Washington telegraph., 1851-12-24

as mao already been commenced, and for com
'nsnc'ha such others as might seem to the wisdom
OF Congress 10 be of public and general impor.
lance without repeating the reasons there urged,
oeem IL my datv again to call your attention TO
.nis important subject. The works on many of
toe harhors were left in an unfinished state, and
consequently exposed to the action of the elements
which Is fast destroying them Great numbers of
,Ves' and vast amounts of property, are annually
'osl, ior want OF safe and convenient ba rbors on
tne lakes. None but those who have been expos
ca TO that dangerous navigat ion, can fully appre-
cIate the Importance of the subject. The whole
Northwest appeals to you for relief, and trust
their appeal will receive due consideration at YOUR
hahds. ihe same is, in a measure, true in regard
to some OF the habors and inlets on the sea coast,
The uaobstructed naviga alton of our large rivers
is OF equal Importance. Our settlements are now
extending to 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 naviga-
ton ol these waters from obstruction. In view
therefore, oil this great interest, deem it my duty
to urge again upon Congress, to make such ap-
propriaions for these improvements as thew NAV
deem necessary.
The survey Of the delta of the Mississippi with
view TO the prevention of the overaows that
have proved so disastrous to that couary, has been
nearly terminated, and the reports thereof are
now in preparation, and will shortly be laid before
you
The protection Of our South western frontier,
and of The adjacen; Mexican States, against the
Indian TRIBES within our borders, has claimed my
earnest and constant attention Congress having
tailed at The last session TO adopt my recommen-
dation, that additional regiment of mounted
men, especially adapted to the service, should be
raised, all that remained TO be done wcs to make
the best use OF the best means at my disposal.
Accordingly all the troops adapted to its service
that could properly be spared from other quarters
have been concentrated on that frontier, and Off
GERS OF high reputation selected to command them
"A new arrangement Of the military posts has
also been made, whereby the troops are brought
nearer TO The Mexican frontier. and to the tribes
they are Intended to overawe. Sufficient time has
not yet elapsed 10 realize all the benefits tha. are
expected TO result from these arrangements, but
have every reason TO hope that they will effectu-
ally check their marauding expeditions. The ma
fure OF The country, which produces little for the
support of an army, and abounds in places of re-
fage and concealnent, is remarks ably well adapt
ed to their predatory warfare. We eau scarcely
hope that any military force. combined with the
greatest vigilance, entirely suppress it, By
the treaty of Gaudalonpe Hidalgo, we were bound
to protect the territory Of Mexico against the in
curs'ons of the savage tribes within our borders
with equal diligence and energy as if the same
We're within cur own territory, against citi-
gems. have endeavored to comply, as far as
possible, with tIe provisions of the treaty.
Orders have been given to the officers com
manding on that frontier, to consider the Mexican
territory and its nhabtants equally with our
own, entitled to their protection, and to make all
their plans and arrangements with view to the
attainment Of that object Instructions have also
been given to the Indian Commissioners and
agents among these tribes, in att treaties, to make
the clauses designated for the protection OF our
own citizens apply also to those Of Mexico. |
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 neighborng States of Mexico may have
suffered, as our own have. from depredations from
the Indians To the difficulties Of defending our
own territory, as above mentioned are superadded
IN defending that OF MEXICO, those that arise from
It's remotebess from the fact that we have no roht
to station our troops within her limits, and that
there Is no military force on the Mexican side So
long as this shall continue to be the case, the
number and activity of her troops will rather in
crease than diminish the evil, as the Indians will
naturally turn towards that country when they
encounter The least resistance. Yet the Sc Il oops
are necessary to subdue 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
appeared of peaceabe character, and disposed
to cultivate the friendship of the whites, have
Gently committed several acts of hostility AS
sasge portion Of the reinforcements sent to the
Mexican frontier were drawn from the Pacific, the
military force how stationed there, is considered
entirely inadequate to its defeuce. 1t cannot be
increased, however. without an increase Of the
army, and again recommend that measures ae
Indispensable 10 the protection Of the frotiers
invite your attention 10 the suggestions this
subject aud on Others connected with this epart-
ment. IN the report of the Secretary of War
The appropriations FOR the support of the Army
during the current fiscal year, ending the 30th Of
June next, were reduced far below the estimate
submitted by the department. The consequence
Of this reduction is considerable Deficiency, to
which invite your early attention The expen-
dltHres of that department. tor the euding the
Goth June last, were $1,000 $50. The estimate
for the year commencing the LIST of July next and
ending June 30th 1853, are SD 1887 80, show
ing reduction Of 5 .I4l ,492 IS.
The board of Commissioners to whom the
management of the affairs of the Military Asy.
lum created by the act of March Sd last, was en-
trusted, have selected site for the establishment
Of asylum in the vicinity of this city, which
has been approved by me, subject to the produc-
ton OF satisfactory title.
l he report Of the Secretary Of the Navy will
exhibit the condition of the public service under
the supervision of that department. Our naval
force ahoat during the present year, has been
lively and usefully employed. in giving protection
to our widely extended and increasing commercs
and interests lii the various quarters OF the globe
aud our flag hes everywhere offered a security
and received the respect, inspired by the justice
and liberality of our Intercourse, and the dignity
and power of the nation
The expedition commanded by Lieut.. De Haven
despatched in search of the British commander
Sir John Franklin, and his companions, on the
Arctic seas, returned to New York in the month Of
October, after having undergone great peril and
suffering, from unknown aud dangerous navi-
CATION and the rigors Of the northern climate,
without any satisfactory Information of the Object
OF their search, but with new contributions to