The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-04

our
1t must not, however. be supposed that The Indians
that niest the Mexican settlements all reside within our
limits II is difficult assign any definite boundaries 10
wandering tribes who subsst almost entirely by the
chase, or on herds oil cattle which they drive before
them in their migalions; but is well known that some
Mexico '' :
There strong reasons too TO believe that the vague
rumors hat have reached this country OF ayases com
med by Indians IN the Mexican States have been grossly
exaggerated and sometimes entirely fabricated As idea
seems 10 nave gone abroad among the people 0t that
country That this government bound by It's treaty
with Mexico to indemnify citizens OF that country who
might sustain losses by depredaons of the lndans and
IRON information that has reached the department.
can be no doubt that in instances tales OF depreda
lions have been invented, with view of bringing fc.i-
The adsnS wssi y hs Ro.L ,ns
sened to DC less warke in character than thnee the
eastern side OF The continent and until recently, had
tiers in their neghborhood Several outbreaks however
have, within few months past occurred both cafor
MIA and Oregon There is reason TO believe that in
instances The Indians have been gOaded on these
Of hostility BY the conduct of people Treaties
have recently been made with some of these tribes which,
II they are faithfully observed part, and i the
white Inhabitants compelled to respect the boundaries
OF the territory assigned TO them, will GO far towards
concing this unfortunate their fate, and prevent
ing future outbreaks recommend. therefore, that the
laws restricting intercourse with the Indians and
croachments on their lands be gdy enforced, and that
necessary, more stringent enacnents be passed for
that purpose.
II would not be safe, however, to rely on any pacific
policy however wise and just for the protection of
fellow citizens IN that remote region. Since the with
drawal OF the regiment OF mounted rhemen, the military
force on the Pacific is extremely small By the returns
OF the Adntant General appended the report of the
General Chief appears that the entire force stationed
on the Pacific amounted the last reiurn to only seven
hundred and thirty six men This force is deemed en-
tirey inadequate for the protection of the inhabitants,
particularly Of Oregon The governor of that Territory
has represented this act and has urged of
the force stationed within II. The means now at the dis
posal OF the department do not enable it to comply with
this demand
In my last annual report recommended the creation Of
new regiment of mounted men, The withdrawal of the
regiment of mounted rihemen from the Pacific has, to
some extent diminished the necessity of creating ad-
dlOna regiment OF that description OF force, that
country is not peculiarly adapted cavalry and its place
may well be supplied by infantry Nevertheless by the
report OF the Generalin Chief il will be that he
sders not only this additional regiment of cavalry but
also increase in the rank and file OF the infantry and
artillery, as indispensaby necessary While feel some
hesitation in urging upon Congress any addition TO the
force on the fohte where the support OF troops at
tended with such enormous expense, cannot but ac-
knowledge the force OF his remarks and the weight that
rs due TO hs recommendation. hope therefore, that the
matter will he submitted TO Congress.
The entire number OF men borne the rolls amounts
to l053s which. according 10 the usual estimate, will
furnish an effective force of not more than $500
When il is considered that this small force is scattered
frontier of several thousands of miles In extent
insuihcency will be apparent.
ln my las, annual report adverted to the enormous
the expense OF supporting the army. and 10
the that produced IL. These are principal
ly-
First, That as has been already stated more than one
half OF the whole army is stationed remote from
tier, and, so far expenses concerned, may be
sidered in active service in time OF war.
Second. That the military posts the frontier
formerly on gable rivers, but on the
contrary, either far in the interior OF the country or
the Pacific and, consequently, only be reached
by overland journey OF hundreds ol miles, OF by
sea voyage OF several thousand
The following is a list OF what our mos, remote
posts ls45, and their respective distances from naviga