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


been qusrlered temporarily, with comparatively small
pense 10 the government; and IL the exercise Of
power, in establishing depot without authority Of
Congress- and the consequent enormous expenditure oil
money, with the acquescence OF the War Department
that the subject OF my amin Aversion. This report
OF MIR Sully shows, also, that the statement OF Major
Vinion upon which the senator relied much 10 justify
the location al Bencia that the objections existed
against other points in California be had been detailing
against Bencia is founded his ignorance OF other por
tons of the country Monterey aboanded in building ma
terals. and had plenty OF water Captain Orde, OF the
artillery, informed me- with the labor OF his soldiers he
built them comfortable quarters al Monterey.
The senator from Maryland quotes from my speech,
wherein assert that these extraordinary expenditures
were known TO the Secretary OF War, and not disap
proved by him." and then acquits the present Secretary
which was unnecessary, as had done the same; and
also Mr. Crawford for he says neither could have known
OF them from Major Aliens report. which made IN
June. 1851 This would leave the inference that had so
stated when, in fact referred 10 Major Aliens report OF
January 10. $780, and Major Vnion's Of 2sth March,
1850. which Mr. Crawford had seen. and consequently
did know of the expenditure and is Justly charged by me-
The senator, by referring 10 the wrong document leaves
false impression the minds OF senators, and further
on confesses H. when he ahrms that these expenditures
were made on General Smiths responsibility, and Mr.
Crawford was not fully informed OF them until the 10Th
OF May, 1850. Yet he had seen Vnons report OF The
29th March, 1850, detailing those expenditures, and read
IL and il is not pretended he censured General Smith for
his acts. But the senator acknowledges the returns OF
ls49 were received on the 10th May. 1850, showing
enormous OUTLAWS this depot on General Smiths au-
thorty; and why he not then censured The sena-
tors own testimony brings the knowledge OF these trans
actions TO Mr. Crawford without exhibiting any evidence
But why dlale on this subject when the senator him
self has brought forward testimony in the letter OF Mr.
Conrad (Which he read to the Senata) condemning IN
the most unequvocal form the omissions of duty the
part OF Secretary Crawford This letter is dated Febru
AIRY a. ls5ljust about the lime Congress was engaged
IN cutting down the appropriations Tor the War Depart
men-and in il ascertain the extraordinary TACT that
the Secretary OF War was until few days previous, IN
profound state of ignorance of the enormousexpend
lures at Benic!a And why Because as ne says, lhey
were in violation OF the Army Regulations OF s4l pages
$40 and OIL. Here is the acknowledgment that these
regulations had been violated during the administration
OF Secretary Crawford. not only without his censure but
with his sanction for cannot be denied that the report
OF Major Vnton. in March, 1850, in which these build
ngs described, submitted to the Secretary The
knowledge of these expenditures is thus brought home to
him, and that they made without his previous sane
ton, required by the Army Regulations; and the
officer who violated these regulations is neither censued
nor subjected TO court-martia. No candid man will
say that my statement stands impeached by the facts
ingenuity of the senator. | will read from these Army
Regulations to show how very stringent they are:
"No barracks, quarters. hospitals, shall BIO erected
the public expense but by order OF the Secretary OF War;
and according plans which he shall have approved and
officer, whatsoever may be his rank, shall make the
slightest alteration any plan of barracks quarters.
hos pi,a approved without the order OF the Secretary
of War; communicated through the Qnarternaster Gem
eral."
done at Benica, where hundreds of thousands of
public money have been expended in defiance of it, No
ingenuity OF argumen, shield from admin
istratlon which permitted its subordnates to set al def
the laws and regulations that govern the army and
thus caused the expenditure OF such vast sums OF the
public money unknown TO Congress or the country The
present Secretary makes great show OF economy and
wonderful Difference TO Congress But il is too late. He
locked the door after the horse soen he deers TO
Congress when there is no convenient "civ fund.- TO
sort to- and he has to face the stern reality OF law, and
show by estimates wha, the money appropriated 10
his department IS TO be applied Let him have full credit
for good intentions and economical propenses; but, at
the time, lei be borne In mind, II he has not the
will, have the power force him TO economical
administration OF his department., and we have shown by
cutting down his estimates that we intended TO do IT. The
military mania is not so great as was before he was APP
pointed TO the department omitted many other unau-
thorzed expenditures in my remarks the other day. to
some Of which win now refer
General Smith notified the Secretary OF War, on the
goth oil August ls4e as follows
81 have Captain Warns, opogra phical engineers
with to make accurate examination OF what
Sacramento lie is directed ASCERTAIN If this route
pecay the pass through the mountains, be practicable for
This expedition was originated for the purpose among
other things Of asceflanng the best route for rairodd
am in favor oil the object; but, nj the same tne when
Sort The sanction OF Congress should have been preyi.
ously given. What the result OF this order Ia the
FIRST instance Major Allen required TO TT out this
expedition, and al what labor and expense the following
extract from his report will show
Immediately on entering upon duty this post
ordered 10 provide transportation for an exploring expedi
ton TO the OF the Sierra Nevada mountains, under
the conduct OF the late Captain Warner, Typographical
engineers. The department at this time destitute OF
ali means OF inland 'portation animals were OF
hand no serviceable wagons no paoksaddles no SER
vieeabls harness. Obliged to send two hundred and
nifty miles into the interior obtain mules and TO purchase
everything else pertaining the fitting oi OF the com.
mand. Al the time the commanding general, with
escort OF dragons, made extended tour through
The m ming districts his transportation being furnished by
mo-"
Ths last was the escort furnished Mr. King to which
have heretofore referred)
Major Vlnlon says, page lil
Warmers expedition $4,000, and the loss OF that
most valuable officers life"
To this 900 shond be added, the expense OF that
portion OF The expedition OF Captain Lyons, before refer.
red TO, which went 10 Pitt river punish the Indians that
murdered Captain Warner The amount to be thus charg
ed Is but little II any, short Of $4,000 And in.
formed Captain Lyons could not find the Indians who
made the attack on Captain Warner, the remains OF
that gallant officer Thus, both expeditions TO Pitt river
or no benefit, although between $4,000 and SloO0 900
expended them. The senator from Maryland
IL ia most strange that General Smith received no
instructions from Secretary Marcy, and ntimaies that
must have had oral instructions and acted upon them
Sir, shall be slow 10 believe that sagacIous states.
man Governor Marcy gave oral instructions while
Secretary OF War; to the general in command OF the
imporlan military division the Union that would justify
him in spending vast OF money in originating
petition TO find pass through thsmountans to build rail.
road 10 establish depos build barracks, &c. in vio-
laton Of the regulations OF the army and without having
bad appropriation made by Congress for these objects
The senator imagnes these oral instructions, then
sumes that they really exist. and thus endeavors 10
eve the OF Governor Marcy OF the response
biry OF these transactions The device is ingenious,
but IN vain il has no basis TO stand upon, and must fail
10 command confidence and belief.