The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-12-11
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
WAR.

Ho"S' anu tbt measures necessary TO preserve
peace win the various tribes that skirt our ex
tended tontier. Nearly six eigh hlhs of the ar
my are employed in this service in Texas. New
Mexico, California and Oregon, and their eff
forts have been attended with considerable suc
cess. The Rio GraDde country is the onlv
portion OF Texas in which Indian depredationa
have been committed on un extensive scale
and even there the circumstances resulted from
the confusion produced by the attempts Of Chr
vaJal and his lawless followers TO revolution.
Ize Mexico. AS the only method Of prevent
ing collisions between the Indians and settlers
Of Texas. Mr.. Conrad urges the adoption of
an arrangement by which that State shall be
induced TO a!lOt land for the temporary though
exclusive occupancy OF the Indians within her
borders. In California and Oregon changes of
troops have been rendered necessary by the
frequency OF collisions, though more recently
one OF the boldest and most hostile tribes has
agreed to peace. In New Mexico the pres
ence OF troops has for some time checked the
depredatons that before prevailed. Breyet
MAJOR General Smith, Brevet Colonel Sumner
and Brevet Brigader General Hitchcock, are
named as entitled to much praise in connexion
with the service.
Notwithstanding the unusual activity Of the
troops during the season, the expenses of the
Quartermaster' Department exhibit a reduc-
ton OF S50l ,2s2, az compared with the previous
yCdis anu Iii ttlSi Oh Is an
ticipaed.
The probability that New Mexico will long
continue destitute of attraction to emigrants-
the Emallness Of its white popula,on-and the
immense outlay annually needed to keep the
Indians in check k, are circumstances which lead
ar. Conrad to suggest the desirabencss of in
ducing the white inhabitants to abandon it,
He calculates that if the Government paid for
their property at q1intuPie its value the
nnth CT !,
action. To meet immediate wants, en- addi-
ti0nal regiment of mounted men is recon-
mended.
Ga the subject of coast defences, Mr.. Con.
rad states that many works remain iticompla!e,
after the expenditure of large sums. Early al
preparations are necessary 10 prevent the loss
of amounts already expended, and 10 strength
en- points which, IN the event of war, would be
OF the highest importance. Other works ofOb-
vious necessity have not been commenced, as
at New Bedford eud San Francisco, which aie
nov deienCcless.
To apply the appropriations made last ses-
sion for hurbOr and river Improvements, the
science and practical skill OF the two corps of
engineers and typographical engineers have
been called into rPqusitou-the former ia
king charge Of the ks on the Atlantic and
the Cult Of Mexico, the latter of those on the
northern lakes and western rivers. The appro-
priations were made at a seas on too advanced
TO permit of much work being already done
but arrangements have been made for a vigo-
rous commencement oft perations in the spring.
A large MAJ ority of the works will require fur.
ther appropriations.
The report mentions the return of Captain
Sitgreayes and Captain Marcy, who have
been engaged, respectively, in the exploration
of the Zuni and Colorado rivers and the Rcd
river. 1t also notices complimentary the cen
dition of the Military Academy aud the Ma.
tional Armories at Springfield aud Iiarper's
Ferry.
Hlr Conrad repeats several recommends
tons contained in previous reports, for giving
greater efficiency to different branches of the
service; and in conclusion, endorses recon-
mendati0ns now made by the General-in- Chief.
One Of the latter is that the pension laws be
so amended as to place the widows and Or
phans of Off GERS of the army on an equal
footing W ith those OF naval officers.
Republic.
BILLY BowLEGs.-The following is an ex-
tract from private letter dated Fort Meade,
Florida, Nov Goth
"Billy Bowlegs has been al Fort Myers sew.
eral times since his return, but has net yet Wis
tied us. Those who are better acquainted with
him entertain doubts as to his intentions
about leaving Florida. He is reported to have
said that he was drunk from the time that he
left Florida until his return, and, conse quently,
that he is not bound TO fulfil any bargain he
made with the Great Father, at Washington
The people Of New York do not look upon Bill.
ly in the same light that the people of Florida
do. Bowlegs in New York, and Bowiegs in
Pitalka, are different individuals. In the for
mer place, the poor, drunken, treacherous, half
naked devil was lion-he was introduced to
ladies, loaded with presents, &c Here, he
was locked 10 his room, and il required the ut
most exerticns Of his keepers TO save him from
injury"
The DUEL IN s. C.-The editorial cores
pondent of the Charleston STANDARD, writing
from Columbia, states that he met in the cars
Capt. o. Nj. Dantzler, the member from ST.
Matthews, who was engaged last week in a
duel with DR.. keitt. Capt. ID. was amin
iured, and DR.. X. received only a slight flesh
wound under the shoulder blade-yet the lat
ter would haze lost his life if the ball had been
directed Inward an inch or two. The cores
pondent concludes with the following just re-
marks:
Apart from all religious scruples, we cannot
Weld our assent to the laws ofthe duel. There
in not principle If equality or fairness in it.
One man may pu; to hazsrd his fortune, friends
neither fortune, family, or friends. Nay, life
itsef roay be burden TO one, whilst the other
may be surrounded by all that can make life
desirable. Where is there any equality in
such casef But we will not pursue this
subject, the world will have lis follies; whether
wiling or not We are folced 10 give them their
swing. Some heavy sacrifice will one day
silence the tongue Of all It's offenders. We
Tfio;ce that such has Got been the fortune Of
this case.
MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH CoaPASIRs In
Soura CAKoLISA.--A bill has been inuoduc-
cd iuto the Soulh Carolina Legislature msk-
irg every Telegraph Company liable TO far
times The amount paid for iIGnsm ssi0n, as
well as special damages for any delay or neg
lee, in the transmission or delivery OF any
message or communication, or from neglect
and delay ia the depo3iting OF any message or
commune caiion wilhn the nearest post Clhce,
I 49, st,a