Washington sentinel., 1853-12-14

would be required for the defence of the Pacific
coast. A railroad, such as has been contemplated
10 connect by the most eligible route the Missis.
sippi river with the Pacific coast would but par
italy remove the difficulties, II would serve 10
transport troops, and TO supply depots along the
route, and at the extremity Of the line, but there
would still be vast regions of the interior re-
mote from its depots materially TO feel its effects.
On the older continents, in regions reaching
from the torrid TO the frozen zones embracing
arid plains and preciptous mountains covered
with snow, camels are used with the best results
They are the means OF transportation and commu-
nication in the immense commercial intercourse
with central Asia. From the mountains of Cir
cassia TO the plains of India they have been used
for various military purposes TO transmit dispatches
to transmit supplies, TO draw ordnance, and as q
substitute for dragoon horses.
Napoleon, when in Egypt, used with marked
success the dromedary, feet variety of the same
animal, in subdning the Arabs, whose habits and
country were very similar TO those ofthe mounted
Indians Of our western plain. learn from what
is believed 10 be reliable authority, that France is
about again TO adopt the dronedary in Algeria for
a similar service TO that in which they were so
successfully used in Egypt e
For like military purposes, for express and for
reconnoisances il is believed the dromedary would
supply want now seriously felt in our service
and for transportation with troops rapidly moving
across the country, the Camel il is believed, would
diminish the value and efficiency of our troops on
the western frontier.
For these considerations it is respectfully sub
mitted that the necessary provision be made for
the introduction of sufficient number Of both
varieties of this animal 10 test its value and adap-
tation to our country and our service.
In connection with the means to be adopted to
overcome existing difficulties in the transportation
Of troops and army supplies, further invite your
attention to the condition Of Fort Yuma, at the
junction of the Gia and Colorado rivers. II is
now supplied from San Diego, by the overland
route AT enormous expense. Attempts have been
made to send supplies through the Gulf Of Calfor-
mia and the Colorado river but the latter by reason
OF the shoals at its mouth not being practicable for
sea-going vessels within considerable distance
Of our southern boundary, il becomes necessary at
some port within the limits of Mexico to tranship
on light draft boats haul the stores across the
Mexican frontier. The necessity of possessing
port for this purpose is too apparent under exist
ing circumstances to require or Justify explana-
tion.
The works of river and harbor Improvement
have made satisfactory progress during the past
season. under the direction OF the chiefs OF the two
corps ofengneers, to whose reports, herewith sub
mitted, refer for particular information with re-
gard 10 the several works These reports have
been made in more than usual detail, in order TO
embrace the information which the Senate, by a
resolution passed the Sd of March last, requested
this department TO have transmitted with the an
nual report
The appropriation for this work having been
made in August, 1852, the arrangements for exc
cutting large majority had been made before /
entered upon the duties of this department. In
determining upon the few plans that have been
submitted TO me, my view has been that such only
should be adopted as could be executed with the
existing appropriations. The general provision in
regard to these works is simple direction to ap-
ply certain sum TO a epeci6ed object, without
any ntmation or intention on The part Of Congress
10 make further appropriations, and deemed IT
to be improper TO expend those appropriations in
commencing works upon scale which the de-
partment has not means to complete, and which,
Ia great measure, must be lost unless Congress
make further appropriation for them. These views
however, were not held by the department. when
most Of the works authorized by the act of An-
gust, 1852, were planned, but the mode, extent,
and cost ofthe several Improvements seem TO have
been considered as matter of discretion, and the
plans adopted for their execution do not seem TO
have been governed in regard 10 cost by the amount
Of the appropriation, but would require for their
completion large additional grants, amounting in
some cases to almost tenfold the original appro-
priaiions. In some cases, corporations and asso-
Citations Of citizens would come forward with offers
of voluntary contributions in aid Of the appropri-
ations made by Congress; but as il was not
deemed competent for this department TO receive
money from such sources, by way of either loan
IL u
States, cities, corporations or individuals desiring
to aid any work, are permitted 10 construct por-
tions Of il under the direction of the officer in
charge, who superintends their operations, and
audits the accounts for work done, for payment
by the contributing parties, but does not receive
the money or assume any control whatever over
il. Such parties moreover, have been distinctly
informed that they were to have no claims what
ever upon the government for reimbursement Of
the expenditures thus made by them
In the prosecution Of these works of internal
improvement, the department has encountered
some of those difficulties which were 10 be ex-
pected from the indefinite nature Of its powers in
regard to them. In recent case, the right Of the
United States to pier erected for the improve
ment of harbor, was disputed by the riparian
proprietors The pier which had originally abut-
ted on their lands, caused an accretion which
followed its extension far into the lake. and these
parties who were entitled to the accretions,
claimed the pier also as attached thereto. The
United States having possessed no title TO the sub
merged soil or other jurisdiction than that claimed
by the general government over navgable waters.
the question involved the power to preserve the
work. In another case, the improvement of the
navigation of river entirely within the limits OF
State, and for which an appropriation had been
made by Congress, was found to have been al
ready undertaken by company under state
charter granted for that purpose. II happened IN
both cases, that circumstances existed winch rem
prietors wanting the pier only for wharf, were
content TO hold possession under the govern
ment, waving the question of title; and the navi-
cation company were willing that the appropriation
should be expended in furtherance Of the object
for which il was made, the plans Of operation for
tunately concurring, so that satisfactory terms
were agreed upon. II is manifest, however, that
cases might readily occur, and probably will oc-
cur, where the interests of the opposing party
cannot be brought into harmony, and do not feel
that the government is acting prudently in expend-
ing large sums upon objects which may be con-
verted to individual profit
Referring to the earlier action OF the govern
mcnt upon this subject we find in several statutes
prior to 1863 the cession of jurisdiction of par
ticular works Of harbor Improvement, and il APP
pears by the language Of the act of May Z, 1872,
10 Statutes, 699,) that such cessions were under
stood to be necessary in all cases, but the require
ment was thereafter discontinued, and the practice
of obtaining cession of jurisdiction ceased also.
Subsequently, in view Of tn. danger OF evic-
ton from public works, after the expenditure Of
large sums of public money upon them, joint
resolution, approved September 1, 1s4l, required
that no public money be expended upon any site
OF land thereafter purchased for amories arseuals
forts Notifications light
b<,,.s,e Or r,shsr nublic buildings whatever until th,