Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-11

In spite Of this failure of the unusual activity OF the
troops during the past season and Of the
portion OF them are stationed onthe remote froquerF
have the satisfaction to announce that
have been considerably reduced and TIPS oe in tie Quar-
ltermasters department -hat brlnel OF the service OF
which the expenditures most affected by these crcum
stances The expenses Of that department. ascertaned
and estimated exclusive of cothng Che amount of which
is fixed by regulations continue TO exhibit an
annual decrease viz for the current year. as compared
with the last year, reduction of $5Ol 252 and for the
year. compared with the current year. further
reduction Of $500 900.
In spite however every effort to reduce the expenses
of the army they must continue to be very great in pro-
portion its numbers long il is necessary main
tain large force in countries which supply little Of
what is necessary TO its support those in which the
greater part of il is stationed beg leave, there
FORE to repeat the suggestion contained in my last annual
report that sound policy less than humanity, requires
that other than force should be tried
strain the Indians and to prevent the frequent collisions
that occur between them and the white inhabitants in
their neghborhood The whole history of country
shows that whenever the brought frequently
into contact collisions generally produced by aggressons
of the stronger ON the weaker party inevitable know
ofno other means by which those collisions can be prevent
ed than rigid adherence the policy which has hereto
been successfully pursued Of setting apart portion
Of territory for the exclusive occupancy OF the Indians
difficulty occurs in the application of this policy to
Texas BY the of the compact admitting that State
into the Union she reserved to herself all the vacant ter
ritory within her limits 1t is understood that she
knowledges right of occupancy in the Indians within
her BORDERS but proceeds to lay of her territory into
counties, and fast it is needed to sell it, without
assigning any portion of it to them providing in any
other mode for their support Nothing could be more
calculated alarm and rtate the Indians and to pro-
duce collisions between them and the whites than the
adoption Of this policy I fact drives the Indians to
DESPERATION by leaving them alternative but TO steal or
starve also deprves the Government Of the United
States of that control them and Of the territory they
occupy which Is necessary for their preservation
well for the safety Of the white settlements in their
vicinity If the United States bound to
tba ant 0f
that State should do nothing to thwart but the
tury all in its power to promote, the fument of this
duty therefore respectfully suggest the expedency of
endeavoring to make arrangement with that State
whereby portion of her vast unoccuped domain may be
temporarily allotted the exclusive occupancy of the
| Indians within her borders
What policy, however, it may be deemed proper to
adopt in reference to the Indian tribes in Texas Cali
forna, and Oregon is question only of humanity of
temporary policy the period cannot be very remote
when they will be swept before the ressess tide of emf
grafton which continually flows towards these countries
The is different with regard to New Mexico That
Territory is and inaccessible and holds
such little nducement to emigration, that the struggle
between the two is destined in all probability to
continue there long after it shall have ceased in every
| other portion of the continent.
BY the last the total population of New Mexico
exclusive of wild Indians is Tin round numbers 81 900
souls and its whole real estate estimated at lin round
| numbers) So, 700, 900.
To protect this small population compelled to
maintain large military force at annual expense
nearly equal to half the value of the whole real estate of
the Territory Would it be better induce the nha
btants to abandon country which hardly fit for
the habitaon of civilized man, by remuneratng them for
their property in money lands situated in IA
vored regions Even if the Government paid for the
property quntupe its value it would STILL merely on the
score of economy be largely the gamer by the
ton and the troops stationed in New Mexico would
be available for the protection Of other portions of
own and Of the Mexican territory. Unless the l
have indicated other be adopted relieve the
Indians from the necessity of punderng procure the
means of subsistence their depredatons only
continue but increase This would require correspond
ing increase in the means Of protection In that view
concur in the recommendation of the Genera Chief
that an additional regiment of mounted men be autho
rized.
Allow to call your attention to the state of our de-
fences on the seacoast
Shortly after the termination of the last with Great
Britain Board of Engineers organized prepare
system of coast defence.
This Board recommended that Notifications be con-
structed number Of points the the
Norther lakes. Their recommendation adopted, aHd
its execution commenced first by repairing and
largng such Of the old works deemed worthy Of
preservation secondly by the construction of works.
beginning Of course with those that considered the
most important.
| Although doubts have been occasionally expressed
whether of the works proposed by the Board might
be dispensed with and whether others were not on
scale unnecessarily large the works recommended by il
slowly but steadily advanced, and until the year 1850
Congress never failed except single instance to pro-
vide the necessary for prosecuting them In the
last mentioned year appropriations for Notifications
made, but the House Of Representatives adopted
resolution directing the Secretary of War submit
their next session, report this subject That report
submitted, but action taken it. and APP
4 preparation made.
II believed that this omission caused by opin
ion which to prevail that the system adopted by
the Board Of 1876 if not originally extensive has be-
come in consequence of events that have since
red, and ought to be revised and restricted
In that opinion concur and in the report above
toned expressed the opinion that many Of the works
embraced IN the original plan might and ought to be dis
| pensed with
The subject undoubtedly worthy of all the considera
ton that Congress bestow upon it and il is to be
hoped that they will early period adopt some mode
OF revising the pan and making any changes in it which
the present circumstances Of the country may seem to
them to require.
In the mean time, however, there are a number Of
works which have been commenced and are in various
stages Of advancement hr the prosecution Of which
suspended for the want vi the necessary appropra-
tons. Most Of these works highly important beir
intended for the protection Of principal seapors and
naval stations viz Boston, New York PHILADELPHIA
Baltimore, Norfolk Charleston, Savannah Pensacola
Mobile and New Orleans other points OF scarcely less
| Importance.
Whatever difference Of opinion may exist as to the ex-
tent to which the system Of Notifications should be car
RED all must admit that expense should be spared to
render points like those above mentioned absolutely
prgnabe by any force that may reasonably be expected
| to be brought against them
hereto append statement Of these unfinished works
showing the required complete them respec
lively and the that could be advanageousy expend
ed each of them during the next seal year earnest
that Congress be urged to make the neces
sary appropriations with view 10 the completion IL not