The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-14

campaign against the powerful Navajoes
with entire success. The Pa ties, about
Carson Valley, became so great nuisance
to the settlers during the summer that the
people took the matter into their own hands,
organized forces and completely routed the
Indians, the United States coming up just
in time to take part in the skirmishes and
share the honors of the victory. Since the
troops have been withdrawn from Washing.
ton Territory, the Snake Indians have
renewed their depredations upon SETTLERS
and emigrants, and the Secretary promises
that these savages shall be punished as they
deserve. From these briefreferences to the
Indian difficulties the Secretary draws the
inference that the superintendent of these
tribes should be restored to the War De-
partment, urging that it is impossible to
control them except by military power.
1t appears that tie quartermaster has
disbursed, through the agency of his officials,
$24,0O0000 during the official term of the
present secretary. He thinks it would be
difficult to secure more honest disburse.
ment or strict accountability on the part of
officials, than has attended the expenditures
made during the past four years.
In order to facilitate the passage of troops
from the Mississippi valley to the Pacific
coast, road has been constructed from
Folt Walla- Walla, on the Oregon river,
across the mountains, to Fort Benton, at
the head of the Missouri. Over this road
a detachment of 300 men marched from the
latter place, and reached Walla- Walla in
less than sixty days, in good condition.
The Secretary says that the passage of
troops by this route does much to keep the
Indians quiet.
A good steamer is needed at Puget
Sound, in order to protect the coast against
the depredations of Indians, who come down
in large canoes from the British and Rus
sian posse ssions.
The colonel of ordnance reports that the
experiments for the improvement of coast
defences, the casting of cannon, and the
manufa cture of cannon powder, favorable
to the endurance of heavy ordnance, have
resulted favorably. The superiority of riaed
cannon is declared and the growing of the
ordnance now in use recommended, as a
cheap and easy mode Of adapting them to
the use of JAMFs's expanding projectiles.
Arrangements have been ordered to be
made to effect this change with portion of
the smooth bored guns in use. In this
connection complaint is made of the statute
prohibiting the purchase of any arms or
military supplies whatever of a patented
invention, as the department is unable to
procure supply Of the proper projectiles
with which to experiment.
The report asks tor $4,000 for expert.
ments in rifed cannon and recommends
that the light troops should be armed with
breech-loading arms. The facts that it is
inhuman to send troops into the field inefec-
lively armed; that muzzle>loaded weapons,
sooner or later, will be entirely superseded.
and that even the cavalry will be armed
with carbines and revolvers, instead of
sabres, are adduced to support this recon-
mendation. While all the nations of Eur
rope are making every effort to supply
themselves with the most scientific and
effective weapons, it is certainly the worst
of policy to continue, with a misplaced
economy, to restrict our troops to the old
musket and horse pistol. Even the Indians
now provide themselves with better arms.
Great Importance is claimed for the ex-
plorations along the Rio Colorado of the
West, made during the last four years, to
which the establishment of a new, shorter
and better route between Great Salt Lake
and the Pacific settlements is credited as
also the development of the extensive region
north of the Platte river, showing the ex.
istence there of several practical wagon
routes, valuable in military point Of view.
In these explorations the general topography
and photography have been obtained, geo.
graphical positions determined, climate OBJ
served, and general geology ascertained.
In regard to West Point, the report states
that in consequence of the low standard of
proficiency required to enter the Academy,
the course has been extended from four to
five years. The Committee of Congress
appointed to investigate the propriety of
this change has not yet reported. West
Point suffers, in common with almost all the
leading educational institutions Of the country,
from the low standard required OF the appli-
cants for admittance, and the only question
about the matter seems to be whether the
standard proficiency should be raised or the
course extended.
No reference is made by the Secretary of
War to the present perilous condition of the
country, nor is any increase of the regular
army recommended.
Later from Hayti.
NEW YORK, Dec. IL.
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