The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-12-03

VIII ASCSAh0 uuS COuhlueFAaCQ az your
hands.
The same is in a measure frue in regard
to some Of the harbOrs and inlets on the
sea coast.
The unobstructed navigation ofourlarge
rivers is ofequal Importance. Our send-
ments are now extending TO the sources of
the great rivers which empty into, and form
a part of the Mississippi and the value of
the public lands in those regions would be
greatly enhanced by freeing the navigation
Of those waters from distractions. In
view, therefore, of this great interest, |
deem it my duty again to urge upon Con-
gress omake such appropriations for these
Improvements rs they may deem neccssa-
ry. IS.
The survey of the Delta at the Mississip-
pi, with a view to the prevention of the over
flows that have proved SO disastrous to
that region of country, have been nearly
completed, andthe reports thereof are now
in course of preparation, and will shortly
be laid before you.
The protection of our southwestern from
tier, and Of the adjacent Mexican States,
against the indian tribes within ourb border,
has claimed my earnest and constant at
tentiQn.. Congress having failed, at the
last session, to adopt my recommendation
that an additional regiment of mounted
men specially adapted to that service
should be raised, all that remained to be
done was to make the best use of the means
at my disposal. Accordingly, all the
troops adapted to that service that could
properly be spared from other quarters have
been concentrated on that frontier, and
offices OF high reputation selected to COM
mand them. A new arrangement of the
military posts has also been made, where
by the troops are bro't nearert to the Mex
lean frontier and to the tribes they are in
tended to overawe.
Sufficient time has not yet elapsed to
realize all the benefits that are expected to
result from lhese arrangements, but I have
every reason to hope that they will ~eifectu-
ally check their marauding expeditions.
The nature of the country, which furnish
es little for the support of an army. and
abounds in places of refuge and conceal
ment, is remarkably well adapted to this
~prepatory warfare; and we can scarcely
hope that any military force, combined
with the greatest vigilance, can entirely
suppress it.
By the, treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo, we
are bonnp to protect the territory Of Mex
leo against the ,,incursions of the savage
tribes within our border "with equal dill
gence and energy as if the same were
made within our territory Or aginst our
citizens. | have endeayored to comply
as far as possible, with this provision OF
the Treaty. Orders have been given to
the officers commanding on that frontier
to consider the Mexican territory and its
inhabitants as equally with our owo emit
tied to their protection; and to make all
their plans and arrangements with a view
to the attainment of this object. Instruc-
tons have also been given to the Indian
commissioners and agents among these
tribes, IN all treaties. to make the causes
designed for the protection of our own
citizens apply also to those of Mexico. |
have no rcasOn to doubt that these instruc-
tons have been fully carried into effect.
Nevertheless, it is probable that, in spite
OF all our efforts, some Of the neighboriag
States of Mexico may have suffered, as
our own have, from d~epredations by the
Indians.
To the difficulties of defending our own
territory as above mentioned, are suparad-
ded In defending that of Mexico. those
that arise from its remoteness, from the
fact that we have no right to station troops
within her limits, and that there is no eff
Gent military force on the Mexican side
to cooperate with our own. So long as
this Shall continue to be the case, the num-
Der and attivity Of our troops will rather
increase than diminish the evil, as the In
dams will naturally turn towards that
country where the encounter the least re-
slstaace. Yet these troops are necessary
to subdue them, and to compel them to
make and observe treaties. Until this
shall have been done neither country will
any security from their attacks.
The Indians in California, who had pre-
appeared of a peaceable charac-
.er and disposed to cultivate the friend
ship OF the whites, have recently commit
ed committed several acts Of hostility
AS a large portion of the reinforcements
sent to the Mexican frontier were drawn
the Pacific the military force now
stationed there is considered entirely mad
,quate to it's defence. It cannot be in
creased, however, without an increase Of
,he army and | again recommend that
hat measure az Indispensable to the pro-
,ection of the frontier.
Invite your attention to the suggestions
IN this subject, and on others connected
with this Department, in the report of the
Secretary of War.
The appropriations for the support of
he army during the current fiscal year,
30th June next, were reduced far
below the estimate, submitted by the De-
,artment. The consequence Of this re-
is a considerable deficiency, to
which | invite your early attention.
The expenditure of that, Department,
the year ending 30th Jnne last, were
70, 06O, 368.58. The estimate for the
ear commencing LIST July next, and end
ng June 30, 1858 are 81, 1898, 1853 70;
a reduction of 81, 161, 492. IS.
The Board of commissioners, to whom
he management of the affairs of the Mil
tary Asylum created by the act of Sd
March last, was entrusted, hane selected a
lite for the establishment of an Asylum
:, the vicinity of this city, which has been
Pproved by me, subject to the production
# a satisfactory title.
The report Of the Secretary of the Ma
y will exhibit the condition of the public
erYice under the supervision of that De-