The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-06

prompt measures as far as his disposal will
borders OF California and Oregon where they mos
needed or the protection OF the inhabitants and Of emi.
have the honor be, very respectfully your obedisnt
servant, O. M. CONRAD
i Hon. WM NJ Gw1N.
4 United States Senate.
Sir. here is honest confession Of the inability of the
department to afford adequate protection under existing
laws. and the Secretary deserves credit for II and equal
credit IS dHe TO him for the suggestions made in his
nual report, from which will also read extracts
In the first place. would suggest that every facility and
encouragement should be afforded 10 the formation oi
local militia, In which new possessions like all the
Mexican States, very deficient As the first step TO,
wards the accomplishment Of this object would recon-
mend that the Executive be authorized TO distribute
among .ha @ iahaoanls fully persuaded : ,hai M The ad
ure ~ famiarizng the people with the nse Of arms in
formation ofmtia companies, would more than compen-
safe for the rtng expense that would attend IT, The very
tend TO ntimdae the Indians. The distribution should
Of be made with such pecauton as would prevent
the quantity OF arms 10 which new States and Ter
ories respectively entitled under the act OF 1893 is so
not participated n The issues heretofore made Il would
seem 20 be but Just that they should now receive more
than their distribuve share At all events they might be
permitted to receive their quota for several years in ad
vance AS the arms are ing idle in the depois no loss
VIII probably be never more needed than they are at
present
Elm the place, policy and humanity both require
that should employ other means OF putting stop
to these depredations than the terror ol arms We
should try the effect OF conciliaory measures There is
doubt that the Indians frequently impeled TO commit
depredadons by despair and hunger As the white popu
aou has advanced upon them, they have been compelled
to ecede before it, The lands that afford nourishmen TO
cattle and game are also the best adapted to cultivation
and consequently the first to tempt the sctter that the
Indians are compelled TO take refuge in arid plains and
mountains that afford little sustenance TO animal life, and
there the circle OF white population seems rapidly
closing around them
furnish for series Of years. food and other necessare TO
such Indians will abandon their predatory habits and
this department, leads the belief that these tribes
far less numerous than they are generally supposed be
and have doubt Caying aside considerations oil hu-
fight them"
will not deain the Senate longer in giving the
sons that have induced bring forward this bill 1t
is in pa based upon the report of the Secretary of War;
and from my personal observations OF the wants OF
the people of my State. We must be protected by this
within limits. Already have an Indian war debt
of nearly million dollars, for which people will be
taxed unless Congress make provision for lis payment
and, if to Judge from the past we cannot ancl-
pate immediate relief We have in our State the picked
men of the naon and they only wish the government to
call Tor their services and pay for the to be ready at
moments warning to march 10 the utmost extent OF our
limits protect its citizens from Indian depredaons.
Give arms and pay for our services when you
need them, and we will protect ourselves from foreign
or domestic iOe
do not wish TO be understood proposing TO dispense
with the services of the army coast nor to ad
vance the opinion that we do not ask Tor the most ample
preparations against the approach OF foreign enemy tor
which we should have extensive system OF forthca-
tons and naval defence We need the army to man our
forts and to form the nucleus around which the force
this bill proposes to call into the field could rally when
an emergency required their services. Without going
into the subject further at present. propose that the bill
be printed and read first and second time, and referred
TO the Committee Military Affairs. The provisions o
the bill as follow:
bill provide for the better protection of the people Of
i California and Oregon.
Be enacted By the Senate and House of Representatives
Of the United States of Aniyiea in Congress assembled
That whenever the State of California the Territory OF
Oregon shall be invaded, be in imminent danger OF in
vason by any foreign nation, when hostiues shall be
cent TO said State Territory shall be lawful for the com
mandins general officer In command oil the United states
upon the governors of said State and Territory either
OF them for volunteers to call forth such number Of the
litie Who shall serve for time specified by the com
term Of service does not exceed - months
SIC Be 1t further enacted That said volunteers or mi
ia shall be commanded by officers elected appointed,
or to be elected appointed the prescribed by
the law of the State Territory in which they reside, and
Iepmen and when so received and the
vice Of the United States shall be armed al the expense Of
the United States and shall be subject to the rules and ar
Sec 3 Ind BE- il further enacted That said volunteers OF
militia during the time they may be in service shall
ccve the raons OF the army OF the United States
law Tor the pay the officers and soldiers respectively, OF
the United States army on the Pacific coast
SEC. 4nd be IL further enacted That the volunteers OF
militia who may be received into service the United
states by virtue OF the provisions Of this act and who shall
be wounded otherwise disabled in the service shall be
entitled all the benefits which may be conferred on
wounded persons belonging to the army OF the United
States.
SEC g. 4nd be- IL further enacted, That the Secretary o
War required place at the disposal OF the governors o
ailorna and Oregon fifty thousand stand OF arms 70 be
raeably the citizens oil said State and Terri
tory under such restrictions as to insure their saekeepg
and return when required.
SIC 8 And be 1t nrther enacted, That the Secretary o
War shall place the disposal of the governors oil said
State and Territory such number Of mountain howzes as
be deemed sufficient meet the cxlRences OF
public service in the Of Indian war; Also held
battery or field batteries of light artillery OF the usual
com position also park OF flying artillery in the event Of
a foreign war - e. :
War forthwith be established the Pacific coast
such point points be deemed most advisable
and magazine well supplied with powder sno
and Shells for the OF the military In the event LOT
egn or Indian sso place in depot in the neighbo
hood of Diego and San Francisco, one hundred sea
coast Of suitable calibos defend the entrance 10
those harbors those guns be mounted IN open batteries
should the emergency OF foreign war arise before pena
SEo s. dnd be IL further enacted, That any person who
shall be convicted of dsposing OF OF the public arms OF
ammunition herein provided for the public service oil he
Aforesaid State and Territory, TO any indian or indian oo
aball be subject penalty of - doiars ana inptisoh
ment for period Of not less than six nor moro than -
months
The bill was read twice. and referred to the COMMITTEE
on Military Affairs.
CHARGE p'ArFAIREs TO SWITZERLAND.
The Senate resumed the consideration OF the following
resolution. submitted by Mr.. BRoDHEAD on the Sd IN.
slant:
Resetpsd, That the Committee Foreign Relations be
requested inquire into the expodency oil making pro
vision by law for the outfit and salary OF charge
Il ~. .q.t,a Suit and