The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-19

and not for hose of the quartsrnisster general.
Here the honorable senator gave way, and the Senate
adjournedl
FKDAr, April 80, 1852.
Mr.. PEARCE. Mr.. President, before proceed with
the remarks which about to submit IN reply to the
from Virginia. desire ask the indulgence OF the
Senate for few moments while notice charge which
made by the senator from California, and which yeser
day escaped my attention II will be recoleced that the
stated IA connexion with the abuses which
he said, IN the Of General John Wilson, while he
his way TO California, and after he had arrived In
the Sacramento Valley that he had cached his property,
that is understand it, being able TO carry on with
him. he had concealed by buryng IT, The Senator then
said
BY an order that emanaied from the War Department
detachment Of the army ordered out IN the following
spring. TO bring IN the private property belonging TO the
agent transported for him government expense by the
Salt Lake California told by the assistant quar-
ermaser who fitted out the expedition the principal OBJ
of which was TO perform this service that the cost
little less than 100000" &C.
If the senator mistaken in this narrative of the
affair should say that II very gross abuse IT. in
fact the Secretary of War had caused military expedition
cost OF little less than 100000 10 be sent TO the head
waters of the Sacramento of property
large SMALL belonging any civil officer of the govern
ment. should have thought Il gross abuse. But find
different history OF the transaction the report of the
sistant quartermaser, Major Alenthe report from
which the senator from California and myself have read
shall not detan the Senate any longer than simply read
his narrative OF this transaction After stating that Captain
Warner had been exploring expedition to
the passes OF the Sierra Nevada and had been eacheousy
assaed and routed by the Misunderstanding indeed lost
his life in the fray-Mejor Allen proceeds:
"a second expedition destined to punish the hostile In
dams the vicinity of Clear Lake. fitted at this
partment in the month OF May, 1850 This command hav-
ing successfully accomplished its first object ordered to
proceed to Pitt river chasse if possible the Indians
who had attacked and routed the party of the late Captain
Warner. &s NJ s+an# Ui
Breyet Captain Lyon the commander Of the expedition
was met his return march Lasses ranch by an order
tn in IF Tahp
esq, which baggage had been cached the emgrant
route beyond the Feather River Mountains
The Senate will perceive that the senator from California
fell into mstake and that so far from military expedi-
ton being sent out for the only purpose, for the prnci
pal purpose Of recovering the private property of the agent
which he had cached his outward route was sent
out for two distinct military purposes which purposes led
them presume into the of the region where
this properly had been cached and that fact the order
to get his property not known the time the expedi
ton was sent out Il is thus shown that this expedition had
gone for two military purposes, which had mpshed
when the order to seek for this property received II
is very manifest therefore, that il the expedition had cost
the large Of money which is sad TO have cost, is
chageabe to the proper military purposes of the country
and not to the private purposes of this civil employee So
far the government may have been put any
by the expedition turning back the route to get that
property that charge against but the statement which
have read exhibits very different of the from
that which the honorable has supposed exist
MIR. GWiN. stated that Major Allen told me that the
Of the expedition 000 gave my authority.
Mr.. PEARCE. But the senator stated also, that the
principal object of the expedition g at this property
He, doubt thought So but he in error and, when
had the means of showing him to be in error felt bound
to do so.
think was stating yesterday when discontinued my
remarks in reply to the senator from Virginia. that the Sec
rotary of War had attempted various reforms ia the depart
ment which rs under his control. | mentioned some OF
them shall now proceed to mention others, OF
which the senator may recoec but Of Others perhaps he
is uniformed.
II will be recolected that both General TAYLOR and the
present Secretary of War recommended retired list for the
armya project which, IL is supposed, will increase the
efficiency OF the army without at all enagng the expense
understand that al the request of the chairman Of the
Committee on Military Affairs in the House of Representa-
ves project for this purpose prepared by the Secre
try and sent TO the committee accompanied by draugh
OF bill. That 10 one reform which he has attempted
Then would call the attention of the Senate to a fac
which, believe alluded to by the senator from Vr
GINA in his speech The Secretary Of War has ycrv re
cnty discovered that some officers in the army have bur
chased various articles and sold them the
department The off ers attached the army at particular
depos awaiting themselves Of their positions have
lated in those articles with which il was the duty Of thu
Quarermasters department TO supply the army This III,
Secretary OF War very properly considered abuse Thu
law did not allow him to punish he thought il deserve,
to be punished and, the spirit of true reform he tool
the only step in his power-he communicated the fact 4
Congress- with the earnest expression Of his wish that Con
gress would legislae furnish him with ample auho
ry hereafter is that the President of the United State
in the exercise the very large discretion which the oonstu
ton and laws have given him, might strike such an Office
from the list But that is thing which is unusual ant
almost unheard OF IN the army and navy establishments
The SENATOR believe mentioned this at all events he ad
mted the statement which have made and that
by the senator from Georgia, Mr. DAwsos who has TOLD
me that courmartal was held in regard to the con
duct Of some OF these officers and that they were ao
Quilted After that would have been the height of crue,,
and injustice for the President 10 dismiss them
MIR. HUNTER IL was useless for me to suggest NOR,
than did sought TO have the facts drawn out TIL,
Secretary in answer TO that call stated the facts and die
know at the time Introduced the resolution calling fol
information, that he made any suggestion to the Mtar,
Committee. After the resolution was offered and an AN
came informed that he had made suggestions n
the Military Committee.
Mr.. PEARCE. The only difference between the senator
and myself in regard TO that is that supposed he wal
mistaken IN thinking that the action Of the Secretary was in
duces by his call.
Mr.. HUNTER. did not say that il was. I was no
aware al the time made the cali that the Secretary had
made any communication to the Military Committee in 70
lation to that matter.
Mr.. PEARCE At all events, the Secretary deserves
credit for having brought the the attention OF tn
proper organs OF the Senate and the House OF Represn
ives before caught the attention Of the senator from Vr
ginia do not suppose that the senator from Virgin
intended any injustice TO the Secretary did not 80 under
stand him but want to show that the Secretary wa
quite vgnnt anybody else. think he is entitled 4
that much credit The Secretary has been aware and
suggested IN both his reports TO Congress- that abuse pro
baby existed in the administration OF the army He wa
endeavorng TO End them out and he suggested the mean
OF preventing such Of these abuses he had clearly
tanned to exist.
Another suggestion OF his was that there should be
complete reorganization OF the Quartermasers
understand that communications upon that subject hay
been submitted by the Secretary OF War to the Committee
on Military Affairs, both Of the Senate and the House q
Representatives and believe that TO one If moi 10 both
these committees, he has submitted the draugh Of bill in
tended 10 carry out his suggestions. do not mean 10 dis
cuss the propuey of these suggestions they may or ma,
al ~