Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-01-20

where published, 10000, 600.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY
OF WAR.
MIR. Conrad, in his review or the op-
erations of the War Department during
the past year, devotes considerable space
to our Indian relations, and the meas
ures necessary to preserve peace with
the various tribes that skirt our extended
frontier. Nearly six-eighls of the army
are employed in this service in Texas,
New Mexico, California aud Oregon,
and their efforts have been attended with
considerable success. The Rio Grande
country is the only portion of Texas in
which Indian depreda,ions have been
committed on an extensive scale, and
even there the circumstance resulted from
the confusion produced by the attempts
Of Caravaja al and his lawless followers
to revolutionize Mexico. As the only
method of preventing collisions between
The Indians and settlers of Texas, Mr..
Conrad urges the adoption of an ar
rangement by which that State shall be
induced to allot land Tor the temporary
though exclusive occupancy of the In
dians within their borders. In Califor-
MIA and Oregon changes of troops have
been rendered necessary by the lrequen-
cy Of collisions, though more recently
one of the boldest and most hostile tribes
has agreed TO peace. In New Mexico
the presence Of troops has for time
checked the depreda,ions that before
prevailed. Brevet Major Gen. Smith,
Brevet Col. Sumner, and Brevet Briga
dier General Hitchcock are named as
entitled 10 much praise in connection
with the service.
Notwithstanding the unusual activity
of the troops during the season, the ex-
penses of the Quartermaster's Depart.
ment exhibit reduction of $50l,252, as
compared with the previous year, and a
further reduction Of S500,00o is an.ici,
pated.
The probability that New Mexico
will long continue destitute of attraction
TO emgrants-the smallness of its white
population--and the immense outlay an.
nually needed TO keep the Indians in
check, are circumstances which lead Mr..
Conrad to suggest the desirableness oil
inducing the white inhabitants to aban
don it. He calculates that if the Gov
ernment paid for their property at quin-
tuple its value, the country would still
economise by the transaction. To meet
immediate wants, an additional regiment
Of mounted men is recommended.
On the subject OF coast defence, Mr..
Conrad states that many works remain
incomplete. after the expenditures oI
large sums. Early appropriations are
necessary to preven. 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 moi
been commenced, as at New Bedford
and San Francisco, which are now de.
| fenceless.
TO apply the appropriations made last
session for harbor and river improvement
the science and practical skill OF the two
corps of engineers and typographical en-
gineers have been called into requisilion
The former taking charge of the works
on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, the
latter of those on the northern lakes and
western rivers. The appropriations
were made at a season too advanced to
permit of much work being already
done, but arrangements have been made
for vigorous commencement of opera.
tions in the spring. A large majority Of
the works will require further appropri-
atoms.
The report mentions the return oI
Capt. Sitgreaves and Capt. Marcy, who
have been engaged, respectively, in the
exploration of the Zuni and Colorado
rivers and the Red river. Ii also mott.
ces complimentary the condition of the
Military Academy and the National Ar
mories at Springfield and Harper's Ferry.
Mr.. Conrad repeats several recon.
mendations contained in previous reports
for giving greater efficiency to differen,
branches OF the service; and in conclu.
| sion endorses recommendations now
made bv the General in Chief. Que oi
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 footing with those of naval ofli-
GERS.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY
+ OF THE NAVY.