Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-12-18


der region the nroads of the Indians have been eecu
ally restrained
Experience, has shown, however that whenever the
two races are brought into contact collisions will in
evitably To prevent these collisions the Uni
ted States have generally set apart portions of their
territory for the exclusive occupation of the Indian
tribes. difficulty occurs however, in the application
of this policy to Texas. By the terms of the compact
by which that State admitted into the Union, she
retained the ownership of all the vacant lands within
her limits. The governments of that State, it is
derstood, has assigned portion of her territory to
the Indians but fast as her settlements advance
lays it off into counties, and proceeds to survey and
sell it. This policy manfestly tends, not only to
alarm and irritae the Indians but to compel them to
resort to plumber for subsistence 1t also deprves this
Government of that influence and control them
without which no durable peace can ever exist be-
tween them and the whites. trust, therefore, that
due regard for her interests apart from consdera-
tons of humanity and justice, will induce this State to
assign small portion of her vast domain for the pro-
vlsional occupancy of the small remnants of tribes
within her borders subject of her ownership
and eventual jurisdiction. If she should fail to do this
the tulhment OF our treaty stpulations with Mexico
and our duty to the Indians themselves WILL is fear
ed, become subject of serious embarrassment to the
Government 1t is hoped, however, that timely and
just provision by Texas may avert this evil
No appropriations for Notifications were made at
the two last sessions of Congress The cause of this
omission is probably to be found in growing belief
D.
heretofore acted on, requires revision.
The subject certainly deserves full and careful in
vestigation but it should not be delayed longer than
can be avoided. In the meantime there certain
works which have been commenced-some of them
nearly completed-designed to protect principal
seaports from Boston to New Orleans, and few other
important points In regard to the necessity for these
works, it is believed that little difference of opinion
exists among military men. therefore recommend
that the appropriations necessary to prosecute them be
made.
invite your attention to the remarks on this sub
ject, and others connected with his Department,
contained in the accompanying report of the SeCreta-
ry of War.
Measures have been taken to carry into effect the
law of the last session making provision for the i'm
provement of certain rivers and harbors, and it is be-
leved that the arrangements made for that purpose
will combine efficiency with economy Owing chiefly
to the advanced when the act was passed. little
has yet been done in regard to many of the works be-
You'd making the necessary preparations. With re-
spect to few of the improvements, the sums already
appropriated will suffice to complete Them but most of
them will require additional appropriations. turst
that these appropriations will be made and that this
wise and benefcent policy, auspiciously resumed,
will be continued Great care should be taken, how
ever, to commence work which is not of sufficient
Importance to the commerce of the country to be view
ed as national in its character. But works which
have been commenced should not be discontinued I'M
til completed otherwise the sums expended WILL in
most cases, be lost.
The report from the Navy Department will inform
you of the prosperous condition of the branch of the
public service committed to its charge 1t presents
your consideration many topics and suggestions of
which ask your approval 1t exhibits unusual de-
gree of activity in the operations of the Department
during the past year. The preparations for the Japan
expedition, to which have already alluded the ar
rangements made for the exploration and survey of
China Seas, the Northern Pacific. and Behring's
Straits the ncipent measures taken towards recon-
| -lzcT
ria the preparation for early examination of the
tributaries of the River La Plata, which recent de-
of the provisional chief the Argentine Confeder
alton has opened to navigation all these enterprises
and the means by which they proposed to be &C
complished, have commanded my full appreciation
and have doubt will be productive of the most
useful results.
Two officers of the navy heretofore instructed
to explore the whole extent of the Amazon river from
the confines of Peru to its mouth The return of one
ofhem has placed in the possession of the Government
interesting and valuable account of the character
and resources of country Astounding in the materials
of commerce, and which, if opened to the industry Of
the world, will prove ineXhaustable fund of wealth
The report othis exploration will be communicated
you as soon as it is completed
Among other subjects offered to your notice by the
Secretary of the Navy select for special commenda-
ton, in view gifts connection with the interests of the
navy, the plan submitted by him for the establishment
of permanent corps of seamen and the suggestions
Academy.
In reference to the first ofthese, take occasion tC
say that Think will greatly improve the efficiency
of the service, and that regard it still en-
titled to favor for the sautary influence it must exert
upon the naval discipline, greatly disturbed by the
increasing spirit of INSTRUMENTATION, resulting from
present system. The plan proposed for the organza
ton of the seamen furnishes judcious substitute TO
the law of September 1850, aboishing corporea pun
shment, and satisfactorily sustans the policy OF tina
act, under conditions well adapted to maintain the
thority of command and the order and security of GU
ships. 1t is believed that any change which propose
permanently to dispense with this mode of punish
ment, should be preceded by system of enlistment
which shall supply the navy with seamen of the mos
mertorous class, whose good department and pride
character may preclude all occasion for resort to pen
alties of harsh and degrading nature. The safety
ship and her is often dependant upon immediat
obedience to a command and the authority to enforc
it must be equally ready. The arrest of refractor
seaman in such moments, not only deprVes the ship
Indispensable aid, but imposes necessity for doubl
service others whose fidelity to their duties may b.
relied upon in such an emergency. The exposure t
this increased and arduous labor, since the passage
the act of 1885, has already had to most observabl
and injurious extent the effect of preventing the en-
listment of the best seamen in the navy. The pla
now suggested is designed to promote a condition c
service in which this objection will no longer exist
The details of this plan may be established in grea
part if not altogether by the Executive, under the al
thorty of existing laws but have thought it proper
in accordance with the suggestion of the Secretary
the Navy, to submit it to your approval.
The establishment of a corps of apprentices for til
: navy, or boys to be enlisted until they become c
age and to be employed under suchreguations as t
Navy Department may devise, as proposed in the n
port, cordially approve and commend to your col