The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-09
THE REPU BLIC (.
WASHIN GTON:
THURSDAY MORNING. DECEMBER ., 1852
Congress.


In the Senate yesterday the subject of the
contested election of Senator from Kentucky
was postponed till Monday next.
In the House of Representatives bill was
passed appropriating twenty thousand dollars
to defray the expenses of the messengers of the
several States in bringing to this city the votes
Of the electoral colleges for President and Vice
President of the United States. Mr.. ScUDDER
announced the death of his colleague, the Hon.
ORIN FOWLER, of Massachusetts. and an ad-
tournament Immediately took place as mark of
respect to the memory Of the deceased.
Report or tho Secretary OF War.
Mr.. CONRAD, in his review Of the operations
| of the War Department during the past year,
devotes considerable space to our Indian Iela-
tons, and the measures necessary to preserve
peace with the various tribes that skirt our ex-
tended frontier. Nearly six-eighths of the
army are employed in this service in Texas,
New Mexico, California. and Oregon, and
their efforts have been attended with consid
cradle success. The Rio Grande country is
the only portion of Texas in which Indian dep
rotations have been committed on an extensive
scale, and even there the circumstance resulted
from the confusion produced by the attempts of
Carvajal and his lawless followers to revou-
tonize Mexico. As the only method of pre-
venting collisions between the Indians and set
tiers of Texas, Mr.. CONRAD urges the adop-
ton of an arrangement by which that State shall
be induced to allot land for the temporary
though exclusive occupancy of the Indians
within her borders. In California and Oregon
changes Of troops have been rendered neces-
sary by the frequency of collisions, though
more recently one of the boldest and most hos
tile tribes has agreed to a peace. In New
Mexico the presence Of troops has for a time
checked the depredations that before prevailed.
Brevet Major General SMITH, Brevet Colonel
SUMNER, and Brevet Brigadier General HIrcH-
COCK are named as entitled to much praise in
connection with the service.
Notwithstanding the unusual activity of the
troops during the season, the expenses of the
Quartermaster's Department exhibit reduc-
ton of $50l ,252, as compared with the previous
year, and a further reduction of 100000 is
anticipated. ...-...-...
The probability that New Mexico will long
continue destitute of attraction to emigranis-
the smallness of its white population--,and the
immense outlay annually needed to keep the
Indians in check, are circumstances which lead
MIR. CONRAD to suggest the desirableness of
inducing the white inhabitants to abandon it.
He calculates that if the Government paid for
their property at quintupe its value, the coun-
try would still economist by the transaction.
To meet immediate wants, an additional regi-
ment of mounted men is recommended.
On the subject Of coast defences, Mr. Con-
RAD states that many works remain incomplete,
after the expenditure of large sums. Early
appropriations are necessary to prevent the
loss of amounts already expended, and to
strengthen points which in the event of war
would be of the highest importance. Other
works of obvious necessity have not been COM
menced, as at New Bedford and San Francisco,
which are now defenceless. h....'.
Toapply the appropriations made last ses-
sion for harbor and river Improvements, the
science and practical skill of the two corps of
engineers and typographical engineers have
been called into requisition IT the former
taking charge of the works on the Atlantic
and the Gulf of Mexico, the latter Of those
on the northern lakes and western rivers
The appropriations were made at season too
advanced to permit of much work being already
done, but arrangements have been made for
vigorous commencement of operations in the
spring. A large majority of the works will
require further appropriations.
The report mentions the return of Captain
SIrGREAvEs and Captain MARCY, who have
been engaged, respectively, in the exploration
of the Zuni and Colorado rivers and the Red
river. 1t also notices complimentary the con-
dition of the Military Academy and the Ma
tional Armories at Springfield and Harper's
Ferry. ~.... ....
Mr.. CONRAD repeats several recommends
tions contained in previous reports, for giving
greater efficiency to different branches Of the
service; and in conclusion endorses recommends
tions 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 officers of the army on an equal foot
ing with those of naval officers.
Land Office Report.
The report of the Commissioner of the Cen
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