Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1877-12-07

nee. i recommend that HullADAe pfONlllou
be made TO enable the people TO easily
convert their savings into Government Sc
cuTities as the best mode In which small
savings may be we'll secured, aud a mod
crate Interest obtained.
AMERICAN SHIPPING INTERESTS.
The commerce OF the United States with
foreign nations, and especially the export
Of domestic productions, has Of late years
largely increased, bat the greater part OF
this trade is conducted 10 foreign vessels.
The importance Of enlarging our foreign
trade, and especially by u speedy inter-
change with countries on this Continent,
cannot be oven estimated. and Il is q mat
ter OF great moment that our own shipping
interests should receive, to the utmost
practical extent, the benefit Of our CON-
merce with other lands. These consldera-
lions are (orcibly urged by all large COM
merciRl cities OF the United States, and
publ C attention 10 attracted to the solu-
tlon OF problems they present. II 10 not
doubted that Congress will take them up
In the broadest spirit Of liberty, and re-
spOnd TO the public demand by practical
legislation upon this important subject.
THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR
shows that the army has been actively en-
ployed during the year, and has rendered
very important service In suppressing
hostillties In the Indian country, and pre-
serving peace and protecting life and
property In the Intel Tor, as well as along
the Mexican border. A long and arduous
campaign has been proSealt d with fnal
complete success against a portion OF the
M PeTces tribe OF Indians. A iu'l ac-
count OF this campaign will be found 10
the report Of the General OF the Army.
the very serious riots Which occurred
10 several Of the states, In Ju,y last, rem
dered necessary the employment Of a con-
siderable portion Of the army TO preserve
the peace and maintain order in the states
Of West irgiLia, Maryland, Tennsylvg-
mia. and Illinois These disturbances
were so fgrmilab e as to defy the local and
State authorities, and the National Execu-
tive was called on in tbs mode provided
by the Consiitut. on q d laws, to furnish
military aid. | am gratiied to be able TO
state that the troops sent in response TO
these calls for aid In the suppression OF
violence, were able, by the influence
Of their presence In the disturbed
regions, to preserve the peace
and restore order without the use Of force.
In the discharge Of this delicate and i'm.
pOrta ut duty, both officers and men acted
with great prudence n courage, and for
their services deserve the thanks Of the
country,
DISTURBANCES ALONG The RIO GRANDE,
In Texas, TO which / have already refer
red, have rendered necessary the constant
employment ola military force in that vi
cinity. A full report oil recent military
operations in that quarter has been trans
mitted ~ the House VI representatives In
answer 10 q resolution, and II viii
therefore be unnecessary 10 enter into dc
tails. regret TO say that these lRwles
lncursi0ns into our territory BY armd
bands from the Mexican side OF the lie.
for the purpose OF robbery, have beei0i
frequent occurrence, and 10 spite oithe
most Vlgilant efforts Of the commando OF
our forces, the marauders have geneally
succeeded 10 escaping into Mexico with
their plumber, In May last, | gave Gders
Tor the exercise Of the utmost vigilaice on
the part Of our troops for the Suppression
OF these raids aud the punthment
Of the guilty parties as well as
the %recapture Of property stolen
by them. Gen. Ord, commanding IL Texas,
was directed 10 Invite the cooperation O.
the Mexican authorities TO this end, anu
TO assure them that ! was anxious to a'0lu
giving the least OTense to Mexico. Attne
same time he was directed to give notice
or my deter minati0n to put an eau 20 tne
Invasion OF our territory by lav'ess oands
intent on the plumber OF our l59ceIul cItI-
Zans, even II the efectual pihlshment OF
the outlaws should make to crossing oil
tho border by our troOpsln lhelr pun
SUIT necessary. 1t 10 0elleVed lha'
this policy has had inc ehect 10
check somewhat these dpreuatlons' ana
that with a considerable increase OF our
force on that frontier anu the establish
ment OF several additional military posts
along the Rio Grandrso as more etieclual-
ly TO guard that extensive border, peace
may be preserved, ind the lives and prop.
er,y Of our cililcs in Texas July pro.
tccted.
STRENGTH or III ARMY.
Prior to Ihp irst day Of July last, the
army was in .ccordance with law, reduced
l. inc ma Of 5000, being u reduc.
ton of W. thousand live hundred
below tbi force previously authorized.
This reelection was made as required by
law, cpircly from the infantry and arti'-
lery bAnches CT the service, without any
reduction Ofthe cavalry. Under the law,
as i'nOw stands, II Is necessary tAat the
ca AIRY regiments DO recruited to one hun
dad men IN each company for service on
tTe Mexican and Indian frontiers. The
EsceBsary eject Of this Legislation 10 to re-
ducc the infantry aud artillery aims
OF the service below the mum
Der required fr lis efficiency, and
| concur with the secretary OF War In
recon ending tina. authority be given 10
recruit all c0mpatiu5 81 l~nf4ntry 10 az
least MY mt n, ana all bAtlerlJS OF Artll-
lery 10 AZ least seventy hve men, with the
power In case Of em0rke ncy 10 increase
The former u one hundred, and the latter
TO cue hundred and twenty-five men each.
invite your special attention to III fol.
lowing
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THR sEcRRrARY oF
WAR:
lsi That provision be made for supply
ing TO the Arm y q more abundant supply
Of reading matter. 81. That early action be
taken by Congress looking 70 u complete
revision and republication Of the Army
Regulations. ID. That section 1908 OF the
Revised Statutes limiting the number Of
iii 'ers IN the retired list, he repealed.
4th. That the claims arising under the Act
u, JAY /, 1854, for supplies taken by the
Army during the war he taken from the
Offices ui the QAartcrmaster and Connie
sary Generals aud trans fcrrcd to the
Southern Claims Commission, or some
other tribunal having more time and bet
ter facilities for their prompt .Tcsiiga-
ton aud decision than are possessed by
tlesc officers. 9TH. That Congress provide
Tor an annuity fund i0r the families Of de.
ceased soldiers as recommended by the
Paymaster.General Of the Army,
THE REPORT or THE SECRETARY oF THE
NAVY
shows tina. We have six squadrons now
engaged in the protection Of our foreign COM
mercn, and other duties pertaining 70 tho