The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-09
OFFICIAL DOCUMENT.
Report Of the Secretary Of War.
WAR DEPARTMENT.


The efforts of the Department have been princ-
pally directed to the defence of our frontiers and
those Of Mexico from the Indian tribes within
borders. For this purpose, out of about 4 900 Off
GERS and men borne the rolls of the army, about
5000 are employed in the defence Of Texas, New
Mexico, California, and Oregon, or Of esnigrants
destined to the two last.
It affords me great pleasure 10 say that the efforts
of the Department for this purpose have been at.
tended with more than usual success.
The benefits thGt were anticipated from the ia.
dicious arrangements made by the commanders of
the Sth and 9th military departments Texas and
New Mexico) have been fully realized. With the
exception of a portion of the Rio Grande country,
the former has been comparatively exempt from
Indian dePredetions. number OF persons OF des
perate character and fortunes were attracted TO
that frontier by the lawess attempts Of Carvajal,
and amer his defeat they dispersed through the
country, and resorted to plumber for subsistence.
% the other hand, many OF the inhabitants Of
Mexico either sought TO avenge themselves for the
wrongs inflicted on them by that adventurcr and
his followers, or found in his lawess proceedings
Qualification for their own, and retaliatsd on the
peaceable inhabitants,
The Indians in that vicinity awaited themselves
OF the Confusion and alarm consequent upon this
state Of things to renew their depredations Thes,
roEoeries, and even transformations were the conse
Vuence.
Although the prevention punishment OF disur
ders like these, when committed by others than
Indians, belongs rather to the civil authorities OF
the State than to the military force of the United
States, the commanding officer used every exer-
ton to put stop TO them, and for that purpose
dered several additional companies of troops to the
part vi the State where they had occurred Ii IL
partially, successful. So long. however, the
species of border warfare which has lately been
carried on in that region between the inhabitants
o.! the two countries continues, it will be difficult,
mt Mil ahar nF
With the strictest vigilance the part of their Off
GERS, prevent. on 80 extensive airontier repe'
q, ion Oi these disorders
In New Mexico the dcpredatono o! the Indians
have been entirely ed. The Nava jos and
the Apaches the two most rmidab bic tribes in all
that region, have been completely overawed, aud
manifest every. desire to be at peace with the
whites.
In consequence OF frequent collisions between
the Indians and the white inhabitants of Cafor
MIA and Oregon, 1t was deemed advisable to send
the 18th regiment OF infantry TO the Pacific, TO re-
place the mounted rihemen that had been ordered
thence to Texas.
Intelligence has been recently received that the
Yuma indiana, bold and hostile tribe, occupying
portion Of country the ella and Colorado
rivers, whose inroads and depredatons have been
the source OF frequent annoyance and alarm to the
inhabitants both Of our own territory and of the
Mexican State of Sonora, have agreed to peace.
The troops stationed on the frontier may justly
be considered in active service, a service, too,
in which they exposed to all the hardships and
dangers OF without it's excitement to 5timu
late its hopes Of honorable distinction to sustain
them.
Owing to the many officers who, from disability
or other causes are excused from duty, the cares
and responsibilities of command frequently de-
rove on n small number; and the establishment,
during the last season, of a number Of new posts,
has added very much TO the labors both of the Of
hcers and men; nevertheless, it affords me great
pleasure to bear testimony TO the cheerfuness and
aiacrity with which all have discharged their du-
ies. TO Brevet Major General Smith and Brevet
Colonel Sumner, in particular, much praise is due
The former, although in feeble health, has been
unreInitting in his exertions, and TO his energy
and judicious arrangements his department is
greatly indebted for the comparative tranquility
IL enjoys The latter has not only succeeded il
arresting the incursons OF the Indians within his
command, but has greatly reduced its expendi-
lures.
Brevet Brigadier General Hitchcock has also
displayed great energy and prudence, and done
all that II possible to do with q very Inadequate
force, and amid many difficulties and embarrass
menta, to protect his extensive command.
lregret TO cay that the attempt to cultivate farms
by the troops has, but in few instances, during the
past season, been attended with beneficial rcsults
This failure is owing in part TO the constant activ-
ity in which it has been found necessary to keep
the troops, and to the necessity of employing them
In the construction of barracks and in other works
at the many new posts that have recently been
established. Hopes are entertained, however, that
when a fair trial OF the experiment can be made,
u will at least at such of the posts favorably
In spite OF this failure, of the unusual activity OF
the troops during The past season, and of the fact
that go large portion Of them stationed the
remote frontier, have the iefacti to ann unce
that the expenditures have been considerably re-
duced, and this too in the Quartermaster' Depart
ment-that branch Of the service of which the ex-
pend;.ures arc most affected by these circumstan
COS. The expenses of that depar tment, asccraned
and estimated, Exclusive of clothing, the amount
Of which is fixed by permanent regulations,) con-
tinue 20 exhibit an annual decrease viz, for the
current year, compared with the last year, "A
of sol 1852, and for the next year, IS
compared with the current year, further Teduc-
ton Of s SEQ 900.
In spite, however, of every effort to reduce the
expenses OF the army, they must continue to be |
very great in proportion to it's numbers so long as
it is necessary to maintain large force in couh-
tries which supply SO little Of what is necessary
lts support boee in which the greater part OF il
Is now stationed beg leave therefore, TO repeat |
the suggestion contained in my last annual report |
hat sound policy, no les than humanity, requires
mat some other means than force ehould be tried
10 restrain the Indians and to prevent the trs quent
collisions that occur between them and the white
nhabitants in their neighborhooj. The " hole his
DRY oil our country shows that whenever the two
aces are brought frequently into contac, COLI.
siun5 (generaliy produced by aggTesEions OF the |
stronger on the weaker pariy) are inevitable. |
know OF no other means by which those collisions
AN be prevented than rigid adherence 10 the 20.
icy which has heretofore been successfully pur
ued, OF setting apart portion Of territory for he
exclusive occupancy Of the Indians.
difficulty occurs in the application Of this poll
cy TO Texas. By the terms OF the compact ad.
hitting that State into the Union she reserved to
lcrself all the vacant territory within her limits
Il Is understood at she acknowledges no right Of
occupancy in the Indians within her borders bat
proceeds to lay of her territory into counties and
ts fast il is needed, to sell it, without signiug
any poi tion Of 1t to them providing in any other
mode for their support Nothing could be more
alculatcd 10 alarm and rrtate the Indians and 10
produce collisions between them and the whites
han the adoption OF this policy. It, in fact, drives
he Indians to desperation, py leaving them no al
tentative but TO steal 10 1t also dcprives
be Government Of the United States of that con.
t'ol over them aud of the territory they cccupy
" hich Is necessary for their own preservati
as wch as for tho safety Of the white settlements
N their vicinity. II the United States are bound
10 protect Texas against the Indians, it ia manifest
hat the government of tina STATE should do nothing
o thwurt, but, on the contrary, all in tie power 70
promote the iufmeut Of this duty. ! therefore
suggest the cxpodiency OF cndcavor-
ng to make some arrangeme 1T with that State
whereby portion Of her vast unoccupied domain
nay be temporarily allotted to- the exclusive oc-
upancy OF the Ipoans within her borders
What policy, however, IL may be deemed pro.
cr 20 adopt in reference to the Indian tribcs in
'cxas, California, aud Oregon, is question only
{ humanity OF temporary policy, the period