Indiana Palladium, Volume 7, Number 4, Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, 29 January 1831 — Page 1

DEVOTED TO NEWS, POLITICS, INDUSTRY, MORALITY, LITERATURE, AND AMUSEMENT. LAWRENCEBURGH, (INDIANA;) SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, Volume Vll.j 103L Nuniber 4.

to

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR

War Department.) December 1, 1330. To the President of the United States : Sir: I have the honor to make known to you the operations of this Depart ment during the present year, and lo offer such suggestions as appear to me necessary to be presented, lhe Ar my, at the different positions it has oc cupied along our western and southern frontiers, nag been engaged in preserv ingquiet in those quarters,and has lul y succeeded. Fears were entertained ofaseriou3 rupture with some of our northwestern tribes of Indians; but the presence of a military force, and the exercise of a proper discretion on the part of those to whom the trust oi re conciline them was confided, has had the effect to prevent it, and peace has been the consequence, bimilarappre hensions have recently been entertained of the Indians who reside on our Southwestern boundary, and precau tionary steps have been taken to pre vent any acts of hostility. The vigil ance, intelligence, and discretion of our officers induce a beiiel that, by their exertions, these distant tribes can be retained at peace with each other. Occasional interruptions have arisen from marauding parties, who range through the forest, and, at points dis tant from our posts, commit depreda tions: these acts, in turn produce re taliation. It is important to prohibit these aggressions, if possible though no other plan can be suggested than what has already heretofore, been pre sented, viz: an authority to employ a detachment of mounted troops. These, ranging through the country at irregular periods, would do much more towards preserving peace with our Indi an tribes, and quiet along our borders, than could be eflected through any augmentation of our posts. I regret to say that desertions from the Army are not of less frequent occurrence than heretofore. The number, for the present year, will exceed one thousand. Various efforts have been made, and many theories suggested, to arrest an evil so injurious to the operations and character of an Army. None have succeeded! The benevolent intention of the act of Congress of last winter, which took from the offence the penalty of death and in obedience to the spirit of which, all past offences of the kind were by you directed to be forgiven, has had no restraining, no salutary effect. 1 am not an advocate for the severity of penalties The bope of reward, more frequently than the fear of punishment, operates beneficially upon mankind. A resort to both might be serviceable While penfilties corresponding to the nature of the oflence, might be imposed upon delinquents, the faithful and good soldier should be cheered by the expectation of reward. To this end) an authority to make some reasonable compensation to those who obtain an honorable discharge should be granted. In conformity to tbi3 opinion, I would take occasion to suggest, that, while some adequate penalty be imposed for so gross n violation of duty as that of abandoning a service voluntarily assumed, it may also be provided that the 6oldier who serves faithfully, and is honorably discharged, shall receive, at the termination of hi3 enlistment, one hundred and twenty dollars. Let him receive, instead of his present pay, four dollars per month, retaining the residue, payable at the end of service. The difference in expense thus created to the Government, for the five years of enlistment, would be but sixty dollars; which increase, it is hoped and believed, will be more than compensated for by saving in lhe expenses which are incurred, under the present system of restraining desertion. The amount retained 6houId be forfeited, if, at any time, the soldier desert the service. It might operate as a strong incentive to good conduct, and would serve as a fund at the close of his engagement, by Hvhich to establish him in some advantageous pursuit. By the present mode, he retires from the Army dependent and poor a9 be entered; and often, instead of returning for a time to his family, enters the Army contrary to his inclination, induced only by his poverty and wants. Dissatisfaction takes place, and desertion follows. Repeated efforts have been made to arrest this growing evil; and they ihould be continued, so long as there is a bope of a remedy. The loss to the service is not so material. The great lear is, that, in peace, the practice may

become so frequent and familiar, as in has been considered impracticable, war lo lose that odium which should This subject well merits that altenattach to so aggravated an offence. tion of the Government. These rivers Recently , by an order from the War Pa through an immense and fertile reDepartment, the whiskey part of the gn of our country, the products of ration has been taken anay, with a which contribute essentially to adview to ascertain how far n theory fre- vance our commercial interest. An quently introduced might be practical inconsiderable expenditure from the ly productive of benefit. Time has not PubIic Treasury will have the effect to been afforded to tett the experiment; give security to a commerce which at but little confidence is reposed in the at- present is carried on at much hazard , tempt. If the plan suggested of giving and bJ diminishing the insurance now enlarged compensation to the non-com- required, and preventing losses, speedimissioned ofiicers which every loldier 7 reimburse to the community the cost may aspire to be shall fail to produce wh,ch has been incurred, and the exremedv. 1 know not what other can Pcne hlch ay he required. At

be attempted with any reasonable pro

pect of success. In peace, the soldier maiiuy aiong mese rivers, ana me exis not stimulated by that buoyancy, Port trade almost entirely. Usually which in war induces him to aspire to (oT si months in the year, one of these j L ""VI r i

promotion through gallantry and good line umoj ceases io ne useiui, because conduct. To be a non-commissioned of the numerous obstructions, and conofficer, is all that he can hope for or sequent hazards, which are presenled expect. To place this class of officers al lhose tiaiea when the waters ere

on a more advantageous and respecta- 'ie'""J reuueea. i ne mconvenible footing, for the purpose of exciting ence and risk thus felt are susceptible a spirit of emulation amonest the sol- of such easy remedy, and at so small an

diers, might prove highly serviceable, The subject, being one of importance,

is at least worthy of consideration end anu va'uue io a large communiexperiment. lY should have been so long overlooked

r,nnortnH wnh it.o A itytt :a th Miliar Ardpm. u UW vJnt Th. - w , v M. Willi 4 beneficial effects which havn hpnn nmAnoA n,n i .. uullu iv lULUUMiiiii an rati l ii ii uir duced to tbe country already, and the more enlarged ones which are in prospect, from this valuable institution, ren der it a matter of importance that it should be maintained upon its present liberal plan and principles. The edumlintr n f f uc r li l n A rar i rv rl fiffir wnnnrr gentlemen, selected from every State in the Union, cannot fail to carry with it general ad vantages and bemfiis rnr. ,rr,,int in a. on thfi Trpasnrv. li.it nnnri frnm ihU turr, ... . A. . the education obtained there being of a military character, the benefits dillused thrmiPh rvprv taction nf nnr rnnntr. oonnnl kf rc hinh, o,ll U' D j - .... 7 1 it shall again be involved in war. The information which ia acquired there is carried to the several States; these young men become officers of militia; and in time, through the meaii9 thus afforded, something approaching to uni formity in the decipline of our militia ma hi ntj Th Ki0 r the licard oi Examiners at the last commencement, which accompanies this report, will present in detail the progress and advantage of the instilu.u W I Jjqq I n . f,rt,A r, .. . . By tbe act of 1810, the President of UJU LIJIICU UiaiCS IS ilUlUUIIZICU O COI fer upon the graduates of this academy the appointment of brevet lieutenants, A..Cau;-u.G.c a,u 01 eupeiiiumerury nfliois thus rmrntA m K n n I Am . . limn 4tf V r Wat r m O I vlo ;1U u.atcu, wuu wuiiui now jiiuviucu iur iu iue line orine Army, In June next there will probably be 33 m nro n n n on n lunh mill A . nn - I u,u.w u ,u . u.uuulv d i Bcess oi i4 over ine number authorized. ineiaw proniDits Drcvet appointments a tin-uivi uuuiuci lllclll 1UO OIJU IOT each company ; of course, upon area

!E""LC,?CnJft8 l'.0D.b"1 t"iiaJl0(S o( property which will amply

i.uv-fck-, uiibi cUUC, IUOI, Will uc entitled to a brevet commission. I would respectfully suggest whether

orma rn n Hilinmnl r. it I ..w.Mc.jr ; i.nti iui ne luiuie lieutenant appointments, retaining only roroconrt? in rrUli C t so many as might supply the probable ,-WuuWuauuuui ff.min neyear. The number of promotions to the Army

cu uuiucuuium iue present oeurpss nflS rnn;j., ns(u mpnn8 niTl,rA

ld"T Jc? the appropriation applicable to this serhas averaged about 22 annually: while vLm i u n,,

the number of graduates for the same period has been at an average of 40. 7 his excess, which is annually increasing, has placed 87 in waiting until vacancies shall take place, and shows, hat,in the next year probably and in the succeeding one certainly, there will be an excess beyond what the existing Ti t u in , There will then be 106 supernumerary brevet second lieutenants appurtenant to the Army, at an annual expense to the Government of 80,000. In the Engineer Department, important operations, as regards the internal improvement of the country, have been in successful progress. The advantages to our commerce from the improvements which have been made in the navigation ofthe Mississippi and Ohio rivers, have already been sensibly felt; and great good to the community at large is to be anticipated from further efforts. The experiments begun, and in some respects, completed, show, that, at an inconsiderable annual expense, the Ohio river may be cleared of its bars and shoals, so as to afford a convenient and safe navigation at those seasons ofthe year when heretofore it

present the imports to the wegt are

expense, that it becomes matter of surPnse lQai improvement so imporor neglected, lhe necessity of im Prw,ng tbe navigation of these rivers I . - . 'or commercial purposes, all admit; of the practicability of effecting it, none i . . - can doubt. The experiment lately made, through a most difficult obstruc tion at a place called the Grand Chain. conclusively tests the feasibility of im proving other places; and shows that the expense will be inconsiderable. s 11 re&a8 thl8 branch of he uMct eve, 11 "ppe" io me mat we imM UI UUite ao vaLue 01 ine imng done, is ot infinitely crealer conse quence than any annrehens H"" ii.nn d my apprehension of ?TZQ whlch il ma? occao to the 'pT i . . j t rhe breakwater situated at the "Ulll UI WJU iVKiaWUIC II VL T J8 anOUier ii, r 1 1, 1 ii . - ; . 1 !.aIl!ab'e imPromenf within the last year, has been rapidly progress ing. The work has already risen above the water, and furnished evi dence of its importance to our com merce. During lhe violent gale of last beptember, several vessels which lay under lhe protection of this work were r . . .. ... """ w; ' ,J pi U,V ii in r Li n nir i t nnnnci i 1 r- t- r wt r-v -t . T - mofV"6s"a 10 ' r i -B ;' , nl nnp ttoaiola in mm. tint tl-uv-i weotiij ill viuv, uui JJU33CO0I IJ U1C advantages ot this position, were driven nn fiilnrp. nnfi ifta nr nlnfl .k ovnaren A f.,. , . : 1 1 !.- this valuable work. The attention it ha rereiwA it .na r,),nA ,.. v v i J 'IVV,U III charge of the Quartermaster's Depart J . ' ment by your direction, and the advar rnrpa rpnrir Horil fro, it ; proof of tbe propriety of its completion, . . I ' an(j ofthe nurnerous benefits it must afrord lo commercc. Al lhU heret0 fore hazardous part of our coast navi gation a security will be afforded cempensate for the cost incurred in its construction. The Ordnance Department i9 pro ' ed win permit, in arming the militia of him J nJn nrriniu O J sary ?uns and carriagJ8 for garnishing the d.fferent fortresses of the country. h h worth 0f consideration whether rrovide a ftlli(abJe armament' hy lhe ,;mo ii.n ,iwrronf fnri;iinB lhe coast gha be comp,eted. For h fnrfR whirl, nr r,n;ah.fi o r dollars will be necessary; but besides these, others are in progress, and will .hnnir k niip,t. ivsik n nual appropriation of 100,000 towards this purpose, it will require ten years to accoapligh the object for those which are in rcdines?. houId we be bless. ed with neace. no ininrv rill r;w. but should wartake place, the effects upon our country would be of a serious and prejudicial character. In all the disbursing branches connected with the War Department, 1 am happy to say that punctuality and fidelity have strictly, and almost without exception, been regarded during the year. A new era in the history of this country has, within a few year?, arisen in relation to Indian affair?. Under the act of 1802, and the practices ofthe Government resulting therefrom, principles have been introduced, the correctness of which descives serious consideration. By this act it is prohibited to any one to settle upon Indian lands,

or to enter their territory "; and for its

execution, the President is authorized and directed to employ the "military force" of the country. It is worthy of reflection how far this act (as circumstances exist) is to be considered within the pale of the Constitution, and obligatory upon the authorities of the Government. Before the States were members of this Union, they were sovereign. The United States Government can legitimately exercise those rights only with which the States parted under their general compact. To regulate their internal municipal authority is a privelege which has not been surrendered. nrr.ongsi inoae ngnis 13 me inaispuiable one of controlling their citizens, and governing them after their own mode, with this exception, that a republican form of government is to be secured to each. The Slates, being independent and eovereign within their own limits, can admit no check upon their sovereignty, whether, in its exercise, it affects one citizen or another the white or the red man. By courtesy, the iavrs have ben withheld from an interference with the Indians within a Stale ; and that which heretofore was mere courtesy is now insisted upon as a matter of paramount constitutional right. Surely this cannot be correct according to our notions and system of government; and, if wrong, the act of 1802, from the moment the laws are extended by a State over Indian territory, must cease to be operative. Reciprocity is always fair and just; and hence the Uw which would make it penal for a white man to tread, unlicensed , upon soil held through Indian occupancy, should equally restrain the Indian from entering upon the domain of the white man. So far as existing treaties operate, the United States possess the power to concede this or any other privilege, because treaties, whether well or ill made, are the supreme law ofthe land; but they should be such as are permitted to he entered into by the Constitution, and which do not effect the rights of a State beyond what her consent in becoming a member of the Union has sanctioned and authorized. Every thing beyond this is usurpation. Under the authority confided by you, during last summer, I visited some of the Indian tribes, with a highly valuable auxiliary General John Coffee, of Alabama, and made known to them their situation; With the Chocktaws and Chickasaw?, (the only tribes with whom we negotiated,) treaties were concluded. From all appearances, they were well satisfied with their own decision, and the course which we pursued towards them. If any different feeling has since been incited, it is the work of persons who have sought, through the channels of their ignorance, to peisuade them to the belief that great injustice has been practised. I undertake to assure you, that j in nil we did, the utmost fairness and candor were practised. We sought through persuasion only, to satisfy them that their situation called loudly for Eerious reflection. Pending the negotia tion, no secret meetings, were had, no bribes were offered, nor promises made. Every argument adduced, or suggest ion oilered, was in open council, ami in view of those whose lights were to be nfiected. Of this, abundant evidence exists, whatever may bo said to the contrary. There was no motive to impose upon, or to deceive them. Our instructions forbade us to do so, and our inclination, besides, was nn ample restraint. The treaties concluded are ready for submission ; and how far any practised injustice or want of liberality can be imputed, will be fairly judged of when their tenor and condition shall be disclosed. If a liberality ample and generous ha3 not been regarded, our wishes have failed, and our judgments been mistaken. During this period, I witnessed much of Indian character, their progress, refinement, Sz march towards civilization, and can well say, that in conducting the negotiation every thing was done to retain them in those pursuits which should tend to their advancement, nnd to which their situation could reason ably lay claim. Those who so zealously have espoused their cause, and who effect seriously to deplore their condition, are acting upon ialsepremise?, or are moved by mistaken considerations of kindness. But as mankind are found to differ even upon essential measures of faith, and iheii ultimate results, 1 can well imagine, that, in reference to such a subject as the present, hoceit differences ofoj iu-

ion may be expected, and will arise ret, before r desiie be adopted, earnestly to retain these people at their present homes, wt should be careful not to receive mere impressions for facts, but rather to hear the suggestions of truth and reason. We should look to the red men as they are, and not as oftentimes they are represented to be to their inaptitude to live under a well regulated system of law, and to the danger and hazard of the experiment. A few of them are well informed men, and capable of enjoying refined society. These are the mixed Indians the half breed, as they nre usually termed. Scarcely any of the others speak our language, or nre acquainted with the principles of our government. Liltla hope should be entertained, even by those most sanguine on the subject, that any material advances in civilization can be made with the present generation those, I mean, who are now at maturity in life. Care and attention towards the rising generation may tend greatly to improte, and in time meliorate, their present condition. To turn them to industry, is of first importance. Labor is never an acceptable pursuit ofthe Indian?. In their unimproved state, a fondness for war and the chase and oratory at their councils, constitute their leading traits, because these

afford the highest distinction. When thro the influence of culture and education, their taste upon these subjects shall be changed, and the character ot an industrious agriculturalist, be held in higher estirrwiion than dexterity in pursuit in the chase, then may they bo expected to resort to industry, nnd give attention to the duties of agriculture. Indisposition to manual labor, so peculiarly the characteristic of an Indian, causes him to select the poorest grounda because of the case with which the timber is felled and cleared nway. The exceptions which rxiet to this are principally amongst those of mixed Indian blood, whose habits have been improved, and whose minds have been cultivated. There are three divisions in tbe Choctaw nation, each of which is governed hy afchief, who, within his limits, acts independently of the others. In his government he is aided by minor and supordinate chiefs, called captains each of whom acts within his particular district. The people are subordinate to the captains the captains to the chiefs. One ef these divisions composes what is called the Christian District, the chief of which is a man of gcod mind, with n common English education, and is religious. His peopla loo, are seemingly pious. Each night, pending the negotiation, until a lata hour, they were at their excerciseF singing and preaching. From every information, this christian party, as it ii termed, are not accurately and correctly informed us to the principles and faith upon which they profess to act. A future sfate of rewards and punishments, for virtues or for crimes, is fashioned by their standard of savage life and its enjoyments; and in their imagination, is made to conform to what I hey conceive to be essential to constitute hpppiness or misery here. Judging from their devotional conduct, they are to all nppearance, 11 religious peopie. Certainly there are some perceptible and beneficial changes amongst them. They have become mostly an agricultural people. The practice of perforating the ncse and enrs for the purpose of ornamenting thcm,i9 rapidly disappearing, and considered a rude custom. Vermillion paint to ornament and to decorate the face, is, in a great measure, given up. A credulity in supernatural agency, in witches, and in witchcraft h fast yielding; and the use of ardent spirit--, particularly in one of the districts, is in a great measure abandoned. A reasonable hope may be entertained, that these people may in time prove that the zeal and efforts of the Government to protect nnd civilize them, are not improperly bestowed. In concluding a treaty with these people candor and fairness were the only mean? resorted to by the Commissioners. They were given to understand distinctly, that, in coming to visit them at their solicitation, and at their homes, no design was entertained beyond c( mmunicating to them a knowledge of their true conditun, and submilting to their judgment, the coime of policy by them to he pursued. Wo told tlum the opinion entertained by the Government as to the authority of .Mississippi to extend over them her law, and that the United States possessed Lot the rower to prevent it