Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-12-13
Reoort of the Secretary of War.

Mr.. Conrad, in his review OftllC operations OF
the War Department during tbs past year, dcvotes
considerable space to our Indian relations, and the
measures necessary to preserve peace willlthe va
rous tribes that skirt our extended trontier Near
ly six-eghts of the army are employed in this ser
vice III Texas, New Mexico, California and OIe-
gon, and their efforts have been attended with con-
siderable success. The Rio Grande country is the
only portion of Texas in which lniilan ldePre'ia-
Ftions have been committed on un extensive scale,
and even there the circumstance resulted from Tie
confusion Produced by the attempts OF CaIavajnl
and his lawleSs followers TO TevolutiOnize Mexico.
AS the only method Of preventing lis between
theIudiaHs and settlers Of Gexas,ltr GOnradiHges
the adoption of an arrangement BY which that's ta'e
shall be induced tojallot land for the temporary
though exclusive occupancy OF the Indians tim
her borders. In California and Oregon changes oil
troops have been rendered necessary by the ire
GuenCy OF collisions, though more recently one oil
the boldest aud most hostile tribes has nsreed TOT
peace. In New. Mexico the presence oil troops has
for time checked the depredalons that before pre-
vailed. Brevet Major General Smith, Brevet Col
onel Sumner, AMI Brevet Briga0ier GeneTnI Hitch
cock ore nomed as entitled to much praise in con
nexion with the service.
Notwithstanding the unusual activity of the
troops during the season. the expense of tn: Quar-
termasler's D, partnent exhibit a reduction Of
1901 PAP; as compared with the previous year, and
4 further reduction of 100000 is anticipated.
The probability that New Mexico will long con-
tine destitute of attraction to emgrantSthe small
ness OF its white populaion-andt tile Immense out
Law annually needed to keep the Indians in check
are circumstances which lead Mr.. Conrad to sug-
gest the desiIabenl IS of inlucing the white nhab
itants 10 abandon it. He calculates that if the
Government paid for their property at quintuple
its value the country would still economist by the
transaction. Tomeet immediate wants, an addi-
tional regiment of mounted men IS recommended.
On the subject Of coast lelences, Mr.. Conrad
states that .IIany works remain incomplete, after
the expenditure of large sums. Early appropria-
tons aIe necessary to prevent the lnSs of amounts
already expended, and to strengthen points which
in the event of war would be of the highest inpor
lance. Other works OF obvious necessity have not
been commented, as at New Bedford and SIN Fran
cisco, which are now dcfcncelcSs
To apply the appropriations madeiaSt session for
hNTbOr and river improvements, the science md
practical skill ofthe Two corps of engineers ana to-
iiion-the former linking charge of the works the
Atlantic and the Gulf OF Mexico the latter n those
on the northern lakes and western rive.s The ap.
preparations were made at season too advanced 10
permit of mucll work being already done, but ar
TangementS have hcen made for n vigorous COM
mencement OF operations i'll the spring. A large
majority Of the wOrrs will requiIe further apprO-
priations
The report mentions the return of Captain Sill
greavcS and Captain Marcy, whollave been eli
gagged, respectively, i'll the exploration of the Zumi
aud Colorado rivers aud the Red river 1t also mo-
tees complimentary the condition of the Military
Academy and The National Armores at Springfield
and HaIpeTS Ferry.
Mr.. Conrad repeats several recommendations con-
tanned in previous reports, for giving greater eff
cheney 10 different branches of the service; and in
conclusion endorses recommendations now made
by the tenera-in- Chief. One OF the latter is that
the pension laws be amended as to place the wild
owS and orphans of Oc rs of the army on an equal
footing withthoSe of the naval officers Washing
ton Republic.