The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-14
LETTER or GEN. WOOL.

by his assignment 10 breve rank The last mails bring
sad intelligence OF Indian both nj the northern
and southern erremtes in the military department OF the
Pacific II the commander Of that department il 70 be
given up to local and civil duties al the harbor OF San
Francisco the country which feels deep interest IN the
protection Of iis citizens against such outIuges has right
require the Secretary OF War that time be lost in
turning the military command OF the department 10
officer who i neither embarrassed In the discharge OF
his duties by his civil employment, nor by Rn oyer-zea
Gus attention 10 his political prospects
These remarks less unjust than they are incorrect
and uneaed for by any act omission OF my own They
intended represent negeciing very import
part Of my duty commander Of the Pacific depart
ent the time playing the politician. So far from
being correct feel assured that when my whole conduct
is made known the editor viii discover that he has been
most grossly deceived ior be shown, have in no
respect whatever neglected any duty civil military
which required of in the Pacific department. aud
no in California will charge with an overzeaous
attention my political prospects, Such charge is no
less unjust than wholly at variance with truth On that
issue Notwithstanding the threat which has for
me- b. whomso-yer made contained in the article under
consideration, prepared go before the people in
whose honesty and integrity have perfect confidence
However much might aistrust individuals have no fear
when whole conduct is laid before them of the judg
ment OF the people shall have served however TO little
purpose if AT this time of life after devotng than
ortytwo years Of peace and 10 promote the honor
and interest Of my country, should be found wanting
quite certain IL will not be required by the people They
viii be slow favor accusations against myself any
who has devoted his life to the defence of their
honor welfare and prosperity.
Yon say "we have been careful TO abstain from in
dulging in anything like towards that
officer meaning myself II you had been kindly dis
posed towards me--and yon bad TO be 9TH
erwse--as your remarks would indicate it seems to
me, before you penned the article in question, or
the OF the 10th July, you would have called on
the Secretary OF War who could, and no doubt would
have informed you that had done all that
quired by him the President. He could have told
you that had through the efficiency my officers pre-
served peace and quiet between the white and red
throughout the Pacific department. that batteries by my
orders small expense had been erected for the de-
fence Of the city of San Francisco barracks at the Pre-
sido for two companies, intended to the batteries
when necessary; arsenal building Benioa for the
preservation of ordnance property, and post estab
lshed the TETON Pass For the condition of each post
the discipline OF the troops the efficiency Of the officers and
the tribes of Indians in California Oregon and
Washington would refer you TO the report Of Colonel
Mansfield inspector general II took him between FIVE and
six months TO visit the posts in the Pacific department
including Utah. No disturbance any Importance has
occurred within the department since assumed command
about ten months since In that time only white
and five Indians have been killed Some OF the latter as
reported, were killed, by abandoned white men, without
conferred with the superintendent of Indian affairs and
given them such aid in my power the same time
afordng them tho conntenance and support of the milf
tary. All my officers staff well of the line have acted
together haroniousy, efficiently and successfully What
would you the country require
In regard your alInson the ndian massacres both
the northern and southern extremes the department
Of the Pacific" would nhaa.~e, ti1ere
the south Some emgrants robbed of their cateno
however in the Pacific department What occurred took
place in the department of New Mexico commanded by
Brigadier General Garland the other took place
Fort Boise four five hundred miles of the most ad-
vanced post in Oregon You might with much proprie-
ty hold responsible for the at Fort Laramie
for what took place at either Of the places referred
Where there is predisposton find fault with officer
pretex for doing is wanting 1t me it
would have made difference whether had been sta
tionary raversng the vast regions Of the Pacific de-
partment something would have been discovered to call
down upon me the of the Union With my limit
ed force it would have been impossible TO do than
guard the partially settled parts of California Oregon and
Washington. To protect emgrants approaching either
from the requires cavalry least mounted force
With two full regiments of cavalry well mounted and left
my discretion, would guaranty the safety and protec
ton of all emigrant parties going the the other
accomplish which they would have to be stationed at
points which would require large expenditures of to
maintain them. The transportation of supplies would be
enormons--at least $4,000 month. have now but
about three half companies of cavalry with brokendown
horses To them with effective horses would re-
quire in this country very large of money Horses
of the proper size and condition could be had less
than four or Ave hundred dollars each II is due however
10 the officers the Indian frontier say that they have
rendered all the assistance in their power emigrans
tering the Pacific department and those the places
where the reported occurred prompt in re-
pairing TO them and seeking for those who had committed
the murders and robberies
Whilst have faithfully and successfully performed the
ordinary duties OF my military command have neg
ec'ed those of Special character which required me TO
maintain international obligations by preventing UNI
lawful expeditions against the territories foreign pow
ers TO detect the fitting out OF armed expeditions against
zeaousy TO cooperate with the civil authorities in main
tanning the neutrality lava and by the Presidents
proclamation ito arrest for trial and punishment all who
should violate those laws. Although made no arrests
nor neriered with the duties of the civil officers was
the OF the trial. and conviction of Col Wat
kins The arrest, trial and conviction Of the Mexican CON
sui the surrender of Walker and his party and the arrest
and trial OF the French consul who not convicted
the jury stood ten for conviction and two for acquitt
The result OF all which prevent the French consul
from sending to Sonora three thousand Frenchmen TO be
by Count de Raousse with the object to either
resolutionze the country take possession of il in
the name Of the French Emperor For preventing Mr. Dill
Ion and Count de Raousset from taking possession So
nora with three thousand Frenchmen YOU surely will moi