Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-08-28
The Mexican Frontier.

| the hands of the Cauhnche and Lpan Indians.
and their de,e cry to the Mexican Authorities at
| Guerraro. :1exco, agreeaby TO the nth Article
of the treaty of Guadalupe idalgo. Sixteen of
| The prisoners were boys, and all were children
collected in the predatory excursions of those H.
dianS from different parts of the north Eastern
| Provinces OF M.x;co;-5at alhoagh many Of
them had been from five to seven years in captiv-
| ty. the United States officers were enabled TO
gather such particulars respecting their parent
age and places of birth, as will probably secure
! the return of them all 10 their families.
| This intelligence will serve to answer effactu-
| ally the charge sometimes brought against the
| Administrations, that il is doing nothing to re-
strain the depcedatioas of TIE savages on the
! Mexican frontier.
! Ole of the first recommendations OF the Wing
| Administration when It came into power, was
that the military force should BE- increased. in o.
der to provide for the very emergency which has
since arisen, and which it was foresecn would
arise, on this " ,xican frontier, under the treaty
| concluded by Mr. Polk with the Mexican author
| tiles. the Administration did every thing in its
power TO procure the adoption Of measures which
would enable it 10 provide for the defence Of the
froatier. There was a democratic una jority in
both branches OF Congress, and this majority
failed and refused TO make any provision to meet
;hc demands Of Tie Mexican treaty. Tlc recon-
| mcndation for another regiment Of Dragons or
mounted riilcmen was sgh:ed, and the atninis-
tratoa with no other resources than the crdina-
r. and regalar army, and with difficulties increas
ed teu-foid Oh flo iticr extending from the
mouth Of the Rio Grande TO the mouth of the Col
orado Of The west, was eft to take charge OF and
restrain the depredations OF all the wild, erratic
hordes OF Indians on the borders of Mexico and
Texas--a race as remarkable for their predatory
and rowing habits, as for their fierce. ard warlike
nature.
And vet or neishbor of the Gazette cries out
that the administration is inexcusable for ''doing
next Ia nothn@"--and talks about the uncxpend-
ed balance in the Treasury at the control of the
War Department of ''four millions Of dollars and
upwards, in addition 10 the two millions appro-
priated by the last Congress" Does the Gazette
suppose that there are no other uses to which this
money is TO be applied, but the protection Of the
Mexican frontier from the incarsions Of Indians?
Does he not suppose that small portion Of it is
necessary TO feed, clothe and support, the army at
other important points? Eat i'll this matter of the
defence Of the frontiers, the want OF money is not
what the administration complained Of. Il was
the want of men. If the Government had had
fifty millions at t!c credit Of the War D .parment
what good could the money have done without
the authority 10 raise larger military forcc?-
There were other important points needing the
presence and protection Of the troops, and does
the Gazette suppose that the whole regular Ar
m; was TO be sent 10 the frontiers OF Mexico to
execute the S'jrulations Of Mr. Folks treaty? The
mounted rides were sent 10 Orcgoa. and have llSt
come back reduced 20 one fourth their compile
ment o. men. Would the Gazette have had the
Infantry sen. 10 The rroailer 10 hunt tie Wild In
dams over the plains and 'hroasi the chapparal?
1t is well known that the only kind OF troops fit
for such service are the Dragons and moiatcd
Rifles; and those alreldY there under Gau'l Har-
hey, have done good service. Why did not the
last Democratic Congress permit other troops Of
the same kind to be raised for this especial ser
vice?
The blame if ii les any where, lies with the
democratic majority III Congress, who refused 10
increase the effective force necessary TO enable
the President TO perform the stpuatioas of the
Mexican treaty, and 20 prevent the depredatons
of the Indians, b. holding them in awe, and pun
ishing the least mantle station of hostile DISPOSE
ton. Tne Admin s,raton has done all that was
in IFS power TO 10. II has placed all the troops on
the froatier that could BE solrei from other
points, or that Likely 10 DO effective service
/ there These troops Though not sufficient for the
projection OF ftoatier OF such vast extent have
! sc done much towards preventing Indian dep:e-
dationS and holding the various tribes in check.