Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-06

commend thorough revision Of the laws on the Who'll
subject and the adoption of tariff Of fees which as ia
ms practicable should be uniform and prescribe sSec
compensation for every service which the officer ma
required to perform This subject will be fully presente
In the report of the Secretary of the Interior
In my last annual message gave briefly my reasons
or Denevng that you possessed the constitutional powe
the harbors Of great lakes and
anu .ne navigation of our principal rivers, and recon
hat should be made for complet
is sucn WORKS as had already been commenced and fo
commencing such others might to the wisdom o.
congress 10 be OF public and general Importance With
peahg the reasons then urged, deem it my duty
SAn 70 car your attention to this important subject
me works ON many Of the harbors were left in an unn
M s.ae' anu consequently exposed the action Of the
@ Mnlcn Is last destroying them Great numbers
hve ana vast amounts of property are annually lost for
want OF safe and convenient harbors ON the lakes None
u nose VINO nave been exposed to that dangerous nav
gauon can fully appreciate the Importance Of this subject
Inc whole Northwest appeals you relief and trust
he appeal will receive due consideration at your hands
Inc same is IN measure true regard to some of the
harbors and inlets the seacost
The unobstructed navigation of our largo rvars - -
equal Importance Our settlements are now extending n
the sources OF the great rivers which empty into and form
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
70 urge upon Congress to make such appropriations for
these improvements as they may deem necessary
The survey OF the Delta of the Mississippi with view
10 the prevention of the oveows that proved so dis
asrous TO that region of country has been nearly com
paration, and 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 and con-
slant attention Congress having failed At the last
session to adopt my recommendation that an adj
ditonal regiment of mounted specially adapted To
that service should be raised oil that be done
was to make the best of the at my disposal
Accordingly all the troops adapted to that service
that could properly be spared from other quarters have
been concentrated that frontier and officers Of high
o than
ment OF the military posts has also been made whereby
troops are brought to the Mexican frontier and
to the tribes they are intended to overawe
Sufficient time has not yet elapsed to realize all the ben
ets that expected to result from these arrangements
but have every to hope that they will eectuay
check their maraudng expeditions The nature of the
country which furnishes little for the support an army
and abounds in places of refuge and conceament is re-
markaby well adapted to this predatory warfare we
can scarcely hope that any military force combined with
the greatest vigilance, can entirely suppress it.
BY the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo are bound to
protect the territory of Mexico against the ncurons Of
the savage tribes within border swh equal diligence
tory against citizens have endeavored to COM
ply far possible with this provision of the treaty
Orders have been given to the officers commanding
that frontier to consider the Mexican territory and in
habitans equally with our own entitled to their pro-
tecton 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 make the
clauses designed for the protection Of citizens
apply also to those of Mexico have to doubt
that these instructions have been fully carried into effect
Nevertheless it probable that in spite of all efforts
some OF the neghborng States of Mexico may have su
fered, as our have, from depredations by the In
dams.
To the difficulties of defending own territory
above mentioned superadded in defending that Of
Mexico those that arise from its remoteness from the
fact that we have right to station troops within
her limits and that there is efficient military force
the Mexican side to cooperate with So long as
this shall continue be the case the number and activity
OF our troops win rather increase than diminish the
evil as the Indians will naturally turn towards that coun
try where they encounter the least resistance Yet these
troops necessary to subde Them and to compel them
to make and observe treaties Until this shall have been
DONE neither country will enjoy any security from their
attacks
The Indians in California who had previously appear
ed OF peaceable character and disposed to cultivate the
friendship of the whites have recently committed several
acts of hostility AS large portion of the reinforce
sent the Mexican frontier were drawn from the
Pacific the military force stationed there consider
ed entirely inadequate to its defence 1t cannot be in
creased however without increase of the army and
again recommend that indispensable to the
protection of the frontier.
invite your attention the suggestions on this subject
and on others connected with his Department in the
port of the Secretary of War.
The appropriations for the support of the army during
the current fiscal year ending 30th June next
duced far below the estimate submitted by the Depart
men The consequence of this reduction considerable
deficiency, to which invite your early attention
The expenditures of that Department. for the year end
ing 10th June last &c. 060 268 3d. The estimates
for the year commencing LIST July next and ending June
30, 1856, are 7,89S,775 83; showing reduction Of
81, 161, 492 rs
The Board of Commissioners to whom the management
of the affairs of the Military Asylum created by the act Of
81 March last was entrusted have selected site for the
establishment Of asylum in the vicinity Of this city,
which has been approved by subject 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 force afoat during the pre-
sent year has been actively and usefully employed in
giving protection to wdeyAextended and Increasing
and interests in the various quarters of the
and received the respect inspired by the justice and ibe
raty of our intercourse and the dignity and power Of
the nation 3l'
The expedition commanded by Lieut.. De Haven, dis.
patched in search Of the British commander Sir john
Franklin and his companions in the Arctic seas, returned
to New York in the month of October after having under
gone great peril and suffering from an unknown and
dangerous navigation and the rgors Of northern climate
without any satisfactory information of the objects Of thei
search but with contributions to science and navg
ton from the unfrequented polar regions. The Office
and Of the expedition having been all volunteers for
and having conducted to meet tire
appreciation Of the Government it is suggested,
of grace and generosity that the allowances Of
pay and emouments be extended to them that made
to the officers and of like rating in the late e lorng
expedition to the South seas
earnestly recommend to yonr attention the ecessity
of recognizing the Naval Establishment apps ronng
and fixing the numbered officers in each grade providing
mode of promotion to the higher grades Of the navy