OF the military posts has also been
thaue, whereby the troops are brought nearer To
the Mexican frontier and the tribes they are in
tended 10 overawe
ouIhcient time has not yet elapsed to realize all
the benefit that expected to result from these
arrangements, but have every reason TO hope
that they will elfectually check their marauding
expeditions. The nature OF the country, which
furnishes little for the support of an army and
abounds IN places of refuge and concealment, is
remarkably well adapted to this edatory war
fares and we can scarcely hope that any military
force, combined with the greatest vigilance, can
entirely suppress it,
bound to protect the territory of Mexico against
the incursions of the savage tribes within our bor
der " with equal diligence and energy" as if the
same were made within our territory or against
our citizens. l have endeavored to comply, as
far possible, with this provision Of the treaty.
Orders have been given to the officers command
ing on that frontier to consider the Mexican terri
tory and its inhabitants equally with our own
entitled to their protection; and to make all their
plans and arrangements with view to the
attainment OF this object. Instructions have
also been given to the Indian commissioners and
agents among these tribes, in all treaties, to
make the clauses designed for the protection of
our own citizens apply also to those OF Mexico.
l have no reason to doubt that these instructions
have been fully carried into effect. Nevertheless,
it is probable that, IN spite of all our efforts, some
of the neighboring States of Mexico may have
suffered, as our own have, from depredatlons by
the Indians.
To the difficulties ofdefending our own territory,
as above mentioned, are superaded, IN defending
that of Mexico, those that arise from its remote
ness, from the fact that have right to station
our troops within her limits, anu that there is
efficient military force on the Mexican side to CO.
operate with our own. So long as this shall con-
tinue to be the case, the number and activity of
our troops will rather increas than diminish the
evil as the Indians will naturally turn towards
that country where there is the least resistance.
Yet these troops are necessary 10 subdue them,
ana 10 compel tnem 10 make ana observe treaties.
Until this shall have been done, neither country
will enjoy any security from their attacks.
The Indians in California, who had previously
appeared of peacedble character, and disposed
to cultivate the friendship of the whites, have
Gently committed several acts Of hostility. As a
large portion Of the reinforcements sent to the
Mexican frontier were drawn from the Pacific, the
military force now stationed there is considered
entirely inadequate to its defence 1t cannot be
increased, however, without an increase of the
army; and | again recommend that measure as
Indispensable to the protection of the frontier.
invite your attention to the suggestions on
this subject, and on others connected with his
Departm ent, in the report Of the Secretary of
War.
The appropriations for the support Of the arm Y
during the current fiscal year ending Goth June
next, were reduced far below the estimate sub
mitted by the Department. The consequence of
this reduction is considerable deficiency, to
which invite your early attention.
The expenditures of that Department, for the
year ending Goth June last, were $1,000 ,26S So.
The estimates for the year commencing LIST July
next and ending June 80, 1853, S7,S9S, 755 SO;
showing reduction of 81 l6l ,492 rs.
The Board of Commissioners, to whom the
management Of the affairs of the Military Asylum
created by the act Of Sd March last was entrust-
ed have selected site for the establishment of
an Arylum In the vicinity of this city, which has
been approved by me, subject to the production
Of satisfactory title.
The report Of the Secretary Of the Navy will
exhibit the condition OF the public service under
the supervision of that department Our naval
foro aAoat during the present year has been ac-
lively and usefully employed in giving protection
To our widely extended and increasing commerce
and interests IN the various quarters of the ODE
and our flag has everywhere afforded the security
and received the respect inspired by the justice
and literally of our intercourse, and the dignity
and power of the nation.
The expedition commanded by Lieutenant De
Haven, despatched in search of the British com
mander Sir John Franklin, and his companions
in the Arctic seas, returned to New York IN the
month of October, after having undergone great
peril and suffering from unknown and danger
Gus navigation and the rigors of northern eli
mate, without any satisfactory Information of the
objects of their search, but with contribu-
tons to science and navigation from the unfre-
quented polar regions The officers and mem
bers of the expedition, having been all volunteers
for this service, and having so conducted 1t as 10
meet the entire appreciation Of the government, 1T
is suggested, as an act Of grace and generosity,
that the same allowances of extra pay and emolu-
ments be extended to them that were made to the
officers and men of like rating in the exploring
expedition to the South seas.
1 earnestly recommend TO your attention the ne
cessity of recognizing the Naval Establishment,
spportionng and fixing the number Of officers in
each grade, providing some mode of promotion to
the higher grades of the navy, having reference
to merit and capacity rather than seniority or date
of entry into the service, and for retiring from the
effective list upon reduced pay those who may be
incompetent to the performance of active duty,
AS measure of economy as well as of efficiency
in this arm Of the service, the provision last
mentioned is eminentiy worthy Of your considera-
ton.
The determination of the questions of rela-
tive rank between the sea officers and civil officers
Of the navy, and between officers of the army
and navy, in the various grades OF each, will
also merit your attention. The failure TO pro-
vide any substitute, when corporal punishment
was abolished for offences in the navy, has occa-
stoned the converting of numerous courts martial
upon the arrival OF vessels in port, and Is believed
to have had an injurious effect upon the disci-
pine and efficiency of the service. To moder-
ate the punishment from one grade TO another
is among the humane reforms of the age but
to abolish one of severity, which applied 30 gen
gerally to offences on ship board, and provide
nothing 10 its stead, is to suppose progress OF
improvement in every individual among seamen