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

ness tho operations OF hs department. and desire TO
do that which the condition Of the treasury required One
dismissed, and the reduction Of the expenditure Of the
Quarerasters department. Ia consequence of these dis
missals, will be 100000 year doubt whether any
administration for long has done any single ac
to reform abuses so productive Of good fruits as that
The senator from Virginia seemed TO think that il
very wrong to have troops IN New Mexico Texas and
California quarered about the towns. He thought that
some reform ought be effected in that particular The
surely could have read the of the
Secretary of War to Colonel Sumner in which he says:
War DGrARrmESr,
Washington, April l. 1851
LIST Dragons, ST Louis, Missouri;
SIN: You have been selected to take the command of
the ninth military department, and will repair early
as practicable.
" believed that material changes ought 10 be made in
that department, both with view efficient pro-
econ Of the country and to a diminuton Of expenses
You WI, therefore, Immediately on assuming the COM
mand, revise the whole system Of defence you will
Inc particularly whether the posts occupied by the
troops the most suitable and if not will make such
changes you may deem advisable
In the selection Of posts you will be governed mainly
by the following circumstances, sS.
!" LIST. The protection of New Mexico.
e2d. The defence Of the Mexican territory which we
3D. Economy, and facility in supporting the troops par
tcnlary in regard to forage fuel and adaptation Of
rounding country 10 cultivation.
"The department is induced believe that both econo-
my and efficiency of the service would be promoted by
moving the troops out of the where they are now
stationed, and staonng them more towards the frontier
and nearer the Indians.
From all the information that has reached the depart
men IL is induced to believe that permanent peace
exist with the Indians, and treaty will be regarded by
them until they have been made feel the power our
You will therefore, early practicable make an
expedition against the Navoes and also against the
Uahs and Apaches, and nct upon them chasse-
ment IL you should succeed in capturing any of them
you will retain them hostages for the faithful observance
OF any treaty that may be made with them.
In nd, .Gc.~
dams, you will act in concert with the Superintendent of
Indian Affairs in New Mexico whom you will allow 10 ac-
company you in the expeditions into the Indian territory
he should deem proper to do and to whom you will
afford every facility for the discharge Of his duties
Instructions will be given by the Department Of the In
terror to the superntendents and agents in all their
tons with the Indians to act IN consultation and concert
with the military authorities.
you will use every effort to reduce the enormous ex
pendiue of the army in New Mexico particularly the
and Subsistence departments YOU will scru
nize the administration of these departments and gidy
enforce all regulations having reference TO- economy Of
the service.
Ii is believed that the number of EMPLOYEES NAV be d.
minished without the service and that ma
era changes may be made in the ration whereby the
may DO reduced without interfering with the health
fort of the soldiers You authorized make all such
changes as you may deem advisable.
For the purpose of enabling you execute the General
Order No J. (current series) you will be supplied with
such seed agricultural Implements &C. you may require
carrying out these measures and such others your
own judgment may hereafter suggest you will exercise
nicaon between the commander and the department
more frequent and more rapid
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
&C. NJ CONRAD,
Secretary of War"
The criticism Of my friend from Virginia was made few
days ago. and the Secretary had anticipated him far back
as April 1851, Of which fact suppose the senator was
before apprzed 1t would be rather tiresome for me to
read the whole of these papers They are all yery instruct
ve and credtable think, the Secretary have read
enough to show the design Of the Secretary reduce e-
Here is another letter, dated April 30 1851 in relation to
the Communication of ratons which evidences very clearly
that the Sccretsrys vigilance wide awake. He saws
/ GENERAL oRDERs-No. 2s.
"WAs DEPARTMENT
ApJUrANr GESKRALi OsrIcE,
y. Washington, April 30, 1851.
"The attention Of al officers called to the provisions of
paragrap l03 subsistence regulations The commuaton
for ratons at sevenyve cents per day therein allowed
soldiers detached command &c. to be given ex-
cept where they temporarily detached from their
stations under such circumstances render il not merely
announcement but mPrscucsbe to carry provisions with
them. In other when may be to carry
the ratona in kind the soldier may receive his option the
price instead. The continuation will not be continued
during the time the soldier may remain any other military
post where he can draw ations in kind but only while he
is actually travelling. Orderes TO receive the COM
mutation Of sevenv-fve cents when at their stations
by order Of the Secretary Of War,
Assistant Adutant Genera.n
Then there the regulations of July o. 1851 which
give detail the instructions in regard to the dismissal
the civilians, clerks, mechanics laboers and guards who
had been employed in the military service which the Sece-
| tary presents, as far as he can, for the future;
GENERAL oRDERs-No a.
| "HEApauARrgRs OF THE ARMY
"ApJurAsr GEssRaLs OrricE
Washington, July 25 1851.
"The following order, received from the War Depart
published for the information and guidance OF the
army
| "WAR DEPARTMENT, July a. 1851.
"The attention Of the department recently been called
to the fact, that at many of the frontier stations civilians
are employed in various capacities, such clerks,
| chanics laborers, and even as guards.
Thc employment of Of these persons is unautho
lied by any law regulation and in instances the
duties performed by them might and ought be- performed
by the officers soldiers. The department ia persuaded
that those who have promptly encountered the dangers
Of the field will ehecrfuy perform any duties that may de-
volve on them while in garrison Hereafter therefore, the
employment Of civilians in any branch Of the service
for any purpose for which soldiers could be detailed with
manifest injury the service is strictly prohibited
"If necessity exists for the employment Of hired labor
the authority OF the commanding officer shall be requisite
therefor and he shall cause the proper staff officers report
HIN the circumstances which render the necessary
and shall transmit this report, with his remarks the de-
parm,ni and copy thereof to the commanding general
| Of the division.
&C. M. CONRAD,
| Secretary Of War
| "By command Of Major General scorri
| ar. JONES,
| "Adjutant GENERALLY
But cir the senator from Virginia seemed TO think that
hing might have been done and ought have been
DONE ommendcd by the Secretary in the way Of mil
nry colonization, and he talks about the military employ
meot Of tho Pueblo Indians. Well sir, he has been an
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