31st CoNo sI HOs,                        )    ] PEx.  Do.
2d  Seso.                                                        No. 1.
MESSAGE
THE PRESIDENT OF THiE UNITED STATES,
T"H'B1  TWO HOUSEB OF CONGRESS;
(COMMENCEMENT OF THE SECOND $ESS0ON
THE~  THIT- -F'IRST CONGRESS,
DiECEMBEER, 2, 1850o
Readl, referme, to the Committee of the Whole on the ate t-he   th U1nion and 1t5,000 extra
eopies, with the acompapny.ing doemments, ordered to bte printed.
WASHINGTON:R. INTE.B  FOR THjE tO. OF B?  o
1t.850,








E SSAGE,
FYelow-citizens of the Senate acd of the House of Representatives:
Being suddenly called, in the midst of the last session of Congress, by'
a painful dispensation of Divine Providence, to the responsible station
which I now hold, I contented myself with such commnunications to the
legislature as the exigency of the moment seemed to require.  The country was shrouded in mourning for the loss of its venerated Chief Magistrate, and all hearts were penetrated with grief.  Neither the time nor the
occasion appeared to require or to justify, on my part, any general expression of political opinions, or any announcement of the principles
which would govern me in the discharge of the duties to the performance
of which I had been so unexpectedly called.  I trust, therefore, that it
may not be deemed inappropriate, if I avail myself of this opportuntity
of the re assemblhing of Congress to make known my sentiments, in a
general manner, in regard to the policy which ought to be pursued by the
government, both in its intercourse with foreign nations and its management and administration of internal affairs.
Nations, like individuals in a state of nature, are equal and independent, possessing certain rights, and owing certain duties to each other,
arising from their necessary and unavoidable relations; which rights and
duties there is no common human authority to protect and enforce.  Still,
they are rights and duties, binding in morals, in conscience, and in honor,
although there is no tribunal to which an injured party can appeal but
the disinterested judgment of mankind, and ultimately the arbitrament of
the sword.
Among the acknowledged rights of nations is that which each pos-.sesses of establishing that form of government which it may deem most
conducive to the happiness and prosperity of its own citizens; of changing
that form as circumstances may require; and of managing its internal
afiltrs according to its own will.  The people of the United States claim
this right for themselves, and they readily concede it to others.  Hence
it becomes an imperative duty not to interfere in the government or internal policy of other nations; and, although we may sympathize with
the unfortunate or the oppressed everywhere in their struggles for freedom, our principles forbid us from taking any part in such foreign contexsts. TWe make no wars to prom-ote or to prevent successions to thrones; to
miaintain any theory of a balance of power; or to suppress the actual government which any country chooses to establish for itself.  We instigate
no revolutions, nor suffer any hostile military expeditions to be fitted out
in the United States to invade the territory or provinces of a friendly narion.  The great law of miorality ought to have a national as well as a
[ipersonal and individual application.  We should act towards other nations as we wish them  to act towards us; and justice and conscience
shi>uli. fiTrm the rule of conduct between governments; instead of mere




4                              Doc. No. 1.
power, self-interest, or the desire of aggrandizement.  To maintain a
strict neutrality in foreign wars, to cultivate friendly.:lations, to reciprocate every noble and generous act, and to perform  punctually and scrupulously  every teaty obligation-these are the duties xwhich we owe.
to other states, and by the performance of which  we best entitle ourselves to like treatment froml them; or if that, in any case, be refunadd, we
can enforce our own rights with justice and a clear conscience.
In o'ur domestic policy, the constitution will be my guide; and, in.
questions of doubt, I shall look for its interpretation to the judicial decisions of that tribunal which was established to expound it, and to the
usage of the government, sanctioned by the acquiescence of the country.
I regard all its provisions as equally binding. In all its parts it is. the will
of the people, expressed in the most solemn form, and the constituted authorities are but agents to carry that will into effect.  Every power which
it has granted is to be exercised for the public good; but no pretence of'
utility, no honest conviction, even, of what might be expediernt  can
justify the assumption of any power not granted.  The powers conferred ulpo  the government, and their distribution to the several departmients, are as clearly expressed in that sacred instrument as the iniperfection of human language will allow; and I deem  it my first duty not to
question its wisdom, add to its provisions, evade its requirements, or nullify its commands.
Upon you, fellow-citizens, as the representatives of the States and the.
people, is wisely devolved the legislative powex.  I shall comply with my
duty in laying before you from time to time any information calculated to
enable you to discharge your high and responsible trust, for the benefit of
ou  comrmo  constituents.
My opinions  nill be frankly expressed upon the leading subjects of
legislation; and if-which I do not anticipate-any act should pass the two,
houses of Congress which should appear to me unconstitutional, or an
encroachment on the just powers of other departments, or with provisions'
hastily adopted, and likely to produce consequences injurious and unforeseen, I should not shrink from the duty of returning it to you, with my
reasons, for your further consideration.  Beyond the due performance of
these constitutional obligations, both my respect for the legislature aad
my sense of propriety will restrain me from any attempt to control or in -
fluence your proceedings.  With you is the power, the honor, and the.
responsibility of the legislation of the country.
The  government of the United States is a limited government.  It is
confined -to the exercise of powers expressly granted, and such others as
mrnay be' necessary for carrying those powers into effect; and it is at all
times an especial duty to guard against any infringement on the just
rights of the States.  Over the objects and subjects intrusted to Congress,.
its legislative authority is supreme.  But here that authority ceases, and
every citizen who truly loves the constitution, and desires the continuance of ts existence and its blessings, will resolutely and firmly resist
any interference in those dolmestic afairs which the constitution has.
clearly and ui  quivocally lef to the exclusive authority of the States; and
every such citizen will also deprecate uIseless irritation among the several:
members of the Union, and all reproach and c1umination tending to alienate one portio3'n of the country from  an''ithei     The beauty of our systeaC
of go ve,rne  coa si ts  au d its saf ety ".'(  d     l     urability n.,s m t consist, in.




avoiding mutual collisions ano encroachments, and in. the regular separate action of all, while each is revolving in its own distinct orbit.
The constitution has made it the duty of the President to take care
that the laws be faithfully executed.  In'a government like ours, in
which all l ws are passed by a majority of the representatives of the people, awnd these representatives are chosen for such short periods that any
inijious or obnoxious law can very soon be repealed, it would appear
-unlikely that any great numbers should be found ready to resist the execution of the laws.  But it must be borne in mind that the country is extensive; that there may be local interests or prejudices rendering a law
odious in one part, which is not so in another; and that the thoughtless
and inconsiderate, misled by their passions or their imaginations,  may be
induced madly to resist such laws as they disapprove.  Such. pesons
should recollect that, without law, there can be no real practical liberty;
that, when law is trampled under foot, tyranny rules, whether it appears
in the form of a military despotism or of popular violence. The law is the
only sure protection of the weak, and the only efficient restraint upon
the strong.  When impartially and faithfully administered. none is beneath its protection, and none above its control.  You, gentlemen, and.
the country, may be assured that to the utmost of my ability, and to the
extent of the power vested in me, I shall at all times, and in all places,
take care that the laws be fithfully executed.  In the discharge of this
duty, solemnly imposed upon me by the constitution and by my oath of
office, I shall shrink from  no responsibility, and shall endeavor to meet,events as they may arise, with firmness, as well as with prudence and.
discretion.
The appointing power is one of the most delicate with which the.Executive is invested.  I regard it as a sacred trust, to be exercised with
the sole view of advancing the prosperity and happiness of the people.
It shall be my effort to elevate the standard of official employment, by
selecting for places of importance individuals fitted for the posts to which
they are assigned by their known integrity, talents, and virtues.   In so
extensive a country, with so great a population, and where few persons
appointed to office can be known to the appointing power, mistakes will
sometimes unavoidably happen, and unfortunate appointments be made,
notwithstanding the greatest care.  In such cases the power of removal
may be properly exercised, and neglect of duty or malfeasance in office
will be no more tolerated in individuals appointed by myself than in.those.appointed by others.
I am happy in being able to say that no unfavorable change in our
foreign relations has taken place since the message at the opening of the
last session of Congress.  We are at peace with all nations, and we enjoy
in an eminent degree the blessings of that peace in a prosperous and
growing commerce, and in all the forms of amicable national intercourse.
The unexampled growth of the country, the present amount of its population, and its ample means of self-protection, assure for it the respect of
all nations, while it is trusted that its character for justice, and a regard to
the rights of other states, will cause that respect to be readily and cheerfully paid.
A convention was negotiated between the United States and Great
Britain,.in April last, for facilitating and protecting the construction of a
ship canal between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and for other purposes.




6                             (Doe. Nif.  1.
This instrument has since been ratified by the contracting parties, the
exchange of ratifications has been effected, and proclamation thereof has
been duly made.
In addition to the stipulations contained in this convention, two other
objects remain to be accomplished between the contracting powers:
First, the designation and establishment of a free port at each end of
the canal.
Second, an agreement fixing the distance from  the shore within which
belligerent maritime operations shall not be carried on.  On these points
there is little doubt that the two governments will come to an understanding.
The company of citizens of the United States who have acquired from.
the State of Nicaragua the privilege of constructing a ship canal between
the two oceans, through the territory of that State, have made progress in
their preliminary arrangements. The treaty between the United States and
Great Britain, of the 19th of April last, above referred to, being now in operation, it is to be hoped that the guarantees which it offers will be sufficient
to secure the completion of the -work with all practicable expedition.  It
is obvious that this result would be indefinitely postponed, if any other
than peaceful measures, for the purpose of harmonizing conflicting claims
to territory in that quarter, should be adopted.  It will consequently be
my endeavor to cause any further negotiations on the part of this government, which may be requisite for this purpose, to be so conducted as to
bring them to a speedy and successful close.
Some unavoidable delay has occurred, arising from  distance and the
difficulty of intercourse between this government and that of Nicaragua;
but, as intelligence has just been received of the appointment of an envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of that government to reside at
Washington, whose arrival may soon be expected, it is hoped that no
further impediments will be experienced in the prompt transaction of business between the two governments.
Citizens of the United States have undertaken the connexion of the
two oceans by means of a railroad across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec,
under grants of the Mexican government to a citizen of that republic.  It
is understood that a thorough survey of the course of the communication.
is in preparation, and there is every reason to expect that it will be prosecuted with characteristic energy, especially when that government shall.
have consented to such stipulations with the government of the United
States as may be necessary to impart a feeling of security to those who
may embark their property in the enterprise. Negotiations are pending for
the accomlplishment of that object, and a hope is confidently entertained
that, when the government of Mexico shall become duly sensible of the
advantages which that country cannot fail to derive from the work, and
learn that the government of the United States desires that the right of
sovereignty of Mexico in the isthmus shall remain unimpaired, the stipulations referred to will be agreed to with alacrity.
By the last advices from  Mexico'it would appear, however, that that
government entertains strong objections to some of the stipulations which
the parties concerned in the project of the railroad deem'necessary for
their protection and security.  Further consideration, it is to be hoped, or
some modification of terms, may yet reconcile the differences existing between the two governments in this respect.




Fresh instructiolis h,'a., recently been given to themninister of the United.
States in Mexico, w^. is prosecuting the subject with promptitude and:
ability.
Although 11 3 negotiations with Portugal, for the payment of claims of
citizens of the United States against that government, have not yet resuited il a formal treaty, yet a propositi6n, made by the government of
Portugal for the final adjustment and payment of those claims, has re-;ently been accepted. on the part of the United States. It gives me pleas-'are to say that Mr. Clay, to whom  the negotiation on the part of.te
United States had been intrusted, discharged the duties of his appointment
with ability and discretion, acting always within the instructions of his
government.
It is expected that a regular convention will be immediately negotiated
for carrying the agreement between the two governments into effect.
The commissioner appointed under the act of Congress for carrying
into effect the convention with Brazil, of the 27th of January, 1849, has
entered upon the performance of the duties imposed upon him  by that:
act.  It is hoped that those duties may be completed within the time
which it prescribes. The documents, however, which the Imperial government, by the third article of the convention, stipulates to furnish to the
government of the United States, have not yet been received. As it is
presumed that those documents will be essential for the correct disposition
of the claims, it may become necessary for Congress to extend the period.
limited for the duration of the commission.  The sunm stipulated by the
fourth article of the convention to be paid to this government has been
received.
The collection in the ports of the United States of discriminating duties
upon the vessels of Chili and their cargoes has been suspended, pursmant to the provisions of the act of Congress of the 24th of May, 1828.
It is to be hoped that this measure will impart a fresh impulse to the commerce between the two countries, which of late, and especially since our
acquisition of California, has, to the mutual advantage of the parties'
been'much augmented.
Peruvian guano has become so desirable an article to the agricultural
interest of the United States, that it is the duty of the government to employ all the means properly in its power for the purpose of causing that
article to be imported into the country at a reasonable price. Nothing
will be omitted on my part towards accomplishing this desirable end.  I
am persuaded that in removing any restraints on this traffic, the Peruvian
government will promote its own best interests, while it will afford a
proof of a friendly disposition towards this country, which will be duly
appreciated.
The treaty between the United States and his Majesty the King of theHawaiian Islands, which has recently been made public, will, it is believed, have a beneficial effect upon the relations between the two countries.
The relations between those parts of the island of St. Domingo which.
were formerly colonies of Spain and France, respectively, are still in an
unsettled condition. The proximity of that island to the United States'
and the delicate questions involved in the existing confroversy there,
render it desirable that it should be permanently and speedily adjusted.
The interests of humanity and of general commerce also demand this;




8                            BDoc, ~.:D' t.
and, as intimations of the same sentiment have been received. from other
governments, it is hoped that some plan may soon be devised to eflect the
object in a manner likely to give general satisfaction. The government
of the United States will not fail, by the exercise of all proper friendlv
offices, to do all in its power to put an end to the destructive war which
has raged between the differet parts of the island, and to seclre to them
both the benefits of peace-and commerce.
I refer you to the report of the Secretary of the Treasury for a detailed
statement of the finances.
The total receipts into the treasury for the year ending 30th of June last
were forty-seven million four hundred and twenty-one thousand seven hundred and forty-eight dollars and ninety cents, ($47,421,748 90.)
The total expenditures during the same period were forty-three million
two thousand one hundred and sixty-eight dollars and ninety cents,
($43,002,168 90,)
The public debt has been reduced, since the last annual report from the
Treasury Department, four hundred and ninty-five thousand two hundred
-and seventy-six dollars and seventy-nine cents, (.$495,276 79.)
By the 19th section of the act of 28th January, 1847, the proceeds of
the sales of the public lands were pledged for the interest and principal
of the public debt.  The great amount of those lands subsequently
granted by Congress for military bounties, will, it is believed, very nearly
supply the public demand for several years to come, and but little reliance
can, therefore, be placed on that hitherto fruitful source of revenue.
Aside from the permanent annual 9xpenditures, which have necessarily
largely increased, a portion of the public debt, amounting to eight million
seventy-five thousand nine hundred and eighty-six dollars and fifty-nine
cents, ($8,075,986 59) must be provided for within the next two fiscal
years.  It is most desirable that these accruing demands should be met
without resorting to new loans.
All experience has demonstrated the wisdom  and policy of raising a
large portion of revenue forthe support of government from  duties on
goods imported.  The power to lay these duties is unquestionable, and
its chief object, of course, is to replenish the treasury. But if, in doing
this, an incidental advantage may be gained by encouraging the industry
of our own citizens, it is our duty to avail ourselves of that advantage.
A duty laid upon an article which cannot be produced in this countrysuch as tea or coffee-adds to the cost of the article, and is chiefly or
wholly paid by the consumer. But a duty laid upon an article which may
be produced here, stimulates the skill and industry of our own country to
produce the same article, which is brought into the market in competition
with the foreign article, and the importer is thus compelled to reduce his
price to that at which the domestic article can be sold, thereby throwing
a part of the duty upon the producer of the foreign article.  The continuance of this process creates the skill, and invites the capital, which
finally enable us to produce the article much cheaper than it could have
been procured from abroad, thereby benefiting both the producer and the
consumer at home.  The consequence of this is, that the artisan and the
agriculturist are brought together, each affords a ready market for the
produce of the other, and the whole country becomes prosperous; and the
ability to produce every necessary of life renders us independent in war
as well as, in peace.




A high tarif can never DC permanlent It will cause. dissatisfction, and
will be changed.  It. -x:ciudces conrpetition, and thereby invites the investment of capital in Ernanfa.cturles to such excess, that whenl changed it
brings distress, jankruptcy, and ruin upon all who have been misled by
its faithless protection.  What the manufacturer wants is uniformity and
4permalnenacy, that he may feel a confidence that he is not to be ruined by
suddan changes..But to make a tariff uniform  and permanent, it is not
only necessary that the law should not be altered, but that the duty should
not lauctuate.  To effect this, all duties should be specific, wherever the
nature of the article is such as to admit of it. Ad valorem. duties fluctuate with the price, and offer strong temptations to fraud and perjury.,Specific duties, on the contrary, are equal and uniform in all ports, and,at all times, and offer a strong inducement to the importer to bring the
best article, as he pays no more duty upon that than upon one of inferior
quality.  I therefore strongly recommend a modification of the present
tariff which has prostrated some of our most important and necessary
manufactures, and that specific duties be imposed sufficient to raise the
requisite revenue, making such discrimination in favor of the industrial
pursuits of our own country as to encourage home production, without
excluding foreign competition.  It is also important that an unfortunate
provision in the present tariff, which imposes a much higher duty upon
the raw material that enters into our manufactures than upon the manufactured article, should le remedied.
The papers accompanying the report of the Secretary of the Treasury will disclose frauds attempted upon the revenue, in variety and.
amount so great, as to justify  the conclusion  that it is impossible,
under any system  of ad valorem  duties levied upon the foreign cost or
value of the article, to secure an honest observance and an effectual administration of the laws.  The fraudulent devices to evade the law which
have been detected by the vigilance of the appraisers, leave no room to
doubt that similar impositions not discovered, to a large amount, have
been successfully practised since the enactment of the law now in force.
This state of things has already had a prejudicial influence upon those
engaged in foreign commerce.  It has a tendency to drive the honest
trader from the business of importing, and to throw that important branch of
employment into the hands of unscrupulous and dishonest men, who are
alike regardless of law  and the obligations  of an  oath.  By these
means the plain intentions of Congress, as expressed in the law, are daily
defeated.  Every motive of policy and duty, therefore, impel me to ask
the earnest attention of Congress to this subject.  If Congress should deem
it unwise to attempt aniy important changes in the system of levying duties
at this session, it will become indispensable to the protection of the revenue that such remedies as, in the judgment of Congress, may mitigate the
evils complained of, should at once be applied.
As before stated, specific duties would, in my opinion, afford the most
perfect remedy for this evil; but, if you should not concur in this view,
then, as a partial remedy, I beg leave respectfully to recommend that, in-.stead of taking the invoice of the article abroad as a means of determining
its value here, the correctness of which invoice it is in many cases impos-,sible to verify, the law be so changed as to require a home valuation or
appraisal, to be regulated in such manner as to give, as far as practicable.uniformity il the several ports.




10                           B'Doe. JIN   1.
There being no mint in California, I am iiformed that the laborers in
the mines are compelled to dispose of their gold dust at a large discount.
This appears to me to be a heavy and unjust tax upon the labor of those
employed in extracting this precious metal; and I doubt not you will be
disposed, at the earliest period possible, to relieve them fronm it by the
establishment of a mint.  In the mean time, as an assayers office is
established there, I would respectfully submit for your consideration the
propriety of authorizing gold bullion, which has been assayed and stamped,
to be received in payment of government dues.  I cannot conceive that
the treasury would suffer any loss by such a provision, which will atonce
raise bullion to its par value, and thereby save (if I am rightly informed)
many millions of dollars to the laborers which are now paid in brokerage
to convert this precious metal into available funds.  This discount upon
their hard earnings is a heavy tax, and every effort should be made by
the government to relieve them from so great a burden.
More than three-fourths of our population are engaged in the cultivation of
the soil.  The commercial, manufacturing, and navigating interests are all,
to a great extent, dependent on the agricultural.  It is, therefore, the most
important interest of the nation, and has ajust claim to the fostering care
and protectionof the government, so far as they can be extended consistently with the provisions of the constitution. As this cannot be done by
the ordinary modes of legislation, I respectfully recommend the establishment of an Agricultural Bureau, to be charged with the duty of giving to
this leading branch of American industry the encouragement which it so
well deserves.  In view of the immense mineral resources of our country, provision should also be made for the employment of a competent
mineralogist and chemist, who should be required, under the direction of
the head of the bureau, to collect specimens of the various minerals of
our country, and to ascertain, by careful analysis, their respective elements and properties, and their adaptation-to usefll purposes. He should
also be required to examine and report upon the qualities of different soils,
and the manures best calculated to improve their productiveness.  By
publishing the results of such experiments, with suitable explanations,
and by the collection and distribution of rare seeds and plants, with instructions as to the best system of cultivation, much may be done to promote this great national interest.
In compliance with the act of Congress, passed on the 23d of May,
1850, providing, among other things, for taking the seventh census, a
superintendent was appointed, and all other measures adopted which were
deemed necessary to insure the prompt - and faithful performance of that
duty.  The appropriation already made will, it is believed, be sufficient to
defray the whole expense of the work; but further legislation may be
necessary in regard to the compensation of some of the marshals of the
Territories.   It will also be proper to make provision by law, at an early
day, for the publication of such abstracts of the returns as the'public interests may require.
The unprecedented growth of our territories on the Pacific in wealth
and population, and the consequent increase of their social and cormmercial relations with the Atlantic States, seem  to render it the duty of the
government to use all its constitutional power to improve the means of itttercourse with them.  The importance of opening "a line of communication, the best and most expeditious of- which the nature of the coun.try




T^C  Ko. l~S1,                        IIwa
will admit," between t,: vialii:y of the iississippi and the Pacific, was
brought to your notic:  by mn  Ue-decessor, in his annual message; and as
the reasons whic- ie presen-ed in favor of the measure still exist in full
force, I beg;:.ve to call your attention to them, and to repeat the recommendationoi  then made by him.
The uncertainty whichl exists in regard to the validity of land titles in
Caliornia, is a subject which demands ytonr early consideration.  Large
bodies of land in that State are claimed under grants said to have been
made by authority of the Spanish and Mexican governments. Many
of these have not been perfected, others have been revoked, and some are
believed to be fraudulent.  But until they shall have been judicially investigated, they will continue to retard the settlement and improvement
of the country.  I therefore respectfully recommend that provision be
made by law  for the appointment of commissioners to examine all such
claims with a view to their final adjustment.
I also beg leave to call your attention to the propriety of extending, at
an early day, our system of land laws, with such modifications as may
be necessary, over the State of California and the Territories of Utah and
New Mexico.  The mineral lands of California will, of course, form an
exception to any general system which may be adopted.  Various methods of disposing of them have been suggested.  I was at first inclined to
favor the system of leasing, as it seemed to promise the largest revenue
to the government and to afford the best security against monopolies; but
further reflection, and our experience in leasing the lead mines and selling lands upon credit, have broughtmy mind to the conclusion that there
would be great difficulty in collecting the rents, and that the relation of
debtor and creditor, between the citizens and the government, would be
attended with many mischievous consequences.  I therefore recommend that, instead of retaining the mineral lands under the permanent
control of the government, they be divided into small parcels and sold,
under such restrictions, as to quantity and time, as will insure the best
price, and guard most effectually against combinations of capitalists to obtain monopolies.
The annexation of Texas and the acquisition of California and New
iMexico have given increased importance to our Indian relations.  The
various tribes brought under our jurisdiction by these enlargements of our
boundaries are estimated to embrace a population of one hundred and
twenty four thousand.
Texas and New MJexico are surrounded by powerful tribes of Indians,
who are a source of constant terror and annoyance to the inhabitants.
Separating into small predatory bands, and always mounted, they overrun
the country, devastating farms, destroying crops, driving off whole herds
of cattle, and occasionally murdering the inhabitants or carrying them
into captivity.  The great roads leading into the country are infested with
them, whereby travelling is rendered extremely dangerous, and immigration is almost entirely arrested.  The Mexican frontier, which, by the
11th article of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, we are bound to protect
against the Indians within our border, is exposed to these incursions.
equally with our own.  The military force stationed in that country (although forming a large proportion of the army) is represented as entirely
inadequate to our own protection and the fulfilment of our treaty stipulations with Mexico.  The principal deficiency is in cavalry, and I re



12                            Doc..    1.
commend that Congress should, at as early a period as practicable, provide
for tie raising of one or more regiments of moun:ted men.
For further suggestions on this subject, and others connected with our
domestic interests, and the defence of our frontier, I rever you to the reports of the Secretary of the Interior and of the Secretary of Var.
I cenmmend also to your favorable consideration the suggestion contained
iin the last mentioned report, and in the letter of tle general-in-chief, rela..
five to the establishment of an asylum for the relief of disabled and destitute soldiers.  This subject appeals so strongly to your sympathies, that
it would be superfluous in me to say anything more than barely to express my cordial approbation of thle proposed object.
The navy continues to give protection to our commerce and other ioational interests in the different quarters of the globe, and, with the exception of a single steamer on the northern lakes, the vessels in commis-,sion are distributed in six different squadrons.
The report of the head of that department will exhibit the services of
these squadrons, and of the several vessels employed in each during the
past year.  It is a source of gratification that, while they have been constantly prepared for any hostile emergency, they have everywhere met
-with the respect and courtesy due as well to the dignity as to the peacefulf dispositions and just purposes of the nation.
The two brigantines accepted by the government fiom a generous citi-.zen of New York, and placed under the command of an officer of the
navy, to proceed to the Arctic seas in quest of the British commander,
Bir John Franklin, and his companions, in compliance with the act of
Congress, approved in May last, had, when last heard from, penetrated
into a high northern latitude; but the success of this noble and humane,enterprise is yet uncertain.
I invite your attention to the view of our present naval establishment
and resources presented in the report of the Secretary of the Navy, and
the suggestions therein made for its improvement, together with the naval
policy recommended for the security of our Pacific coast, and the protection and extension of our commerce with Eastern Asia.  Our facilities
-for a larger participation in the trade of the East, by means of our recent
settlements on the shores of the Pacific, are too obvious to be overlooked
-or disregarded.
The questions in relation to rank in the army and navy, and relative
rank between officers of the two branches of the service, presented to the
Executive by certain resolutions of the House of Representatives, at the
last session of Congress, have been submitted to a board of officers in
each branch of the service, and their report may be expected at an early
day.
I also earnestly recommend the enactment of a law authorizing officers
of the army and navy to be retired from  the service when incompetent
for its vigorous and active duties, taking care to make suitable provision
for those who have faithfully served their country, and awarding distinctions, by retaining in appropriate commands those who have been particularly conspicuous for gallantry and good conduct.  While the obligation
of the country to maintain and honor those who, to the exclusion of other
pursuits, have devoted themselves to its arduous service, is acknowlvedged,
this obligation should not be permitted to interfere with the efficiency,of the service tself.




Doe,. No. 1.                             123
I am  gratified inibeing able to state, that the estimates of expenditure
for the navy in the ensuing year are less, by more than one million of dollars, than those of the present, excepting the appropriation which maybecome necessary.br the construction of a dock on the coast of the Pacific,
propositions for which are now being considered, and on which a special
report may be expected early in your present session.
There is an evident justness in the suggestion of the same report, that
appropriations for the naval service proper should be separated from  those
for fixed and permanent olbjects, such as building docks and navy yards,
and the fixtures attached; and from  the extraordinary objects under the
care of the department which, however important, are not essentially
naval.
A revision of the code for the government of the navy seems to require
the immediate consideration of Congress.  Its system of crimes and punishments had undergone no change for half a century, until the last sessionl.
though its defects have been often and ably pointed out, and the abolition
of a particular species of corporal punishment, which then took place,
without providing any substitute, has left the service in a state of defectiveness, which calls fol prompt correction.  I therefore recommlrend that,
the whole subject be revised without delay, and such a system established
for the enforcement of discipline as shall be at once humane and effectual.
The accompanying report of the Postmaster Gneral presents a satisfactory view of the operations and condition of that department.
At the close of the last fiscal year, the length of the inland mail routes
in the'United States (not embracing the service in Oregon and Califomsia)
was one hundred and seventy eight thousand six hundred and seventytwo miles; the annual transportation thereon forty-six million five hun-^
dred and forty-one thousand four hundred and twenty-three miles; and
the annual cost of such transportation two million seven hundred and.
twenty-four thousand four hundred and twenty-six dollars.
The increase of the annual transportation over that of the preceding
year was three million nine hundred and ninety-seven thousand three
hundred and fifty-four miles, and the increase in cost was three hundred.
and forty-two thousand four hundred and forty dollars.
The number of post offices in the United States on the first day of
July last, was eighteen thousand four hundred and seventeen-being au
increase of sixteen hundred and seventy during the preceding year.
The gross revenues of the department for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1850, amounted to five million five hundred and fifty-two thousand
nine hundred and seventy-one dollars and forty eight cents, including the
annual appropriation of two hundred thousand dollars for the franked
matter of the departments, and excluding the foreign postages collected.
for and payable to the British gov6rnment.
The expenditures for the same period were five million two hundr'rd
and twelve thousand nine hundred and fifty-three dollars and forty-three
cents-leaving a balance of revenue over expenditures of three hundred
and forty thousaand and eighteen dollars and five cents.
I am happy to find that the fiscal condition of the department is sucll'
as to justify the Postmaster General in recommending the reduction of"
our inland letter postage to three cents the single letter when prepaid,.
and five cents when not prepaid.  He also recom-mends that the prepaid
rate shall be reduced   to two cents whenever the reve;tus of t1he deepmt



14                           Doc. No,  le
ment, after the reduction, shall exceed its expenditures by more than five
per cent. for two consecutive years; that the postage upon California ard
other letters sent by our ocean steamers shall be much reduced; and that
the rates of postage on newspapers, pamphlets, periodicals, and other
printed matter, shall be modified, and some reduction thereon made.
It cannot be doubted that the proposed reductions will, for the present,
diminish the revenues of the department. It is believed that the deficiency, after the surplus already accumulated shall be exhausted, may be
almost wholly met, either by abolishing the existing privileges of sending
free matter through the mails, or by paying out of the treasury to the Post
Office Department a sum equivalent to the postage of which it is deprived
by such privileges.  The last is supposed to be the preferable mode, and.
will, if not entirely, so nearly supply that deficiency as to make any further appropriation that may be found necessary so inconsiderable as to
form no obstacle to the proposed reductions.
I entertain no doubt of the authority of Congress to make appropriations for leading objects in that class of public works comprising what are
usually called works of internal improvement.  This authority I suppose
to be derived chiefly from the power of regulating commerce with foreign
nations and among the States, and the power of laying and collecting imposts.  Where commerce is to be carried on, and imposts collected, there
must be ports and harbors, as well as wharves and custom-houses.  If
ships, laden with valuable cargoes, approach the shore, or sail along the
coast, light-houses are necessary at suitable points for the protection of
life.and property.  Other facilities and securities for commerce and navigation are hardly less important; and those clauses of the constitution,
therefore, to which I have referred, have received from the origin of the
government a liberal and beneficial construction.  Not only have lighthouses, buoys, and beacons been established, and floating lights maintained, but harbors have been cleared and improved, piers constructed,
and even breakwaters for the safety of shipping, and sea walls to protect harbors from  being filled up and rendered useless, by the action
of the ocean, have been erected at very great expense. And this construction of the constitution appears the more reasonable from the consideration, that if these works, of such evident importance and utility, are
not to be accomplished by Congress, they. cannot be accomplished at all,
By the adoption of the constitution the several States voluntarily parted
with the power of collecting duties of imposts in their own ports; and it is
not to be expected that they should raise money,'by internal taxation, direct or indirect, for the benefit of that commerce, the revenues derived
from which do not, either in whole or in part, go into their own treasuries.
Nor do I perceive any difference between the power of Congress to make
appropriations for objects of this kind on the ocean and the power to make
appropriations for similar objects on lakes and rivers, wherever they are
large enough to bear on their waters an extensive traffic.  The magnificent Mississippi and its tributaries, and the vast lakes of the north and
northwest, appear to me to fall within the exercise of the power, as
justly and as clearly as the ocean and the Gulf of iMexico. It is a mistake to regard  expenditures judiciously maade for these objects as
expenditures for local purposes.  The position or site of the Work is
necessarily local; but its utility is general.  A ship canal around the Palls
of St. Mary of less than a mile in length, thoLugLh loeal  in its construcction.,




Doe,  io. 1.                            1]5
would yet be national in it. purpose and its benefits, as it would remove
the only obstruction to.,:avigation of more than a thousand miles, affecting several States, aN sell as our commercial relations with Canada.  So,
too, the breakwt:wr at the mouth of the Delaware is erected, not for the
eexclusive bendr;, of the States bordering on the bay and river of that name,
but for that of the whole coastwise navigation of the United States, and,
to a co:l;jiderable extent, also of foreign commerce.  If a ship be lost on
thic bar at the entrance of a southern port for want of sufficient depth.of
water, it is very likely to be a northern ship; and if a steamboat be sunk
in any part of the Mississippi, on account of its channel not having been
properly cleared of obstructions, it may be a boat belonging to either of
eight or-ten States.  I may add, as somewhat remarkable, that among all
the thirty-one States there is none that is not, to a greater or less extent,
bounded ori the ocean or the Gulf of Mexico, or one of the great lakes, or
some navigable river.
In fulfilling our constitutional duties, fellow-citizens, on this subject, as
in carrying into effect all other powers conferred by the constitution, we
should consider ourselves as deliberating and acting for one and the same
country, and bear constantly in mind that our regard and our duty are.
due, not to a particular part only, but to the whole.
I therefore recommend that appropriations be made for completing such
works as have been already begun, and. for commencing such others as
miay seeml to the wisdom of Congress to be of public and general importance.
The difficulties and delays incident to the settlement of private claims
by Congress, amount in many cases to a denial of justice.  There is reason to apprehend that many unfortunate creditors of the government have
thereby been unavoidably ruined. Congress has so much business of a
public character, that it is impossible it should give much attention to
mere private claims; and their accumulation is now  so great, that many
claimants must despair of ever being able to obtain a hearing. It may
well be doubted whether Congress, from the nature of its organization, is
properly constituted to decide upon such cases.  Itis impossible that each
miember should examine the merits of every claim  on which he is
compelled to vote; and  it is preposterous to ask a judge to decide
a case which he has never heard.  Such decisions may, and frequently must, do injustice either to the claimant or the government,
and I perceive no better remedy for this gr6wing evil than the establislhment of some tribunal to adjudicate  upon  such  claims.  I beg
leave. therefore, most respectfully, to recommend that provision  be
made by law  for the appointment of a commission to settle all private
claims against the United States; and, as an ex parte hearing must in all
contested cases be very unsatisfactory, I also recommend the appointment
of Oa solicitor, whose duty it shall be to represent the government before
su::ch commission, and protect it against all illegal, fraudulent, or unjust
claims, which may be presented for their adjudication.
This District, which has neither voice nor vote in your deliberations,
lookis to you for protection and aid, and I commend all its wants to your
fa-vorable consideration, with a fail confidence that you will meet thema
not only with justice, but with liberality.  It should be borne in mind
that in this city, laid out by lWashington and consecrated by his name, is
located the Capitol of our gatikon the emblem of o.u Uuion anld the symn




1 6                          8Doe. No. 1.
bol of our greatness. Here, also, are situated  l11 the public buildings
necessary for the use of the government, and all "iese are exempt from
taxation.  It should be the pride of Americans to rena-i this place attractive to the people of the whole republic, and convenient -nld safe for the
transaction of the public business and the preservation o- the public
records. The government should, therefore, bear a liberal proportion of
the burdens of all necessary and useful improvements.  And, as noting
could contribute more to the health, comfort, and safety of the city, and
the security of the public buildings and records, than an abundant supply
of pure water, I respectfully recommend that you make such provisions
for obtaining the same as il your wisdom you may deem proper.
The act passed at your last session, making certain propositions to
Texas for settling the disputed boundary between that State and the
Territory of New Miexico was, immediately on its passage, transmitted by
express to the governor of Texas, to be laid by him  before the General
Assembly for its agreement thereto.  Its receipt was duly acknowledged,
but no official informlation has yet been received of the action of the General Assembly thereon; it may, however, be very soon expected, as, by
the terms of the propositions submitted, they were to have been acted
ulpon on or before the first day of the present'month.
It was hardly to have been expected that the series of measmres
passed at your last session. with the view  of healing the sectional
differences which had sprung from  the slavery and territorial questions, should at once have realized  their beneficent purpose.  All
mutual concession  in the  nature of a compromise must necessarily
be unwelcome to men of extreme opinions.  And though without
such concessions our constitution could not have been formed, and caanot be permanently sustained, yet we have seen them made the subject.
of bitter controversy in both sections of the republic.  It required many
months of discussion and deliberation to secure the concurrence of a majority of Congress in their favor.  It would be strange if they had been
received with immediate approbation by people and States prejudiced
and heated by the exciting controversies of their representatives.  I believe those measures to have been required by the circumstances and condition of the country.  I believe they were necessary to allay asperities
and animosities that were rapidly alienating one section of the country
from  another, and destroying those fraternal sentiments which are the
strongest supports of the constitution. They were adopted in the spirit
of conciliation, and for the purpose of conciliation.  I believe  that a
great majority of our fellow-citizens sympathize in that spirit and that purpose, and in the main approve, and are prepared in all respects to sustain,
these enactments.  I cannot doubt that the American people, bound together by kindred blood and common traditions, still cherish a paramount
regard for the Union of their fathers; and that they are ready to rebuke
any attempt to violate its integrity, to disturb the compromises on which
it is based, or to resist the laws which have been enacted under it,
authority.
The. series of measures to which I have alluded are regarded by me
as a settlement, in principle and substance-a final settlement —of the dangerous and exciting subjects which they embraced.  Most of these subjects, indeed', ace beyond your reac )  as the legislation which disposed
of  them ws  in its character; final and irrevocable  It mnay be presuomed,




from  the opposition i h WLhi.'1:7'i: aIll encountereid, that none of those measures twas firee friom'i p:   t ilons, but in their mutual dependanee and
connexion they fior::'ed a -ysv'sem  of compromrise, the most conciliatory,
andebest for th  entire.oun:Itlr,  that could be obtained from  conflictingsectional ite;, csts iand opinions.
or t i;          reason I recommcaend your adherence to the adjustment estab-.
lis'hed by thlose measures, u.ntil time and experience shall demonstrate the
necessity of further legislation to guard against evasion or abuse.
By that adjustment we have been rescued from the wide and bound-.
less agitation that surrounded us, and have a firm, distinct, and legal
ground to rest upon.  And the occasion, I trust, will justify me in exhorting my countrymen to rally upon and maintain that ground, as the best,
if not the only means of restoring peace anid quiet to the country, and
maintaining inviolate the integrity of the Union.
And now, fellow-citizens, I cannot bring this communication to a. close
without invoking you to join me in humble and devout thanks to the
Great Ruler of nations for the multiplied blessings which he has graciously bestowed uoon us.  His hand, so often visible in our preservation: has
stayed  the pestilence; saved us from   foreign wars and  domestic disturban c.es, and scattered plenty throughout the land.
Our liberties, religious and civil, have been maintained, the fountains
of knowledge have all been kept open, and means of happiness w idely
spread and generally enjoyed, greater than have fallen to the lot of any
other nation.  And, while deeply penetrated with gratitude for th-e past.
let us hope that His all-wise Providence will so guide our counse!s as that
they shall result in giving satisfaction to our constituents., securing, the'
peace of the country, and adcdin  new strength to the united governrment.:
Liunder which.. we live.
-mILLPARD  FILLO  E,..'
WASHING TON; December 2, I18,50.
2








Doe. No. 1.                              19
REPORT
OF
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR,
DEPARTMIENT O0' THE INTERIOR,
December 2, 1850.
SIR: The duties which have been devolved by law on the Department,of the Interior are of the most varied and important character.  As the
name of the department would imply, they relate to most of the interests
of the country which are of a domestic nature.  They embrace not only
a variety of subjects, but the duties to be performed are widely dissimilar,
and partake in some degree of a legislative and judicial, as well as of an.
executive character.
To this department is intrusted the general supervision and manage-:ment of all matters connected with the public domain, Indian affairs,:pensions, patents,.public buildings, the census, the penitentiary, and the
expenditures of the judiciary.
It is the duty of the person in charge of it to see to the faithful administration of the laws relating to these several branches of the public service, and to prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to give full
effect to the legislative will.  And in addition to these functions of ani
executive and legislative character, he is required by law to act in    juLdi
cial capacity, and to decide all cases of appeal which may be brought before him  for adjudication from  any of the bureaus in his department.
Many of these appeals, especially from  the Pension, Land, and Indian,offices, are of great importance in a pecuniary view, and involve the examination of voluminous records, and the investigation and decision of
intricate questions of law and equity.  The act of' ongress which created
the department was drawn up, probably by design, in very general terms.
Many of its provisions are exceedingly vague, and there seems to have
been no attempt to define with precision theboundaries of its jurisdiction,,or -the'extent of its powers.  In the outset this was probably the most
judicious course, as experience is generally the best guide in the adjustment of such matters.  But it would seem "to be proper now  that there
should be more definite legislation, prescribing the duties and powers of
the department, so that there may be no conflict with other departments,
and little or nothing left to the mere discretion of the incumbent.'My predecessor, in his annual report, called your attention to the incongruity in the law in reibrence to the designation of the department.  In
the title of the act it is styled a "' Home Department;" but the body of
the law provides that it shall be called" The Department of the Interior."
The late incumbent, under whose auspices the department was organized,
felt himself bound by the mandatory terms of the law to adopt the latter'designation in all his official acts: but it is obviously proper that Congress
should, by supplemental legislation, remove the ambiguity and uncertainty on this subject.




20                           Doc. No. L
My predecessor also recommended, for reas. s very clearly and forcibly
stated by him  in his report, to which I respectfully refer, the creation of
the office of Solicitor of the Department of the interior, to be filled by a
lawyer competent to investigate and decide many of the important questions of law and fact arising upon the numerous appeals which are taken
from the bureaus.  Wy brief experience in the administration of the department enables me to appreciate the wisdom of that recommendation,
and to urge its speedy adoption by Congress.  In all cases, however, the
action of the solicitor should be subject to the revision of the head of the
department, for nothing should be done to diminish in the slightest degree
his official responsibility.
As the reports of the heads of the several bureaus will give full information in regard to their condition and wants respectively, and as I have
not been long enough in office to make myself thoroughly acquainted
with all the details of their organization and functions, I do not deem it
either necessary or proper at this time to give more than a general review
of their operations, with such explanations and suggestions as the publicinterests seem  to require.  As preliminary to this review, I respectfully.
submit, in tabular form, a summary of the estimates for each branch of the
public service within the jurisdiction of this offce.
In a distinct column, and opposite to each item, is a statement of the
estimate for the present fiscal year for similar services.
This comparison seems to be proper, as it will exhibit to the representatives of the people, at a single glance, a view of the whole subject, and
at the same time afford me the opportunity of presenting, by a succinct
commentary on each item, such explanations as I desire to offer.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
Estimates for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1852, compared with those
of the present fiscal year.
18532.           1851.
Department proper.................         28 250 00        $72, 347 68
Land service........                         36, 152 50       679, 034 21
Indian Affairs.................    2 441, 472 66    1, 018,439 17
Pension. Office.....  2, 624,726 31    1,479, 256 78
Census......................                                 1,116, 000 00
United States courts......*....   59)2, 747 00  55 7, 537 00
Public buildings................    481,275 100        46, 975 00
Pauper lunatics.................   10,000 00          9,928 00
Agricultural statistics,   c....50 00... 501,500
-enitentiary in the District of Columbia.     11 900 0 9          T 355 00
Mexican boundary survey...........      0, 000 00
7,132,043 47    5,403,372 84
Excess over last estimates.1,728,670. 63.




Doe. No.                             21
The first fact which::kies the mind upon looking at this recapitulation
is, that the estimate ior the next fiscal year exceeds that for the present,
$1,728,670 63.  Faithful guardians of the public treasury will naturally
inquire, how does this happen?  The question demands a candid answer,
-and I shall proceed to give one which I hope will be no less satisfactory
than free from all attempt at concealment or disguise.
DEPARTMENT PROPER.
Under this head the estimate for the next year falls below that for the
present, $44,097 68.  This results from the fact that there is no deficiency
of a previous year to be provided for. Last year there was a deficiency of
$34,737 68 to be met.  Now there are unexpended balances on hand,
which, in addition to the sum estimated, will supply the wants of the
department.
LAND SERVICE.
The estimates under this head exceed those of last year $157,118 29.
This is caused by the increased expense consequent on the passage of the
act of 28th September, 1850, granting bounty land, by the contemplated
extension of the land system  over the ilewly acquired territory, and by.the deficiencies in the estimates of the last fiscal year.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Here there is an excess over the estimates of last year of $1,423,033 49.
A reference to the report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs will show
that whilst many of the items embraced in the former estimate have been
reduced or omitted in the present, the aggregate of the present estimate
has been increased by making provision for deficiencies, which was not
done in the estimate of last year, and by embracing large sums necessary
to carry into effect new treaty stipulations, and to extend our Indian relations into new  territories, in pursuance of recent acts of Congress.
Some idea may be formed of the magnitude of these latter items, when it
is remembered that our Indian population has been almost doubled by our
recent acquisitions of territory froml Mexico.
PENSION OFFICE.
In this item there is. also an apparent excess of startling magnitude. It
exceeds the estimate of last year $1,145,469 53.  But a little examination will show that it is, to a great extent, merely apparent, and that, so
far as it is real, it results from calses over which the executive officers could
exercise no control, and which are entirely consistent with the true inter-ests of the country.
These positions are susceptible of ready demonstration, as I will proceed in a few words to show.  The estimate of last year fell short of the;actual expenditures of the bureau, including the deficiencies of the preceding year, $924,688 45.  This deficiency was supplied by the appropriation of $560,000 in the "deficiency bill" of last session of Congress,




Doe. No. 1.
and by. 364,688 45, which sum is embraced,i.:  the present estimate,.
~Adding these sums to the estimate of last year, and the aggregate is,
$2,403o945 23,  Then deduct from  the estimate of the next year
$364,688 45, which amount is asked for to supply the deficiency of the
present year, and which'is,not properly chargeable to the next, and the
true amount of the estimated expenditure of the PeniSicn Bureau for the
ensuing year is ascertained to be $2,260,037 86, or $143,907 37 less than
the actual expenditure of the current year, including the deficiency of
$560,000 for 850.
This mode of stating the account, however, although it exhibits a true
comparison of the present estimates with the actual expenditures of the
current year, does not present a fair view of the amounts legitimately
chargeable to the Pension Bureau for the two years respectively, because
it embraces among the expenditures of the year ending June 30, 1851,
$560,000, which was a deficiency in the year 1850. Discarding that sum
from the calculation, the result is as follows:
Estimate for the year ending JunQ 30, 1851       -      $- 1,49,2o6 78
Add deficiency embraced in present estimate          -     364,688 45
Aggregate chargeable to year ending June 30, 18 1    -   18,43,945 23
Estimate for year ending June 30, 1852 -             - $2,624,726 31
Deduct estimate for deficiency of year ending June 30,
1851          -      -.-      -       -            364,688 45
Aggregate chargeable to year ending June 30, 1852    -   2,260,037 86
Excess of present estimate over the expenditure of year
ending June 30, 1851                                     416,092 63
This excess embraces the anticipated increase of expenditure occasioned by the extension of the benefits of the pension laws, and the administration of the bounty land law, so far as it devolves on the Pension Office.
CENSUS.
In the last estimate, the amount submitted as the probable expense of
this whole service was $1,116.  This sum  having been appropriated
for that object by the act of September 30, 1850, chapter 90, page 172, no
further sum is deemed necessary now.
UNITED STATES COURTS.
The estimate for this service exceeds that of last year $35;210, in consequence of the anticipated increase of business in the courts corresponding with the increase of the population and business of the country.
The estimates of the current year and the year preceding were found
to be insufficient, and Congress was compelled at its last session to make
a specific appropriation of 850,000 to supply the deficiencies for this service during those years.  Taking this sum into the account, the estimate
for the coming year is $14,790 less than the expenditure of the last.




oc. No. 1.
PUBLIC BUILDING7S PAUPER, LUNATICS; AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. AND
THE PENI}TENTIARY.
In these several items there are no material variatiohs between the
present and past estimates, and it is not deemed necessary to enter into
any detailed explanation of them, as the reports of the various officers.
charged with their management will supply satisfactory statements in regard to them.
The last item in the estimate for the ensuing year isMEXICAN BOUNDARY SUR-VEY.
The last estimates embraced nothing on this account, though appropriations were made by Congress during its last session for that object
amounting to $185,000.  The sum which it is supposed will be necessary during the next fiscal year is $100,000.
I have thus presented a brief statemenit of the wants of the department
and a comparison between the present requisitions and the actual expenditures of the preceding year.
In making these estimates I have instructed the heads of bureaus to
endeavor to cover the whole amount of the probable expenditure for the
fiscal year. Any other course tends to entangle the expenditures of one
year with those of another, and to throw the financial arrangements of
the government into inextricable confusion. Nothing should be asked
from Congress which the public interests do not require; but, when an
appropriation is ascertained to be necessary, the demand should be fairly
made and the responsibility of granting or withholding it left with the
representatives of the people.' If my instructions have been complied with, as I have every reason to
believe they have been, I hope there will be no necessity in future for
estimating for deficiencies, unless some contingency should, occur which
could not have baen readily foreseen.
Having submitted these general views, I will proceed to present in a
condensed form a few remarks in regard to the operations of each bureau
separately.
PENSION OFFICE.
The whole number of persons now on the pension rolls of the United
States is 19,758; but many of these are probably dead.
The whole number who have drawn pensions during the first and
second quarters of the present calendar year is 13,079.
Many, however, do not draw their pensions until the close of the year,
and therefore the last statement does not show the whole number living.
The number of deaths reported within the last year is 846.
Revolutionary pensions
The whole number of persons pensioned under the act of March 18
1818, is 20485; of these there now remain on the rolls but 1,523,




:4                           BDoe. No. L
Under the act of May 15, 1828, there were added to the list of revoluiionary pensioners 1,152; of these there now rerrain but 162.
Under the act of June 17, 1832, there were added to the rolls of revoIutionary pensioners 32,788.  At this time there remain of these on the
rolls 5,247; and of this last number there were but 2,408 who have applied for their pensions during the first half of the present calendar year.
Widows of revolutionary soldiers and others.
Under the act of July 4, 1836, pensioning certain widows and orphans
Lercin described, the number who have bhen pensioned is 4)984  of:ee there remain on the rolls but 1,118.
Under the act of 7th July, 1838, giving pensions to the widows of.revolutionary officers and soldiers who were married prior to 1794, the.number of persons who have been pensioned is 11,002.
During the first two quarters of the year, payment has been made under
ihe law lo 201.
The act of 1838 was limited originally to five years, but was extended
br one year by act of 3d March, 1843.  On the 17th June, 1844, it was
extended for fbur years longer; and finally, on the 2d February, 1848,
the benefits of the law were continued during widowhood.  There are
owr on the rolls under the last mentioned act 4,876.
On the 29th April, 1848, pensions were given fiom the 4th March,
1.848 during widowhood; to widows of officers, soldiers, seamen, and
marines who were married prior to January, 1800. Under this law the
ramber pensioned is 686.
it will thus be seen that the beneficiaries under the laws designed to
provide for the soldiers of the Revolution, and the widows of those who'Were dead, are rapidly passing away. But, on the other hand, the number
of pensioners under the acts for the relief of invalids and the widows of those
who died in the service of the United States has been considerably auguented during the past year, in consequence of the war with Mexico.
Trhe number of invalid pensioners is now 4,742, being an increase during
t.. e year of 627.
Widows of soldiers engaged in tIhe czexican war.
Under the act of 21st July, 1848 and the supplementary act ol 22d'ebruary, 1849, and the joint resolution of 28th September, 1850, allowing pensions to the widows and orphans of soldiers who were killed in
-tie Mexican war, or died from disease contracted in the service, the num-:r pensioned is 1,456.
Amount expended.
The whole amount expended for pensions during the past year is estiiated by the Commissioner at $1,400,000.
There has been paid since the 1st November, 1849, on account of revouitionary service of Virginia State troops and navy, $88,060 30; and as
cxominutation or half-pay and interest, $138,543 44.
~,




Doe,  No. L                            25
Land varrants, revolutionary service.
The whole numrber of land warrants issued to commissioned officers of
the continental hil'my is 2,826; to non-commissioned officers and privates
9,762. Lard is still due to 111 officers, and to 1,993 non-commissioned
officers ad privates.
War of 1812.
Whole number of warrants issued to persons entitled, under various
acts of Congress, for services in war of 1812, is 28,978.
Mezican war.
The number of claims presented for services in the Mexican
war is     -       -      -                                   81,373
And for scrip or money in lieu of land      -      -      -      3,332
Making an aggregate of       -       --    8'4705
The general boun ty-land law of Septeember 28, 1850.
The number of claims already presented under this comprehensive law,
upto the 5th November, 1S50, was 9,418; and the numberis increasing
rapidly, scarcely a mail arriving which does not -swell the list. The
whole nnmber of persons who, if living, would be entitled to the benefits
of that law, would exceed half a million.  The Commissioner supposes,
from the best data within his reach, that one-half are dead, leaving no
person entitled to claim under them.  If this estimate be correct, (and I
imagine it will be found to approximate accuracy,) the whole number of
~claimants will be about two hundred and fifty thousand.
It will thus be seen that the act of September 28, 1850, is by far the
most important bounty-land law that has ever been passed, whether we
consider the number of beneficiaries under its provisions or the extent of
the domain granted.  Deeply impressed with the responsibility incident
to the administration of a trust of such magnitude, I have sought to make
the necessary arrangements to insure its prompt and efficient execution.
Forms have been prepared, with ample instructions to guide applicants in
presenting their claims, and assurances given that every proper facility
will be afforded for the establishment of just demands under the law.
Plates have been ordered to be engraved for printing the warrants, and
every precaution has been adopted to guard against fraud and forgery.
These plates will soon be completed, and there need then be no delay in
commencing the issue of warrants. I regret to say, however, that the
law contains no provision for the employment and compensation of the.clerical force necessary for its own execution. Under the terms of the
law, as I have been constrained to construe them, the warrants are not
assignable.  The holders of them cannot, therefore, make them available
until they have been located and patented.  This process will necessarily
require a considerable time, and it is therefore peculiarly proper, in order
to insure the enjoyment of the bounty by those for whom it was intended;




26                      - Doc. No..
that no unnecessary delay should be encountered. To avoid this evil, the
Commissioner recommends that provisioni be made. rr the employment of
two efficient clerks, with a salary of $1,700 each, coen}tent to investigate
the claims of applicants.  This recommendation (except, i-regard to the
amnount of salary, which is unnecessarily large) meets my corse  -pprovaland the only doubt I have is, whether two will be sufficient.  T:guard
against all contingencies, I would respectfully urge the propriety of alt..r.
izing this department, in the event that two clerks should prove insufficient
to keep pace with the business, to employ one or more in addition, and
such temporary assistants as may be required from time to time.  Unless
the department has the means of adjudicating the claims as fast as they
are presented, and of issuing the warrants when they are allowed, dissatisfaction and suspicions of favoritism will inevitably arise.
Should Congress concur in theseviews of the subject, I shall esteem it
no less a privilege than a duty to see that their beneficent policy is carried
out with all practicable despatch and economy.
PUBLIC LANDS.
The report of the Commissioner of the General Land Office exhibits
some very interesting facts.
The surveys of the public lands have been pressed forward with commendable activity, and having been completed in several States, thY archives connected with them have been delivered to the State authorities,
as required by law. The sales of public lands in the year 1849 amount
to                  -                                 1,329,902.77 acres.
Area located in that year in satisfaction of Mexican
war bounty land warrants                 -         3,405,520.00 
State selections, under the act of 4th September, 1841    209,806.60 
Improvements of rivers, &c.        -       -       -    135,246.21 
Choctaw certificates-       -...      53,935.33  C
Total acres thus disposed of-       -       -  5,184,410.91  "
During the three quarters of 1850 there have been
sold      -       -      -       -       -      -    869,082.32 
Located by Mexican bounty-land warrants during
the first and second and part of the third quarters  1,520,120.00  "
State selections under the act of 1841    -        -    379,805.58  "
Choctaw certificates -                     -             46,360.52
Aggregate thus disposed of in the first, second, and
part of the third quarters of 1850 -    -       -  2,815,366.42  
It is shown by the Commissioner's report that the public lands have
been a rich source of revenue to the government, averaging about one
and a quarter million of dollars per annum  for the last fifty years, over
and above all costs and expenses.  It is gratifying to find that the business of the Land Office is actively progressing. The accounts of all the
receivers of public moneys have been adjusted to the 30th September
last.  A  speedy consummation'is anticipated of State selections, under
the grant of the 4th September, 1841, and for various internal improve



Doc. No. L                             27
merts under other laws.  Measures have been adopted to give effect to
the munificent donliion of " swamp lands" to certain States of the Union,
by the act of Congress of the 28th September, 1850.
The Conmmissioner recommends an extension of the act of 3d August,
1846, in order to remove suspensions which arise and accumulate in the
adminlistration of that office under general laws.
He also suggests a slight modification of the pre-emption provisions of
the act of 4th September, 1841, and the delegation of authority to the
General Land Office to sell abandoned nmilitary sites, or such tracts as
had been appropriated to public uses and afterwards relinquished. These
recommendations, if carried out by early legislation, will be productive
of beneficial results.
Amongstthe first and most prominent subjects claiming the attention
of Congress is the necessity of making provision by law for a-speedy and
complete extension of the land machinery over our possessions on the
Pacific.
At present there is no mode by which a good title can be obtained to
any part of the public domain in that great extent of territory.
Nothing contributes more to retard the improvement of a country than
uncertainty in relation to the title to its soil. Great inconvenience has
already been experienced from  this cause in Califoinia.  Grants are
alleged to have been made for large tracts of land in that State by authority
of the Spanish or Mexican governments. Many of these are of very questionable validity; but, until they shall have been examined and'settled
by a tribunal of competent jurisdiction, they will continue to throw a
cloud over the title to valuable bodies of land, and seriously affect the
settlement and prosperity of the country. To remedy this evil, it would
seem tW be proper to make provision by law for the appointment of a cornmission to investigate all claims of this character, with a view to their final
adjudication. But the extent of the powers with which it, should be invested is a subject worthy of the serious consideration of Congress. The
Commissioner of the General Land Office has discussed the question
fully, and his report contains much valuable information in regard-.to it.
Mineral lands.
The proper disposal of these lands is a subject of much intrinsic difficulty, and one on which a great diversity of opinion exists among judicious men. Three different modes of disposing of them have been suggested, each of which has some advantages, and all of which are liable
to serious objections..The report from the Department of the Interior
which accompanied the last annual message of the President to Congress
recommended that the mineral lands should be divided by actual survey
into small parcels, and leased out for terms of years, reserving to the government, by way of rent, a percentage on the products.  Many persons,
whose opinions are entitled to respect, have urged the grant of licenses to
individuals, at fixed prices, to mine within particular districts, with or
without machinery, as the license may prescribe.  Others, of equal judg-.ment and experience, insist that the only way to avoid difficulty, and
make the mineral lands available, is to lay them off into small tracts, and
sa11 them out at auction.  The arguments in favor of leasing them  are
certainly entitled to great respect. But a careful examination of the sub



{$28                       gDoc.  No,.
ject, and a reference to our own experience of the operation of that system
in regard to the mineral lands in other parts of the Union, have induced
me to doubt whether the evils inseparable from it would not more than
counterbalance its advantages.  It would create a system of feuds which
would soon become odious to the people.  The relation of landlord and
tenant being established between the government and the occupants of
the mines, the jealousy and irritation which that relation too often engenders would soon arise.  The lessees would regard the government as an,exacting and oppressive landlord, and a strong feeling opposed to the payment of rents would spring up.
The officers intrusted with the supervision of the mines and the collection of the public dues would become objects of hatred and distrust, and
the miners, instead of looking to the government as their guardian and
protector from wrong, would be driven by the force of circumstances into'
an attitude of hostility to it as the source of all the evils which oppressed
them.  Attempts to enforce the payment of rents by legal process would
prove abortive, because the whole community would have an interest
adverse to their collection.  Collisions between the tenants and the officers
of the law would ensue, the feelings of the people would be alienated,
and the whole country involved in turmoil and confusion.
No considerations of a mere pecuniary character should induce the
government to adopt a policy which would tend to consequences like these.
The system of licenses is obnoxious to similar objections, varying only
in degree.  I am therefore of the opinion that the mineral lands should be
divided into small tracts, and sold in fee-simple to the highest bidder at
public auction.  The extent of the lots should depend op the apparent
richness of the mines; but they should be small enough to afford persons
in moderate circumstances an opportunity of becoming bidders, and thus
enlarge the field of competition as far as possible.
If these lands are leased, it will be necessary for the government to
maintain a large number of officers in California at high salaries, whose
responsibility must; from the circumstances of the case, be almost nominal.  But by selling the lands, all connexion between the miners and the
government will be severed, permanent interests will be acquired in the
country, and a new stimulus given to the enterprise of our citizens.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Our relations with the Indian tribes will demand the prompt and earnest
-attention of Congress.  The annexation of Texas and the recent treaty
~ with Mexico havw it is estimated, added about one hundred and twentyfour thousand persons to our Indian population.  Many of the tribes thus
brought under our control are fierce in their disposition and predatory in
their habits, and, it is feared, can only be restrained from committing great
outrages on the persons and property of the inhabitants of neighboring
territory by the military power of the country.  No provision having been
mJade by law until the close of the last session of Congress for the appointment of agents to tIake charge of the numercos tribes in California,and New Mexico, the government had no means of obtaining much satisfactory information respecting their condition and wants.  It is hoped,
however, this defect will be supplied by the agents and commissioners




Doc. No..              29
who have been recc.:tly appointed, and who are now on their way to the
scene of their labors 
Shortly before the close of the last session, and immediately after the
passage of thl: act authorizing the appointment of Indian agents for California, nominations were made to and confirmed by the Senate of three
persons well qualified for the discharge of their respective duties.  Instructions were prepared by the department; and when the agents were
ready to set out on their journey, it was discovered ithat by some oversight no appropriation had been made to pay their salaries.  Their movenents were therefore arrested for the time; but, as it was deemed important that all unnecessary delay should be avoided, and as provision
had been made for the appointment and payment of three commissioners to negotiate treaties with the Indians of California, it was concluded' to appoint the same persons commissioners who had been nominated and conirnmed as agelts. By adopting this course,the commissioners
were enabled to proceed without delay to the Indian territory, where they
will acquire such knowledge of the habits and character of the Indians
as will quality them to enter efficiently on the discharge of their duty as
agents as soon as the appropriation shall be made for their salaries: when
that is done, their functions as commissioners will cease.
A resident superintendent and three general agents have been appointed
for the Indian tribes of Oregon.'wo special agents have been commissioned, under the act of September, 1850, to co-operate with the resident agent in Texas in conciliating the Indians of that State.
Under the authority of the same act, three commissioners have been
appointed to accompany the joint commission now engaged in running
and marking the boundary line between the United States and Mexico,
for the purpose of obtaining full and correct information in regard to the
Indian tribes who are scattered along our southwestern frontier, and, if
possible, to establish friendly relations with them.
It is greatly to be regretted that no authority was conferred by law for
the appointment of resident agents in New Aiexico, where they are more
necessary than in any other part of the territory of the United States.
The Indians of that country, comprising the Camanches, Navajoes,
Utahs, Apaches, and Jic.carillas, are the most savage and lawless within
our boundaries.  For many years they have been in the habit of making
hostile incursions into the neighboring provinces of Mexico, and ravaging
whole neighborhoods —murdering the men and carrying the women and
children into captivity.  By our recent treaty with Mexico, the government of the United States has bound itself to repress these outrages by
Indians resident within our borders.  It is essential, therefore, for the.
fulfilment of our treaty stipulations with our sister republic, as well as for
the protection of our own citizens, that agents should be sent among
those tribes who can exercise a restraining influence over them.  The
necessity for this measure has been painfully illustrated by the outrages
which have been commaitted upon our citizens travelling to and from
Santa Fe.  Tlhe attack upon Mr. White and his party, within a few
days' journey of that place, has obtained a melancholy notoriety.  Hle.
and his whole party were brutally murdered, with the exception of his
estimable wife and a daughter under ten years of age, who were mnade
captives.  Subsequently, being pressed by a body of men who were ia




30                          Doc. No.,.
pursuit of them, the Indians murdered Mrs. White, but still retain the
daughter in horrible captivity.  At the last session, Congress appropriated
$1,500 to be used in procuring her release.  This sium was promptly
placed at the disposal of Colonel Calhoun, the nearest resident agent,
whose judgment and knowledge of the Indian character fit him  in a
peculiar manner to discharge the duty, with full power to use it in such
manner as he might think best.  He has also been instructed to convey information to the Indians, that unless this child be delivered up they will
receive the chastisement by the military power of the government which
their savage cruelty so richly deserves.
tIGICHWAY TO THE PACIFIC.
Considerations of great national interest seem to require that the means
of intercourse with our possessions on the Pacific coast should be irproved by the construction of a great thoroughfare, entirely within our
own territory, from the valley of the Mississippi to the Pacific.  Whether
this can be best accomplished by a railway, a turnpike, or a plank road,
or by a combination of the different modes of improvement, can only be
determined after a careful survey of the country and its resources shall
have been made. Our only access to them now is by a toilsome journey
of months' duration through comparatively trackless wastes, or by a circuitous voyage, attended with many privations and dangers. A highway,
commencing at some point in the valley of the Mississippi and terminating
on the coast of the Pacific, with lateral branches, would not only furnish
the means of convenient intercommunication, but would lead to the establishment of a chain of settlements along its line which would link together the widely separated portions of our country by an inseparable
bond of union.  The gigantic character of the work, however, admonishes us of the necessity of adopting every precaution in ascertaining
the best means of effecting the object.  With that view, care should be
taken to obtain full and accurate information as to the shortest anid best
route, having due reference not only to distance between the termini, but
also to the soil, climate, and adaptation to agricultural purposes of the intermediate country. If the report should be favorable, it would then be
for the wisdom of Congress to determine how far the probable augmentation of the value of the public land, the increased facilities in the transportation of the mail, and the other advantages already referred to, which
may be reasonably anticipated from the completion of the work, may justify liberal contributions of land or money towards its construction.
I therefore beg leave most respectfully to call your attention to the subject, and to suggest the propriety of authorizing an immediate examination of the country, and such surveys as may be necessary to determine
the practicability and probable cost of the work.
AGRICULTURAL BUREAU.
In surveying the various interests of the country, no one can fail to observe how little has been done by government to promote the cause of
agriculture.  It is true, the cultivator of the soil, in common with all
other classes of society, enjoys the protection of the laws, and the blessings incident to good government.  But something more seems to be due




Doe. No. 1.                             31
to a branch of industry which employs more than half our population,
and, to-a great exter: sustains the other.
The power of the general government over this subject is limited; but
this furnishes no good reason why it should not be exercised so far as it
does legitimately extend.  The ordinary means adopted to afford protection to the manufacturing and commercial interests are comparatively inoperative in regard to the agricultural. A tariff can do but little, directly,
to benefit the farmer or the planter. The staple productions of the south
are peculiar to that climate, and therefore are in no danger of competition
from abroad.  Those of the north and west, in consequence of the fertility of the soil, and the low prices at which land can be bought, are produced at less cost there than in other countries, and consequently, except
under extraordinary contingencies, need no protection by impost en the
breadstuffs of foreign nations.
But still much may be done by government, at a small cost, to promote
the interests of agriculture.  The science is yet in its infancy, and great
minds are now directed to the study and development of its true principles.  Experiments are in progress to ascertain the qualities of different
soils, the comparative nutritive properties of different animal and vegetable productions, and the utility and efficiency of various manures in fertilizing and renovating the exhausted lands of the old States.  Encouragement may be afforded to enterprises like these, and facilities furnished for the collection of seeds, plants, and vegetables, from all parts of
the earth, and their distribution throughout the country.  Premiums may
be offered for the best practical treatises on the different branches of husbandry, which can be published and sent abroad among the people.  By
means like these a spirit of philosophic inquiry may be stimulated,
and a great impulse given to the interests of agriculture.  Much has already been done in this respect through the agency of the Patent Office,
but the subject is too important to be left in this dependent condition.
The last annual report'from the department recommends the establishment of an Agricultural Bureau, to afford to this great branch of American
industry the encouragement which it so well deserves.  This is no novel
suggestion.  It had the sanction of Washington; who, in his last annual
message, referring to the propriety of creating an agricultural board, said,
"This species of establishment contributes doubly to the increase of improveme[nt, by stimulating to enterprise and experiment, and by drawing
to a common centre the results everywhere of individual skill and observation, and spreading them  thence over the whole nation.  Experience
accordingly has shown that they are very cheap instruments of immense
national benefit."  I therefore renew the recommendation of my predecesssor for the establishment of a separate bureau, to be intrusted with
the duty of promoting the agricultural interests of the country.
The vast extent and rapid development of the mineral resources of the
country seem to require that adequate provision should also be made by
law for the collection and analysis of the various mineral substances which
have been or may be discovered, so that their properties may be understood and their value correctly appreciated.  The purchase of a.farm in
the vicinity of the national metropolis, to be tilled and managed under
the direction of the bureau, has been suggested as an important auxiliary
in illustrating the best modes of culture. If this idea should be favorably
received, I would respectfully add that Mount Vernon, whose soil wam




32 0                        Doc. No. 1.
once tilled by the hands and is now consecrated by the dust of the Father of his Country, should properly belong to tlhe^"ation, and mighty.
with great propriety, become, under its auspices, a model farm, to'illustrate the progress of that pursuit to which he was so much devoted.
CENSUS.
Shortly after the passage of the act of 23d May, 1850, for taking the
seventh census, and for other purposes, a superintendent was appointed,
and the other measures deemed necessary to secure the prompt and faithful performance of that duty adopted.
The returns, which are now coming in daily from all parts of the Union,.
give gratifying assurances that the census will be completed'within the
time limited by law, and in a manner highly creditable to all who have
been engaged in it.
in some few-instances delays may occur, in consequence of casualties
which could not have been avoided; and, in one or two of the most re
mote territories, in the receipt of the schedules.
The amount of valuable statistical information collected and iinbodied
in these returns will far exceed anything of the kind known in our past
history, and it is therefore important that provision should be made, at an
early day, for printing such abstracts as may be deemed of practical utility,
in a style and form worthy of the subject and the country.
The report of the superintendent will show that additional legislation
may be necessary to do full justice to the marshals of some of the more
remote and sparsely populated sections of the country.
MEXICAN' BOUNDARY SURVEY.
My predecessor reported to the President on the 18th of May last, in
answer to a call'from the Senate for information relative to the progress
of this survey, that the initial point on the Pacific and the point of junction of the Gila with the Colorado river had been determined and fixed;:
that the intervening line of boundary had been run and marked, and
temporary monuments erected thereon for a distance of about thirty miles;
and that the operations of the joint commission had been suspended
about the first of February last by an adjournment to the first Monday in
November ultimo..
The temporary monuments alluded to are now being replaced by permanent ones; and the joint commission (that on the part of the United States
having' been.reorganized prior to: zmy taking charge of the depprtrent)
have doubtless assembled'at El Paso, according to the terms of their adjournment, for the purpose of running and marking the line thence westward to the river Gila.
JIt is the determination of the department that this work shall be pressed
forward to completion with the utmost despatch, so that, if p6ssible,'the
expectations of Congress, as indicated in the appropriation act' of 15th
May last, may be realized.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.,My predecessor, in his report which accompanied the annual message
of the late President to Congress, took occasion to invite attention to the




Doe. No. 1.                           33
condition of the public buildings, and to show the tendency of the Capitol, the Patent Office;;-nd the Treasury building, to dilapidation from the
perishable nature ci the material of which they are constructed. Personal observation has satisfied me that his fears on that subject are well
founded. experience has demonstrated that the sandstone of which
they are built, when left unprotected from the action of the atmosphere,
rapidly disintegrates.  The only temporary preventive which has yet
been discovered and applied is a strong coating of paint, which, by
closing the pores of the stone, prevents the absorption of water.  This
expedient has been found to be attended with partial success in the preservation of the Capitol and President's house.  I would respectfully
recommend, therefore, that an appropriation be made of an amount suffi
cient to defray the cost of coating the Treasury building thoroughly with
paint; but; at the same time, it should be left discretionary to adopt any
improved method of effecting the same end.
In regard to the Patent Office, as the wings are to be of white marble,
and the ends are now protected by being joined to the wings, leaving
only the front and rear exposed to decay, and as not merely disintegration
but actual dilapidation has already commenced, T would recommend that
the entire exterior facing of the front be removed, and its place supplied
by a veneering of white marble;of the same quality as that used in the
construction of the wings. The whole building would then present a
uniform appearance, and be rendered comparatively indestructible by atmospheric agency.  Practical wbrkmen have expressed the opinion that
it can be done at a small cost when compared with its beneficial results,
and without in any degree endangering the security and stability of the
walls; but, should any doubt be entertained on the subject, scientific engineers might be consulted, and means taken to ascertain the actual cost,
in time for legislative action before the close of the approaching session of
Congress.  If the result should be favorable, it would then be time to inquire how far the same system should be pursued in reference to the
Treasury building. The extent of the colonnade in front of that building, however, gives reason   d to doubt whether the same system can be
readily adopted in regard to it. The only expedient that is left, therefore,
for the preservation of that massive structure, is by a coating of paint.  In
this connexion, I beg leave to urge the propriety of completing with as
little delay as practicable both wings of the Patent Office. Until this be
done, the large sums already expended will be of no practical use, and the
edifice will present a mutilated appearance.  But there are other considerations of the most urgent character which call for their completion. At
present the various officers attached to the Department of the Interior are
scattered through six different buildings widely separated from each otherV
four of which are owned by private individuals.
Three of these are not only unsuited in their interior arrangements for
the purposes for which they are used, but are of combustible materials
and contiguous to private dwellings.  The officers are, therefore, subjected to great inconvenience in communicating with the head of the department, and the public archives are in constant danger from fire. The
rent now paid for rooms affording this imperfect and insecure accommodation exceeds $8,000 per annum.  But the rooms in the War Department occupied by the Indian Bureau are needed for the purposes of that
department, and those in the Treasury building occupied by the General
3




34                          Doc. No. 1.
Land Office aere required by the Secretary, of the Treasury, and notice to'that effect has been given to this department. 
If additional rooms are rented to be used instead of those vacated in
the War and Treasury buildings, the amount of the oaanual rent. to be
paid will be more thaan doubled  and the mst valuable, a-i:ives of the
government, comprising the iuniments of titl to many milli.ons of acres
of what was once the public domain, will be placed in a condition of great
insecurity.
I therefore recommend that the two wings of the Patent Office be finished, anid that thiey be appropriated to the accommodation of the Department of the Interior, and'the different offices thereto attached, They
will thus be brought under one roof, the communication between the
head of the departinent and the different bureaus will be greatly facilitated, and the records of the government safely lodged' inl a fire-proof
building.  These are advantages which will be cheaply bought by the
expenditure of the sum necessary to:complete those wings.
INTRODUCTION OF WATER INTO THE CITY.
The vast enlargements of our territorial limits, and the rapid growth of
the country in wealth and population, have been attended with a corresponding increase of the public business, and of the number of persons
employed to perfbrm it. A large proportion of the population of the city of
Washington is directly or indirectly connected With the affairs of government.  The representatives of the people and the States from all. seetions of the Union annually asselmble here to perform their high functions,
and are detained du ring tie greahter part of each alternate yeaw, Many ofthemn
come from salubrious regions, where the diseases incident to more southern ciiates are unknown. It would seem, then, to be a djty of.the governinentof the most imperative character, to adopt all necessary preca'tions to guard.against everything which tends to endanger the.health off
these servants of the people and their families.  To accomplish this purpose, and at the same time to contribute to the comfort of the whole popular
tion, and to afford an effectual safeguard to all the public offices. against ire,
I respectfully recommend the introduction into the national: metropolis
ofa copious supply of pure water; to be thrown inthe first place into a
reservoir oni some elevated point in its vicinity, and thence distributed
through the public buildings and densely populated parts of the city.
The improvement of the public grounds by enclosing, and planting
them with trees and shrubbery, and providing pro0menades and.fountains,
is a subject of kindred character, tending to the. same- results, and only
second in importance to the supply of water; I therefore commend it also
to your favorable consideration.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALEX. H. H. STUART
Secretary.
To the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITEDS STATES,




Doc. No. 1.                          35
REPORT
OF
THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Office of Indian Affairs, November 27, 1850.
SIR: Before proceeding to submit, for your consideration, a general
view of our Indian Affairs and relations during the last twelve months,
I would respectfully refer to the accompanying reports of the superintendents, agents, and missionaries, in the Indian country, for more particular information in relation to local operations, and the condition of the
various tribes, than can be fitly imbodied in a'report of this description.
Among the less remote tribes with which we have fixed and defined
relations, and which, to a greater or less extent, have felt the controlling
and meliorating effects of the policy and measures of the government for
preserving peace among them and improving their condition, an unusual
degree of order and quietude has prevailed. It is gratifying to know
that amongst this class, comprising a large portion of the red race within
our widely extended borders, there probably has never, during the same
period of time, been so few occurrences of a painful nature. All have
been peaceful towards our citizens; while, with the exception of the
Sioux and Chippewas, they have preserved a state of peace and harmony.among themselves.  These two tribes are -hereditary enemies, and
scarcely a year passes without scenes of bloody strife between them.
From their remoteness and scattered condition, it is difficult to exercise
any effective restraint over them, while their proximity to each other affords them frequent opportunities for indulging their vengeful and vindictive feelings. Each tribe seems to be constantly on thewatch for occasions to attack weaker parties of the other when an indiscriminate massacre of men, women, and children, is the lamentable result. During the
last spring mutual aggressions, of an aggravated character, threatened to
involve these tribes in a general war; but the acting superinitendent, Governor Ramsey, aided and assiste  by the commanding officer at Fort SnelSing, promptly interposed; and by timely and judicious efforts prevented'such a catastrophe.
Such occurrences are not only revolting to humanity, but they foster
that insatiable passion for war; which, in combination with love of the
chase, is the prominent characteristic feature of our wilder tribes, and.presents a formidable obstacle in the way of their civilization and improveThent. We know not yet to what extent these important objects may be.accomplished'; but the present anrd improving cond'itiori of some of our
semi-civilized tribes affords'ample encouragement for further and imore
extended effort.  Experience, however, has conclusively shown that
there is but one course of policy by which the great work of regenerating.the Indian race may be effected.
In the application of tiis policy to our wilder tribes, it is indispensably
P~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




36                           Doc. No. 1.
necessary that they be placed in positions where they can be controlled,
anA finally compelled by stern necessity to resort to agricultural labor or
starve. Considering, as the untutored Indian doesthat labor is a degradation, and that there is nothing worthy of his ambitil  but prowess in
war, success in the chase, and eloquence in council, iA is only under
such circumstances that his haughty pride can be subdued, al  his wil~l
energies trained to the more ennobling pursuits of civilized life. There
should be assigned to each tribe, for a permanent home, a country al, ^
ed to agriculture, of limited extent and well-defined boundaries; within.
which all, with occasional exceptions, should be compelled constantly to
remain until such time as their general improvement and good conduct
may supersede the necessity of such restrictions. In the mean time the
government should cause them to be supplied with stock, agricultural implements, and useful materials for clothing; encourage and assist them
in the erection of comfortable dwellings, and secure to them the means
and facilities of education, intellectual, moral, and religious.  The application of their own funds to such purposes would be far better for them
than the present system of paying their annuities in money, which does
substantial good to but few, while to the great majority it only furnishes
the means and incentive to vicious and depraving indulgence, terminating in destitution and misery, and too frequently in premature death.
The time is at hand for the practical application of the foregoing views
to the Sioux and Chippewas, as well as to some of the more northern
tribes on the borders of Missouri and Iowa.   Congress has made an
appropriation for negotiations with the Sioux for a portion of their lands,
which should, as far as practicable, be conducted on the principles laid
down in the instructions given to the commissioners appointed for that
purpose last year; and which were communicated with the annual report
of my predecessor.  Those instructions contemplated the purchase of a
large extent of their territory, and their concentration within narrower limits
upon lands remote from the white settlements and the Chippewas; objects
of primary importance, in view of the general policy already stated.
Since the treaties of 1837 and 1842, with the Chippewas, a considerable
portion of those Indians have continued, by sufferance, to reside on the
ceded lands east of the Mississippi river, in Wisconsin and Minnesota,
where they have for some years been brought into injurious contact with
our rapidly advancing and increasing population in that quarter.  Having
ample facilities for procuring ardent spirits, they have become much injured and corrupted by unrestrained indulgence in the use of that accursed
element of evil.  To remedy this unfortunate state of things, it was
determined, at an early period of the present year, to hhve these Indians.
removed northward to the country belonging to their tribe. Measures for
this purpose were accordingly adopted; but, in consequence of the very
late period at which the appropriation requisite to meet the necessary
expenses was made, only a small number have, as yet, been removed,
Their entire removal, however, will not sufficiently relieve our citizens
from annoyance by them, as they will for some time have'the disposition,
and be near enough, to return with facility to their old haunts and hunting grounds.  Nor will the situationof the Chippewas, generally, then be
such as their well-being requires.  They own a vast extent of territory on
each side of the Mississippi, over which they will be scattered, following
the chase and indulging id their vagrant habits, until the wild products
of the country, on which they depend for a subsistence, are exhausted,.




Doc. No. 1.                            37
and they are brought to a state of destitution and want.  Efforts should
therefore be made, s as early a period as.practicable, to copcentrate them
within proper 11i-ils, whe.re, with some additional means beyond those
already prot-'ad, effective arrangenrents could be made to introduce
among t' m  a system of education, and the practice of agriculture and;he s.iipler mechanic arts.  The best portion of their country for this.trpose is west of the Mississippi river; but it is not owned by the whole
tribe in common-a considerable part of it being the exclusive property of
particular bands, who are not parties to any of our treaties, and receive no
annuities or other material aid from the United States.  This circumstance
not only excites dissatisfaction with the governmfent, but produces much
jealousy and bad feeling towards the rest of the tribe, which may hereafter
lead to serious difficulty, and, as the game on which they mainly depend
for the means of living must soon fail them, the government will be under
the necessity of interposing to save them from starvation.  A wise forecast
and the dictates of a benevolent policy alike suggest that timely measures
be taken to avert so disastrous a result.  This may easily be done, and
at a moderate expense compared with the importance of the objects to be
accomplished.
In order to enable the department to carry:out these views in reference
to the whole Chippewa tribe, I respectfully recommend that Congress be
asked for an appropriation at the ensuing session to defray the expense
of negotiating a joint treaty with the different bands, for the purpose of
acquiring so much of their.country on the east side of the Mississippi as
we may require for a long time to come; to provide that the whole of their
remaining lands, together with their present and future means, shall be
the common property of the whole tribe, so that all will be placed upon an
equal footing; and that as large a proportion of their funds as practicable
shall be set apart and applied in such a manner as will secure their comfort, and most rapidly advance them in civilization and prosperity. With
such arrangements for this tribe, and the adoption of a like policy towards
the Winnebagoes, now located in their vicinity on the west side of the
Mississippi, andthe Menomonies, soon to be removed there, the whole
face of our Indian relations in that quarter would in a few years present
-an entire and gratifying change.  We should soon witness in this, our
northern colony of Indians, those evidences of general improvement now
becoming clearly manifest among a number of our colonized tribes in the
southwest, and which present to the mind of the philanthropist and the
Christian encouraging assurance of the practicability of regenerating the
red race of our countryj and elevating them to a position, moral and social,
similar if not equal to our own.  There are two evils in the. section of
country referred to, operating injuriously upon the welfare and interests of
the Indians in that quarter, and our citizens engaged in trade among then,
which require prompt attention, and which must be suppressed befbre our
Indian relations there can be placed upon a safe and satisfactory footing.
These are, first, the immense annual destruction of the buffalo and other
game by the half-breeds from the British side of the line, generally in the
-employment of the Hudson Bay Company; and, secondly, the introduction
-of ardent spirits among our Indians by the traders of that company. The
embarrassment and injury to our Indians resulting from the devastation of
game by these foreign depredators have justly occasioned much dissatis..
faction among them, and, if not soon checked, serious difficulties may
~well be apprehended.  The introduction of ardent spirits among the




38                          Doc. No. 1.
Indians by the persons referred to is not only an aggravated evil, but isderogatory to the authority and dignity of this govtmrnent.
Our laws and regulations prohibit the introduction     spirituous liquor
among the Indians, as well as the ingress of foreigners ink their country
for purposes of trade, or indeed for any purpose, without perii-ion from
the proper authorities. A strict compliance with these laws an, reogulations is required of our traders; while the traders of the Hudson.;Company, in contemptuous disregard of them, frequently come over on
our side of the line, ad, through the nefarious means of ardent spirits,
carry on a corrupting traffic with the Indians, injurious alike to them and
to our licensed and bonded traders.  Suitable measures should be promptly
adopted to put a stop to these abuses; for which purpose the establishment.
of a military post and an Indian agency in that quarter will be indispensable; and, in the present state of affairs, this cannot be done at too early
a period.
It was expected that the Menomonies, for whom  a location has been
provided between the Winnebagoes and Chippewas, would be removed
this year; but before the exploration of their new country by a party of
these Indians had been completed, the season was too far advanced for
the tribe to emigrate before the approach of winter.  The President,
therefore, in a just spirit of humanity, gave them permission to remain
in Wisconsin until the first day of June next.
The Stockbridge and Munsee Indians residing in Wisconsin having,
in 1848, ceded all their lands to the government, are expected to settle
somewhere in the same region of country.  The treaty which provides
for their removal stipulates that, in the selection of a country for their
future residence, they shall be consulted; and they have expressed a
preference'for a site in the vicinity of the St. Peter's river. As soon as a
suitable location can be found for them, and their removal effected, Wisconsin, like most of the other States, will be relieved substantially of the
evils of an Indian population.
As usual with the Winnebagoes, in whatever situation placed, a considerable number of them  have been restless and discontented in their
new location on the upper Mississippi, to which they were removed in
the year 1848. This has arisen less from any well-grounded objection to
the country than from their own reckless disposition and vagrant habits.
together, possibly, with an omission on the part of the government to do
all that might have been done for their comfortable settlement in their
new home. There was considerable difficulty in effecting their removal;
and a portion of them, eluding the agent of the government charged with
the superintendence of their emigration, remained behind.  These, with
others who returned to their old haunts in Iowa and Wisconsin, gave
serious annoyance to our citizens by their threatening conduct and actual
depredations.  The white population became more or less alarmed, and
strong representations were made to the government of the necessityfor
their immediate removal.  The urgency appearing to be great, there was
but little time to make the necessary arrangements for the purpose.  A
resort to military force was considered inexpedient, as it mirght have
tended to exasperate their feelings, and lead to actual hostilities; and it
was greatly to be desired that they should be taken to their country under
circumstances calculated to allay their discontent, and dispose them  to
remain.
ly predecessor, therefore, with the concurrence and approbation of the




Doe. No. 1.
hiead: of the department, entered into a contract with a gentlemarn reconn/e~nded for his high ciaracter and great influence over theese Iidians, to
remove them in a kind and judicious manner, and to make suitable and
sat'isfactory v-iangements for their comfottable anri  permanent settlement.
it appears -nat the measure has thus far been attended W'ith corresponding r;alts, and that the contractor is entitled to credit for his eniergy and
a5-cess in the prosecution of his undertaking.
In examining the reports of my predecessors for several years, I find a
measure of policy strongly urged with refereee to the tribes located on
the boiders of our western States, in which I fully conlcur.  It is, by. a
partial change in their relative positions, to throw open a wide extent of
country for the spread of our population westward, so as to save thIem
from  being swept away by the mighty and advancing current:of civilization, which has already engulfed a large portion of this hapless race.
To a large majority of those that have been removed there from the States
we are under obligations of the highest character, enjoined alike by contract and conscience;to secure to them their present homes and posss-.
sions forever; and, ere it be too late, we should make all the arrangements
necessary and proper to a faithful discharge of this solemn duty.
Below  the most southern of our colonized tribes, we have an armple
outlet to the southwest; but another of higher latitude is required, leading
more directly towards our remote western possessions.  A beginning wvill
be made in carrying this measure of policy and humanity into effect by
the purchase, as contemplated, from the Sioux, of a large portion of their
country; and it may be fully consummated by the removal of a few tribes
between the Sioux territory and the Kanzas river, with AwhSom we have
no treaty stipulations guarantying in perpetuity their present pOssessions.
Suitable locations may be found for theni south of that river, where,
secure in comfortable and permanent homnes, they would be stimulated
by the salutary influence and example of neighboring and more enlightened tribes.
That the border tribes in question are in danger of ultimate extinction'from  the causes indicated must be evident to every well informed anid
reflecting mind; and it is equally clear that the aidoptiorn of the policy
recommended is the only practicable means of averting the melancholy
fate-with which they are threatened.  If they remain as they aire, many
years will not elapse before they will be overrun and extermiliated; or,
uprooted and broken-spirited, be driven forth towards the setting sun to
perish amidst savage enemies on the plains, or the sterile and inhospitable
regions of the Rocky mountains. Such a catastrophe would be an abiding
reproach to our government and people, especially when it is considered
that these Indians, if properly established, protected, and cherished, may
at no distant day become intelligent, moral, and Christian communities,
fullv understanding and appreciating the principles and blessings of our
free institutions, and entitled to equal participation in the rights, privileges, and immunities of American citizens.
It is among the tribes of our southern colony that we find the most
satisfactory and encouraging evidences of material advacemenet in civilization; and we need no better vindication of he wisdom aid humanity of
otir Indian policy, thus far, than thie gratifyiing results among a ninumi eri
of these tribes.  Surrounded,' in the States where they formerly resided,
by a:white population continually pressing upon them, iand without the




40                          Doc. No. 
natural enterprise and energy or the intellectual culture requisite to-enable
them to contend with a superior race in any of those employments and
pursuits upon which the dignity and happiness of man depend —discouraged and depressed by their inferior and helpless condition-,they, With a
fatal and ruinous facility, adopted only the vices of the whitivr,-an, and
were fast wasting away.  In a few years they would have become >atinct
and, like other once numerous and powerful tribes, their names wo:io
have been preserved only in the records of history.  Removed from this
unfortunate, and to them unnatural, position-placed where they have the
assurance and guarantee of permanent homes-where they are, in a great
measure, free from those influences arising out of a close contact with a
white population, so injurious and fatal to them  in their untutored state,
and where the elements of civilization could be steadily and systematically
introduced among them,-they are gradually increasing in numbers and
rapidly advancing in prosperity.
Several of these tribes have already abandoned their original and crude
forms of government, and adopted others, fashioned more or less after the
model of our own, having regularly established constitutions, of republican
character, and written laws, adapted to their peculiar state of affairs, with
proper and: responsible officers to carry them  into execution.  They are
adopting agricultural and mechanical pursuits, and, through the efforts of
the government aid ofvarious Christiai societies, having become impressed
with the necessity and advantages of education, they are making highlycommendable exertions to disseminate more generally its blessings among
them.
In addition to the means furnished by government and liberally provided by missionary associations, they make large appropriations from
their own funds towards the establishment and support of manual-labor
schools, which have been fouild efficient auxiliaries in imparting to them
a knowledge of letters, agriculture, and mechanic arts, and of advancing
them in civilization and Christianity.  During the few years that institutions of this description have been in operation, they have done much towards the accomplishment of these great objects; and, had they effected
nothing more than to excite the desire for instruction now existing among
a number of the tribes, the expenditures they have occasioned would not
have been in vain.  Introduced, however, as an experiment, we were
liable to errors in regard to them, which experience alone could develop;
and, after much reflection, I am satisfied that there are defects in the system, as at present organized, which must be remedied in order to insure
its full degree of efficiency and usefulness.  In my judgment, confirmed
by the experience of others, the great error committed has been in establishing most of the institutions upon too large a scale.  In consequence of the heavy expenditures required to establish and maintain
them, they are necessarily limited in number, and so wide apart as to be
at an inconvenient distance from the great majority of those for whose
benefit they are intended.  Hence the advantages and benefits of the
schools are confined almost entirely to the neighborhoods within which
they are respectively located; for the Indians at a distance being naturally
averse to having their children taken so far from their homes, it often
happens that the full complement of scholars cannot be obtained.  Besides, the congregation of large numbers of Indian children, byaffording
them more unrestricted opportunities of indulging in the use of their own
language, seriously interferes with their acquisition of the English tongue,




Doe. No. 1.                            41
a knowledge of which is generally a pre-requisite to their civilization.
By diminishing the sioz and expense of these institutions, they could be
multiplied and extended; there would be less difficulty in obtaining the
desired number of resident pupils; while others in the vicinity could be
taught as,ay scholars, and the benefits of a practical education be thus
more widely diffused.
The only considerable number of Indians who have retained any portion of their original possessions, and survived the perils of immediate;
contact with a white population fast thickening around them, are those:
remaining in the State of New York, comprising a mere remnant of the
once numerous and powerful Iroquois, or "Six Nations."   After rapidly
diminishing for many years, they seem at length to have reached the
lowest point in their declining fortunes.  Having been placed, by the humane legislation of the State, in a situation similar to that of our colonized tribes, they present the interesting spectacle of a once barbarous
people in a state'of rapid transition to civilization and prosperity. A striking; indication of their progress is the important change they have made
in their civil polity. Impressed with the disadvantages of their ancient
and irresponsible oligarchical form of government, and its tendency to retard their advancement, a majority succeeded, in 1.84, in effecting an
entire revolution. Having formally assembled in convention, they adopted a republican constitution, and their government and affairs are now
well conducted, on principles similar to those on which ours are administered.  There are still, however, individuals among them  who, from
their connexion with the old system, are opposed to the new' order of
things; but, as the object of these mhalcontents is to regain their lost
power, rather than to promote the public good, no encouragement has
been given to them, either by the State of New York or the general government.
It is much to be regretted that no appropriation was made at the last
session of Congress for negotiating treaties with the wild tribes of the
great western prairies.  These Indians have long held undisputed possession of this extensive region, and, regarding it as their own, they consider themselves entitled to compensation, not only for the right of way
through their territory, but for the great and injurious destruction of
game, grass, and timber, committed by our troops and emigrants. They
have hitherto been kept quiet and peaceable by reiterated promises that
the government would act generously towards them, and considerations
of economy, justice, and humanity require that these promises should be
promptly, fulfilled.  They would, doubtless, be contented with a very
mnoderate remuneration, which should be made in goods, stock animals,
agricultural implements, and other useful articles.
As a further measure for securing the friendship and good conduct of
these Indians, it is earnestly recommended that a delegation of their principal and most influential men be brought in, for the purpose of visiting
some of our larger cities and more densely populated portions of country.  These delegates would thus be impressed with an idea of the great
superiority of our strength, which, being imparted to their people, would
have a powerful and most salutary influence upon them.
Our information in regard to the Indians in Oregon andCaliforniais
extremely limited; but the deficiency, it is hoped, will shortly be supplied
by the agents and commissioners provided for at the last session of Congress. Copies of the instructions given to these officers are herewith




42                           Doc. -No. 1.
submitted; together'with a report from  General Lane, late governor and
acting superintendent of Indian affairs in Oregonr, containing the:latest
official information in possession of the office respecting the Indians in
that far-distant region. and received too late to accompany the annual report of last year.
After the three agents authorized by Congress for the Indians in California were appointed, it was found that-no appropriation had been.mide
for their salaries, and the necessary expenses of their agencies.  Their
functions as agents were therefore suspended; but, as there was an appropriation for negotiating treaties with the Indians in that State, they were
constituted commissioners for that purpose.  They will thus have an
opportunity of acquiring information usefuil to them as agents, and be on
the spot.to enter upon their duties in that capacity when the requisite
appropriations shall have been made.
Commissioners have also been appointed for the highly important purpose of negotiating treaties with the various Indian tribes adjacent to the
line between the United States and Mexico.  They are expected to accompany the boundary commission, and are charged with the duty of
collecting all such statistical and other information concerning those Indians as may aid the department in adopting the proper policy and measures for their government, and to carry out, in good faith, the stipulations
of our recent treaty with the Mexican republic.
The ruinous condition of our Indian affairs in New Mexico demands
the immediate attention of Congress.  In no section of the country are
prompt and efficient measures for restraining the Indians more imperiously required than in this Territory, where an extraordinary state of
things exists, which, so long as it continues, will be a reproach to the
government.
There are over thirty thousand Indians within its limits, the greater
portion of which, having never been subjected to any.,salutary restraint,
are extremely wild and intractable.  For many years they have been in
the constant habit of making extensive forays, not only within the Territory itself, but in the adjoining provinces of Mexico, plundering and
murdering the inhabitants, and carrying off large quantities of stock, besides
numerous captives, whom  they have subjected to slavery, and treated*
with great barbarity and cruelty.  Humanity shudders in view of the horrible fate of such of their female captives as possess qualities to excite
their fiendish and brutal passions. Our citizens have suffered severely
from: their outrages within the last two years, of which their attack last
fall upon'Mr. White's party, while travelling to Santa Fe, is one of many
instances.  They murdered the whole party, nine or ten in number, except his wife, child, and servant, whom  they carried off.  Our only Indian agent in the Territory, who is stationed at Santa Fe, on hearing of
the lamentable occurrence, promptly made every effort in his power to
rescue the captives and bring the Indians to punishment.  The military
officers in the Territory also made commendable exertions for the'same
purpose, but, unfortunately, with no other result than the discovery of
the dead body of Mrs. White, which was found by-a military party in
pursuit of some Indians supposed to have her in their possession.  It
was evident that she had just been murdered, as the body was still warm.
The sad duty of interring the corpse was performed by the military with
becoming decency and respect.  Proper efforts have been continued to
rescue the child and.servant, but as yet without success.  Renewed in



Doc. No. 1.                            43
structions have recently been given directing a large reward to be offered,
which, it is hoped, will lead to a favorable result.  But their atrocities
and aggressions are committed, not only upon our citizens, but upon the
Pueblo Indians, an interesting semi-civilized people, living in towns or:
villages called pueblos, whence they derive their name.  Before the country came into our possession, they were in the habit of repairing the injuries they sustained by retaliation and reprisals upon their enemies; but
from  this they are now required to desist; and thus the duty is more
strongly imposed upon us of affording them adequate protection. The
interference of the government is required also to secure them against
violations of their rights of person and property by unprincipled white
men, from whose cupidity and lawlessness they are continually subject
to grievous annoyance and oppression.
To prevent serious disputes between these Indians and the white inhabitants, it is essentially necessary that commissioners be appointed to
ascertain and define the boundaries of their lands, which they claim to
hold under grants from Spain and Mexico, and to negotiate treaties with
them for the purpose of establishing proper relations between them and
the government and citizens of the United, States.  It is believed that by
pursuing a wise and liberal policy towards them-which their peculiar
situation indicates and invites-they will in a few years be fitted to become citizens; and being industrious, moral, and exemplary in their
habits, will constitute a valuable portion of the population of the Territory.
For a brief period, however, they will require agents to regulate their intercourse and manage their relations with the other Indians and the whites.
The same commissioners could be charged with the further duty of entering into the necessary conventional arrangements with the wild tribes of
the Territory.  To manage these Indians properly, they also must have
agents; and, in order to break up their practice of committing depredations
and taking captives, they should be placed in situations where a proper
vigilance and control can be exercised over them.  Their forays into the
Mexican territory can only be prevented by locating them at a considerable
distance from the boundary line, and the establishing of military posts to
prevent them from crossing it.  The boundaries of the country allotted
to the several tribes, respectively, should be clearly defined, and they
should not be allowed to go beyond them without special permission.
Thus situated and restrained, a portion of them would need the assistance
of the government until brought to apply themselves to husbandry for the
means of subsistence, instead of depending on plunder and the chase.
The adoption of this, or some other efficient system of measures, would
involve an expense far less than the amount for which the government
will otherwise become liable on account of the just claims of our citizens
and those of Mexico for spoliations committed by these Indians; while
it would obviate the serious evils that must result from the settlement and
improvement of the country being greatly retarded. An obligation of the
highest character rests upon us to redeem the captives among the Indians
in New Mexico, represented to be numerous, and liberal appropriations
will have to be made for that purpose.
For interesting and more particular information respecting our Indian
affairs in this Territory, and especially in relation to the agency and organization required for their proper management, I respectfully refer to the accompanying letter (No. 33) from the Hon. H. N. Smith, and the reports
from agent Calhoun.




44                           Doc. No. 1.
We know but little of the Indians in Utah beyond the fact that they are
generally peaceable in their disposition and easily controlled; but further
and full information as to their peculiar condition and wants may soon be
expected from the agent recently sent among them.  I therefore refrain for
the present from making any recommendation in regard to them, except
that our trade and intercourse laws be extended over them.
Our Indian relations in Texas remain in the awkward and embarrassing
state set forth in the annual reports from this office for the last five years,
and particularly in that of my immediate predecessor. The laws providing for the regulation of trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes are
not in force in Texas, nor can they, I apprehend, be extended there without the consent of that State. Thus; while an unfortunate state of things
exists in Texas similar to that in New Mexico, and requiring, in general,
the same remedial measures, we have not the power to put them  in full
and complete operation. The constitution, it is true; gives to Congress the
power to regulate commerce with the Indian tribes; but that it can be
rightfully exercised in such manner as to punish the citizens of that State for
trespassing on lands occupied by the Indians, or trading with them unless
licensed by the government, is a proposition that may well be controverted.  What is required in regard to the Indians in Texas, is full and
absolute authority to assign to them a suitable country, remote from the
white population, for their exclusive occupancy and use, where we can
make our own arrangements for regulating trade and intercourse with
them, and adopt other measures for their gradual civilization and improvement.  With this view, I respectfully suggest that a commissioner or
commissioners be appointed to confer with the proper authorities of Texas
on this important subject; for the purpose of effecting the conventional
arrangements indispensable to a satisfactory adjustment of our Indian affairs in that State.
This measure, I submit, would be fully justified, if recommended alone,
by the consideration that it would probably result in curtailing the iminense and comparatively useless expense to which the government is now
subjected in maintaining the large military force deemed necessary for the
protection and defence of the citizens of Texas.
The arrangenients adopted last year for the removal of the Seminole
Indians in Florida to the country occupied by their brethren west of the
Mississippi, failed of entire success; only a portion were removed, and a
number still remain within the district temporarily assigned to them, on
the gulf side of the peninsula.  These continue, as heretofore,,in charge.
of the military; and this department has no control or jurisdiction over
them.
Notwithstanding the efforts that have been made, and the heavy expense incurred, during the last six years; to effect the removal of the
Choctaws remaining in Mississippi, a considerable number still continue
indisposed to migrate to the country provided for the tribe, west of the
State of-Arkansas.  Anxiety is felt that the State of Mississippi shall be
speedily relieved of this incumbrance, and the Indians transferred to more
comfortable homes among their brethren, where they would be, comparatively prosperous and happy. In view of past results, it is evident that
imore efficient measures are necessary to accomplish their rermoval. These,
it is: hoped, may be devised and put into successful operationat an early
day.
Conceding the general wisdom  and justice of the policy adopted in




Doc. No. 1.                             45
1847, of paying the annuities to the Indians on the per capita principle,
in my judgment there are material objections to the manner in which it
has been practically applied. The regulation'on this subject provides that
a portion of the annuities may be set apart by the Indians for national and
charitable purposes. These purposes, however, have never been particularly defined; rules are not prescribed for determining the amounts to be
provided for them, nor have measures been taken to encourage the Indians to make so wise and beneficial a disposition of their funds.  They
naturally desire to receive individually the full amount of their respective
shares, and, consequently, their entire annuities have been distributed
equally among them. However fair and equitable this mode of payment
may appear, it is not altogether just to the chiefs, nor consistent with
sound policy.  It is through the medium of the chiefs that the government holds intercourse and dealings with the tribes in the transaction of
their more important business; and it is not unreasonable that they should
expect more from the government than the common Indians receive, in
consideration of their station and the services they perform. But, according to the present mode of paying their annuities, the Indians are all and
alike placed on a common level; and, as no discrimination is made in
favor of the chiefs, their influence is not only diminished, but a feeling
of contempt for governmental authority in general is extensively inspired.
Evils of no ordinary magnitude are thus produced, which, it is believed,
may be remedied by a proper exercise of the discretionary power over this
subject vested in the President and the Secretary of the Interior.
The greatest difficulty which the government and individuals have to
contend with, in their efforts to ameliorate the condition of our Indians,
is their strong and uncontrollable appetite for ardent spirits, and the facility with which they can still be procured, notwithstanding the stringency
of our laws, and the strenuous efforts of the agents and military to prevent its introduction among them.  It is a deplorable fact, that there are
many persons engaged in the villanous business of smuggling liquor into
the Indian country, while others, less daring, but equally depraved, are
stationed near their borders for the purpose of carrying on an unholy traffic
with them. The States within which these miscreants take refuge should.
be invoked to put an effectual stop to their abominations.
The work of collecting and digesting statistical and other information,
illustrative of the history, condition, and future prospects of the Indian
tribes, has been unremittingly prosecuted, and the results, it is believed,
will not only be of much general interest, but highly useful to the department in the administration of our Indian affairs.  The first part of
these investigations is in press, and will be laid before Congress at an,
early period of the ensuing session.*
The present force of this office is less than in former years, and, inadequate to the prompt discharge of its greatly augmented and increasing
duties.  An additional number of clerks, and a thorough reorganization
of the department, are indispensably necessary. But as a full and satisfactory exposition of the measures required in this connexion would involve
elaborate detail, they will form the subject of a special communication.
Respectfully submitted.               L. LEA,; Commissioner.
Hon A. H. H. STUART,
Secretary of the Interior.
* For paragraph relative to " estimates," see letter H, at the end of accompanying documents.




46                         Doc. No. 1.
&hedule of papers accompdyilg annual report of Commissioner oJf indian Affairs for the year 1850.
1. Report of Superintendent D. D. Mitchell, St. Louis superintendency.
2. Report of Agent Thomas Fitzpatrick, Upper Platte and Arkansas.
3. Report of Agent C. N. Handy, Osage River agency.
4. Report of Teacher David Lykins, Osage River agency.
5. Report of Teacher Jotham Meeker, Osage River agency.
6. Report of Sub-agent W. P. Richardson, Great Nemaha sub-agency.
7. Report of Teacher W. Hamilton, Great Nemaha sub-agency.
S. Report of Sub-agent T. Mosely, jr., Wyandot sub-agency.
9. Report of Sub-agent H. Harvey, Osage sub-agency.
10. Report of Teacher Rev. J. Sc;hoenmakers, Osage sub-agency.
11. Report of Sub-agent J. E. Barrow, Council Bluffs sub-agency.
12. Report of Sub-agent W. S. Hatton, Upper Missouri sub-agency.
13. Report ofSuperintendent Governor A. Ramsey, Minnesota superintendency.
14. Report of Agent J. E. Fletcher, Winnebago agency.
15. Report of Sub-agent N. McLean, St. Peter's sub-agency.
16. Report of Teacher J. S. Williamson, St. Peter's sub-agency.
17. Report of-Teacher S. R. Riggs, St. Peter's sub-agency.
18. Report of Teacher S. M. C6ok, St. Peter's sub-agency.
19. Report of Teacher J. W. Hancock, St. Peter's sub-agency.
20. Report of Teacher G. H. Pond, St. Peter's sub-agency.
21. Report of Teacher R. H. Hopkins, St. Peter's sub-agency.
22. Report of Physician T. S. Williamson, St. Peter's sub-agency.
23. Report of superintendent of farms, P. Prescott, St. Peter's sub-agency.
24.; Report of Sub-agent J. L. Watrous, Sandy Lake sub-agency.
25. Report of Teacher F. H. Caming, Mackinac agency.
26. Report of Sub-agent A. Johnston, California.
27' Report of Agent J. S. Calhoun, November 17, 1849, Santa Fe.
28. Report of Agent J. S. Calhoun, March 29, 1850, Santa Fe.
29. Report of Agent J. S. Calhoun, March 30, 1850, Santa Fe.
30. Report of Agent J. S.  Calhoun, March 31, 1850, Santa Fe.
31. Report of Agent J. S. Calhoun, July 15, 1850, Santa Fe.
32. Report of Agent J. S. Calhoun, October 12, 1850, Santa Fe.
33. Report of Hon. H. N. Smith, March 9, 1850, Santa Fe.
34. Extract from report of J. H. Rollins, special agent, Texas.
A. Letter ef instructions to Commissoners Gaines, Skinner, and Allen,
Oregon.
BB. Letter of instructions to Superintendent A. G. D)ait, Oregon.
C. Letter of instructions to Commissioners McKee, Barbour, and Wozencraft, California.
D. Letter ofinstructions to Todd, Campbell, and Temple, New Mexico.
E. Report-of Joseph Lane, late superintendent of Indian affairs, Oregon
Territory.
F. and-G. Statements —of funds held in trust for'various Indian tribes,
and annual income thereon.




Doe. No. L                                47
No. 1
OFFICE SUPERINTENDENT INDIAN AFF —AIRS
St. Louis,  eptember 14, 1850.
SIR: In submitting my annual report for the present year, I.mustt as
usual, re;er you to the reports of the agents and sub-agents. for details in
regard to Indian affairs comprised within the limits of this superintendnncy.
It, however, affords me much pleasure to be able to state.that, so far.as
I am informed, the condition of the border tribes is gradually though slowly
improving.  Every, year seems to impress them with the necessity of improving their'minds as well as their, fields and gardens.  In my.;annual
report of last year I directed the attention of the department to many
changes which I considered important, so far as the agencies, subtagen-i
cies, and existing regulations were concerned.  Experience during the
last year has only tended to confirm  me in the belief that these changes
would have a very beneficial effect, so far as the Indians:are concerned,
anrd prevent many annoyances, and inconveniences to which the oflicers
of the Indian department are now subjected. For information concerning
the border tribes I therefore respectfully refer you to my annual report
of 1849.
No changes of importance have occurred during the present year which
would seem to require any special action on the part of the department,
so far as the border tribes are concerned.  With the prairie, or:wandering
tribes, inhabiting the vast region of country lying between the Missouri
and the State of Texas, the case is somewhat different.
In the beginning of the present year they were induced to believe that
the government of the United States would; make them  some: compensation for the depredations committed upon their soil, during the lastfour
years, by troops, emigrants, and travellers passing through their country
en route for Santa Fe, Oregon, and California:.  With these im.iedassuurances they have remained comparatively qu:iet up to the present time;
but they confidently expect that the conditional promises of the agents of
the government will be carried out during the ensuing season.; If.any
one is to be.blamed for producing this impression on.the minds of the
prairie tribes, I trust the whole responsibility will:rest o.ni me, as I authorized the agents and sub-agents, as well as the Indian traders, to say to the
mountain and prairie tribes (who considered themselves aggrieved) that
their Great Father would see-that they were. fairly dealt, with,: and that:
any injuries they might hlave sustained in consequence of-,the destruction
of their game, timber, and grass, by the passage of; the.whites through
their country,- would be fairly paid for by the government of the United
States.  In making this promise, I felt myselffiully justifiediby the action
of the United States Senate and the wishes of.the late;President of. the:
United States, General Taylor.
I had the honor, during the last: winter) of havingia bill introduced into;
the, Senate "authorizing the President of.the. United. Statesi to hold ai
treaty wih the. varioussprairie and mountain tribes,. the. bjoetsQf which
were to compensate them for the destruction of their gamn,.timber, grass,;
&c., by the citizens and.soldiers of the United;State$s pasing.through
their country without;thleir knowledge or.consent, This bill passed. tb
Senate by unanimous consent;.and it.is much to,be. regreted'that the)




48                          Doc. No. 1.
unhappy difficulties existing on the subject of slavery delayed the Senate
bill in the House of Representatives until it was too late to be carried into
effect during the present year.  Measures have, however, been taken to
explain this to the various tribes interested, and up to this time they have
continued to deport themselves in a manner that gives no jut cause of
complaint.  For a full understanding of this contemplated anctpromised
treaty I refer you to the Senate bill appropriating "two hundred thousand
dollars" for this specific purpose.  The bill passed the Senate unamni
mously, but was delayed in the lower house until the time for action
(during the present year) had passed. I still hope it will pass during the
present session of Congress, and the just and humane objects contemplated be carried out during the summer of 1851.
I presume the reports of the agents, sub-agents, and superintendents
of the manual-labor schools established among the border tribes will inform the department of the almost total failure of their crops during the
last summer, owing to the extraordinary drought of the last season.
This dispensation of Providence falls heavily not only upon the Indians, but the various missionary societies who have undertaken to educate the Indian children at a very inadequate compensation. I would
therefore recommend that any aid that can be afforded them out of the education fund should be promptly furnished; otherwise, their limited means
will not enable them to carry out their contracts in a manner satisfactory
to the department or useful to the Indians.
I regret to say that great dissatisfaction exists among the tribes who
are the recipients of annuities from the general government; and in my
humble opinion, their complaints are well founded.  It has been the
practice of the department for many years past to adjudicate and allow
claims against the various border tribes, and retain portions of their
annuities to satisfy the claimants. These claims are generally allowed
upon ex'parte statements of the whites.  It too frequently happens that
the first information the Indians receive of the existence of certain claims
against them, is from  the agents and sub-agents when their annuities
ave about to be paid. They are then told that so many thousand dollars
of their money have been retained, and paid over to individuals who pre- 
sented claims of a national character against them at Washington city.
It is useless for the Indians to protest against it, or deny the justice of
the claim; the only satisfaction they can get, is the poor one of abusing
the government and its officers. They claim, and, in my opinion, with
great justice and propriety, that the whole amount of their annuities
should be fairly and honestly paid over to them, and let themn, in their
national or individual capacities, settle with their creditors.
By adopting this course, the character of the Indian would be elevated, and all complaints of the kind would necessarily cease; and when
it was once understood that such would be the invariable practice, no Indian trader, or any one else, would have a right to complain. If they credited the Indians, it would be at their own risk, and with a full knowledge
of the fact that they must look only to the Indians for payment. All claims
against the Indians, either of a national or individual character, should
be presented in the Indian country, at the time their annuities are being
paid; this would at least give the Indians an opportunity of producingtestimony, on their part, against any claim they might denounce as fraudulent or unjust.  Should; the officer making the payment be convinced




Doc. No. 1.                            49
"that the claim was just, and the Indians, notwithstanding, refuse to pay
it, let it be his duty:o report all the facts of the case to the department,
for its future action.
Whilst on this subject, I will venture the opinion that no department,of the government-nay, not even the President of the United States,
nor Congress itself — has the legal power to take one dollar out of the Ind ian annuities, for any purpose whatever, without their knowledge or
consent. I have always considered treaty stipulations as paramount to
all other laws or regulations.  If this.be admitted, whence does any
Executive department of the government, or even' Congress, derive the
power to withhold money which the faith and. honor of our nation are
pledged to pay to another?  If the department has the authority which
has been so long exercised over the Indian annuities, then our treaties
with these unfortunate and feeble nations are nothing more than solemn
mockeries.
We entered into treaty stipulations with Mexico, by which we pledged.
our national faith and honor to pay her, in the shape of annuities, fifteen
millions of dollars, the price of lands ceded by her to the United States.
Have we the legal right to take any portion of this money and pay it over
to merchants or other American citizens who may have claims against the
republic of Mexico or the citizens thereof?  If we have not the authority
in the one: case, I cannot understand how or why we have it in the other.'These suggestions are made merely for the consideration of the department, as I feel it to be a part of my duty to protect the rights and interests of the Indians within this superintendency, as far as practicable.
In expressing these views, I am fully sustained by several gentlemen
eminent for legal attainments with whom  I have conversed.  Some of
them go so far as to contend that the Indians have a clear right to require
the government of the United States to refund every dollar that has not
been paid in accordance with their treaty stipulations. This subject, I
trust, will receive such consideration as its importance seems to me to
demand.
I am informed by Indian traders, recently from  the Platte and Upper
Missouri, that several bands of the Sioux Indians have suffered severely
by the cholera.  This epidemic, they contend, was introduced by the
whites, for the purpose of causing their more speedy annihilation.  Superadded to this fresh cause of complaint, they, together with other prairie
tribes, continue to remonstrate in threatening language against-the destruction of their game, timber, &c., by the whites passing through their
country, and the establishment of military posts by the government.
However we may despise their threats, policy and humanity require that,they should, to some extent, be compensated and pacified.
Respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Di D. MITCHELL,
Superintendent Indian Affairs.
-HOn. L. LEA,
Commissioner of.idian Affairs.
4




50                          Doc. No. 1.
No. 2.
ST. Louis, September 24 1850.
SIR: It is probable that I may soon return to my agency on the upper
Platte and Arkansas; and as it is fa; advanced in the season, and means
of corresponding with your office from that remote region is seldom and
far between, I take the liberty, while here, of making a few remarks before
my departure. In the discharge of my duties, my isolated position and the
uncertainty of transmitting and receiving documents are such, as to promote and justify strong suspicions of negligence, and a want of proper
regard and attention to the rules and requirements of the department.
Such, however, is not the case, as nothing could give me more pleasure
or agreeable occupation than to be able, and have means to comply with,
and perform to the very letter, every order and requisition of the departmnent. I have on a former occasion alluded to this, as well as to other
inconveniences to which I am subjected in endeavoring to carry out the
instructions of the department. The want of a good interpreter, or interpreters, as well as the want of some station or place of refuge wh6reat
to transact business, other than the wide prairies, are amongst the inconveniences alluded to.  No person who speaks the Indian languages well,
can be engaged for the sum of three hundred dollars per annum, which
the department allows for that purpose, unless it is for short intervals during the summer season, when trade with the Indians is in a manner suspended; the traders at all times paying good interpreters nearly and
often double the amount allowed by the department, as well as furnishing
subsistence, which is costly in that country;  Indeed, no person, who is
under the necessity of purchasing his food, clothing, &c., could maintain
himself on $300 per annum in that country: therefore, it is only when
such men are out of the service of traders that they can be engaged at
all, and then only for a short time.
It may easily be perceived, too, that having property for distribution
amongst the various tribes of that remote and wild region requires a greater protection and a more judicious care than it is possible, or in the power
of one man, to give it-exposed as he necessarily must be, when without
protection or habitation of any kind, to all the vicissitudes of prairie life,,
to say nothing about the thieving and rapacious disposition of the Indians, as well as of some white men, sometimes to be met with in that
country.
It may be asked why the agent does not make his headquarters at Fort
Laramie, where he could have every facility, and all the assistance and
protection necessary, instead of rambling about and over the prairies; to
which may be replied, that Fort Laramie is at the extreme northern limits of the agency; and, besides, the Indians of that part of the district have.
never been so hostile and troublesome as those further south; and, moreover, at the time of entering on my official duties, the whole upper Arkansas and a great portion of the Santa Fe roadwere beset and continually
ravaged by roaming and hostile bands of Indians, and I.was at the time
instructed by the department to establish and make my headquarters at
Bent's Fort, on the upper Arkansas, where any benefit arising from the
presence of an agent was most wanted, on account of the refractory disposing of the Indians of that section of country. Those instructions
were judicious, as the difference between the present state of that district




Doe. No. 1.                             51
and of the time of which I write will show. - ast year the department
furnished $5,000, to be laid out in the purchase of such merchandise as
would suit the Indians of that country, with instructionstodistribute them
as presents to the different tribes.  This was performed to the best of my
abilities; and although the amount was small in comparison to the great
number of Indians to be dealt with, yet I can with confidence assert the
measure to have been productive of much good.  And although I have
thought proper to make the foregoing remarks in regard to being alone and
unprotected, &c., yet I have had no reason to complain of the Indians or
their conduct for the past two years; nor am  I aware of any act of aggression committed by the Indians alluded to, on whites, during that time.
The $5,000 alluded to above was laid out by me in St. Louis, in the
purchase of such articles of merchandise as I thought the Indians most
desired, and were shipped to Fort Leavenworth, at which place I was
informed I could obtain transportation and a safe escort to my destination
on the upper Arkansas; but being refused any assistance at that post, I
again shipped the goods on board a steamboat, and descended the Missouri river to Kanzas landing, and at Westport made an agreement for the
transportation to Bent's Fort, or any part of the upper Arkansas, at six
cents per pound; thence to the north fork of Platte river, or Fort Laramie,
at three cents per pound for any quantity that might be renaining on hand
at leaving the Arkansas country.  But finding it somew'iht inconvenient,
after arriving amongst the Indians, and ascertaining them to )be much scattered, and knowing it to be essential to see them alk, and not having the party
with whom I travelled subject to my control, I saw proper, instead of confining myself to such movements as the said party saw fit to make, to
become more independent and shape my course and management as circumstances and the promotion of the most good required.  I therefore
hired a wagon, team, and driver, at $3 per diem, as long as I saw proper to
retain them.  With this aid I departed from the Arkansas river on the
15th of November, and after diverging on many occasions from theusual
route, in order to meet the scattered bands of Indians, I arrived at Fort
Laramie on the 24th of December, at and in the vicinity of which I remained about seven weeks, during which time I visited many bands of
Indians in their winter encampments, all of whom  I found exceedingly
friendly and well disposed.  On the 1.6th of February, 18.50, I left the
neighborhood of Fort Laramie, and the north fork of Platte river, at
which time and from which place I wrote you a brief accountof my proceedings.  I returned again to the Arkansas river, where I arrived on the
15th of March, and descended the river to a place called the Big Timber.
At this point I found a party of traders, and also a part of nearly all the
Indian tribes of that country, assembled for the purpose of meeting me
again in order to ascertain at what time, and at what place, the representatives of their' Great Father" wished to meet them in council, and for
what purpose.
This assemblage of the different tribes took rise from conversations held
with them while passing up the Arkansas in the fall, telling them  that
their "Great Father" had it in'contemplation to call a council of all the
prairie tribes, for the purpose of making and entering into a treaty of peace
and amity with all; thereby to have a clear and definite understanding, and
afoundation on which to:base future proceedings. At the Big Timber
I remained nearly a month; having in the mean time held frequent meetings




52                           Doe. No. 1.
and conversations with the Indians, andibecame convinced that they felt
great interest and anxiety in regard to the: contemplated treaty.   ither
continued down the Arkansas river, by slow andeasy marches, in company
with the traders and all the Indians, until we arrived at the crosing of the
great Santa Fe thoroughfare. Here we made another hal;t untui the 10th
of June, on which day, after disbanding the Indians, and:recommending
each band to proceed to their own proper hunting grouncds, I took my. departure for this place.  My:object for remaining so long on the Arkansas,
and in the vicinity of the Santa- Fe road, was, that I had still hopes of receiving further and: more definite:instructions in regardf to the:manner of
preparation and.proceeding in brinigi:ng about tthe conltem plated treaty., before
mentioned.'And I regret: exceedingly that the whole: arrangement has not
been completed the past summer, as I am  confident that the Indians of
that country will never be found in better training, or their disposition
more pliable, or better suited to enter'into amicable arrangements with the,government, than they are at the present time.  And 1 can with confidence and perfect knowledge further state, that delays and putting off
matters of this kind with Indians is a tihing they can hardly brook, as they
will invariably attribute such delays to a course of tampering and temporizing, in order to-gain time for the purpose of maturing some plan or:.occasion for their disadvantage or. inj'ury. Indians are'exceedingly jealous
and selfish, as well as full of deception; yet, strange to say, there'is nothing they abhor more tian to find:such characteristics:in a white:man.
During my stay at the crossing -of the Arkansas, and ascertaining that
the Comanches were south of us, in the adjacent country, (and being the
only Indians in the whole district confided to me, nlot.represented in the
assembled multitude,) I, for the second-time in the past year, sent them a
friendly invitation to come over and join me, with the others at the
"' crossing," that we might hold a friendly - talk,.and also to receive some
presents which -their " Great Father"' had sent them. They received the
messengers with kindness and hospitality, and returned me for answer
that they entertained no hostile or bad feelings whatever towards the
Americans, and were determined in future to remain on-friend-ly'terms:with all the whites, and not disturb or:molest parties;passing'along the
Santa Fe road, but that. a meeting with, the Americans this season could
not be granted, on account of cholera,.which their' medicine men," or
prophets, prophesied would come again from  the whites and prevail
amongst them, unless they kept at a proper distance.  This was the only
reason they gave for not coming to see me in; a-peaceable and: friendly
manner, like all the others. -They also stated that, after;the: present crop
of grass died: away, the cholera —that dreadful disease, by which so many'of their nation died-would also have no existence; after which they
would have no hesitation or dread of meeting and mingling with the:whites at any time.  The following:are the names of:the different:tribes
which assembled with me at the crossing of the Arkansas, all of whom
seemingly entertain the best and:most friendly:feetlings towards nus: the
Sioux, Cheyennes, Arripahoes, Kiai as, and. Apaches.   The Apaches:here mentioned are not those iofi-New Mexico: which.have been: ravaging
-that country:for years; they are,a band of fifty lodges, that;have for many
years lived with the KIiaw.as and: Comanches, and vhave iaidd.d them in- all'their'wars:against both Mexicans and iAmericans;  Thoise tribes herein:nentioned: are all'very formidable, and, the most warlike, on this co ninent,




Doc. No. 1.                             53
and occupy, indiscriminately,' the country, for several hundred miles,
through which all the great thoroughfares to New Mexico, Oregon, and
California pass.  The importance of putting forth adequate means to keep
this formidable horde of savages, in check is so evident, under the circumstances, that I need not dwell on the subject, further than to state that it
is much more easily done than is generally imagined, but must be accomplished by men having a good knowledge of Indian character, manners,
customs, &c., and, above-all, of their deception, cunning, rascality7 and
mode of warfare.
It is much to be regretted that the instructions of the department to me
last year, in- regard to taking a delegation from each tribe to Washington
city, has not been carried out, as nothing, in my opinion, would have
had a more beneficial effect (save an effective and severe chastisement of
any one of the depredating tribes) than a visit of the principal men of each
tribe. to the United States; and, until such take's place, or until we show
our strength and ability to protect ourselves, by giving some one of the
most unruly tribes a good flogging, I much fear that any treaties which
may be made or entered into with them will not be very lasting-at least
not longer than they may consider it advantageous; because they have
not the slightest idea whatever of the strength and power of the United
States, and all overtures made, or favors extended them, even in the most
liberal sense, will be construed as a sign of our weakness and inability
(otherwise than by bribery) to protect our citizens travelling through the
country.  Indeed, these impressions are beginning to prevail amongst the
Indian tribes of that country already, and have arisen from the fact of so
many blundering, useless, and shametflly-managed campaigns against a
few miserable, wretched Indians of New Mexico, by our troops, since the
conquest and occupation of that country; all of' which campaigns have
been not only useless, but injurious to our cause throughout the whc.le
Indian country, and a total failure of the end and object aimed at.
Many complaints have. reached us from -New Mexico, within the last
two years, in regard to the negligence of the United States government
in not extending to the inhabitants of that territory a greater and more
reliable protection than they have yet received.  Those complaints, in
my opinion, are groundless, so far as the United States government is
concerned, because enough of troops, if properly managed, have been
stationed in that country to secure and protect the people against all the
Indians able to reach it.  Those men who complain so loudly are mene
who traffic and trade.in that country, and live and thrive on the expenditure of the troops; they care. less about the protection of the inhabitants
than they do about augmenting and increasing the expenses of-the general
government in that country.  I will further assert that five thousand
troops stationed in Santa Fe, and a proportionate number in all the villages, hamlets, and ranches throughout New Mexico, would not produce
a better state of things than at present, nor lessen. the ravages of the
Indians.  This assertion may, and no doubt will, be considered erroneous, yet it is nevertheless true; and New Mexico as well as: all our distant
~western territory, (and which we are in duty bound to protect,) will
always be in an unsafe and insecure condition, until our tioops intended
for such service., instead of remaining in garrison in a stupid and wretched
state of indolence and dissipation, will take to campaigning and travelling.over the.country at all times when practicable; and that is invariably for




04                   M tBDoc. No. 1.
six, or even seven months in the year, if necessary.  This course of
action would not add to the expenses of maintaining the troops; on the
contrary, 1 believe it would be a great saving, in many respects, and particularly in the article of forage, which is scarce, and at all times very
dear in New Mexico.
I have heretofore frequently alluded to the subject, and still maintain
that until some such course is adopted, no reliable state of safety or sectu
rity from Indian depredations can or may be expected from the precarious
and uncertain state of feeling and disposition of the uncivilized and untamed savage, whose chief and sole ambition is to plunder and destroy
his fellow-man. Would it not be better, r:ore healthy and more pleasant,
for men to travel leisurely about the mountains and over the plains, watching and observing the movemenls and conduct of the Indians, where
game, grass, good pasturage, &c., are to be found in abundance and of
the very best quality, than to remain in garrison the whole time, and be
subject and liable to the arrests and punishments which idleness and dissipation invariably. bring upon the soldier?   The answer is obvious-the
soldier would be much better satisfied, more healthy and vigorous, and
be found at all times in good condition and proper training, when active
and important duties became necessary. Horses and other animals used
in campaigning in that country would also become inured to the service,
and thereby perform much better.
The very reverse, however, of all this is now and has been all along
practised by our troops in New Mexico, which is the great secret of their
inefficiency and inability to keep in check a few wretched savages, They
(the troops) are quartered in Santa Fe and other villages of New Mexico,
the society, associations and morals of which are not at all calculated to
improve the soldier either physically or morally.  They are, I repeat, stationed in those villages where all the most ruinous vices of the savage and
civilized man are daily and hourly openly practised, and that, too, without
even the check of public opinion to disapprove or condemn -such conduct.
What service, then, in a military point of view, can possibly be expected
from men habituated for years or even months to such a life?  It is thiswhen those men are suddenly called out by some emergency, not to prevent disaster nor to protect: the inhabitants, (for the damarge is already
done,) but to chastise some marauding band of Indians for the. murder and
robbery of some of our citizens, they with reluctance leave their haunts of
pleasure and enjoyment, and seldom or never overtake the enemy.
I have no disposition whatever to meddle or interfere with or disparage
the portion of the army in that country, as many if not allof them rendered
good and gallant service in the AMexican war; but I must say that the
information frequently coming from that country, and diffused with exaggeration throughout the whole district, will eventually have a ruinous
effect on the feelings and disposition of the Indians of my agency; because there is nothing to keep them in check but a dread of the power of
the United States, which they are now beginning to think is more imaginary than real.  This, then, is the only reason I have for alluding to the
career of the troops in New Mexico, and I hope it will be found a sufficient
apology for doing so.
I have on many occasions received circulars from  the department,
instructing me to collect statistics, take the census of the different tribes,
form a vocabulary of the different Indian languages, &c.;all of which I




Doc. No. 1.                             55
conceive to be proper and important for the department to be in possession.of, and would williigiy and with great pleasure comply, had I the means
and opportunity to do so. It is well known that the Indians of the upper
Platte and upper Arkansas are all roaming tribes, speaking different lan-.guages, and live altogether by the chase, and are continually roaming
about from  place to place in search of game and subsistence. Under
these circumstances is it not evidently difficult, if not impracticable, for
ine to comply with all these requisitions, situated as I have heretofore
been, in that inhospitable region, without the necessary means of transportation or protection, or even interpreters at all times, to explain what
I would wish to say to the Indians?  And, besides, to make and pursue
such investigations as would be necessary in the above cases, would,
from the very nature of the very superstitious notions of those tribes, create
great distrust and false notions in regard to the object, which would certain!l have a very dangerous tendency.
What I now respectfully recormmend to the department, and what I believe to be essentially necessary at this time-while the Indians of whom
I speak are friendly disposed —is at once, and without further delay, to
have some understanding with them in regard to the right of way through
their country; and whatever our and their rights may be, let us and
lthem know it, that we nma hlave some data on which to base future proceedings.  This is what the Indians want, and what they are exceedingly
anxious about, having been told long since, and so often repeated by
travellers passing, (and who care little about the consequences of false
promises, so they slip through safely and unmolested themselves,) that
their "Great Father" would soon reward them  liberally for the right of
way, the destructionof game, timber, &c., as well as for any kindness
shown Americans passing through their country.
I have learned, since mv arrival here from  the Indian country, that
troops had left Fort Leavenworth for the Arkansas river for the purpose
of establishing a post at the "Big Timber," on that stream.  The measure
is a good one, and the position eligible enough; but I fear the Indians
will strongly object to a post being established at that particular place, as
it is a great and favorite wintering ground for many of the tribes.  There
is in its neighborhood at all times during the winter an abundance of
buffalo, antelope, deer and elk; good pasture and fuel are also abundant.
The Indians occupying the upper Platte and upper Arkansas districts
-are very humerous, and very formidable., They subsist entirely by the
chase, and have no permanent abode whatever.  They follow the game
from place to place, and, as it becomes scarce, they are compelled to increase their movements.  Through these districts all the great leading.thoroughfares pass; and the immense emigration travelling through that
country for the past two years has desolated and impoverished, that
country to an enormous extent.  Under these circumstances, would it
ilot be just, as well as economical policy, for the government at this time
to show some little liberality, if not justice, to their passive submission?
For my own part, I am satisfied it would be economical, and good
policy, for the government at this time to extend even a little show of
justice to the Indians of that country, and to avoid a hostile collision if
possible; because, if we may judge from  the difficulties, disasters, and,expenditures occurring in New  Mexico, in endeavoring to guard against a
few  miserable, unarmed wretches, what then will be  the consequences




56M^    ~~Doe. No. 1.
should twenty thousand well armed, well mounted, and the most warlike
and expert in war of any Indians on the continent turn out in hostile
array against all American travellers throu gh their country?
This must suffice for my annual report; and I regret not having been
able to, have submitted it from the Indian country, as in that case it might
have been more full and complete in details.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOMAS FITZPATRICK,
Indian Agent,  Upper Platte and Arkansas.
33. D. MITCHELL, Esq.,
Superintendent Indian Affairs, S. Louis, Mo.
No. 3.
OSAGE RIVER AGENCY,
September 6, 1850.
SIR: I would respectfully make the following brief report of, the affairs
of the Osage River agency for the year' 1850. A residence among the
Indian tribes belonging to this agency for seventeen months has better
fitted me to judge correctly of their condition and wants than at the time
I last reported to the department.  The residence of the agent for this
agency is among the Sac and Fox tribe of Indians. This tribe of Indians number more than double that of any other in my agency-in all
about 3,000. They are divided into nine separate bands, each of which
is headed by  one recognised  as a chief.  In many instances their
leaders are selected from among their braves, and declared their leaders
more on account of their heroic deeds than from the fact of inheriting
their blood from the royal chieftaincy. It is owing to this mode of selecting their chiefs that we attribute the want of good and competent men.
There are two principal chiefs (acting authorized chiefs) in this tribe with
whom  we transact most of the business of the nation  Keokuk and.
No-y-oh-cos-see; they are honest and better fitted for their station than
most other Indians occupying similar posts.  The Sac and Fox Indians
are now in a state of peace and quietude, no disturbances occurring
amongst them; they are entirely under the control of their agent so far
as any matter of business is concerned.  There are some things, however, that 1 cannot control them in; one of the most important of which
is the use of intoxicating drinks.  These they have used to a greater extent
in the last eight months than ever before, I have exerted myself to the
extent of my capacity to prevent the introduction and use of them, but
all to no effect.  In many instances we want the authority (or law;) in
others we want the means to execute the authority we have.
Since making my last report, six murders have been committed in this
tribe; all of which resulted from the use of intoxicating drinks.  I have
yet but little encouragement from  them. as regards the introduction of
missionaries and the establishment of schools among them; indeed such
a proposition has, in many instances, excited them almost to hostilities.
I yet hope, ere long, through  the exertion of their two principal
chiefs, to succeed in establishing one of the largest schools in the Indian
country. Of all the affairs connected with this tribe of Iindians there is,




Doe. No. 1.                          57
none that affords me more pleasure to speak of,than the advanced state of
their farming pursuits. They have tilled this season five or six hundred
acres of land in corn; but, unfortunately for them, there has been an
entire failure of the crop, owing to the dryness of the season, having had
but one good' ain since planting time up to this date, and the thermometer for six weeks ranging from 950 to 110~.
The Sac and Fox Indians complain much about the government paylag their money for old claims (they say) without their consent. At the
payment last spring there was much excitement upon the subject. They
have now erecting a spacious council house, office, and wareroom. This
room is intended to be used for two purposes-for storing away their salt,
tobacco, &c.; and when not required for this; as a hospital for the sick.
We have now under consideration the propriety of building a hospital,
which is much needed.
The Kanzas Indians for the last eight months have been in continued
bustle and excitement.  Their number will not vary much from my last
report. There have been some few murders. Among the number murdered is one of their chiefs, Ko-buck-co-mo, a very bad and dangerous
man. His death is regretted by neither white nor red man. They have
committed many depredations on the Santa Fe road, and are continually
stealing horses from the neighboring tribes. It was, indeed, with much
difficulty that I could prevent the Sac and Fox Indians from invading
their country and punishing them for their frequent outrages upon their
property. The Kanzas Indians have become great whiskey dealers as
well as drinkers; they often travel a distance'of two or three hundred
miles for whiskey, making it convenient to steal a poney or two as they
pass along, and exchange the same with those miserable whites along the
line for whiskey. They have had broken for them this season three hundred acres of land, which was planted in corn. I fear, however, they
will not till this land in future. They have no inclination to work. The
Methodist church have now in progress of erection, under the superintendence of Rev. Thomas Johnson, buildings to be used in conducting
the Manual Labor School chartered by the department. There will be
an effort to complete them this fall.
The Miami Indians have" conducted themselves during the present
year much better than formerly. The amount of intoxicating drinks
used in this tribe is much less than heretofore; consequently, the number of deaths is less. About thirty of the tribe have signed a pledge
which prohibits the use of all intoxicating drinks for one year. The
farming operations of this tribe have been carried on during the present
season with unusual success; indeed, I have been agreeably disappointed
in being able to persuade these people to go to work. A majority of the
tribe have this season aided in' cultivating the public farms-many of
them were to be seen following the plough and wielding the: maul. They
will make a good crop, considering the season has been bad. They are
now preparing to sow wheat. They have now fully completed a very
superior mill, which has recently been put into operation. I think they
will now build themselves good houses and open more farms. These
people are now in a better condition than ever before: they have raised
an abundance of corn,, and have a mill to grind it; and, what is still
better, all of those little hordes which have heretofore been hanging about
the State line, and the groceries along the line, have mostly broken,up




USm~8       ~        Doc. No. 1.,and moved near to the mission buildings.  For their improved condition,
much credit is due to Amos H. Goodin, their farmer.  The Miamies are
now much concerned about the fate of their mission.  They have made
a unanimous call upon the government to place the mission in the hands
of the Baptist denomination, and they promise to aid in building up a
flourishing school.  Upon this subject, however, I have called the attention of the department before.  These Indians, like the Sacs and Poxes,
complain heartily against the government for allowing the payment;f
large claims out of their annuity-many of which they say are. not just,
~and some are entitled to large credits upon them.
The Ottowas have, as usual, pursued their avocation, (of farming,) having entirely abandoned the hunt.  Most of them have erected houses and,opened farms.  They have among them a small grist-mill, which is sufficient for their purposes.  This tribe is somewhat on the increase; they
have. their own laws, officers, &c.; about seventy of them  are members
of the Baptist church; they suffer no liquor to be introduced into'their
country.  I consider these Indians much further advanced in civilization
than any other tribe on the frontier.  There is no school in operation at
this time among them; they have, however, a missionary residing there
"who administers to their spiritual wants; and, indeed, to him  may be attributed their advanced state of civilization.
The Weas, Piankeshaws, Kaskaskias, and Peorias, whose lands are
adjoining, are living in a state of peace and happiness.  Indeed, such is
the harmony of feeling existing among them, that they may be looked
upon (almost) as one and the same tribe.  They have at this time propositions before the government for disposing of their surplus lands, and
confederating into one body, making their annuities joint means, each
sharing alike. I am much in hopes this confederation may be brought'about.  Of the particulars concerning this movement, the department is
already in possession. These tribes, generally, are in an advanced state
of civilization;/they ape.the white man more than any other Indians,
and seek every opportunity to improve themselves; most of them live in
log-houses, and have small fields about them  which they cultivate in
corn, potatoes, &c.  Had they the means of other Indians around them,
they could soon be at the head of their red brothers in point of condition.
Upon the lands of the Wea tribe is located the Baptist'mission, superintended by the Rev. David Lykins.  This school is, indeed, in a flourishing condition; the yearly number of scholars is about thirty-five; the
children are generally healthy, and have improved much in their tuition
during this year.  This mission has received but little aid from the government; and I think there has been more real good growing out of it than
any other mission in the Indian territory. The influence of this mission, under the management of that most worthy man, the Rev. David
Lykins; has not only tended to advance the condition of the children
immediately under his charge, but may be found in every wigwam  or
house in the Territory-.  Much credit- is also due to Miss S. A. Osgood,
wvho is at the head of the female department of this school. She is a
imost estimable young lady, and is peculiarly well fitted for,the position
which she occupies.  I am in hopes that this school will receive sorme
aid from the civilization fund this year.
The Chippewas during the present year haye made renewed efforts
towards improving their farms and increasing their stock.  The frequent




Doc. No. 1.                             59
depredations committed by their neighbors, the Sac an'd Fox Indians,
tend to discourage them in their efforts.  They are very industrious, and
make use of all the means in their power to improve their condition.
Their annuity is small; in fact, I might say nothing: they are, therefore,
unable to fit themselves out for farming or any other vocation. It would,
indeed, be a piece of charity well bestowed to make these Indians a few
presents in the way of horses,.farming utensils, &c.
The smith-shops among the different tribes are all being carried on, and
well supplied with materials.  It is with much difficulty that I can obtain a suitable person to remain at the Council Grove, among the Kanzas
Indians, owing to their remoteness from the State, and the want of protection from the insults and threats of these Indians.  I have appointed
no interpreter for the Kanzas Indians, for the reason that I could find no
suitable person. I have, therefore, selected persons temporarily, at such
times as I found need, and paid them  for the time actually in service.
While speaking of interpreters, I will take occasion to say that the salaries, as a general thing, are not sufficient to procure suitable men: forinstance, the Sac and Fox interpreter is needed most all of his time with
the agent, yet the agent has frequently to get along without him, his
services being required by the surgeon, and with him he must frequently
make a visit of 10 or 15 miles.  The residence of the agent and interpreter is the home of the Indian-their doors are always open and their
table is always spread.  The interpreter must be a reliable man-a man
of intelligence; he must be one who will live clear of all other influences, especially those of the traders and other whites.  In conclusion,
then, I say the salary is not sufficient to procure such a man, who will
live clear of other interests and influences.
The different reports from missionaries, surgeon, and farmer, have not
yet been received; they will be forwarded as soon as they come to hand.
I am, sir, your very obedient servant,
CHARLES N. HANDY,
Indian Agent.
Colonel D. D. MITCHELL,
Superintendent Indian Afrairs, St. Louis, Mo.
No. 4.
WEA AND PIANKESHAW  SCHOOL,
Osage River Agency?, September 3, 1850.
SIR: In accordance with the regulations of the Indian department, I
take great pleasure in laying before you the condition of this school during the past year, and its present condition. I trust, sir, you will pardon
me, if I also refer, in this report, to the Indians generally in this part of
your extensive field of agency.  And let me assure you, sir, that it affords me the highest gratification to note the rapid improvement of the
Indians in this vicinity, under your prompt and efficient administration
of their affairs; and it affords me peculiar pleasure to believe (notwithstanding what disappointed ambition or cupidity may say) that those
employed by you in the Indian country are such men as will exercise a
good, moral influence. I am aware, sir, that it requires great moral nerve




60                         Doc. No. 1.
to discharge duties which, though often painful, are as often absolutely
incumbent upon an officer of government among the Indians. The improvement the past year, among the three bands in whose country our
school is situated, has been greater than that of any preceding year, since
we have been among them. New land has been ploughed, rails made,
fields fenced, and a considerable number of houses built of hewed logs.
There has been much less whiskey introduced into the country, and not
more than one case of intoxication where there were formerly three.  In.
good degree the above remarks will apply to the Miamies, now quite a
respectable people.
The school under our charge is conducted on the manual-labor plan,
and has averaged the past year thirty-five children.  I cannot speak too
highly in commendation of the untiring efforts of Miss S. A. Osgood,
principal teacher, in behalf of the school, from whose annual report I take
the following extract:
a With pleasure I write that the:present condition of Harvey Institute
is prosperous and encouraging.  The number enrolled last year is 4226 boys and 16 girls.  The attendance has been more regular than in any
preceding year; consequently, more good has resulted from our efforts. One
of our girls (daughter of Baptiste Peoria) is happily married to one of
her tribe, whose attainments are equal with hers.  One of our most interesting little girls has been taken from- us by death.
"The entire number of readers of various grades is 32, more than
half of whom read with facility, and several are good readers.' The writing pupils number 24, many of whom  write neatly.  In
most cases, the scholars of this school surpass in penmanship those of
white schools I have taught.
" The little girls excel in sewing and fancy needle-work.  We hope, as
our girls grow up, to send them out well fitted to perform  the duties of
housekeeper, wife, &c.,
"Other branches taught are geography, arithmetic, grammar, and composition; in all of which the pupils have made gratifying progress.
"All the children in school are rapidly acquiring the English language."
The above, in short, comprises the past and present condition of the
school; and when it is borne in mind that this school (with the exception of $300) has been wholly supported from its commencement, a period of five years, by benevolent funds-the contributions of churchesI think it will be admitted " we have done what we could."
In conclusion, sir, permit me to express our thanks for your kind atten-'tions, and our gratification that your efforts in the cause of Indian improvement have met with so much success.
Very respectfully, your obedient servaht,
DAVID LYKINS,
Superintendent Harvey Institute.
Col. C. N. HANDY,
Agent, ~*c.




Doc. No. 1.                             61
No. 5.
OTTOWA MISSION STATION1
September 3, 1850.
SIR: During the year now past the Ottowas have enjoyed better health
than during any previous year since they emigrated to this country. They
lave almost entirely laid aside their former Indian habits, and have become in a great degree civilized: consequently they are improving in
health and inereasing in numbers.  Since January 1, 1849, there have
been among them six deaths and twenty-six births. Their habits of industry, temperance, and conformity to the customs of the whites, are every
year becoming more and more firmly fixed.  Since the opening of the
last spring, many of them  have added to their farms from five to fifteen
acres.  The prospect in the fore part of the season wasj that they should
have some two or three thousand bushels of corn and potatoes'to sell, but
the drought has been so great that their fields will not average, probably,
more than five bushels to the acre.
Many of the adults who cannot speak English learn to read, write, and
cipher in their own language, but send their children to English schools
among the neighboring'tribes. Twenty-three of their children are now
at such schools' 
The undersigned has, during the present year, been occupied principally in translating portions of Scripture, hymns, &c., into the Ottowa
language, and in printing two small works of 255 pages.  Regular Sabbath preaching and w.eek-day prayer meetings have:been continued as
formerly. Good attention has generallybeen given to our religious meetings. -Sixty-two are at this time members in good -standing in the' Ottowa Baptist Mission Church."
About ten years ago the Ottowas found it necessary to make a law to
prevent stealing; since which time they have occasionally been forming
new ones.  In January last they, in general council, formedfour new
laws, revised and corrected all they had previously adopted, and ordered
that the whole should be printed both in Indian and English.  They
enforce these laws most strictly whenever violated.  I herewith send you
a copy of them.'Most respectfully, I am, dear sir, yours,; &c.,
JOTHA:i  MEEKER,
Missionry.
Colonel C. N. HANDY,
United States Indian Agent.
No. 6.
OcTO ER 21, 1850.
SinR::n c-ionordmity to:: existing;regullations, I have to-report. the condition;of the Indians within this sub-agency.
The lowas have raised this year not quite an average crop of corn,
pumpkins, squashes, &c.,The cau se of the, deficiency is no.doubtattrihutable to the. i:nterruption- produced by:the CGalifornia emigrantspassing
hrough their country, affording them new and increased fa cilities to ob



62                          Doc. No. 1.
tain ardent spirits. There is no perceivable change in their habits for the
better, as regards industry or virtue; indeed I fear they are more lewd and
dissipated than they were years since.  In my judgment, the hope of improving their condition while they remain at their present home is extremely small.  I speak of the adults, of course.  The children who are at the
Manual Labor Boarding School are very correct in their deportment, and
learning rapidly.  Under this impression, I would respectfully recommend
that the proper authorities make a purchase of their country, and locate
them at some place where it would be more difficult for them to procure,
ardent spirits. Should this recommendation be received with favor, and
if action should be taken by the proper authorities to effect it, I may with:
propriety suggest that it would be useless to give these Indians a very
large quantity of land, as in their most extended labors they have never
cultivated more than one section of land in any one season.  I would
also beg leave to state, that in the event the government should purchase
the lands of these Indians, no one thing will more contribute to their
future welfare and preservation than the reservation of a distinct and separate fund, set apart for agricultural and mechanical purposes, and placed
entirely beyond the control of the Indians.
The Missouri river Sacs and Foxes are not much given to dissipation,.
and are much more provident than is usual with our border tribes, and
consequently are never in want of either food or necessary clothing. The
pattern farm affords an abundant supply of breadstuffs for the entire band,
though they make use of as much industry as is common with wild
Indians to raise pumpkins, squashes, &c., &c., for themselves.  The
Sac and Fox farmer has cultivated eighty acres in corn, sowed forty acres
of wheat, and planted about five acres in Irish potatoes, this year. The
corn will average forty bushels to the acre; the potato crop will be light;
the wheat was well put in, and bids fair to be a good crop.  I had their
mill repaired, and it is believed that it will do well.  We ground for the
Sacs and Foxes upwards of two hundred bushels of wheat before I left
home.
I have had only five thousand rails made to repair the farm fence; at
least ten thousand more will be required to make it a good fence.  During
this winter I shall be able to put the farm  in good condition.' Notwithstanding all the efforts I could make this summer, I have been unable to
break any new lands for the Indians as yet, but feel confident that I can
open the fields near their village in the spring, which they are so anxious
to have.
I had expected before making this report to receive the report of the
Rev. Messrs. Hamilton and Irvin, the superintendents of the Manual Labor
Boarding School, giving a detailed account of its condition.  This will be
forwarded to you in a short time.  It is owing to no neglect of duty on
their part that the report is not here, for I should do injustice both to these
gentlemen and my own feelings, if I closed this report without giving my
humble testimony to the fidelity, diligence, and prudence, with which
they have discharged their responsible and laborious duties to these poor
Indians-laboring faithfully and industriously for their present and future
welfare.
I would respectfully call your attention to the fund which was formerly
given to the sub-agent at this place to feed the Indians at the payments of




Doc. No. 1.                             63
the annuity, Although a small sum, yet it assisted the agent in maintaining an influence which, if used with discretion, was, and would be,beneficial to the Indians and to the government.
I am, sir, yours respectfully,
WM. P. RICHARDSON,
Sub-Indian Agent, Great Nemraha Sub-agency.
Colonel D. D. MITCHELL,
Superintendent Indian Affairs at St. Louis, Mo.
No. 7.
IOWA AND SAC MISSION,
November 4, 1850.
DEAR SIP: As you took an active part in the establishment of this school
when formerly sub-agent for these two tribes of Indians, (Iowa and Sac
and Fox,) it may be interesting to you and to the department to have a
brief statement of the condition of the school since its~commencement, upwards of four years since.
The school was opened in the spring or summer of 1 8.6; but sickness
in the mission family and want of proper help operated:gainst it, so that
during the fall of. that year there were only eight child:re:  in the school,
six lowas and two half-blood Pottawatomies.  On the V.,t of November
the children began to come in, and in a few weeks we had between thirty
and forty scholars.
The following table will give, in round numbers, the average attendance of each year, with the number received, left, &c., &c.
The past year shows a less average number of scholars than the preceding one; but this is owing to the fact that the number of scholars decreased towards the close of that year, while during the past year they
have gradually increased, having at the present date thirty-nine scholars.
1847. 1848. 1849. 1850.
Number received, including those in the school,   70   45   40   40
Number left                                    -   50   16    8    2
Number at the close of the year -              -  20   29   32   38
Average attendance      -       -      -           24   24   34   32
Of those in the school, there areReading and writing in English and Iowa       -               -      15
Geography                                                             1
Spelling (and some of them writing)  -        -       -              20
Alphabet        -       -                                             3
There are half-bloodsBoys, 12; girls 5           -                                        17




64                          Doc. No. 1.
The scholars are fromn the following tribes, viz:
lIowas       -   -                      - -            -30
Sac          -              -                             1 half-blood.
Fox                            1- -  -                          do
Snake -                                               - 1       do
Blackfeet       -       -      -       -      -           2     do
Sioux           -                                         2     do
Ottoe    -      -                      -
Some of those who have left the school can read in their own language.
For some time the children were taught in their own language, as it
was thought useless to instruct them  in the English while so many of
them remained for so short- a time.  During the past summer they have
been taught the English, and I think are making quite as good improvement as we could expect.
In'addition to the instruction given to the children at the station, the
adult Indians are visited at their homes for the purpose of imparting to
them religious instruction.  These visits are made three times a week,
unless something providential occur to prevent them.  The attention they
give to preaching on these occasions is often good, and at other times quite
inditferent.  No special improvement is manifest amongst them; yet,
we hope our labors in their behalf are not altogether in vain. Besides
Mr. Irvin's family and my own, we have at present a female teacher,
Miss S. A. Waterman, three hired girls; also one hired hand on the farm.
The boys of the school did lmuch towards raising and gathering our crop
of corn, &c. Trusting you may be seconded by the department in your
efforts to benefit these tribes, 1 remain, respectfully, -your obedient servant,
WM. HAMILTON.
Major W. P. RICHARDSON,
Indian Sub-Agent.
No. S.
WYANDOTT INDIAN'' SUB-AGENCY,
September 4, 1850.
SIn: The time has arrived when it becomes.necessary to make to
you my annual report of the condition of the Wyandott Indians within
this sub-agency; and in performing this duty I beg leave to make only a
few remarks, as nothing of any great moment has occurred within this
sub-agency since my last report, to require any lengthy essay or report.
I can discover no very prominent improvement in the condition or advancement of the Wyandotts.  They seem to be gliding oi calmly and.
leisurely, manifesting but little ambition for any extra public spirit.'The
new treaty now in progress forms, perhaps, some little exception to their
contentment, as a portion of the nation, and not unlikely the largest, are
averse to it; and, from  all I can learn, the largest portion.  The election
last month, for a new board of chiefs, resulted in the choice of three out




Doce  No. I6. 
of five opposed to the conteLmplated treaty.  What may be the movement
of those opposed to the treaty in future, I amn  tnot nowprepared to say
The schools of this nation are three, and are under the special care and
direction of three school directors,, chosen by the nation   For want of a
more ample school find, their schools are of the common order of country
schools, as in the States.  This year there have been taught in the three
schools eigbty-four children. Each of the schools is uinder the superin4endence of three young ladies from the States.  There are'two local
preachers within the nation, and each has a Sunday school, very well attended by the Indian children.  The last year's excitement in the nation
about the church South and North  has gradually subsided, and to some
extent transferred upon the subject of the new treaty.
During the present year there has been an accession to the nation of
some twenty persons of Wyandott origin, from the State of Ohio, who I
presume have come hither to participate in the benefits of the new treaty,
in anticipation of its supposed ratification.
A company of some eight or nine persons of the nation left this spring
for California, which, with the number already there, amounts to twentythree or twenty-four-all seeking for'gold.
There have been but two deaths by cholera in. the natioh the past sum
mer.  We feel to have been most fortunate, for it has-been near and all
around us.  There have been two mlurders committed upon Wyandott
men within the last three months, in the State near heresthe result of
drunkenness.  I made every exertiol- to find out the perpetratorsof these'
murders. In one of the cases a wh-ite mnaii was arrested in Jackson county,
Missouri, charged by the Wyandotts with having killed one of their people
but after legal investigation, myself and the chiefs being present, the ihmai
was acquitted.
The nearness of the nation to the State of Missouri, and the facility of
the Indians to obtain liquor, makes it next to impossible for the agelnttoQ
restrain them from going to the State in search of it, WVithou thie co.operation of the State authorities.
I beg leave to remark that, by the treaty with this nation in the year
1842, there was granted to thirty four individuals of the nation a -section
of land each, to be located upn thn't  puTbliC'd6omaini,. the Indian: coltnry..
Some of those persons entitled to this claim of land are becoming rather
restless and dissatisfied, and say to'me that injustice has been done them
by their lands never having been'surveyed-and allotted them'-according it
the said treaty of 1842.  lMy reply to the-m was, to have some little more
patience; that the government would' certainly' mrake good every stipula'
tlion in that treaty.  I would, therefore, suggest thtt thie land referred to
be surveyed and allotted at as early a day as mnay be cnvenient, im fi
fimnent of said treaty of 1842., A large portion of the Wyandotts have made good crops of corn and
vegetables, sufficient for their support and some to spare.. The health'of
the nation is now very good.
I certainly have no cause to miurmur against the. Wyanidotts.  In all
matters wherein I have to act withl and for themn I find them   kind, courteous and polite.  I get along much to the mutual satisfaction of. myself,
the chiefs, and the nation at.iarge; yet there ae a few (and they ara-b.ht fcw),
5




66                         Doc. No. 1.
restless, mischief-making whites that occasionally annoy me, and. also
the nation..
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOMAS MOSELY,'Jr.,
Indian Sub-Agentfor vryandotts.
Col. D. D. MITCHELL,
Superitendent Indian Affairs, St. Louis, Missouri.
No. 9.
OSA    SBAGE -AENOY,
1 th month 23, 1850.
ESTEEMED FRIEND: - now proceed to perform that part of my duty
which requires me to report the state of affairs of the Indians under imy
care.
The Great and Little Osages number, according to the'"pay roll" I
have made out with much care, and which is believed to be correct,
4,561 souls.  They have no farms, except those belonging to the halfbreeds, the head chief, (George White Hair,) and a few others. The
half-breeds manage their farms well; but, owing to the drought the past
summer, the corn was all ruined. Most of the Indians who had no
ground enclosed, planted lots of corn along the water-courses, where
they could dig the ground with hoes, and thus cultivate the corn, and
that at so great a distance from their villages as to be out of danger fronm
being destroyed by their horses, and what little other stock they have.
These lots of corn their women cultivated until all went on their " summer hunt;" but on their return recently, they found no corn, but all entirely ruined. I think I may safely say that there were not (including
the missionaries and half-breeds, who tended their crops well) one hundred bushels of corn raised within the limits of the Osage nation this sea-.son. This is a sad affair for these Indians, and leaves them in a very.destitute condition-as much so as they were in a few years since, when
the flood swept their corn off. That subject then claimed the favorable
attention of government, which I hope will now be the case in this
equally calamitous dispensation of Divine Providence.,The,Osages have been remarkably healthy the present year, which will
appear from the number of deaths which has been ascertained, and wilt
be seen in this report.
They have drank very little liquor in the nation, as may readily be
inferred from the fact that but one murder has been committed the past
year within the nation; and that was done when the parties were stupefied with whiskey, which I had destroyed as soon as I discovered
it, but after a poor, drunken Indian was beaten to death.  What thiey
may have drank at the haunts of those wretches amongst our own race
in the State who keep this poison for these poor Indians, I cannot say;
but from what I learn from lhonest white'men, the amount drank is not
so great as heretofore.  I have endeavored to do my duty inthis matter
and hope my labors have- not been lost.
The manual-labor school for the instruction of the.Osage youth is
within a few rods of- the agency.  I have noticed the progress of this




Doe. No. 1.                           67
interesting school since my arrival in this country, as well as the conduct
of the children when out of school; and I think it not out of place for me
to remark here, that when I consider the adults composing the tribe from
which these children were taken-bold, selfish, unconquered, entirely
uncultivated, and most of them  determined to carry with them  to the
end of their days their wild, romantic, and savage habits-and then observe the friendly, courteous, respectfil, and genteel deportment of these
children, I have no hesitation in giving it as my opinion that the mana-,gers of this school have done their duty faithfully.
I have just examined both branches of the school. The pupils appear.to be attentive and obedient to their teachers; have advanced considerably (many of them) in their studies-some in arithmetic, grammar, and
geography-in both departments of the school, and this class write well..
-Of the others, many of them read and write; and the girls, or at least:most of them, make up their own clothing, as well as perform very fine
needle-work and drawing, and are very helpful in cooking and other
work appertaining to housewifery. For further particulars I refer to the
report of the superintendent, which is appended. I may state, however,'that there are eighty children-fifty-three boys and twenty-seven girls-in,attendance at this time, which is about their regular number.
The first article of the treaty of 11th of January, 1839, provides that' the government will pay to the Great and Little Osages, for the term of,twenty years, an annuity of $20,000, to be paid in the Osage nation$12,000 in money, and $8,000 in goods, stock, provisions, or money, as
the President may direct."  The chiefs and headmen in general council
proposed to me to ask the President to send them the whole $20,000 it
money each year in future.  The reasons they give for a change in this
matter are, "that they never receive such goods as they want; that every
time the goods reach here, some articles are damaged; that this year the
cloths and calicoes, or much of them, were nearly ruined; and that, as
the government had to pay money for the goods, they hoped that their
Great Father would hear them, and send in future the whole amount of
their annuity in money."
They begged of me to insist on a compliance with the above request,
which I do with pleasure, and hope the President will comply, as I can
assure him that were the goods of the right kind, and could they reach
here entirely clear of damage, it would be impossible to divide them so as
that all would get a part. It has, I learn, been the practice heretofore
for the agent to divide the goods between the different bands according to
their respective numbers; then deliver them to the chiefs, take their receipts, and let them distribute them among their people. This having
been the practice heretofore, I pursued the same course at the payment
just made, as the chiefs would not be satisfied with any other.  Were
the chiefs entirely divested of partiality and covetousness, (which they,are not,) they could not divide these goods at all equally among their
people, nor could any person. I suppose half the goods are composed of
articles ranging in value from four to ten dollars; and such articles, too,,as will not admit of being divided.  The result, then, is, that a few get
all these, while many others (and they generally the most needy) are
turned off, very much disappointed, without the worth of one cent; when,
were this $S,000 sent in money, each one would receive about $1 70,




18~                           Doc. No. L
which would enable the agent to see that each Osage got his or her just:
due.
I hope the President will turn his attention to this subject, and comply:
with the request of these Indians.
The goods sent the present year were all of a good quality, but adlly
injured, as will appear not only from my own statement and l-tat.of'the
chiefs, but from  the statement of two respectable merchants, whose certificates, as well as one from  the United States interpreter9 I enclose for
the information of the Indian department.  These goods must have beendamaged before being shipped at the east-from reasons which are given.
in these certificates-for, had they got injured. n their wayy west, all the
dry goods, being shipped together, would have been injured' alike.  I
send this for the information of those concerned, and aas a very strong
and justifiable reason the Indians have for not wishing any more goods to
be sent them here.
The Osages conducted themselves well at the payiment just made; were.
much rejoiced to get the provisions whichl were furnished them at the
payment, as they were actually suffering from. want.  There was no,
liquor on the ground, or in the nation, at the.time of paying them, that 1:
could hear of.  Within three days from  the time they commenced receiving their money they paid out for flour, coffee, sugar, riles, (fbr their
buffalo hunt,) clothing, &c., over $II000, and proceeded atonce on their 
falh unt,  without visiting the white settlements as often heretofore, where
liquor is provided and ready for them. They bought about 45,000 pounds
of' flour.
One other subject 1. beg leave to bring to the notice of the superintendent, which is in regatrd to the smeall  amount of iron and steel furnished.
them  each year.  This a.mount, I know, is just the allowance under thetreaty of 1839; but when we consider that it costs  2,)000 per rannum to
ke@p np the isuith shop; that for this $2,000 there are only 1,000 pounds:
of iron, ard 160O pounad's of steel; and that when the Osages sh1all receive
such farmirng utensils as are provided for by the treat   which consist of
ploughs, gear axe8s an.d noes, they wvill still need. as the farmer (or
any one acqluainted withl iarmni)       knowvs, many other articles which the
smiiths could make, and 1ave ample time to make, and v.ich they -nevaer
can have3 made out of the small amount of iron now senit them, (as that
will allow them  but,ine aild a half pound to the falmily,)'hope tlhe
amount of iron  many  be  increased to 5,)00  pounds, and of steel, to 600''
pounds.  If the President1 will send money in lieu of good's the amount
paid for conveying the tgoods frolm New York or'Philadelphia, to this plate
being saved  would 1more ta   a tha   pay  r the amount of iron and steel I wan:t
for these Indians.  
Agreeably to instructions from  the Colnmmissioner of- Inan  AflfIirs'i  i'"
have, with the aid of the United States interpreter, aserctaineidthat tteo.niumber of births the past year aimong the Osagoes armounts' to t;about  150'
Number of dea:ts                    -       -                          3
ul'umber of bifrt'h over thme nxmber of deaths            - 




Doc. No. I'Of those who died,7 were men, 25 -rwome.n    d and   31 children.
-There are blind among this tribe -              --              -
Deaf      -.                     -...    I
Dumb.-          -                          -                       3
Aged persons entirely helpless, males    -                          18
D                      ddo   d females  -         -               15
Cripples, entirely helpless      -       -                      - 25
Making in all who have to be taken care of              -           75
All of whichl, togetther with the reprt throughout, is respectfully subnitted.
I remain, with high regard, thy friend,
HENRY HARVEY,
Osae Stub Agent.
P. S.-The Osages have about 10,000 head. of horses.
Colonel D. D  MITCHELL,
&Superintettdent.of Indian Affairs,   Louis, Missouri.
No. 1:0.
CATHOLIC MSS*ON OA SAGE NATIOI,
October  I, 850.
SiR:: As you have a deep interest in the promotion of the state and con-dition of the Indians, I feel happy to inform you,'by this annual report, of
-the: prosperous condition of both the male and female schools established
for the benefit of the Osage youth.
The school for boys was opened on the 1st of May, 1847; the femrale
school was commenced on the 10th of October of the same year.
I. am confident, respected sir, that you, who have lived and conversed
for many years among different Indian tribes, must candidly avow that
omir schools:have already greatly benefited these Indians; and that there
is: good reason to hope that the character and manners of the Little and
Great Osage;nation will more -visibly advance to civilization when our'
pupils shall:be sufficiently educated to set good examples before their relaions, drawing them to industry and regularity of life, both by example
and advice.  Your predecessor in office, Mr. John AM. Richardson, says,
in the annual report of 1848, page 163:'"Without depreciating the children of other tribes, none equal those of the Osages in their capacity to
receive an education. The buildings for their schools are not, and were not
at the first,.such as the nmissionaries had reason to expect.  They were
intended to accommodate only twenty boys and the same number of girls,
and forlan experiment at educating the Osage children.9'
This experiment proved to be successful, and consequently it became
necessary to erect more ample buildings; and during the past and present'
years-a suitable school-house has been finished, at a cost of $800.  This
main building is 50 feet long by 25 feet wide on the inside, and two full
stories high; it is divided into two large school-rooms, and one common




70                          Doc. No. 1.
sleeping-room; 63 boys might be accommodated if the dining room and
kitchen of the first erected building were proportionably large.
For the better accommodation of the female school a meat-house, washhouse, and bake-house have been put up, costing $118; also a well, at a
cost of $45.  The plastering of three rooms in the female department
having fallen from the ceiling, and both chimneys having tumbled in, an,
expense for repairs has been incurred of $68.  A paling fence of 80 panels, around both establishments, has been made, at acost of $50; and
other necessary and permanent improvements have been made, so as to
make the total amount of expenses about $1,400.
I had commenced, in the middle of last year, to weather-board tie two
houses erected before our arrival in the nation; but having finished only
one-third of one house, we dismissed the mechanics.  The Osage sawmill being out of repair, no plank could be had, except from  the State of
Missouri, at an extraordinary price; and not having the necessary funds, I
was obliged to abandon this necessary improvement; intending, however,
to finish the weather-boarding of both houses before winter.  I have engaged 6,000 clapboards, 4 feet long by 6 inches wide, at 95 cents per 100.
The establishment is divided into a male and female department, and
numbers 53 boys and 29 girls.  The male department is conducted by three
Catholic clergymen and seven lay-brothers: one of these, being a good
scholar, is enmployed as assistant teacher; the others accompany the children during the hours of agricultural instruction, or such other employments as are calculated to instil into their minds industry and perseverance.
As to the progress in learning made by these pupils: a considerable number
can read well; they acquire a knowledge of penmanship more readily
than the generality of white children; in the study of arithmetic, they
exhibit a great deal of emulation.  Sometimes the half-breeds, at other
times the unmixed Osages, surpass one another.  The other branches of
common learning, such as geography and grammar, are also regularly
taught.
With regard to the female department, nothing has been left undone to
insure permanent success, being well aware that the progress of civilization and the welfare of a rising nation greatly depend upon the female
members of society; for they are to instil the first principles of virtue and
mnorals, the fountains of a future happy generation.  The pupils are educated under the careful guidance of six religious ladies, who devote all
their- attention to the mental and moral improvement of their pupils; they
are taught spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, and geography; and.
besides, certain hours are set apart fbr knitting, sewing, marking, embroidering, &c. Between school hours,.they are engaged in the occupations of domestic economy. As the building for this female school was
intended to accommodate only 20 children, it follows that it is much too
small.
A cultivated intellect and external accomplishments are not alone sufficient to insure that wide and elevated  influence which we hope our
children will one, day exercise upon their relations; knowledge does not
necessarily subdue or refine the passions and elevate the aims of its possessors.  The fear of God, the anticipations of a future life, have a powerful tendency to arouse the young to exertion. Indeed, civilization,.with
out true Christianit.y is unattainable; the history of the world proves that
Christianity is the grand civilizer of the human affections. The Osage




Doc. No. 1.                           71
youth have added new proofs to the thousands that have preceded   Never
co rld we have succeeded to subdue their passionate and stubborn disposilions, without giving them first the knowledge of a common Master and
Father, who witnesses all our deeds, rewards virtue and punishes vice;
who claims the service of all, and demands a strict observance of his
holy commandments. Experience has taught that, when Osage children are well instructed in the knowledge of God, and the knowledge of
the interior corruption of their own hearts, they are easily put forward on.the way to trust in the grace of God, and to fight against the passions of
the human heart.  We have been successful in making them understand
that these passions are the foul springs and sources of great evils-, that
therefore they must be curbed in a youthful heart. It is by these motives
that we have introduced many into the school of virtue, where, having
learned Christian fortitude, they receive paternal corrections with filial affection; or, when the first motions of passion overcome their resolutions, the
excitement is soon calmed by the helmet of faith and the remembrance of
duty;.this will; account for the good feelings that exist between the pupils
and; conductors.
To;bidig the school to the present flourishing condition, we have
bee::.obliged to make liberal sacrifices-the terms ($55 per annum) for
edueatihig, these children not being sufficient to meet our expenses.
Ever since the beginning of this year I meditated to make considerable
other limprovements; to this end, great industry was used during the
whole of last spring to raise a large supply of corn, oats and potatoes;
btt thedry season has frustrated all our hopes.  The same field from
which we gathered last year 1,400 bushels of corn has only produced
cornstalks, without one single bushel of corn; the potato crop has also
totally failed. Being obliged to incur unforeseen expenses to the amount
of $1,000, and our own resources being all exhausted, we are forced to
abandon the projects of improvement.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN SCHOENMAKERS.
Mr. HENRY HARVEY,
Osage,Sub-Agent.
No. 11.
COUNCIL BLUFFS SUB-AGENCY,
October 20, 18500.
SIR: Owing to my detention in St. Louis, waiting for the funds allotted
to my agency, I will be only able to submit a very brief report; and was
it not for the customary regulations of the department requiring annual
reports to reach it by the last of the present month, I would decline doing
so until I could enter more into detail, and give a lengthier one than that
which is now contemplated.
During the past year the Indians generally under my charge have enjoyed good health, and have had unusual good fortune in hunting, which,
as none ebut the Ottoes receive an annuity, has been the means of preventing many of them  from starving.  Game is fast recedilg from their:hunting-grounds; and unless some new treaties are entered into, o some




Doe, No- 1.
-of their lands purchased by the government, they must in a year or two subsist only on wild roots and the wild products of the prairie. -Such a state
of things is greatly to be pitied by our sympathizing government, and' I
trust, before that time arrives, that some provision will be made to foster.and protect them from absolute starvation.
The vast extent of emigration w hich for the last two or three years
has been pouring into and through the very midst of their corn-ields;
their villages, and.their hunting-grounds, must either be stopped, or some
remuneration extended them, or else, I am  inclined to believe that the
great misery and want which they will come to, consequent upon such
essential injuries to themselves and their country, will cause many of their
bad men to commit acts of atrocity upon the persons of our emigrants,
which can only be checked by constantly keeping an armed force along
their trail. I truly hope that this matter, which presents itself in such a
forcible light upon the consideration, and, I may add, the kind sympathies
of our government,  will notbe passed over longer than the meeting of
the next Congress.  These three tribes-viz: Ottoes, Omiahas, rind Pawnees-from their present deplorable situation, suffer and feel the Affects of
this vast emigration more than all the other tribes together; and should
the provisions be made which have already been recommended By the
late Secretary of the Interior, the Commissioner of Indian AffaLits and
others, for compensating these Indians, I hope the above facts will "be
lmaturely considered.
Our smiths for the past year have done their usual variety of work: the
only objection alleged by the Indians is, that the material usedis not quite
-adequate to their wants-an objection whichi, were their own views consulted, would be very difficult to obviate.'Our Pawnee school,. under the charge of Mr. Samuel Allis, owing to
the dilapidated state of the buildings and the want of room  for many
children, has been but of little advantage the past year: as I have stated
before, it should be either discontinued, or some new arrangements made.'I am  satisfied that, in its present situation, but little good can result
from it.
Rev. E. McKinney, who is in charge of the Ottoe and Omaha mission,
is effecting much good among those tribes.  His school numbers constantly from thirty to forty children, and many seem to be making rapid
-strides in civilization and education.  I have frequently recommended
that the Pawnee children be turned over to Mr. McKinney until some
provision is made that will prove of more advantage to their tribe.  The
number of children under the age of twelve years belonging to this tribe
(Pawnees) would, I am. confident, reach twelve hundred (1,200)-a most
astonishing number, when it is recollected that their whole'population
will not amount to over four or -five thousand.  What a vast field is here
open for- the philanthropic and benevolent!
We are still greatly annoyed by'the liquor-traders on the line; and as
long as the Indian is suffered to rem-ain so contiguous to the white,
there is no remedy which the law can apply that willteffectually break up
the traffic carried onl by these lawless desperadoes.  It is not an uncommon
occurrence to find one half of the articles manufdactured by our smiths ill:the possession of these menu, who have dealt out to the Indians instead a
few pints or quarts of whiskey.  There is no way of putting an iend to,this cursed trade, unless, when a liquor-trader'is caught in the -Indian




Doe. No. L1,country, he can be punished upon the spot. When Indians are known
tiolators of the intercourse law, the civil law but very seldom  answers
the end. for which it was intended, and often has the effect of heightening instead of diminishing tie evil.  An example and a warning are to
them:of far greater advantage than all the threats that can be made.  For
all offences, of whatever nature, they should be punished upon their own
ground, and where the eyes of their whole nation are upon them.
All experienced Indian men will concur with me, both as regards the
white as well as Indian violators of law.
The *reports of Rev. E. McKinney and Rev. Samuel Allis, owing to
my absence and unusual detention in St. Louis, have not yet been made
out.  Should I have an opportunity of sending them so as to reach your
office by the 1st November, I will avail myself of it.
I have the honor to remain, very truly, your obedient servant,
JOHN E. BARROW,
o. DUnited &States In~di7an Sub- Agent
Col. D.  D. MITCHELL,'Su&perintendent hIdian jffaihrs
No. 1. 
SIR: In pursuance of your instructions, I most respectfully submit to
the department the following brief report of affairs in connexion with the
Upper Missouri sub-agency during the past year:
The tribes included in this agency are the Sioux, Arickarees Gros
Ventres, Crows, Blackfeet, Assiniboines, and Crees; and, at the outset,
it gives me much pleasure to state that, by the overruling of a benignant'Providence, these tribes have enjoyed an uninterrupted measure of health
-scarcely known, and in a temporal point of view have been exceedingly
prosperous. Buffalo and game of all sorts having been abundant, they have
at once had an ample supply of meats for their own sustenance, and, in
consequence of the increased competition arising from  the establishment
of a second trading company among them within the last few years,
goods and provisions have been reduced to such a value as to render the
sale of the products of the chase and the camp far more profitable than it
ever has been heretofore.
The number of buffalo robes sold by these various tribes cannot be less.than'fom 100,000 to 110,000, valued at  3 a robe; also, peltries and furs
to.the value of at least $50(000.: Notwithstanding an occasional feud, on account of which several whites
have been killed, (at least five among the tribes under my supervisions)
still, from my own careful observation, I have no hesitancy in saying that
the intercourse between these Indians and the whites is remaikably
friendly, and, indeed, I have never known the state of feeling between
the traders and Indians to be so universally amicable as it has been
during the past season. This, of course, must in a great measure be
attributed to their unwonted prosperity in the hunt, the unusual degree of
justice towards them  on thie part of the traders since the competition
spoken of above, and not a little to the degree of unanimity displayed.
among the traders themmselves. It would be very unreasonable to ex*




74                          Doc. No. 1.
peet that the wid-nature of the Indian Would not at times get the ascendency over a better disposition to peace, so novel as yet is their intercourse
with civilized beings, and thus result in occasional loss of life.  This
must always be the case among these tribes until government shall see
fit to establish among them  the same means of regeneration that have
already been put into requisition among various others with such marked
success: I mean missions and schools. The natural traits of the Indian,
it is well known to every one who has had any opportunities of observing them, are such as to render them peculiarly fitted to be wrought upon
by those influences which are calculated to benefit them as a race;. KindLearted, benevolent, and always grateful for counsel whenever proffered
them by the whites, they show a disposition tractable beyond most nations shut out from the light of the gospel and the blessings incident to
civilization; and. I: am.firmly of opinion that the tribes among which I
am  familiar-..are. by -'.:nlo m.eans iin so hopeless a condition that He who
createth the light may not yet shine into their hearts, and give them the
light of the knowledge of God.
This subject of missions and schools I cannot too strenuously urge
tpon the attention of Congress in seeking the welfare of the tribes under
my charge.  Against this, however, nothing operates so powerfully as the
introduction of intoxicating liquors among them; for, although the laws of
Congress prohibiting their sale are as rigidly enforced as, under the existing
circumstances- they possibly can be, nevertheless the liquor traffic still continues to be. the most formidable obstacle to any reform or improvement.
The ungovernable passion for wealth prompts to: a competition among
liquor venders that is most destructive and ruinous to the poor Indian..
Could this be stopped by the introduction of a small military force at
Medicine Creek or at the old Rickaree village, there would be far brighter
hopes of the elevation of these tribes both in character and condition.
From the method in which your agent is compelled at present to live,
(viz: by travelling from one trading post to another, thus causing a great
degree of jealousy among the different traders,) he is confident that it
would be of great advantage to the agency to supply a house and council
room-say at Fort Pierre-for his accommodation, and would respectfully
suggest an appropriation for that purpose. He would also remind Congress of the entire inadequacy of the amount of funds allowed for interpreters to accomplish the numerous requisitions which government impose upon him.
And in conclusion, he feels that, for the good of the tribes among which
he labors, he cannot too zealously urge upon the consideration of government the great advantage that would be derived from creating a full
agency in place of the present sub-agency,. with its insufficiency of means
to promote the best welfare of the tribes under its supervision.
In submitting the above for your acceptance, I have the honor to be
your most obedient servant,
WM. S. HATTON,
Indian Sub-Agent.
To Colonel D. D. MITCHELL.
SYuperintendent of lndian Affairs.




Doc. No. 19                            7
No. 13.
MINNESOTA SUPERINTENDENCY,
St. Paul, October 21, 1850.
SIR: In accordance with the regulations of the department, I have the
honor to submit the following as the second annual report of this superintendency.
A remarkable unity of character is impressed upon the three communities of aborigines in charge of this office, visible in their institutions, their
ideas, and manners, and characteristic ever of barbarians, among whom exist
only simple personal relations, and not the mixed relations of persons and
property; yet, notwithstanding the general resemblance they bear to one
another, as well as to the other cognate branches of the great aboriginal stock,
each tribe presents distinctive features for consideration, marked diversities in their social development, and essential differences in their relations
Yvith government.
The Dacotahs, from their numbers, the comparative simplicity of their
character, and the propinquity of their lands to the white settlements of
the Territory, receive from me frequent adjustment of questions, which,
in case of a remote tribe, would rest peculiarly and exclusively with the
agent.  The bands bordering upon the Mississippi come often in contact
with the white race, are to a certain degree within the sphere of their influence, and at this day their picturesque dances, fantastically moving in
cadence to savage melodies, and accompanied with a rythmic repetition
of simple and not unmusical sounds, constitute a common spectacle in
our villages.
The Winnebagoes, subjected to repeated banishment by government
from lands which they had been accustomed to esteem  their own, improvident in the receipt of princely annuities, moody and turbulent under
the debasing appliances of an inquisitive trade and persevering cupidity
to which, in years past, they have been exposed, have been the occasion
of infinite mischief and the source of much vexation, and are sad witnesses of the truth of an abstract proposition, importing deep reproach;
that the neighborhood of a white population degrades the Indian and de.
presses his condition, and that the intercourse of the white man imparts
to the aborigines ng the virtues of the former, but vices, which, with the
latter, seem fated to acquire deadlier and more destructive energies.  In
consequence of the large annuities in money and goods paid this tribe,
their business affairs assume a complex character; and as their national
Treasury is ample and their depredations upon the property of whites frequent, each year witnesses no inconsiderable drain upon their revenues
for the satisfaction of claimants who have suffered loss at their hands.
The Chippewas, or, as some write, the Ojibwasj are generally reputed
to be the -most chivalric of their race, and are a nation of whose dialects,
mythology, legends, and customs, we have the fullest accounts.
The Menomonie (Wild Rice) Indians have not yet removed to their
lands in this Territory, although the term  of their stay in Wisconsin,
under the treaty of 1846, expired during the present month.  Under
charge of Colonel Bruce, their agent, and Mr. Childs, a party of the
chiefs of this people, in the months of June and July last, made an exploration of the country provided for them  by treaty, situate north of
Crow Wing river; and, after a most minute examination, the gentlemen




9i0S                   Bol Dec. No lL,
who accompanied the delegation, upon their return, expressed to me in
glowing terms their.favorable opinlion of the country, and firm conviction
that, in the l"akes the rivers., the prairies, and the forests of that region,
means of subsistence sufficient for the wants of the tribe could easily be
found.
Thle Stockbridge Indians during the present autumn have deputed a
delegation to select a location within this Territory for the feeble remnant
of-that once powerful tribe; but, as the two latter bodies of Indians do
not at present fall within the jurisdiction of this superintendency, this
report will merely aim at a succinct recapitulation of events during the
past year affecting the other three named tribes; and first in order will be
submitted a brief retrospective view of the affairs of the Sioux, or Dacotah Indians.  The seven bands of the Medewakant'wan Sioux-the only'branch of the great Dacotah family with whom  we have formed treaty
stipulations-are scattered over a broad tract of country extending from
the village of Shockapee, twenty-five miles up the St. Peter's river, to the
village of Wabashaw, one hundred miles below its mouth, on the Mississippi..From the large area of country thus occupied, arises an inherent obstacle to that personal attention on the part of the sub-agent, the superintendent of agriculture, and the physician, which this people ought to receive.
Forthe same reason, to derive reasonable and legitimate results from educational efforts among these bands, it is necessary that they should be
confined to a more contracted area, so that a manual-labor school —and
their funds will admit of the establishment of but one-may be free and
accessible to all.  Since the treaty of 1837, the Sioux have ever been
averse to the disposition of five thousand dollars for schools, as provided
by that treaty.  In my last annual report I dwelt at length upon this subject, and to the suggestions therein urged I again invite the consideration
of the department.  From the notorious incapacity of Indians to act advisedly for themselves in such matters, it is to be regretted that government has not seen' fit, wTithout'consultation with them, to direct such a
disposition of this fund as would best improve their condition.  Without
wishing to advocate any proposition which would divest. them unjustly of
the smallest interest to which they are entitled, the fact is unquestionable,
that a large proportion of every northern tribe of Indialis would gladly divert every dollar from educational to other purposes.
Of the eminent superiority of manual-labor over other schools, to stirnulate habits of industry and meliorate their modes of life, it is unnecessary
to speak.  The total failure, the utter fiuitlessness of other systems, has
been repeatedly demonstrated.  Under their operation, year after year,
sanguine anticipations have been formed, to be succeeded by disappointment and  despondency.  Manual-labor instruction, by dispelling the
stigma of disgrace which the Indian attaches to labor, and.exhibiting to
him  the practical triumphs of industry and culture,in agriculture and. the
mechanic arts, alone promises adequate return.  The Indian is a moral
phenomenon, an anomoly among the races of man-he may win the diplomna of a University, he may be subjected to the severe trainipg and
stern ordeal of schools, he may become a free and accepted member of the
republic of letters, but not then are his pristine habits essentially modified,
or his material condition radically changed.  It is due to truth that this
admission should be made, for upon this subject the world has had enough




Doc^. No.                                 7
of idl, romancing.  " Harvard College," says Mr. Bancroft,   enrols the
name of an Algonquin youth among her pupils; but the college parchiient
could not close the gulf between the Indian character and the Angho"
American.  The copper-colored men are characterized by a moral infliexi
bility, a rigidity of attachment to their hereditary customs and m:anners.
The birds and the brooks, as they chime forth their unwearied canticles,
chime them ever to the same ancient melodies; and the Indian child, asit
grows up, displays a propensity to the habits of its ancestors."
01 the state'of moral and religious culture among the Dacotahs, I think
I can notice a slight improvement'from their condition a year since.  The.
example of their pious and devoted missionaries has greatly promoted the.
te'rporal welfare of these Indians, though it would be folly to affirm that
adequate success has accompanied their labors, or merited fruition crowned
their hopes.  Apparent conversions to Christianity may not be uncommon,
yet are they generally illusory and transitory.  Shadowy, and poetical
creeds, such as where  "'in the fashes of the northern lights men believed they saw the dance of the dead," still hold sway with savage
breasts.  Though not prone to the dark rites of superstition, and perhaps
rather skeptical than otherwise of the rhapsodies and incantations of the
soothsayer and juggler, still to the auguries of his medicinemnan,' prophet
of marvels and mysteries, the untutored Dacotah inclines, rather than to
the pure precepts and elevating instructions of the followers of the.
" Prince of Peace.
The facility and frequency with which the Sioux pass in their canoes
to the east side of the Mississippi, where places for vending liquor have so
much increased within twelve months, furnishes occasion for deep solicitude, and presents a practical evil for the remedy of the department. Ardent spirits have been the bane of the race, and though the healthy public
sentiment of this community indignantly reprobates that abominable traffic,
which more perhaps than any other agency has contributed to the declension and deterioration of the Indian, still in all communiities will be found
sordid wretches sufficiently depraved to attempt for filthy lucre to elude
the laws which prohibit their sale.  1 am happy to statethatin aid of the
judicious and wholesome statutes of the United States-upon this subject,
the legislature of the'erritory of Minnesota have passed stringent penal
enactments for the suppression of this corrupting traffic.
Owing to the high waters in all our northern rivers, the corn.crpp of
th1e Sioux, for the present year, has been to a great extent cut off  but the
consent of the department to the diversion froma the accumulated fa-rmfund of five thousand dollars, to be expended for provisions, will relieve
then from the distress which, otherwise, the inundation of their fields
would have occasioned.'The high stage'of water during the past season in the St. Peter's, or
Minnesota river, has led to frequent explorations of its valley-truly tlhe
garden of the Northwest-and satisfactory test has been'had of safe and
convenient navigation fora comfortable class of steamboats for 200 miles'
from. its confluence with the Mississippi.  In view of the contemplated
treaty with the Sioux, the question of acquisition by the government of the
United  States of a portion of this' country must soon pass sub judice;
opening, by theextinction of the Indian title; a Cew theatre for the great
drama of western civilization.;Uren, reasons for a purchase may be found in the advane of our cul




78                          DDoc. No. 1.
tivated border, in the civilization which is pressing upon and impending~
over this valley, in maxims of natural law, from which civilized mani
deduces the duty of reclaiming and cultivating the earth, as well as in a
jealous regard for the best interests of the Indian, and a tender caution
for his welfare. Should the Sioux acquiesce in some proper conventional
arrangement for a cession of their possessory interest, as no pillars of
Hercules stay the flowing tide of Anglo-American inundation, it may
fairly be presumed that the luxuriant solitudes, reposing in the valley of
the St. Peter's, which have slumbered unproductive since the creation,
will soon be gained to the dominion of the plough and the sickle, and
smiling villages rise, like an exhalation, by its shores.
In July last I had ad interesting interview with a numerous party of
Yankton, (of the North, or plains,) from the other side of the great Coteau
-the first of that distant and warlike band who have ever visited St. Paul.
The ostensible object of their journey was to lay claim to the TVahpacoota
country, which they had understood was to be sold to the United States.
The country that these people inhabit is almost one entire plain, uncovered with timber; it is extremely level, the soil fertile, and generally well
watered.  Lewis & Clarke, in the report of their expedition, describe this
band as " roving from the heads of the river St. Peter's and Red river of
the Missouri, about the Great Bend."  They estimate the number of
their lodges at eighty, warriors five hundred, and population sixteen hundred.
In June, 1849, a party of sixteen Wahpacoota Sioux, led by their young
chibf, were murdered while occupied in hunting upon their own lands.
Since the occurrence, I have made every effort to obtain correct information as to the perpetrators of the outrage.  From  Brevet Major Woods,
recently detailed to remove the Sacs and Foxes'fron Iowa-who, at my
request, gave the subject some attention-1 have received information
which leads me to think that the offenders belonged to that tribe who
have long been known as an ancient enemy of the Sioux.  In a letter,
dated the 23d of September last, I communicated to the department the
intelligence in my possession; and, for reasons at that time stated, I here
take occasion to renew the request then preferred, that the sum of sixteen
thousand dollars be retained from the Sac and Fox annuities, to be distributed among the Wahpacootas, to whom, as they are miserably poor,
and receive no annuities from government, the tribute would be very opportune.
With other tribes the intercourse of the Sioux during the past year
has been marked by several open demonstrations of hostility.  There
seems to have existed a hereditary warfare between them and the Chippewas.  French traders as early as 1687 make mention of it; and it was
a subject of comment and observation two centuries ago, by the earlier
historians and travellers.  Since that period, notwithstanding the efforts
of Jesuit and Protestant missionaries to soothe and reform the ferocious
feelings and habits of the savage by the mild charities of religion, the
relations between these tribes have remained unchanged.  The mission
houses established among them, monuments of the zeal and devotion of
pious and self-sacrificing men, are unrfortunately monuments also of unrequited and unproductive efforts. Even the wholesome restraint exercised
by government over their conduct has failed to appease their ancient hate,
or perceptibly modify their stationary and unbending  habits. Accord



Doc. No.                                79
ingly, on the second day of April last, the Sioux embellished tLeir history by the slaughter of fourteen Chippewas, upon Apple river, a stream
which empties its waters not far from the head of Lake St. Croix, on the
Wisconsin side. Although the attack was conformable to that system of.ethics which teaches the Indian that injuries are redressed by revenge,
and that might is the security of right, so unprovoked an aggression
could not pass unnoticed, and I demanded of the chiefs of the bands
implicated in the barbarity the tradition of the leaders into charge of the
commanding officer at Fort Snelling.  After much delay and equivocation this was done, and the prominent participators in the affair were confined in the guard-house of the fort. Meantime word was sent to advise the:Chippewas that I had taken the matter into hand, and to direct them to
desist from revenge; but ere the messengers charged with the office had
threaded the wilderness of plain and forest to the distant Ojibway lodges,
the Sioux were struck upon by a scalping party, almost within reach of
the guns of Fort Snelling.  Under the circumstances which surrounded.
this unseasonable attack, I thought it but just to enlarge the Indians who
were imprisoned, in order that they might be able, if occasion should rise,
to protect their families.  Shortly information reached me, from reliable
sources, that the Pillagers, a warlike branch of the great Chippewa family,
were mustering for a grand descent upon the St. Peter's, to reap a harvest
of death in the valleys of their enemies.  To add to the perplexing considerations involved in the relations between these tribes, the neglect of
the United States to enforce the terms of a treaty concluded at Fort Snelling in' 1843, by which their old hatred had been partially smothered, had
greatly exasperated both sides, and seriously impaired the influence of
government officers.  By acts of its agents government had become a
quasi party to this treaty, and the failure on its side to discharge the obligations it had voluntarily assumed, furnished to the Indians plausible
pretext for the renewal of hostile collisions. Under these unpropitious
auspices, the only alternative presented was a convocation of the two
tribes, with a view either to open negotiations de novo, or by settlement of
past differences to effect a recognition: in full of the treaty of 1843.
Accordingly the hostile parties were assembled in conference at Fort
Snelling, in June last, some seventy envoys representing the Chippewas,
and yet a larger number the Sioux.  The deliberations of these "wild
republicans of the wilderness" were characterized by a decorum and.
propriety worthy of imitation by more august assemblages.  The discourse of their orators was distinguished by freedom from acerbity, fluent
eloquence, and sententious perspicuity, and their diction, never parsimonious of ornament, glowed with imagery.  By the side of the civil and
military officers of government who were present upon the occasion, and'
the groups of spectators who had been attracted by the novelty of the
scene, the painted war chiefs, gaily decorated with feathers and medals'
exhibited all the glare of a "pictured and dramatic contrast."
The details of the council have already been submitted to the department, and further recital is unnecessary.  I desire, however, in this connexion to express my grateful appreciation of the valuable services and,
graceful hospitality of Capt. J. Monroe, at the time in command of Fort
Snelling; and also of the efficient assistance rendered by Capt. J. B. S.
Todd, commanding officer at Fort Gaines, Mr. Warren, interpreter, and
other.gentlemen, in inducing the Chippew-as to atteMd the conference.




80*     ~aBDoc. No. 1.
Exasperated  as were these hostile tribes, and apprehensive as were
their traders and half-breed relatives that a sanguinary war menaced the
frontier, it affords me lively gratification to be able to say that, since the
arrangement at that time made, not a solitary instance has arisen of a
breach of the terms of the treaty of 1843 by any of the bands, either
Sioux or Chippewa, parties to the council in June, 1.850.  The approval
by the Indian Bureau of the action of that council has been communicated to each tribe, and its final decision, upon carefll examination of
the statements of both parties, that reparation was due the Chippewas.
The sum  of money remitted for this purpose has been expended in the
purchase of provisions, clothing, presents, &c., which, in shape of atoning presents, have been distributed with cautious care, so that the relatives
of the Chippewas who have been murdered in these affrays have received,
a larger than average share.
As the general right of control, on the part of the United States, in
these matters, should be subject to no artificial rules of construction,
which would defeat the wholesome guardianship exercised by governmenrt over the Indian, I have announced to the Pillagers, and to the
Wah~peton and Siseton Sioux, that they would be held amenable to the
terms of the treaty, though not parties to it, nor present at the council
In case these bands should exhibit indisposition to accede to the stipulations therein contained, it would indisputably be the duty of government
to impose such terms as sheuld seem proper, and, by duress or otherwise,
compel their observance.  Nor can. fanciful pretensions, or judicial theories, concerning the sovereignty of Indian tribes, be objected to the practical application of this doctrine.  Provisions exist disabling Indians from
selling clothing, tar-ming or cooking utensils, arms, horses, &c.  In the
trade and intercourse laws, disabilities are imposed and securities are provided, evincing the judgment of Congress that over such matters they
possessed jurisdiction, and that it was expedient to exercise it; and in order
to suppress the barbarous atrocities of savage waarfare, should the iposition of even rigorous termns appear to conflict with the supposititious.ide —
pendence of the Indian, but another of the anomalies is presented, of
which the general subject of the relative rights and duties of a civilized.
and barbarous people is so fruitfuil.
A s a political community the Dacotahs live almost without law.   ligt.,
indeed, among all the tribes of the Northwest is the influence of their
chiefs; the braves, who constitute a sort of aristocratic estate, keep them
in awe, and, through the depression of fear, the chiefs hesitate in council
to express an independent opinion.  For this reason, upon the occasion
of transacitng im-portant business, they always insist upon the presence
of a large number of their people.  Should they sign a treaty: or d.o any'
other act binding upon their tribe, contrary to popular approbationi it i
very probable that their lives would b    e the forfeit.  At least, appLehensiiot
of such issue holds them in check.
As property is held in conmmon, its rights are but slightly respected _
and upon the lightest provocation an Indian will shoot the horse or other
domestic animal of an enemy, and among them exists neither law nor
usage to compel restitution.  They have no courts, no offcers, no statutes, no debts to collect, no damages to pay.  The few vegetableproduc-.
tions raised  by  the induvstry of their women are appropriated by the less
thrifty, whenever want or caprice dictates.  As a con;sequeuc- oef thid




Do. No. 1, i1'communismn, motive to industry, incitement to accumulation, desire for.private property, is wealk; and in this utter nakedness of rights and remedies lies the grand defect in the institutions, and the principal impediment to the civilization, of the red man.
Congress should extend over the aboriginal population a code of laws,
mild and simple in character, to be enforced by the respective agents of
the different tribes.  The experiment has already been made of extending
over them, to a certain extent, the action of criminal laws; but to elevate
their social and political condition, government, in the exercise of paternal authority, should fashion a civil code, acconmmodated to their actual
situation, elementary in its nature, securing plain rights, and providing
positive remedies.
Thie WTin-nebqagoes, during the past year, have shown a restless and.
mischievous disposition, which has added much to the embarrassments,attending upon the business of this office.  Questions of expediency and
author'ity, as well as of finance and morals, have been implicated in their
relations.
A segment of the tribe, after their nominal removal in 1848, remained
in Wisconsin and Iowa, constitting a nucleus of attraction to those who
were actually colonized upon the lands appropriated for them within this
superintendency.  Many of the latter, in spite of the vigilance of the officers of the department, and of the military stationed at the different posts
in the Territory, returned to the vicinity of their old hunting-grounds;
from whence, from representations m-,de by the executive and people of'
Wisconsin, government, in the spring of 185U, felt constrained to enter
into contract for their removal.  Impressed at the time with the conviction that the representations of the people of WVisconsin, as to the inconvenience resulting from the presence of these Indians, were highly exag-:gerated, nothing that has since transpired has tended to destroy or affect
this conviction.  The WVinnebagoes, unless inflamed by liquor, are rarely
-nude to the whites' and, unless goaded by want, seldom. trespass upon the
property of others.   Be this, however, as it may, it is notorious among
those who come nmost often in contact with them that this people have remained in Wisconsin mainly through solicitations of citizensof that State,
and that others, whom such solicitations wrould not be apt to influence, have
returned because barriers equally strong do not there oppose the gratification of their inordinate attachment to ardent spirits.   Let Wisconsin legislation inhibit vending or giving Indians ardent spirits within  State
limits, and let rigorous police enforce such legislation, and blt trivial apprehensions need be entertained of annoyance from the Winnebagoes.
The recent arrival at Fort Snelling of a company of dragoons, so long
wanted, will greatly assist in intercepting the migration southward of this
discontented people. Though it must be admitted that, in a sparsely settled country, with paths and by-ways known only to the Indiaf, leading
through treacherous morass and tangled wilderness which no soldiery
can penetrate, difficulties will be found, inherent and almnostin surmountable, to confining them to their country, if disposed to wander.
The Mississippi bands would unquestionably expatriate themselves, if
forced to retire from the river to the vicinity of the agency; and the only
alternative left is to open farms, license trading houses, &c,, in their
present locality, though in fearful proximity to the haunts of the whiskey
trader.  To the healthy moral tone which shall ensue from an augment6




82.Doc. No. 3.
ing population on the east side of the river, wre must look for the expulsion of this detestable class of traders, and the suppression of a ruinous
traffic, which, in case of the Indian, infallibly destroys the effect of individual character.
In a communication addressed to the department of date April 16,
1850, I suggested the propriety of Congress extending the operation of
the trade and intercourse laws over public lands contiguous to Indian
territory which have not become subject to private entry.  As individuals
residing upon these lands are technically trespassers, and as the fee is in
government, this kind of jurisdiction could with great propriety and utility be exercised.  It is while in the transition state, after the extinction
of the aboriginal title, and pirior to the settlement of a white population
sufficiently  restrained  by moral principle, that territory thus situated,
without law, is made the theatre of Indian whiskey trade.  A jurisdiction of this nature is essential to the safety of the Indian, and its extent
niust be determined by those who are called to exercise it.   Of the authority of Congress so to legislate, no doubts can exist. The right reposes'
upon  no metaphysical figment; and the only doubt is, how far expediency and discretion require that such jurisdiction should be exercised.
The Win~nebago school, which has long been under the superintendence of Rev. D. Lowry, has been suspended since June last, at which
time that gentleman resigned his post.  As soon as information of his
withdrawal reached me,. I notified your ofice, and urged the opportunity
as propitious for introducing manual-labor schools, agreeably to the de.
sign long entertained by the department.   In daily expectation of receiving instructions upon. this subject, I have, up to this time, deferred di.
recting the reopening of the school.  I do not deem it essential that the;
children should be boarded at these schoois, but rather concur with the
views advanced by agent Fletcher in this connexion.
The Chippewas number within the limits of the United States about
eight thousand souls.  Of this number, four hundred, at the present time,
reside in the State of Michigan, three thousand in Wisconsin, and the
remaining four thousand five hundred in the Territory of Minnesota.  As
those living in Michigan and Wisconsin, on lands ceded to government,
will soon fail under the jurisdiction of this superintendency, having been
ordered to remove to the country appropriated for theml within this Territory,
I have thought proper to embrace them in a brief sketch of the history,
numbers, villages, and modes of livelihood of the different divisions of the
tribe.  Formuch of my information upon this subject, I am indebted to
the researches of Mr. W..'W. Warren, an educated Ojibway half-breed.
Five thousand Chippewas are equal parties to, and receive annuities
under, the treaties of St. Peter's in 1837, and of La Pointe in 1842.  Of
all treaties fromr time to time entered into by the several bands of this
tribe, these two are in every respect the most important.   In these treaties, they ceded to the United States all their possessions in Wisconsin
and Michigan, comprising the rich mineral district which extends along
the south' coast of Lake Superior, and the valuable pineries which skirt
Black, Chippewa, St. Croix, Rum, and Wisconsin rivers, and tributaries.
For this large cession they receive annually, for the respective periods of
twenty and twenty-five years, the sum  of sixty-four thousand dollars, in
goods, money, &c.  Tlhe parties to these treaties, with the exception of
the Mississippi division, numbering some eleven hundred, still reside




Doc. No. 1.                             8
upo:n the lands they nave ceded.  By treaty provisions, the term of their
stay was left optional with the President; and not till last spring was a
mandate for their removal given by the Chief Magistrate of the country.
Beside the body of five thousand who receive annuities under treaties at St. Peter's, La Pointe, and Fond du Lac, a division of one thousand,
known as the Pillager Chippewas, residing in  Mlinnesota, receive a
stated amount of goods under the treaty of Leech lake in 1847, wherein.
they sold the lands which have been set apart for the Menomonies.  The
remaining body of two thousand  residing in this Territory receive,
neither annuities nor presents.
The Chippewas are a well-marked type and leading tribe of the Algonquin stock.  They call themselves Ojibwaig-the plural of Ojibway,.
from  Qjibwach, "puckered" or "drawn up."  According to an eminent
writer, this name "'denotes a peculiarity in their voice or manner of utterance."'  But, as there is no discernible "pucker" in their voice, or mode
of speaking their really musical language, a more natural genesis of the
word could probably be derived from a circumstance in their past history.
Upwards of two centuries ago, they were driven by the Iroquois or Six
Nations of New York into the straits of Mackinaw, where Lakes Huron,
Michigan, and Superior are "puckered" into a small channel, or narrow'
compass. Prior to this event, there is nothing in their traditions, or in the'
writings of early travellers, to indicate that they were known by the name of
QOibwaif.  \When interrogated upon the subject, some of their old men
affirm  that they are named after the Ojibway moccasin, a peculiarly-made
article, "puckered into a seam the whole length of the foot."
The history of this tribe, prior to eight generations ago, is collected entirely fiom oral traditions, which savor of the marvellous or supernatural:
and from which but vague and unsatisfactory deductions can be drawn.
From these traditions, however, we learn that they once were familiar with
the salt ocean, that they lived on a large river, again on a great lake.
where they exterminated a tribe they call the 3Meendua, and last in a
large centre town on an island in the bay of Shag-uh-w.aunm-ik-ong, on
Lake Superior, or Ieec/re Gurmmne.  The old men of the tribe agree ill
saying that to this spot their ancestors first came, about eight generations
or two hundred and forty years ago, estimating an Indian generation at
thirty years.  They were driven from the east by powerful tribes, whon
they donominate Nodswvaig, meaning "adders."  These were the Iroe
quois or Six Nations of New York and Canada, who, coming first in con —
tact with whites, became first armed with their deadly weapons, giving;
them great advantage over more western and remote tribes, who still wielded the primitive weapon of bow and arrow.  Driven westwardly upon
Lake Superior, the Ojibwas came in collision with the Ab-boiz-ee Sioux,
or "Roasters"  and the O-dug —aumeeg, " Opposite-side people," or Foxes,
These two tribes became their inveterate enemies, and for a long t1.i
hemmed them in upon the island of La Pointe, where they subsIste
mainly by fishing and agriculture.  From this period, they relate their
own history with considerable accuracy. Their village and. cultivated
grounds occupied a space upon the island about three miles long and two
broad.  Here they cherished a perpetual fire, as a symbol of their nationality, and in their civil polity maintained a certain system-very much con —
fused and tinged, however, with their religious and medicinal beliefs..
The A-auh-.wauh or Loon totem family constituted the royal line; and the




84                           Doe. No. 1.
M.akwah or Bear family led them  to war, and protected them  from  the
inroads of their enemies.  The rites of Me-dc  wewvin, or their mode of
worshipping the Great Spirit and the lesser spirits which fill earth, sky,
and waters, were in those days practised in their purest and most original form. Upon the island was erected a large -wiTgwam, called the Meda-we-gaun, in which the holier rites of their religion were practised.
The building, though probably rude in structure and perishable in materials, was yet the temple of a powerful tribe, and, in their religious
phraseology, the island is still known by the name of Me-da-we-gaun.
The Ojibwas were for a time so harassed by the Sioux and Foxes that
they were not even safe from attack upon the island of La Pointe, though
situate some miiles from the main shore of the lake.  Twice their enemies found opportunity to land among them  in the night and carry off
prisoners and scalps.  It was not until the earlier French traders had
supplied them in a measure with fire-arms that they became formidable
to their enemies.  From this era, now about two centuries ago, can be
dated the disposal of the Chippewas from  their island home, and the
expansion of their bands along the shore of the lake, and over the country
in the interior. In a severe engagement on Point Shiag-ah-wiaum-ik-ong,
they killed over one hundred Sioux warriors; and, in a lake fight near
the mouth of Montreal river, they killed and drowned upwards of three
hundred Foxes, who had intruded upon their island in the night and.
taken prisoners.  In a concentrated effort, they destroyed, with one war
party, six villages of Foxes, scattered along the Chippewa river.  About
eighty years ago, the Foxes made their last stand against them at the Falls
of St. Croix.  The Chippewas, led by their war chief Waub-o-jeeg, were
victorious, and from that time the Foxes finally retired from the country.
Gaining possession of the head-waters of the Mississippi, it became an
easy matter for the Chippewas to descend in their enemies' country.
Within two centuries theyf have occupied by conquest a tract of country
extending west from  Lake Superior to the Mississippi, and south from
Red river of the North and Selkirk's settlement to Lake MIichigan.
Diverted by the tempting resources and lured by the varied seductions of
so extended a region, they have become separated into several divisions,
of which a brief sketch will here be given.
Lake Superior C/ippewas.-This body number about thirteen hundred,
and are known as the Ke-che-gumne-win-in-e-wug, or Great lake men.
The principal villages are Ance, Kewteenaw, Ontonagon, La Pointe, Fond
du Lac, and Grand Portage, on the lake shore.  They subsist mainly on
the excellent fish with which the lake abounds.  Since 1842 they have
received the services of four blacksmiths, three farmers, and two carpentersembracing, with the exception of one blacksmith and one farmer, all the
laborers allowed the entire quota of bands who were parties to the treaties
of 1837 and 1842.  In consequence of this help, among'this division, flattering progress has been made.
The Ance band, numbering three hundred, have become comparatively
civilized.  They dwell in houses, assume the costume of the whites, and
are essentially agriculturists.  Their chief and some of the principal men
have been admitted to the rights of citizenship in the State of Michigan.
The La Pointe band number about four hundred. Among them  are
many who are partially civilized, and, beside dwelling in houses and
-Cowning cattle, are devout members either of Catholic or Protestant churches.




Doe,. No. 1.                              68
Among the elder chiefs and headrmen, however, are others still attached
to primitive customs.  The religion of their fathers is engraved upon the
hearts of these, ancd guides their daily habits of life.  The improvement
of this band for the past ten years has been gradual and sure.  They own.
a large farm on Bad river, from wvhich they raise corn and potatoes suffi
cient for their own consumption, and not unfrequently a surplus fo'r sale.
They also manufacture large quantities o-f maple sugar,.which they sell to
their traders, and catch and1 salt fish, for which they find a ready market.
The Fond du Lac band; who reside upon unceded lands in Minnesota.,
number about four hundred. They are much less advanced in the arts
of civilization than tie twvo bands last mentioned, and depend for subsist.
ence upon the scanty and precarious supplies furnished by the chase.,
One cause of this is the absence of good soil in the vicinity of their
present location.
The Ontonagol   and Grand Portage bands numrber a little over one
hundred each.
These lake-shore Chippewas have an inexhaustible resource in the fish
whichl plentifully abound in the waters of the lake.  They are naturally'
well disposed towards the whites, docile, and harmless.  Owing to their
distance from the Sioux, they have not, for the past half century, joined
the war parties of their more western brethren.
WVisconsin and (hlippewa river divisio.. —This fragment of the tribe
number about eighteen hundred, and are known as the Be ton-auk-anub-yig, or " Those that live along the woods.'   Their principal villages
are at Lac dui Flambeau, Vieux Desert, Pelican lake, Lac Contereiville,
Pnkwaawunl, Lac Shatae, and Moa-o- niti-au lake-all in the State of
Wisconsin, except Vieux Desert, which lies in Michigan.  Most of these
villages are located upon lakes whi-ch form  the heads of the Wisconsin
and Chippewa rivers. These lakes are remote from the white settlements
on Lake Superior and the Mississippi, and are surrounded by dense and
trackless forests and swamps.  At these villages a few families plant potatoes and corn, but not enough for consumption during the winter.  The
wild rice which abounds in the vicinity forms the main staple of subsistence.  Though numerically composing allmost a moiety of the bands.
parties to the treaties at St. Peter's and La Pointe, they have received
little, if any, aid from the different funds provided by government.  This
lneglect has probably arisen from their remoteness fromr the agency at La
Pointe.  Seldom do over one-third of this people appear to draw the annuities to which they are entitled for the sale of every inch of their extensive
teiritory.  After their rice is gathered in the fall, they descend the Wisconsin, Manedouish, and Chippewa rivers, to hunt the deer and large
game which there abound.  During the entire winter they sojourn in this
regionl coming in contact with the white population attracted thither by'the pineries.  Enticed among the lumbermen by attachment to ard.entl
spirits, many families, especially on the Wisconsin, remain the year round.
These have become demoralized and miserable, forming a perfect nuisance
to the whites, who are fast occupying the country.
The bands residing upon the Chippewa and its tributaries are lessdegenerate and more manly. As far back as their oldest men can rememher, they have warred with the Sioux.  Forming, with the St. Croix"
issississippi, and Pillager divisions, the vanguard of their nation in its
westward advance, they have stood the brunt of war, and been fearfully




,^~8:6      ~Doc. No. 1.
mischievous in these wretched border frays.  WVith this people no serious,difficulty has yet occurred.  They are peaceably disposed to the whites,
but much attached to the country they have sold.
The Wisconsin Chippewas are physically larger and stronger than their
more northern brethren.
T/e St. Croix division.-rThis portion of the tribe reside upon the St.
Croix river, on lands, lyinig paytly in Wisconsin and partly in Minnesota,,ceded in 1837 by the treaty of St. Peter's.  They number about eight
hundred, and have their villages at Upper St. Croix lake, AuL7';a-qgua'g-uJ,
Po-ka.go-m on, Yellow, and Rice lakes, and on Snake river.  They are
known among the tribe as the Mliunzo-min ik —a-she-ug, or "Rice Makers.''
The country they occupy abounds in wild rice, and formerly these bands
were noted for gathering large quantities of it.  Since the sale of their
country, they have become the most miserable and degenerate of their
tribe.  Living altogether among the pineries, which of late years have:been so much resorted to by the whites, their deterioration, through the
agency of intoxicating drinks, has been rapid, and alml ost without parallel.
Murders among themselves have become of frequent occurrence; and
quarrels arising in drunken brawls have caused feuds between  families
which have grown so serious that small war parties have been fitted out
against one another.  During the past few years, a number of whites have
also been murdered, and a most aggravating case of homicide occurred the
past summer.
This state of things calls for prompt action from government. Living
but a short distance from their own lands atbout Mille Lac, they should,withiout delay, be removed thither; though, after removal, it would probably require a force to keep them within bounds.  The residue of the tribe labor,under the belief that the bad conduct of the "Rice M5akers"' has accelerated the mandate of the President for their removal from the ceded iands;
hence the St. Croix bands are obnoxious to their brethren, and no
measure, even of forcible removal, would excite for them  sympathy.
For their own good, as well as for the safety of the white population who
are exposed to their depredations, their immediate removal should be
enforced.  To carry this object into effect, it will be necessary to settle
their bloody family feuds.  At present, they fear one another much more
than they fear any common enemy, and they will not coalesce until their
implacable resentments are appeased.  It is proper to mention, the St.
Croix lake band, numbering over one hundred, have kept aloof from the
white settlements, fearing to be implicated in the acts of their brethren,
-and have even gradually removed towards Lake Superior. The chief of
the Snake liver band, Nodiz, and a principal man, Muzlo-nzink-ash-an,
have migrated this summer to Mille Lac, and located within their own
lines, and are inducing as many as possible of their bands to follow their
example.
Miississippi /Chippevwas.-These bands are known as the IKe-che se-beeill-o-wing, or "Great river men."  They dwell in Minnesota, on lands
of which they still hold the possessory interest.  Their numbers amount to
eleven hundred; and their principal villages are at Sandy lake, Mille
Lac, Rabbit river, and Gull lake.  According to accounts of their old men,
little over a century has elapsed since a large party of Chippewa rwarriors,,led by their war chief Bi-ans-wak, sallied fiom the shores oi Lake Superior,
and conquered a Sioux  village, at that period, located at Sandy!ake.




Doe. No, 1.                               8T
-Here they made a stand; and at this lake for many years fourished their,metropolitan village.  From  this spot marched the war parties Which
drove the Sioux from Leeoh, Winnepeg, Red, and the Mille lakes.  Their
hostile incursions even extended to the Minnesota river, and their hunts
to Red river on the -west, and Rum river on' the south.  Throughout this
entire region, death has held its carnival, and the bones of Sioux and
-Chippewa alike whiten its soil. Twice within a century have the Mlississippi
Chippewas been nearly exterminated by their enemies, but, receiving accessions fromx Lake Superior, they have held their footing tenacious to the
last.  Their own country becoming devoid of game, necessity has been
the goad which has impelled them' still westward, and they now  roam:over the whole country north and east of the St. Peter's. The feud between
them and the Sioux has ceontinued wvith brief intervals to the present time,
and has infused into them a warlike spirit.  The eagle plume, denoting
thee death of an enemy in battle, is with them the highest badge of distinction.
After the treaty at St. Peter's, in 1837, the Mississippi Chippewas
~received their first payment of annuities at Lake St. Croix.  But on their
return, through the foily of the Piliagers, they incurrede the displeasure of
thle Sioux, who fell upon them  in force, at night, and massacred over a
hundred, mostly womnen and children.  The Mille Lac band were almost
cut off to a man.  This occurrence changed the locality of their payment
to La Pointe, and to receive their annuities the memabers of this division
were yearly obliged to traverse hundreds of miles.  The sub-agency, also,
twhich had been locatedat Crow Wing, was from this time discontinued,
and, as a natural sequene;, the vigilant supervision of government over
trern mu'ch deranged.
Inl this state they continued up to the convention at Fonzd cdu Lac in
1847, wherein they sold to the United  States the country at present
occupied by the WVinnebagoes.  They also in this treaty stipulated for an
agent to reside among them, and for the payment of their share of annuities upon the Mississippi.  A farmer and blacksmith have been allowed.
them, and for two years back they have of their own accord reserved fromn.their annuities one thousand dollars per aznnuzm   for an agricultural fund.
A farm last year was located at Gull lake, in a tract covered with a heavy,growth of maple timber; and the lower bands ot this division, who had.
been accustomed to rove over ceded territory and Sioux lands, have been
induced to move to Gull lake, and commence farming.  They have become
convinced of the necessity of agriculture; and many families, who hereto.
fore had never planted a potato or a grain of corn, have now little patches
of cultivated ground, from which they raise alamost enough f)r their winter support.  During planting time last spring, they procured liquor fiom
ceded lands below Fort Gaines; and, on account of a sudden inroad of
the Sioux, which resulted in the death of a favorite son of one of their
chiefs, the war fever raged fiercely, causing them to neglect farining operations. Notwithstanding these disadvantages, over one thouisand bush els
~of potatoes have been raised this season at Gull lakee and a respectable
quantity of corn, turnips, and pumpkins.  There are five chiefs residing
here with their bands.  The advantages attached to the location are not..suficient to accommodate them all, and another farm should, be opened in
th-e spring either on Long or White Fish lake.
The Mille Lac band number about three hundred.  Being removed




$88                    Bo ADoc. No. 1.
forty or fifty miles from  any white settlement, and possessing a lakeabounding in fish and wild rice, and boirdered by extensive maple groves,
they live amid greater plenty than any of their surrounding brethren.
The Rabbit river band, numbering over one hundred, are anxious to
become farmers.  Last spring they eagerly availed themlselves of tools and.
seed furnished from the agricultural find..
The Sandy lake band number about three hundred.  For the last five
years they have been allowed a farmer and blacksmith, and among them
is a mission house.  Notwithstanding these favors, they have not iamproved.  Their location is blessed with few nlatural advantages: the lake
affords no rice, and but few fish.  The occasional flooding of their fields
by the Mississippi has discouraged them, and thleir farm  for two years
past has been discontinued.  For two years their rice crops have failed,
and the majority of this band have passed the winters in the vicinity of
Crow Wing and Fort Gaines, on ceded lands, hunting and begging for a
living.
The Pillagers.-This branch of the Chippewa tribe resides on unceded.
lands inz iVinnesota, west of the M[ississippi.  Tlhey number one thousand
and fifty, and have their villages at Leech and Ottertail lakes.  They are
called Mulk  2-duza-iuz- in-e-wi'ng, or the' AMen who take by force.''
Only in their distinctive name do they differ frolm  the Chippewas of the
Mississippi and Lake Superior: they spring from the same stock, speak in
every respect the same language.  They were invited to the treaty at St.
Peter's in 1837i and made parties thereto-their chief; Flat Mouthi  being
the first to affix his signature; but, through the caprice and injustice of the
other bands, the Pillagers have been refused their share in the annuities
accruing under the treaty. Thlis bad faith has created a breach between
them and their brethren of Lake Superior and the Mississippi; and it will.
be extremely difficult to persuade them  to coalesce with the latter, and
hold with them, as mutuatl advantage dictates, lands in common.
The Pillagers own in their own right a tract of country four hundred
miles in area, interspersed with innumerable fresh-water lakes, w-hich
abound in fish.  The region has been well suited to their roving modes
of life; but, as the animals which are valuable for food or furs have re~
ceded, the hunters seek their garne upon the lands of the Sioux.
In 1847, they ceded by treaty about six hundred t housand acres of their
best hunting-ground as a home for the Menor lonies.   For this they annually receive for five years a stated amount of goods, averaging about
three dollars per head.  The insignificance of this annuity causes ill-will
among themselves, and dissatisfaction Twith government. They evidently
misunderstand the terms f the treaty; and a feeling- of distrust, even of
hostility, is generating in their breasts towards the United States.
Ofthe Chippewas residing within the limits of the United States, the Pillagers have been the least infected by intercourse with a depraved white pop-'ulation. But, since the payment of their small annuity, and the introduction
of the \'/innebagoes into their vicinity, a gradual chang'e has taken placein their character.  They have never received encouragement to become
agriculturists, and are therefore entirely destitute of the necessary implements for farming.  Last summer their rice crop entirely failed, and on
this article they depend mostly for their winter's support.  Hunger and
starvation menace them; and, in order to procure means of sustenance,.




Doc. No. 1                                8
their hunters this wiS,tler will be forced to press westward till they find the
buffalo.
Their country lies in an excellent climate, and possesses many natural
advantages; their lakes are surrounded by extensive and beautiful maple
bottoms; and, could their attention be directed to agriculture, and some
slight help afforded them, they would soon become independent of
charity.
Within a few years past, a fragment of the band have moved gradually
to the western outskirts of their country, and established themselves at
Ottertail lake.  These now number some t;hree hundred.  They hunt altogether upon Sioux land, as recognised by the lines established by the
treaty at Prairie du Chlen. in 1825.
irTe normthernz or Red,lake division. — In this division are embraced all
the remaining bands, dwelling in the United States, which have descend.
ed from the main trunk of that tribe, who, making their way through thel
Sault Ste. Miarie  spread along the south shore of Lake Superior, and
from La Pointe scattered over the country of their present occupancy by
way of the St. Louis river and Sandy lake.
The fact of their receiving no annuities draws a distinct line of demarcation between this and the other divisions of the Qjibwas.
Their principal villages are at Pembina and at Red, Cass, and Wilnepeg lakes.  From  a partial census taken in 1846 by J. P. Hays, esq.,
sub agent at La Pointe, their number was estimated at twelve hundreds
The, Red lake and Pembina bands derive their subsistence chiefly from.
agriculture.  To this mode of life they have been led by the persuasions
of their excellent missionaries, and by the example of the northern halfbreeds, with whom they have frequent communication.  According to estimates of their traders, they will this year produce not less than two
thousand bushels of corn.
in the winter seasoon  they move their camps west of the Red river, to
hunt the buffalo, which still abound in that region.  In summer, some
join the hunting caravans of' the Red river half breeds.'hey have lived
in a state of constanlt warfare with the upper or Sissiton bands of Sioux;
and only in obedience to the wishes of government have they refrained
during the past summer fromf fitting out war parties.
Notwithstanding the bound.aries of the different nothern tribes were
plainly marked and defined by the treaty at' Prairie du Chien in 1826;
the Red lake bands and the Pillagers claim, by title of conquest and actual possession, a large tract of country lying west of Red river.  This
matter, at the present time, is much agitated among these bands; and,
as their head chiefs were not present to represent their interests at the
convention of Prairie du Chien, the claim perhtaps deserves consideration.
The chieftainship among tlhe Red lake and Pembina bands is a fruitful subject of contest.  kWae-wanz-je-g'ioi 1 has for some years been the
chief recognised by governmnent but he is represented as a savage o.
limited. influence with his bands, and not belonging to the hereditary
family of chiefs.  W;ia-wusI-kin-i'-aa or    CCrooked Arm)," is the hereditary chief, and is said to be much respected by his fellows.
Some years ago, WcV-wa-u jee-guon, with a party of his young men, being.
on a war path, came across a village of the " Gros Ventres,'' towards the,
sources ol the Missouri river.  With the inhabitants of this village they
smoked the pipe of peace, and in course of their council learned from their




~~g90                -~Doc. No. 1.
old men that once the smoke of the " Gros Ventres' lodges arose at Sandy
lake; that they had had a large village of earthen houses at the mouth of the
Savannah river, which empties into the St. Louis; and that the Sioux had
driven thlem from that country, and pirsue ththem to the Rocky mountains,
thinning their ranks, till but a broken remnant remained of their once numierous tribe.  The spot described by the " Gros Ventres' as the site of
their ancient village was afterwards examined by anintelligent trader, to
whom  FWa won-je-g'von' had narrated the tale, and traces of' mounds and
remains of earthen huts were discovered, to corroborate the statement.
Though not immediately connected with the history of the Chippewas, I
have introduced this fact as one of some importance in tracing the early
history and movements of the various tribes who at different times have
-inhabited this Territory.
The Cass and Wininepeg lake bands number about five hundred
They live mostly by fishing and hunting; and, their country having become nearly destitute of game, they are miserably poor, and, in order to
subsist, must direct their attention to agriculture.  This people have never
received help from government, and the only encouragement given them
by whites has proceeded from  the missionaries who have lately settled
among them.  The fire on the hearthstone of these Christian pioneers is
the only sunshine which illumes the darkened pathway of these distressed
and destitute bands.  Their endeavors to enlighten their ignorance and
improve their temporal condition cannot be too highly lauded; but their
means are small, and, to effect permanent good, it is imperative that assistance be extended to them.
As the northern Chippewas receive no annuities, they would gladly.sell a portion of their lands to relieve themselves from  the utter poverty
which presses upon them, and become recipients of government bounty.
The influence of Flat Mouth,  Pillager head chief, extends over all
these bands; and their chiefs ii council have solemnly agreed to abide by
his experience and advice.
tSug-wun-dug-ah./t-win-i?-e-;wug. —This section of the Chippewa tribe
inhabit the north coast of Lake Superior, within the lines of M-innesota.
They are denominated Sugg-wunz-dug ah-wti -in' —ctwug, or' M'en wvho live
amongst the thick fir wNoods."  By old French traders they were called
the " Bois Fort" or " Hard Woods."  They number within our limits
about eight hundred, and have villages at Rainy and Vermilion lakes.
They hupt over the country which stretches from the Lake of the Woods
to the mouth of Pigeon river.
This extensive tract is unadapted to agriculture, lies in an almost
-arctic climate, and abounds in swamps and thick, interminable forests of
fir.  The copper and other minerals which are found upon the north
coast of Lake Superior and among the Mis-aub-ay heights of the interior
are the only loadstone which can eve attt an  merica    n population to
this portion of Minnesota, though the inexhaustible fisheries of Lake,Superior may in progress of time augment its growth and importance.
The band living upon these lands spring from a branch of the Chippewa tribe who separated from the main body, in Canada; when first commeLnced the retrograde movement before the advance of their powerfull
eastern enemies; the iNod-o-waig, or Six Nations. This section moved
westward along the north shore of Lake Superior, and never effected a
junction with their brethren at the central town of La Pointe.




Doc. No. 1                               91
To this body belong the 3Mtsk-e-goes, or " Swamp people," the O-dish,
quag-un ces, or "Last Water people," and other bands scattered throxugh
the British possessions.  The O-dish-quag-umIees are the division  of
Chippewas mentioned by Mr. Schoolcraft as pure Algonquins.
These bands all speak the same language as the more southern divisions; but there is a variance in their pronunciation of certain words
extracted from the same root, and their accentuation is entirely different.
This people have little intercourse with Americans, and trade mostly
with the Hudson's Bay Company.  A few enterprising American traders
have sent among them  outfits; but the animals which are valuable for
fur are rapidly disappearing, and the trade is comparatively worthless.
The Sug-w-un-dug-ah-wn-in. -e-wug are miserably poor, depending for
subsistence upon the precarious supplies of the chase.  They rely for
their wvinter's support upon the rabbit and reindeer.  Last year the rabbit
almost entirely disappeared, having been swept off by a distemper. Great
distress ensued, and, during the winter, thirteen of their number literally
starved to death.  This season the rice crop has failed, and this people
anticipate with aching hearts the sufferings and privations of the approach.
nlg winter.  Our government has shown them but little attention, and
their predilections are in favor of the British, who have treated them with
much kindness.
The entire Chippewa tribe are divided into fifteen families, upon the
totenmic principle, to each of which are four subdivisions.  Each family
has a crest or symbol of some bird, fish, or animal, called in their nomenclature the totem, to the origin of each of which some legend attaches.
The system is ancient, and dates as far back as their most ulnnatural and
absurd traditions extend.  Though divided by thousands of miles, and
unconnected for generations, members of the same totem' cannot intermarry or cohabit with one another.  The totemn descends in the male
line.
The Ah-auh.wauh, or Loon totem, compose the royal line. " Great Buffalo,' the present head of this family, was born at La Pointe, in Lake
Superior, during the revolutionary war.  From tender years he has borne
a conspicuous part in the history of his tribe, and has signed every treaty
to which they have become parties for the last thirty years.  One circumstance in his past life has caused him  great mortification.  The creed of
the Shawnee prophet, brother of Tecumseh, spread like wildfire among
the northern and western tribes.  Legates were sent from  tribe to tribe,
and village to village, and Buffalo became a firm  believer, and with him
believed his tribe.  At Point Shag-a-waumn-ik-ong he collected his people,
and instructed them in the mysteries of the new faith.  le even started
with over two hundred canoes to go in search of the prophet, and took
along with him the corpse of a child, which he fully believed the prophet
could restore to life.  At the Pictured Rocks, on Lake Superior, he met
the trader Michel Cadotte, who with great difficulty succeeded  in turning
him. back.  At the tine " Great Buffalo' was not apprized that the object,of the prophet and Tecmseh was the expulsion of the whites fioml the
territory of the northwest.
The Aud-jejauk, or "' Crane," and the A-.aus.is-ee, or "Catfish,"
are noted totems.  The Muk-wah, or "Bear family," comprise the war
chiefs.
At the time of the treaty at Prairie du Chien in 1826, the Chippewas




92m                             Doc. No. 1.
had but seven principal chiefs.  Each of these had his war chief and
os',kd —ba-was,  or "serving man."  The latter office was hereditary, but
the former position was secured by brave conduct in war.  In later years
a bad practice has obtained among government agents, of breaking and
creating chiefs at pleasure.  To such extent has this been carried, that
among this tribe there are now  nearly sixty chiefs; while, twelve years
ago, there were but seven principal, and less than twelve sub-chiefs.
The evil consequences are visible in the envy and dissensions engendered among themselves.  Frequently, chiefs have been created through
the influence of traders; and, as these feel bound to support the interests
of the trader to whose offices they are indebted for their dignity, when
the lattter disagree, the quarrel is transferred, with increased acrimony, to
the Indians.
The Me-da-we, or priesthood, interfere but little in the civil polity of
the tribe, and are admitted to the national councils-not as a class, but
solely on personal considerations.
It is to be regretted that the appropriation of Congress to defray the expenses of renmoval and  subsistence of the Chippewas from  the lands
cedled by them in Michigan and Wisconsin was not made at a day sufficiently early to warrant a removal this fall.  In these high latitudes, the
removal of a whole people after the first of November would be attended
Nwith mhuch hardship, both to them  and to the officers and  employes
attached to the service; and the probability is,-that active measures will
have to be suspended until next spring.
Early in'this year, however, a plan of removal was fully matured in
this office, and agents, ready for service at a monment's notice, were designated to superintend each band, and counsel and assist them upon the
march.   Provisions for subsistence were placed at convenient points of
depot upon the line; and, to insure the greatest despatch, a gentleman
of great influence with the tribe was appointed to superihtend the removal, and aid the sub-agent in  the additional duties thereby imposed.
Should the department defer further action until spring, it is to be hoped
that we may still profit by what has already been done.
Preparatory also to the removal, early in the summer, I visited the
Ojibwa country, fbr the purpose of selecting a suitable site for an agency.
Composing the party of exploration were Judge Cooper, of the supreme
co)urt of the Territory, J. S. Wa.tros, Chippewa sub-agent, Mr. Warren,
and other gentlemen.  Our departure from  St. Paul occurred about the
middle of June; and from  the Falls of St. AnthoTly to Sauk rapids weenjoyed the acconimmodation of a steamer.
The appearance of the Mississippi below and above the falls is entirely
dissimilar.  Below, the banks are bold and precipitous; above, the inclination is gradual, with a gentle ascent. as far back as the eye can reach.
The country is principally prairie, though well wooded, and pretty well
watered, either by bright, beautiful, and gushing springs issuing fromn. the'
banks of the river, crystal brooks coursing from the highlands, or transparent and.Linpid lakes dcotting the plain.  The prairie is fertile, undulating, andl broken here and there by green groves of handsome oaks.
From  Sank rapids we journeyed by land to Crow  Wing, at which:
point we umet the voyvD-aCeus -who were to be our pilots above.  Crossing
the Mississsippi above Crow Wing, we directed our course to Gull lake.
In the centre of this lake is a  ighl conical pile of boulders, looking as if




Doc. No. 1.                              93
rolled up by the studied efforts of art into a kind of cone, upon which the
gulls, a bird which abounds here. lay and hatch.  The lake abounds in
the choicest species of fish, and in the vicinity are found sugar bushes
and rice fields.
Traversing in our canoes this lake, which is about five miles in width.
and twelve to fourteen in length, we entered, after a portage of a mile
and a half, Lake Sibley; from thence, with a portage of two miles, we
came to Spirit lake, and followed an outlet from that into Cooper, a large
and beautiful lake; thence we passed through White Fish lake, and up
Pine river to a rapid stream  which was named Stanly river.  The wood
upon this river is pine, oak, maple, birch, &c.  The shores are fertile;
the water pure, but of slight amber color, occasioned by the immense pine
forests through which it runs.  From  this, after making several short
porta;es, and crossing a number of small lakes, we came to ASa-na-be lake.
This is the summit of the ganglionic chain of lakes which stretches over
this country, and abounds in the Indian edibles of fish and rice.  The
margin is thickly timbered with small trees of every variety, and in the
rear is fine natural meadow. Passing over Little Boy lake, which is
some six or seven miles long and two wide, and down Little Boy river,
we entered the great reservoirn Leech lake.
This is a very extensive sheet of water, being about twenty-five miles
in length and from fifteen to eighteen in width.  Its shores have a very
crooked outline, which, with its nine bays, give it an oblong circumference of about one hundred and sixty miles.  Ice forms upon it about the
middle of November, and leaves about the middle of May.  The coast is
hedged in with boulders, piled up along the margin sometimes five and
six feet above the water.  The lands around are fertile, sugar trees are
abundant, and rice is obtained in large quantities.  The lake has capacity
for supplying at least three thousand souls.  Every article of food which
-the Indian needs for subsistence can be found either in its bosom or upon:its shores.  The fish are abundant and of great variety, comprising the
whitefish, the tullbe, musketon, bass, sunfish, and bullhead.  Turtles of
magnificent size and flavor are also found. After a boisterous passage
over this lake, through a heavy sea, which ran so high that the boat astern
of us, not more than twenty yards distant, with sails extending fifteen
feet above deck, could not be seen, we made the trading post of George
Bango, a Metis or cross of the African and Indian.
After spending a day or two at Leech lake, we commenced our return
voyage, intending to describe a water circle, and descend by the course
of the Mississippi.  Making several portages, we once more, after a considerable absence, found ourselves floating on its waters in Cass lake-so
named from General Cass, whose exploring expedition on the upper Mississippi in 1820 terminated here. This sheet is an expansion of the
Mississippi river, about one hundred and forty-nine miles from its source
in Lake Itasca,  It is worthy of note, that, so far north as 47~ 30', the
missionaries had fields of winter wheat growing, and all kinds of planted
vegetation looked fine.  Cass lake is in several respects a beautiful body
of water; it is full of islands, and about sixteen miles long and nearly as
-broad..
The oars of our voyageurs, keeping time to their cheerful boat song,
sent u~ rapidly over its swelling waves into another pretty watery ganglion called Lake Winnebigoshish; and thence with all possible speed we




94                           Doe. No. 1.
descended the river to Sandy lake, at the outlet of which the Mississippi
is three hundred and thirty-one feet wide.
Sandy lake is about twelve miles long and six or seven wide.  It derives its name from  its sandy beaches, which are variegated with quartz
pebbles, colored in all the shades of red, from  a bright vermilion to a
brown, including often many fine specimens of carnelions and "agates.
The lake shores are hilly, and the country around arid and unproductive.
The lake is famous among voyageurs and fur traders as the terminus of
the old trading route from Lake Superior to the Mississippi.  It is distant
seventy-five miles in a nearly straight line due west from  the Fond du
Lac of that " very great water."
At this place vwe determined temporarily to locate the agency, though
our election was controlled by other circumstances than the natural advantages of the site.  Leech lake is the place; but, for prudential reasons
already adverted to, its selection was placed out of question.
In this connexion I woild respectfully invite the attention of the department to a communication from  this office of date July 16, 1850,
urging the policy of entering into conventional arrangement with the Pillagers with a view of opening their country to the use and occupancy of
the other bands of Chippewas.  These lands slould be held by tenancy
in common, subject to the unrestricted;use of all the members of the
tribe.
Let this be done, and a much more desirable site for an agency can be
had-one that xvill be permanent, accessible to the Indians, and convenient for government.  Should the department coincide with the views
advanced in that letter, and direct the initial for locating the permanent
agency of the entire tribe at Leech lake, the slight improvements which,
with great economy, have been made during the past summer at Sandy
lake, could be turned to account as the residence of an Indian farmer.
Although a formal order to remove has at no time been communicated
to the Chippewas occupying the ceded lands in Michigan and Wisconsin,
yet, under instructions from your bureau, they were early informed that
during the year they would be called upon so to do.  Many of them, during the past season, have voluntarily migrated to the seat of the agency,
and these will require supplies from  government for their subsistence
during the winter; for to expose thelm  to privation would exert a baleful
influence upon the residue of the tribe, who will be expected to remove
the coming spring.
Officers of the Indian department at different times have pressed the
purchase of the Chippewa country east of the Mississippi.  This region
lies altogether within the limits of Minnesota, north of a line running
nearly due east from the mouth of Crow Wing river.  A narrow  strip of
the country, to which allusion has already been made, on the northwest
shore of Lake Superior, is represented to hold large deposites of copper ore.
This it might be politic to treat for.  On other portions is some valuable
pine, though but a limited amount.  The privilege of cutting this might
be extended to our white population; but not an acre of the residue can
I conceive government will ever need for its citizens.  It is a country no
American population would ever occupy.  Most of it is interminable
swamps, with occasional sand ridges and rice lakes.  In short, it is just
suited to the habits of the people who at present inhabit it, and to no
others.




Doc.  No. L                                5
With this estimate of the country, in order to quiet the apprehension of
further removals entertained by the Chippewas, I think it would be wise
and humane for government to guaranty them, by solemn act of legislation, the undisturbed possession forever of these regions.
The lMetis or Half-bireeds of the Red river of the ~North number eleven
hundred souls, and are mostly of a mixed descent of Chippewa and
Canadian French.  Owing to their apparent seclusion from the world, the
accounts given of them  have been meagre and jejune; yet already have
they laid a solid foundation for the fabric of social improvement, and, as a
political community, present many interesting features for consideration.
By the laws of Minnesota, they are admitted to the rights of citizenship,.
and, by means of annual caravans, carry on an extensive and profitable
commerce with our citizens. Many of their traders, during the past season,
have been robbed by the Pillagers, through whose territory they are compelled to pass in pursuing the trail to St. Paul.
Since my last annual report, this people have, upon several occasions,
importunately urged the necessity of decisive and peremptory action by
government to protect them in their rights as American citizens, and preserve the buffalo which range the northern plains from  the trespass of
British subjects, who, destroying them  in their annual, hunts diminish
thereby their means of subsistence.
In a letter received from the Rev. G. A. Belcourt; of Pembina, with
whom  I have had much correspondence, dated the 15th of Septenmber last, grave complaints are preferred of manifold injuries and insults received by the Half-breeds, during a series of years, from  subjects of the
British crown, and of the overbearing spirit exhibited in the deportment of
the agents of the Hudson's Bay Company.  The communication speaks
in strong terms of the cupidity of their factories; and, referring to the trespasses which continually occur upon American soil in pursuit of buffaloy
says:'The yield of the hunt of our Half-breeds has been a.great deal
less than ordinary, as the Half-breeds on the British side came over first
and frightened away all the animals.  This has caused us much damage.
The British Half-breeds returned heavily laden, taking away the game of
our prairies to their homes, while the proprietors returned only with half
loads, after being gone one month longer than usual. In consequence
of this injustice, a great number of our Half-breeds, having nothing to live
on this winter, will be obliged to go far to hunt, after the Indian fashion,
and be exposed to a great deal of miserr, and then return home too late to
sowv in the spring. In lhe mean time, a great number will have to pass the
winter here, ant suffer great privations in keeping themselves in readiness
for planting season next spring."
Congress, at the close of its late session, I perceive, made an appropriation to defray the expenses of a treaty w\ith the proprietors of the soil on.
Red river.  When this is effected, and the operation of our laws extended
over these Half-breeds, adequate remedies will accrue, and all that theycarl reasonably desire will undoubtedly be accomplished.
As these 1Metis, though considerably advanced in civilization, were
practically without law, at the request ofa deputation of their people who
visited me in July last, I recognised Jean Baptiste Wilkie, Jean Baptiste
1)umon, Baptiste Valle, Edward Harmon, Jos. Lovardure, Jos. Nolin,
Antoine Augure, Robert Montour, and Baptiste Lafournais, persons freely
elected by the Half-breeds of Pembina as councillors or chiefs, to whom the,




90                    Dc)cNoDoc. No. 1,
general administration of the affairs of the Half-breeds residing upon the Red
river of the North should be intrusted.
Accompanying this report I have the honor to transmit you the annual
-reports of the Winnebago agents, and of the Sioux alnd Chippewa subagents, which enter more fully into the affairs of the tribes under their
respective charge than the general nature of this report would admit.
Very respectCflly, your obedient servant,
ALEX. RAMJ  EY..Hon. LUKE LEA,
Conzmmissioner of Indian Affirs,
WVtashington, D. C.
No. 14.
TINNVEB3AGO AGE NCY,
Septemzbel 30, 1850.
SIR: I have the honor to submiit, in compliance with the regulations of
-he department, a report of affairs at this agency, and the condition of
the Indians in my charge, during the past year.
Eight bands of the Winnebagoes are now located in the interior of their
country at this agency.  These Indians have been industrious, and the
success which they have had in farming the present season has had the
effect to silence their complaints respecting their country. The chiefs of
these bands, a few weeks since, asked me to inform  their Great Father
that they were satisfied with. the country which he has given them, and
to present their request that they may be permitted to remain here, and
their children after them.  Eleven bands, or parts of bands, have lived
during the past year on the Mississippi river.  Their aversion to living in
the interior of their country, and their attachment to the Mississippi, is ac-counted for by the fact that at the agency they would have to encounter
difficulties in procuring whiskey, vwhile in the white settlements on the
east side of said river they can procure it without difficulty.  These Indians planted no corn last spring, and but half cultivated a field of about
thirty acres planted for them.  The migrating party of the tribe spent the
winter in Wisconsin, Iowa, and the country belonging to the Sioux; most
of themn returned, as usual, in the spring and summer, before payment, to
get their annuities.  Owing to inducements offered and the facilities provided by the department for their removal, som:e one hundred and twentyseven Indians, half-breeds, and others, more distantly connected with the
tribe, have removed to this country the present season, who had not previously removed.  Some of this migrating party will remain here; others
will again return south, if they are not prevented.  It is believed that a
majority of.the citizens with whom the Indians have intercourse, in those
portions of Wisconsin and Iowa where they resort, encourage said Indians to come among them-make them welcome while they have money
or furs, and invite them to return after they receive their annuities; while
the facility with which the Indians procure intoxicating drink in those
neighborhoods is a still stronger ilducement to them to return.  To contend successfully against all these influences, and keep the Indians within
their proper limits, will subject the government annually to great expense.




Doc. No. 1.                             9?'he opinion is respectfully submitted, that the best way to keep the Winnebagoes within their own country is to make their remaining at home a
condition of their receiving their annuities, and, if they trespass on the
whites, hold them amenable to the law. A few prosecutions for offences
will prevent their repetition, by causing the Indians to leave the neighborhood.  Indians will seldom visit or long remain in a community where
they are not made welcome and encouraged to stay.
Nearly all the depredations committed by the Winnebagoes in the white
settlements, that have come to my knowledge, have been caused by intoxicating liquors furnished the Indians directly or indirectly by the
whites.
There is great reluctance manifested by citizens living on the frontier
to prosecute individual Indians for offences committed by them against
the laws, while little reluctance is shown in presenting claims against the
tribe for depredations.  The provision of the 17th section of the "Act to
regulate trade and intercourse with Indian tribes, and to preserve peace'on the frontier," which guaranties to citizens indemnification for depredations committed by Indians within States and Territories, is no doubt
just, so far as it affects the citizens; still, if its application were restricted to
depredations committed within the Indian country, there would be less
depredation committed by Indians on the rights and property of citizens,on the frontier; for the laws of the State or Territory would then be enforced, and would prove as effectual in restraining Indians as whites.
While this provision of the intercourse law is the only corrective applied
by citizens to prevent depredations on their property by Indians, the Indian knows that, if he steals a horse or other property, he incurs no per-:sonal risk of punishment; and the fact that, if detected, he will be liable to
perhaps one-fifteen-hundredth part of the cost of reparation, is a feeble
restraint against committing the theft.
A. few weeks since, I instituted a prosecution against seven Winnebago
Indians for robbery and theft, committed in Benton county, Minnesota'Territory.  I desired the citizens who had suffered wrong from the Indians to prosecute them for said offence, but they positively refused to do so;
and I entered complaint before the civil authority against the Indians,
believing the effect would be salutary on the tribe. The robbery and
theft aforesaid were committed by the Indians under excitement, produced by an affray, which occurred on the 23d June, between them  and
some white men, at a grocery near Osake's rapids, in which affray one
Indian was shot dead and two wounded-one severely — and two white
men were severely bruised, and one of them stabbed in the arm by the Indiatns.  Each party charges the other with being the aggressor in the
fight.
But little whiskey has been introduced into the country occupied by
the Winnebagoes during the past year; some two or three individuals
have violated the trade and intercourse law in this respect; for which they
will be prosecuted at the first term  of the district court.  The legisla..;ture of Minnesota, at their session last winter, ena.cted salutary laws for
the suppression of the traffic in ardent spirits to Indians; but the practi-cability of their execution in this neighborhood has not yet been tested,
owing to the fact that a session of the district court has not been held
north of the Falls of St. Anthony since the organization of this Territory.
The military have been  far more efficient than  the  civil authority




98                              DoCe No. 1.
in suppressin g the tra.ffc in intoxicating liquor with Indians on the horders
of this agency.  Until the visit of your excellency and Judge Cooer to
Port Gaines, last sumnmer, those engaged in said traffic had reason to
suppose that the cvil authority considered it a venial offence.
A considerable number of the tribe have, since the annuity payient
last rmonthi, retai.rned into Benton county, on the east side of the Mississippi' and sou-th, of their country, to live in the neighborhood of traders
zho hiave esta, blished trading posts on the border of the Indian country.
lTne conseque-nce has been, hitherto, that the Indians have procured
whiskley; glot into dicff iutty with tle inhabitants, and committed deprecdario ss   for which heavy claimns have been brought against the tribe, and.
rep: esentations made in  newspapers that these outrages result' from  t.he
bad n-anagement 0o the agent, hiis lack of influence with the Indians; andcoI.seq vlent inability to keep them at home.  And such will probably con-'ti:;-'ae o be the conlsequ 1ences resutting from these trading establishments'
so lonig as they remainl there.  Ilicense to trade within the Indian cooun —
t ry was oferi ed these traders before they established  their posts on the'
east   side of the'il'ssissippi, and has since been offered themn  on condicth'on   a thet ty woeuld remonlve their posts to some point within the Iniat:'..
coun.aitry..   TLhis offeir has been declined; they prefer to have their estabI:,;:ne'ots     re lthey ce not subject totee the lawv  regulating trade aciid
inPtercourse w.ith the I.ndians.   For this evil I see no remedy, unless:hee<islatuir'e of this Territonry shllat   enact la;ws prohibiting trade with1'n
d ia.nAs *ieith-o tehe -li its of the Indian coL titry.
7The W inebagoes continue on ofiendly terms with  their neighAicrs,
Sthoe Sioux alnd, COh'lippe w'as; antd have done  much  the present season to,;'reven-l-t bloodshe d      betweeln  these tribes.  The Chippewas allege that
they were Tenc urage d i by'  Sho-go-wik"   and   Palv-sal-ech-kawv tvwo 
i-nex.i..    chia  ohs to nma e war on the Sioux last summer and. that they
v7c-.re -proisen:td assis.ce.  I do not know how  much truth there may-be;
-i this  staemeints but when the Chippewas came in force to go against
t-e Sioux, these two chtiels w Jho were accused of instigating and en —
ci'racing toe war pa'rtyT were the most active and efficient in persuading-.saitd p:arty to return peaceably to their oTwn country.: Alt-'ion  to acr ire tie fiame and laurels which are by all nations.
awrded too deeds ef martial prow ess, is a ruling passion in the breast of
-te Indian  no r is it strange that it s'-hould bheso, The young man, beifre
JIe can clanm a rigt to speak in council, must appear there plumed with
the fe'ather of the w ar eagle; and the same emblem of success on the war'
path' entitles hi-m to seekL a wifre amon Ig the daughters of the high in rali;ak.
It ios,.1he opinion of those best  aquainted with the Indian character, that,
c(f tthe u-civilize,   t ribes- those engaged in war are the most enterprising.an  v.ituous.'The Indian must have excitement.. Ie seeks it on the
war'path;deptrive him of this, and he w"ill seek excitement in gambling'
a:.'d intoxication.  Create anong his tribe a public sentimnent which att.aches distinction an.d infiuenc e to the possession of wealth, and his en ergies may  be directed to the acquisition of property) and an important step,
is gain-ed towards his civilization.  if the department intends to carry into
efleet the benevolent desirgn of suippressing the bloody warfare now existJng between the Siouzx Cand Chlippewas, it will be necessary to adopt efficient:measures  to suppress hostities at once, and arbitrate finally in thee.stll..emre:-t of.tnewr (euparres   ( Government officers an  agents get but poor'




oce. Io. 1,                                 9
thanks for their well-meant interference ii) settling ditficulties between'
these belligerent tribes; both parties are sure to charge to theem any wrong
or loss of life they may subseq-uently sustain from their enemy, and allege
that, but for their interference,  they should have. avenged their wrongs
themselves, and thereby prevented a repetition.  So long as these tribes.
ame engaged in war with each other, there is little danger of their combining in an attack on the white settlements.
The opinion entertained by -r.aany-,, that te  Indian cannot thrive and
prosper in a condition of civilization, is erroneous.  Ignorance, exposure.
and starvation no more  onduce to tothe prosperity and comfort of the Indian than the white man, althounghi  habit enables the i rmer to endurez
these evils with less inconvenieace than the latter.
How far the opinion, gene-ally entertained, that the race of the red man,
is fast diminishing and dwindling towards extinction, may be true in itsgeneral application, I will not undertake to determine; but with lreference
to this tribe, it is believed that the great difference between their present
actual number and their niomber as reported  in 1837' is to be accounted.
for, in part at least, by the erronleous manner then adopted of taking the
census.  The custom then was itr the head, of a family to presenta the
agent with a bundle of sticks  representing the number'of individuals in
his or her family, including clild:ren, grandchildren, sons and daughtersin-law, &c.; then the different branches of the same family world present their sticks, againr represeting thlemselves and their childeln- For
practising this double-dealiug, tlhe Indians had a motive, as each head of
a fiamily drew as many shares of' the annuity as he had individuats in his
family entered on the roll.  This miethod of talin  the census was, I believe, formerly adopted by the Chippewas.
For three years previous to the removal of the Winnebagoes, there  aas,
an increase of their population.  In 1847, the number of births exceeded
the number of deaths by seventy-six.  The number of births the past
year in the bands located at this agency exceed the numtber of deaeths
some twenty-five or thirty.  At the ensuing payment, statistics will be
taken to ascertain the increase or decrease of the portion of the tribe that
live on the Mississippi, and are less civilized.
The school for the Indians ai this agency continuec in operation until
the 30th. June last, when it was discontinued on account of the resignation of the teachers. From the ti-me the school commenced, in Novemlber,
until it was discontinued, four tea.chlers were emnployed;, the average number of sch.olars during the term  was about 48.  Several Chippewa- children were permitted to attend the school,. The children were ta.ughtreading, writing, and. arithmetic, as provided in the treaty of 1832.  The
girls attending the school have been instructed in sewing and knitting; a
part of the clothing for the children attending the school was made in the
school.  The theory that   it is cheaper to buy than to manufacture;,,  has
to some extent prevailed in the female department of the school, and theinstruction in' "carding, spinning, and weaving," required by said treaty,
has been dispensed with.  Practical i nstruction to the boys attending the
school in gardening and agriculture -was also dispelnsed with, as heretoforeo
Land was ploughed last spring tor the use of the school, and offered to tke
superintendent for that purpose, bllt he did not deeia it expedient to wo-rk
thfe boys in   e field. I lam  satisfied that thIe t.rAheii  -ea vored  ia




100                          Doc. No, 1.
fully to instruct the children in such branches as they deemed most important.
The usual annual report of the school has not been received from the
superintendent; and, presuming that he will not deem  it necessary to
make a report, I submit the foregoing statement, which, so far as it relates
to the statistics of the school, is made from his quarterly reports, andwvill
no doubt be considered sufficiently specific.
At the time the school closed, for the cause stated, other teachers would
have been employed, and the school continued in operation, but for the understanding that the department intended the immediate reorganization of
the school, and the placing of the funds appropriated for education in the
hands of the missionary societies.
I am  not personally acquainted with the operation of manual-labor
schools, as conducted by missionary societies among the different tribes of
Indians where such schools have been established, nor with the success
which may have attended them; but I would respectfully submit, that,
from my knowledge of this tribe. and the result of an experiment in the'
school here in all respects, so far as the Indians are concerned, similar to
the system  specified in the contract prepared for the intended manuallabor school at this agency, I am  satisfied that an attempt to sustain a
school among the Winnebagoes on said system  will prove abortive.  A
boarding-house has for several years past, and I believe from  the first
commencement of the school, been connected with it. Such children as
chose to live at said boarding.house and attend the school had the privilege of doinlg so. Some febw of the children that attended the school lived.
for a time in the families of the teachers and other employes at the'
agency; but all these children left said families and returned to the wigwam several months previous to the closing of the school. Very few, if
any, of the influential families in the tribe have at any time allowed their
children to board at the school.  If the funds appropriated for the establishment of manual-labor schools in this tribe are expended. in the buildings, furniture, &c., for two school establishments, and the children are
required to live with their teachers at those establishments, the Indians
will derive but little benefit from the expenditure; for very fewv children in
the tribe can be induced to attend the schools.
The funds provided fir education for the Winnebagoes are ame ple to afford a commlon-school education to every child in the tribe, and, with judicious management, may be so applied.  In order to effect this desirable
object, a system similar in most respects to the system  of " com(mon" or
district schools in the States should be adopted.  Coumfortable schoolhouses, with two rooims sufficiently large to accommodate forty scholars
each, should be built, and also dwelling-houses for teachers.  A garden,
field, and shop should be attached to each school, in which the boys of
~suitable age should be required to work a part of the time daily. This
system of manual-labor schools will be of general application, and. consequently will be popular with the Indians, and will retnove the prejudice
which has hitherto existed against the school on account of its benefits
being confined to the few that were settled in its immediate vicinity.
A judicious discrimination in the selection of teachers can be observed
by the agents of the government,;s well as by agents of missionary societies.
If th  c ches  is  to Christianlze this reople, let them -send. thaeir




DoceNo. No   1.1
missionaries to proclaim the -gospel to them without money and -without
price; the Indians might appreciate such benevolence, and listen to the
missionary without that prejudice which a knowledge that his services
were rendered by contract would unavoidably create.
There has been considerable sickness in this tribe for several monthg
past; dysentery has been the prevalent disease, and confined mostly to
children.  Many of the Indians,' when sick, apply at once to the physician
employed for them; some still employ the medicine-men of the tribe, who,
in case they find their patient likely to die, will at the last moment send
for the regular physician, in order to shift the responsibility of the case
on him. These medicine-men, or Indian doctors, charge high fees for
their services, and not unfrequently demand their fee in advance.
Three blacksmiths and two assistants are. at the present time employed
for this tribe, during the summner but two blacksmiths were employed,
one having resigned on account of the moderate salary allowed.  The
manner in which the blacksmiths have discharged their duty the past
year has been entirely satisfactory.
The past season has been very unfavorable for business, on account of
heavy rains, which have subjected us to great expense in repairing roads,
and in making and repairing bridges which were carried away by the
unusual rise in the rivers,  The saw-mill has been kept in operation apart
of the season; something has been done at building houses for the Indians.  We were for nearly three months prevented by high water from
hauling lumber from  the mill, which has prevented our accomplishing as
much in building as was intended.  Twenty houses for the Indians are
finished; sixteen of them a have been finished during the year; seven
houses have been erected which are yet unfinished, and five more colmnienced. The half-breeds have, since this agency has been established,
built seven houses for themselves: some assistance, by furnishing lumber,
has been rendered them.  The Indians who occupy houses have most of
them  provided themselves furniture; cook-stoves have been furnished
them; and these families appear to contrast their present comforts with
their former mode of living with much satisfaction.  The balance of the
season will be devoted chiefly to building houses for the Indians. All that
are able to work are required to assist in building their houses.
During the past year, the agency house has been finished, and an office
for the agency, a house for the physician, a house for the interpreter, and
a large warehouse for the Indians, containing a council-room, built by
contract.
The crops on the farm  at this agency have been good. 455k acres of
land were ploughed in the spring for cultivation; of this, 200 acres were
turned over to H. M. Rice, esq., (contractor for the removal of the Winnebagoes,) which land he planted, and partially cultivated 140 acres of
-the same; he also ploughed and planted a field of about thirty acres for
the Indians on the Mississippi-river.  The Indians planted and cultivated
143 acres in corn, potatoes, and other vegetables: the balance, 1:12
acres, was cultivated by the laborers employed for the Indians, of which
34,  acres were cultivated in wheat; 49{ in oats, 13 in potatoes, 10
in peas, 2 in corn, and 4 in a garden.  Such part of the 60 acres
left uncultivated by Mr. Rice as was worth cultivating was worked by
the laborers employed for the Indians, and the balance sown in turnips.
During the sutmmer; 35 acres of prairie have been broken, and 27 of the




-102                          Doe. No, 1.
-:same sown in turnips.  364 rods of fence have been made by contract on
the Indian farm the present seasoni, and 1,976 rods by laborers employed.
A part of said fence has been made to enclose a pasture of 162 acres.
A map of the Winnebago agency and farm is herewith transmitted.  A
~rmap of the country included in this agency, showing the location of each
band, &c., will be made and forwarded as soon as I can find time to
mrake the requisite survey of the country.  These statistical returns ought
to have been furnished by the teachers employed in the school.
It is important that the boundary between the Winnebagoes and Sioux:should be resurveyed and distinctly marked.
If the government wotLld purchase for this tribe, or permit them to purthase of the Sioux, that portion of their country tying north of Osake's
river, it would give them a natural boundary, and probably have the
effect to render the disaffected portion satisfied with their countlyn
Over the Chippewas of the Mississippi and the Pillagers I have for
"several months past had concurrent jurisdiction with J. S. Watrous, esq.,
Indian sub-agent.  The main body of the Pillagers I see but annually, at
their annuity payment; occasionally a party of them, on a war or hunting'excursion, visit this agency.  This band are becoming limited in their,means of subsistence, and stand in need of assistance to start them in agricullural pursuits.
The Chippewxas at Gull lake have fallen far short of my hopes and expectations in their farming operations the present season.  Teams, tools,
and seed were issued to their fartmr  for them in the spring, and. industry
on their part would have made them  comfortable during the year. The'unfortunate difficulty which occurred between them and the Sioux was
~most untimely, ard was no doubt one cause of their failure in farming.
Notwithstanding the cordial friendship'rhich exists between the Chippewas and Winnebagoes, I have had frequent occasion to arbitrate between
them, on trials of the right of property.  I am  aware that this is an assumption of authority, but it sometimes becomes necessary for agents to
have appellate jurisdiction in the settlement of difficulties of this kind.'If laws were enacted to punish crimes among Indians, and to regulate
~intercourse between the different tribes, it would probably have a salutary
effect.  The experiment might be made, and is worth the trial.
In submitting this report I am aware that the department consider that' agents and sub-agents are insensibly partial in their representations re-;specting the condition and affairs of the tribes in their charge," and that' they naturally wish to show as favorable a state of things as possible, in
order that they may appear as well or better than those in other agencies.'
In the discharge of my duty, it has been my ambition to meet the approval of the department, and I shall be highly gratified if I have in any measure succeeded; but I claim no meritorious comparison with others.  A
art of the Indians in my charge have always been difficult to manage;
for two years past, influences beyond my control have been brought t
bear upon them, which have rendered them more so.  The success of my
efforts to restrain them and promote the prosperity of all has fallen far short
of my aim and hopes; all that I claim is, that these efforts have been well..meant and unrenmitted, if not well directed,.




Doe. No. 1                                1O
Letters to this office should be directed,  Wi rnFeba?    o Agernor Long
Prairie Miinnesota Territory."
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
FJ. E  FLEr1TCHER, Ihwzo i  Age-t..1-is Excellency ALEX'R zxRA.a IE,
Sup't Indian AffairJ, St. Paul;.M. *7
No. 1,5.
INDIAN kSL:B -AGENCY, S _T. P      [ETER S
Sptem ber 25, 1850.
Sit: I have the honor, in accordance  with inlstructions, to fiZrard toyou, to be transmitted to the Commissioner of Indian AffairTs,    myn fir.t
an nual report.
My appointment was dated the 8th of NiNovemb.&er, and I entered ulpon
the duties of the office the 4th of December last.
I have endeavored to make myself acquainted with  the duties con0:nected with the appointment, and perlfoarmh them in th e best tm anner I was,capable.  The Sioux, as a tribe of Indianls, fr a number of years, have.tot been as prosperous, so far as it regards their advancement in civilization and education, as many other tribes of red men in the west.' The general health, up to this period, has been good; nothing  clke anepideric has prevailed among them.'We have had but little trouble;
comparatively, in regard to intemperance.  No licensed trader has been
detected in vending spirituous liquors; and the instances are few  in
which the destructive article has been found among them.  When it is
remlembered that they occupy a country nore th-an two hundred miles in.
-extent on the xwest side of the Mississippi, and several of their villages
being upon the banks of the stream  while the tTewhite population occupy
the land on the opposite side for nearly thie wrhole distance, the facilities
for traffic being so great, it is matter of surprise that there has not been
more intemperance among them.  A few itnstances have occurred,  where
the Indian has crossed over and obtained wh is:ke  friom  his white neighbor and taken it to his wigwam.  lany of them  have their names atltached to the temperance pledge, eembracing most of the chiefs and principal men, who discountenance the use of ardent spirits in such a manner
as to hold in check the more dissolute. Taking the seven bands of Sioux
(numbering some 2,200) who receive anniuities at this agency, they will
comipare favorably, as it regards temperance, with the same numnber of
rhite population.
The deadly hostility for many years existing' between the Sioux a.nd
Chippewas still exists, and their proximity is the cause of frequent outbreaks.  Several instances have occurred during the past 5year, and. in
one instance attended with atrocities painful to contemplate by a civilized
community.  In February last, a party of Sioux attacked some Chippewas on the waters of Crow Wing river, upon Sioux land, atnd killed and..scalped the son of White Fisher, a Chippewa chief. Not long afterwards,
(in March last,) a large war party of Sioux attacked a small band of Chippepwas, on Apple river, in the State of Wisconsin, while eagaged at a




104                         Doc. No. 1.
sugar camp, and killed and scalped fourteen, including men, women, and
children.  Few instances have occurred, even in savage warfare, more
revolting than this cold-blooded, wholesale murder.  Men,, women, and
children were murdered while unprepared for defence, and hy numbers:
four times greater than their own.  The leading men in this bloody
affair were arrested and confined at Fort Snelling.  Information was
sent to the Chippewas that, if they would not seek revenge, the Sioux in.
prison would be punished for the offence.  In a few days, however, after
their imprisonment, a small party of Chippewas attacked some Sioux,,
and killed, and scalped one, within one mile of the fort.  The prisoners
were then released.
In June last, at the instance of our superintendent of Indian affairs,.
(Governor Ramsey,) a treaty was held by those two tribes at Fort Snelling, for the purpose of settling up their old difficulties and effecting a:
permanent peace.  A treaty held by the same tribes, for the same purpose, at the same place, in 1844, was reaffirmed, and the hostile parties
appeared to separate on friendly terms.  Since which time, there have;
been no murders committed by' either party to this treaty.  As the.
government are in possession of all the facts in relation to this treaty
from higher authority, I need not enlarge.
The Indian farms have produced the usual quantity of corn the present season, and all not destroyed by the flood has been safely harvested..
The extraordinary foods that have occurred the past spring and summer
in the Mississippi and St. Peter's rivers have entirely destroyed the corn of
two bands planted in the bottoms, more than one-half of a third and largest
band, and more or less injured some others. The flood has also seriously
affected the wild rice and cranberry crop, generally affording much aid in:
the Indian supplies of provision for use and exchange.  Had it not been
for the liberality of the government in allowing the sum of $5,000 for the:
supply of additional provisions to the annual allowance, much suffering,would have been the result the coming winter.  By the aid of this extra
supply, we think they will be able to pass the season without want for
provisions.
For details in regard to the farmers, blacksmiths, &c., I beg leave to,
refer to the report of Mr. Prescott, superintendent of farmers, attached to,
this agency.  I will remark, however, in this connexion, that the Indian
farmers being so remote from each other (more than 100 miles from what
is called the lower farm to the upper) prevents that proper oversight necessary to secure an efficient discharge of the duties of the appointment.
Should there not be a treaty effected with the Sioux the present season,.
and they should remain at their present homes, several new farms will
have to be prepared, as there is too much risk from floods in planting on
some of the bottoms of the river hitherto occupied.  It appears to me
also that it: would be much better to have those seven bands of Mendawakanton Sioux interested in the treaty of 1837 located nearer to each
other,
There are two schools in progress attached to this agency.  Reportsfron the teachers of these schools, accompanying this communication,.
will exhibit their condition and prospects.  These schools have been in
a languishing condition for a long time, arising from  various causes..
The principal one has repeatedly been explained to the government.
The Indians are induced to believe, by those opposed to schools alto



Doc. No. 1.                           10O
gether, that their money is used too freely for this purpose; and, if
they will not send to school, the government will divide per capita the
large amount of interest that has accumulated in the treasury arising
from the $100,000 set apart in the treaty of 1337, the interest of which
was to be expended for their benefit in such manner as the President
might direct.  The general opinion is, that this was intended as an education fund; some contend, however, that there was no such understanding when the treaty was made.  So long as this question remains undecided, and the Indians occupy their present homes under the apprehension
that they will shortly be removed to some other place, the schools cannot
benefit them much. It would be unwise, however, to abandon them,
and yield up the principle to the opposition. The whole system, in my
opinion, should be changed, and the manual-labor plan adopted.
I. had the honor a few weeks since to submit my views on this subject
to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in a special report I was required
to make, and will not again repeat the views therein expressed.
A report from the different missionary stations among the Sioux will
be found among the papers.  The same reasons which operate against
the schools, have their influence unfavorably with regard to the missionary operations.  Being somewhat connected with the schools, the
minds of the Indians have been prejudiced, and many of them  believe
that this school fund is their great object.
The missionaries, so far as my knowledge extends, are pious and
faithfil men, and, from their efforts to civilize and Christianize the Indians, deserve better success than they have received for the last few
years.  I should consider it a great misfortune should they yield to discouragement and abandon their fields of labor. Although we cannot see
much visible fruit from their labors, yet their influence among them  is
most salutary in restraining them  from  intemperance, discouraging war
parties, and exhibiting before their eyes the practical benefits of civilization and Christianity.  They assist them in various ways in their farming operations, advising for the best in their temporal as well as spiritual
matters.
A considerable amount has been expended during the past year, surplus from the agricultural fund, in the purchase of ploughs for the farmers,
carts, harness, plank, nails, &c., for the Indians, and a number of comfortable cabins have been erected. A few  dheap cooking-stoves have
been given to the chiefs, with which they are much pleased. One hundred horses were divided among the different bands this summer-costing $6,000'. This was a very bad expenditure, although done at the
earnest solicitation of the Indians themselves. Perhaps not more than
one-half the number are in possession of those who first received them,
the other half dead, many of them killed, and others traded off.  Those
on hand are in a miserable condition, and very few of them will survive
the present winter. Almost any other application of the money would
have been more beneficial to them. Every week complaints are made
to the agent that horses are killed, by Indians of a different band, and
claiming payment. Where the proof is positive, we have considered it
our duty to interfere, and compel the guilty to compensate the injured
party; but the cases are, rare where the necessary proof can be obtained.
Some time since, a small amount was asked from  the department to:
build a new storehouse, which was not granted, from  the supposition




1006                         Doe'. No  1,
that the Indians would be removed from their present location in a short
time.  The present small log building used fbr that purpose, attach-ed. to
the interpreter's house, is entirely too small, in a state of dilapidation,
insecure, and not worth repairing.  When we receive our annuity goods
and provisions, including agricultural implements on hand, the amount
is at least $20,000, and requires a good, secure storehouse.  We are
compelled for want of room to divide off all the goods and provisions at
once to the Indians, which I consider bad policy.  Having so much in
their hands at one time, they traffic them off, and in a short time are destitute.  If the provisions were given out in small quantities, as their anecessities require, it would be much more beneficial to them.
I would respectfully suggest the propriety of placing a small fund in
the hands of the superintendent of Indian affairs for Minnesota, to be
drawn upon by the agents, when that officer may think it necessary to
give to the Indians, in the shaie of food and presents.  It will be recoflected that not one-fifth of those belonging to this agency receive any annuities.  They frequently come down to the agency on a visit, and are
always destitute, and expect something.  If they do not get it, they are,disappointed and disaffected, and the agent loses his influence over themIr'The salary of the sub-agent is quite too small to allow him  to be liberal
from his private means.  It should also be the duty of the agent to visit,annually these distant bands, and distribute a fev presents among them,
to obtain and retain their favor.  A small trader who can give them  a
few pounds of tobacco, and n ake it up in profits on something else, has
more influence over them than an agent clothed with all the authority of
the government who has nothing to give.  Such is Indian character;
~and we must take them as they are, and not as they should be.
The amount appropriated last year ($510) to improve and repair tkhe
agency buildings and grounds has been nearly expended, and, when
completed, will make the house of the sub-agent and interpreter tolerably
comfortable.  As those buidings are upon the military reserve at Fort
Snelling, and the commanding officer of that post claims to exercise execlusive control over the whole reserve, including the right, when deemed
necessary or expedient, to occupy those buildings for the use of the ort,
and remove the agent and interpreter with or without cause —that what;privilege we have is not  of right but by courtesy, and may be changed;by each successive commander at the fort —I beg leave to suggest the
propriety of obtaining some order from  the War Department recognising
lhe right of the agent and interpreter to occupy those buildings, with the
privilege of a small parcel of land for cultivation, cutting prairie hay, and
getting wood from  the reserve' sufficient for the wants of two farmtilies.
The Indian lands are too remote to afford these facilities, without which
families cannot subsist on the small salaries allowed.
Having briefly passed over the occurrences of the past year in this
agency, leaving the details of each department to those in charge of the
same, (and whose reports will be found below,) I beg leave to submit a
few general remarks, containing such vierws as have occurred to me since
I have made myself somewhat acquainted with Indian affairs, so far as
regards the limited sphere in which I have been called to act.
Should the Indians belonging to this agency be removed, w hich is
probable, in a short time,. would respectfully recommend the following
plan for their future government and management at thceir new homes..




Doc. No, 1                              107
Should they be placed upon a small reserve, (wh ich, I believe, is their
wish,) I would, for convenience of superintendence, locate themn  near
together.  Upon this reserve might be their villages and fields.  If they.
have hunting-grounds, they could easily, a part of the year, withdraw
themselves, as they now do, from  their homes. The present system of
farming may well be abandoned.  Instead of having a farmer for each
band, as at present, I would concentrate the farming interest at one place,
on a large scale, near the centre of the reserve, and have wha rigt ight be
-called a model farm, carried on by white men.'The reserve might be
laid off into small lots of forty or eighty acres each, and inducements
held out to the Indians to occupy those lots as farmers, by giving each
individual or family a possessory right who would commence farming on
his own account.  Assistance and instructions might be given, but not
do the work for them.  I am  satisfied a  nber a    re are prepared'to embark
in an enterprise of this kind, if they had the proper encouragement. The.great object to be attained is to stimulate them  to habits of industry,.give them the idea of individual property, and throw  around them the
protection of law, to maintain those rights. The great hindrance to their
civilization is that communism  in which they live. There is no motive
for industry; the lazy and profligate share equally with the industrious
and well-disposed.  This should not be so. The time is drawing near
when the Indian must disappear before the overwhelming tide ofemigratios
of the Anglo-Saxon race, unless he abandon in some good degree the chase,
and adopt the agricultural system of the white man for subsistence. The,American continent, although large, will not always afford, him  the
necessary hunting-ground.  All who adopt the habit and manner of life
of the white man might very properly be made citizens, so soon as their
progress in civilization would justify it. Near the centre of the reserve
spoken of, the agency might be located: also, one or more manual-labor
schools, where the youth could be educated, without expense to the parent,
not only in letters, but agriculture and mechanism, and the females in all
that relates to housekeeping. Under a system of this kind, in my opinion,
it would not be long before the Sioux would improve in their moral and
physical condition.  All agree there is no want of natural capacity for
improvement.  The agency, manual-labor school, missionaries, a large
farm, surrounded by an Indian population; upon whom  the influence
might operate, would, we believe, produce a salatary effect upon the
habits of these sons of the forest, and it is believed, would bring them
tunder the influence of civilization, education, morals, and religion.
An amendment might also be made in the manner of paying the Indians, so far as goods and provisions form a part of their annuities.  In
this connexion, I would say I heartily concur in the sentiment expressed
by the late Commiissioner of Indian Affairs, " that, instead of paying the
Indians money for their lands, the payment should be in goods, provisionsr and expended in other ways fr their benefit, rather than giving
themh money, which too often they expend very foolishly.'  In their
present condition, they should be treated as children or wards; and it is the
duty of the government to dictate to them what is best for their interest,.and carry out their determinations.  All promises made to them should be
fulfilled to the letter; otherwise, they lose confidence, which is not easily
-regained.
The most eligible method of paymentt, as it regards goods and provis



108-                         bsDoe. No. 1.
ions, would be, that the- interpreter, or some other person connected with
the service, should act as Indian storekeeper, into whose custody the'
goods, provisions, farming implements, tools, &c., intended fbr them,
should be placed, and paid out as necessity, might require, per capital
upon a pay-roll, and receipted when the payment was completed.  This;
would prevent that inequality and waste now. experienced. The present
method is to pay out the provisions and goods at once in bulk to the different bands according to their relative strength, and they divide amongthemselves.  Great injustice is frequently done in this way.  The prominent and more influential get the largest share; and hence there are almostdaily complaints to the agent by those who have received little or nothing.All this difficulty and injustice would be obviated under the plan proposed.
As before suggested, thle seven bands of Mendawakanton SiouWx who
ale paid annuities at this sub-agency embrace but a small portion of the,
Sioux nation.  The other bands live remote, high' up the St. Peter's river,
and reaching over to and west of the Missouri.  With those Indians we
havebut little intercourse, and of course my knowledge of their condition and prospects is limited.  For the purpose of obtaining information
in reference to them, I addressed a letter to an intelligent trader at Lacqueparle, on the St. Peter's, three hundred miles above its mouth, to furnish
the desired information. He has'most obligingly done so.  He is a member of the Legislative Council of Minnesota, has been for several years at.
this trading post, and from youth acquainted with Indian character.  His:
statements are reliable, and I cannot do better than give an extract from
his letter in making up this report.  He says:
"The few remarks that I shall make in this communication,  hastily"
prepared, will have reference to the bands who live on the upper St. Peter's, with whom I am  the best acquainted.  You are doubtless aware,.
from reliable sources of information, and fronm  written communicationsmade to the superintendency, that, during the greater part of last winter,.
the sufferings and privations of nearly all the upper bands were extreme,
in consequence of the almost entire failure of the buffalo; and although
it cannot be saidj so far as I know, that any of them perished for want of
food, still there is no doubt whatever that quite a number of them have since
died in consequence of these privations and by diseases induced by long,
suffering from want of proper food. The scarcity of the buffalo arose from.
various causes, but the principal one was the burning of the prairies over
an extent of hundreds of miles of country, thereby causing those animals
to diverge from  their usual range during a greater part of the winter
season.
"' t was not until late in February and March that the upper Wahpateons and Sissetons were enabled to make a few scant hunts.  They are
very poor indeed, in an unusually miserable condition, from the scantiness
of grass and the severity of the season, affording but little food, and that
by no means of a nutritious quality.  This, however, prolonged their
existence, and enabled the bands who had got off to a great distance to
return, after the melting of the snow, to their corn crops; which they
always hide in the ground near the villages where they plant.
T'he efforts made during last winter at Washington to obtain an appropriation for the relief of the upper Indians having failed, his Excellency Governor Ramsey assumed the responsibility of ordering a considera



Doce No. Lo i0'ble supply of ammunition, &c., to be distributed among theml early last
spring.  This, together with the little aid which the traders could give at
the time, was of the utmost benefit to these poor, destitute people, and
they were very grateful for the relief. Nothing could have been more
wise or opportune on the part of the governor.  While obeying the dic:
tates of humanity in aiding these people in their extreme need, it was;wise policy to awaken whatever feelings of gratitude they may have, and
predispose them to entertain friendly feelings towards the government,
which I have no hesitation in saying I believe they now generally do.
"The sufferings last winter aroused them to the necessity of cultivating the earth to a greater extent than usual; and many of them have enlarged their fields somewhat, and a few have made unusual exertions in
planting corn.  The prospects were, not long since, that they would gather.quite a large crop-much more than last year. But I am sorry now to say
that these expectations will only be realized by the Wahpateons of Lacqueparle.  The Sissetons, having been visited some time ago by a large
horde of the Yanktons, Pah Baxa, (Cut Beards,) and Indians of the'Great Plains, who subsist entirely by the chase of the buffalo, have had a
very large portion of their corn eaten up by these erratic bands, who are,:and always have been, a great burden and cause of discouragement to
those who for many years have planted corn, more or less, and who lat-'terly have been induced by the counsels of traders and missionaries to.gradually enlarge their fields. These Indians have already received a
few ploughs from the government, through the representations and by the
urgent solicitations of the missionaries and the traders.  The bands at
Lacqueparle have made good use of those they received; but the Sissetons.still continue to have prejudice against the plough, although they are be-:coming feeble, and I have no apprehension but they will soon be induced.
"to use them  with success.  Some of them will do so next year; so they
have promised.  They are greatly in need of hoes, and urge upon every
occasion that their wants be mentioned to their'Father,  with a request
that he will supply them  if possible. If anything can be done in this.respect, I beg leave to ask you to press its necessity upon the department.
Three or four hundred hoes, or more, would be required to make the
present of essential service in its distribution, and to prevent ill-feeling.among them, and they should be procured early enough next spring, so
as to be used in planting.
"The few general remarks that I shall endeavor to add may be equally
applicable to the present condition of all of our Indians.  There is no
difficulty in discovering that an entire radical change is required.  The
present system in every respect will'not do.  This almost any unprejudiced person will admit who understands the subject, but it is much. more.difficult to suggest a remedy.
"The views of most of those who have lived the longest amnong the Indians agree in one respect-that is, that no great or beneficial change can
take place in their condition until the general government has made them
amenable to local laws-laws which will punish the evil-disposed, and.
secure the industrious in their property and individual rights, and thereby
give them the greater inducements to acquire property, and with it those
many and increasing wants which are not only the consequence, but the.safe grounds, of civilization. Laws of this nature would also strike at the
very root of one of the greatest evils which exist among them —their sys



110                          Doe. No6.  1
tern  of coanimuismn.   it retards everything like progress in-the desire ol
bettering their conditioln.  The most energetic and well-disposed cannot
rise above the vagabond and worthless.  Indeed, they aie generally tlhe
best off who do the least, if they have a tact for begging or keeping their
neighbors in apprehension.  If the Indians could once be made industrious, the greatest difficulty would be surmounted.  How, then, can this4
be accomplished,  unless each man is secured the fruits of his labor?- and
that can only be effected by the legislative enactment of the general government.'The  present system  of farming, it is now  admitted by most persons'
is entirely wrong.  it surely never was the intention to labor for the Indians, instead of teaching and showing them how labor was to be doneo
Perhaps in this respect no great change can be effected with the old menx
and grow-n-up persons of the present generation; but a wide field will
doubtless be opened up for the advancement of the young and rising generation, by means of manual-labor schools.  With the Indian race, perhaps, more than any other, industry should go hand in hand with mental
culture.  It is useless to talk of regeneration or change of heart, so long
as they are permitted to prowl about a set of lazy, listless vagabonds.  In
that state, occasional bursts of excitement are absolute necessities of' existence,  The hunter's life supplies this; and it is antagonistic to anything
like quiet industry, or even the first approach to civilization.'It has been urged by those who have no faith in the civilization of the
Idian, that lhe is incapable of a high order of cultivation.  Admitting
this, will any person deny that he is able to attain to that degree of improvement which enables a man to cultivate the earth, keep cattle, and
thereby procure food and clothing, and be a far better, and quieter, and
more useful neiglhbor on a frontier than a wild hunter, who, although hemay feast to-day, ma y be compelled to-morrow to beg or to steal from his
wvhite neighbor?"
In conclusion, permit me to remark that I feel a deep interest in the
welfare of these poor, degraded, unenlightened Indians, and believe soume
plan may be devised to elevate them in the scale of human intelligence..
MLy feeble aid wil'not be wanting in promoting any system which maybe adopted tending to that resull
Respectfully submlteed.
NATHANIEL M cLEAN,
hIdian Sub Cag'en.o
Hi-s Excellency ALEXANDE R'LAMSEY 
S u,,pera,~tendeZt lndian Affairs, St. Paul,
MJinnosota Temyiitoi'.
jNo. 16,
Fourth azlnul f repo: ti~ ftes emale m~issiron, school at Kaposia.
Mltiss Jane S. Wiliam'son has 1  ven diligent altention to teaching the'
Dakota females of thiis village, whenever any could be found willing to be
taught.  Wi      thi    e year she has had school about eleven months.  Not
including njy own ch-ildren, wo have bee  taught with the otherss;he




Doe. No. 1.                             1e 1
whole nurmber of scholars is twenty-nuieo Counting sixty days as a quar
ter, the average attendance for the first quarter is 4-; for the second, 7;
for the third, S-; and' for the fourth, 8-making an average attendance of
seven for 240 days.
Four can read with ease in the.Iew Testament both in Dakota and
English, write legibty, and have made some progress in mental arithmetic.  Three others read both languages, but not fluently.  Four read the
Wowxapiwaken, who have not learned English, and write on slates. Nine,
others spell and read in Woonspe. ~Most of the remaining nine can spell
readily in three letters.
Besides teaching them to spell, read, &c.) ten have been taught to
knit, and all who attend with any regularity are instructed in sewing.
A11 evince good capacity for learning, and, when they attend regularly,.
make good progress.  But. the same c'ause which has been mentioned in
year s pst as impeding education among the Mendawakanton Sioux has,
during the past year, been acting with, increased power; and, until the'
money for which they are contending shall be in some way disposed of,;
there is little encouragement here to attempt teaching' any except such as
are boarded for that purpose. Two have been boarded by Mr. Robertson,.
the farmer for this village, and four in my own family, during the whole
time they have been instructed.  Of these, one has been under instruction but a short timie.  The other five read both Dakota and English.
Those who live with their Indian relatives have, during the year, attended
school, on an average, less than thirty days each.  Three of Qae scholars
are of mixed blood; the others are full-blooded Dakotas.  Nine of them
have been baptized. The church here contains nine native communicants
ia good standing.   The average attendance of natives' on public worship,
on Sabbath days is 16.;TOS. S.. WILLiAMSON,
JfEssionay of A. B..C.. 3'.'T  Colonel N. LMtCLE A.,
hdtian' Stab-cagent.
aV iaes and reogCress of the scIrolars.
-irst class consists of four: VMary Aupetuiyotenkewin, Marian Robertson, Sarah Wawigohize, Rosalie Anghee, read the Scriptures both i~
Dakota and English, write legibly, and study mental arithmetic.  Two,
of them have read through McGuffy's Second Reader.
Second  class, three: Nanny Winejewin, Fanny  Hopistind, Megg'i
Sueigenkewin, read in Dakota, Wowapiwaken, and spell and read in,
Town's First Reader, in English, and are learning to write.
Third class, four: Sopuja Wajininepewin, Phebe Tiregenbijegewar,.
Margaret GCulbertsonj Hoper Tanke, read Wowapiwaken understandingly,
and are learning to write.
Fourth class, nine: Cinkpe Meza, Henzetuwin, Oda Wirxtenmma
Wakenhsewin, Merpiyagirtin, Mazaxinawin,  (ajeyeta, Naxleyeta, Tanke
Wakanholi, spell well, and read Dakota Woonspe.
Fifth  lass, nine: Ocici, Tyotankehuewin,  Mespiyaoto, Dentre, Mespriyoiciceyewin, Konza, Juini, Susan Wartegenkewin, Zitkeheziwin, are'
learning to,pell  miost of theminl spell read'ly in words of three or fourletters.




112                         Doc. No. 1.
No. 17.'Theffteenzth annual report of the missi staon sation  atLacqueparl, sptember, 1850.
Laboring at this station the past year: S. R. Riggs, A. Me, and M. N.
Adams, missionaries; Jonas Pettijohn, farmer; with Mrs. Riggs; Mrs.
Adams, and Mrs. Pettijohn.
For four and a half months during the winter a day school at the mission was taught, chiefly by Mrs. Adams.  The whole number of scholars
enrolled was upwards of sixty; but the average attendance was only
twelve. Last autumnn we employed a native teacher at one of the villages
here for nearly two months, with some success. Various circumstances
have combined to prevent our sustaining a school this summer. Two In-'dian children  a boy and a girl-supported in the families of Mr. Pettijohn and Mr. Adams, have learned to talk English, and madle considerable progress in learning to read it also.
During the winter we kept up a Sabbath school, with an average attendance of eighteen.  Our religious services in the Dakota language
have, been attended about as well as in former years.  The same causes
which we mentioned last year have been in operation to prevent any sensible increase of interest in religion or education.  We have long hoped
that a treaty for the purchase of land, made with these Indians, might be
the means of removing some of the present difficulties, and of opening
the way for this people to make more rapid upward progress.
The Indians at this place have raised excellent corn crops this season.
In ploughing their fields last spring we gave them  what assistance we
could by working one of the mission horses with theirs.  Some of them,
too, had the use of a yoke of Mr. McLeod's oxen. The whole crop
raised here this year will exceed two thousand bushels.
Last fall we encouraged and assisted the   en a t  one of the  villages to
put up a log storehouse, which answers them  a very good purpose in
keeping their corn and other things; but, before they can make much
progress here in building, they must of necessity have some other means
of making plank than the whip-saw: it is too hard a way of making
boards for an Indian. There is what is thought to be a very good millseat in the neighborhood of the villages, to occupy which., on their behalf,
in the event of a treaty, arrangements ought to be made.
We have in several former reports urged the necessity of bringing these
Dakotas under the restraints of law; but on the part of some persons there
seems to be manifested a great repugnance to interfering with the " natural liberty" of an Indian, and a practical unbelief in the id.ea that he can
-ever become anything better. True liberty cannot give me the right to
destroy my neighbor's property, or take away his life with impunity.
And yet this is the liberty of the savage state; it is a state of fear-a state
-of bondage, of slavery.  But this is the state of freedom with which
some men hesitate to interfere. So long as this non-interference policy is
pursued, the motives for his becoming a different man are withheld from
the Ihdian. They need to be restrained —they must be restrained-before the idea of property can produce its full effect upon them. Their
war parties, their lying in wait for their enemies, and their murdering,,scalping, and barbarously treating women and children, ought to be




Doc. No. I                                  3
stopped at once: it can be done.  The scalp-&zcw  should not beopcmitted; to dance it should be made a punishable offence.  This would
interfere with no nartural rik rtC but only with the wrongs -of the huma.family.  God never gave to any man the right, day after day, and night
after night, for months, to dance around the scalp of his fellovr-mnan
Last spring this was done at Kaposia, almost within sight and nhea.rig of
the capital of Minnesota; and it is being done now  at Big Stoner laike.
It ought not to be borne with.  If dancilng this scalp-dance vwere mde   a
penal offence, it would tend powerfully to stop the war parties.  It is
known that in most cases the taking of scalps is the great motive for killing their enemies.  The cause of humanity demands this interference of
our government.  If we fail to put a stop to such savage customs,., wefail of fulfilling the great objects which God and the best interests of t hhuman family require of us.
Very truly, yours,
S. R. EITh GGS.
To Mdaj. N. MicLEAN,
iIndian Sdb-A gent.
No. 18.
KAPOSIA, Sepvtemrloer  1if,?.DEAR Sin: -Since the last annual report of this station, little has been,
donte in the way of education.
The school under my care has averaged six-whTole num,' er enrolled,
twenty.
The determination on the part of the Indians seerns settle'l not to avail'
themselves of the means of education until certain difithiultes 5b t tw e cil
them and the government are settled.
I mu1tst say that I am of the opinion that the present efft o et  rate
the Sioux is little better than a vaste of time and imoney.
No system of education is of much importauce to an i ilian that does.
not embrace a knowledge of some usefhl occupation, and continued- training to habits of industry.
I see no waant of capacity on the part of Inlian youths to a4quire
knowledge; but, on the contrary, they manifest an ex.ceedin  qlulckriess
of apprehension.
I am  satisfied  that, under the influence of judicious manual-labcr
schools, they may becomle an industrious, respec table. community.
Yours, truly,
S. M. COOK.'.,MCLEAN, Esq.,
SYab-A gent, St. Peter's.,No. 19.
RED VWto, Au.tgc- 2?i, 1S-).T
SIRn: The following report of the Indian school at thi:s stati.j, rs —
spectflily submitted:
Since the 18th of July, when I cosrmenoed my labors heS,  ab3vyt t




114                          Doc. No~ L
children, of suitable age, have attended school more or less of the time.
Of this number, 17, viz: 12 boys and 5 girls, have been very regular in
their attendance. The g-irls have been employed in the field during their
late corn-gathering, which has been the cause of many of them being absent fiom school a part of the time.
Very great advancement could not be expected of them so soon, but I
am happy to report that those who attend regularly are making commendable progress.  At present, all are instructed in reading and spelling.
The more advanced are also taught writing and vocal music.
I have made considerable effort to introduce regular school hours, and
to secure punctual attendance, and have succeeded to some extent; perhaps as well as I ought to expect for the time employed.  With habits of
order and punctuality well established, which I shall endeavor by all
means to secure, I see nothing to prevent the dear youth in my care from
making rapid progress in acquiring knowledge.  In inteltectual capacity
I do not consider the North American Indian inferior to the Anglo-Saxon,ace.
J... HANCOCK, Teachcr.
N. MCLEAN, Esq.,
United States Indian Sub-Agent.
No. 20.
OAK GRoVE, September 6, 1850.
DEiA/l SIR: It is with depression of spirit that we review our labors at
this station during the past year.
During one-third of the year the Indians have been absent from this
tvillage.
On account of the opposition of the Indians to education, (which increases just in proportion to the increase of the unexpended sum of money which is due them from our government,) and on account of the absence of apparent good resulting from  our long continued efforts in this
-department of our labor, we have discontinued our Dakota school.  We
have, however, a small English school at the station, taught by Miss S.
A. Wilson.  The number of children in regular attendance is ten, four
of: which are our own; the other six are the children of our neighbors of
mixed blood.
We have continued our efforts to teach the saving doctrines of Christianity, as we have had opportunity, but with very limited success.  Except when the Indians have been absent from the station, we have held
public religious services in the Dakota language every Sabbath forenoon,
with a native attendance varying fiom two to twelve.  The average attendance has been a small fraction less than seven.
Our afternoon services in English have also been continued through
the year, and since Decembner (with a few exceptions) we have held our
meetings alternately at the station and at or near Fort Snelling.  Two.
white males, who are in the employ of our government as Indian farmers,
have been received into the communion of the church on the profession
of their faith in Christ.
udyirl in the spring a few Tnaltive women manifested a considerable con



Doc. No. 1.                             11
cern for the salvation of their souls, and two or three -who had never before attended came to our mneetings.  This fact, I suppose it was, excited
anew the opposition of those who hate reform, and several of the chief
men of the band in assembly resolved, "That, whereas the missionaries
are possessing themselves of the money which is due us from the United
States, (the $5,000,) if any of the natives attend the religious meetin'gso
of the missionaries, they shall be stripped of their clothes, whipped, and
have their names struck off from the list of the band.i-  Soon after this
occurrence two of those who had previously been in thie habit of coming
to us for religious instlruction, as well as those who had lately commenced,,
forsook us.  The native members of our church, however, are still constant in their attendance on the public means of grace, and appear to run
with patience the Christian course, in the midst of many temptations and
not a little physical as well as mental suffering for Christ's sake.  He
who carries the lambs in his bosom. we trust has held t;hemr up.
~ On the whole, we have felt more disheartened in our labors for those
miserable Indians during the past year than ever before; yet, although''hope has long been deferred," we do not entirely yield to despair.  Our
motto to-day is, "Faint, yet pursuing.'  It is an encouraging fact that
they still abstain friom the use of intoxicating liquors.
May a merciful Lord yet cause the light of religion and civilization to
shine upon them, and quicken them to civil and religious life.
Respectfilly yours,
GIDEON  H. POND.
Maj. N. McLEAN.
No. 21.
TRAVERSE DES Sioux, August 27, 1850..
DEAR SIR: Thelast annual report of this station says, "No war has
been amon, our Indians the past year."  But about the time that was'written, a party composed of Indians from  this place and the Warpekute
village, on Cannon river, when hunting near the head of the Des Moines,
waere attacked and 19 of them killed.  By whom this was done, the Dacotas do not certainly know; but they tlhink their father, the President,
might ascertain it he wished, and punish the murderers: and they feel'that he is under obligation to do this, since he does not allowthem totake
the tomahawk in their own hands.  These Indians have not gone to war
for the purpose of plunder, as some of their brethren sometimes do, and.if
protected they could easily be induced to live in peace.
The health of this neighborhood, during the past year, has been much,as -conlnon.
Since our last annual report there has been no spirituous liquor of con-sequence among the Indians here.  Hence they have had no murders or
~serious feuds among themselves.  Some of these red men feel much
Obliged to the government for preventing the traffic in intoxicating fluid,yet they think they see some inconsistency in their Father in this* That is, they shall not share-in the annuities.




116                         Doc. No. 1.
that his white children may make, traffic in, and drink an article whick.
his red children may not touch.
During the year under review, we have accomplished nothing in teaching letters.  We cannot yet persuade the people to send their children to
us for instruction.  We frequently receive mails, and occasionally are able
to give the Indians interesting information.  We teach our own children,
and thereby testify to our high sense of the value of knowledge.  Some
of the people feel that ours is the wise course, and long for the removal
of the obstacles to the general dissemination of knowledge among themselves.  But hitherto, although many have taken practically a stand in
favor of education, no one has practically maintained it.
The main obstacles to education among these Indians are perhaps two:
fear of the supernatural power of the medicine men, and the apprehension that their educators will manage to get the Dakota's money for their
services.  The former of these obstacles, though declining and destined.
to perish, is still of considerable strength, and will exert an influence for
a long time to come, the training and circumstances of the Dakotas both
tending to this result.  The pecuniary difficulty is, I suppose, well understood.  The speedy employment of the $5,000 annually of the Medawakanton Dakotas in the necessary accommodations for, and support of; a.
Boarding School, I suppose would remove it to the other side of the scale.
The same arguments which influence the Indian against learning to
read, are of avail in keeping him from learning anything else that pertains
to civilization.  But, notwithstanding, in teaching agriculture we have
some encouragement.  A number of the men are learning to plough.
Indeed, some of them think themselves adepts in the work, though none
of them are so.  Some ploughed new land for themselves last spring,,
from which they are now gathering a good crop.  The corn crop here this
year is universally good.  One family will put away more than fifty, and
several as much as thirty bushels.  This, though a small business, is at
least five times as much as these same families made seven years ago.
Mazaxa, (the chief) with a few of his men, is preparing to enlarge his
field this fall.
This station has a mill, furnished by the kindness of friends, which we
hope to put into operation this fall.  If the experiment succeeds, we will
be able to exchange with the Indians meal for corn, on terms advantageous.
for them and fair for us.  May we not hope that this will increase their'
interest in agriculture, and stimulate them to improve in it?
Allow me to state a principle or two to which we adhere in our dealings
with the Indians: We strive by all fair means to teach them  self-relianee
and. self respect.  We hold that beggary is always a disgrace, and commonly a crime, and uniformly discourage it so far as we can, whether
addressed to ourselves or others.  When a number of families have employed themselves in dancing, feasting, ball playing, and card playing, for
days and weeks together, with the full knowledge that the consequence
will be suffering from hunger, and at the end of the time come in a body,
arrayed in arms, trinkets, vermillion and feathers, and ask us for food, we
uniformly excuse ourselves from  giving.  When the needy, from necessity, come for assistance and for relief, we give it if we can.'To give in
the former case seems to us like conferring a favor on vice; to refuse it ia
the latter would be inhumanity.  There arise, however, a great many
cases in which it is hard to know what is expedient.




Doc. No. 1.                            l
Indians are very fond of attending at the houses of their neighbors
bwhen meals are expected.  We endeavor to discourage their excessive attendance at these seasons.  If we should indulge them  in this, all our
time and strength would be occupied with our tables, and every species
of wholesome instruction be prevented.  Firmness in the above respects
often gives offence, but we esteem it necessary.
It has been our hope, by the introduction of the plough, and teaching
the Indians to use it for themselves; by inducing them  to build secure
granaries, where the fruits of the field may be stored; by persuading and.
assisting them to erect better habitations and multiply somewhat their
wants and comforts; by making them  acquainted with books, especially
with the Bible, and the plan of salvation through the atonement of the
Lord Jesus Christ;-by offering these to the Indians, "without money and
without p ice," we hope to make a revolution in their character and condition-to make them wiser and better, and of course happier.
Many criticisms have been passed on our work; and of this we by no
means complain.  We only wish those who criticise can assist us by any
suggestions their superior knowledge may enable them to make.
All which is respectfully submitted.
Yours, truly,
R. HOPKINS,
Missionary of t/he A. B. C. 1. A.
To the Hon. N. McLEANr
Indian Sub-Ag'ent, St. Peter's.
INo. 22.
KAPOSIA, PM]INNESOTA TEiRR.ITORY, Septet ber 25, 1850.
Sir: As I have been under appointment as physician for a part of the
Medawakantonwan- Sioux during most of the year past, though I ani
~not so at present, perhaps it is my duty to make a report as such, and I
-beg leave to submit the following:
I have endeavored to attend to all applications for medicines, for Sioutx,
who were needing medicine or medical assistance.  When requested to
-do so, I have not only furnished medicine, but visited and prescribed for
the sick, unless they were attended by tle conjurers.  When the sick
have lacked suitable diet, as is often tke case, and have informed us of
the fact, my family has furnished that also.  I have also furnished medicine by the quantity for those residing at a distance, and given directions'for using it.
No severe epidemic has prevailed among these Indians for a year past,
but the children during the summer have suffered much from  diarrhoea
and dysentery, and teething, and a number of adults from the former dis-,ease; and except when the Indians are out of the neighborhood, on their
hunts, the applications for medicine average two or three a day.
One old man died from the intemperate use of ardent spirits, and one,
as you know, was killed by the Chippewas.  All the other deaths whikc
I can remember to have heard of among the people of this village, within a
year, are of some three or four small children, most of whom died last wiit



18                           Dooc. No. 1,
ter when they were away hunting, so that I had no opportunity of attends
ing them or knowing the nature of their disease.
T THO1IAS S. WILLIA-MNISON,f. D.
To Major N. MCLiEAN,
andictan Sb-Ageznt.
No. 23.
SAINT PETER'S, September 23, 1850.
SIR: As superintendent of farming for the Medawakanton Sioux, it becomes my duty to report to you all the facts in relation to our operations
for the past year, which is respectfully submitted.
Mr. A. Robertson, farner fo Little Crowls band, reports sixty-five acres of
land ploughed-the yield estimated at -about thirty bushels per acre, although not more than one-third of the crop has been put in sack.  The
Indians were short of provisions, and lived on green corn for nearly two
months, in which time they consumed about two-thirds of the entire
crop.  Last winter iMr. Robertson cut rail timber to fence the corn-field;
but before he could get the rails hauled, a flood came and swept away all
the timber and his own garden and fence.  Ie has made fromn thirty-five
to forty tons of hay fbr the Indian horses and his own cattle used on the
farm. He assisted the chief to build a log-house twenty-two by seventeen
feet, for which you furnished a cooking-stove, and has assisted the Indians in making a temporary fence round the corn-field, a pasture for the
horses, and several small storehouses.
Mr. John Bush, for Red'Wing's band, reports fifty-five acres ploughed,
yielding full thirty bushels per acre.  He has assisted to build five logcabins, made three hundred rails to repair fence, and four hundred for
scaffolding; has cut fifteen tons of hay for the Indian horses. Much of'
his time has been employed in Mauling wood, rails. poles, and hay.
Mr. H. Mooers, for Black Dog's band, reports forty acres ploughed, and
thinks it has yielded thirty bushels per acre. He has cut and hauled.
twelve hundred  rails and  six  hundred stakes, and  thoroughly repaired the fence. Ile assisted in building five log-cabins, and repaired
four more; hauled twenty-five loads of poles and forks for seaffolds for
drying corn, and. has stacked forty tons of hay.
The other farmers have not made any report for the past year.  Lake
Calhoun band, for wholm Mr. A. S. Titus is farmer, and Good Road's
band, for whom Mr. P. Quinn is:farmer, have lost their entire crops ofcorn, 
owing to the obstinacy of the Indians in persisting to plant in the valley
of the St. Peter's. on land subject to inundation.
Little Six's, tIle largest band, lost about one-half of their crop by the
flood.
Wabashaw's band have raised some corn, but not enough'for their
winter supply. The farmer, Mr. Brunel, was dismissed for intemperance,
and Mr. Francis Lapoint appointed in his place.  It is to be hoped that,
this band will be able to raise as much corn as they want next year, as:a
new field some distance from the river bottom has been broken up.
The blacksmiths have reported a list of implements for the use of theIndians interested in the treaty of 29th September, 1837.




Doc. No. 1.                             119
MJr. Victor Chatel reports having made new  articles of rat and fish
spears, axes, door-latches, and fixtures, &c., to the number in the vwhole
of 2,896, and guns, &c., repaired to the numiber of 2,360.
Mr. Oliver Rassicot reports, for six monthIs' work, new articles to the
number of 902, and repairs to the number of 578.  Supposing the Following six months to be equal, something over 8,000 pieces have been made
and mended by the two smiths in one year.
The farming has been carried on-much the same as last year. I cannot
perceive any more industry among them than formerly.  In fact, the men
appear more inclined to play the gentleman.  I have seen several walking
about with umbrellas, orlajies' parasols, over their heads, while their wives
were hoeing corn under the burning rays of the sun, without any proteclion.  Ask the man why he does not assist to work, the answer generally
is,' Will you pay me for it?'  One of the farmers rfarrorwed some ground
but some of the Indians forbad him, called him a fool, and told him it was
a waste of land and time in making furrows.  It is very difficult to get
them to thin out their corn when it stands too thick, and they abuse us
when we attempt to do so.  Scattered as they are, it is almost impossible
to make their farming very profitable with only one farmer for a band.
The Indians expect him to do most. of their xwork, and are always comiplaining because he caniot satisfy them- all.  Nothing permanent or profitable
can be done for them until each family has a field, and is protected from
the abuLses of bad and indolent fellows, who steal half the produce of the
farms.
The farmers were all furnished vwith good  new ploughs last sprilng,
and the land -was well ploughed.  The Indians would have raised rmulch
more corn this year than formerly, had it not been for the hight water,
which destroyed probably one third of the crop.  The Indians are straining to imitate the customs of the white people around them.  They will
not eat corn unless they are starving, and often sell all their corn for flour
and pork or fresh beef.  I have known dishes of boiled corn handed to
Indian children, when they knocked the dish into the fire and cried for
bread.  The men, as soon as the annuity provisions are eaten, go about
from house to house begging and borrowing flour and pork, and eat but
little corn.  Six out of the seven bands have been furnished with lumber
to make roofs for their houses as an experiment.  Some of them, at first,
said they would not have any lumber, but now  they are all clamorous,
and want ten times more than can be purchased.  The two cooking-.
stoves you purchased for two of the chiefs will be used, I think, to advantage.
I cannot suggest any change in the farming. It is expected and hoped
that the government will make a treaty to purchase these lands and settle
the Indians permnanently, when the farming and mechanical operations for
all thIe tribe can be carried on together.
The 100 horses purchased the last spring have more than one half oi
them died since they got into the Indians' hands, and I fear there will not
be ten of them alive next spring. It was a useless expenditure of 86,000.
They could not all get a horse apiece, and those that did not get any are
dissatisfied, and every few days a complaint is entered against some one
for killing a horse.  I suppose they will keep on killing as long as they
have a horse left.  The rice crop is a total failure this year.  There are but
few cranberries.  These added considerably to their support; but as the




120                            Doe. No. 1.
-government has ordered provisions to be purchased, all the losses and failures will be remedied, and they cannot suffer this winter.  The greater
part of the corn, I fear, will be sold, as heretofore, as soon as received.
To close my report, I must say the Indians have behaved remarkably
well in the temperance cause.  Instances of drunkenness are rare.  Much
praise is due to his Excellency, Governor Ramsey, and yourself, for the
earnest temperance advice which has been given them, and all the friends
of humanity rejoice at the change in the habits of these Indians.
Your most obedient servant,
P. PRESCOTT,
Superintendenjt of Farrming for Sioux.
To MaTjor N. M'LEA,
IndianS  Sb-Agent, St. Peter's.
No. 24.
SANDY LAKE SUB-AGENCTY,
ifirann.esota 7Territoryf October 14, 1850.
SIR: Accodini to the regtulations and requiroments of the lndiain de~par-en et  hI have the honor to submit to you this, my first annual report.
A.lthlorgh I have been connected with this sub-agency but a short time,
yet I trust my statements and suggestions will not be without useto your
cxceilcic y  the department, and of benefit to the Chippewa indians.  The
short time since I entered upon the duties of my ofice, together with the
failure of my predecessor to turn over any papers or docunments (with the excepti         cy   f tie revised regulations) belonging to the office, has
placed it out of iny power to be as well informed as I could wish and hope
to beco0ine, i1n fatur'e.
In com:pliance witith orders of July last from your excellency, I have
Temoved this sub-agency firom La Pointe, in the State of Wisconsin,  and
temporarily located it at Sandy lale, Mlinnesota T'erritory, and have succeeded in the erection and completion of all necessary buildings pertaining t-heireto.  The expenses incurred  about these buildings have been
much more than they would have been, could I have procuredteams to
aid in the work; but, owing to the extraordinary high water, and its long
continuance upon the Mississippi and its tributaries in this region, it was'impossible to procure any.  The expense that will be necessarily incurred
in erecting the permanent buildings for this agency, would seem to require great care in  its location and  selection; not alone in  a. pecuniary
point, but for the benefit and satisfaction of the Indians, who are so apt to
become dissatisfied and troublesome at frequent removals.  The mineral
wealth on the northwestern shore of Lake Superior has already attracted
considerable attention from the enterprising pioneers of our country, and the
time is not far distant when government will be called upon to treat for these
and other portions in the vicinity of lands well adapted to agricultural purposes, not yet ceded to the government by the Chippewa Indians; which,
tith other' causes (a statement of which would render this report too
lengthy  for the time I have allotted for its completion,) would seem  to,riender it advisable to purchase all their lands east of the Mississippi river,
and locate the agency west of the river; and  as near the Sioux lands as




Doc. No..                               1 21
practicable, which would have a great influence in preventing the frequent, fatal and disagreeable hostile attacks made by these respective'tribes upon each other (of some of which of recent occurrence I have aiready informed you,) as the influence of the agent might effectually
prevent their occurrence at a time most needed, and when distance might
render his efforts unavailing.
I understand that an order issued by the President, and transmitted
through the usual channels to my predecessor, directing him to inform
them that they would be called upon at an early day to remove, was duly
imparted to them in March last, which created much excitement and dissatisfaction.  They claim that at the time the treaty was concluded, the
understanding was that they would not be required to remove until the
-present generation should pass away.  This dissatisfaction has gradually
subsided  and I doubt not, that if this information had been imparted to them
at a mnuch earlier time, the removal could have been effected. without
difficulty; while, at the same time, I am of opinion that those in Miichigan,
and upon the Wisconsin, Chippewa, and St. Croix rivers would have
obstinately remained behind.  These Indians are infested with persons
who make the sale of intoxicating drinks their business.  As the Indians
suffer greatly from this baneful traffic, their removal is  reatly retarded
thereby.
I would respectfully call the attention of the department, through your
excellency, to the present arrangement for the employment of blacksmiths
for the Indians at my sub.agency.  During a portion of the year these
blacksmiths are wTithout employment.  I would, therefore, respectfully
suggest t that the services of the assistant blacksmiths be dispensed with,
and the amount of their salaries be appropriated to the purchase of iron and
other necessary materials.  I believe the remaining, employes would be
able to perform all the labor required.
Owing to the removal of this sub -a-cncy, our farmers have not been
able to raise as large crops as coulld  e desi rred. This is more particularly to
be regretted, as the extraordinarily high vnater of the season has spoiled the
crop of wild rice, upon which the Indians depend to a great extent for
subsistence.  The subject of agriculture will require great attention in
future, as the Indians must depend on  that resource the more as their
huntingi grounds decrease in extent.
I do not transmit copies of reports from the various miissions under my
sub-agency, as reports have not been received from the missionary stations.
with one exception.  They will be transmitted when received.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
3. S. WATRO4US
United nStates India? Sub- Agent
His Excellency ALEX. RAiMSErY
&perintendenent of Indian A4airs,
and Governor of Minnesota Territory
No. 2o.
GRAND RAPIDS, Novecmber, 1850.
The undersigned, in presenting another annual statement of the condition of the colony of Ottowa Indians at the Griswold mission, in the State




122                          Doe. No. 1.
of Michiganl, is much gratified in being able to say the estTblishment
continues to furnish evidence that it is promotive of good.
The number of families and individuals connected with it has increased
to about two hundred and sixteen, several of the Pottawatomies having
recently joined themselves to our band.
It is still difficult to keep the children confined much, or with any
regularity, to school. As many as Atwelty, however, have attended during
the last year, and have made very perceptible improvement in the rudiments of learning; and not only many of these, but the adults also, now
unite in the responsive parts of the services of the church.  Two children
and two adults have been baptized within the year by the resident teacher
and missionary, the Rev. James Selkrig. The services of this gentleman
have been in various ways very beneficial to the colony.  Four have
died, two adults and two children.
The old colonists are evidently becoming more and more favorably
disposed to the habits, pursuits and customs of civilized life; have permanent dweliings, instead of temporary tents; use chairs, tables and beds,
and conduct themselves in most particulars like their white neighbors.
The most notorious drunkards among them  have been reformded.  The
good example of the Ottowas has not been without its infiuence on those
who more recently have come among them, the latter having discontinued
in part their Pagan practices, and frequently attending Christian worship.
Good crops of corn, potatoes, beans, oats and vegetables have been raised
by the members of' the mission during the past year, and the expectation
is reasonably indulged that every year will find them  more andtl  more
usefully identified  with  the community with which they are at present
associated.
Respectfully submitted:
FRANCIS CUMING,
Superintendent, c~'c, d/c..SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN A FFAIRS 
lWaCsthington, D. C.
No. 26.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA,
September 16, 1850.
SIn: I have the; honor to transmit herewith so much of the language of
the Indians of California as I have been able to procure.  Ay greatest difficulty has been in obtaining proficient interpreters.  None, of the many
who profess to know the language of the Indians, understand more of it
than enough to trade with them, or to transact the most ordinary business.
Even those who have spent years among them are greatly at fault when
they attempt to interpret the language beyond common business transactions.
Since the third day of June last I have traversed more than eight
hundred miles through the great valley of the Sacramento, and along the
tributaries of that river which take their rise in mountains of the Sierra
Nevada.  In my route I visited ten distinct tribes of Indians, besides




No. i.                              6
meeting many wandering families or com.munities, gathering a.corns, pineseeds, &c.  for subsistence.
The men and childr en are in general naked.  Some of them have obtained a few articles of clothing from  the whites, suchl as shirts handkerchiefs, &c., of which they seem quite proud.  The females are also without any covering, except what they call the " Du-eh" or breech clout.
This is nothing more than a bunch of grass, or rushes, about one foot in
length, suspended from a belt or girdle around the waist, in front and in
rear.
I could discover no distinction in their customs, habits of life, orl their
general language, which could induce me to think they were not originally the same people.  Indeed, their customs and manner of living are,
in many respects, almost identical..'heir huts or lodges are constructedl
in the same manner.  They do not scalp those whom  they kill, but universally throw  the dead body into water.  They all burn the dead of
their own people, and their manner of mourning for lost friends is the
same —that is, the nearest of kin cover themselves, hair, head, face, arms,
and body down to the waist, with black tar, or pitch, which is permitted
to remain upon them until worn off by time.
They all subsist on roots and grass-seeds from the.earth, acorns and
pine-seeds from  the trees, and fish from  the streams.  Acorns, nuts,
and small fish are gathered in great quantities, and stored in magoazines
prepared for the purpose.  They universally lay up enough of' these
things for two years' subsistence, and thereby guard against a failure in
the fiture crop of the coming season.
The acorns and nuts are ground into a kind of flour, which is done by
means of mortars or deep basins drilled into yocks. ntoto these the acorns and
n'uts are placed and pounded as fine as flour.  Before baking, the Indians
not unfrequently mix with the flour berries of various kinds.  All this is
the work of the squaws, or, as they call them;, " Mo-hales."  Indeed,
the same general characteristics mark the whole of the tribes in the great
valley of the Sacramento and its adjacent territory.
They have an indefinite idea of their right to the soil, and they complain that the pale faces are overrunning their country and destroying
their means of subsistence.  The immigrants are trampling down and
feeding their grass and the miners are destroying their fish-dams. For
this they claim some remuneration-not in money, for they know nothing
of its value, but in the shape of clothing and food.
In my last communication I recommended the establishment of about'
three depots in the great valley of the Sacramento for the purpose of furnishing the various tribes in that region with subsistence and clothing.
Their wants are few, and little of clothing and something to sustain life
upon will readily satisfy them.  This policy I believe would not only bethe most economical for the government and vastly more beneficial to the
Indians than annuities in money, but must be by far' the best means of
reaching the wild mountain Indians and bringing them  into a state of
civilization.  I have been informed by Americans, who have lived for
years on the borders of the mountains, that where the mountain Indians
have been well treated by the whites they return to their tribes with sentiments of the highest regard for the Americans.  There is, however, a
class of men here who, as I have been informed, shoot down Indians
wherever they meet them.  This is not only cruel to the Indians, but




124                         Doe. No. 1.
works great injury to the whites. The known custom  of the Indians is
revenge, and their vengeance frequently falls upon the innocent.  They
must be avenged, and their best friends often pay the penalty of the rash
or reckless acts of others. It seems to be a kind of religious sentiment
with them to have "blood for blood.'
The Indians of the valley of the Sacramento are not a warlike people.
They possess no war clubs, scalping-knife, or tomahawks, so universally
used by the Indians east of the Sierra Nevada; they are mostly indolent,
docile, and tractable, but many of them are thievish; they are fond of
dress of almost any kind, and readily learn the more simple arts of agriculture.
The construction of their huts and villages is much the same.  They
are constructed by excavating the earth the size of the room or lodge they
desire, some five feet deep; this is covered over with a dome-like
top several feet above the surface of the earth; in the centre of the roof
or dome there is generally an aperture or opening, which serves the
double purpose of admitting light and letting the smoke escape. This is
the only opening in the lodge except the entrance, which is in the side,
and barely large enough to admit a human body.  Through this they
enter feet fbremost on their hands and knees.  When once inside, these
lodges are not uncomfortable.'The thickness of the earth over them prevents the sun from penetrating them in the hot season, while in the colder
seasons they protect them from the winds.
The names of the tribes which I have visited in the great valley of the
Sacramrento and adjacent mountains are as follows:
The THock/s.-This tribe reside upon the celebrated Hock farmi, and
near to the residence of Captain Sutter.  They number from 80 to 100.
The Eubas.-Located at the mouth, or rather the junction of the
Yuba with the Feather river, and number about 180.
The 0-lip pas.-Located on Feather river, about thirty-two miles above
its mouth.  This tribe numbers about 90 or 100.
The Bogas.-Located a short distance above the O-lip-pas; on the opposite side of the river, and number about 70.
The Yoolil-li-pah.-Reside at the base of the mountains near to Feather
river, and number about 150.
The Erskins.  On Butte creek, near Neal's rancho, and numlber about
80.
The 2M[a-ehuck-nas.-Reside in the valley near to Potter's rancho, and
number about 90.
The Cusl-nas.-This tribe is located in the mountains, on the waters of the South Yuba.  They number about 600.
The Ta gus._-Are also in the mountains above the head-waters of
Butte creek; number unknown.
The i7inzi-sus.-Also in the mountains, not far distant from the Tagus tribe. The numbers of this tribe I could not obtain.
Within the short period since the occupancy of this country by the
whites, the red man has been fast fading away.  Many have died with
disease, and others fled to the mountains, to enjoy for a brief period their
primeval sports of hunting and fishing.  Almost the entire tribes of the
Costavn.oes or Coast Indians have passed away.  Of the numerous tribes
which but a few years ago inhabited the country bordering on the bay of
San Francisco, scarcely an individual is left.  The pale faces have taken




Doc. No. 1.                           125
possession of their country and trample upon the graves of their forefathers.
In an interview with a very aged Indian near the mission of Dolores, he
said: " I am very old; my people were once around me like the sands of
the shore-many-many.  They have all passed away-they have died
like the grass-they have gone to the mountains-I do not complain. The
antelope falls with the arrow.  I had a son-I loved him-when the pale
faces came, he went away-I know not where he is. I am a Cristian Indian-I am  all that is left of my people-I am  alone."  His age, his
earnestness, and decrepit condition, gave full force to his language, and I
left him under the deepest sense of sympathy.
I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
A DAM JOHNSTON.
Hon. ORLANDO BROWN,
Washington City, D. C.
No. 27.
INDIAN AGENCY, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO,
TNovember 17, 1849.
SIR: Before adequate and just compensation can be provided by law
for Indian agents in and near this Territory, the following facts must be
considered.
For two weeks or more after my arrival here we were compelled to
encamp near the city before we could procure a house in which to shelter,
and then could obtain one only by agreeing to pay the extravagant rent
of one hundred dollars per month, which I have since reduced to seventy
dollars per month by submitting to the inconvenience of otherwise disposing of a portion of the premises.  I offered to purchase the property at
t'wee thousand dollars; but the owner refused to take a cent less thanJour
thousanid dollars.
Your are apprized that all the houses in this city are built up of adobes,
with floors of dirt, and covered by spreading dirt three to six inches
thick upon rough boards.  You will readily conclude, and correctly too,,
we have dirty and leaky houses.
I have managed to procure rough plank for floors, and have laid them
down without being able to get them planed.  The value of the lumber,,
and work in repairing, exceeds two hundred dollars.
Plank and scantling, to any considerable extent, cannot as yet be obtained here; and except for the quartermaster's and commissary's departments, there is but little demand for it.  The sales that have been ef
fected have been at prices varying from fifty to eighty dollars per thousand feet.  No lumber can be procured here except the pine, and that of
the most inferior quality, being short, knotty, and principally sap, and
this must be brought over rough roads a considerable distance; hence theprice of this kind of lumber will always be extravagantly high.
Rock, for building, may be obtained within two or three miles of this.
place; and I am  informed lime-rock, in abundance, may be found not.
more than five miles from  Santa Fe.  But in consequence of the xa —
terials, which must be transported from  the States, and the extravagant.




126                         Doc. No. 1.
charges of laborers and muechanics, it cannot be inferred that houses can be
built here as cheap as in the United States.
Upon the presumption there must be a superintendency or agency of
Indian affairs permanently established in this city, I should do injustice to whoever may be tfhe incumbent, if i fail to recommend such an
appropriation as would enable him to live in quarters somewihat comfortable; and. this would require an appropriation of not less than ten thou-'sand dollars, provided government transportation were used in. bringing to
this city the materials that must be brought from the States.
Exam.ine the following prices and rates: lumber friom  50 to $80 per
1,000 feet; nails 25 cents per pound; brick none, but good clay; mechanics
a ration a day and $40 per month; house rent from $t600 to $1,800 per
year; wood, (pine and cedar-there is no other kind,) $3 50 per cord, and
two cords of this wood is not equal to one of oak and hickory; blacksmith, daily a ration and $40 per month; shoeing a horse all round,
$4 to 16b iron 20 cents per pound-increased demand would increase the
price; good sound dry corn $2 per bushel, and not abundant at that;
wheat usually the same as corn per bushel; hay and fodder, (but little of
either,) $60 per ton; flour, and bacon, and pork, none, except at the commissary's; beef and mutton; 8 to 10 cents per pound; sugar 25 cents per
pound; coffee 25 cents per pound; tea $' 25 per pound, (a poor article
of gunpowder;) crockery-ware and everything else in proportion.
Freights from Fort Independence to Santa Fe 10 to 12 cents per lb.
Common servants from $10 to $15 per month and rations.  Wood choppers 75 cents per cord, and a ration a day.  They can ciuta cord to a
cord and a half a day, and then it must be brought from three to five
miles from where it is cut.  Board $25 to $40 per month and find your
own lodging; and a small room may be obtained, such as it is, at from
$8 to 810 per month.
A common pine bedstead, such as you can buy in the States for $ —
-you can't purchase here for less than $-.  For seats, if you aspire to
anything more than a bench, pine lumber is thrown into the shape of a
chair, for which you must pay fiom $2 to 82 50; this will give the best
specimen of furniture to be had here.  We are so far from water, we are
obliged to have it hauled to us in a wagon.  Washing, if well done, $1 50
per dozen.  Common interpreter $50 per month; one that can read and
write receives from $75 to $100 per month.
The impression here is, that the quartermaster's bureaux will show that
the corn bought during the past year cost more than $2 50 per bushel;
and I knsow, until recently, since July, public animals have not received
full forage, and animals have been lost in consequence thereof; their
value should be added to the prices paid for corn.
In my former conmunications I have shown you how the prices of
corn, wheat, fodder and hay may be legitimately reduced, and also beef;
and how the lives and usefulness of your horses and mules may. be prolonged, and that, too, without calling off from service to recruit them; and
I hesitate not to say, such a result cannot be brought about fir years to
-come, unless such suggestions as I have made to you are adopted.
To save you the trouble of referring back to my letters, I will state I
have allusion here to the recommended protection of the Pueblo Indians,
"and properly stimulating and shaping their industry. With the hope that'our government will extend this protection to them, I have already




Doe. No. 1.                               27
advised tlhem to throw an additional number of laborers into their fields,
and increase the products of their soil by increasing the quantity of ground.
in cuiivation.
The statement of facts given  be  il  aboe intellioent legislators to
determirne the proper measures of appropriation for this Territory, and the
compensation that should be given to Indian agents; and with them  1
leave the subject.
BDcreaC- committing this subject to Congress, however, I ought to have
remindced you that escorts are positively necessary in passing from  one
Indian pAueblo to another, and tIhat we must go, unshelte'ed and unfedunless transportation is aforded in which to convey tents, subsistence,
and cooking-utensils.  Even in travelling between Mexican villages it
would be imprudent to dispense with these precautionary measures.
This being the state of things, it will be impossible for a superintendent
or agent to discharge his full duty unless he can control a wagon, mules,
forage, and a teamster, and subsistence for him.
If arms should be deposited in the pueblos; as I have recommended,
Indian escorts and guides can always be procured at the cost of a few
presents and subsistence.
Trade anzd int ercourse with zIn ians.
Under this head it is my intention to present such vieWs as have
occurred to me after a careful examination of the act of Congress to regulate trade and intercourse with Indian tribes, and to preserve peace on
the frontiers.  I shall refer only to such sections as should be, in my
opinion, amended.
The act of June 30, 1834, section 2.  To prevent all irregularity and,confusion, and that a full and perfect knowledge of the trade with Indians may be accurately known, and properly controlled, the superintendent only should have authority to grant a license.  If there should be:no superintendent, the agent should have the authority.  A copy of every
license granted should be recorded, and fees charged for the service, to
be paid by the licensed.  Sub-agents should have the power to suspend
trade under a license, but the revoking power should be in the hands of
the granting power.
Section 4.  No one but traders, and their assistants and families,
~should be permitted to " reside"  in the Indian country, except such as
may be in the service of the United States, and their assistants and families.  Hence the necessity of clearly defining the boundaries of each
pueblo.
Section 6.   There are mischievous persons from  whom  it would be
impossible to extract a dollar; such should not go unpunished.
Section. 7.  The word " clothing" in this section may, possibly, inelude blankets, and some of the finest in the world are manufactured.by the wild and other Indians; they make but few, and they are  gen-,erally for sale at from five to one hundred dollars each.   A kind of carpeting and other articles are manufactured by them.   These people
-should be properly encouraged.
Section 8.  Where fines cannot be collected, other penalties should,be substituted.




128                         ~Doc. No. 1
Section 9.  I would strikee out te words   without the consent of
such tribe."
Section 12.  There are instances of encroachments, by Spaniards and
Mexicans, on lands granted to Indian pueblos; haciendas have been established, and villages built up.  These questions may be settled by
compromise, in which it may be necessary to vest the legal titles in the
Spaniards and Mexicans.
Sections 13, 14, 15, 16.  Where fines and penalties cannot be collected, let offenders be punished otherwise.
Section 17.  The limit of twelve months is too long-three months is
quite sufficient.  In the second proviso I would strike out " three years'
and insert three nmonths.
Section 20.   The exceptions in favor of'the officers of the United
States and troops of the service" should be extended to all alike, in the
service of the United States.
Section 23.  The derangements in this Territory, at the present time,
are such as might justify a longer detention than "five days after the arrest and before removal."'Section 25.  After the last word in this sentence, or section, I would
add, (f the same pueblo or tribe.
These amendments are required by the localities of the Indian;, and
the varied character of a large number of persons in this Territoery   Stringent laws, promptly enforced, are demanded. by the -temper of the times.
Let every process, and every act, be stamped with a promptitude that will
arrest the consideration of offenders.   Tfie present organizartion o/' the
judiciary is not swift enough in its jzud4gments to secure proper oi rder arnd
quict in the Indian country of this Territory.
Without a special court for this service, I am not prepared to say the
end suggested in the last paragraph can be accomplished.
I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
J. S. CALHOUNT
Indian A gent.
ORLAND'O BROW, Esq.,
Commissioner of Indian Akfairs,  Washington City, D. C.
No. 28.
INDIAN AGENCY, SANTA FE, NEW MEXIco,
March 29, 1830.
SIR: Herewith IUlreturn the section of a map of New Mexico which..
you enclosed to me on the 28th day of last December.  You will find
marked in this way [o] the various Indian pueblos located in this Ter —
ritory upon the section of country which the map represents.  It may beh
well to remember that there are two Indian pueblos below El Paso, Isletta
and Socorro, and Zulii, an Indian pueblo 88.30 miles northwest of La —
guna.  Of course, neither of these three pueblos could be mialked upon'
the map.  Beyond Zuni, west, perhaps one hundred and fifty miles,
the Moqui country is reached.  These Indians live in pueblos, cultivate.
the soil to a limited extent, and raise horses, mules, sheep, and goats, and,
I am informed; manufacture various articles.




I am extremely anxious to visit these Indians, but it would be unsaf to
do. so without a sufficient escort, as the Apaches are upon the left and the
Navajoes on the right, in travelling from  Zuli to the Moquies.  The
Pueblo Indians are all alike eititled to the favorable and early consideration of the government of the United States.  Miy information concerning
the Moqui Indians is not of a character to justify ume in miaking suggestions in reference to an agent or agents, further than to say, without an absolute examination by some one deputed for that purpose, information
precise and reliable may not be looked for.  I shall, therefore, confine
my remarks to the pueblos of Zuhi; Socorro, and. Isletta, and those marked
upon the accompanying map.
In relation to the extent of territory belonging to each pueblo, nothing
is definitely known, and can only be settled by instituting such a commission as was recommended by the President in his annual message.. The
lands are held under Spanish and Mexican grants, and the boundaries of
the original grants have been, fr'om  tine to time, enlarged to meet the
wants of these Catholic Indians.  They claim  that this whole territory
originally belonged to them, and that their supreme government.was in
Santa Fe; but after the conquest, this-place was taken from them, and
their limits fixed by authority of the conquering government.,The
general opinion is, not one of the pueblos have a square of less than eight
miles and a half on each side.  In addition to this, it is said, many of
them have bought other lands near their pueblos, and perhaps otheos are
planting on unappropriated lands. There are a few:Mexican villaes built,
without doubt, upon lands granted to pueblos, and there are various lawsuits pending between pueblos and Mexicans, as to the right of the parties
to certain lands. These law-suits ought to be quieted witllout delay, or serious and bloody consequences will result.  I must further add, that additional grants of land may be necessary for these Indians, and it should be
given to them liberally near where they are now located, if vacant public
lands should be found there, for it will not do to agitate the subject of their
removal at this time; and it would be as dangerous to the public tranquillity to compel them to'a repugnant association with the people of New lMexico, as citizens of the State or Territory.  Either would produce a bloody
contest at this time.
You will. notice on the returned map that I have marked, with some
approach to accuracy, the seven counties of this Territory, as organized.
The tour great tribes, the Apaches, Comanches,. Navajoes, ald Utahs;
make frequent incursions into these counties.  All east, west, north, and
south of the outer lead and red-ink lines is regarded as Indian country.
Or the east side of the Arkansas, the Arapahoes, Cheyennes, Kiowas,
and other roving Indians are to be ifund.  These Indians are frequently
on the west side of said river; hunting, trading, and uniting with the Indians of this Territory in their wars and robberies against the people of the
United States and Mexico.
The apparent dividing line between the Apaches add Utahs commences.
on the Rio del Norte, about latitude 37Q.  The land northeast and east
from this point, between the pencil and red-ink lines, to the Arkansas, is
accorded to the Jicarillas-a band of Apaches well mixed with Utah
blood. Occasionally, every tribe of Indians is to be found in this region~.
East and sovuth of the said lead and red-ink lines the Apaches first, and
then  the Comanches, are found.  I have had no means of ascertaining
9




130                          Doc. No. 1L
the supposed dividing line between thlese two tribes.  Tlhe Comanches
are chiefly south of the Apache district, east of the  dio del Norte, and
between it and the State of Texas.  The strip- of country running south
fromt the county of San Miguel del Bad.o known as the Apache country,
is not less than three hundred miles wide. Not an inch of the Comanche
country is to be found upon the returned map, although I have writteu.
upon an outer edge the word'CComanches," for the purpose of showing
the direction of their localities.  West of the Rio del Norte, on both sides
of the suipposed line between the United States and Mexico, is the Apache
country proper, in my opinion; and they claim  the country west to the
Pimo village, and northwest to the Moqui country; and west of the
pueblo of ZuMi, and between that place and the Moqui country, the
Apaches think they are bounded north by the Navajoes. Thus it will
be seen they claim to possess, and certainly roam over, three.fourths of a
circle in and arodnd the Territory of New Miexico.
The Navajo country is west, beyond the lines of the counties of Ber-.
nalillo, Santa Anna, and Rio Arriva, to, and perhaps passing the Rio
Colorado, and running north as far as latitude 237  or 382. All west of
the Rio del Norte, not included in either of the counties of this Territory
as organized, nor included in the Navajo country, to the very foot of the
Sierra Nevada, and between the Navajo country and the Great Salt Lake
north, is called the Utah country.
You will perceive, upon the map as marked, there is but very little of
the Navajo country, less of the Utahs, and none whlatever of the C:manches, but an immense strip claimed by the Apaches.
Let me remark that the Pah Utah's, who inhabit the country east of the
Sierra Nevada, are Utahs proper, benumrbed by cold, and enfeebled, intellectually and physically, by the food upon which they subsist-it consisting only of roots, vermrin, insects of all kinds, and everything that creeps,
crawls, swims, flies, or boundg, tihey may chance to overtake; and when
these resources fail themn  and they can find no stranger, they feed upon
their own children. Such a people should not be permitted to Hive withinL
the limits of the United States, a1nd must be elevated in the scale of hu.mani existence or exterminated. Tese fpeople never approach the con.fines of civilization unless they are called upon by their rmore advernttu. rouLi'
and.warlike brethren.
I have seized several occasions to convey to you my opinions in re2i-rence to the Apaches, Comanches, Navajoes, and Utahs-four great tribes
who occupy or claim immense regions of country belonging to thle United
States.  I may be pardoned for repeating that each of these tribes should.
be-compelled to remnain within certain fixed limits.
-A square, each side of which shall measure fifty miles in length i If
properly selected, would be ample-infinitely rmore than can be necessary
to subsist these or any other equal number of people.  For a time, a gen.erous liberality should be meted out to the.m; and they should be i nstructedin agricultural pursuits.
For a time, also, you would have to feed all but the Naajoes. They
can take care of themselves. Implemnents of husbandry, however, should.
be given to them.
aNo' Indian tribe should be located nearer than one hundred miles of the
line of Mexico.  I have no reference here to Pueblo India'ns.
ThesIe suggestions' if adopted, would require corresponding and appro



Doc. No. 1 
priate military dispositions  of which it is not my privilege to speak when
it may be avoided with propriety.
In reference to agents-their proper locations, numbers, and necessary
expenditures, &c., &c.-I intend to record my views in a letter which 1.
propose writing on to-miorrow.
WTith great respect, your obedient servant,
J, S.'CALHOUN,
Indian Agent.
ORLANDO  BRowN, Esq.,
Conmmisaio3ner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C.
No. 290
iNDh  Am GE' NC   SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO,
March 30, 1850.
SIR: Having, as accurately as possible, with.the limited knowledge
rwhich I have been able to command, marked upon the section of a map
which you enclosed to me on the 28th of December last, the various locations of the Pueblo and other Indians who were entitled to a place on said
map, and made explanatory remarks in my letter of yesterday's date
concerning all other Indians of this Territory, I proceed to place before
you my views in relation to agents, sub-agents, their proper locations,
their salaries, and expenditures generally.
In the first place, let me state, what is considered liberal pay and expenditures on account of Indian agents and agencies already established.
by law in the United States would be utterly insufficient in this Territory.
This fact will be established by reference to the quartermaster's and commissary's returns from this place.
In travelling through this Territory you cannot sa-ly travel alone, and.
when in the Indian country an escort is absolutely necessary; and, at all
times, in visiting the pueblos and most of the Mexican places, you will
suffer if you do not take with you a cook, cooking-utensils, subsistence,:borage, tents, and all necessary transportation,  Cooking-utensils must be
brought from the United States.
There is no place in this Territory where it is not absolutely necessairy
to "' corral," watch, and guard everything you may have in your possession.  Even in this city, where seinels   e posted to guard corrals,
horses are frequently stolen from them.
I adhere to my original opinion, that there should be a sub-agent for
the present at each Indian pueblo, (twenty in number,) not including
Namb6 or Tesaque, near Santa Fe, which might be left to the care of tkhe
agency that nmay be established in this city.
To support such sub-agencies would requireSalary   -       -       -               - 1000
House-rent and wo od.                          300
Interpreter      -'                 300
Rations for interpreter   -               -      12
1,725
20 pueblos
341 500




132                          Doe. No. lo
Implements of husbandry for twenty-two
pueblos, each $200            -       -      400
38,.900
The implements should be distributed under the direction of a general
agent or s'uperintendent, as some of the pueblos would require more thMan.
the $200, and others less. If the government of the United States should.'
deem it advisable to divide the pueblos into districts, I would then sub-.
mit, an examination of the marked. map will shoxw there should be eigh?,t
divisions, as follows:
Ist district.-Taos, Picuris.
2d district.-San Juan, Pojuaque, Santa Clara, San Ildefonso.
3d district.  Jemez, Silla, (or Cia,) Santa Ana.
4th distrct.-Cochite, San Domlingo, San Pelipe, Sandia.
5th &;isticlt.-!sletr a.Lentis.
6th distr ict.-(Below El Paso.)-Socorro, Isletta.'7t/ dsstrict.-Laguna, Acoma.
Sth distzict.  Zuni
You will perceive I make no arrangements for the Moqui Indianso.
To support each division I would recommend —
Salary for an agent                            11 - - -    500
Interpreter        -       -. -  600
House rent and stabling                   "             300'
Forage for three horses or mules -        -       -      525
Horse shoeing      -                      -       -       50,
Hostler                                                  I...  180
Rations....                   -:1 20
3,275:
8
26 200
Implenrents for twenty-two  pueblos, including
Namb6 and Tesaque,'$200 each                       4, 400
30, 600
NoTE.-Horses,  $350 each; aggregate, $33,400.
This arrangement exh.ibits an apparent saving of $S,300.  But to se —
cure the tranquillity of the Territory, which is certainly menaczed, and to
stimulate and properly direct the labor of the Pueblo Indians, the first plan.
is recommended as the most preferable.  Adopt either plan, and in a year
or two you might with propriety consolidate these agencies so as to diminish
the ewpenses nearly one-half:  But this cannot be done with propriety
until order and perfect quiet are firmly established in this Territory. The
Indians are far from being contented, as I have advised you in my former
letters; and ualess they are properly protected and watched over, yBout:.ay prepare  for an outbreak at no distant day.
jn reference to my second plan, you will observe, I have estimated for




liDoe. 1No,   1.
forage for three amnmals, and they are necessary to enable the agent to
visit the pueblos of his district.  Remember, he must pack his provisions,:bedding, &c.  I have not estimated for the value of these animals, which
cannot be less than $350 for each district.  So far as the headquarters of
the agent is concerned withinl his district, I would, at this time, leave
him to select the place, or commit it to the discretion of a superintendent.
Having disposed of the Pueblo Indians upon the best and most eco —
nomical terms that I can conscientiously suggest, I shall proceed to submit
my views in relation to the wild Indians-the Apaches, Comanches, Navajoes and Utahs.  These Indians, including their various independent
bands, I take it for granted, must be located and confined within certain.
fixed limits; and there compelled to remain, and to build up pueblos and
cultivate the soil.  I do not recommend that these four tribes should be
l:ocated near each other.  It is possible the Apaches and Conanches might
be located in adjoining districts, and in like manner the Navajoes and
Utahs.  If so, two agents; to be located at a central military post, would.
be sufficient.; otherwise, you must have four-each to be located at a
military post, for which I submit the following estimate:
Salary for agent     --                      -       -                  1   o500
Salary for interpreter                                                 600
Forage for two horses        -                                         375
Horse-shoeing        -       -.,                        35
Hostler      -                                                            O  180
IRations     -       -      -   120
2,810
incidental expenses for the first year, to secure shelter for
agent, interpreter, hostler, and two animals              -          600
3,410
Tribes         4....    4
Aggregate   "            -'          -         13,640
I[ have not estimated the value of the' two horses, which
would increase the aggregate of each agency $250          -      $3 660
Tribos   -       -           -           -       -            4
First year       -    14,640
For the first twelve months, if these Indians are confined to fixed
~limits and required to build pueblos and cdltivate the soil, you would be,obliged to contribute largely to the support of the Apaches, Comanches, and Utahs.  You would have to send men among them  to teach.
them the use of agricultural implements, which should be furnished to'them, and also to direct their labor in the building of pueblos. To accomn-'plish these things successfully will require an appropriation of $100,000,
to be expended under the direction of the President of the United States
-or the Secretary of the Interior.
To establish order in this Territory, you must either submit to these,heavy expenditures, or exterminate the mass of these Indians. After the




.... 4;                  D. oe:No. I
presenit year.? would  recommend the employment of blacksmiths for these
Indians and for the Pueblos.
I do not think presents should be given to Indians of this Teriitory,
except in the shape of food and implements of husbandry.  They should
be taught at once to rely upon their own industry, not only for the luxuries
of life, which they should be taught to appreciate, bt for all that is necessary or thei-r personal wants and comforts.  To that end, they should
be made to know that the food which it is proposed to furnish to them
Was intended to subsist themn only until they could make one crop, and
no longer.
If a superintendency of Indian affairs is establishedr    I submoit the follow'ing estimates for its support:
Ist year.    2d year.
Salary of superintendent...................  2,000           $2,000
Secretary..                o.                  1...  200  1,200
Intepreter..............   6.........                600   60
Board of interpreter while in Santa Fe.......  o   200             200
Rents for house and stables  o..........oe    600          600
Two horses and six mules    o    e...............   850
Forage.......................  I. 1600     1, 600
Hostler...........~...  300                                        300
Boards. o  e o Q F, * O O,.   o  o.  o o   120                    120
One wagon and harness.....   o..........  150
7,720       6,720
TaJo which should be- added $1I000 for contingencies in paying guides:
runners, and subsisting Indians and their horses during their visits to the
superintendency.
Ist must be known to you that our expenses are heavier in Santa Fe
tlhan in any other place in the Territory.  At present, my rent account is:
tO7 peer nonth; corn is worth at this time $2 per bushel; shoeing of a
horse, $4; -sugar, o5  cents per pound; coffee; 37-; lumber, $65 per 1'L
bacon and lard, none except at the commissary's; beef, exceedingly poor
and coarse,  8 cents per pound; a sh'at, not weighing more than 60 to 75
pounds, $8 to $10; chickens, fo-em 25 to 50 cents each; turkeys, from $1
to 12..The necessaries of lifei such as wre have been accustomed to in
the States, and the delicacies and luxuries which we require, must all be
bronught friom the United States.    Fo  expenditres on account of' rents'
pay of interpreters, teamsters;, icrage, &e.,  &(. I again refer you to the
returns of the quartermaster and conmmlissary of this department.  Had
not the commissary sold me subsistence on the same terms he is author.
ized to sell to officers of the army, and had the quartermaster refused to
furnish me with transportation and forage, I should utterly have failed to
discharge my duties in this Territory.  In addition to my salary, $1,500,
before the end of iy first year I shall have expended, necessarily, of
my own private fundss, about $1,500 more.  The expenditures of the se,ond year will not be so great, and as the country becomes quiet and settied, will contini e to diminish, but can never fall to the reasonable limits
assigned to them in the States  hence, the suggestion, tb t  hat what would be




considered quite liberal in the United Sates wou'tid be wholly 3iadequate
in this Territory.
I have to remarrk, the supe:rintendent should be recuired to  isit every
agency twice a year, if possible,.and arcertain  from  personal observation
the true state and condition of each  agency, and the lnecessary wants of
the Indians attached to such agecie-ss
The following  recapitulation is omade, in order that the heavy expenditures whichi   I recommened may  be examined as a whole:
1st plan for Pueblos..................   38,900  2d plan, including hores... $33,400
1.t plan for the four wild tribes...,,.....  14.,640 2d plan..............   7,320
Food for one year,,    -....................  100 000 2d plan.............  100,000
S,,pe riltenenneyc y..,.......,,   2, 2....... 7,720 2d pan...............  7,720
For the 1st year........;............  161,260                 148,440
Less 2d yearjood appronriation..............t100,000
1 orses for Pueblo districts..,........   A,800
-tForses for wild India agencies........  1,000.lorst's and wagon for;.rnTe:intendien.   1,000
104,800                              104,800
Expei:itures for 2.d year,....,.. e.........   56,460                      43,640
When we take into view our obligations to Mexico, as they are recorded
in the treaty of 1848, our obligations to establish good governments, and
to protect the lives and property of every citizen, we cannot, we must not
be  influenced by dollars and cents.  Who would not most willingly
have preferred to have heard that the government of the United States had
ordered an expenditure of' $0,000 or o010,000, rather than to have heard
of the butchery of poor White, his life, daughter, and friends?
Again, remember the vast demands that will be made upon the govern~ment of the United States byv iexico, and  citizens of this Territory, in
consequence of Indian depredations.  T'hese evils can be quieted only by
the minor and -humane expenditures which I have recommended.  I do
not stop by the way to inquire as to what return may be expected from
the sale of public lands.  That is not a question that should weigh an
atom  in the consideration of this subject.  Our duties should  be discharged honestly and faithfully,  and a proper economy and a becoming
liberality should be observed.
I trust to be pardoned for the frank imanner in which I communicate
my vievs.  It is my custom;  and i should feel very awkward if! did not
-record them  just in the shape in which they occur to me; and they are
based upon the supposition that the government of the United States will
select agents competent and perfectly willing  to  discharge their duties
honestly and faithfully.  The converse of this supposition will readily
occur to reflecting minds; and'to the proper departments I commit the
subject.
I have the honor to be your very obedient servant,
1J. S. CALHOUN, kndian Agent.
ORLLANDO BaROrN, Esq.,
Oomunissioneir of Iadian  4ffairs, Wash'ington Gitp  D. 0.
P. S.-I beg to referyon to my No. 24, dated November 17, 1849,  oln
the subject of expenditures in Santa 8e.
J, S. C.




136                         Doc. No. 1.
No. 30.
INDIAN AGENCY, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO,
M^arch 31, 1 80.
SiR: I have the honor to advise you that four Mexican captives were
delivered to me on Friday, the 22d instant, and from them  I gather the
following facts:
1. Refnigio Picaros, about twelve years of age, was taken from a rancho, called PapasCal, near St. lago, State of Durango, lexico, two years
ago, by the Comanches, who immediately sold him  to the Apaches, and
with them he lived and roamed on both sides of the Rio del Norte, until January last, when he was bought by Jos6 Francisco Lucero, a Mexican,
residing at the Moro, in this Territory. He says the purchase was made
at the Cerro Carmel, about two days' travel east from the Rio del Norte,;and four knives, one plug of tobacco, two fanegas of corn, four blankets,
and six yards of red Indian cloth, were paid for him.  He has no father.nor mother alive; but has brothers and sisters.
2. Theodoro Martel, ten or twelve years of age, was taken from the,service of Jose Alvardo, at La Pops, near Saltillo, 5Mexico, by Apaches,
two years ago, and has remained the. greater portion of the time on the
west side of the Rio del Norte. He was bought by Powler Sandoval,
who also resides at the Moro, from  the Apaches at Agua Asule, near the
Pecos river, in this- Territory, in February last.  The payment for him
was one mare, one rifle; one shirt, one pair of drawers, thirty small
packages of powder, some bullets, and one buffalo robe. The boy was
claimed by Diego Sandoval, fromx whom  I received hinm.  He knows of
no relations.
3. Caudelaus Galope, about twelve years of age, was seized by the
Apaches, he:thinks, four years ago, at the rancho Fernandez, near Santa
Cruz, Mexico.  He is unable to name the State in which Santa Gruz is
situated.  Two brothers and sisters of his were taken at the same time,
and he supposes they are yet with the Apaches.  His father and mother
were alive at the time he was captured. He was bought from the Apaches,
in January or February last, by Vincente Romero, of the Moro, at a
place called Lo Cerro Queso, perhaps " E6 Cerro del Queso," east of
the Rio del Norte, in this Territory.  Price paid was some corn and
tobacco, one knife, one shirt, one mule, one small package of powder,,and a few balls.
4. Rosalie Taveres, about twenty-five years of age; resided in Mtlonclova,
and was captured in November last by a band of Apaches and Comanches,
within two days' travel of Monclova.  Her husband, Santiago Costellan,
and her daughter, four years old, were killed at that time.  Her mother,
Eturedas Guerris, lives in Monclova.  She is known to Don Miguel
Cortures and Don Ramon Moseus, and was bought fiom the Apaches
by Powler Sandoval, of the Moro, at Cerro Queso, in January last, who
paid for her two striped blankets, ten yards blue cotton drilling, ten
yards calico, ten yards cotton shirting, two handkerchiefs, four plugs of
tobacco, one bag of corn, and one knife.  She is quite an intelligent
woman; says that the band by whom  she was captured consisted of
about fifty Indians, who seized at the same time eight other captives,
strangers to her, and all but two, who sickened and died, (perhaps killed,)
were brought from Mexico into this Territory vwith her.  She states there




'are a great number of captives at or near La Cerro Queso; that all the
men who were captured are killed; that parties of Apaches and Comanches
are constantly going out and coming in with horses, mules, sheep, goats,'cows, goods, money, and captives; and while at La Queso, she saw the
clothing of an American man and boy, whom the Apaches said they had
killed.  These captives complain of very cruel treatment-the woman
especially, who says she was spared but one humiliation.
Encarnacion Garcia and the individuals from  whom  I received the'captives confirm in general'terms the foregoing statements, but protest no
munitions of war were paid for them.  I give full credit to the statements
of the captives.  The Mexicans irom whom  I received the captives will
claimn to have paid more than is stated above, and without doubt can
^prove any slatea ment they may make.
The trading in captives has been so long tolerated in this Territory, that:it has ceased to be regarded as a wrong; and purchasers are not prepared
willingly to release captives without an adequate ransom.  In legislating,upon this subject, it should be distinctly set forth under what circum-.stances captives shall be released, and limiting the expenditures that may:be incurred thereby.  Unless the Mexicans are paid for such captives as
they have purchased, and have now in possession, but very few of them
will be released; nor will it answer well to allow captives to make their
election as to a release, for their submission to their masters is most perifet, and they are well instructed. as to proper replies to interrogatories.
That a proper economy may be observed in releasing captives, some
-arrangement should be made for their early return to Mexico, or to some
authorized agent of Mexico, who might reside at El Paso or in Santa Fe.
It is presumed, should treaties be made with the Apaches and Comanches,
they will be required to deliver up all captives, free of charge, and all
-stolen property that they may, at the time, have in their possession.
Many of the captives belong to this Territory, and such, of course, will be
-turned over to their relatives.  But until this can be accomplished, they
must be clothed and fed, and stolen property must be taken care of and
disposed of.  Expeiaditures in both cases must be incurredl, and should
be provided for.  The law to be passed by Congress for the release of
-captives, under the late treaty with Mexico, will, without doubt, contain.suitable provisions for their subsistence and clothing.  Those that I have
on hand I am clothing and feeding, and respectfully ask for instructions
in the premises.
I may, in conclusion, mention that there are a number of Indian captives held as slaves in this Territory, and some congressional action may
be necessary in relation to them; and I respectfully submit the question
for appropriate consideration.
I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
J. S. CALHOUN,
Indian Agent
ORLANDO BROWN, Esq.,
Conwnissionaze of Idzia? Affrairs,  Washington City, D. C.




No. 31.
INDIAN AGENCY, SA'JNTA  I'E.
New MIexico,  July 15, 1850.
SIR: By or before the first day of Junze last, I have reason to believe
you received my letters Nos. 50 and 51. These two letters have conveyed to you my opinions of a suitable organization for the Indian service
in New Mexico, and the amount of expenditures that I deem absolutely
necessary in order to carry it out in a proper and efficient manner.
My opinions in relation to " one general superintendent," &c., are in
perfect accord with those of the department, as I' have heretofore written.
I regret exceedingly that I have not seen your  Cannual report."  In
your remark,   better too many than too fewl" agents, I fully concur; but
I am really astonished at the authoritative manner in which the Hon. K.
N. Smith states thatt the Jicarillas " are entirely separate and distinct
from any other tribe."  This statement is antagonistical to every particle
of information that ha.s reached me in reference to these Indians.  These
people, to some extent, are the issue of Apaches and Comanches, but
to a much greater extent Apaches and Utahs: at least this is my understanding of the subject.
In relation t tthe number of Pueblo Indians, for reasons vwhich I have
heretofore given you, I cannot agree with Mr. Smith in his estimate,
7,000.  In my No. 51, my views are given in reference to agents and
sub-agents, and expenditures generally.  I am aware that if we look at
the number of the Indians only, the number of agents which I reconamnrend would seem to be unreasonable.  On the section of a map which I
enclosed to you in my No. 50, the spots upon which pueblos are built
are somewhat aceurately marked.  By an examination of it, and remembering the topography of the country; you will not fail to perceive why it
is the number of agents must be greatly disproportioned to the number of
Indians.  And here I may remnark, these Indians may be easily managed
if properly protected and cared for; but if driven to desperation, and they
combine their forces, it will be no easy matter to subdue them.
I am  inclined to think my Nos. 50 and 51 contain all the inform ation you desire, except as to mechanics.  I would recommend that a
blacksmith and a man who conud nmake wagons and plough stocks should
be attached to the agency of each district.  Such mechanics would have
to be sent from the States, and. all the tools necessary for their trade.
Ill my No. 24 mnty views are defined in reference to the present la ws
regulating trade and intercourse with the Indians, &e. The amendments
therein suggested would adapt thent to the peculiar condition of affairs in.
this Territory, and perhaps improve their eficiency elsewhere.
With great respect, your obe'ieint servant,
31,,, CALIiOUN,
Indian Agent.
ORLANDO BRaOWN Esq.,
Commiessioaner of Ad'ian A4ffirs.,




.Doc  No,                               18o' "'S
No. 32.
_,:rtvt of a letter fromn, Ji- S. 8Carhoun, esq., Indian Aiugent, dated Santa
Fe, iNeW Me. xico c October 12, 1850.
Two Apaches, a man and his wife, are now  at this agency.  They
were brought to the headquarters of this military department by order of
the commnandin boficers at Abiquin,  alnd, at the recqest of Colonel Munroe, they are in charge of this agency.
It appears a party of some fifteen or twenty Apaches, men, woomen, and
childrenz,  ere on their way from the northeast to Abiquin, as they represented, to ask permission to reside near that post, and under its protection. Before reaching Abiquin, near the Ojo Caliente, they stopped at a
Mexican's house, and asked for something to eat, which was promptly
given to them. After they had eaten, the Mexican managed to induce them
to wander about his premises, having previously prepared to have executed
his bloody purpose; and while thus separated, four of them, one man and
- three small boys, were murdered upon the spot. One man, a girl, and two
boys are missing.  The IMexican ordered his men to fire on the survivors,
consisting principally of women and children, but they refused to obey
the order.  The man who is at this agency was not present, having gone
a short distance to report as chief of the party, to the prefect of the county,
the objects and destination of the Apache party under his command. The
prefect gave them an escort to Abiquin.  A son of the Apache here was
slain. These Indians will be permitted to reside for the present near
Abiquin; and at Colonel Munroe's suggestion, I will cause them  to be
supplied with provisions to a limited extent.  By this course we may induce others to come in, from whorn we may glean some useful information. The one present claims to have been in retirement, and therefore
ignorant as to the murders and depredations committed by the Apaches.
Fie says there is a nurber of Mexican captives among them.
The Mexican who caused the murders to be comimitted at the Ojo
Caliente has been in prison here for the last three days, and will be set
at liberty upon a mere nominal recognizance.  TIhe demoralization of
society here is such, it would be impolitic,"if not altogether impracticable,
to administer justice in this case.  A considerable sum of money has been
subscribed to procure a gold rmedal to be presented to this cold-blooded
murderer; and this is done chiefly by Americans.
By reference to my No. 76, dated August the 12th of the present year,
you will perceive i notified you of the assaults made by the Navajoes upon.the Pueblo of Zuii. I again alluded to this subject on the 30th of September last, (No. 81.)  We now learn, the Navajoes a few days since
made another attack upon Zuti, with a force, it is apprehended, that will
have proved disastrous to the pueblo by the destruction of their crops, if
jnothing more serious has occurred.  This attack was delayed for a few
days, in consequence of the presence of the escort at Zuiii  who accompanied the Bishop of Durango to that place.  After leaving Zufii it was
discovered that one of our dragoons was missing, and the commanding
officer ordered a few others back to bring him upo'While these dragoons
-were yet in view of this pueblo, the Navajoes had conmmenced the attack.
In reference to this attack, nothing further is known.  Colonel Munroe
has ordered a comspany of dragoons stationed at Cibolletta to proceed to'




140                        Doc. No. 1.
Zufi, and has sent fifty old muskets for the use of the Indians of that
pueblo. If the Pueblo Indians have been able to save their crops, it will
be fortunate for our troops, as they relied upon them for a portion of their
supplies, which would have been greatly augmented if their warriors
-could have been engaged in tilling the earth, instead of guarding tlhe
pueblo, and the laborers who were compelled to work. An agent at Zuni,
in my opinion, as I have frequently suggested, might have secured them
-such protection as greatly to have increased their crops, and prevented
the present war, especially if he had been permitted-the use of the ordnance and ordnance stores which I have heretofore recommended. Until
protection is afforded to the Pueblo Indians, you may in vain expect your
government animals to be kept. fit for service.  Independent of this consideration, there are other and higher obligations which require the government of the United States to protect these Indians, and establish and
preserve the tranquillity of this Territory. Unless Congress has acted dis-,creetly upon this subject, almost the entire American population unconnected with the army must leave the country.  Immigration has entirely
ceased, and many who came into the country to reside, not daring to
venture into the interior of the country so as to ascertain its resources,
have been compelled to go to California, or return to the States.  I venture the opinion, that at least one half of American immigrants to this Territory have left it during the last six months. They are daily departing.
The mineral resources of New Mexico are believed to be equal to those'of any country; and yet the most daring and enterprising dare not venture so far abroad as to ascertain with any degree of certainty the mineral
wealth of the Territory.  It would be a blindness to well-established historical facts, to suppose the native population of this Territory, in its present demoralized and subdued condition, could develop its resources; and
-unless American energy and enterprise are properly protected here, as elsewhere, it must ever remain a heavy charge upon the treasury of the
United States.  It is unnecessary to repeat my views in relation to a proper disposition of affairs in this Territory. They are well known to the
department.
The seven Moqui pueblos sent to ime a deputation, who presented
themselves on the sixth day of this month.  Their object, as announced,
was to ascertain the purposes and views of the government of the United
States towards them.  They complained bitterly of the depredations of
the Navajoes.
The deputation consisted of the Cacique of all the pueblos, and a
chief of the largest pueblo, accompanied by two who were not officials.
From what I could learn from  the Cacique, I came to the conclusion
that each of the seven pueblos was an independent republic, having confederated for mutual protection. One of the popular errors of the day is,
there are but five of these pueblos remaining; another is, that one of the
pueblos speak a different language from the other six.  I understood the
Cacique to say the seven spoke the same language; but the pueblo in
which he resided, Tanoquari, spoke also the language of the pueblo
of Santa Domingo-hence the error first mentioned.  These pueblos may
be all visited in one day. They are supposed to be located about due
west from  Santa Fe, and from three to four days' travel northwest froom
Zuii.  The following was given to me as the name~ of their pueblos:




Doe. No. 1.                              141
1. Oriva; 2. Samoupavi; 3. Inparavi; 4. Mausand; 5. 0pquivi;'6. Chemovi; 7. Tanoquibi.
I understood, further, they regarded as a small pueblo Zuni, as conmpared with Oriva. The other pueblos were very much like Zuhi and Santa.
Domingo.  They supposed Oriva could turn out one thousand warriors.
I desired, and believed it to be important, to visit these Indians, and
would have done so if Colonel iunroe had not, in reply to my application for an escort, replied that he could not furnish me with one at that
time.  They left me apparently highly gratified at the reception and presents given to them.
These Indians ought to be visited at an early day.
The Utahs seem  to be quiet, and no one has recently complained of
their conduct..T'he Comanches.-I have heard nothing concerning these Indians since,
my letter to you of the -  day of.
Thie Apaches are reposing, or preparing for an outbreak of some kind.
Without an adequate fund, we shall never be able to pry successfully into,
the purposes of the wild Indians of this Territory.
No. 33.
WASHINGTON CITY, March 9, 1850.
SIR: Your letter of February 27th,, upon the subject of our Indian re —
lations in New Alexico, has been received; and, in reply, I would remark,.
that while I entirely concur with you in opinion that our main reliance
to keep thle Indians in a proper subjection, and prevent the recurrence of
those depredations and acts of outrage which have so long afflicted. NewMllexico, must be upon an efficient and active military force, still your department can effect a great deal for us.
The appointment and proper distribution of a suitable number of Indian
agents in that country would enable the government to act correctly and
advisedly, both with a view to the interest of the Indian and also of the
emigrants and settlers in that country, when the government undertakes'(which it must do) to mark out and set apart the country which it in —
tends shall be the permanent and future home of each separate and distinct tribe.  T'he agents would also be able to give the government officers
immediate and correct information of all acts of hostility cormmitted by
their different tribes, of their different localities and haunts, so that they
might be pursued and punished immediately; a prompt retribution has a.
better effect than even a severer punishment after a long delay.  Theagents would be of great service in carrying out that stipulation of our'
recent treaty witih'lexico whereby we agree to restore to liberty all those'Mexican captives now in possession of the Indians who have become incorporated within our limits.  The agents would be necessary in regulating the proper intercourse of traders with those Indians,  as much of;
our difficulty with them arises, in my opinion, from  the misconduct of
lawless and improper persons who are allowed to go among them under
pretence of trading.
I do not think the Indians in and surromnding New Mexico are so lazy'
and indolent as tribes nearer here, and borderin, upon our own civili-i




142                          Doe. No. 1.
zation.  After they are once reduced to a proper subjection, and made to
feel the strength and power of our government, and afterwards experience
its clemency and kindness, I am  of opinion that they can easily be induced to adopt an agricultural life; that they will prove to be very tractable; and under the guidance of discreet and worthy agents, we may yet
see some of their rich mountain valleys teeming with produce of a laborious cultivation.  The Spaniards reclaimed from  savage life all our
Pueblos, and made them industrious and honest cultivators of the soil; in.
a short time we might succeed as well with several of the wild tribes surrounding New Mexico.
I think there should be appointed at least five agents for the five following tribes, viz: Comanches, Southern Apaches, Navajoes, Utahs, and
Northern Apaches, or, as the latter are sometimes called, the Jicarillas.
Though the last are omitted by Colonel Calhoun, they are entirely separate
and distinct from any other tribe, and are pre-emrinently distinguished for
their ferocity and cruelty; they infest our northern settlements, and have
been a greater annoyance to New Mexico than any other tribe either within or surrounding our Territory.
The Pueblos or civilized Indians residing within the settlements of New
Mexico —a very peaceable, honest, and industrious people-possess many
of the rights of citizenship; they do not exceed in numbers about seven
thousand, and might be divided into three districts, and an agent appointed for each.  They own the best land now under cultivation in that
country, and their claims are undoubtedly good grants from the Spanish
and Mexican governments, but for some years past trespasses and grad.ual encroachments have been commritted upon their lands by the Mexicans.  I see no way in which our government can aid them  in adjusting
these conflicting claims, except by assisting themi with the advice of coun-:lsel and agents whenever their causes or complaints are brought before the
proper judicial tribunals.  These difierent pueblos are now, according to
law, quasi corporatzions, and to a great extent have the imanagement of
their own affairs and the internal police of'heir towns, and can appear
in any court and sue aund be sued by the name of their separate towns
and villages.
In reference to salaries and compensation to be paid such officers in
that country, I would.suppose that the superintendent of Indian affairs
residing at Santa Fe should receive at least twenty-five hundred dollars
per annum, and that he could not live there for less; and other agents and.
employns should be paid in proportion, as the expense of living there is
greatly more than here.
A very desirable effect might be produced upon some of the wild tribes
of Indians by sending a delegation from  each tribe to Washington  city.
By allowing the tribes themselves to select some of their principal chief
men for this visit, you would secure to those distant savages some idea of
the st-ength and power of the government; a correct knowledge of which
would induce a greater disposition to enter into formal stipulations, and
secure a better fith in the execution and observance of their treaties.
But in connexion with all this, allow nme to remark that neither superintendents, agents, nor formal contractors nor commissioners, can be effective
without the presence and co-operationl, for some timre, of a strong and
active military force; it should be well mounted, and composed of those
hardy -ard. adventurous pioneers and mountain  umen who are to be fboud,




Doe. No   o                             1413
upon our frontier, and should always be comrmanded by an officer well
acquainted with Indian character and warfare.  The officer commanding
against those Indians should be vigilant, prompt, and  energetic; undaunted by any difficultes or. obstacles, Ihe should pursue them through
their mountain haunts and wild retreats, and never desist until he has
visited their first infractions of their treaty with severe and speedy punishment.  Eveiy day we hear of fiesh acts of outrage being committed
by those Indians; and our government has so long delayed its punishment that they now believe they can commit any depredations with impunity, and will hardly go through with the formality of making a treaty.
A timely interference and check imposed now by our government might
prevent, at comparatively a small cost, those massacres and terrible scenes
of bloodshed which will undoubtedly ensue if those Indians are permitted
to. go on and add to their strength by combinations of the different tribes,.and which would entail upor our government a succession of military
-operations more protracted and more expensive than the famous Florida
war.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
HUGH N. SMITH.
To ORLAN.DO  B RoWN, Esq,,;
Com/ is27siorner of Indian Affairs, W asingtbn city, D. C
No. 34.
Blxhtract of a, leter from John.    to/ins, esq.,  /c'ling as special agent
for United Sta.tes  for'Teas Indians; daeCd Aus'int Nlovember 2) 1850.
I had the honor to report from  this plt'e, under date of September 30,
that, in consequence of the failure of the Comanche Indians to meet me
in council on the 21st of September, I was then on m y way to the' Clear
Fork" of the Brazos to -seek them, aRd if possible, learn their intentions
and true position.
At forts Grahamn and Gates (posts in. my route) I obtained an escort of
twenty men, under the commLand of Lieutenant Alvoird, of the army,
which, together with eleven Delaware Indians employed by me, gave me
a force sufficiently large and efficient for my purposes.
On the fifth day fom Fort Graha.m, and about onehundred and twenty-five miles from that post, I found the Comanche chiefs Catumpsey and
Little'Wolf, and portions of their people.  They were at first greatly
frightened; but the assurance that no violence was intended soon removed
their fears, and they collected around me or a "' talko9  As soon as I informed them  of the object of my visit, and-their supposed unfriendly
disposition and conduct, they expressed the strongest desire to be considered friends, and readily agreed to meet me again as soon as I succeeded in findin g Buffalo Hump and Shanaco, the other chiefs of the
Southern Comnanches.  In order to show7 their sincerity, they sent a young
Comanche captain along to assist m e in my search for.the other chiefsa thing unprecedented among the Comanches, arnd illustrative of ther
confidence in my statements.  Within the three following days I found
Buffalo Hump and Shanaco, (Comanche,) and Alraquash;  a chief among




144                         Doe. No. 1.
the Waccoes; and on.the fifth I met the four Comancaes and the Wacco:
chief, their headmen, and captains, in iouncil.
I stated to them that on account of their absence from my councils, their:
many thefts and occasional murders, it had been inferred that they had
abandoned the treaty of 1846 and determined to be hostile.  I recounted
the many reasons that existed for supposing them unfriendly, and told
them that the government had determzined not to submit to this state of
things any longer, but intended, unless satisfactory explanations and
atonements were made, to marke war upon them immediately. I informed
thel   that I did not come anmong them at that time to make accusations
or to adjust difficulties, but to advise them of their true positions and interest, and invite them once nmore and for the last time to meet me in
council.  That unless they did this, brought in the stolen horses, the
men who committed the murder at Craig's trading-house, and come fully
prepared to treat in relation to the many Mexican prisoners among them,!
troops would be immediately sent into every part of the Indian country.
Buffalo Hump, for himself and the rest, replied that the talk was very
good; and that, although it was very plain and not such as they had been
accustomed to hear, yet it was not offensive, as he believed it to be trueand warranted by the circumstances; that there had been many violations
of the treaty on both sides, and it was better either to renew and abide by
the treaty, or to disregard it altogether; that his people had been on the:
Rio Grande occasionally in small numbers, in company with other Indians, against his wishes and in violation of his express orders; but as some
of them had very properly been killed, he hoped it would be a lesson to
the rest; that he and his people generally were friends, truly so, but thatthey had bad men among them whom they could not control, and he hoped
the innocent would not be made to suffer in common. with the guilty;.,
that on account of the difficulties on the Rio Grands, and west generally,
and. information received, through the agents of George Barnard, that all
Indians found west of the'Colorado would be attacked indiscriminately,
they had fled to the Brazos, where they were informed there was no war
and they would be safe; that they had been anxiously waiting for some
time to learn the disposition of the government towards them, and the
course intended to be adopted; that Catumpsey had visited the tradinghouse of Barnard and requested him to write and send me a letter; that he
was afraid to meet me at the treaty appointed, and that all the southern Comanches were ready and anxious to counsel with me at any time and
place appointed by me.
It was agreed, therefore, and they most solemnly pledged themselves, to
meet me on the 19th of the present month, on the Rio San Saba, together
with all their people, in a general council, where we would honestly and
faithfllly try to adjust all differences. He promised to notify all Indians
that he could possibly see, and to meet me with at least eight hundred
persons.
As my escort was provisioned for thirty days from Fort Graham, eight
days more than was necessary, I gave the Indians eight days' rations for
thirty men, and they went away seemingly in improved spirits and with
every manifestation of an intention to comply literally withltheir promises.
I do not of course know positively that they will meet me, or, if they do,
that existing difficulties can be reconciled; yet, from all I can see and
learn, I believe they will attend, and that I shall succeed in renewing fully




Do, No  1. I4
the treaty of Messrs. Butler & Lewis.  There are many countercurrents,
adverse interests, bad men and influences, to contend against, but I SHALL
SUCCEED IN PREVENTING A WAR.
I also saw the Caddoes and their associate bands, who expressed much
anxiety about their situation and a determination to attend the treaty.
The Lepans had been before notified.
The Wichetahs, Tonkaways, and Keechers, I did not see.  They are,
as I am informed, somewhere on Red river, and have formed a general combination for the purposes of plunder.  It is this combination that does
most of the horse-stealing along the frontier.  I do not expect them  at
the council, and consider them beyond my control.:'  
Since the 1st day of September I have travelled over eleven hundred
miles, most of the time without roads, or other provender than the dry
grass for miy horses; slept in houses only once or twice, and counselled
eight times with the different bands of Indians; yet I have not seen, nor
do I know the feelings of, one-half the Indians belonging properly to this
agency.  I can only say, therefore, in relation to the Indians I have seen,
that they are all certaillly friendly, except a small portion of the Comanchles
and that they may be controlled by judicious management.
It is known to the department that it will be necessary to feed these Indians during the treaty, and to make them some presents.  In order to do
this, I have engaged sixty beeves and three hundred bushels of corn, to
be delivered on the ground; and I a.m  now  on my way to San Antonio
to procure such presents as I may'be able to purchase there.' I go to Saa
Antonio also for the purpose of inducing General Brooke, if possible, to
attend this treaty, as the Indians express an ardent wish to see the' Big
Captain;'' and the appearance of himself and staff among them would
Bo doubt exert a most powerful and salutary influence.
A.
DEPARTMiENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Qfice of Indian Affairs, October 25, 1850.
GENTLEIMEwN: I have been offcially notified of your appointment as.
rcolmmissioners to negotiate treaties with the several Iildian tribes in the
Territory of Ore, con bfr the extinguishimelt of their claims to lands lying
west of the Cascade mountains, under the act of 5th June last," and ana
directed by the Honorable Secretary of the Interior to prepare appropriate
instructions for your observance in'the discharge of the duties of your
office.
Such instructions must necessarily be of a general character. That Territory having been but recently organized, the files of this office do not as
yet afford sufficient material for detailed information to guide you.
Your commissions were forwarded to you on the 12th August last, and
I have now to informn  you that your compensation will be at the' rate of
eight dollars per day fbr every day you may be necessarily engaged in the
performance of the duty assigned you; and you will also be allowed ten
cents per mile for every mile you may be required to travel while occupied
in making treaties and in travelling to and from the place or places where
you nmay be called,,
10




146                           Doec,  No. 1.'It is impossible for this office to tell how many interpreters or other assistants you may require.  This must be left to yourselves, bothi as to
numbers and amount of compensation to be paid, but with the suggestion that as much economy as is consistent with a proper and efficient
discharge of your duties be used.  The necessary travelling expenses of
your employes will be paid.
As before remarked, the information in the possession of this office is
so limited that nearly everything must be left to your discretion beyond
what is here communricated; and even that may'be found by you to be
somewhat defective.
The tract of country lying west of the Cascade.mountains, extending
to the Pacific ocean, reaches from 420 to 49~,and has considerable width,
It is inhabited by numerous tribes of Indians, many of them  small in
numbers, and others conlprising two, three, and four hundred warriors;
some at the.extreme south, and others at the extreme north.  There are
some ten or twelve of them.  Our knowledge on that subject is not very
accurate.  it rests mainly upon the observation of those who have resided there temporarily-some of themy fr two or three years.  The locality of these is not well known.  Some of them live by fishing; others
by hunting, in part; others in part from  the supplies heretofore received
fromn the Hudson's Bay Company in the course of their trade.  Most of
themn are doubtless of a peaceable disposition, acquired by long habit of
intercourse with American and British traders; others of them are more
wild and fierce in their temper and disposition, and will require great discretion and prudence in their management.  It is understood that one or
other of these tribes, great or small, east of the Cascade mountains, set
up claims to every portion of the territory.  The rights of the several
tribes you will, of course, inquire into.
The inhabitants complain that they have been there for several years
arid have been obliged to make settlements, improvements, &c., &c., and
not one of them can claim  a perfect title to any portion of the soil they
occupy.  It is indispensable that this question be settled in some form or
other.  The object of the government is to extinguish the title of the
Indians to all the lands lying west of the Cascade mountains, and; if
possible, to,provide for the removal of the whole from the west to the east
of the mountains; but should you fail in inducing the whole to remove,
you will then induce as many as you can procure acquisitions of territory
from; but no effort should be untried to procure the removal of the
whole, thereby leaving the country free for settlement by the whites.  It
will probably be best fbr you to treat first with the Indians in the white
settlements, particularly in the Willamette valley, and to treat separately
with each tribe; but of this you will be best able to judge.  As to the
quantity of land to be acquired, and the price per acre to be paid for it, it
is impossible for this office to form even a conjecture; the quantity mrust,
of course, depend on the number of treaties made-upon estimates of the
rights of the Indians to the soil ceded by them.  As to the price to be
paid, that will depend on the locality of the land with reference to its
value to the United States, if it be possible to make such distinctions;
but if not, you will be governed by your own discretion.  It is presurned
the lands to be ceded will not be found to be of any very great value,
and in mnany cases it is presumed the consideration will be merely nomi-al; but in others, where the land. is of more value, of course a greater




Boc. No. L                               147.
sunm wilt be allowed.  The maximum  price given for Indian lands has
been ten cents per acre, but this   s bas  een for small quantities of great
value fioro  their contiguity to the States,  and it is merely mentioned to
show; that some importantconsideration has always been. involved when
~so large a price has been given.  It, is not for a moment supposed that
~any such consideration can be involved in any. purchases to be made by
you, and it is supposed a very small porticn  of that price will be required.
in estimating the value of the lands Jeded, you will fix on a gross
amount, in money, to be paid for it, on whici h       an ann.uity of a sum not.
exceeding five per cent. will be paid; and it is ex-temely desirable that
the whole annuity be absorbed, by treaty stipulation, in objects beneficial
to the Indians, and that no part of it shall be pad to them  in money.
Tlhe objects provided for should be agricultural assistance, employment of
blacksmiths and mechanics, frfamers to teaecl   them   how cultivate the land:
physicians, and, above all, ample provision for purposes of education.
After providiiog for these objects, if any portion of the money remains, it
should be stipulated that it be paid in goods, to be delivered to thern annually in tnheir own country.
In effecting the removal of the Indians from the west, it will be necessary to provide a new home for them  among their brethren on the east of
the mountains.  This, of course, must be done,) and it is to be hoped it
it may be effected peaceably, and at little cost to the United States.
Whether it will be necessary for you to enter into treaty negotiations with.
these eastern Indians for this object, you will be best able to judge when
the whole subject is brought before you.
To carry out the objects of the commission, the sunm of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) can be applied; of this aiount, five thousand dollars ($5,000) will be invested in goods, suitable for presents to the Indians.
which vill be sent around Cape Horn, and the balance, fifteen thousand.
dollars, ($15,000,) will be placed in the hands of the first-named of your
board, Governor Gaines, with which he will be clharged, and for which.
he will account by regular accounts and vouchers; and as the treasury
has funds at San Francisco, drafts on that place will be enclosed to him.'Governor Gaines will also be charged with the sum  expended in'goods,
for which he will account upon the certificates of the board that they
have been used in carrying out the objects intended.
It was omitted to be mentioned in the proper place that you are authorized to employ a secretary, whose compensation will be at the rate of five
dollars ($5) a day, and ten cents per mile for his necessary travelling expenses.  It is not, however, supposed that the whole time of a secretary
will be required; and you will therefore restrict 1is employment only to.such times and upon such occasions as you may find necessary.
Very respectfully, your obedient se-rant,
A, S. LOUGHERY,
Acting Commnissioner.
EFIs Excellency Jr. P. GIxns, and Messrs. AL,o  H. SKINNER and
BEVERLY S. ALLEN, Comnmissioners,.




48                            Doc. No. 1.
B.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTRI iOR.;
Office Indian Affairs, July 20, 1 50':
SIR: I have been officially notified of your appointnment as superliatendent of Indian affairs for the Territory of Oregon, under the act of the
5th ultimo, creating that office, and am directed by the Hon. Secretary of
the Interior to prepare appropriate instructions for your observance in the
discharge of the duties of your office.
Such instructions must necessarily be of a general character.  That
Territory having been but receAtly organized, the files of this office do
not, as yet, afford sufficient material for more specific details than those
formerly given,to Governor Lane, (a copy of which you will filnd among
the accompanying papers;) and circumstances may require an occasionlM:
departure fromn or modification of, any general code of instructions emanating from a point so remote from the scene of action as this.  On thispoint, much is left to your own discretion  and better judgment, wheir
your superior local knowledge will have enabled you. to act more advisedly
in the premises; but such departures, if any, you will report at once to,
this office, in order that it may be constantly advised of the state a.nd
progress of' Indian affairs in your superintendency.
The instructions, then, to the late ex-officio superintendent will serve
for your general guidance until the departmaent is in possession of further
information upon which to base others more in detail; and in view of lhis
desirable object, it is both hoped and believed that you can do much,
towards furnishing such information, in a short time after your arrival in
the Territory,'and that the department will not rest for any great length of
time under its present embarrassing want of reliable statistical knowledsge,
of Indian affairs in Oregon.'he above-mentioned paper, taken in connexion with the report of'
Governor Lane, (a copy of which is also herewith enclosed,) will serve
at least as an outline for your initiatory action, and until further instructed.
by that practical experience and observation from which, as before men-.
tioned, much is anticipated.
Among the papers enclosed you will find. the regulations for the prevention and suppression of the whiskey trade among all Indian tribeso.
Governor Lane speaks of this traffic as being carried on " by vessels.
coming into the Columbia, and particularly at Baker's bay and Astoria.'
It is doubtless introduced at other points; and, as the country becomes,
more densely settled, the evil, it is apprehended, will be greatly increased.O
The suppression of this traffic has always been considered by the government as one of the most important measures for the civilization of theIndians, and every effort has been made throughout the whole indian.
country to keep it beyond their reach.  I beg leave, therefore, to call:
your particular attention to this branch of your duties, and to urge upon
you to enforce a strict compliance with the laws and regulations, alnd,  by
every effort in your power; endeavor to put a stop to this deplorable eviL.
You will find in the intercourse law (a copy of which I enclose) full
power to enable you to discharge this duty.
It has been represented that most of the goods that have been given tothe Indians of Oregon have been purchased of the Hudson's Bay Company, thereby conveying to the Indians the false impression that they'




)oc. No. 1.                             149
were conferred by persons belonging to a foreign government.  It is to
be hoped that this has not been done to an extent to produce, as yet,
much bad effect; but as it is adverse to the policy of our Indian relations, as well as injurious and insulting to our government, to cause
thec  people to believe themselves the recipients of foreign gratuities, I
wrould suggest that you make all your purchases from American citizens
when practicable, and embrace every opportunity to impress on the Izdians that it is the American government, and not the British, that confers upon them  these benefits.  The Indians should also be prevented
fromr crossing the line into the British possessions.  The Hudson's Bay
Company has so long wielded an undue influence over all Indians within
lheir reach, that you may perhaps find it a difficult miatter to carry out
~these views; but perseverance will no doubt finally effect it, or at least go
far towards correcting the present condition of affairs.  Under no circunm-:stances should the company be permitted to have trading establishments'within the limits of our territory; and if any such establishments now
exist, they should be promptly proceeded with in accordance with the
requirements of the intercourse law.  In this connexion, it is proper to:mention that it is the policy of the government, as far as possible, to avoid
the payment of money, by way of presents or otherwise, to Indians; they
are wasteful and improvident, and but rarely expend money for any useful object; they should receive nothing but what will tend to their happiness' and comfort.
The President has appointed two agents, as authorized by the recent
law, viz: Anson G. Henry and Henry H. Spalding.  They are required
by the act to perform such duties as you may assign to them, and will be
directed to report to you for this purpose.  The first thing to be considered is their proper location, so as to give the greatest efficiency to their
labors.  It is presumed you will find it best to place one of them east
and the other west of the Cascade mountains.
It is desirable that this office should be advised as to their locations, the
limits of each agency, and the name, strength, condition, &c., of each
tribe, as early as possible.  A copy of your instructions to each age'nt
-should also be forwarded as soon as practicable.
A great and important object to be attained, and which must be done
mainly by the agents, is the reconciling of all differences among the
Indians themselves.  The agents should represent to the Indians that their
Great Father, the President of the United States, enjoins it upon them to
live in peace and harmony, and that they must shake hands and live like
brethren together.  The best way to accomplish this is by inducing bands
hostile to each other to enter into written treaties of peace and amity,
stipulating to preserve friendship among themselves and towards the
whites, and to refer all their misunderstandings and differences to the
umpirage of the proper representatives of the United States government.
Great efforts should also be made among the Indians to induce them to
engage in agricultural pursuits, to raise grain, vegetables, and stock of all
kinds.  It would not be amiss to encourage them by the promise of small
premiums, to be awarded to those who raised the greatest quantity of produce, horses, oxen, cows, hogs, &c.-the presents which may be given
to them from time to time might be applied to this object.
The agents under your supervision will find among the Indians Christian missionaries of various sects and denominations, differing in some




t150                          Doc,. No  1
articles of form, and fait'ht but all engaged in the great and good work of
extending the blessings of Christianity to an ignorant and idolatrous
people, and of civilizing and humalnizing tle -wildl and ferociouns savage.
The otrtodoxy of any of these missionaies is  not to be tested by the
opinion of the Indian agent, or any oiher officer of the government10nolne
of these can rightfuilly be the propagandist of any sect, or the oficial judge'
of any article of Christian faith. Al, therefore, who are intrusted with
the care of or  Indian relations in Oregon, are instructed to give the
benevolent and sel sacrn.scing teachers of the Christian religion whom
they may find there equal aid, countenance, and encouragement, and that
they merit their good will by uniform  kindness and concession to all —
leaving them free alike to use such means as are in their power to carry
out the good work in which they are respectively engaged.  The rapid
increase of our population, its onward march fron the Missouri frontier
-westward, and from the Pacific  east, steadily lessening and closing up the
intervening space, renders it certain that there remains to the red man but
one alternative —early civilization, or gradual extinction.  The efforts of
the government  Jill be earnestly directed to his civilization and preservation; and we confidently rely upon their Christian teachers, that., in connexion with their spiritual mission, they will aid in carrying out this
policy; that, stationed as they are among the various Indian tribes, they
will use all their influence in restraining their wild, roving, and predatory
disposition, and in teaching tlhem the arts, and bringing them to the habits
of civilized life.
If this can be attained; if they can be taught to subsist, not by the
chase merely-a resource which must soon be exhausted —but by the
rearing of flocks and herds, and by field cultivation, we may hope that
the little remnant of this ill-fated race will not utterly perish from the
earth., but have a permtanent resting- place and home on some part of our
broad domain, once the land of their fathers.
lt is represented that the missionaries exercise great influence over the
Indians of Oregon, and no (ioubt could be made powerful auxiliaries in.
carrying out the policy of the United States.  To this end. it might not
be amiss to let them know, in such manner as the delicate nature of the
communication may suggest to -you, that the government, whilst affording them every possible facility and protection, expects in return their aid
and co-operation in executing its laws. The happiness of the Indian is
the common  airmof both, and, the extension of our laws and regulations
over them being for their own welfare, this class of philanthropists could
not more effectually advance their own humane intentions than by inculcating obedience on the part of their wards, at the same time instructing
them that they are solely dependent on this, and not on the British government, and must adhere To it alone; and that, with a sincere desire to
protect and favor those who abide by its laws; it has also the strength and
disposition to punish those who infiinge them.
The governor of the Territory, who has, until the passage of this law,,
been ex officio superintendent of Indian affairs, is in possession of all
documents, books, papers, public money, and property belonging to the
superintendency. Hle will be notified of your appointment, and requested
to turn over to you everything pertaining to your office. From him you
will probably receive miost, if not all, the important papers accompanying




D.   No. 1T                               151,
this communication; yet, as a matter of precaation, duplicates are herewith furnisheed.
The sum of $20;000 will be advanced to you froma the treeasury, to be
applied as follows:
Buildings Lor superintendent and three agents              ~           5, 000
Salary of superintendent, one year        *          -                  2) 500
Salary of three agents, one year, 1t,500 eacl.-          -        -   4, 00
Pay of interpreters' presents, provisions to Indians visiting the.
agernces, contingent expenses, emlracing necessary travel in
the Indian country on business, house-rent, filel, stationery,
collecting  statistical information, &c. -               -            8000
20, 000
Thie item for building is intended to embrace your own and the houses
of the agents; but, as yours will probably be permanent, the largest porticn of the sum  may be thuns applied, not, holever, to exceed.A, 000.
As it will probably be some time'before the agents are permanently located
and their agencies arranged, tbut a sinall sum will suffice to put up temporary residences fbr them..  In this, however, as in other matters, much
must be left to your ijdgmnent and discretion, keoping in view that the
sum appropriated fbr the' w-hole object must not be exceeded.
Your own salary and those of the agents will be paid quarterly.
The amount set apjart for provisions, presents, contingencies, &c, is
not divided into specific itemsl for the reason that it would be impossible
to designate how much should b.e expended for any one. of them.  The
sumt is a much larger one than is usual in such cases, or supposed to be
necessary for the objects specified; but the distance to your superintendency being very great, it is advanced to you as a measure of precaution;
and it is perhaps needless here to enjoin on you the greatest economy in
its disbursement.
Your official bond has been received, and is approved.  YouLr salary
commenced on the 1st instant, the day of its execution.
You will please communn icate with the departm-ent as frequently as
occasion and opportunity may offer,  and, in return, you will, from  time
to time, receive su.ch additional instructions as the public service may
seem to require.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. LEA, Cormnmissioner,
ANSON DART, Esq.,
Superintendent Indian Affairs, Oregon Territory.
~.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Office of Indian Affairs, October 15, 1850.
GENTLEMEN:  I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a letter
from the Secretary of the Interior, by which you will find that your functions and salaries as Indian agents are suspended, and that you are ap



152s~ ~                       apc.  Doe.Noe
pointed, with the sanction of the President, commissioners c' to hold treaties with various Indian tribes in the State of California,. as provided in
the act of Congress approved September 30, 1850.  Your commissions
are also enclosed.
Your compensation as provided by law will be eight dollars per day for
every day you are actually employed, and ten cents per mile for your
travel, by the usually travelled route to your place of destination.  After
your arrival in the country in which your duties lie, you will be allowed
your actual travelling expenses from place to place lwhere duty may call
you. 
You will be allowed a secretary, to be appointed by you after your arrival in California, whose compensation must not exceed five dollars per day
for his services, and his actual travelling expenses will be allowed.'It is
not probable that his services will be required for the vwhole time continuously, and you wtill therefore employ him only for sucl time as may'be
actually necessary.
The services of interpreters will be indispensable in your negotiations,
You are'therefore authorized to employ such number and for such periods
as you may find requisite  confiningig yourselves to the smallest number,
for the shortest periods and f6r the lowest compensation that competent
persons can be obtained for.  These precautions of economy are made.solely with reference to the small amount of the appropriation, when compa re.d with the great object to be attained.
The first-named gentleman  of your board) beineg present, has been intrusted with the duties of disbursing agent of the commission, and the
sum of $25i000o the whole amount of the appropriation —has been placed.
in his hands bor disbursement.  The other two commissioners, together
with all other expenses of the commission, will be paid by him.
You will find, on your arrival in California,  Adam Johnson, esq., subagent at aSan Joachim, from whoml yOu will doubtless receive much valuable information, as his residence in the country.or considerably more
than a year has enabled him to collect a great deal relating to the Indian
tribes  their location, their manners; habits, customs, disposition towards
the whites and each other, and the extent of civilization to which they
have arrived.
Mr. Johnson will be directed to afford you all the aid in his power and
give you all the information in his possession that may be of use to you in
the discharge of your duties.
The department is in possession of little or no informatioh respecting
the Indians of California, except what is contained in the enclosed copies
of papers, a list of which is appended to these instructions; but whether
even these contain sufficient data to entitle them to full confidence will be.for you to judge, and they are given to you merely as points of reference.
As set forth in the law creating the commission, and the letter of the
Secretary of the Interior, the object of the government is to obtain all the
information it can with reference to tribes of Indians within the boundaries' of California, their manners, habits, customs, and extent of civilization,
and to makel such treaties and compacts with them  as may seem just and
proper.  On the arrival of Mr. McKee and Mr. Barbour in California, they
will notify Mr. Wozencraft of their readiness to enter upon the duties of
the mission. The board will convene, and, after obtaining whatever light
may be within its reach, will determine on some rule of action which will




Doc. No. 1.                            153
be mtost efficient in attaining the desired object, which is by all possible
meansto conciliate the good feelings of the Indians, and to get them to
ratify those feelings by entering into written treaties, binding on them
towards the government and each other.  You will be able to judge
whether it will be best for you to act in a body, or separately in different
parts of the Indian country.
It is expected that you will keep a journal of your daily proceedings,
and report fully to this office everything that occurs in your operations.
Copies of these reports you will forward from time to time, the whole to
be reserved by you for a general report, accompanied by such treaties as
you may make, when your mission shall have been brought to a close.
Another commission has been authorized, consisting of Messrs. C. S.
Todd, Robert B. Campbell and Oliver P. Temple, to procure information
and make treaties with the Indians on the borders of Mexico. Should
you meet at any time, which is scarcely to be expected, you will cooperate and act in concert, so far as may. be agreed on between you; and
it is requested that whenever this may be the case there will be no misunderstanding as to your relative powers or collision in your understanding
of your relative duties, it being regarded that each board is independent of
the other; and it is expected that all intercourse between them  wil be
harmonious.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. S. LOUGHERY,
Acti.ng Commzissioner.
REDICK MCKE E, G:EO. W. BARBOUR, and 0. M. WOZENCRAFT,
Conlmnissioners.
P. S.-Since writing the above, a telegraphic communication has been
received from Mr. Wozencraft, at New Orleans; and he has been notified
through the same channel that his commission and a triplicate of these in-:structions will be sent to him at that place.
D.
DEPARTiMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
OQfice of Ildian Affairs, October 15, 1850.
GENTLEMEN: You have been appointed by the President of the United
States commissioners to procure information, collect statistics, and make
treaties with the Indians upon the borders of Mexico, as provided for in
the act of September 30, 1850.
Your compensation will be at the rate of eight dollars per day for every
day you are actually engaged, and ten cents a mile for your travel from
your places of residence until you land in Texas; after which, you will
be allowed your actual travelling expenses whilst in the discharge of your
duties, of which you will keep an account, to be paid upon your own certificates.
You will be allowed a secretary, to be appointed by yourselves, whose
eompensation xA11 be five dollars a day, with the same allowance for
travelling expenses as in your own case.
You will probably find it necessary to employ many interpretexs, the
aumber of whom and rate of compensation are let entirely to yourselves.




JL                             ThDOC.'o o. 1.
The amount.appropriated by Congress for this object i       is 30,000, wvhich
sum  wil;l be ipaced in your hands to meet the objects of your.mission,;
and can in no eventi' be exceeded.  Armong the expendii-res  T l wlih the
law contem-plates and requires, is the bestowing of presents t upon tihe Indians, the amount and character of which are let entireily to youir own
judgment and discretion.
As you will perceive by the law, the object of the governm-ent is to collect statistics and make  treaties with the Indians residing within tie limits of the United States upon the borders of Mlexico.
The inquiries intended to be embraced in statistics Ymust necessarily
take a very wride range, including every variety of information that can
be obtamied.  A few of tie points of inquiry I will endeavor'to enumerate.
1. The probable nurber   of tribes, their divisions,  subdivisions, and.
friendly or warlike relations with each other and towards thle United.
States and the whites generally.
2. Their several localities, natural boundaries between theimi, &cc.
3. The number in any one locality, embracing one or more tribes,.
which -would seemn to require a full agent, and at what points agencies.
should be established.
4. At what points sub-agencies would answver in the place of fall agencies, and what tribes shlould be included in the same.
a. What rate of compensation should be allowed for agents, and what
for sub-agents.
6. Will it be necessary for governmnent to construct agency-houses at
the different points; and, if so, the probable cost of each.
T. What number of interpreters and other employes will be required
at the several points, and what should be the rate of compensation paid
them.
8. What amount of presents should be distributed, and of what descriplion.
These, however, are collateral branches of your inquiries, which should
embrace everything relating to the characters of the several tribes: their
manners, habits, customs, mode of living —whether by agriculture, the
chase, or otherwise;  the extent of their civilization, their religion or religious ceremonies —whether Christian or Pagan; what their religious rites;:
whether marriages are held sacred among them, and whether a plurality
of wives is tolerated.  To these inquiries you will add everything relating
to the character and history of the Indians that it may be in your power
to collect.
It is also desired that you will inform yourselves fully of, and embrace
in your report everything relating to, the country itself-its topography,
its general resources; whether as containing minerals, or adapted to cultivation; by whom the several portions of country are claimed; if by Indians, the tenure by which they hold the land, or claim to hold it; if held
otherwise, by whom, under what grant or title, and your opinions as to;
the validity of such grant or title.
It is impossible, in the absence of more definite information than the
department is in possession of, to prescribe to you anything particular in
regard to your duties; and, as the law creating your comm-ission would itself imply, the object is to look to you for all the material to guide it in its




Doc  lo l0*
future action in conducting its Indian and other relations in that country,
The whole subject is left to you; and the foregoing rernarks are merely
thrown out as guides and landmarks to aid in conducting you to correct
conclusions.
You will find somewiehere on the borders of Mi)ex ico  i-he government
party engaged in the survey of the line between the United States and
Mexico.  In was cosa plate ated, as you will see by the enclosed copies of
letters from this ofice to the Secretary of the Interior, which contain the
basis of your action, that, at the time nf asking an appropriation by Congress, you s[hould act in concert with that party,  as affording facilities of
information and of personal safety that are all-important to you.  It is by
no means intended that there shall be any official obligation on you toform this connexion, but you will doubtless find it mlIchl to your advantage to do so.  Of this, however, you wAilt be better able to judge when
you reach the country and join the party.  You will be provided with
such letters to       -  Bartlett, esq., the head of the party, as will insure to you a hearty co-operation on their part to whatever extent you may
desire it.
You will find it necessary to procure an outfit of tents, camp utensils,.
horses for yourselves and party, &c., &c., and to employ such persons as
you may require as guards, hunters, &c.  These you will provide in your
own discretion, to be charged to the appropriation in your hands.  Should
any public property remain in your hands at the close of your mission..
you will dispose of it and  reldit the proceeds in your accounts.
I enclose copies of such letters and papers as may probably' be useful to
you-a list of which is annexed.
Another commission has been authorized, consisting of R. McKee..
George'W.  Barbour, and 0. M. Wozencraft, to make treaties with the Indians in California.  Should you meet at any time, which is scarcely to
be expected, you will co-operate and act in concert so far as may be agreed
on between you; and it is requested that, whenever this may be the case,.
there will be no misunderstanding as to your relative powers, or collision
in your understanding of your relative duties-it being understood that
each board is independent of the other, and all intercourse between thern:
will be harmonious.
It is desirable that you should, from time to time, report your progress
to this office accompanied by such views as you may deem of importance
or interest.  It is not expected, however, that you will make any formal
report until the close of your mission, when you will make a general one.
of all your proceedings, embracing your journal.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. S. LOUGHERY,
Acting Commisssioner..
To C. S. TOOD, ROBERT B. CAMPBELL               A
and OLIVER P. TEMPLE, Commissioners. 




156                           Doc. No. il
E.
To tAJ  Honorabl  Secretary of War, or thie Comrm'4sionler ~f Jdizia
Affairs.
SIR: I have the honor to report that soon after hmy arrival here, and as:soon as it was known among the numerous tribes of Indians bordering
Ihe settlements that the governor had arrived, they locked in —chiefs,
headmen, warriors, and  in  many instances entire bands-expecting
presents; making known that the whites had promised, from time to time,
that when the laws of the United States were extended over Oregon, the
governor would biing themr blankets, shirts, and such other articles as
would be useful to them. At this time, I had received neither money nor
instructions from  the Indian department, and consequently was unprepared to give them anything.  Although they felt disappointed at not receiving presents, they evinced a feeling of friendship, toward us, and.generally expressed a desire to sell their possessory rights to any portion
of their country that our government should wish to purchase.  Early
in April I received ten thousand dollars, (one hundred and sixty dollars
less, cost of transportation,) a portion of which I have used for Indian
purposes.
Having no assistants, neither agents nor sub-agents, I found it necessary
to visit in person many of the tribes in their owicoulntry. In the month of
April I proceeded to the Dalles of the Columbia; called together the tribes
and bands in that vicinity, including the De Chutes river and Yacamaw
Indians; held a talk with them; made them some presents to the amount
of $200; and had the gratification, at the request of the chief of the Yacamaws, to bring about a peace between that tribe and the Walla-wallas,'who were at that time engaged in war.
These tribes, I was well pleased to find, were friendly and well disposed towards us; and, like the tribes bordering the settlements, anxious
to sell their lands.
Early in the month of May I received information of the murder of
Wallace at Fort Nesqually, on  Paget's sound, by the  Snow-qualimick and Skey-whamish Indians; and that the few American settlers in
that country were much alarmed for the safety of. their families, hourly
expecting to be attacked by these Indians, who had threatened to destroy
the settlements. At that time there were no troops in the country except
some eight men under Lieutenant G. W. Hawkins, of the rifles.
I' at once concluded to visit the Sound, and assist in putting the settlers'in the best possible condition to resist an attack, there being only ten
families in that section of the country.
I accordingly proceeded, in company with Lieut. Hawkins and five
men, taking with me muskets and ammunition to place in the hands of
the settlers. Fortunately, the day after my arrival at the Sounnd, I received
in express from  Major Hathaway, notifying me of his arrival at Fort
Tancouver with two companies of the ist'artillery, and of his readiness
to move if his services were required.
I hastened to inform the Indians, through Dr. Solmie, who has charge
of the Hudson's Bay Company's fort at Nesqually, of the arrival of our
forces, for the purpose of preventing further outrage until the troops (ould
move in that direction.




Doc. Noo L                              lot
A copy of my letter to Dr. Solmie is here given:
NEnw  iMARKET,  May I 7, 184F,
Sai: I have just-learned by express'that two companies of artillery
have arrived at Vancouver, by the United States steamer Massachusetts.
It was my intention to visit you at the fort, but owing to this fact I
have deemed it necessary to return without delay.  I have, therefore, to
make the particular request of you not to furnish the Indians with ammnunitioln, and to ask of you the favor to cause the hostile tribes who have
coimmitted the outrage to be informed that any repetition of the like conduct will be visited promptly with their complete destruction; that our
force, which will be immediately increased, is at this time amply sufficient for an immediate expedition against them; and that the moment I
am  informed that any injury has been committed by them upon our people, they will be visited by sudden and severe chastisement.
By makting this communication to them you will greatly oblige
Your obedient servant,
JOSEPH  LANE.
WILLIAM F. SOLMIEp Esq.1.  NesqJually.
When It wrote to Dr. Solmie, it was rmy intention; in the event that
Maj. Hathaway should establish a post near Nesqually, to visit the Souind,
have an understanding -with the Major, get his co-operation, and m ake a,
demand upon the chiefs f the above-mientioned tribes for the g-1iilty persons, to be tried and punished for the murder of an American citizen according to law.  But soon after my return, about the middle of June, I
received instructions, bearing date War Department, Office of.lndian Affairs, August 31, 1848; also, information of the appointnment of J'
Quinn Thornton, George G. Preston, and Robert Newell, of Oregon, subagents, to be employed,and reside in that T.erritory, and re-quiringi the.
performrance of certain duties therein specified.
It was intended that these instructions should reach mle at Slai.nt Loni
on my way out, but failed so to do, an-d were afterwards sent to California by Lieut. Beale, which accounts for their delay in reachinlg me.
Before these instructions came to hand I had seen most of the tribes
and bands bordering the settlements, collected such information as I supposed- would be useful, and made such small presents (per accounts and.
-vouchers) as in my judtgment were necessary to conciliatre their goo0d
will.
1 promptly handed to Thornton and Newell their appointments. They
executed their bonds and took the oath required, as will be seen by their
bonds, which have been forwarded.  Mr. Preston was then and is now'
absent from  the Territory, and, it is supposed, will not return.  I therefore, of necessity, divided the Territory into two sub-agency districts, and
assigned J. Quiinn Thornton to that part of the Territory of Oregon lying
north of the Columbia river, and Newell to the south of the Columbia;:
and on the p8th day of June the above-named sub-agents were furnished.
with their instructions touching the points imbodied in said cornmunication.
As I am anxious in this report to give a true and reliable statement of
facts just as they are, that the government may be placed in possession of'
a true history of our Indian affairs in Oregon, and as both the sub-aigent.




1V8                          Doc. No. 1,
have submitted lengthy reports, it will not, I hope, be considered improper for me to mentionFirst. That Mr. Newell is an old mountaineer, having spent ten years
in the mountains, (from  1829 to 1839,) where he followed trapping, by
which means he acquired a good knowledge of the tribes and their country.  From 1839 to the present time he has resided within the district to
which he is assigned to duty, and has-become well acquainted with the
Indians in the valley of the Willamette-speaks tolerably well the tongues
of several of' the tribes; and from hLis knowledge of the Indians and their
country, without visiting them or travelling over the country, has made
out and submitted his report, from which I make such abstracts as in my
opinion are of sufficient importance to entitle them to your consideration:
" The Shoshonee or Snake Indians inhabit a section of country vest of
the Rocky mountains; fromL the suummit of these mountains north Ralton
W.ind river mountains to Henry's fork, down Henry's fork to the mouthl:
of Leyis or Snake river, down the same to about forty miles below Fort
Hall, thence southerly to the great Salt Lake, thence easterly to the suminit, by way of the headwaters of Bear river.  These Indians are divided
into small b:ands, and are to be found scattered in the mountains, and are
called Diggers.  They are not hostile, and are poor and miserable. Small
bands of this tribe are scattered from the headwaters of Snake river to the
Grand Round-a distance of four or five hundred miles.  It is almost impossible to ascertain their exact number. The main band numbers about
700.  The total number of the entire tribe is about 2,000.  They subsist
principally upon fish, roots, grass-seed, &c.  They have a few horses, are
indifferently armed, are well disposed towards the whites, and kill but little
game. But little of their land is susceptible of cultivation, with the exception of that portion now occupied by the Mormons.
C' The Ponashta Indians occupy a large district of country south of Snake
river, from forty miles below Fort Hall to the Grand Round-south in the
direction of Salt Lake, and west towards the California mountains.  This
tribe is divided into small bands, and are so intermarried with the Sho-,shonees that it is almost impossible to discriminate between them.  The
Ponashtas predominate, however.  They are a warlike people, are poor,
have a few arms, and live principally by hunting and fishing.  They
-number about 80 warriors; total, 550.
" The Contenay Indians live partly in the British possessions and partly
in Oregon Territory. That portion of the tribe living in this Territory conprises about 400 souls, of whom 100 are capable of bearing arms, which
they procure from  the Hudson's Bay Company.  They have but little
land fit for cultivation; live by hunting, and have many horses.  Although they have no mission, they frequent the Calespelins, by which
means they derive some instruction from  Catholic missionaries there.
Total number 400.
" The Salish or Flat Head Indians occupy from Bitter Root river, a fork
of the Columbia, all the country drained by that stream down to what is
called the Hell Gate, a distance of probably 150 miles.  Their country is
narrow and broken-but little of it suitable for cultivation.  Total number
about 320, of whom lJ00 are warriors.  They till the soil in small qulantities on Bitter Root river, under the direction of the Jesuit mission; have
ihorses and cattle; are not inclined to rove, and are a brave and noble




Doc. No. 1.                             159
race, friendly to the whites.  They are well armed, and hunt buffialo annually.  32,0.
lThe Calespelin Indians are in two bands, and occupy a large portion of
country, co(mmenlcing below the ili/sh tribe and extending to near Fort
Colville and northeast aamong the lakes. They numIber over 1,200.  One
of these bands  have sm-all spots of good land, where they raise peas, potatoes, C&G. they also have some horses, cattle, and fine hogs; are friendly
and brave, i-adifierently armed, and live on fish, game, roots; &c. Tihey:hunt i'bul lo.  There is a Catholic mission in thleir country.  They number abo1t 450 w arriors.  I'olal ui)nmer;) li 200.';Thi'e Pouderas or Squiaelps occupy' the count-ry east of Colville; are
poor, flendly, tolerably well armied, and annually hunt buffalo.  They
num  ber abeout i!200) of whomL 450 are wvarriors.  Total,  200.
CThe  ett le Ft als or Colville Indians live betwxeen the (Galespelin tribe
and Fort Colville; above the small lakes  they are divided into two bands;
their total number amounting to 800, 1.00 of whom are warriors. They
have a few horses, no catie, are badly armed, well disposed, and live on
fish and roots. There is a Cathoic mission in their country. They have
some good lands' which are mostly occupied by the H3udson's Blay Cornpany.  Total, 80.S
"The C1curs dH'Ielene or Printed Hearts live between the Spokans and
Calespelins.  Their country is very fertile, and, under the direction of the
Catholic mission, they cultivate the same. They live on fish, roots, and,small game.  They hrave some few arms, and are friendly.  They num —
ber 500, of which 40 are warriors.
"The Spokan tribe occupy the country between Fort Colville apd Saaptin.''hey are divided into many bands, who are all friendly.  They.number about 1,000.  Previous to the Waillatplie massacres they had a.
mission among them, from which they received much information1 but it
is now vacated.  T'hey have been accustomed to receive small presents
from the Hudson's Bay Company. They are well armed, and live on buffalo, fish, and roots.  Total number, 1,(00.'The Oukinegans inhabit the country north of Fort Colville; are well
armed, and numnber about TOO.  They are well disposed towards the
whites.
"The Sempoils live on the Columbia, near the Kettle falls; are well disposed, but very poor.  They number about 500, have sorme horses, and.
a few guns.'They subsist on fish, roots, &c., &c.
ccThe iNeepercil Indians inhabit a large portion of country on the Snake,
Clearwater, and Salmon rivers.  They are an intelligent and good people,
and have very numerous herds of horses and cattle. A  portion of their
country is very good, on which they raise a variety of vegetables, &c.
They are kind to our people, and are well armed,'There has been a Presbyterian mission among them.  The total number of this tribe is estiiriated at about 1,500; some 400 of whom  are warriors, more or less under the influence of the Hudson's Bay Company.
"The Palvas Indians inhabit a section of country north of the Cayuse
tribe, and number about 300.  They have some horses and cattle; are
much scattered; indifferently armed; hunt buffalo, but live principall-upon fish, roots, and small game.  They are a quiet people, but are not
fond of the Americans; to some extent under the influence of the Hud.-,son's Bay Company.




160                          Doe. No. 1.' The Cayuse Indians inhabit the countrhy from the foot of the Blue
fmountains to within 25 miles of Walla walla.  They  are a ha-ughty,
proud, and overbearing people, as also very superstitious.  They have
large herds of horses and cattle, and live on fish, roots, berries, and gaime
They are well armed, and are, through fear, on amicable terms with the
whites.  Their band consists of about 800, 200 of whom are warriors.' The Walla-walla Indians possess the country on the Columbia, near
Fort Walla-walla; have large herds of horses and cattle, -and are well
armed, and friendly to the whites.  They number 1,000.  They cultivate
their soil in small quantities, but live principally on fish, roots, and berries.
They are considerably under the influence of the Hudson's Bay Conmpany.
b4 The De Chutes Indlians are a part of the Wascopaw tribe, and live
upon a river of that naine. Their country is poor, high, broke:n, sandy;,
and barren, yet it affords good grazing, their stock being in good order
the year round.  They are very poor, have but few  arms, are well disposed, and number about 300. They live on fish and berries.
T The'Wascopaw Indians number about 200, and live on the east side of
the Cascade mountains. Their soil is not good, and they have no disposition to cultivate what they have.  They are poor and thievish, and live
on fish, roots, and berries. There is a Catholic mission among them.
They are indifferently armed, and friendly to the whites.
" The Wrole Alley Indians range in the Cascade mountains, and claim
no land in the valley.  Their whole number is about 100-20 warriors.
They are a brave and warlike people, and not fond of the Americans.
They are well armed, and live principally by the chase.
"' The Clackalnas Indians live upon a river of that name, which eipties
into the Willamette one mile below Oregon City.  They number about
60, and are considered industrious.  They have but few  ar:ms, and are.
friendly.  They live on fish and roots.
"':The Willamette Indiins live upon the east side of the river of that
name, near the falls. They are an inoffensive people, have but very few
arms, and number in all about 20. The Willamette falls afford them a
fine fishery.
" Tr'he Clickitats claim  a small tract of land at the head of the Willamette valley, on the west side of that river. They own quite a numberof
horses; are well armed, brave and warlike, but on good terms with the
whites.  They live principally by the chase; number about  80, of whom
85 are warriors.' The Calipoa Indians are found on either side of the Willamette river.
rThey are a degraded, worthless, and indolent people.  They are poorly
armed, and entirely inoffensive; they live on fishL roots, and berries.
They number about 60.
" The Sualatine Indians occupy that portion of the country west of the
Willamnette river from its mouth to the mouth of Yam Hill, a distance of
60 miles; thence west to the coast range of mountains. They number
about 60 souls-30 of whom  are warriors.  They are a degraded, mnischievous, and thievish set.  They have but few arms.
c The Yam Hill indians are a small tribe who claim the country drained
by a river of that name, which is mostly taken up by the whites.  They
are poor, have a few horses, and are poorly armed, and are well disposed,
They number about 90-of whomn 19 are warriors.




Doco No  I 1:5rt'`t -e Stuck-a-nuier IndJians clainm all the counaitry drained?'? a stream.Q. o'ilat naimre west of thoe  Wilamette and soutll  of Yam Hlill  river.'hey atre
a part of the Calipoa tribe, anmd nuinber 15 in al —of' wtnomn 5'are.a vir
riors.'They are frieldl'- to the whites, very poor, an'd have'greatly dimnirishecd in the last few years.  Their soil is good   and is mr:ostly taken, up.,
by the whites.  They live on fish  rToots, &c..
C The Urmplqa Indians occupy a valley of  tnat amtie, a-10id a.:m;iBi. c; oIlt
scatteredo   Thiey live in small batnds' are p oorl, well disposed, well armed.
and live by the chas;e  as also on fisl, roots, <ts  ec.  T v  nambter ahoru<t
200. ~
IThe l   lat-sa-c iant  Indians inhTl-bit a parut of the range along te   coast
to t.,i:e Ctolumbia" 1rive, ilnorth of' the Killanlnuks and to thecoast, 
nu nlber about 300.
Tl e..latsop  1ndians claim a section of countrv cn the so itlh.sid-e of
t.- G olr i al at its nut ii? from  t Cape  L;okoni utl  O   t. e coast  t  o- As-'toria  subsist: prin'cipally' oin fish.  rThe  are:intelo ge.,t aond fe endl;, and':ch',1  clJ in'led to dissirpation.  T(ere, ae but few of -its t   olct o.-a. out
50is t  e extent o:f. thleir- nu l be-r. T' ie wites   oetipy': all iheir, pal.Lsie
lands.
Tie Cateia nIet [Indians claii      u tle eointrv on th  Cohl.aum)ia.u rie-f omn
Astoria about 3t) miles up the river.  F y-eigt,   i  ar  e'1-th,   are li  of a
~fonce large ban.J   They ar. Te e a good people; haveiLVn   lcand suse(ei^bile of
u.lttivatiol; subsist lupon fish. and aie jqitel poor'.' Tie l  Calooit tribe claim  the cou nt''r a bov  te the  alateimat;i'tri e-e;'    Oa
Point on the Columbia river.  They po osess  fo land sutiabile fei. a'.grictltural purposes.  T y  re pOc:p.riin-e aibou   t';00, ai.d.. 8-ihi.; -Ls    on ftI s
rootsI, and:fis.   Thev' ilave a, few armis.
PiI e, Wakiamucks, Namnanauim, and Nit a i,  are'an d.s s.-,2 parts of
bands that claiml the country from  (a. Point to lthe n            ft;tht,e the   illa-it
mtte,  incltuding \W'yath.'s island.  They havl    t  eco'e so   iuduced that
they have united, and. now live together or a1.ar each other. Nt umber        not.
Scond. Mr.l Tho.rnto'n resides in tiis city, wlherl   he- rceiv.x l.ed   is i astructionis,on the day above mentioned; and waT   urg'ed to proceed, to tlPa,
discharge of his duty.  On tthe 30oth of Julv he left this city for Puget 
"sounid, where he remained a short time.   Iie  s'a  some of the Indian.s.
rnd made them  a:few presents.  Frolm  Dr. Solmie,   clhief          d traderL of tl-e'
Hudson's Bay Coempany at IFort Nesqlual.y, he ieeived such in-rmiat
relative to the Indians    d their countri- as  e l has imbtodioi in  his r1eport.  He returned to this city  in August, andi siub:llitt., a statsti;   repo.t, giving Ithe name and number of each trilhe their hlabits,  dispositiono,
&.c.  From  this report aided rwith a knowledge: of' th;e Indians and their
cttitr y, obtained on my visit to the sound,  ancd fiotm such informatnot, as.
I have gathered from the Indians in that section, Lmany of' who:. hl1ave,.
visited me, I have nmade this portion of my report, which is as correct as
it could be made within the time ogiven.  Mir. Thornt.os  in  his report
omnits the mention of horses, property, and anrms of any of.e t  ribe s;
lbt as I have been  among several of them, and know- tkhemL    o b.e..ve_
aTaed, I havde made a statement accordinglsy
t i:'Jl: [lCk ldiams inhait the cIamc  s i   h t t ra.in:' of moiutahi.ls, s a ion,-.:'r.tc  of CO  i co'ir" Yi.
tsicseseiesc:l wih stma. l pr'ai'ies. They are not f^ricidly to thle whites,:i-. y xmtcer ribota- 4O
11I




162                       tDoc. No. 1.
The Macau or Cape Flattery Indians occupy the country about Capec
Flattery and the cpast for some distance southward and eastward to the
boundary of the Haalum or Nortatumn lands; number not ascertained, but
supposed to be 1,000; warlike; disposition towards the whites not known;
live by fishing and hunting.
The Wooselalim Indians occupy the country about Hood's canal, Dureginess, Port Discovery, and coast to the westward. Total number about
1,400, of whom  200 arev warriors; disposition not known; they raise a
few vegetables, but subsist principally by hunting and fishing.
The Shoquamish Indians occupy the country about Port Orchard, west
side of Whidley's island.. Total number about 500; well disposed; live
by fishing and labor; they have a few horses.
The Homamish, Hottunamish, Iquahsinawmish, Sayhaynamish and
gtitchafsamish Indians occupy the country from the narrows along the
western shore of Puget's sound; friendly and well disposed.  Total
aiumnber about 500; subsist by labor and fishing.
The Twanoh and Skokomish Indians live along the shore of Hood's
canal; number about 200; friendly and well disposed; subsist by labor
and fishing.
The Squallyamish, Puallip, and Sineramish Indians live about Nesqually, Puallip, and Sineramish rivers; number about 550; friendly and
-well disposed; live by labor and fishing.
The Sinahamish Indians live on a river of that name, and southern extremity of' Whidlev's island. Total number about 350; friendly and well
disposed; live by labor and fishing.
The Snoqualamick Indians live on the Snoqualamick river, a south
branch of the Sinahamish.  Total number about 350; warlike; inclined
to be hostile; live by fishing and hunting; well armed, and have a few
horses.
The Skeywhamish Indians live on the Skeywhamish river, a north
branch of the Sinahamish.  Total number about 450; have some armas;.
disposition doubtful; live by fishing and hunting.
The Skagats live on the'Skagat river, down to the ocean, towards the
north end of Whidley's island.  Total number about 500; friendly and
-well disposed; live by farming and fishing.
The Nooklulumu Indians live about Ballingham's bay. Total number about 220; warlike; disposition to the whites not known; live by
hunting and fishing.
The Cowlitz Indians live on the Cowlitz river, from its mouth to the
settlements.  They number about 120; they have a few arms; are well
disposed; have a few horses, and live by hunting and fishing.
The Chenooks live at Baker's bay.  Total number about 100; but few
guns; friendly to the whites; live by hunting and fishing.
The Quevoil and Chebaylis tribes, on the Chebaylis river. Total numhber about 300; well disposed; live by hunting and fishing.
The Kathlamit, Konick, and Wakanasceces Indians live about Kathland, Oak Point; and the fisheries upon Columbia river, opposite the
upper mouth of the Willametteq  Total number about 150; they are
friendly and well disposed; live by hunting, fishing, and on roots.
The Tilhalluvit Indians live about the Dalles on the north side of the
Columbia river. Total number about 200; live by hunting and fishing, and,
re frien. Ily.




Boc.   o.                                 163
The Wyryampamu Indians live'about the falls of the Columbia river, north
side.'lTotal nuimber about 130; warlike; well-disposed towards the whites;
live by hunting, fishing, and on roots.
The Yacamaws live on Yacamaw river, between the Dalles of the Columbia and the coast. This tribe are related to the Clicketats,  ho occupy
the country north of the Columbia, in the vicinity of Mount St. Helens.
T'ota  number of all about 1,500; warlike; well-disposed towards the
twhites have many horses; live by hunting and fishing.. There is a Catholic l iissionl  among the-m.
The Piscahoose Indians live on a river of the same name. Total number
aboutt 350. warik e; wrell-disposed towards the whites; live by hunting and
fisin-g.
I here take occas-on to introduce extracts from Mr. Thornton's report in
relation to his colrse in the affair of the murder of Wallace by the Snoqdua lamic  Indians.
"On  t.he 9th ultimo I arrived at Fort Nesqually.  I immediately proceeded to investigate the facts' connected with the killing of Mr. Wallace.
I senlt mnessenpgels to HTaughtickwymeim, head chief of th-e Snoqualamick
tribe. I advised hin to arrest the offenders and. deliver them over to Captai-n B. 1-1. H-ili aoc as an a  inducement offered to himr eighty blankets as a
rewtard, if this were done in three weeks.  I authorized Captain Hill, of
the Ist artillery, to double the vewa.rd, and to offer it in my name as subagent, if the murderers were not delivered up in three weeks."
in mny instructions to Mr. Thornton I said nothing about the murder of
Wallace, nor did I intend that he should interfere in the premises, as it
was my intention, on the arrival of the troops at Nesqually, to visit the
sound and demand the miurderers, and make the Indians know that they
should give them up for punishment, anld that hereafter all outrages should
-be promptly punished; being well satisfied that there is no mode of treatmient so appropriate as prompt'and severe punishment for wrong-doing.
It is bad policy, under any consideration, to hire them to make reparation,
for the reasons, to wit:
First. It holds out inducements to the Indians for the conmission of
murder by way of speculation; for instance, they would murder some
American,  and await the offering of a large reward for the apprehension of
the murderers.  This done, they would deliver some of their slaves as
guilty, for whom they would receive ten times the amount that they would
otherwise get for them..Second. It has a tendency to make them underrate our ability and inclination to chastise by force, or make war upon them  for such conduct,
wvhich  in my opinion, is the onlyproper method of treating.themn for such
olfenees.
A short time after Mr. Thornton's return to this. city, I received a letter
frotm Major Hathaway informing me that six Indians, charged with being
the principal actors in the murder of Wallace, had been brought in by the
Indians o' the Snoqualamick tribe and delivered to Captain HEill, 1st artillery, commanding the forces at Stirlacoomn,  ear Fort Nesqually.  Chief
Justice Bryant has gone to Stirlacoom for the purpose of holdillg a court
for their trial.  Althoughl I cannot approve the policy of offering so large
a reward under any circumstances, yet in this- case it had been done, and
I wTrote by Judge Bryant to Dr. Sollmie as follows:




j16 4'                               l3p, 64.
OREGON   IT  S tebe, IY.   o'.4'.
DEAR SIR: Chief Justice Briya.nt goes to the sound to try tihe six In-dia.ns
charged with the murader          l of1  hac W7a.ltace,  If tie  ncuians are fiou-d to be thle
guilty ones, the reward offered by b  the sub-agent, MI. 11-'Thio1to  -.ust be
pa d.  In that event you will please handl  the IndiaDs  iho arrest d alnd
broi:ught them in, the blankets promised thiem by the sub-agrent;'and forward the account for payment.
With great respect, I arm  sir, yIo7ur obedient serva.-t
JOSE PH1 LA.'B,
Ebr. SOL:.MIr.
A lew days after the  ie Jude left for Stinrlacoon. Solmie fmioswarded  is aci -
colunt for payrment, stting t-at on the Cdelive,   of the six Indilans tie
reward of eig.hty; bla.nkets iad been paid to tle Indians who aire.sted and
broughit them in; which a  ount I have d clined paving  until I cant ine(wo
Awhether they a:re the ruilty ones.
It will be seen that ther- e are withii'nr the T erritiory  fOre: 0'COn, so far as re.porLted; sxty-five tribes and bainds of Indians;  some   of thrm  are' lmeCr
banids and w ill soon becomeoe'extinct. c   T( tribes not mientioed in he
report will be noticed hereafter.'Th.irty tribes or bands live north of the
Colulmbia, and the remainder south of the Coinlabia.
There have been 1no conventional arrang'emenrts entered intp betureten
the whites and Indians which require the action of Congresse
The Indians are scattered over the entire''errritory; and fo tlhe purpose
of maintaining friendly relations withl; and piroper conatrol of them,:-I  would
respectfully recommend the followrinr  division of the T erritory for agency
purposes, to wit:
An agent to be located at or near the Grand Round, for the tribes a.rd
bands living south of the Columbia and east of the Cascade range to Fort
Boise; and a sub:a.gent to be located at or near Fort IHall for the tribos
between Fort.Boise anid the summnit of the Roceky mountains.
The Rogue river Indians, not above mrentioned, occupy the countly ol
both sides of Rogue river, from where thle road to California crosses, to the
mouth of the same, and on the coast.  They number solre 700 or 800;
they are a warlike and roguish  people, and have lately given much.
trouble to small parties of our people returning from the gold mines; have
succeeded in killing some, wiounding some, and robbing others, by which
mneans they have got. several thousand dollars of gold, many horses, and.
some gnas.  COwing to their recent success, it is to be feared that we
will have some trouble with these Indians.
A  sub-agency shouid be established as near this point as practicablesay on the Umpqnua — for all the tribes south of the Columbia, and west of
the Cascade range, and a garrison of one or two companies established in
their country for the protection of our people travelling in that direction.
In a recent trip which I made across the coast range of mountains, I
found on the.Yacona bay, which is about 160 miles south of the mouth
of the Columbia, the Yacona Indians, from which tribe the bay takes its
name.  They live along the coast, on both sides of the bay; are poor,
well disposed; live principally by fishing.  Numiber about two hundred.'here is no poiLnt in the Territory  where an agent is more required.
thatti at or near Puget s sound.  An agency shlo-1ird be established there,
mnd the Ragent should[ be promptly at his post.  The India-s are numer.



o1S; and some11   of'bi  t hem incslin,.ed to be troublesome,'bt, witl. th e serv ice
of' g'Jo  agent, they cotr4d  be managed  alind  madJe friendtly, i am;
inclined to tiak t'hat at, this ti0m  it is not,r;'spc ensaby/l necessary to
establs.h' any other agency iort h i of the Coltlmbia; the one at the sound
vuld have ci a a1.   of all the iribes on that side of the C'oltlbia.
One interp reer  to eacnh agen e y villA be required, whose services cannot
be procurned for the sum -fixed btoy l aw.
Tnhe folowintg amount will be necessary i)r the erection of
agency buildings, and fixtures, to eachf agency  -              -,500 O0
to r Fuel, stationery, and travelling expenses, to each aogency         80) 00
itF or p:esents to the Ind.ians,  necessair  to conciliate thteir
good will:o:t' the 1 Indians of the JColIm'bia, 1,0(0; to
nlose south of said river,  1,600            -       -       -      92 0 00
IFr provisions  r i i:nS, a.  sit   in a gaencis, to each
agency...-                               1 o 10000
It will be   ecessary   to alter the law, so as to raise the salary of t1le
agen its and in t rpie tetrs.
-You vwill plrceive, that tbhe figures above    de   re  above the pi es
heretofoe fixed by the 7law, of L(ong'ress; but from the high price of iabor;
prolvisions, &  c., i     f::eel onlidcent that the sums set down are not too  lage.
I w3ould call thie attientionr of te departme-t; to the fact that inr. Thornton thas resigned hlis offii-e of sub-ag:enlt ibr the i2d distrclt, and M\r. Ner ell
i absent from the Teri-t t7y 1-having,one to California: conseque4t.i,   I
am without an assistant.
The Cayuse -ntion rema.1in unpluished   or t mhe lmurder of the unlortu-:nate Dr. Whitman and. his fam-ily; the eyes of the surrounding nations
are upon us, watch1in.g  our movements in, relation to this cold-blooded
an       1 d1.          1 it t i-)e                   tt         as C - 
nmassacre, and if' the guilty-' be not pnished they will construe it a  a
license for thie  ost atrocious otltrage'   and scenes of a similar character
will be enacted by other tribes, who, by our example towards the guilty
Cayuse, w ill be incited to gra tify any malicious spirit with, the blood of
Americ:ns  and our suftering the g:ilty in this instance to escape a just
ptunishmr enti  will be to them an assurance of their own. safety.  Indeed,
the chiefs of some of the neighborrmg tribes have iniormled me that they
have already had difirculty in restranincg their tribe fromt joining the
Cayuses, and they are arnxious the murderers should be brought to punishment, as it woul-d deter their own bands fromr crime.
In concluding this report, I take the liberty to call your special attention
to the following extract from my message to the Legislative Assembly:''Surrounded as many of the tribes and bands now are by the whites,
whose arts of civilization, by destroying the resources of the Indians,
doom thenl to poverty, want, and crime, tile extinguishment of their title
by purchase, and the locating themi in a district refnoved from the settlements, is a measure of the most vital importance to them.  Indeed, the
cause of humanity calls loudly for their removal from  causes and influences so fatal to their existence.  This measure is one of equal interest
to our own people."
JOSEPH LANE.
t)jFF.IGE OF oSUPERTNI'TEN DENTr INDIANT AFFAIRS,
Territoory of Oregolx; Oregon i('ity,  October 13, 1849.
~ 




166                          Doe. Nos. 
Since writing the above, Chief Justice Bryant has returrned fromt fte
trial of the Indians charged with the rmurder of Wallace; and, atf myr re.
quest, the following report has been by him submiitted:
OREONT C ITY, October 10, 184'.
Sin: In compliance with your request to know the result of the trial of the
six Snoqualamiick Indians, for the murderof Wallace, in Aprtil  ast, I have
the honor to inforrm you, that in pursuance of the provisions of an act of the
Legislative Assembly for the Territory of Oregon, attaching the county of
Lewis to the first judicial district in said Territory, and appointing the first
Monday in October, at Stirlacoom, as the time and place of holding theb d strict court of the United States for said county, I opened and held said
court at the time and place appointed.  Captain B. F. Hill, of the 1st artillery U. S. A., delivered to the marshal of the -Territory six Indians of
the Snoqualamick tribe, given ulp by said tribe as the murderers of'Wallace,
namely: Kassass, Quallawort, Stullarrier, Tattau, Wlhyesk and Qua.tthlinkyne, all of whom were indicted for murder, a-nd the two first namyed,
Kassass and bQuallawort, were convicted and executed; the other ifurh
were found not guilty, by the jury.  Those who were found guilty, were
clearly so; as to three of the others that were acquitted, I was satizsied.
with the finding of the jury.  It was quite evident they were guilt.v in a.
less degree, if guilty at all, than those convicted.  As to the fourth, I had
no idea that he was guilty at all; there was no evidence against him, and
all the witnesses swore that they did not see hint during the afiray or
attack on Fort Nesqually.
It is not improbable that he was a slave, whom  the guilty clieifs thlat
were convicted expected to place in their stead, as a satisfaction tibr the
American murdered.  Two other Americans were wounded badly by
shots, and an Indian child, that afterwards died.  The effect produced by
this trial was salutary, and I have no doubt will long be renmembered by
the tribe.  The whole tribe, I would judge, were present at the execu.tion, and  a vast gathering of the  Indians from  other tribes on the
sound; and they were made to understand that our laws would punish.
them promptly for every murder they committed, and that we would have
no satisfaction short of all who acted in the murder of our citizens.
I learned that this'tribe is the most fierce and warlike of any on the
sound, and often go through other tribes in armed bands, and commit
murders, take slaves, and plunder.  I could not find that any blame was
attached to the officers at FortNesqually,orto the Americai-citizens who
were present.
To the. end that the trial might be conducted fairly, I appointed Judge
A. P. Skinner, whom you had engaged to go out to attend to their prosecution, district attorney for the time, and ordered that he be allowed for
his services $250; and I also appointed to defend them  David Stone,
esq., an attoiney also sent out by you to defend them, and I made an allowance of record to him for $250.  This compensation I deemed reasonable; they have had to travel two hundred miles from  their respective
homes, camp in the xyoods, as well as all the rest of us, and endure a great
deal of fatigue in the manner of travelling, in batteaux and canoes by
water.  Many of the grand and petit jurors were sunmmoned at a distance
of two hundred miles from their homes; and although the transportation
may have cost some more to the department than bringing the Indians




%ocl No. 1.                             167
into the more settled districts, and with them the witnesses,  with a sulffi
cient escort for protection, (which.  very much doubt,) yet  h have no
hesitation in believing that the policy pursued here more than repaid any
additional expense that may have been incurred.  I directed the marshal
to keep a careful account of expenses, and report the same to you, which
he has doubtless done.  There are not nearer than this place, in the judicial district, the'requisite number of lawful jurors, to the place appointed
to hold the court, (which is the only American fort at the sound,) so
sparsely is the country around the sound settled.
I will be glad to furnish you any further particulars, if it be found ne-,
cessary.
And have the honor to be; very truly, your obedient servant,
WiM. P. BRYANT.
His Excellency JosEPr LANE.
arn clearly of opinion that the trial and punishment of the Indians, inl
the presence of their tribe and the other tribes and bands bordering the
sound, was the true policy; and has, no doubt, made an impression uponr
their minds sufficient to deter them  from  similar offences.  With this
view of the case, on the receipt of Major Hathaway's letter informing me
of the arrest of these Indians, I immediately submitted a com.lmunicatiort
to the Legislative Assembly, from which I take the following extract:
" I have just received a communication irom Major Hathaway, 1st artillery, commanding 11th military department, advising re that Captain
Hill, commanding at Stirlacoom, has now in confinement six lndians of
the Snoqualamick tribe, principal actors in the murder of Wallace.  I art
well satisfied that the trial and punishment of these guilty persons in the
presence of their people will have a good effect upon the tribes in that
quarter.
"I therefore request that you will, without delay, pass an act attaching
Lewis county to the first judicial district, for judicial purposes, and authorize the holding a term of said district court therein, on the 1st Monday in October next."
For the purpose of affording a fair, impartial, and properly conducted
trial, I employed Mr. Skinner to go, with the court to prosecute the criminals, and Mr. Stone to defend them.  The court ordered an allowance of
$250 to each of them, which I have paid out of the Indian fund in my
hands.  I have also paid to the Indians who worked the boats for the cOnveyance of the court and jury, $180.  This expense was necessary, for
the reason that there is no other mtode of travel, there being no roads ia
the direction of Puget's sound, and consequently they had to go downl
the Columbia to the mouth of Cowlitz, and utp that rapid stream  to the
settlements, and then across the country to the sound.
The total expense of holding the court at Stirlacoom  for the trial o0i
these Indians amounts to 81,899 54; reward of eighty blankets,  4S80
making the suim  total of $2,379 54.  Deduct from  this sum  the $6S0
and the reward of $480, will leave a balance of  1:,219 54, to be paid bI
the marshal as soon as lie can get funds.  I have just paid the amounlt.above specified out of the Indian fund-there being no other government
ftunds in the Territory.  The law  of Congress appropriates a certain..amount to defray the expenses of the Legislative Assembly, &.c.; but the
-secretary of the Territory has not received a single cent. The Legislative




V'ocJ No L'.AsseG'i'. h.a s been co:nvned, he'ld their session, and ajoirnc   wV71ithout
fiunds to;:pay tnheir per diem aliowan.ce, or to print the, laws'.
I.hav3 observed the strictest econom.   in the'anagle,,tent of our Indian affiairs.  I have imade but fte  preselnts; and inl t-rta'.vellin,:'  throughtheir country on. several visits whichJ i tfund it necessary to make, I have.
incre'ied'but little expense.  No funds have been forwarded to the marshal;- which subjects the court to great inconvenience, and operates oppres.sivelv upon the pevonle'who have had to travel, as in the case above
rnentilo-ed, a distance  of two hundred miles to serve as jurymnen; and
this seicmusy obstructs the affior'ding of thlat justice which the people areentitlod to. I hope:you will readils allow the accounts above menltioned,'to wit:-  To   esss'...n. r  andn  Staone P500,  180' ibr transportationi
and:i:IO    or  the ilankets..T.     1 Thoutlon, thi e sub-ag'ent,  tendered his'esia't-io'  n p-reviouts to the trai, acd -tere was no person in the service
of'^ove:rv.it-lent to prosecute or de enild. tlhe indians.
-vsr-ytn,:g has-beon done that co.!d be to prev ent  the introduction of
spinolls  liquors aomotni  the Inci;o.  anis xtwithstanding(, I have recently
heard of nmany violations' of the lawT by vessels coming into the Columbia,
andcipartiuarlya at, Baker's bay and   storia.  One of' these offenders has
iece.tly been fined by Judgcte Pratt  "O-' for selling liquor to Indians.  It
w-ill, hsowever, be diffi.ult to stop tIhe traffic without the services of a
good s:ub- ger,  to reside in th-at immediate vicinity.  I woulld theie.ore
espectfully advise the appointlmentt of sonme suitable person, residing at cr
-acr. /Astoria to that office.'Wit'h.reat respect, I am, sir, youtr obedient servant.
JOSE.PH: LANE,
Ex- oifiei   ierlmfafe2ndent of lindian A   rsfc
Te-rritory of 0regon.
O.FFiCE. OF SUTPERIINTEDENT OF'    IN DIAN.AFFAIR S,
Territory of' Oregon, OreCr ong Ct;,, October 22, 18l49i
~P, hs8-  h.. aave, received no instructionls from Wiashington nor.l ommlum-i.ajita;:, of any limd,; of later (L late than OcttIber? 1848.
J. L.




STATESMENT
EX W ITING
THE  AMOUNT  O0' INVESTIENTS
Air t iatRn account, 54c.




t70                                 Doc. No~ le
F.
Statenent exhibiting the aouiwti of invest.~ames of the tribes for Names of the States  Z   Amount of Aggregate ain't Amiount of
whose account stock is    which issued the  O    each lot of    of the bonds  the annualI
held in trust.             bonds.                    bonds.      for each tribe., interest onI
va3~~~~~                 ~each,
In.
herokees..............   Kentucky.......   5           94, 000 00............. 4, 700 00
Tennessee....... 5    250,00 00........ 12, 500 00
Alabama...... 5    300, 000,0.........15,, 000 00
Maryland....... 6            761 39...........    45 68
Michigan...,..   6       64,000 00.......          3,84  00
Maryland........5         41, 138 00.......... 2,05  90
Missouri........  5}    10,000 00...                 550 00
- -_  __  $^8759,899 39
Cirpewas, Ottow, and    Maryland..              6    130,850 43............. 7,851 02
U.S. loan, 1847.. 6      21,791 83..............     1,307 
oU.S. loan, 1842.. 6      39,991 93............ 2, 395 31
U. 8. loan, 1843.. 5         157 60.88
1.92,721 79
Indiana.           5      68,000 00.  4.00 00
Chippewas, Ottowas, and  UInSan,1  7                   6......           3,40  004 
Pottawat's (education)   US. o, 1847.                 6 5,556...........         33401 
S.. 10an, 1842..  6       5, 556 71..............   333 40 [
I —- -            80,082 25    -      ~
nacompetent Chickasaws.. Indiana..           5...                    2,000 00..00...... 1'Chickasaw orphans....... Arkansas..             5       3,00000............         15000
U.S. loan..... 6            770 03.............    46 230
U.S. loan, 1842.. 6          43368..............6            031
4,_03 71...
wnsavWnees............... Maryland....         6      29,41 50.....1.......   174
Kentucky.......    5       1,000 00........             50 00
U. S. loan, 1842., 6       1,734 71....4.......   104  8 
eca... Kentuy.. _32, 076 21 -____
enaecads.................. Kentucky........  5.......              5,000 00.... 
snecas and Shawnees.... Kentucky....    5              6,00 00.............    3000
Missouri....    5        7, 000 00........        385 00
U.S. loan, 1l43.. 5        3,641 04....          18205
-   16,641 04
anas schools......... Missouri........ 5              18,00000..............   990 00
U.. loan, 1847.. 6 2      1,5406..                     92 4
U.S. loan, 1843.. 5'2,700 00........   135 00
U. S. loan, 184.. 6        4, 444 66..............     6667'26, 684 72
Mi4eno moaies.............Kentucky...    5            77,00000..........    3,850 00
U. S. loan, 1843. 55       3,117 38..............   155 87
U. S. loan, 1842.. 6      26,1148.............. 1,566 89
U.S. loan, 1847.. 6       21,321 10...........   1,279 26
_ 127,553 36 - _____
"Clippewas and Ottowas... Kentucky........'77, 00000 0........ 3,850 
Michigan.........          3, 000 00                      180 00
U.S. loan, 1843...   6,368 27                       318 41
U. S. loan, 1842..        16,588 97...                 995 34
U.S. loan, 1847......  14,37447.8.......   SO246
- -,34117 331 714
-C.reek orphans........... Alabama.......  5          82, 000 00...               4,100 00
Missouri......... 5       28,(100 00.........         1,540 00
U.S. loan, 1843.. 5       13,700 00                      685 00
U.S. loan, 1842.. 6       49,900 84............   2,994 05
173, 600 84-' hoctaws under convention
with Chickasaws...... Alabama....    5............   500,000 0..........
Delawares -(education)....  U. S. loan, 1842.. 6..........           7,806 28......... 




F.
rmenisfor  nltdqan accowunt in State stocks,,;c.
Aggregate    Amit of the              ggregate   WVhen the  -e'  Where theinTreatiesonrerenc
ain't of the  cost of each   cost of the    interest is  ='                   terest'is de-  to which it may be
annual inter' lot of bonds.    bonds for              payable.                  posited untill seen  for wba, obest for each.                       each tribe., wanted.                                     jects the interest is
tribe.                                                                                        pplied... 94, 00000............ Semi-ani. N.                   Treas. UT. S. Treaty,  Dec.  1835............       250,000   0.................do......do..- do....l.......  do............  300,000 00...............* do......do......do.........do,...0....... a          880 00............    uarteily. Ba.......do.............do,...........   69, 12) 00............ Semi-ann..                    Y.. N.Y.    d....do.......do............          49,490 00........     Q...  Luarterly  Balt........    Treaty, Feb. 27, i3,............   10, 000 00............ Semi-ann........    do..............do.:;.38, 692 58'              - -     766, 490 00...........  150,000 00............ Cuarterly. Bait......  do...... Treaty, Sept., 183X,........       25,707  10............ Semi-ann.. Wash....do............. do............   44,204 40................do......do......do.........   do..........              156 00..........do......do......do.............do.
11,561  72                        220,067 50
I            O.........  72,264 09....., N.......do.. N~........j  do............     7,697 97...............do,.., Wasah....o...do..........  do.
6,016 05................do....  do..do......do.............do.
4,124 93  -           ~ ~-    85,978 11
100 00.....       2,000 00....do N...  N. Y....do...... Treaty, May,  834.
~...........        3,000 00................do......do......do........do...........            908 38................do.... Wash......do..........do............            508 01.........           do..,...do...,<do...............do.
222 ------                       4,416 39
~.*..o.....    33,912 0............                arterly. Bait......do...... Treaty, Aug., 183L...........            980 00............ Semi-ann. N.....                       do.....d..o......do...........          2,032 03............              d....do.      Wash.....do..............do.
1,914 57                          36,924 43
250 00..........             4,900 00....do....N.                      do..... do. Treaty, Feb., 1831............        5,880 00.................do......do....do............         7,121 87.......................do..............do.............do.,87
867 05    ----    16, 715 74...........   18,000 00................ do......... do.,,.. Treaty, June, 1825i........... 1, 816756..............do.... Wash....do..o..,....do............         2,727  27................                        do,.............do............         5,026 30.................do......do.                        do...........do.
1,484 07  -         27,570 32...........   75,46000.....do....N.  Y......do...... Treaty, Sept., 1836,...........         3,179  72................ do.,    eah..... s.............. do............   29,604 48................do....do                      do...........do...........   22,681 16.........                         dod.......do.....do.., do.............d.o.
6,852 02                         130,925 36.........    75, 460  00................ do..   N. Y..... do...... Treaty, Mar., 1836........... 3,000 00................ do       d.........d.
6, 426 46............                 Wash.          do... ash.....do.
18, 183 30......................     do...........    16,700  62........ do.....do.....do.............
6,206 21                 -    119,770 38...........   82,000   0.......d......... do.      Y..... do...... Treaty, June, 1832.
28,487 48....do......do......do.......... do.
13,840 00...........               do.       Wash.....do.............do.........   56,078 03.................do....do.....do.~.........do.
9,319 05.          180,405 51
25,00000                           500,00   00..... 5 a. do.... N.... do...... Treaty,Jan.17,'37.
468 38..                         9,144 27....d._.   Wash.                   do..,. d. Treaty, 1838.




held in trust.               bonds.            I        000ond.   rI          htre   intert on
{v~c 7c he aclo                        each.
aes (education)...... U.S. loan, 1843.   5    40000......,.  0 00
ation)....... U.S. loan, 1843.  i 7,400 O0..370 00
U.S. loan, 184.. 6       24, 879 55I.,.......... J, 140 00._'3 _.'3.079 56.___..
Stockbridge        I a rnd    n a ces. U. Se. loan, 1842.. 6..........  5,0  16...
Choctaws (education).....  U. S. loan, 184i.   6  I  60,         3 62)..*...~,.....  3        3,6 61
U.S. loaal 1.843.  5         1,545 44...........           77 27
U. S. loan, 1847.. 6     1,0l 2  97...0.....             1 081 061
* 80, 466 03
Ghippewsas of Swan creek. U. S  loan, 1843.   5.,..,......                5, a89 43.....
O asoflanchard' forks U. S. loan, 1843.. 5..           7850 41.
Ottowas of Rochede Beug.. U.S. loan, 1843,. 5    l,     650 43
17, 178, 721 3   i




~,  0II e! U.C 0_.
Contilied
Aggregate'Am'*: of  the   AgI'greoate   WIhen the 1.'   Where the in- Treaties; onl reference
arn't of the  cost o1 eCach i cost of the   intrest i s.  tere.st is dte- to which it may be
ann aiinter'lot of bondo.   bonds fir    payable.'               posited until seen for what obest for each.!! each tribe.'   a   vtwanted.       jects the interest is
tribe.   I'                            e {                   applied........,474  4 1............. Semi-Laiin.. Wash  T      Tre. U.S.   reaty,  535.
2e.  5*....  7656  61    re...........do...o.....do.
$1,850 77   _       -~,    l3.iV                         {'312} 25                     6,096 16....do.    do......do..... Treaty, May, 1840.,         *........,168., 3G  3do.....  {Id... do.                 do......   Treaty, Sept., 1830..........,..I 51   Pt                            do.....................do.,,.......     9  75......... do....... o.. do..................do.
4, 3    4                     53   C 7 487     4 8
2913 47 I..........d.    5  8,do,.... do... Treaty, May, 1334..
593 54....;.,),8074 8....Q t do..... do,.. do...... Treaty., Au., 183.1.
80  53w I.,.I...f......i C3 41... d.....do.. o..   do..... 9...d0.
-114,'    84,  j' S;~j',   95o.3
DIEPARTMEIENT OF TH-E INERIOR,
QtOff rc indian 4.{;  Asvesber f27, 1 5 0




Statemetn  exhibiting  the annual interest appropriated by  Congress to pay the followin   tribes of Indians) i  lievu of iivest
ing  the sum  of money provided by treaties ancd  laws iz, stockse
Names of tribes.                   anmount provided Rate per Amount of inere-                           Authority by which made.
by treaty for in-   cent.    terest annually
vestments.                    appropriated.
Delawares....................^..               46, 080          5, 304       Treaty, September 29, 1829.
Chippewas and Ortowas...,,........,                  200, 00(0          6, (00       Rcsolu  ion of the Senate. iMay 27, 1836.
Sioux of Mississippi.......................             300, 000           5           - 5, 000       Treaty, September 29, 1837.
Sacs and Foxes of Missouri............       175, 400          5             8, 77        Tr'aty, October 21, 1837
Wfinneba-oes..................1......              185,000          5            59, 250       Treaties, PNovember 1, 1837, and October 13, 1846.
Sacs and Foxes of Mississippi.............          1 0(, 0,00  5i), 000                           T3e-aties,  Ocober 2!, 1837, an  October 11, 1842.
lowas...................................               157, 500           5             7, 875'      Resolution of the Senate. January J9, 1838.
Osages....................................      69,120           5             3, 46           Do                do               do.
Creeks'............................                 350, 000           5               17,500     Treaty, November 23, 1838.
Senecas of New York...................O.                  75, 000          5             3, 750       Treaty, LiIay 20, 184'2 anrd Iaw of Congress, June 27, 1846- 
Kanzas..............,..........          200(,00            5            10,000       T'1eaty, January 14, 184 6.
Pottawatomnies............                              643,000            5            3, 150        Treaty, June 5, 1846.
Choctavws.                                                 82..0.........   87,00  5   43,600      Treaty, September 27, 1830, and laws of 1842 and 1845.
5,273,100                       26 5, 655
prARTTMiENT OF THE INTERIOR, Ofice Indiant iairs, November 27, 1850.




DBe. No, 1. 
H,
A sltriking disparity exists between the financial estimates of this office,
asubmitted to Congress at the commencement of the last session and those,
prepared for submission at the commencement of the next.  The latterexceed the former by avery large amount; and, to prevent misconception,
a brief explanation may be necessary.
Estimates are divided into two classes, technically called re'ular and
special.  The first class relates exclusively to objects of fixed and perma3aelt character, and to appropriations therefor, to be expended within the:
ensuing fiscal year; the latter, to temporary and miscellaneous objects, and
to appropriations therefor, to be expended within the current as well as the
fiscal year.  Heretofore, the practice has been to submit the regular estila.tes aloone at the opening of Congress, and the special estimates from
tinie to time during the progress of the session.  But in preparing the estimates for the present year, care has been taken, pursuant to your instructions, to rake them so full and comprehensive as to embrace both classes,
in one general estimate; thereby, as far as practicable, placing before Congress at a single view, and at the commencement of' the session, every
objeet; of whatever character, for which an appropriation may be required.
Hence the estimates of the present year; thus aggregated and combined,,
exceed the regular estimates of the last.,1,423,033 49, and yet they fall
short of the actual appropriations at the recent session, on Indian account.
some SL8,000, while the regular estimates of last year exceed the corresponding class in the present general estimate $4,390; the difference being
occasioned by the omission of sundry items and the reduction of others.
Great care has also been taken to make the explanatory remarks accoipanying the estimates conformable to law.  They succinctly but clearly
exhibit the grounds on which the several items are respectively founded;
a.nd although the aggregate is large, it cannot, in my judgment, be materially diminished without detriment to the public interest.








Doe. No. 1.                            177
REPORT
OF THE
COMMISSION ER OF PENSIONS,
PENSTON OFFICE, November 16, 1850.
(SIP: In conformity with the practice of this office, I have prepared, and
herewith transmit, the annual reports, showing the operations of this branch
of the department for the year last past.
The paper marked A contains a statement showing the number of per:
sons whose names are now on the rolls of the several States and Territories of the Union. From  this statement, it will be perceived that the
whole number on the lists amounts to 19,758. Many have no doubt died,
whose deaths have not yet been reported to the agents for paying pensioners, from whose returns we receive in most cases the reports of pensioners'
deaths.  During the first and second quarters of the present calendar
year, but 13,079 have drawn their stipends.'We cannot, however, determine from the number thus paid the actual number living, as many
pensioners do not call for their money until the last quarter of the year.
The statement marked B exhibits the number added to the rolls since
the last annual report. So far as returns have been received, the number
of deaths since the last annual report amounts to 846. The statement of
deaths will be found in the paper marked C.
Paper marked D shows the number of pensioners paid in the first and
second quarters of the present calendar year.
The paper marked E shows what sums were in the hands of the agents
for paying pensioners at the periods when they last rendered their respective accounts.
The invalid pension rolls have been very consid;erably augmented in
consequence of the late war with Mexico. Four thousand seven hundred
and forty-two names are now on those rolls, and the list will be increased
during the ensuing year.
Under the law of March 18, I818, which gave a pension to all officers
and soldiers of the continental army, and to all officers, seamen, and marines of' the navy, who served nine months during the Revolution, and
were in indigent circumstances, 20,485 persons were pensioned. The
names of only 1,523 now appear on the rolls; but it is highly probable
that not more than one-half that number are now living.
The act of the 15th May, 1828, extends to all officers of the continental
army who served to the end of the war, and to all soldiers of that army
who engaged for the war and completed their term of enlistment. Under
that law 1,152 received pensions, of whom only 162 remain on the rolls;
and of this number; but 65 drew their stipends in the first two quarters of
the present year.
The act of the 7th June, 1832, provides for all officers and men of the
12




178                        Doc. No. 1.
army, navy, and militia wvho served six months at any period of the revolutionary war.  Thirty-two thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight
obtained the benefits of this law. At this time, only 5,247 are on the
rolls. Only 2,408 appear to have applied for their stipends in the first two
quarters of the present year; but a very great portion of those who are yet
living do not apply generally for their stipends more than once a year, and
before the end of the present year the most of them will draw their money.
Under the act of July 4, 1836, which provides for widows of revolutionary men, and for the widows and orphans of certain volunteer and
militiamen who died while in the service since the year 1818, 4,984 have
been pensioned: but only 1,118 are now on the rolls.
The act of the 7th July, 1838, gives a pension to widows of revolutionary officers and soldiers, seamen and marines, who were married before
1794. The pension commences on the 4th March, 1836, and terminates
in five years thereafter.  The number of claims allowed under the law is
11,002.  During the first two quarters of the present year, 201 pensions
have been paid.  An act was passed on the 3d of March, 1843, allowing
those widows a pension for one year more, and 8,902 received the benefits
of that law. On the 17th June, 1844, the law was renewed for four years
longer; and on the 2d February, 1848, another law passed continuing
them on the pension roll during widowhood. There are now on the rolls
under the last-named act 4.876 widows. More than one-half of the number pensioned under the act of 7th July, 1838, are now dead.
A law passed on the 21st July, 184S, giving a pension of five years to
widows and orphans of officers and soldiers, whether of the regular army
or volunteers, who were killed in the late war with Mexico, or who died
of disease contracted while in the line of their duty, and by the acts of
February 22, 1849, and the joint resolution of the 28th September, 1850,
the provisions of the act of July 21, 188, were extended to the cases of
the widows or children of those officers and soldiers who have died, or
may hereafter die, from like causes, after reaching their respective places
of abode.  Pensions to the number of 1,456 have been allowed under
these acts.
On the 29th April, 184S, an act passed giving pensions from  the 4th
March, 1848, dur'ng widowhood, to the widows of officers, soldiers, seamen, and marine who were married prior to January, 1800.  Under this
law 686 have been pensioned.
The expenditure for pensions during the year past has been, as near as
we can ascertain, $1,400,000.
Under the 3d section of the act of the 5th of July, 1832, entitled "An
act to provide for the liquidating and paying certain claims of the State of
Virginia," there have been paid since the 1st of November, 1849, on ac-.count of the revolutionary service of deceased officers of the Virginia State
"troops and Virginia State navy, $88,060 30 as half-pay, and $138,543 45
as commutation  of half-pay, and interest, making  an  aggregate of
226,603 75.
The number of land warrants for revolutionary service issued to commissioned officers of the continental army, is 2,826. The number issued
to non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates, is 9,762. Land is:still due to 111 officers of the revolutionary army, and to 1,993 non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
The whole number of land warrants of 160 acres each issued to non



Doc. No. 1.                            179
-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates on account of service in
the war of 1812 with Great Britain, under the acts of 24th December,
1l11, January 11, 1812, and February 6, 1812, amounts to 27,611. Warrants of 320 acres each, issued under the act of December 10, 1814,
amount to 1,091.  To Canadian volunteers who served in the war of
1812, warrants to the number of 276 have been issued, making an aggre-:gate of 28,978 warrants.
Under the 9th section of the act of 11th February, 1847, granting
bounty land to the non-commissioned officers musicians, and
privates of the army, volunteers, and a certain portion of the
marine corps, who served in the war with Mexico, 81,373
claims have been presented, and 3,332 for scrip, or money in
lieu of land, making the whole number of claims       -      - 84,705
Number of warrants issued for 160 acres each   -        -      - 71,60
Number of warrants for 40 acres -        -      -                  5,932
INlumber of certificates issued for $100 scrip  -              -  2,269
Number of certificates issued for $25 scrip                          460
-Iumber of certificates for $100 in money               -            324'Number of certificates for $25 in money -.                            56.lNumber of suspended claims for 160 acres      -       -       -  3,344
1Nuumber of suspended claims for 40 acres               -      -    491
Number of suspended claims for $100 each        -           -.123
Number of suspended claims for $40 each         -       -      -    100
The act of 28th September, 1850, "granting bounty land to certain
officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the
United States," provides for the largest number of persons to whom military bounty land has ever been granted.  From  the year 1790 up to the
present time, more than half a million of militiamen have been called into
the service of the United States.  Supposing that half that number, or
their widows or minor children, still survive, two hundred and fifty
thousand will claim  the benefits of the law.  If two hundred and fifty
warrants per day are issued, (and that is the greatest number that can, in
1my opinion, be passed in that space of time,) more than three years will
elapse before all the claims are satisfied.  My opinion is, that a new arrangement for the adjustment of these claims should be made.  Without
a more efficient organization of this office and a better distribution of labor,
the law will not so operate as to meet the expectations of the claimants.
I would, therefore, respectfully suggest the propriety of asking of Congress to authorize the appointment of two clerks to superintend the business of examining claims and to the issuing and registration of warrants
under the late act, at a salary of $1,700 each per annum.. If intelligent
and responsible persons are not appointed expressly for this purpose, it
will be entirely out of my power, under the present organization of this
office, so to conduct the business as to prevent great delay and innumerable frauds and mistakes.  Upon the chief clerk and myself as much duty
now devolves as we can possibly discharge by working in and out of office
hours.  It is the duty of the Commissioner to exercise a general supervision over the business; to open and distribute all letters and packets addressed to him; to write letters in all cases in which the clerks are not
sufficiently acquainted with the business to conduct the correspondence;
to examine certain claims; make estimates and reports for Congress and
the executive departments; and to give audience to a very numerous class




180                         Doe. No. 1.
of persons who apply in person to transact business. The business of the
office has so increased, that instead of about a hundred letters and packets
which we daily received at the office before the adjournment of Congress
in September last, we now receive not less than five hundred per day. I
have been obliged to intrust much of the business of opening letters and
packets and distributing papers to clerks; and it takes two very industrious
and well-informed clerks to open and make a proper distribution of the
contents of our daily mail.
The law of September, 1850, should, in my opinion, be so amended as
to guard as much as possible against frauds.  Under this act no one is
entitled to more than one land warrant for any length of service whatever,
nor for any additional warrant if he has received one under any former
act of Congress; but how we can prevent a man from receiving separate
warrants for services in several different wars I cannot conceive, unless
the claimant may be personally known at this office.
I regret to say that we have no rolls in this office of any of the service
provided for by the act of September 28, 1850, except those containing
the names of the officers who served in the war with Mexico; and if the
officers in wvhose custody the rolls of the war of 1812 and the Florida war
now are cannot permit those rolls to be removed to this office, where we
can have ready access to them, copies should be furnished and deposited
here.'We shall then be better furnished with the means of detecting
frauds, and have it more in our power to expedite the business.
I cannot close this report without expressing to you my most earnest
desire that the proposed new organization may be carried into effect with
as little delay as possible, as I deem it indispensably necessary to a speedy
and proper settlement of land claims under the late law.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Hon. ALEX. iH. -H. STUART,
Secretary of the Interior.




A.
Statement showing the number of pensioners in the different States.
CO
States.                                        Lei        Mi__             _           __,2i.1-       14      __ 
Maine...                                        174       91         2       206        35                                   479         18       59      1,064    0
New Hampshire................  107    51                 3    144    31.... 389    19                                       783  2
Vermont...........            153  129    3   224   71.... 315   13   55   963
Massachusetts.......... 135  49  1    271        60.598                                   30        87      1, 210    Z
Rhode slan..                          16    4....  41   27....   131    8   23   2500
Connecticut......                                56       47         8       339       119....      368         13       44        994
New York............. 837   182    28    917    162.1, 000    157   142   3, 45 
New Jersey..                    20                  3  58  29...... 113  16  16  55
North Carolina.................        30       40         4       300       100.150                                         45        14        683
South Carolina..                         50         2........       86        28.61                                          41         8        276
Georgia...............................          70       50         3      200         30........................     50        62         5        470
Alabama..............................            46         2                 62         5......................             15       274        2        15,4
Mississippi....................       25          1                  3         5....5                  13         1         53
Louisiana.............................          190......... I               13 54               963.248
Ohio    usetts........................         276       119        21       27160.....1......                  126        97        27        945
Kentuckyl..........................            36       123        21       206        78........        191        59        34        948
Tennessee...........................    240             11         2       10        120........................    135              127        19        674
Pennsylvdiana..223                                        49         9       100 31.......................                    54       100         8        574
Illinois274                                                2........20                 74....................                39       10          6        535 
Missouri......,....................                 4         2        497 
Ohirgna................................          7       119        2 16260    319..............                           136        97    1,           945
Knotucy..............    Carlin'2                                   1       26         78..............                   19         59        394
Indiana............................  23  4                00        310............834                             0                    7 
SotlCrlinoi................     27....      2          4............         9      1 065                  5
Mississippi............................         254        8                  57        16                                             53.,.,.......   4    47




0cr
all                          06        00::v                          -,IGO     ~.       GO.
0Arkanss      0    4,O 4  16 
~~~~~~~~~~Michigan    ~ ~        ~~....,, 141  20.3  93   5...2 0                                     0*250                            34000
States.                                                    z..
Florida.....1 3   4   2s                                                      1  11                         59
CdS                                                                                                          ci t-  0
Michigan........................... 141                                                                                                  4 50                 3
Florida.........                                 37          1         3        4         2.................... 
Iowa.........                                    26          1........        1................                               4         8........          40 g
Wisconsin..                         62.....                                  1.......           5 1....                                2     87
DistrictofColumbia..                73..............1                         2........................8                   12         1         97 
Total..4,742    1 3                                          12    5,.7    1 8...........  4,7                               1,407       683    19,758 
f The remarks relative to pensioners under the act of July 7, 1838, apply to those under the act of March 3, 1843.
j The same remarks apply to pensioners under the act of June 17, 1844. The list marked D shows what number have been paid during the year last past
PEhNSION OFFICEi, Jvemnber 16, 1850 
J-  L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.




Be
S&atoment showing  the number of pensioners who have been added to the rolls of the several States since the last annual
report.
~o3ej   ~ ~~
States.              -.                                                      0         G6
Co                                              " Co
States.                               -4                                                                                      Q
4 ~   I,
Cs
Maine....                        13..................8                 5       22        23        25       27          9       23        155 
New Hampshire.......................11..                                  1........         1         7       10        24         54
Rhode and.......          3................                            7                   5         3         6........        40 
Connecticut....3............                               6                  9.......       20        10        11         70
New York............................   100.....         24        34       74        80        80      115        30         9        546
NwJersey.........  1   1   5.....                               4   6   25
Pennsylvania.......            67........          2        14        17       38        36        42        49       84        31        380
MDelawareyland.................................................'.'.'.'..'.~.'.'.'.*.' "     3  ""'IS......."4
Virginia...............................          13.......         3         1         2         1        1        35        16       16         87
NoithCarolina.........                           8..............       4         2         7        7         4         8        14        7         61
South Carolina........................           14................          5         2        10       11        12        it        15        5         85
Georgia..........                16................         9         1         9        8        10        12       25         5         95
Alabama.................        3........................            1         2         1        1         2       24         2         36
Missisksippi................                     3....... 3...........                                                    3    5    1    12
Louisianac.......,......   25.............   45
Ohio..,...                                    55..............                     1    3    6    6   18   40   24   153
Kentucky.......                                  51...................       9         2       11        22        22   24            45        27        213
Tennessee.........                  66......4                               4         7        6        1........0  17     70........23       207
Inrgia a,.......................                                                         2                            4        1.....71           5        15
~/        ~/.,..,.......,    I        s        ~             I,       I         ~   r           w' 




B-Continued.'
cc
~09~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 00
"^        c         G^        ^0        00        oS                 c m- m               >
a5        GO       ^          ^        ^09                 00        C         09        00
States.                                                     -                      C.                                    C 
c7 I:;I                                        o I            I         I 
illinois.....*  9.................... 24........... 61.62:Missouri...........................1   5   34                                                                 93
WArkansas.i............1..0............2.                              e............ 23..................  2    16                28 
kMichian                                          24..............             1                   1         1                 4        34         2    1 68 
Fotritfo.....                                17...............................................             5........          6 
Iowa.                                              6..1.........                                                                3   7.....  17
I    oa  n............................        23.........................................                         5         4'              34
5Wisconsin..........,. 2
District of Columbia...................   17....2..................o                                                             2..2....            
Total...............      787........         3      116         98      258       261       279       477       696       269      3,244
PENSION OFFICE, November 16, 1850.
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.




Statement showing the number of pensioners whose deaths have been reported since the last annual return.
OD
00                                                        06  06~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~0
~ai~~~~~~~~~~~~~e~~,.....,2              - -.?
lqew ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~                     c     Hapsir............ C6.....r3......
-  ~ ~ ~               e3                                      El)                          49
cero            G.....................OD   c         O        O
Massahuets...                                   6         9........        12         3                                     9........... 81.....'"  39 ] "
Vermont. ates........                                     26        3  -....
Rhode laland...............         I                 5         8        4.............i........I  35....3
Connecticut.............. 7 t......  301  7..36.... S/  S
New York..                     12        16       ~~~~~  38          i               -                     54                  1       14
New Jersey...................................                          2...
IC                         20~~~~~~~~~~~~~~C'^       00 55"....           i.50
Daline.Yr.                                      6.........       12 3.....9....3.......                                                 3 
New~~~~~ampshire...~~~~~~~~~         15     6                 13        2..                          2                   2        49 ^
Marmoant.........,4                             26  3.................           23....~....       2        58
Rhode7sland..... 1   15  8  4  1  1....35.
NeworthCrkn..ortrs.................12                1         4....   38.       18.................... 4     1....   1....           144...
NewJersey...........................      12.......................................         30
Penn sylvania  re.........................................................      2        11
Delawaremo....................                                                                                          1..                         5
Maassiss     et..........................................                132
Virginiand................................  1.                          1......                    
orh Carolina  (no retu    rns)....................
South Carolinay......................2.....1.........  5......3..........0
Georgia (no returns)...~ **............
ennsAlabama...............................  2......   1
Mississippi (no returns)................  13
Louisiana (no returns)...............
Indiana...................................................
ISenut Cark y.......1!^     ^!.'l. 11        1. 1...        2.............................             1................         30
Kenois..................................            I         I.........                          6 0 ~ O
M ninssa...............................       4.                                                 a a  1      1        I         4                  19
Illinois....*C~C,. 3..1..~                                               1 4.4 
Missouri.,................ 1:::  1..,....i 9'      } 




C-Continued.
cr3 0                                   cD        00
I.:.~                                                                      a~00 
00        0'                                                0         0
Asi3      |      Arkansas...3.................. ff..... 3 
Michigan....................o..........................                                            2. 
FlorMichigda............ 3.............................................                        8
Wisconsin...    1............. 
"Wisconsin..........................................
District of Coumbia.........1....................................................                                                                3
Total.........                   78       67          8       295        80        24        11         9       250        10         14       846 7
PENSION OFFICE, Movember 16, 1850.
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.




Doc. No1.   187
D.
Statement showing the number of pensioners who have been paid in the
first and second quarters of the year 1850.
o6
-e~~~~~~~0
I I                                     t -
Maine........... 153      76           148                              GO1t4 6/      8~
States.         I0                     53   4                    30
I.  ^   -      ^       Sci  ^c i         ^ 
G       00-             ~                  CL 
~?'ermon            t.11                                     192I R.a     a
as
a'5        5' 5                       o              "  
Maine.....              153     76....        148        27      12       1      462        879
New Hampshire.          102     53       4       125        44       9      9       356         702
Vermont...             lit     57       3       174        49       5      7       338         744
Massachusetts..        113     50       2       223        86      21     23       739      1,257
Rhode Island....         15      4......          38        30       4      3       116        210
Connecticut.....        44     26       3       145        69       8......        356         651
New York.....         543    153       24       528       259      42     44    1,051       2,644
New Jersey.....          18      3       1        48        30       3......        143        246
Pennsylvania....       401      29       6       158       256      25     23       350      1,248
Delaware........          6.....................                                    7          14
Maryland....           105        1.....      10'       5        1       1       47        217
Virginia........78             21       6      120         33     11      20       240        529
North Carolina..         17      5......        62        93       5      4       126         312
South Carolina..        28       1......          40        45       4      8        43         169
Georgia..........      52  5                      4        46       9      6        50        222
Alabama.......          37       8               11         6       3      7          9         81
Mississippi.......       19       1                4        13............             3         40
Louisiana.......        55.....        4        24....................               83
Ohio.........183                20       3                  41       1      3       112        419
Kentucky......         162    1 41      4                  70      10     16       180         594
Tennessee.......       177       9       1       113       103      10      4       148        565
Indiana..........      149      13       2        49        82       3      2        55        355
Illinois..         93      2........       12     129       1      1        38        376
Missouri........        118       1      3        19        27............          9         177
Arkansas.......          19..1                               3....1                      24
Michigan.......         75      3                18         5......      1        19         121
Florida.........         20      1       3         1         9......           1         35
lowsa...........   16    1..           I....                      18
Wisconsin   48...3  2....                                                                        62
Dist. Columbia.          51............            3        21..........             10          85,
3,108    554      65    2,308    1,656    187    183    5,018    13,079
PENSION OFFICE, "ovember 16, 1850.
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.




ktaiment showing the balances in the hands of  the several pension agents, at the dates of their last returns, on account of
invalid, widows', and revolutionary pensions.
Names of agents.              Residence.         Invalid pen-  Pensioners,  Pensioners,  Pensioners,  Pensioners,  Pensioners,           Remarks.
sioners.   act Mar. 18, act May 15, act June 7, act July 4, act July 7,
1818.         1828.         1832.         1836.         1838.
William E. Woodruff..... Little Rock, Ark....    $693 55              $233 60        $557 28       $676 57    2,430 51         $150 00
James Perrine.............    Mobile, Ala..........          50 63        780 25        354 10        332 90        278 48        259 17
James H. Dearing.........  Tuscaloosa, Ala......   1,209 00               338 00        226 00      3, 003 00       969 00         99 00
William H. Moore......... Huntsville, Ala.......           370 00         100 00.........           350 00        300 00        310 00
Charles Boswell.........      Hartford, Coan........    *124 12        4,954 s18        265 26   29,268 67         "327 83    *2, 293 27 
Robert W. Latham........   Washington, D. C....   2,774 33                568 19        741 78      2,255 24        471 20      4,288 67                         0
Jacob Alrichs........         Wilmington, Del......        29857         36820          5000         51379............           17500
Arthur M. Reed...........     Jacksonville, Fla......         8 61         76 00        130 00        779 92        950 96      1,534 42
Francis H. Flagg.......... Tallahassee, Fla......           536 00        100 00          8 72      1, 589 75    2, 625 30............
James S. Morell...........    Savannah, Ga.........        506 93      1,518 40      2,819 50    10,089 05    3,963 85           990 31  On June30, 1850.   0
William S. Wallac e........ Springfield, Ill.............................................     Items not stated.
J. F. D. Lanier...........    Madison, Ia......................           892 27        364 67        333 82        227 35      1,287 62
Thomas Danforth.......... New Albany, Ia......              731 87         12 00        150 00        325 50        530 79      1,515 12
Frederick E. Bissell.         Dubuque, Iowa........   2,322 00..........................................................
William R. Vance..........    Louisville, Ky........   7, 171 00          882 00        200 00      3,708 00    2,934 00    10,301 00
Greenbery Dorsey.......... New Orleans, La......   7,891 28........................                413 57    3,714 02        1,000 00  On June 30,1850.
William Woodbury........ Portland, Me........    *486 67              2,994 92         939 04      6,765 84    3,563 -24    13, 640 87
William C. Anderson......  St. Louis, Mo........  13,473 81              347 88      2,270 00      9,486 09        924 64      3,239 51
E. P. Hastings............  Detroit,Mich.........   5,815 91            1,013 90        170 43      3,589 36    1,027 01        2,358 56
Franklin Haven...........Boston, Mass.........   9,185 13               1,733 89      2,548 31    8,435 92        4,354 14    19,557 37
James Swan............. Baltimore, Md........              913 48        520 29        196 44      5,393 70      1,018 76      8,544 07
D. N. Barrows..........   Jackson, Miss.......   5, 768 64                126 00............         35 74        877 94        935 31  On June 30,1850.
John Kelly...        Portsmouth, N. H.....'950 98        188 43        147 70    16,789 92       1,478 60        821 32
Israel W. Kelly........... Concord, N.H......    3,688 90             1,317 66       1,420 94        773 88      2,796 27      1,828 31
Pierce M. Irving...........   New York, N. Y......   4,202 26    2,701 21             ],485 49    12,353 84       7,573 35      2,135 46
Thomas W. Olcott.........  Albany, N. Y........   I, 939 00    17, 608 00            1, 341 00    *8, 458 00    *9,583 00    S7, 687 00
James Husk..............   Fayetteville, N. C.....   1,470 15           1,084 01        473 77    17,302 54    6,904 48         1,764 95  On June 30, 1850
Philemon Dickinson.......Trenton, N.J.........   5,538 00    10,610 00              1,387 00      7,306 00    11, 150 00    22,034 00




James Htall..........     C. Cin. cinnati, Ohio....          2, 493 00      5, 674 00        747 00      6,173 00        1,389 00    10,000 00
Philadelphia, Pa.......  14,720 52    11,047 64              638 58    12,592 52'2,000 94    14,000 00
Williarm J. Eoward........ Pittsburgh, Pa........   2, 470 22              7,225 17       1,731 86    20,263 98        5,302 06    *1,888 96
Paris Hill.......              Providence,R.I......,909 72       5,313 20           2 29    15,852 00:71 64   *11,514 47
J. C. Cochran........          Charleton, S. C......   2, 550..........             3 77............    1, 842 00............
Charles C. Abernathy            Pulaski, Tenn.......           648 79         204 00............          138 34      3,085 76       1,500 00
John L. H. Tomlin.              Jackson, Temi.................              1,000 00       1,000 00............
William  K. Blair.......... Jonesborough, Tenn...              610 00         16  0............            572 00........................
John Cocke, jr..........K..,.noxville, Tenn................................................................... Items not stated,
Joel M. Smith............ Nashvile, Te.......... 9,909 11                   3,564 87         352 60      9,689 00       7.410 42`15 66
F. M. Lawson                    Rh nd, Va........             113 77       2, 668 00         90 00      6,836 94';271 93    15,300 31
George S. Thompson.......    heeling, Va.                     247 35         381 29         166 67      4,478 49          514 90      1,505 56
Thomas Reed............. Montpelier, -t.   -"4,180 00                         631 40         15225       3,728 79'216 04      8,635 10
John E. PeckBurlington, Vt........    6, 400 00                               30 00       2, 900 00    11, 500 00       2, 300 00      1,800 00
Paraclete Potter..........   ilwaukie, W          is......    738 00         200 00............          465 00.......................
Amount due the United States by agents........ 119,961 40    88,4444 85    25, 155 45 1 35, 142 67    72, 757 95   151,511 70
Amount due agents by United States...........         *7, 680 77............         90 00      8, 458 00   *'23, 621 38 |*23,399 36
Balance due the United States by agents........ 112, 280 63    88,444 85    25,065 45   226,684 67    49,136 57   128,112 34 
-' Due agents.




E-Continued 
Names of agents.                Residence..         Pensioners,  Pensioners,  Pensioners,  Pensioners,  Pensioners,               Total.         Remarks.
act March 3, act June 17, act Februa-  act July 21, act July 29,
1843.         1844.        ry 2, 1848.      1848.          1848.
William  E. Woodruff...        Little Rock, Ark...            118 34         23004           36 67         954 64............      $4, 171 92
James Perrine............. Mobile,A l                          19001          32006           80 00............                      2,645 60
James H. Dearin         n......... Tuscaloosa, Ala...       283 00          77 00         995 00         100 00............    7,299 00
William H. Moore......   Huntsville, Ala.......              200 00......              600 00         150 00............    2,380 00
Charles Boswell..........    Hartford, Coonn.......  11,088 42.............  14,319 98                1,061 36       4,240 87    62, 453 52
Robert W. Latham.......  Washington, D. C....   2,218 49                       16 69         451 97      1,69128           2000    15,50084
79        451 97      1,691 28          20 00    ]5, 5,00 84
Jacob Alrich......   Wilmington, Del......                    476 13           7 00      1,090 00          176 90...........    3, 155 64
Arthur M. Reed......Jacksonville, Fla......         600 00         491 03          50 0 00........................    4, 620 94
Francis H. Flagg....... Tallahassee, Fla.......               400 00..                      60000.....................o    o          5, 859 77
I                       1  3,074 GO 4I('6'  3 0 z ]   2222  27, 573 24  O1]' Jule30, 1850.
James S. Morell....... Savannah, Ga.........                   ~25............   3,474 60             4,16030......              27,57324  OnJune30,1850.    o
William S. Wallace...... Springfield, III........................................................  112, 380 99  Items not stated.    C
J. F. D.Lanier.,....    Madison, la...........   2, 056 08.............................................    5,161 81
Thomas Danforth........  New Albany, la.......                 944 10          70 06         849 04        613 32............    5 741 80 
Frederick E. Bissell...    Dubuque, Iowa.........................       440 00        400 00...          3162 00                            0
William R. Vance....    Louisville, Ky........   1,797 00......    5,330-00             2,164 00       1,236 00    35723 00
Greenbery Dorsey....-... New Orleans, La.............                                       13, 018 87  On June 30, 1850..
William Woodbury...             Portland, Me.........   7,077 27   *10,686 33    12,231 40.......................  36,039 58
William C. Anderson....  St. Louis, Mo.........   1,277 23                  -*349 36        217 24        706 40        U145 00    31, 448 44
E. P. Hastings..               Detroit, Mich.........         999 93         306 69         286 02.........    15, 567 81
Franklin Haven...     Boston, Mass....,           5,802 27       5,970 16    15,636 85         1,268 21       1,141 43    63, 693 36
James Swan......        Baltimore, M d.......         825 46............   2,602 04........................  20,014 24
D. N. Barrows...       Jackson, Miss..              106 90         563 48         318 84      1.414 52............  10,147 37  On June 30,1850.
John Kelly..      Portsmouth, N. HL...         2,59587          323 54      3,589 58           7 78 73    ^2,010 78    22, 694 47
Israel W. Kelly..       Concord, N. H.......          755 71..           17,057 27         511 29         429 65    30,579 88
Pierce M. Irving..              New York, N. Y......    1,403 14            3,633 43      7, 036 18      3,846 07    *2,393 54    43,976 89
Thomas W. Oicott..              Albany, N. Y..*.5..,232 00............  35,578 00........................  21,628 00
James   uck..Fayetteville, N.GC.                        548 60.........         7,441 19       4,095 59............  41,085 28  On June 30,1850.
Philemon Dickinson.             Trenton, N.J.........   4,783' 00           5, 717 00     3, 124 00      1,896 00............  39,811 00
James Hall.                     Cincinnati, Ohio.......   1,000 00    ^7,053 00           9,126 00          984 00    -2, 018 00    28,515 00
Philadelphia, Pa......   2,299 84          6, 729 84      6,014 61    54,387 01    M, 191 86    44,004 75
William J. Howard........ Pittsburgh, Pa........               447 94    ^6,925 41        9,191 81    S4, 424 18    *1,793 51    31,600 98
Paris Hill.Providence, R..I                                                 1,177 27      8,276 62         *137 07............  20,807 91
J. C. Cochran,...,...,,.,  Charleston, S. C.....               200 00         200 00      5,100 63..a,,..I,...,.,,,,,..I.    0, 1007 22




Charles C  Abernathy.....  Pulaski, Tenn 6......1           700 00 1.                      O00          14 00.....           5$ 760 89
John L. H. Tomlin.,  L.. O   Jackson, Tenn,....................e 6       3 000 00      1, 000 00...........        8 50000
William K. Blair........ Jonesborou.h, Tenns........................................... e...                1 378 00
John Cocke, jr............ Knoxville, Tenn........................19, 815 07  Items not stated.
Joel M. Smith............      Nashville, Tenn.......        627 78....391 28          3,132 36      4, 751 56      1,042 49    28,485 15
F. M. Lawson..........        Richmond,Va........            727 45         56 76    14,572 94         *318 83       3,911 78    43,507 19
George S. Thompson....... Wheeling, Va...................        927 33         691 35          81 29       -252 95       8, 741 28
Thomas Reed.............. Montpelier, Vt....................    1,224 85       7,882 40          60 91    x4,.266 42    13, 653 30
John H. Peck............. Burlington, Vt....................   2, 400 00  8, 700 00........................  36, 300 00
Paraclete Potter............ Milwaukie, Wis..............................               740 00        295 00............   2,438 00
Amount due the United States by agents........  52,600 21    12,025 23   210,174 58    26,850 44    10,979 73............
Amount due agents by United States...........     5,232 00    447822 38............   5,25202    18,114 55............
Balance due the United States by agents.......   47,368 21  *32, 797 15   210,174 58    11,598 42'7, 134 82   891, 150 00
*4 Due agents.
PENSION OFFICE, Novemnber 16, 1850
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.                 I
-4
-4^
jtt~








Doe.' 0,1  
REPORT
THE SECRETARY OF TlHfE NAVYe
NAVY DEPARTMENT, Noveimber 30,  850O
SIR: In anticipation of the session of Congress, I respectfully submitthe annual report of this department of the public service.
The vessels in commission during the past year, exclusive of the steaner Michigan, under the command of Commander Bullus, which has been.
cruising on the lakes above Niagara, giving protection to our commercee
and rendering assistance to our distressed merchantmen on those inland
seas, have been employed in six different squadrons.
The home squadron, Commodore Parker commianding, whose field of
operations extends from the banks of Newfoundland to the mouth of the
Amazon river, has comprised the frigate Raritan, Captain Page; the
sloop-of-war Albany, Commander Randolph; the, sloop-of-war Germantown, Conmmander Lowndes; the steamer Vixen, Lieutenant'Command,ing Smith; the steamer Water Witch, Lieutenant Commanding Totten;
and the schooner Flirt, Lieutenant Commanding Turner; and has been
chiefly occupied in the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico. The valuable services of the vessels of this squadron, together with the frigate
Congress and the steamer Saranac, in preventing a violation of our national
obligations in an attempted invasion of the island of Cuba from the
United States, and the mission of Commodore Morris to intercede wTith
the Spanish authorities of that island for the lives and liberation of our
misguided fellow-citizens who had joined in that expedition and had been
captured, were made known to Congress, in a communication from the late
-President; in the month of June last. The frigate Raritan, being required.
for more distant service, was withdrawn from this squadron iin the month
of May, and, after being refitted, was despatched, under the command of
Captain Gauntt, to the South Pacific ocean. The steamers'Water Witch
and Vixen, standing in need of repairs, were brought for that purpose to
the.navy-yard at Washingt6n, and are expected soon to be again ready for
sea. The sloop Germantown, having been infected with yellow fever during her cruise in the West Indies, was taken early in the present autumn
to the port of New York, and, being now thoroughly cleansed and refitted,
is preparing to join the squadron on the coast of Africa. The steamer
Saranac, Capt. Tatnall, has been lately added to this squadron, and bears
the broad pendant of Commodore Parker.
The Pacific squadron continued under the command of Comodore
T. Ap C. Jones until the month of June last, when he was relieved and
succeeded by Commodore McCauley. It consists of the frigate Savan-;nah, Captain Page, bearing the broad pendant of the commander of the
squadron; the frigate Raritan, Captain Gauntt; the sloops Vand.aalia, Cor-m' -o                    - 




194                          Doe. No,  L.
inander Gardner, Vincennes; Commander Hudson, Falmouth, Commander
Pearson, St. Mary's, Commander Magruder, Warren, (unseaworthy and.
used as a store-ship,) Lieut. Pickering; the steamer Massachusetts, Lieut.
Knox; and the store-ship Supply, Lieut. Kennedy.  The sloop Prebie,
Commander Glynn, and the store-ship Fredonia, Lieut. Neville, are now
on their homeward voyage from this station; and the ship-of-the-line Ohio,
Commander Stribling, returned therefrom in April, and was placed in ordinary at the navy-yard in Charlestown.  It is intended that the frigate
Raritan and sloop St. Mary's, which have been recently despatched to this
squadron, together with a third vessel, to be designated by the commodore,
shall cruise between Cape Horn and Panama, and westward to the 1.80th
degree of longitude, visiting the Marquesas and Friendly Islands, and
making their depot of supplies at Valparaiso, while the residue of the
squadron will be generally employed in that ocean north of the equator.
The advantage, indeed the necessity, of' an efficient fleet in the Pacific, for
the protection of our extended territory and sudden and wonderful commerce in that hitherto unoccupied region of the world, cannot be too highly estimated, and will be again adverted to in the sequel of this communication.
The squadron on the coast of Brazil, Commodore McKeever conimanding, is composed of the frigate Congress, Captain Mcintosh, bearing
the broad pendant of the commodore; the sloop St. Louis, Commander
Cocke; the brig Bainbridge, Lieut. Manning; and the store-ship Relief,
Lieut. Totten.  The frigate' Brandywine, Captain Boarman, the flag-ship
of Commodore Storer, who was recently relieved from  the command of
this station, is expected soon to arive at the port of New York.  The
cruise of this squadron extending from the mouth of the river Amazon to
Cape Horn, and occasionally eastward to the coast of Africa, its attention
has been specially directed to the suppression, by legitimate interposition,
of the African slave trade, still carried on to a considerable extent between
Brazil and the coast of Africa; to the protection of our neutral rights in
the state of hostility lately existing between the Argentine Republic and the
Banda Oriental of Uraguay, and the cultivation of relations of commerce
and amity with the governments and people of the several nations along
the coast of its cruising ground.
The Mediterranean squadron, under the command of Commodore M2or.
gan, consists of his flag-ship, the razee Independence, Captain Jamesson;
the frigate Cumberland, Captain Latimer; the steamer Mississippi, Captain Long; and the store-ship Lexington, Lieutenant Mitchell. The course
of political events in Europe not appearing to require the continuance of
the large force which had been assembled in that sea in consequence of
the unsettled aspect of affairs at the date of the last annual report from
this' department, the frigate St. Lawrence, Captain Paulding, attached to
this squadron, was ordered to proceed to the Baltic, on a short cruise, and
thence to return to the United States.  She arrived at New York in the
present month. The frigate. Constitution, Captain Conover, also of this
squadron, has been ordered home, and may be expected daily.  Under orders from the department, Commodore Morgan, with his flag ship Independence and tile steamer Msississippi, visited Lisbon in the month of
June, and received on board our charge d' afTaires, on the occasion of his
retirement from that court, and conveyed him to Naples.  T;is squadron
has been actively engaged in visiting the various ports of the Medit rranean




Doe. No, lo                            196
the Adriatic, and the Archipelago, and has maintained a discipline and
efficiency highly commendable.
The squadron on the coast of Africa, under the command of Com-:mnodore Gregory, embraces his flag-ship, the sloop-of-war Portsmouth,
Commander Peck; the sloop-of-war John Adams, Commander Powell; the
sloop-of-war Dale, Commander Pearson; the brig Porpoise, Lieutenant
Lardner; and the brig Perry, Lieutenant Foote.  Orders were issued for'tie return of the sloop-of-war Yorktown, Commander Marston, lately attached to this squadron, but before their receipt she was wrecked on a coxal reef at the northern extremity of the island of Mayo, one of the Cape
de Yerdes.  All the officers and crew were saved, and have been sent'home in the sloop John Adams; they arrived at Norfolk on the 27th instant; the vessel is a total loss.  Under the vigilance and energy of the
officers of this force, the slave traffic has been broken up on the west coast
of Africa, but it still prevails on the south coast, in vessels bearing the
flag of the United States, in spite of the efforts of our cruisers, which
have been from time to time despatched from the squadron to suppress it.
Within the present month, a brig called the Chatsworth, captured as a prize
on the latter coast by Lieutenant Foote, in the brig Perry, for being concerned in the slave trade, has arrived in the port of Baltimore for trial.
Occasional instances have occurred of the interference of British cruisers with vessels bearing our flag on that coast, upon suspicion of their besing slavers; but in each case the offence has been atoned for by explanations
-and apologies to our officers on that station, and the reports thereof have
been transmitted from this department to the Deparment of State.
The squadron in the East India and China seas, lately under the command of Commodore Geisinger, who returned home in the sloop St.
Mary's in June last, was transferred to the command of Commodore Voorhees, and consists of the sloop of-war Saratoga, Commander Walker, and
the sloop-of-war Marion, Commander Glendy.  The sloop-of-war Plymouth, Commander Gedney, andthe brig Dolphin, Lieutenant Cormmnanding Page, having been recently detached from  this service on the
expiration of their cruise, are now on their passage to the United States.
In the month of February last, the commander of this squadron took on
board of his flag-ship, the sloop of-war Plymouth, at Macao, Mr. Ballestier, who had been appointed acommercial agent of the United States,,an  carried him to Cochin China and other parts of Eastern Asia, with a
view to the extension of our commercial relations among those distant
and peculiar nations.
It is a sourcevof high gratification that, wherever our flag has been displayed by a national vessel, it has received the respect due to the national
character, and that our interests and commerce in every sea have been secure and prosperous under its protection.
Under the joint resolution of Congress approved May 2, 1850, " authorizing the President to accept and attach to the navy two vessels offered
by Henry Grinnell, esq., of New  York, to be sent to the Arctic seas in
search of the British commander, Sir John Franklin, and his companions,"
whose uncertain and melancholy situation has enlisted the sympathies of
the friends of science and nautical adventure throughout the world, two
~brigantines were received, and by order of my predecessor were placed
under the command of Lieutenant J. De Haven, who, with a sufficient
crew of officers and men, nobly volunteered for "that service.  The corn




19Q6                        9Doe. No.. 
mand of one of these vessels was assigned to Passed lMidshipman S P.
Griffin, Lieutenant De Haven commanding the other in person, and having the direction of the expedition.  They sailed from  New York in the
month of May, and, at the date of their last report to the department, had
advanced to the 75th degree of north latitude, and about the 60th degree
of wvest longitude, gallantly contending with the icebergs of that region,
and as yet not without hope of success in their humane but perilous enterprise.
In the active service, afloat, of the officers of the navy, it is proper to
enumerate their labors on the coast survey-a work which, although
committed to the direction of the Treasury Department, is, in the most important part of its field operations, essentially performed by them.  Du1ring the last year, nine parties-eight in the Atlantic and one in the
Pacific  each in charge of a lieutenant in the navy, accompanied by a
competent force of midshipmten as assistants, have been actively engaged.
in this survey., Whether in consideration of the main objects expected.
to be realized,in the completion of the work, and the large agency in its
execution devolved on the navy, it would not be more appropriate and
just, as well as economical, to assign it wholly to this branch of the service, is worthy of the attentive consideration of the legislature.
Having presented a  hasty review of the service of our various squadrons
during the past year, and designing to suggest some general considerations
upon the naval policy required by the present interests of the country, I
deen it needful to a full comprehension of the subject very briefly to review our present naval establishment.
The'vessels of the javy of the United States consist of7 ships of the line,
I razee,
12 frigates,
21 sloops of war,
4 brigs;
2 schooners,
5 steam frigates,
3 stearers. of the 1st class,
6 steamers less than 1st class;
5 storeships.
Of these theeare are    commissionl —
I razee,
6 frigates,
15 sloops of war,
4 brigs,
2 schooners, (coast survey,)
2 steam frigates,
I steamer of 1st class,
3 steamers less than 1st class,
3 ships of the line as receiving-ships,
I steamer,        do    do       do.
I sloop,          do    do      do.
There are also on the stooks and in progress of construction; but the'
-work thereon now suspended4 ships of the line,
2 aigates,




Doc. No...197'
To the foregoing may be added a contingent naval force of vessels
owned by individuals, but built by contract with the government, and
employed in the transportation of the mail, and liable in any emergency
to be taken at valuation and converted into vessels of war, namely:
4 steamers of the 1st class, employed on'the line between New
York and Liverpool.  A fifth is contracted for, but not yet
constructed.
I steamer of the 1st class between Newx York and Chagres.  A
second steamer on this line has been brought into use, but
has not been finished so as to undergo inspection and be received.  The contract on this line, as on that to LiverpooT;
provides for five steam-ships.
To supply the demands of the service in the construction, equipment,
-and repair of vessels of all descriptions, navy-yards'are established at1. Portsmouth, New Hampshire;
2. Charlestown, Massachusetts3. Brooklyn, New York;
4. Philadelphia;
5. Washington;
6. Norfolk;
7. Pensacola;
8. Memphis.
Permanent stone docks have been many years since erected at the
yards in Charlestown and Norfolk, and a third is nearly completed. in that
at Brooklyn.  Floating balance-docks, with stone basins and railways,
are expected to be completed for use at Portsmouth and Pensacola in the
course of the ensuing year; and a floating sectional-dock, also with a
stone basin and railway, at Philadelphia, within the same period.  If
these three docks shall realize the expectations of the government, they,
-with the dry-dock at New York, will have augmented our naval facilities
in this respect threefold within the next twelve months, and will have
provided all the accommodation of that kind which may be required on
~the waters of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico for many years to
come.  The navy-yard at'Washington carries on a highly important
mnanufactory of ordnance and ordnance stores, of anchors, chain cables,
steam-engines, and other fabrics of iron, and preparations are in progress
to erect there machinery for rolling copper-an establishment long wanted,
as well on the score of economy as to furnish a better quality of rolled
copper for sheathing vessels than can be obtained in market.  The yard
at Memphis is being immediately prepared for the manufacture of cordage
and other supplies of hempen materials for naval uses, and its operations
may be enlarged with the necessities of the service.  I have regretted to
learn that there has been some loss in the expenditure there, in consequence of the difficulty of obtaining a firm  foundation for the buildings;
and it is in contemplation to have a survey of the yard by a board of
enlgineers constituted for that purpose, -in accordance with the recomnmendation of the chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, to provide
against like casualties for the future.
In conformity with the act of the last session, authorizing the con-,struction of a sectional or floating dry-dock, basin, and railway on the
coast of the Pacific, I have invited proposals for the construction of such
-a work, and the officers of the proper bureau are now engaged in calcula



1 98                         Doc. No. 1.
tions intended to test the reasonableness of those offered.  So soon a.t
satisfactory terms shall be agreed upon, it is the intention of the departnent to expedite the work with all practicable despatch.
It is estimated that, independently of the public works, fixtures, imachinery, &c., at the existing navy-yards, the stores on hand for the construction, equipment, and repair of vessels are equal in value, in round
numbers, to $6,500,000.  The resources of the country in timber, iron,
copper, hemp, and every species of naval supplies, will enable these to be
increased according to our necessities.  Many intelligent persons incline
to the opinion that, in the present state of mechanical science and enterprise, and with the abundance of capital in our country, it would be'
wiser to rely upon contracts With private citizens for the building and repairs of our public vessels, than to carry on the work under the supervision of public officers; and it may well be doubted whether, if a systemr were now to be projected, without reference to what has been heretofore done, the number of our navy-yards might not be considerably
abridged.  With these establishments, however, now capable of use, and:'with the inconsiderable amounts necessary to preserve them, I cannotrecommend that any of them be abandoned.  The system of dependence
on private contracts, moreover, would deprive the government of any
convenience of location for repairing and building vessels, and concentrate all such operations in the commercial cities, where private as well as
public patronage might be expected.  It is, moreover, so indispensable
that ships of war shall be constructed on the most improved plans, to be
devised only by a ipractical knowledge of naval warfare as well as of'naval architecture, and shall be thoroughly built, of the best materials,
that' it would be hazardous to resort to a new method of supplying theml
where the chief security for their effectiveness would be the profit to be
realized by the contractor.  In a time of war, when every expedient
might be necessary to add to the navy, our private ship-yards would.
doubtless be found most important auxiliaries for the'supply of vessels;
but it would be most injudicious to depend on them as our only resource
in preparation for war.
Such being the condition of the vessels of the navy, and our facilities:
and preparations for augmenting their number, the question naturally
presents itself,'What naval force do we require?  The answer to this
question must, of course, vary with the varying circumstances of thecountry.  Having been organized on its present basis by the act of Congress of 1798, and considerably enlarged, in consequence of the state of
hostilities with France, for the two or three years succeeding, the naval
force was reduced in 1801, and the number of vessels and officers limited
by law, the supernumerary officers being discharged and the vessels soldo
T'he Tripolitan war, which.soon succeeded, required speedy additions to
the force thus reserved; and, with our extended and increasing commerce;)
with the obvious necessity for its protection, and the protracted dispute
with Great Britain as to the rights of our flag on the ocean, and the bril.
liant achievements by which those rights were vindicated by the navy in
the war which ended this dispute, it so gained in the public estimation,
that, at the close of the war, instead of a reduction of this arm of the na-'
tional defence, as was the case with the army, the annual sum of $1,000)-.
000 foreight years was appropriated for the gradual increase of the navy.
Although this appropriation was reduced to $500,000 per year in 1820,




Doe. No. 1                            199
the policy of gradual increase still continued to be a favorite object with
Congress and the country.  In 1825, 1826, and 1827, the question of a
proper naval peace establishment was much discussed and considered,
but was left undecided by the legislature; and appropriations for increase,
as well as maintenance and repair, have continued to be made, with some
irregularity as to intervals and amounts, until the present time, but without any definition by Congress of the number and description of vessels
deemed necessary for the national marine.
The numbers in the various grades of the personnel of the navy has,
until within a recent period, been left still more undefined than the nuimber of ships. Since the reduction of the number of vessels and men,
after the re-establishment of friendly relations with France by treaty in
1801, no statute for more than forty years ever limited the sum total of
persons to be employed in the navy or in its several ranks and offices.
The number of commissioned officers in any grade up to and including
a captaincy depended on the President and Senate, and the number of
warrant officers on the President or head of the department alone.  By
a provisional clause in the annual appropriation bill approved August 4,
1842, the number of officers in the respective grades of the navy was
directed not to be increased beyond the number in service on the 1st of
January, 1842, and any further appointment of rmidshipmen was forbidden until they should be reduced to the number in service on the 1st of
January, 1841. In.this retrospective proviso of an appropriation bill, the
number of officers was fixed by a standard not then before the eye of the
legislature, but to be searched for in-the register of the service for the two
preceding years; and by this, after being thus ascertained, it continues to
be regulated.
The  ersonnel of the navy thus established comprises68 captains;
97 commanders;
327 lieutenants;
68 surgeons;
37 passed assistant surgeons,
43 assistant surgeons;'64 pursers;
24 chaplains;
12 professors of mathematics;
11 masters in the line of promotion; and
464 passed and other midshipmen.
To which are to be added, besides other warrant officers, according to
the annual appropriation for pay and subsistence, 7,500 petty officers, seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen, and boys.  The capacity of the country to enlarge this force, whenever desirable, may be readily perceived by
stating that wve have now in the mercantile marine 3,000,000 of tons of
shipping-an amount greater than that of any other nation of the world;
and, according to the ordinary estimate of six men to every one hundred
tons, there are in our merchant service 180,000 seamen.  In this array of
hardy mariners to recruit from, and in our vast resources for building,
equipping, and arming ships of war, we possess the elements of a naval
power unsurpassed in the history of nations.  The problem to be solved
by tfe statesman is, how far these elements are to be brought into usewhether the present establishment, with its accustomed regulation and




'2M0'                 jDoc. No. -1'direction, is adapted to our present necessities, or rwhether it may be reformed, regulated, and improved, so as better to answer the great objects
of its institution: and, in considering these questions, we must bear constantly in mind that we have arrived at a new era in our history, arising
from our occupation and vast extension of our territories on the coast of
the Pacific.
It is not a matter of surprise that a system  which has grown to its
present dimensions without any law  of increase should be found unshapely and disproportioned.  An obvious fault of the present organization of the personnel of the navy, as above set forth, is the disparity
between the head and the subordinate parts.  The natural desire for promotion has brought into the higher grades a greater number of officers
than is required by the present force of ships and nen, or than will be
required in any state of things likely soon to occur.
The shore stations, comprehending navy-yards, receiving-ships, and.
naval asylum, and including one of each for the Pacific coast, will reulire18 captains;
21 commanders;
56 lieuteints;
27 surgeons;
10 passed and assistant surgeons;
14 pursers;
12 chaplains;
60 passed and other midshipmen.:Leaving for sea service50 captains;
76 conmmanders;
271 lieutenants;
41 surgeons;
70 passed and assistant surgeons;
50 pursers;
10 chaplains;
404 passed and other midshipmen.
Assuming the present number of 7,500 petty officers, seamen, ordinary:seamen, landsmen, and  boys, as the force  to be cdmmanded,  and
dividing it into six squadrons, each to consist of1 ship of the line;
I frigate;
1 steamer of the first class;
I       do        second class;
3 sloops of war:
1t will give employment at one time to24' captainsi
30 commnanders;
156 lieutenants;
36 surgeons;
60 passed and assistant surgeons;
42 pursers;
6 chaplains;
396 passed and other midshipmen.




Doc. Noi 1.                             201.
Leaving unemployed, either on land or' sea —
26 captains;
46 conmmanders'
115 lieutenants;
5 surgeons;
10 passed and assistant surgeons;
8 pursers;
4 chaplains 3
S passed and other midshipmen.
In a service subjected to hardship, danger, and deprivation of the
comnforts of domestic life, there should be, at all times, such a number of
~officers as to allow a reasonable respite between active cruises at sea, and
to provide against losses from  sudden causalty.  But, as duty on shore
is itself a relief fromi duty at sea, it is believed that the above list of supernumerary officers, at least in the three highest grades, is greater than is demanded for an effective naval establishment; and I therefore recommend
that the numbers be reduced to60 captains;
80 commanders;
800 lieutenants;
with corresponding modifications in the inferior grades.  Such a reduction would adapt the supply of officers to the state of the service, and, by
affording employment to all, with occasional intervals of relaxation,
would tend to advance the standard of professional skill and acquirement..
It would still leave in the grades of and below  a lieutenancy a sufficient
number for the duties of ordnance, hydrography, scientific observation,
the coast survey, and all special service, besides active duty at sea, and
at the navy-yards and other shore stations.
While the propriety of this curtailment would appear to be manifest, to).give symmetry to the naval corps, and to infuse life and animation into all
its parts, by more active employment, and therefore to be demanded by
the public interests, justice to those who have devoted themselves to the
service of their country, and have given to it the prime of their manhood,
requires that it shall be effected in the most delicate manner to the feelings
of those discharged, and that suitable remuneration shall be made to thern
for the disappointment and change in their means of livelihood.  We are
not, however, without precedents for such a proceeding, in the reduction
of the navy by the act of March 3, 1801, and the large reduction of the
army to a peace establishment by the act of Mlarch 2, 1821.  Whether
the designation of the persons to be discharged shall be devolved on the
President, as in the instances just recited, or on a board of officers convened for that purpose, is respectfully referred to the wisdom of Congress.
Having, by this process, determined on the size of the navy, it will be
necessary, in order to render it effective, to provide that, from  time to
time, as officers may decline in capacity for us'eful public service, either
from superannuation or other cause, they may be retired from the active
list on terms both just and liberal.
The duty of the government to take care, in old age or in unavoidable
decrepitude or disease, of its gallant and faithful servants, should be in
no respect pretermitted; but hothing should be allowed to interfere with
the efficiency of the navy for the purposes of its institution.  Incompetency from vice and dissipation should be viewed with displeasure: incorm



202                         LDoc. No. 1.
petency from  unavoidable and honorable causes, with commiseration and!
kindness.  But in neither case should command or promotion be denied
to those who must really and effectually stand between the country and
its enemies in the hour of danger.  Even in judicial offices, held during
good behaviour, in all well-regulated states, provision has been made for
removal from office for mental or physical incompetency, as well as for
criminality.  In' this connexion, it is worthy of serious consideration
whether mere seniority of commission should not be disregarded in promotions to grades above that of commander.  Although the power of the
President in nominating to all offices is unlimited by the constitution and
dependent on no qualifications in the candidate, and although, in a few
instances, there have been departures from  the rule in question, yet
general usage has made lineal promotion to all grades in the navy almost
a matter of right.  It is certainly convenient, inasmuch as it prevents.
favoritism, and advances discipline and subordination, by suppressing hostile rivalry, to adhere to this usage to a certain point of elevation; but it
is inconsistent with the spirit of the age; as well as with all our ideas of
propriety, that the highest rank in a profession whose active members are
habitually exposed, if not to the dangers of battle, to those of the ocean,
the tempest, and of pestilential climates, and in which there is so wide a
field for competition in acquirement, skill, and conduct, should be made
to depend on longevity or survivorship-the mere conditions and accidents
of entailed estates in family settlements.  It is therefore proposed that, in
all future promotions to a captaincy, or to a higher rank, if such shall be,
established, seniority shall not be regarded, and merit shall be esteemed
the only criterion of selection.  This will appear to be the more eminently'
just and proper, since, under the present system, no brevet rank or other'
advancement in the naval service is allowed to reward the most heroic
exploit or acknowledged professional superiority-promotion coming none
the sooner to the best, none the later to the worst, provided they cal
escape being cut off from the service by the sentence of a court-martial'.
Another defect in the present establishment, too manifest to be overlooked by the most casual observer, is the disparity between the ages of
subaltern officers and their grades, proceeding from the fixed numbers in
each rank, and the failure to provide for any promotion except in cases of
vacancy. The senior passed midshipmen now  in the service are older
than. were Perry, Decatur, and Mlacdonough when they achieved their
victories, withl so much renown to the country; the senior lieutenants,
past the age when military duty is required of the citizen in the militia;
and the commanders and captains, proportionally older.  The aspiring'
youth now  entering the navy may not hope to reach the rank of a commander in the period which is ascertained to be the average duration of
human life.  This long apprenticeship, which is not required for learning
his duties, but is occasioned by keeping him in waiting for promotion until the exit of some one above him, not only depresses his ambition by
deferring his hopes, but denies him opportunity for the culture of his selfreliance, confidence in his own skill and judgment, and the hundred
nameless attributes of a thorough officer which are only to be acquired
by being thrown upon his own resources and responsibility.
To remedy this defect, which has become the more grievous and
striking since the limitation imposed on the number of officers and pro



Doe. No. 1.                            203
motions by the law of 1842, already referred to, two methods have been
severally suggested by officers of great merit and intelligence:
1st. To reduce the number of midshipmen so as to furnish only so
many as may be required to supply the higher grades as vacancies may
occur;
2d. To educate a number equally as great as that now established,
and to fix an age in every grade upon the attainment of which, if no vacancy exists for promotion, they may be retired from the navy, to find employment in the merchant service, and supply a reserved corps, in case of
war, of the most efficient character.
Whether either of these is worthy of adoption, or some preferable cure
may be devised for this imperfection, is submitted for the deliberation of
Congress.
I also most earnestly recommend that the service itself be elevated by
recognising by law  the office of commodore, and by the creation of at
least two officers of the rank of rear admiral.  This increase of rank in
the navy, often proposed in the earlier history of the country, seems now
to be demanded by the highest considerations of policy and duty.  Not
to speak of its effect in promoting discipline and effectiveness by an increased and concentrated responsibility in the highest grades of the service, it would add to the dignity of our officers, not unfrequently the'
representatives of their country in direct intercourse with foreign governments, and to the respect accorded to them by those of other nations, in,
their intercol rse abroad, and furnish a. new and powerful incentive to excellence in the minds of the meritorious and aspiring of all the inferiorranks.'We have at this time veterans in our navy with the commissions
only of captain, and the titles, by courtesy, of commodore, because they
have commanded squadrons, who meet on the ocean, as rear admirals and
vice admirals, contemporaries in other services with whom, in early life,
they associated as co-lieutenants, and who now, with superior rank, have
often commands numerically inferior to their own.  A nation which must
be classed among the great naval powers of the world, and which, in the'
abundance of its resources and its situation between the two greatest oceans,
is capable of occupying the very first place, should no longer delay the
establishment of higher naval ranks, and should look to and prepare forthe command of fleets as well as squadrons, in any exigency which may
call for it.
Our navy, in its aggregate of persons, is about equal to the army. The
commanders of some of its squadrons have actually under their cornmand more men than a division-the command of a major general.  And
yet its highest commissioned officer, a captain, ranks with a colonel. By
a resolution of the Continental Congress in 1776, providing a navy for
the war of the Revolution, the relative rank of officers in the land and
naval services was established as follows, viz:
An admiral, as a general.
Vice admiral, as a lieutenant general.
Rear admiral, as a major general.
Commodore, as a brigadier general.
Captain of a ship of forty guns and upwards, as a colonel, &c., &c,
This scheme of relative rank prevails in the British service at the present-day. It is worthy of remark, that, although at no period since has there
been less than one major general of the army of the United States, our




'204                          Doc. No. 1
naval officers-though, in addition to their proper commands, they are, from,the nature of their service, much more frequently than those of the army
called to act for their country in diplomatic intercourse with distant nations, whose artificial states of society render rank so important a consideration-have never been advanced beyond a commandant of a regiment,
No comparison can possibly be indulged to the disparagement of either of
these necessary arms of our defence, which have so harmoniously co-operated against the public enemies, wherever opportunity has permitted;
and no good reaso n can be perceived why the highest officer of the one
service should not, as a general rule, now as in 1776,and here as in Great
Britain, be equal in rank to the highest officer of the other.  If Congress
shall think proper to add the rank of lieutenant general to the army as a
reward for the long service and brilliant success of a veteran soldier, it:may be accompanied or followed by its correlative of vice admiral i n the
navy, according to the pleasure of the legislature.
Of the two rear admirals proposed, one might be most usefully employed
at the department itself, when not on more active duty, in such supervision and direction of the personnel of the navy as might be assigned him
by the head of the department, in analogy to the connexion of the general-in-chief and the adjutant general with the Department of War.  The
other, when not in command at sea, should establish his quarters at San
Francisco, or other point on the Pacific coast, and should be invested with
command over all the naval officers and seamen w est of the Rock.y mountains, as well as the naval forces in the Pacific, and in the China and
East India seas-reporting all his orders, and the operations and proceedings under them, to the department, at stated and early periods. The distance
of our Pacific coast from the seat of government, even by the most expeditious route, is too great for an energetic system of naval operations by
means of the transmission of orders and despatches to and fro, or even for
the enforcement of proper discipline, under the existing law. In the tatter
particular, our squadron there is in a less eligible situation than it was before the acquisition of California.  The commander of a squadron on a.
foreign station is empowered to order courts-martial, and to approve aid
carry into effect their sentences; but if it be within the United States, a
court can only be ordered by the Presidentor the head of the departtment,
Thus military justice, wvhich was formerly of easy enforcement where the
squadron was sufficiently numerous, to furnish the necessary officers to
constitute a court, is dependent now on. orders from'Washington, and hlas
become too tardy in its administration for the ends of the service.  This
inconvenience is seriously felt, and demands an early remedy. It s, however, but one of many illustrations of the necessity for stationing on that
coast an officer of higher rank and larger authority than any now existing in the navy.
The object in maintaining our naval force in the Pacific, and deltanding that it shall be in the highest state of efficiency, is twofld:
1st. To protect a coast more than one thousand miles in length, occupied by a sparse population, probably not exceeding in the whole three
hundred thousand souls, two-thirds of whom are dependent on sea-going
commerce fbr-the supply of their ordinary food and raiment, and are separated
by mountains and deserts of a thousand miles in extent froml our other settlements.
2d. To give adequate protection and encouragement to our country



Doc. No. 1.                             205
men engaged i. the whale fisheries, in commerce in the South Pacific
and to that expanding commerce with Eastern Asia which our possessions in the Pacific will enable us to comrand, with a proper improvement of our lawful advantages.  A naval policy adequate to these ends
seems to be indispensably required.  it is a fact perhaps not generally
kn-own, that the longest voyage, in the time necessary for its accomplishrent, now  made by navigators, is that from our Atlantic to our Pacific
ports; and hence it will appear manifestly expedient, in cruises on that
ocean, to fit out naval expeditions from  the Pacific coast; which  shall
return thither at the end of their tour.  A  vessel sent there from  the
Atlantic,  according to the present arrangement, to return at the end of
three years, loses one year of the three in going and returning; and, from
the marked difference in the navigation of the two oceans, if the design
-be to bring her home to refit, she will need a condition of repair, to enable
her to wea-thier Cape Horn and pass up the boisterous coast of the Atlantic,
which will qualify her for an extended cruise in the Pacific. The extraoCrdiniary state of prices now prevailing forbids the idea of building vessels.
or recruiting seamen on that coast.  Indeed, the flag-ship of the commodore of the Pacific squadron was, at last advices, deficient by more than
oine-half in her complement of men, without the ability to recruit more,
except at wages far above those now  allowed.  It must, therefore, be
greatly to our interest, at least until a change in monetary affairs in
1st. To built ships and recruit sailors on the Atlantic coast for the Pacific feet;
2d. iWhen a sufficient number of vessels shall be placed on that side of
the continient, to retain them  there for permanent use; and
36d. rWit'en crews are wanted to man them, after the expiration of
the tefrm  of those originally carried out, to enlist them in the Atlantic
paorts  and send them out in,government transports, in the ordinary line of
travel, across the Isthmus of Panama, as they are now  transported from
one Atlantic port to another.  With a dock for repairing vessels on the
(Calufornlia  coast, as contemplated by the act of the last session of Congress, such a course of policy would enable us, at all times, to keep an:
eliective fleet in the Pacific, and operate a vast saving in time and money
to the service in that quarter.
By a judicious disposition of our vessels, and the improvement of the
organization and discipline of the personnel to the highest point ot efficiency it is believed that our naval force need not be immediately augmented in any great degree, notwithstanding the accession to our territories;
and that the policy of "gradual increase," so long pursued, while it
requires attention to every improvement in naval construction and warfare, need not be materially hastened.  How great will be the transition:
in the art of war on the sea by reason of the introduction of steam  as a
propelling power to vessels of war, remains yet to be determined.  That.
it htas already fu.rnished an arm  of great power, which has been well
likened to flying artillery on land, is beyond all question~ And, though
not concurring in the opinion that war steamers will supersede sail vessels as ships of war, I am  yet thoroughly persuaded that they will be
most valuable auxiliaries; and I respectfully submit for your examination,
herewith, a letter from an officer of much intelligence and experience in
the command ofi steam- shis of war, in regard to their efficiency in hostile



-:206                       Doc. No. L
operations, simply as striking bodies, in running down the vessels of an
enemy, by means of their great weight and the momentum of which they
are capable by the power of steam. As connected with this subject, I
likewise invite attention to the recommendation of the chief of the Burieau of Construction, that our sail-ships of war hereafter to be constructed shall be furnished with  steam-propellers, to be used on occasions
where celerity of motion adverse to the prevailing winds may be important.'But, with the improvements constantly going on in ocean steamers,
I would not recommend a large addition to this species of naval force,:except in the event of war, lest the progress of invention shall supplant
them by others of superior construction.
Of the four war steamers authorized to be built by the act of Congress
of the 3d of,March, 1847, the Saranac only has been gotten ready for sea.
It is, however, not doubted that the other three will be also ready in the
course of a few months. While the Saranac will be retained in the home
-squadron as an effective cruiser in any emergency which may arise, it is
contemplated to attach the Susquehannah to the East India squadron, and.
to send the two remaining Ones to the Pacific and the coast of Brazil. It
is in contemplation also to require the commandants of the squadrons in
the Pacific and the East Indies, and in like manner of those on the coasts
of Brazil and Africa, at certain convenient times and places, to meet with
~the greater parts of their respective 1commands for the purpose of exercising
in fleets.  It has so happened that all our naval battles, in which the skill
and prowess of our officers have been so signally maintained, have been
(with inconsiderable exceptions on the lakes) fought between single ships..And it remains to be demonstrated whether their proficiency in the signals, combinations, manoeuvres, and exercises of fleets is equal to their 
well-tried abilities in inferior commands.
The Naval Academy at Annapolis, having been placed under a new and
improved system of regulations, to take effect from  the first day of July
last, and under an enlarged corps of professors, affords facilities and
means of professional education not heretofore enjoyed by the young gentlemen entering the service, and, it is to be hoped, is destined to furnish
the navy with what has been so long and so beneficially enjoyed by the
army in the Military Academy at West Point.  The attachment to the
Naval Academy of a practice-ship, for the purpose of practical instruction
in seamanship and gunnery, in short cruises, under the direction of the
-superintendent, in analogy to the system of encampment by the cadets,
is regarded as an improvement of great value. The academic term, in
-conformity with the new arrangement, commenced on the 1st of October,
-under the direction of Commander Stribling as superintendent, and is in
successful progress. Plans and estimates for improvements in the buildings and grounds of the academy will be found in the report of the chief
"of the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography, which are approved and.
~recommended by the department. Applications of meritorious persons
for the appointment of midshipmen induce me to recommend that a few
appointments at large be allowed to the President, as a means of promoting youths of extraordinary promise, and of placing the sons of officers of
the navy and army, who have little choice of residence, on a footing of
equality with the other young men of the country in eligibleness for the.naval service.
The deficiency of the articles of war for the government of the ravy




Doe. No. 1                               207T:has been so repeatedly brought to the attention of Congress in the reports,of my predecessors, that I could content myself on this head by a general,
reference to them, but for the alteration made in these articles by a clause
in the appropriation act of the last session.  As the department construes
that act, the punishment of whipping for any crime or offence, whether
by the judgment of a court-martial or the summary command  of the
chief officer of a ship, is totally abolished.  Deferring entirely to this decision of the legislature, I deem  it my duty to remind them  that the act
-in question has imposed on them  the duty of revising the whole system
-of offences and punishments in the navy without delay.  Both officers and
seamen should be early informed, not only what is the rule of their conduct, but what penalty will be incurred in case of its violation.  The
punishment- by whipping entered so largely into the code heretofore existing since the foundation of the navy, that its abolition has left in the
hands of authority but few other sanctions than those of death and imprisonment; and its simple prohibition, without any other change of the
system, leaves the offender still exposed to the extreme penalty of human
law, to which stripes were in many instances only a milder alternative.
Thus:
"Article 14. No officer or private in the navy shall disobey the lawful
orders of his superior officer, or strike him, or draw, or offer to draw, or
raise, any weapon against him, while in the execution Sff the duties of his
office, on pain of death, or such other punishment as a court-martial shall
inflict."
"Article 17. If any person in the navy shall desert, or shall entice
others to desert, he shall suffer death, or such other punishment as a
court-martial shall adjudge, &c."
"Article 20. If any person in the navy shall sleep upon his watch, or
negligently perform the duty assigned him, or leave his station before regularly relieved, he shall suffer death, or such other punishment as a courtmartial shall adjudge; or, if the offender be a private, he may, at the discretion of the captain, be put in irons, or flogged not exceeding twelve
rashes. 
It is manifest, therefore, that, in  all such cases, involving the sentences of courts-martial, the recent legislation has in no degree abated the
severity of the naval code. But it was probably the infliction of this punishment in a summary way, by the order of a commander of a ship, in
which there have, doubtless, at times, been abuses, which was the principal mischief intended to be remedied.  The alternative in that case,
and which now  exists, is confinement in irons.  Aside from  any comparison in the degrees of degradation of these two modes of punishment,
it cannot fail to be observed that the latter, disables and weakens the ships'
company by the amount of every man confined. and would have few
terrors for hardened offenders on the trying occasions of a battle or a storm.
It must also be recollected that, existing at discretion, it is liable to the
same abuse with its alternative already mentioned, although not so effectual for'the enforcement of discipline. In view of the difficulties
which surround the subject, I availed myself of the presence of a board.
of highly intelligent and experienced officers, assembled at the seat oI
government for another purpose, to ask their opinion on several questions
connected with this change of discipline, and will probably be able to
-commnunicate it within a few  days.  And I respectfully suggest that a




208                          Doe. No. 1.
conumittee of Congress shall take the testimony on oath of' respectable,
and experienced seamen, as well as officers, in reference to a proper code
of discipline for'the service, and especially in legard to the discretionary'
punishments to be imposed by officers in command of single ships.
The line of mail steamers between New York and Liverpool owned
by Ar. E. K. Collins and his associates commenced the transpolrtation
of the mails in April last, in compliance with their contract with this
department under the act of Cohgress of the 3d March, 1847, in two
steamships, the Atlantic aid Pacific, to which have been recently added
two others, the Arctic and Baltic, and has been eminently successful in
making the passages across the ocean.
The line from  New York to Chagres owned by Mr. George Law, assignee of A. G. Slooe and authorized by the same act, has had no accession to its number of vessels since the last annual report from this department.
The line from Panama to San Francisco, and thence to Astoria, of
which Mr. William  H. Aspinwall is proprietor, as assignee of Arnold
Harris, has received an addition of two newv steamers, the Tennessee
and Columbia, within the last few months —making its whole number
five. According to the directions contained in the act of the last session,.
approved 28th of September, 1850, directing payment to be made on
these several lines according to the service actually performed, there was
paid to George Law, for mail service on his line from 1st December, 1848,
to 30th September, 1850, in cash, $300,278, and by credit on his debt
for advances $50000.
This payment was made in compliance with what was supposed to be
the intention of Congress in the proviso to the appropriation for the mail
steam service in that act.  That, however, was a temporary provision,.
and the especial direction of Congress is desired in relation to futucre
payments for service on this line.
And on the 20th and 29th November, 1850, there was paid to E. K.,
Collins and his associates, for service on their line, $163,000-leaving the
former indebted to the United States in the sum. of $240,000, with interest, and the latter in the sum of $385,000, for advancements made in
aid of their enterprise, which will become due in April next, with intereat.
Mr. William H. Aspinwall repaid the whole amount of the advancemients received by him in mail service prior to the 18th of' February last,
according to a settlement then made, and, having executed his contract.
with great punctuality, has had further settlements with the department
to the 30th of September last.
I respectfilly recommend that a line for the transportation of the mails
from San Francisco to Macao, Shanghai, or other point in Eastern Asia,,
either by steamers or sail vessels, be also established.  Such a line would
furnish regular and early means of communication between our squadrons in the Pacific and the China seas, enabling their early co-operation
whenever occasion might require, and would contribute much to the facilitation of that commerce with the East to which reference has been already made.  In consequence of the adaptation of mail steamers principally for speed and transportation, it has been doubted, by officers of great
intelligence, whether they can be converted into war steamers of the first
class without much additional expense, since they have neither the
strength to bear heavy armaments nor to withstand cannonading.  Buat
as lo11g as warfare at sea;unlike that on laud; permits the seizure of the




Doc. No. 1.                           209
"private property of the people of an enemy when found afloat on the
ocean, they can always be employed with great advantage under light
armaments against the commerce of an adversary. With speed to over-take a merchant vessel, and at the same time elude the pursuit of a.
cruiser, they must prove a most formidable means of annoyance to iner-,chantmen. 
The operations at the National Observatory and hydrographical office
~continue to be conducted in a manner highly satisfactory, and are. adding
much to the stores of knowledge and the facilities of ocean navigation.
By virtue of the authority contained in the act of Congress approved
March 3, 1.849, I have recently appointed an agent in the city of London
-to make sale of copies of the charts prepared at the hydrographical office
for the mere cost of printing them, with the charges of transportation
and a reasonable commission, so as to diffuse the information afforded by
them to nautical peisons generally.
The astronomical expedition, under Lieutenant Gilliss, to Santiago de
Chile, with a view to a new determination of the distance of the earth from
the sun, by observations carried on at the same time there and here, and other.scientific objects, has prosecuted its labors successfully, and has been.signally favored by the Chilian government and people, as is manifest
from the flattering mention of it in the recent message of the President
to the Congress of that country, and from his applying and procuring to
be attached to it a number of their young men as students of astronomy.
The preparations for the publication of an American Nautical Almanac,
by Lieutenant Davis, under the direction of the department, are in an
advanced state of progress. It will appear, in a letter appended from him,
that he has solicited and engaged the labors of scientific persons in various parts of the United States as assistant computors; and there is
every reason to hope that, when this work shall be completed, it will not;
only be highly valuable to navigators, but will be worthy of the scientific.
character of the country.
The experiments of Professor Page, in testing the application of electromagnetism as a motive power in mechanics, have been continued since
my report made in compliance with a resolution of the Senate in September last, by virtue of the appropriation of March 3, 1S49; and he is now
engaged in preparation for a trial trip of a locomotive, on a railroad, propelled by this power.
The meteorological observations of Professor Espy, which are still in
progress, under the appropriation made at the last session of Congress,
will be detailed in his report to be presented to Congress.
The course of experiments in gunnery, and the preparation of ordnance
and ordnance stores of all kinds at the navy-yard in Washington, have
been conducted in a manner highly satisfactory to the department; and,
in consideration of the great importance of this particular duty to the
effectiveness of our naval armament everywhere, and the labor and responsibility of the officer charged with it, I with deference recommend that
his compensation be made equal to that of a commander at sea.
A board of naval officers has been convened, agreeably to your instructions, for advice and information on the questions of rank between officers
of the military and civil branches of the naval service, and the relative
rank of officers of the army and navy when acting together, on which
the opinion of the President was requested by a resolution of the House,
14




210                          Doc.. No.,of Representatives at the last session, and their report will be laid before
you as soon as received.
The joint board of officers of the army and navy, who have been engaged in the examination of our Pacific coast, with reference to harbors,
fortifications, light-houses, navy-yards, and docks, is expected to finish its
work in the present month, and return to the seat of government. -The
selection of a site for a navy-yard and dock on that coast has been deferred
until the reception of the report of the board, and a personal conference
with the officers composiug it.
By virtue of the authority conferred on the head of this department, in
the act of Congress approved September 28, 1850, to purchase American
water-rotted hemp in open market for the use of the navy, provided the
price shall not exceed that of " the foreign article for the last five years,"
the hemp agents at Louisville and St. Louis have been instructed to
make inquiries and receive proposals as to the price of the article; but no
sufficient information has yet been received to justify purchases of the
quantity required.
I subjoin the reports of the respective heads of bureaux of this department and of the commandant of the marine corps, presenting estimates
for the fiscal year ending the 30th of June, 1852; together with an aggregate statement of the appropriations required for all objects under the
supervision of this department-the sum total of which is -   S8,111,601
From  this should be deducted the estimates for extraordinary objects, as follows, viz: Transportation of the mails,
improvements of navy-yards, Nautical Almanac, &c., &c.   2,210,980
To show the amount proposed for the support of the naval
service, including the marinie corps, for the year  -        5,900,621
The above aggregate, it will be perceived, is less by more than one
million of dollars than were the estimates for the present year.  To it,
however, must be added the amount which may be required for the floating dry-dock, basin, and railway on the coast of the Pacific, of which an
estimate will be supplied so soon as a contract shall be made and the
price of the whole work agreed upon.
I take the liberty to suggest that the appropriations for the annual
support of the navy should be separated from  those for fixed and permanent objects on shore, and more especially from those for extraordinary
objects under the supervision of the department, which, however important as subjects of public interest, are not necessarily connected with it.
If, in analogy to the bills for the erection of fortifications and for the support of the Military Academy as related to the army, distinct bills were
prepared for navy-yards and docks, and the Naval Academy, and for the
mail steam service, and. other objects of the class above mentioned, it
wvould contribute to a better understanding of the matters involved-perhaps to greater economy under each of these various heads-and would
relieve the navy from the charge of extravagant expenditures.
The total amount drawn from the treasury during the fiscal year end"
ing June 30, 1850, as shown by the statement of appropriations for the
naval service prepared by the Second Comptroller of the Treasury, is
$9,691,805 61; from which deduct repayments, $1,799,913 67, and there
is left the sum of' $7,891,891 94, as the expenditures on all objects under
the control of this departrment.




Doc. No. 1.                           211
Of this amount there was expended for "special objects," the sum  of
$2,368,169 11; leaving as the true expenditures, for the support of the
navy and marine corps, the sum of $5,523,722 S3.
The unexpended balance in the treasury, of the appropriations for the
naval service, marine corps, and special objects under the control of this
department, on the 30th of June, 1 850, was $3,839,253 84, all of which
will be required to meet outstanding obligations due from the appropriations made for that year.
I commend to the attention of Congress the reforms introduced in the.
supply of provisions by the efficient chief of that bureau, and his suggestions..
as to others, which can only be effected by legislation.  Likewise to the
statement made by the chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, that
the number of effective medical officers in the service is insufficient for its
wants, and his recommendation that those unfitted for duty shall be retired, and their places supplied by new appointments.  I also concur in
his recommendation that the sum of $200,000, part of the Navy Hospital
fund, be invested in stocks as a protection against loss, and to secure a
regular income.
The augmentation of the marine corps, as proposed in the report of its
chief, deserves, likewise, the early attention of Congress.  By a revision
of the complement table of ships of war, it is believed thaftthe number of
landsmen might be reduced, and that of the rank and file of the marines
increased, so as to provide for the deficiency now existing in this corps,
without detriment to the service, or additional expense to the government.,
I am, with the highest respect, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM  A. GRAHAM,
Secretary of the Navy
To the President.




212                         Doc. No. 1.
List of papers accompanying the report of the Secretary of the Navy,
November 30, 1850.
A. Report of Professor Charles G. Page relative to his experiments  for
testing the capacity and usefulness of the electro-magnetic power
as a mechanical agent."
B. List of deaths, resignations, and dismissions in the navy, since last
report.
C. Letters of Commodore M. C. Perry; war steamers.
1. Detailed estimates for the office of the Secretary of the Navy and the
several bureaus of the Navy Department, together with the report
of Lieutenant C. H. Davis relative to the preparation of the Nautical Almanac for publication, under his superintendence.
2. Report and detailed estimates from  tlhe Bureau of Construction,
Equipment, and Repair.
3. Report and detailed estimates from the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography, including the hydrographic office and Naval Academy.
4. Report and detailed estimates from the Bureau of Navy Yards and
Docks.
5. Report and detailed estimates from  the Bureau of Provisions and
Clothing.
6. Report and detailed estimates from the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.
7. Report of the commandant of the marine corps, and detailed estimates
from the paymasters and quartermasters of the corps.
8. Aggregate of estimates.
9. General estimate, office of the Secretary of the Navy and the several
bureaus of the Navy Department.
10. General estimate, southwest Executive building.
ii. General estimate for the support of the navy.
12. General estimate for the support of the marine corps.
13. General estimate for special objects under the control of the Navy Department.
14. Statement of the expenditures under the head of contingent expenses,
as settled and allowed at the office of the Fourth Auditor of the
Treasury Department, for the year ending 30th June, 1850.
15. Statement of the appropriations for the naval service, viz: balances
on hand on the 1st July, 1849; appropriations for the fiscal year
1849-'50; amounts drawn from  the treasury during that fiscal
year, and balances on hand on the 30th June, 1850.




Doe. No. 1.                           213
A.
WASHINGTON,  D. C. Novemn er 12, 1850.
SIR: In compliance with your request to report to you the progress made
in my experiments upon electro-magnetic power, under the act of Congress approved March 3, 1849, appropriating $20,000 for the same, I have
the honor to refer to the following summary, which embraces the principal
features and results of experiments up to the 3st of July, 1850. Since
that time I have been chiefly engaged in preparing for a trial upon a railroad with a locomotive propelled by.electro-magnetic power, and confi
dently expect, now, that this important experiment will be essayed in the
early part of the month of January next. For the locomotive two entirely
new engines will be required, which, together with the batteries, will consume the whole of the balance of the appropriation remaining on the 1st of
July, 1850.
It is calculated that the locomotive will have from  fifteen to twenty
horse-power, and that the first cost will be less and the current expense
not greater than a steam locomotive of equal power.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,
CHAS. G. PAGE.
Hon. WmI. A. GRAHAM,
Secretary of the Nabvy.
WASHINGTON, D. C., August 30, 1850.
SIR: In compliance with your request, I have the honor to report to you
the progress made in my experiments under the act of March 3, 1849,
appropriating $20,000 for "testing the capacity and usefulness of the
electro-magnetic power as a mechanical agent for the purposes of locomotion and navigation,.and the probable cost of using the same."
A schedule of expenditures incurred up to this date, amounting to
$12,667 28, is herewith annexed, by which it will appear that considerable more than one-third of the appropriation remains yet unexpended.
Outstanding bills remain, amounting to about $1,000, most of which is
charged at the navy yard for material, which, when deducted, will
leave about one-third of the appropriation for further prosecution of the
experiment.
From the brief time allowed, it will be impossible for me to do more in'
this report than to give an outline of the experiments which I have repeated and recorded during the past year. Their full detail and explanation will form a volume replete with interesting scientific matter, and
require much time and labor.
The first principal experiments were made with a small trial engine,
built expressly for the purpose, and with the utmost care in reference to
mechanical accuracy.  Attached to this was a dynamometer of new construction and admirably adapted to the purpose. This was invented by
my principal engineer, and measured, in a most satisfactory manner, the
dynamic power of the engine at any given velocity-a great desideratum in
estimating this new power. With this trial engine the following important
questions were tested:




214                         Doc. No. 1.
1. The dynamic values of different qualities of soft iron.
2. The dynamic values of steel, hard and soft.
3. The dynamic value of cast iron.
The statical values of all these varieties were tested by a separate apparatus, constructed for the purpose, called the axial galvanometer. Twelve
varieties in all were tested, and were in bars of uniform size-one foot in
length, and one inch in diameter; and it was found that the statical and
dynamic properties corresponded.
4. The proportions of the helices were approximately tested, though
much remains unsettled yet upon this important point.
a5. The advantage of keeping up the magnetism  on the axial bar was
most satisfactorily tested.
6. Various modes were tried of reversing the motion of the engine, and
with success.
7. Various kinds of cut-off (which is the most critical and important
point in the construction of the engine) were tried.
S. The operation of closed circuits and secondary currents was tested
by a number of experiments requiring great care and accuracy.
9. The best working velocity of this engine and its absolute power
with a given battery were fully tested.
10. The ratio of increase of power with an increase in the quantity of
the current.
11. The values of different kinds of metal in forming the cut-off.
12. Various mechanical points of construction supposed to have been
incompatible with the exhibition of this power were put to a practical
test.
Various other minor points, also, were the subject of experiment, which
will be communicated hereafter.
A second model, of small size and somewhat rude construction, was
also made, with a view of testing a new arrangement of the axial bars.
Experiments were then commenced upon a large scale, with a view to
determine whether the same proportion of power could be obtained from
large as from small engines-this being the principal question in view at
the time of the grant of the appropriatioR.
With a view to facilitate the construction of helices of large size, a machine which had long been in contemplation was made, at a considerable
expense. The work was done at the navy-yard in a creditable manner,
and the machine performed its work well-turning out entire helices of
copper wire of large size from straight bars; but, before 1 had proceeded
far, a discovery was made, in reference to the helix, which rendered the
machine useless, for the present at least.
A number of large helices were then constructed, of various sizes, and
suitable bars of soft iron prepared, corresponding to the helices. Hollow
and solid bars were prepared, from two inches to eight inches in diameter,
and generally three feet in length; some bars of four and five feet in
length were also prepared. The bars were all worked at the navy-yard,
and at a considerable expense, as they were required to be of homogeneous metal, accurately turned and bored. With these bars and helices
a multitude of experiments were performed and recorded, and these were
kept up, day after day, for about two months.
My official duties as examiner in the Patent Office left me only the
evening of each day for operation; and, under such circumstances, you




Doc. No. 1.                            215
wrill readily appreciate the difficulties and disadvantages under which I
have labored.  My own zeal has led me beyond my strength, but I have
been richly rewarded by the most flattering results. The experiments
here were not such as could be performed upon the laboratory table, but
were with large masses of iron, weighing in some cases three hundred
~pounds, and helices sometimes twice that weight.  Adhering to the same
size of battery through a long series of experiments, and varying the coils,and bars, I found, to my great gratification, that, as I increased the dimensions of each, a corresponding increase of power was exhibited, and
the consumption of material or cost of the power in some proportion
diminished.  These results were encouraging and stimulating in the
highest degree, and fully justified the undertaking at once of an engine
upon a much larger scale than any hitherto tried.  This engine, the
frame-work of which was principally built at the navy-yard, was an upright engine of two feet stroke; and, in order to have facilities for comparative trials and experiments, it was necessary that a double        should
be nmade the two parts exactly corresponding.  Two bars of soft iron,
six inches in diameter and three feet in length, were the primne movers;
and these were balanced by means of connecting-rods and cranks upon a
fly-wheel shaft.  The balance-wheel and shaft, together, weighed six
hundred pounds.  When this engine was first tried, with the same battery which had before given me one-fifth of a horse-power with smaller
engine, it produced only one-third of a horse-power.  By careful attention to the adjustment, and particularly to the cut-off, which was a very
different thing now from what it had. been in the smaller engines, the engine soon yielded one horse-power.  Here was a gain of eighty per cent.,
as measured merely by the size of the battery; but it was much more,
for the cost was found to be less for one horse-power than it had been before for one-fifth of a horsepower in a smaller engine; how much less,
has not yet been ascertained.  A great variety of experimrents were continued with this engine, to be hereafter detailed, each having a definite
object, and, I am happy to say, each resulting advantageously; so that,
finally, by little daily increments, I obtained from this engine, by a trifling
-addition of battery, a full two-horse power. By way of giving a practicaL
character to the engine,, it was geared to a circular saw  ten inches in
diameter, the turning-lathe, and the grindstone of the workshop, all of'
which it worked simultaneously, as witnessed by a number of visiters;
-and, if I mistake not, by your predecessor in office, in company with
Lieutenant Maury, of the National Observatory.
After many satisfactory trials with this engine, it was taken down, and
~all its available parts used in the construction of the single horizontal,engine, which 1 had the honor lately to exhibit before the Smithsoniaa
Institution.  This change was made for the purpose of dispensing with
the dead weight of one of the driving bars, and more particularly for introdducing the important feature of keeping up the magnetism of the drive
ing bar.  As soon as this new form was completed and tried, a gain of
one-half horse power was at once realized; and by the addition of a few
more feet of battery surface, the power was found to be above four-horse.
Further addition of battery would still augment the power, and' I see no
reason why ten-horse power might not be obtained from  this engine by
the addition of more battery; but, whether it would be economical to
increase power by this means alone, and to ascertain the point for this




i~2t A6  ~Doc. No. 1.
and every other engine, beyond which economy would cease, by increas-e
ing the battery alone, are matters to be determined by experiment.
The next most important point to be determined was the expense ofthis power.  Much to my surprise and gratification, the expense was
found to be less than the most expensive steam-engines, although recently.
in Europe, it has been decided by experimenters and men of science,
and generally conceded, that it was fifty times the cost of the dearest
steatm-engines.  It is still, however, considerably dearer than the cheaper
sort of steam-engines; but this is no obstacle to its introduction, considering its immense advantages in other respects.  Moreover, if thus fnuch
has been done in the very inception of this undertaking, what may we
not reasonably expect from its further prosecution?
Before it can be rendered available in practice, much remains to be
done with the galvanic battery, to render its action regular and durable,
and in other ways to establish a certainty of action, so that the engines
may be managed by persons not thoroughly skilled in the subjects of
electricity and magnetism.
It remains vet also to be proved whether the power will increase in
proportion to the size of the engines.  This principle seems to be strongly
indicated by past experiments; but yet it cannot be established by calculation, or process of reasoning.  Experiment on an extensive scale can
alone determine this point.  A part of the work preparatory to building
a locomotive engine has been done, but it seems necessary to try further'
experiments before incurring the expense of another large engine, upon
the plan above mentioned.  The rotary form of the engine has not been
tested, although it possesses advantages not to be found in any form of
the reciprocating engine.  There are some obvious disadvantages attending its construction, but it is hoped that they will be outweighed —moreespecially as this form of the engine will occupy less than one-half the,
room required for the reciprocating form.  It would, seem very desirable
that the investigation thus begun, and so far successfully conducted,.
should be carried at least beyond an uncertain issee, and that every important point should be settled, and particularly that of its availabilityon an extensive scale.
The power is peculiarly fitted for purposes of navigation, if it can be
made subservient; and a trial, upon a scale of 100 horse-power, seems to
be the only mode of arriving at a definite conclusion upon this point.  It:
is obvious, that, preliminary to such an undertaking, a great many experiments will be absolutely necessary, and such only as one quite familiar
with the difficulties of entering upon an entirely new field of operation
can properly appreciate.
In conclusion; I beg leave to refer you to the enclosed report of a debate before the American Scientific Convention, recently held at Newr
Haven, which will indicate the opinions of men of science upon this all-,
important subject.
I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHARLES G. PAGE.
Hon. WILLIAM A. GRAHAM,
Secretary of the Navy.




[Do. No. 1.                              217
Professor Page's PElectro-rmagnetic power.
[Reported for the National Intelligencer.]
Among the most interesting subjects before the American Scientific Convention, just closed at New  Haven, was Professor Page's invention for
applying electro-magnetic power.  Professor Bache having relinquished
his hour for addressing the association in favor of Professor Page, the
latter came forward, and, in a lucid manner, explained to a large and delighted audience the principles and astonishing results of his invention.
The grand principles of action were illustrated experimentally.
After he had concluded, an interesting debate took place upon the
subject.
Professor Rogers rose and said that he would like to have the association now  institute a comparison between the cost of steam  and the cost
of the power as obtained by Dr. Page.  He spoke at some length, and in
detail, of the duty performed by the largest class of steam-engines, and estimated the cost of a steam horse-power at two cents for twenty-four hours.
Professor Page remarked that this was a very low estimate.'Whatever
it might be, however, he was prepared at this time only to explain his in-'
vention, and to show, for the first time, an available power fioom electromagnetism.
Professor Silliman, senior, (about to retire) remarked, that some fifteenyears ago, Dr. Page, then quite a youth, brought to his laboratory a
miniature model of his engine, and that he (Professor S.) indulged at that
time high hopes of this invention.  From  the great progress made in so
short a time, and. fiom what he now saw and heard, he believed great re.
sults would flow fiom it.
Professor Walter R. Johnson remarked that Professor Rogers had fixed
the cost of steam-power too low  for an average cost, and that Professor
Page had fixed his cost of magnetic power too high.  Professor Page had
paid too much for his zinc; and his horse-power ought to be ten cents, instead of twenty cents.  At all events a great advance had been made, for
in Europe the cost of this power had been fixed at fifty times that of steam
under the most favorable circumstances; that is, the highest price of steam
and lowest of magnetic power. In his opinion, however-and he believed
Dr. Page concurred with him-this power was not to supersede steam, as
they would not interfere with each other.  They would both be used, and
side by side.  Where there were serious objections to the use of steampower, this power would come in very well.  It was free from the dangers
attending the use of steam.
Professor Rogers said that he proposed his question as one of scientific
interest, and that it was far from  him  to detract from  the merits of Dr.
Page, or his own feelings of national pride in this matter.
Professor Page remarked that we could not fix an absolute price per
horse-power for steam  or any other power.  It would depend upon a
variety of circumstances.  The cost in small steam-engines was relatively
greater than in large.
The distance from the market for fuel, the character and peculiar duty
of the engines, were to be reckoned.   The cost of electro-magnetic
power was not to be reckoned in this comparison by the mere cost of zinc,
nor the cost of steam by the pounds of coal consumed.  The cost of hu



218                         Doc. No. 1.
man life, the sacrifice of millions of property, and risk of many millions
more, and all the contingent advantages and disadvantages, were to be taken
into the account.  If this power could be made convenient, and perfectly
manageable, it would be used in many places, if it should cost much more
than steam.
Professor Henry said he had witnessed with. great interest Dr. Page's
experiments before the Smithsonian Institution, and was much delighted
with the ingenuity exhibited in overcoming difficulties heretofore existing.
Dr. Page had produced by far the most powerful electro-magnetic engine
ever made, within his knowledge.
Professor Johnson then requested Dr. Page to explain the mode by
which he measured the power of the engine.
Professor Page then drew a diagram of the fly-wheel of his engine, and
a loaded friction brake, pressing upon the circumference of the fly-wheel.
The brake was loaded to 620 lbs. The power required to barely keep the
engine in motion under this load was 126 lbs. The full power being on,
the engine made eighty revolutions per minute under this load.  The
circumference of the wheel being about fourteen feet, it was easy for any
one to compute the horse-power from these data. He was willing to call
it four-horse power.
Professor Pierce, of Harvard University, rose and said that this mode of
measuring the power was entirely correct, and the best that could have
been adopted by Dr. Page for the purpose.  It was better than raising a
weight, as it enabled him to work his engine for several hours under the
load, and thereby ascertain the cost.  It was the mode most commonly
practised for measuring the power of engines.  He felt astonishment and
great delight at the results obtained by Dr. Page.  It was truly a great result to raise 300 lbs. of iron by magnetism through such a distance, and
keep it in such rapid motion. This experiment alone carried conviction




Doc. No. 1.                           219
Abstract of expenditures mnade, under the authority of the act of Congress
of March 3, 1849,'for testing the capacity and usefulness of the electromagnetic power as a mechanical agent for puposes of navigation and
locomotion, and the probable cost of using the same, according to the iznvention of Professor Page."  (Appropriation, $20,000.)
Classification.                      Amount.
For platina plate, wire and foil   -    -       -             2, 616 57'For copper wire                        -                     2, 554 46
For zinc                                                         70 68
For acids and chemicals  -       -      -              -        254 07
For Grove's battery                                    -        471 25
For electro-magnetic apparatus   -      -              -        404 00
For electro and chemical apparatus      -      -       -        213 50
For rolling machine      -       -      -                        12 00
For engines, castings, &c.              -..       844 95
For building workshop   -        -                              480 49
For horse and wagon      -.-                                    225 00
For hardware and tools                                          133 37
For stoves and fixtures          -      -                        35 58
For instruments  -       -                             -              75 
For tin and sheet-iron work                     - -              16 28
For crockery and glass-ware      -      -       -                26 43
For iron work    -       -                                        2  o8
For coal  -       -6 -                              -  -  -      36
For gutta percha -               -              -                 4
For machinery   -                                                65 03
For lumber               -       -      -                       119 56
For transportation           -                                  375 87
For postage       -      -       -                               19 55
For printing                                                      3 00
For miscellaneous items  -       -                               81 37
For services and expenses of occasional assistants     -        253 28
For services of machinist        -         -       -          1058 16
For services of engineer     -                 -       -        944 48
For services of laborers  -                                     365 00
For labor at navy yard, in engineer's, blacksmith's and
plumber's departments -               "   e  -       -        898 48
12, 667 28
Amount of appropriation          -        -       -         20, 000 00
Deduct expenditures as above               -           -    12, 667 28
Unexpended balance               -              7,332 72




220                                   Doc. No. 1.
B.
List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained  at the department, since  December 1, 1849.
Name and rank.                  Date.                            Place.
CAPTAINS.
Daniel Turner..............      February  4, 1850  Philadelphia.
Benjamin Cooper.............  June           1, 1850   Brooklyn, New York.
Jacob Jones............   August   3, 1850   Philadelphia.
Andrew Fitzhugh..,......... October   2, 1850   Fairfax county, Virginia.
COMMANDERS.
Alexander G. Gordon.........  October  11, 1849   Porto Grande.
Edmund Byrne.............. October  17, 1850   Near Philadelphia.
LIEUTENANTS.
Washington Reid........... February 18, 1850   On board the sloop Albany, at Para, South
America.
Charles M. Armslrong.......  February 27, 1850  On board the Ohio 74, at Rio.
Henry Eld, jr................ March   12 1850   Or board the Ohio 74, at sea.
Robert L. Browning...... March   27, 1850   Drowned in Trinidad bay, California.
Richard Bache.............. March   27, 1850   Drowned in Trinidad bay, California.
John H. Marshall............ June          1, 1850   Naval Hospital, Norfolk.
Charles E. Crowly...........  August  15, 1850   Charleston, South Carolina.
Edmund Jenkins..,,,,,. Sept.    26, 1850   Baltimore, Maryland.
SURGEONS.
Tohn F. Brooke..........  October  17, 1849   Macao, China.
Waters Smith............        Sept.    19, 1850  Naval Hospital, New York.
Thomas B.. Salter....   November 6, 1850   Elizabethtown, New Jersey.
PASSED ASSISTANT SURGEON.
John S. Whittle............      April       5, 1850   On board the store-ship Lexington, at sea.
ASSISTANT SURGEON.
Ephraim J. Bee,........... March    7, 1850   On board the Ohio 74, at sea.
CHAPLAIN.
Addison Searle..............  August   2, 1850   On board the frigate Cumberland, atseao
PASSED MIDSHIPMEN.
Thomas L. Kinlock.......... January,    1850   Charleston, South Carolina.
"William F. DeJongh.......        January  18, 1850   Newport, Rhode Island.
James H. Somerville.......... February  4, 1850   Key West, Florida.
Charles C. Bayard......... February 19, 1850   Naples, Italy.
Elias Vander Horst.........  March   17, 1850   Bota Fago, near Rio de Janeiro.
Thomas L. Dance............ March   21, 1850  On board the frigate Brandywine, at sea.
Edward F. Tattnall..........  July        21, 1850   Middletown, Connecticut.
Thomas P. Wainwright....... August  14, 1850   On board the sloop John Adams-, at sea.
Charles Dyer, jr.............. August  23, 1850   Drowned at Pensacola, Florida.
MIDSHIPMEN.
George A. Trotter............    December27,1849  Messina, island of Sicily.
Joseph B. Miller.........March' 19, 1850  On board the Ohio 74, at sea.




Doc. Noo 1.                                          221
B-Continued.
Name and rank.                  Date.                           Place.
MIDSHIPMEN-Continued.
Nathaniel P. Prickett.......... March   23, 1850   Rio de Janeiro.
Raiford W. Ives..............  March   25, 1850  On board the frigate Brandywine, at sea.
GUNNER.
Edwin Ross............  September,  1849   Near New York.
CARPENTER.
John Brown...........           S ept.    29, 1849   San Francisco, California.
MARINE CORPS.'CAPTAIN.
William Lang...............   May           6, 1850   Philadelphia.
FIRST LIEUTENANT.
Thomas T. Sloan............ February 10, 1850   Naval Hospital, New York.
List of resignations in the navy since December 1, 1849.
Name and rank.                                 Date of acceptance.
CAPTAIN.
Robert F. Stockton............................. May 28, 1850.
COMMANDERS.
John Bubier....J..0......^~................ June 3, 1850.
Ed'ward C. Rutledge...........................    August 6,1850.
LIEUTENANTS.
Ben. F. B. Hunter,.......................*.........   January 17, 1850.
Louis McLane,jr........................ January 21, 1850.
Harry Ingersoll...................... April 18,1850.
Strong B. Thompson.........                     June 24, 1850.
Gough W. Grant.......................   July 15, 1850.
James McCormick.........................           September 16, 1850.
Joseph W. Revere.............................  September 20, 1850.
William M. Caldwell................................. October 10, 1850.
PASSED ASSISTANT SURGEONS.
John Hastings..............................  May 9, 1850.
Bernard Henry.......................................... October 11, 1850.
Alexander Y. P. Garnett....,......................... October 21, 1850.
ASSISTANT SURGEON.
William T. Babb..,....,.................,........... July 15, 1850.




222                                     Doe. No. 1.
B-Continued.
Name and rank.                                   Date of acceptance.
CHAPLAIN.
William G. Jackson............................... July 27,1850.
PASSED MIDSHIPMEN.
Isaac N. Briceland......................ac..  January 21, 1850.
Selim  E. Wroodworth..............................    February 11, 1850.
James S. Thornton........................................            May 9, 1850.
Beverly Randolph........................                         May 18, 1850.
George W. Hammersley,.           ~    *,,.*,.,,,,.....     June 11, 1850.
Augustus McLaughlin............D...................  July 1, 1850.
MIDSHIPMEN.
George Baird Hodge..................................... January 25, 1850.
William  F. Shunk........................................ March 13, 1850.
James F. Milligan....................................... April 4, 1850.
Robert Bryant......................................  May 6, 1850.
John B. Mcintosh................................. May 24, 1850.
Carlos Bratt............................... July 5, 1850.
Alexander J. Barclay...........................                    July 26, 1850.
Salmon A. Buell......... August 5, 1850.
John T. Beatty...........o   D....................... September 16, 1850.
James R. Roche.........      O....................... October 25, 1850.
George F. Morrison............. November 12, 1850.
J. Randolph Hamilton...............................  November 23, 1850.
BOATSWAINS.
William Scott...................................    November 6, 1850.
William Hoff....O....j.......................... December 8, 1849.
CARPENTER.
Gerard Henderson....................~ D.....D.~~,.    February 1, 1850.
ENGINEERS.
Alexander H. Roane, third assistant........................ February 11, 1850.
Alexander McCausland, first assistant........... May 24, 1850.
Willis Davis, third assistant.........................        November 4, 1850.
John H. Long, third assistant.............................. November 5, 1850.
MAR:NE CORPS.
Felix G. Mayson, second lieutenant......... January 26, 1850.
J. Stricker Nicholson, second lieutenant...'................  September 5, 1850.
NAVAL STOREKEEPER.
Charles T. Botts........................................ September 19, 1850.




Doc. No. 1.                                           223
B-Continued.
List of dismissions in the navy since December 1, 1849.
Name and rank.                                   Date of dismission.
PURSERS.
George Storer.........................................  April 10, 1850.
D. McF. Thornton....................................... June 13, 1850.
PASSED MIDSHIPM.AN.
Washington F. Davidson................................ December 17, 1849.
MIDS H IPMEN.
Edward H. Scovell.....................................   January 21, 1850.
Edmund C. Genet t...L..................  February 13, 1850.
George T. Chapman.................................... March 15, 1850.
Jefferson McRoberts......................... June 27, 1850.
Joseph Parrish........................................ June 27, 1850.
Benjamin Drake....................                     September 3, 1850.
Felix Winchester.............................                     September 3, 1850.
Gardner S. Wainwright..........................   September 3, 1850.
Warner L. Briscoe................................ September 3, 1850.
BOATSWAINS.
John Hunter..........................   May 14, 1850.
David Green...........,............................ June 26, 1850.
CARPENTER.
James H. Conley.......................         June 7, 1850.
ENGINEERS.
Charles H. Haswell, engineer-in-chief.................. December 1, 1850.
William Scott, second assistant engineer.................. June 5, 1850.
Richard D. Guerard, third assistant engineer.............. July 20, 1850.
NAVY AGENTS.
Octavus Cohen.......,.. February 20,1850. (Office dis-'  continued.)
George Loyall................  November 1, 1850.
NAVAL STOREKEEPER.
William R. Brown................................                   April 1, 1850.
HEMP AGENTS.
John Smith...........................................  January 25, 1850.
Lewis Sanders.......................   September 17, 1850.




$24                         3oiDoc. No. 1.
C.
WASHINGTON  D. C., November 11 1850.
SIR: In submitting for the consideration of the Navy Department the
accompanying letter, I take leave to suggest, with special reference to
the mode of attack'proposed by me, that in the future construction of war
steamers the fore-body of the vessel may be further elongated, and made
sharper than has hitherto been the practice; that the stem be more perpendicular, and that from the stem to a distance of one-eighth of the extreme length towards the stern the timbers be filled in solid, or nearly
so, and secured by horizontal and transverse straps, or plates of iron, with
additional bolts.
The elongation of the fore-body of a few feet from the keel upwards, (a
decided advantage in all steamers,) would in a measure compensate, by
the corresponding increase of buoyancy of the vessel, for the increased
weight occasioned by the additional timber and fastenings recommendedo
Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
MI. C. PERKWYo
The Hon. W~~. A. GRAHAM,
Secretary of the Navy, Washinglon, D. C.
WVASINGCTON;, D.C., November 11, 1850.
SIR: Since the introduction of steamers of war into the navies of the
world, I have frequently thought that a most effectual mode of attack
might be brought into operation by using a steamer as a striking body,
and precipitating her, with all her power of motion and might, upon some
weak point of a vessel of the enemy moved only by sails, and seizing
upon a moment of calm, or when the sail-vessel is motionless or moving
slowly through the water.
I had always determined to try this experiment, should opportunity
have offered, and actually made preparations for securing the boilers and
steam-pipes of the Fulton; at New York, when I thought it probable I
might be sent in her to our eastern border ports, at the time of the expected
rupture with Great Britain upon the northeastern boundary question.
Experience has shown, that a vessel moving rapidly through the water,
and striking with her stem another, motionless or passing in a transverse
direction, invariably destroys or seriously injures the vessel stricken, without material damage to the assailant.
Imagine, for example, the steamer Mississippi under full steam, and
moving at the moderate rate of twelve statute miles per hour, her weight
considered as a projectile, being estimated at twenty-five hundred tons, the
minimum  calculation, and multiplying this weight by her velocitysay seventeen and a half feet per second-the power and weight of momentum would be a little short of four thousand four hundred tons, and
the effect of collision upon the vessel attacked, whatever may be her
size, inevitably overwhelming.
It may be urged that the momentum  estimated by the above figures
may not be as effective as the rule indicates; yet it cannot be maintained
that there would not be sufficient force for all the purposes desired.
I have looked well into the practicability of this mode of attack, and
am fully satisfied, that if managed with decision and coolness, it will un



Doc. No. 1.                                22
qiuestionaab!y succeed, and without irremediable injury  to the attacking
steamer.   Much w\ould, of course, depend on the determination and
skill of -the commander, and the self-possession of the engineers at the
starting-bars in reversing the motion of the engines at the moment of collisNin; but coolness under dangers of accident from the engines or boilers
is considered, by well-trained engineers, a point of honor, and I feel
assured there would be no want of conduct or bearing either in those or
ttie other officers of the ship.
Th, preparations necessary for guarding the attacking steamer against
m-aterial damage would be, to secure the boilers more firmly in their holds;
to prepare the steam-pipes and connexions so as to prevent the separation of
-their joints; to render firm the smoke-stack by additional guys and braces;
to strip  the ship to her lower masts,-   and  to remove the bowsprit.
All these arrangements could be made in little tie, anid without much
i convenience.
It would be desirable that the bowsprit should be so fitted as to be
easily reefed or removed; but, in times ofemergency  this spar should not
for a nmoment be considered as interposing any obstacle to the contemplated collision.
It will be said, and I am free to admit, that miuch risk would be encountered by the steamer from the gunls of the vessel assailed, say of a
line-of-battle ship or frigate; but, considering the shlort time she rwould be
nder fire, her facilities of advance and retreat, of choice of position, and
the effect of her own heavy guns upon the least defensible point of the
enremy's ship, upon wvhich she-woulc  of course advance, the disparity of
armamuxaent should not be taken into view.
I claim no credit for the originality of this suggestion, well knowing
that the ancients in their sea fights dashed thleir wvar-ga lleys with great
fjrce one tupon the other; nor anm  I ignorantll  ofthe plan'of a steam-prow
suggested some years ago by Cornmoddore Barron.  MyT  proposition  is
simply the revival of a al  ncient practice by the a     cpplication  of a power un-:novnt in ea'ly times ad sils;  ad   s many believe, in the beginninig of its
useuli ness
Witl great respect, I h ave the honor to be your most obedient servant,
~' c  C   PER  r,
The Horen W      A Me.ne AC. i9 l e a!,, -ini
No. 1.
et:imateof......          o... re support cf t.e offce qvf.e i ereS,:ta:'.
C;P;z, b A j'.D   (J' Ldz~ suas~Ps ~D~  7 LS' b3?  R &?.,S Gg    ze osYC,...   y
- -P?e N-cyct, for t;e isca   year  tcdi'no. JunCe - 37 1 i852
Fr salary Cf tfhe Secretary of tie Na' vy  per act of February 20, 
1819..-                        -       -              OO
c.hief clerk, per act of August 31, 12   -                  2,000
principal corresponding clerk             -           -    100
registeri g clerk a                   -                     1,400:The opmast may be hoited only.
15




2g6                          Doe. Noa  I,
The salary of warrant clerk                                         $ 1.  -,200
two assistant corresponding clerks         -  2,400
two additional clerks, act of August 26, 1842          2400
three recording clerks, act of August 31,  842         3,)000
miscellaneous clerk, per acts of August 26 and 31,
1842         -       -          -           -         1000
messenger, per act of April 30, 1822       -               50
assistant messenger,    c       "       -                400
Total for salaries for fiscal year 1851S-'52                   21,95
Appropriated for fiscal year 1850-'51                  $21,950
Cortingeant ne pesses.
Blank books, binding, and stationery                        1 o000
Printing             -                   -400
Labor             -- 400
Newspapers and periodicals               -               -   200
Miscellaneous items      -                                    840
2,810
Total estimate for fiscal year 1851-'52             -          24,790
Total estimate for fiscal year 1850-951                 27,040
&Sbhmited-'-For increase of the salary of the principal messenger, to make it equal to that which is received by the messengers in the several bureaus of the department         -       -
E stimate of the sums requiredfor the expenses of the southweMs  executive
builditng for the Jiscal year 1851-"52o
Salary of superintendent         -                               -    $ 250
Salaries of three watchmen                                           1,500
Labor   -        -                                                      325
Fuel and lights -        -       -                               -   1350
Miiscellaneous items.                        1 150
Total estimate for fiscal year 1851-52      -                    4,575
Approprited  for fiscal year 1850-'51 -        -       "4T57




*J7+n t; e for athe pa'y rf comm3   &tisson an d warrcmant ofic" of  the navy,
~'ncdi,'-' the -engine'er- corps, not on duty, for the ps.cal year enafing
Jne 30 1852.'IFor  pay of commission and warrant officers of the navy n.ot
o  duy         -       -               -       -               $322,424...A.?pproplrated for the fiscal year 1850.51  -        $500,000
>:;..,. —.Pay of the navy       -                             _ -   $322,424..s/,4nzae of the sum.ms relquird for Zhe transportation of the United States
f'al(i; aut.horize  by whe acts of Cwtgress approved March 3, 1847, and
A.tigust 3, 1848, fojr thZe fiscal year i851-'52.
E. K..Colins's contract from New York to Liverpool and back,
per ann-un -,                             -              -      385000(
A. G. Sloo"s contract from N ew York to New Orleans, CharlestoI Savannlah, Havana, and Chagres and back, per annum  - 290,000.Arnold'Harris's contract from Panama to Astortu, in Oregon, and
back, per annum  -        -                                     199,000'Contingencies                                     6; -                 600
$874,600i
Appropriated for fiscal year 1850-'51    -      -      $84,600
-p ci. o'bject. -Transportation of the mail       -      874,600
CAMERIDGHX     O Ctober 12, 1850.
SIr: I have the honor to submit to the department, on the opposite'page, the estimates for the expenses of the Nautical Almanac for the fiscal
-~.ar-ending the thirtieth of June, 1852.
The amount of the present estimate is increased beyond the last by inJheuding the cost of printing and publishing the first voltme of the almana.c which will appear in 1852, and adding something to the compensation of the first-class computers.
The iatter must be gentlemren of liberal education and of special in.
truction in the science of astrnnomy; and my estimate does not ssk for.them  more than the lowest salary paid for similar services in other offices,f the government.
The estimate for the British Alrmnac is between sixteen and seventeen
~thoeusand dollars, and, generally speaking, labor commands a higher conm-:ip.nmsation in this country than there.




T28                          Doc. No. lo
After the year 1852-'53, when the almanac is in the market, a part of~
the expenses of the publication will be refunded to the government.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHARLES HENRY DAVIS,
Lieutenant, Superintendent Nautical Almanac,
To Hon. WILLIAM A. GRAHAM,
Secretary of the Namy, Washington, D.C.
Estianates for the Nautical Almanac for the fiscal year 1851-'52.'For three computers at $1,500 per annnum         -              $4,-500
For three computers at  1,000   do           -       -      -      3000
For six computers at   800   do                             -      4,800t
For four computers at    500   do                    -             2,000
For six computers at    300   do             -       -      -        800
For the purchase of paper for printing, &c., in order to publish
in the year 1852 the Nautical Almanac for 1855, and for other
occasional printing  -                             -,30For clerk. -.                        500
For contingent.....    500
19,400.
For computers and other expenses, and for the purchase of paper for printing,9 eC. in order to publish in the year 1852 thl
Nautical Almanac for 1855, the sum of   -                -    $19,400
Appropriated for the fiscal year 1850-'51    -         $12,850: ~
Speciai object.-Nautical Almanac          -.           $19,400
Recpitulation o
CIVIL.
Salaries.....                           21,950
Contin'gent                         -                              2,840
Submitted     -                                                        50'tIAVY.
Pay  f the  avy f t..n                                         $322,424
SPECIAL.
Steam mail service..  $874,601
Nauical Almanamc                                                   19)400




Doc, No.    1                          229
CAMBRID)GE-   October 14, 1850l
SIR: In obedience to your instructions of the 6th of August, I have
the honor to submit the accompanying estimates for the expense of preparing for publication the tNautical Almanac during the fiscal year ending the 30th of Junee 1852, together with the following report.
WThen the first appropriation for this work was made, it was not specified for what meridian it should be computed; on this account, and on
account of the smallness of the appropriation, it was impossible to begin
with the practical computations.  Even if it had been possible to do so, it
would not have been deemed advisable.
In layi.,g the foundation of a work of this character, it was due to the
scientific reputation of the country already established by the National
Observatory and the Coast Survey, that the most careful regard should
be had to the advanced state of astronomical science, and the highest
attainable accuracy should be secured by the use of the most improved
methods.  With this view, the small appropriation of the first year Ias.
been chiefly expended upon theoretical preparation.
In my occasional reports, I have had the honor to inform the department that the small corps of computers engaged has been occupied with
preparing new tables of the planet Mercury, based upon the theory of the
illustrious L-eberrier; in enlarging the lunar tables of Damoiseau, by applying to them the corrections of Plana, HTansen, and Airy-a preliminary
work' of' great importance, by means of which it is expected that the elerments of the moon's place will be given.with greater accuracy; in making an. entirely new reduction of the Greenwich observations of the planet
Miars, by Bradley, Bliss, and Maskelym, preparatory to a new  theory,
and new tables; in the final computation of the perturbations of Uranus;
and in cohstructing a chart of the solar eclipse of 1851, (July,) to be distributed with the elements, for the purpose of encouraging and facilitating
its observation in all parts of the country, which will be useful to the
almanac, and valuable for the determination of longitudes on this con,tinent.
These labors have been successfully prosecuted.  The numerical corputations for Mercury and Uranus are so far advanced that I shall be' able
to use the new  theories for the ephemeris of these planets in the first
number of the almanac.  The computation of the perturbations for the
general form of planetary tables will be carried on as fast as the necessary
work of the office will authorize.  The lunar corrections, which have
been reduced to the convenient form of auxiliary tables, require but little
additional labor to fit them  for immediate use.  The great work of the
reduction of the Greenwich observations of Mars-the first step in the
formation of a new  theory-is nearly complete.  I have already,made a
special report of the discovery of a variation in the proper motion of one
of the fundamental stars to which this investigation has led-a discovery
of particular interest in stellar astronomy.
The occultations of the planets and fixed stars for the present year
have been computed at the expense of the almanac, and published, with
the approval of the department, in the Smithsonian contributions,
I propose, also, to publish those of next year in the sanme manner.
They are always of the highest value for the determination of longitudes,
and never more likely to be useful to us than at the present moment, wher
the coast, boundary, and other surveyors and explorers of the government




230                             Die.,No,  ti
are actively at work iLn various parts of te continent.  The epr,1            e.i.  of
the planet t\eptune has also been prer:ared.  at 1,he exp;ense of the 2alm tnc,R
and publish.ed in the samne manner.  This planet occupies a c::ns-icuou
place in the histor  of  S'tn icl....      ia. i. ca.  Te' c iter   ina —
tioni of tho per t'a lt. ions oSf N ep. tthne     y.te  t  pl ets  a:.l ipti
oib't r'resente in  the coi rse of Np e   th               cu  racy'i or' fifC —y
Pvre y'nis ore0        r0A        0 "'''"  A -'!c~ tt''; -I 5le   Ho  a  n;  *
five years, are to he c....sc; a'oag the most, d. stofished
America'    astrm con omers.  I pro'0pose too coi'ts:n'   tp He pubi Clicatio,:n of thle.1
ephemeris of Neptune iir 1851 n I the Si.,it-scnian con:;'.iI.t"i- S.
The a-rt of;  te lst ap1propriation fiilL,  r tihe  auticr-a   AIlna...c, acd tI  e
decision of Conres,s: peon the -i rime  m,ridia,  enab!.    me to com:',e:lnce
the ptractical ca!c uaions )l ith a view  to the   rl't'iossie i.-'ulicat i,.
They will acortding.i oi  be e  nt re d u po  i        iate.
I  have  leady oal t aer  yourti    e rd ounr  a o 7  y pn v    of  di r..iu..0.1O
of th e calnclations atong' the l ea ding.-ao t ia; s an9d astr;or-'s of
the country.    Pe, n.ature oi  tIhe   o — rk wi sly  al         s thit   e i:doe  to
a certain ext-ent.  A  fiar a. it ibs practicaible:  i is a meas  of coc:nmmanim, -ga
the best talent and sk ill, and o:f crleanti'ng  gnera  i tel-rst in the c-ihaacter and prosperity  t oe weork. r     h  services o   - of' ProfessoZ  Peircei    Ca 
bridge, of 11r. Sears C. vWaher, of v, asing ton -,  roessor endail and
Mis. DoP n-is, of rhnladelpllia.,  10.: e alre, d-oir   bee.  entLa'.     A d     have
also invited the co-operation of ML i C'.&.   oul   the edit or of the A, tronomi'ica
Journial, of Professor Coakl ays  of St. James's College,'rylai. of Pt'3
tessor Phillips, of the University of North  Carolina, a nad ocf I:,Professor.
Giltha-m, of the Military Institute of Virgini.'Whei    the arrangements
vwith these gentlemen are finally conclcuded, and:teir respective portions
of the work  assigned, I shalt  have''thie holnor to  m:cake a repnort to the
department in detail of the manlner in which the   b vwhole work is condzuicted.
I have firequenitly expressed my wish tat th   e Nautical Almanac should3,
in every respect, confor'im to tIhe most advance'd state oif molde   science,.
and be honorable to the counatry; and it is DIm   determination to spare no.
effbrt by which this high object can be attained.
Very respectfully, your obedient serva.nt,
CHARLES HLENRY DAVIS,
Lieutenanz t Y &perintenClent Naitical Almanac
The Hon. Wm  A..  RAHAM,..ecretry7 cf' the Navy, tWshin -on, 93. C.
No. 2,
NAVY DEPARTTMEN''    T "
Bureau of Construction, Eefquipme'nt, 4c., Aro.       1 IA 50.
SIR: I have the honor to transmit, in contfrmiity with your instructions, estimates for the fiscal year ending on the 30th June3  8le, 8    embracing that portion of the naval service comill under the cognizance of
this bureau, accompanied by statements exhibiting tihe rates and distribution of' all the vessels of the navy of the United States in comimnission on
the first day of November, 1850; the number and rates of tholse in ordinary; those on  the stocks, (the building of which has been for several
years suspended;) and  those undergoing repairs.  Also, reports of the
JvP, ~A~Vdvn  j~xi.  lv.y~zcr




estimated  value of articles received  and expended, with the cost and
amo-nnt of labor upon  objects connected with this bureau  at the several
navy-yards, during; the same period.'The estimnated value of articles on
hand at each yard at the coi:nmencemrent and close of th}  saie is sownr
in  the' able  coe ranoie a           t of receipts  and  exi   e nditlu es —a.edci'le of wh.?icnh i  arnnexerd fbor rTeerence.
1,e e       itaima'ltes fr construction  eoui-rment' armament, repair of slhps,
coal fr stearners   hem.lp, &c., are reduced to t1,e lowest anmount at which.
oa hIreCe equalt to that now in commission can V1be maintained.l
Sine th:e last ar ntal report, the steam.e'.s  i.sqleana.aJ    San  Jacili:o,"o  and  a"Powiht'an' h:ave been laflnched, 2 and are now r-.,seiing
th'eir engines and machinewry preparatory fbor service.  Great delay has
boee:en e'xpe-riened in thenir.anufactare at the several rfoun d:,"ries.  T'o ob
yviate lie dk lays in;ue"   tIro ie bureau Vold   r is ectiull r ecorne"nd^ as
a matter of econoiy of money and t time, that the public, yards be supplied with thr   L-e:e:ss, saroy  apparatus for the construction of' ste al-en.gie S
osr inaval pu;rposes.. t the Washington yard they are prepared  or the
~manactr- tie ofo largeost size.  Those of a smailer class alrieady bunit
affird  evidence of w   at may be done under the direction of, and by the
able mechanics employed at, that establishement.
The steamer''arana.Ca  on her recent trip to and fo ir    Cuba, proved
to be a vessel comnbini si   peed with all  the qualities necessary to constirute an efficint vessel of' wvar.  An irnjuryy was sustaiIned in part of her
engine frame, w.'- ich i has been repaired.  She is nowv ready for active ser-':vice. T- ihe -er.for.nce7:   of the stearmer'<rMississippi,l herettfore in t.:he
Gilf  of 0''ecxi o, and now in the LMeI terranea Lan has elicited the highest
en-comilums irom naval men; and, after a pertid of nine years' active service, she stoands unsu;rpassed as a war steam.er.
T'he.rnum.be of ships, and rates suitable for t}.e reli.ef of vessels, and to
supply the places of those returned from  foreign seroice during the past
year, have been repaired and equipped at the several naval stations, and
proceeded to their destinmatio.s.
rIn the last annual report it was reco;mmended that a steamer should be
built to supply the plae   of pa ce  propeller I'Princeton."   The engines and
machinery taken out of that vessel are efficient and valuable, but, unless
employed in a vessel of similar description, will be entirely useless. The
bureau would again call attention to the subject, and add, that, as there
are frames and other suitable building materials on hand, the expense
of construction alone wvill be incurred.   It -would also respectfully recommr end that the frigate  "United States,'  built in the year 1797r, the
"Co.nstitutionl   and 4'Constellation," built in the same year, be no ionget.fitted for sea service.   Their great age renders extensive  repairs frtequently necessary; mroreover: their dimensions and arzmament are far inferior to modern frigates of their class.  The bureau would therefore suggest that these distingtuished ships tihat have borue our flag gallantly for.more than half a cent.ury, be returned to the ports from whence they were
launched, be preserved in commission as receiving-ships, and mementoes
of brilliant achievements.  The bureau would also respectfully reconmend  thaat the frigate  r"Sabinle,"  on the stocks at New  York, and'SKantee," at Portsmoutth  N. I., be completed and launched, to sulpply
thie places of the "Constitution" and "United States."   The "Sabine"
and "Sant"   ave bee       n on the  e stocks, in an unfinished state, for many




2S~2                   jDcc No0 1.
years-  They are of larger dimensions thlan those it is proposed to reieve
from sea service, and may; it is believed; be launlched and equipped  at 
cost nt   fair if at all, exceeding the amount required to repair and equip
old frigates.  The economy of the mreasure is evident, as the new sh ips
will run a number of years without repairs.
As the naval powers of Europe are introducing suce'ssftilly steam. propellers on board many of their ships of war, thus giving them a decided
advantage over those dependent upon wind alone for their miovenmentss
the bureau would offer for the consideration  of the department the propriety of fitting one or both of the new  frigates proposed w       ith suitable
machinery to drive them by steam.   This measure would add much  to
their efficiency as ships of war.  A  proportion of steamers added to the
navy, as auxiliaries, would greatly increase its efficiency, especially in
the protection of rivers and bays, as by their maeans tile heavrest ships
would be enabled to overcome al' the obstacles to their movements now
presented by adverse winds and tides.   The bureau weould also recommend the introductien of a large nuumber of heavy shell-guns on board
vessels able to bear them. Althougnh it is not expected that the United
States shc)uld vie with Eluropean navies in point of numlbers nevertheless
the small force we have in commission, by the introductnion of all the improvenments of modern scienc e should be equal to any oti rr vessels afloat
Plans have tbe en formed for razeeiog the Cr anl.1n    (a small T4) her
class Ian-ing become obsolete, by the introduction of a very super.ior orde,
of vessels of the samne rate.  is proposed: should this recommendal tion
be adopted, to arm her wvith batteries of heavy guns, thlus  renderinrg  ihe
a formidable vessel of war.   The second-class frigate i"tFacedom'Ja' i
is proposed to razee, and  airm heri also with a IbatterLy of shell-gunsl instead
of her present armament of 18-poSunders.
Th 7e hemp agents at Louisville and  St. Louis have been notified.to
make prepsparations for the purchase of American water-rotted hemp.  The
agencies are falhished witk macnhinery necessarln  to test its strength. and.
qua litr.
The reports on the subject of canvass prepared to resist mildewv are ui- 
favorable to its adoption.
am. sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
*         v      i hAL E$'VWir. SfIANNER.
To  Honi.'WLMTr   A. GR AHA.,
Secretary of the Naviy.
List of Tables,,A. Estimate for the expenses of the bureau.
B. Estimate for pay of persons em)ployed in vessels in commission.
C. Estiitate for the increase, repair, &c. of vessels in the navy.
D. Estimate for enumr eratedi contingento
E. Sta-tement ofe    iin mcom-n'ission.
F. Statement of vessels in ordmiary.
G. Statement of vressels on the stocks, or buildings
I. Statement of vyessels, roken up, sold, or iost.
I.  Statement  of' the vaie of ereceipts and expenditures.
J. Staterment of the  umber ofl' da-v  labo  Q peiormed. anla its cC.t




Doc. No. 1
A..Estimate of the amount required for the expe oses of the Bureaue of Construction, Equipment, and Repairs, for tke fiscal year' endig?June 30,
1852.
For salaries of the chief of the bureau, clerks,
and messenger.       - $13;600 00
For chief naval constructor                -           3,0    000
For engineer-in-chief.                     3,000 00
~-            $19,600 00
For contingent expenses of the bureau, for
blank  books,  binding, stationery, printing,
and labor    -        -                -              700 00
For miscellaneous items                   -              300 00
~,000 00
Total   -.-  20,600 00
CHAS. AWM. SKI.NNER.
B.
Estimate for the pay of co0minrssion'z wazrraTt; and pe tty offcers, and
seaznen, iwncluding the engineer corps of the navy, required fr vessels
proposed to be kept in commission, including receiving v'essel sfor the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1852.
Object.                   For fiscal year end- For fiscal year
ing June 30, 1852.   ending June 30,
1851i
For officers, seamen, and engineer corps..   $2, 102, 610         $1, 97, 000
NOTE. —  The excess of this estimate over that of the current fiscal year
is caused by providing for the addition of four first-class steamers to the
force at present in commission.
CHAS. WM. SKINNER.




Estimcate of the amount required  for objects under the direeict,. of this bureau, payable fjom  the appro;r'iation?" fr crease, repairs.          u"amen"'
ItW  i
sion0,  inmclud ize   fie l  tfoer stceme,    d the  I purchae e of in v: fi,r th/ze
navyugfor thefiscal year "ending s Nt Junel 8e52.
Objef, z.                   For thte tca  n  yein  oFoii' th.e fiscal,eai
e  dingi e  Jane 30, I  nding un bo 0,
For increase,  repairs,  ncer annd foar the I
purchase of hemp and coal.,.,,.1  1,365, 000: $1 Y750,  00
NOTE. —-The reduction in this estimate for the  isal  yeafr ending Ju-ne
30  1852 below  that of the               s   curren t  is in consequence  of     e  beg bt
few ships that will  req uire ex    sive  pa    dumring tehat uesriod,  ats those
now in commission           g wiit. the aiddition  o such  as will, piepared for service
during the present year;, will be su-.citent j:: relief ships andl kecp  up a
force equal to that now in active service.         A. reduiction is also designed
in the amount of timber and ot!er supplies procured ainnually by conract, which will leseni   considerably the expenditure,  and enable the
department to sustain a force equal to that now  in co'iion upon thee
amo1 unt specified.
CHAS. WAL.              N
D.
Estimate of the amou0 re0quired to                             esee  Ie exntd'ituresnder the  heZa.d
of C  eume rated contingent "for th e~Jsca year ending tJune 30          1, 802.
Obj ect.                    For the fiscp.l year For the fiscal yearl
ending June 30,  endin.g June 30,
I185P.         i1851.
For enumerated contingent expenses...,.              $225,090,000
C-GHAS. Wl.    SKIINNEit.
R E C A PITUL T LA TI0 N~-~ EST IMNATES.
Civil. 
Salaries....                                         19,  600
Contingent....                                                  1, 000




Boe. No  1..                                235:Pay of the navy                      I.                -            2, 0, 6 t10
I-ncirease, repairs, &co                                            1. 365, 003
UCOtinagent  -                             -                            2:'25, 000
K
t  "nkslint ofy  vessels -  commitssion on  h  I'st of  No vei  be,  Io0.
SFIPPS OP TLE LINES
(o eturn)                             Brazil station
-I n dl spepe nde nce.   ~                 ~  Mediterr.~an.,ane.BrancywiJ-ine7    (on retuLri n)  ~   -        ~       ~  Brazil statiuon.
St. Lawrennce, (on return)             -        -           European seas.
~,an~tai              -        -       -                       - Pacific.
Constitution, (on retu'r)   -          -                -  Mediterranean.
kavannah   -          -        -       -                    Pacific.
Cublberland            -               -        -           Mediterranean.,
Congress, (relief of the Brandywine)           -        -  Brazil.
SLOOPS OF WARD
Albany, 1st class                      -        -            Home squadron,
Saratoga, 1st class  -.                    East Indies.
Portsmouth, tst class.                         -  Coast of Africa.
St. Mary'sy,  st class        -                -       -  Pacific.
Plynmouth, 1st class                                        E -  East Indies.
Warreln  2d class   -. ro  Pacific.
Onta-rio, receiving-ship                        -           Baltimore.:St. Louis, 2d class.          Brazil station.
F'alnouth,  2d class                          -           Pacific.
vYandalia, 2d class  -         -                            Pacific.
Vincenndes 2d    ss           -        -.              -  Pacific.
John Adams, s d class                  -                    Coast of Africa.
Preble, 3d class...         Pacific,(onreturn.
Yorktown, 3d class -                   -.           Goast of Africa.
Marion   3d class   -         -                             East Indies.
tBale; 3d class                        -                    Coast of Africa.




2mi6                         Doc. No. 1.
BRLIGS.
Dolphin, (onl return)               -  East Indies.
Porpoise   -. Coast of Africa.
Batibridge -..             Coast of Africa.
Perry                                                   Coast of Africa.
CHOONERS o
Flirt                               -       -       -  Home squadron.
Wave                                                     o a s.-  Coast survey.
PhIenix.....-.    ~  -.  Coast surlvev.
STEAME RS o
Mississippi -..w.                                     Medite rraan ean
Saranac             -       -       -.-.  Home squadronl.
Michigan   -                "                           On th e lakes.
Union, receiving-ship.                -  Philadelphia.
Engineer, harbor duty.           Norfolk.
General Taylor, harbor duty a                           Pensacola.
Massachusetts...               -  Pacific.
STOR E-H IPS,
Lexngton...                          Brazil station.
Supply.  Pacific.
Relief       -....        editerrarnean.,
Fredonia.          -.           Pacific.
Southampton -.....  Fitting.
Erie                                                    Co..   oidemned c
RECAPITULATION.
Ships of the line           ~....                                         S
Razee        -..... 
Frigates..   T7
Sloops of war       -       -.-       -       -       -   14
Brigs                "                       -                            4
Schooners.                    -'      -       -    4
Steamers   -                - -..                   -           -    7
Store-ships                                                               6. -    -  - 6
46
CHARLES TWM. SKIN-NERO




Do. No. 1.                                237
Statiemen  of yessels in ordinary7 repair ng,  and eu ppiW Lg, on,he 1st No.
vember,  18 I00
IN' ORDINARY.
SHIPS OFT THE LINE,
Vermonit    -         -.        5  Boston.
Columbus...    Norfolk.
Delaware....                          Norfolk.
Ohio          -       -  ~                                 Bostoeo
FRIGATE o
Potomac..                                     *.  Norfolk.
Cluimbia, (under repairs)                                N.orfolk.
Constellation....                          Norfolk.
Macedonia. -   -  New  Yorko
United States         -.  Norfolk o
SLOOPS OF' WAIti
Faired  field.                                            Norfolk
Cyane, (ready for equipment)           -  orfolk.
Levant        -               -    Norfolk.
Decatur, (equipping for service)    -          -  Kitte-ry
Germantown, (ready for service)   -  New York.
SCHUOoNERo
F]Pe-Wtre0l.........New Yw~orko
STEiAMERS'
Fulton        -                                  -..    New  York
Alleghany  (iron).  -...'Washinsgteno
RECI'  PIULA TlON0
Ships of the line                                                            4'....   ~  4
Frigates. -..              -..               5
Sloops of wa       -                ~       -                   -..        4
Schooners...                                             I
8teamrs            -  -                     -   2
16
gHiAS  W.i  SI{N R.N        o




lce. No. 1.
REPAIRING AND EOUIPPiNGo
SLOOP OF WAR.
Jamestown, (repairing)            N-                   orfolk.
STEAMERS 
&an Jacinto, (equipping)                             New Yorcrk
Susquehannah, do           -       -              -  Philadelphia.,
Powhatan,       do         -   - Gosport.
Vixen,          do                        -       n -Washington,
Water Witch (iron-equipping)   -                     Washington.
EORcondemnd)  Ne
Erie, (condemned)                 N-                 Ne  York.
Southampton, (equipping)               -             NC New Yorkl.
RECArPITLATE   o
Sloops of war.. -
Steam e          -                     -               -. 
-Store-sh   "                                          -      -
CHAS. WM. SKINNER.
G.'Statement of vessels on, the stocks anad in progress of eonstrutid A.
AT KITTERY,  MAINE..Alabama, ship of the line-building suspended.;Santee, frigate-building suspended.
AT CHARLESTOWN; MASSACHUaSErS.
Yi rginia, ship of the line-building suspended,
AT NEW YORK.
Ba    le frigate-building suspended.
Ar HOBOKEN, NEW JRSBEY.
lron steamer Steven-ss contract-building suspended.




Dm. No.  239
AT GOSPORT) VIRGlIIA..,
e-w.i Yor;, ship of the line —building suspended.'
AT SAC'KETT  IH AREBBOl.rew Orleans, ship of the line-building1 suspended.
RE CAPITULIATION.
Ships of the line ie..  ~                                 4
Frigates          -       -.,-.                                   2.Steamuer  -                          -           -  
7
C]IA    WV1M. SKINNBR.
H.,atement of vessels brorken rup, or lost, or transferred; since tke last anmnu  reort.
Broken up as unworthy of repairs, none.
Sold, steamer Telegraph, at New Orleans.
Transferred, steamer Fashion, at New  Orleans.
Lost. nlone.
CHAS. WM SKINNER.




240                                   Doe. No. 1.
Statoe~ent of  the cost or  estimated  value' of  stores on  hand at the several
navy-yards Juy 1, 1849; of  articles received and  ezxended from  June
30, 1849, to Jua e 30, 1850; and  of  those remaining  on  hand  July  1,
1850, under the  direction  of  the Bureau of  Construction, Equipmente
and Repair.
Yards.             On hand July       Received.       Expended.   On hand July
1, 1849.                                         l, 1850.
Portsmouth.............   649, 120 271    $85,013 91            870,334 25    $663, 799 93}
Boston...................,1 720,926 68         98,012 48       346,595 00   1,672,344 16
Ne'w vork...............  1, 376,701 10          261,978 92       274, 67 67   1,363 982 35
Philadelphia............         414, 074 96     124, 797 84       40, 606 70     498, 266 10
Washington.........,,    452,649 86              114,933 65       146,909 17      420,674 34
Norfolk.................  1,701,863 31         391,564 36      306,428 94   1, 696,998 73
Pensacola....,.......,,..     e225, 646 62       24, 495 42       36, 152 62     23, 989 42
TotaL.OO..... 6,540,982 809  1,210,796 58   1,221, 724 35   6,530, 055 031
CHAS. WMT. SKINTERo
J.
StateLement of  t/ e numnber of  days' labor an,,d its cost from  July  1,   849, to
July I, 1850,for the respective navy-yards,  for building, repairing,,  and
equipping  vessels of  the navy  0or it  receivnzg  or securig, s3oes and'materials for those 2urposes.
Navy-yards.                   No. of days'  Cost of la-bor.  Average per
labor.                           diem.
Portsmoth..............................           24,151         36,218 43            1 50
Boston.......................,...              54,3331        90, 101 79           1 65.8
New York..............      o  98, 0411               150,458 84            1 53.2
Phiadelphia.........................     44,8811       71,180 53            1 58.6
Washington..............................             67,585        88, 57  30           1 31. 1
Norfolk.............................  191,989       277,073 74            1 44.3
Pnsacoola......,,,,,,,,.....I....       7,335  1, 448 24          1 69.7
Total..............43........1.6                     725,75.   7.1 488.31  75,75 
ICAS. ITM. SKINNER,




No. 2-Continued.
LIST OF CONTRACTS
or THE
BUREAU OF CONSTRUCTION,'EQUIPMENT, AND REPAIR,.
MADE AND RECEIVED
iromi, NTvemiber 14, 1849, to November 14, 1850.
16




'Ho. 2~e GonimnecL                                                                                      I
List of' contracts under tie cbgnizcan   of the Breau of Consq;                         truc ion, Equipment, and Repair, made and received from
November 14, 1849, to November 14, 1850: prcpa red in confJormity with an act of Cbongress of April 21, 1808.
Date. (Expiration.    Names of contractors.                                         rticlates.                                                      Navy-yard where
deliverable.
1850.      1851.
July   9   June  30'Phelps, Dodge, & Co.,.... 4,050 pounds milled shieeet lead.o....................                         pe  pound...  Broolyn.
2,880 pounds lead pipe........a................             5-      do
2,310 pounds India tin.........,.................  17       do
20 bo es tin, X.........................  10 75   per box.
7 boxes tin. DXX............................  11 75         do
12 boxes tin, IC, 14 by 1420............................   9 50               do
-                                               112 bhoxes in, IG, 1by 14. ~.....O..~...........O.    00        do
13,500 pounds sheet copncer...............,..                      21  per pound...  Pensacola.                        z
50 pounds sheet brass.2 d................o..             20        d..
50 pounds brass solder...........................                20        do
1,000 pounds composition sheathing nails..                         18        do
1,19  pounds braziers' copper..................             22        do
July   3   June  30   John K. Graham,..,...,..  400 feet 7 by 9  edfiord  crown glass, double thickness.                     1.  1   per foot...,  Brooklyn.
400 feet 8 by..0.., uo........     do.....11                 do
1300 feet 9 by 19          do.....do...........do..          15       do
300 feet 109 by 12........do......................       15       do
400 feet 10 by 12......,do........... d..d     o.....            18'      do
300 feet    by 15.............do...............do.....  19  do
300 feet 11 by 517........do....... do........d.   201       do
300 feet 12 by  7.........do...............do........             20        do
300 feet 12 by 16.......do.................do,........    20                do
300 feet 12 by 8I.,.....do...............do.......                 201       do
200 feet 14 by 29........do..............d o......  201  do
04 lights plate glass.................................         1 00   per light.
36 patent deck lights. I.........,............,    I 00        do
12 dozen best extra whitewash brushes........,.......  10 00   per dozen.
3 dozen long-handled tar brushes......................   3 50                 do
6 dozen shorFt-handled tar brushes...,...............   2 25                 do
i dozen varni sh brushes..,~.,.........,,.......            6 00        do




dozen painters' dusting brushes..          o      o   o...... a  S 50        do
2 dozen hand dusting brushes...            ~.,.....oo........ e  3 00        do
2 dozen 0000000 paint brushes.,,.,............  11 00                   do
2 dozen 0090  paint brushes.........................  8 50                      do
4 dozen 000 paint brushes,.o..,................o O   6 75         do
3 dozen 00 paint brushes....................e.                  6 00         do
2 dozen No. 5 sash-tool brushes,....,......,...   1 25                      do
10 dozen clamp scrub brushes..~.....................    3 00         do
10 dozen hand scrub brushes.,.,...   o3 00     do
3 dozen camels' hair brushes.....................                   60        do
200 feet double-thick glass, 14 by 22 inches......o....              14.40 per foot...  Gosport.
200.......do...........16 by 16..do................                 4.40    do
500..        d. o..    t.o.   1 i2. by 1  G. do..............    120    do
200.... do....0 by 1i3.do...............               10.40    do
1,000...l...do.........14 by 18.do.............                  14.40    do
July'8   June  30   Plume & Co,,,... o. 1..,500 pounds best qulality oakluim...... ~...................                      i on
50 pounds besL quality  raw cotton.................  20        do
July  10   June  30   D.M. Wilson &  Co....... 212,500 pou ds round, square, and flat iron.........55    do...... Brooklyn. 
22,000 pounds iron for thimbles.......................    2.55    do
22,000 pounds boiler iron..................             4        do
4,104 pounds  ussia sheet iron. a...................          13        do
1,622 pounds charcoal iron............. 0,........0. 5             do
116 cxt. merchantable hoop iron..................            3 50   per cwt.
50,765 pounds rate iron......................          4  per pound...  Washington.
30,400 pounds bar iron.........................      20.90'  do
4,560 pouncs round iron.........   3    -  do
July   3   June  30   S. G, Bogart......                      cords oak wood......................  B  o..e.x os   5 18   per cord....   Brooklyn.
100 side,J belows lte.t.............                        35  per pound...   Gosport.
July   6   June  30   A. S. &  D. J, Morse...,,.. 1 dozen 4-inch iron mortise locks.................   6 00  per dozen.... Kittery.
5 dozen 2~-inch iron pad locks,..,,,............       50                    do
2 dozen 2 -mih iron drawer locks........,.......... 3 00  do
2 dozen  -inch iron cupboard locks....................     250          do
I dozen  airs 4-inch iron butt hinges........... I,     0         do
I dozen pairs 3r i ch.,       d.O.  o.....................  62        do
1 dozen pairs 2-inch......do.......co...                              45         do
3 gross 1-inch iron screws,.,  5............                       55   per gross.
3 gross 1. -in cch...do      3.   14...............            50  do
6 gross 1.-inch.   a..  do... Ncos. 12 and 14.............    33 a 40  do
6 gross!ich...Nos, 9 and 11........... 23 a25  do
6 gross 1-inch,.... do.... ios. 8 and 10............              2  a 22  do
3 gross 3-ch....do.....Io, 8.......,...........,     18        do
2  ross ]inch.... do.,.No, 6..o,,.,,,,,;..,,,,,.            13        do




No. 2 —List of contracts —Continue d. 
Date.  Expiration. |      Names of contractors.                                     Articles                                       Rates.             Navy-yard where
deliverable.
1850.       1851.
July   6   Jane  30   A. S.&D.J. Morse-Contd   5,000 1-inch iron wrought and clout nail................ $  42                          per M....  Kittery.
5,000  -inch........  do......................      374       do
5,000  -inch............do.........................                  33        do
100 pounds 3-inch iron cut sheathing nails...........                4  per pound.
100 pounds 2-inch.........do.......................  4  do
500 pounds 5-inch iron prepared spikes..............                 5i       do
600 pounds 6-inch.....        o.......................           5        do
700 pounds 7-inch... *.     d..................                    5-       do
800 pounds 8-inch.... do........................            5,       do 
6 dozen l1-inch rose-wood knobs................... 25   per dozen.                                      O
6 dozen l-inch..............................             30        do d
1 dozen 4-inch brass mortise locks..................... 11 00                do 
1 dozen 4-inch...... do..... with glass knobs....  18 00                    do 
g dozen 2. —inch brass pad locks.......................   6 00                 do                                       0'dozen pairs  -inch brass but hinges......6 00                       do
I dozen pairs 2-inch......do.........................'  00         do,a
3. gross 1-inch brass screws, No. 15.........,...                1 90   per gross.
3 gross 1 -inch.....  do....No. 14...................   1 42                do
2 gross l -inch............ No. 14..................   1 30               do
2 gross i-inch....... do......No. 12....................         87        do
2 gross 3 inch.......do.. No. 10...................  60        do
2 gross  -inch...     N     6.......do.....No. 6..........   42  do
2 dozen 2-inch brass buttons.........2.............                25  per dozen.
200 pounds corposition boat nails.....................              3 3  per pound.
15,000 cut copper tacks.............................                33~ per M.
July   8   June  30   Robert Todd...........  50 cords mixed oak wood...........................    6 75  per cord....  Charlestown.
25 tons red-ash coal................................              5 75  per ton.
Sept. 14   June  30   Timberlake & Ricketts......  10 bolts No. I cotton canvass,......................    9 50    per bolt...   Brooklyn.
20...oodoo.......o.........................                     925          do
40....do..3.....       do.....3............900.... 9 00              do
225..d......4....do.........................             8 75      do
75....do....     o......................          850         do
25....do.........do..............................       8 25         do




38....d o.........do.........................   8 00                      do
20....do...10.....d o...............................   6 25                           do
[Each bolt to be 50 yds. in length and 22 inches wide.]
10 bolts 30-inch cotton canvass, for cots, 50 yards per
bolt............................................  12 00                              do
150 bolts 42-inch cotton hammock stuff................   25 00                           do
100 bolts 42-inch cotton banging stuff.................              18 00          do
6,000 yards twilled bagging..........................                         18    per yard.
2,000 yards coal bagging..................                                     17    do
500 pounds cotton twine........................          26   per pound.
25 pounds seine twine...............................                         30         do
20 bolts flax canvass, No. 3...................1.......  10 70                       per bolt....   Pensacola.
20....do........do..,4............................  10 00                                do
20....do........do.....5............................   9  12                             do
20....do........do.....6..........                         8 50          do
20....do........do.....7..........................                       7 50          do
20... do....... do....8...........................                     6 75          do
20 pieces ravens duck................................   6 75   per piece.
10 pieces cotton bag stuff.............................  18 00                            do
100 pounds flax sewing twine.......................                          25   per pound.
100 pounds cotton sewing twine.......................                        25          do
[Each bolt of the canvass to be 40 yards in length
and 20 inches wide.]
July   6   June  30    Wm. A. Wheeler &  Co....  50 memorandum  books, large.........................                                           20        each......   Charlestown.
50....do........do.... small.......................                          10         do
10 blank books, 2 quires.............................                        50          do
10......do.....3 quires.............................                       60          do
2 order books, 4 quires..............................   1 00                             do
2 letter books, 4 quires........................                         1 00           do
2 day books, 6 quires......                      1 26          do
2 requisition  books, 4 quires.........................                   1 00          do
20 pieces India rubber...............................         1       each.
60 i-pint bottles black ink...........................                         6    per bottle.
10 }-pint bottles red ink,..........................      12         do
20 inkstands................................                15        each.
1 inkstandish................................                              2 00          do
10 penknives.......................................                        1 00          do
6 eraser knives....................................                         25         do
5 reams log paper...................................   7 00   per ream.
10 reams foolscap paper.............................                       3 00          do
10 reams letter paper.................................    3 00             do
5 reams envelope paper..............................   4 00   do




No, 2-List of contracts-CGontinuoed, 
Date.  Expiration..Names of contractors.                                         Articles.                                        " Rates.               Navy-yard where
deliverable.
1'850.       1851.
July   6   June  30   Wm. A. Wheeler &  Co.-   2 reams blotting paper................................$1 50   per ream....  Charlestown.
Continued.                       60 cards steel pens..................................                      15    per card.
30 sheets drawing paper..............................                 per sheet.
5 parallel rulers.....................................                    50       each.
5 round riders.....................................                       12         do
5 flat rulers.........................................                     10        do
5 rolling rulers......................................                    20         do
20 dezen slate pencils...............................                       1   per dozen.
20 dozen lead pencils..............................         25         do
25 camel's hair pencils...............................                     1      each.                                          0
3,000 quills.........................................                      30      per 100..
10 sand boxes......................................                        8       each.
30 pounds sand...............................                              2   per pound.,
10 double log slates..................................                    60       each.                                          0
10 single log slates..................................                    10         do
2 boxes water colors.................................                 2 50          do
10 pounds wafers..................................                        60   per pound.
50 papers inkpowder..........................                   4   per paper.'
6 boxes and pounce.................................           12       each.
4 Gunter's scales....................          35         do
4 wafer seals.......................................   1     do
75 bolts red tape....................................             3   per bolt.
10 paper folders..........         20       each.
1 box mathematical instruments......................   3 00                          do
10 pounds sealing-wax.............................   1 00   per pound.
20 bolts taste...12 per bolt.
6 letter books, 3 quires...............................   100             each......  Brooklyn.
36 blank books, 2 quires....................              21         do
36 blank books, 1 quire......................      17        do
72 memorandum books..............................                         20         do
12 ivory paper-folders...............................                     17         do
3 dozen penknives...............................  12 00   per dozen.
3 cases mathematical instruments ~.,.........,.,...                       00       each.




3 dozen pint bottles black ink........................    1 50   per dozen.
6 dozen /-pint bottles black ink.......................                75         do
I dozen }-pint bottles red ink.........................   1 50                   do
6 dozen papers inkpowder............................      50         do
4 dozen inkstands, metal.............................   5 00                     do
4 dozen pieces India rubber..........................      6        do
20 reams foolscap paper..............................   2 25   per ream.
13 reams foolscap regulation, ruled....................   2 75                    do
10 reams letter paper...............................   300                      do
5 reams envelope paper...............................   3 00                      do
2 reams blotting paper...............................   2 50                      do
5 reams log paper...................................   5 00                      do
24 sheets elephant drawing paper.....................                   10   per sheet.
1,000 slate pencils...................................                 10    per 100.
2 gross Faber's lead pencils........................   6 00   per gross.
6 boxes water colors.................................   4 00    per box.
10 gross Gillott's Eagle pens..........................    1 50    per gross.
10 ivory pounce boxes and pounce............50               each.
5,000 best No. 80 quills..............................     30    per 100.
6 wafer seals.........2.................       12      each.
50   pint papers black sand.........         2        do
24 hard wood wood sand boxes....................      12_        do                                         Z
12 slates.... 1...... IS  do                                                                                               0
12 log slates..................                                         50         do
2 gross red tape...           1 50 per gross 
2 dozen rolls silk taste...............................    150  per dozen.
6 pounds-best scarlet wafers........................                60  per pound.
12 pounds best scarlet scaling wax.....................                 50         do
10 reams foolscap, best quality.................~I...              500    per ream...  Pensacola.
20 reams regulation, best quality.......              400          do
10 reams letter, best quality.....................~..    250                      do
12 dozen blank memorandum  books.....         25    per dozen.
24 pieces India rubber...........................                     100         each.
500 best opaque quills..................               50      per 100.
24 gross Giilott's steel pens................            150    per gross.
500 slate pencils..                                                       5     per 100.
12 dozen I-I to HHHl lead pencils......................                 25    per dozen.
6 dozen black ink, (pint bottles)...............                     120          do
July 26   June  30   George W. Shaw....~...  50 papers clout nails, assorted.........................                                20  per paper.... Washington.
2,900 pounds wrought nails...                       31  per pound.
12 gross No. 12 1-inch iron screws.,........                          35    per gross.'   ~                                                                           ^         (lo                                        ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~V




No. 2-List of contracts-Continued.                                                                                        1
Date.  Expiration.    Names of contractors.                                           Articles.                             |         Rates.              Navy-yard where
deliverable.
1850.       1851.
July 26   June  30   George W. Shaw-Contin'd   12 gross No. 9 3-inch iron screws...~~.........                                $0 18      per gross    Washington.
6 gross No. 8 a-inch brass screws......................               50        do
1 box Randall's patent finishing sprigs................ 12 00   per box.
1............do..........do.....1 -inch.......... 16- 0               do
10 pounds....do.....            do........ do.. -inch......        8    per pound.
100 pounds spelter solder.............................       4        do
50 pounds refined borax..............................                  5        do
300 pounds best English blister steel...................  93    do
15 dozen 41-inch 3-quare hand-saw files................              80    per dozen.                   ~
2 dozen 10-inch hand safe-edge smooth files.............  3 75                  do                                        0
4 dozen 12-inch............do................   5 70                        do:
3 dozen 14-inch.....             do............  do...........   7 75          do
6 dozen 10-inch....do....... bastard files.............   2 83                 do                                        Z
6 dozen 12-inch....do............do................   4 00            do                   O
15 dozen 14-inch.... do............do....                        6 00         do
6 dozen 8-inch...... do.......filat taper files......1 58           do
6 dozen 10-inch.....do......do................  2 40               do
8 dozen 14-inch.....do...........do................  4 67                    do
4 dozen 18-inch.....do............do.............. 10 25                  do
4 dozen 12-inch.....do...... rough files.............   3 31                  do.
4 dozen 14-inch.............   do...............   4 67                        do
2 dozen 6-inch...... do.......smooth files.............   1 50                do
3 dozen 8-inch............             do................        2 12         do
3 dozen 10-inch....do............do.........                 3 12         do
2 dozen 6-inch half round files........................   1 67                  do
2 dozen 8-inch........do............................   2 40                     do
2 dozen 10-inch......do...........................   3 40                     do
2 dozen 12-inch.       do..........................   5 00                do
2dozen 14-inch......do..........................   7 25        do
1 dozen 4-inch half round bastard files..................           90         do
3 dozen 6-inch...do...........................   1 20          do
3-dozen 8-inch......do.........................   1 75                 do
3 dozen 10-inch.. do......do...................  2 58                 do




4 dozen 12-inch...do.......s do.........e...........   3 67              do
4 dozen 14-inch..do.......... do....................          5 33         do
3 dozen 15-inch...do......... do...................   6 50                 do
3 dozen 16-inch..........do....................  8 00         do
2 dozen 14-inch round bastard files....................  5 25                do
2 dozen 12-inch square.....do...................  3 25      do
100 pounds 3-inch square cast-steel....................            16  per pound.
200 pounds 2-inch to 21-inch square cast-steel..........    16        do
200 pounds 1-inch to 2-inch......do..................             16        do
100 pounds ~-inch to 1-inch....................            16        do
1,500 pounds pure dry red lead........................              6        do...... Gosport.
1,000 pounds litharge..............................                6        do
1,000 pounds best red ochre...........................              6        do
8,000 pounds dry Spanish whiting.....................                1        do
100 pounds dry gunm  shellac..........................            14        do
100 pounds Turkey umber........................       5        do
10 pounds pulverized punmice stone...................               10        do
2,000 gallons pure raw flaxseed oil.....................  70   per gallon
30 gallons pure sweet oil.......................  1 100             do                                      o
350 gallons fish oil............................       35        do                                      0
5 gallons spirits turpentine.............................          50        do
2,000 gallons best winter-strained oil...................  1 18              do                                      Z
3,000 pounds best sperm candles.......................              37   per pound.                                   O
July  3   June  30   Wm. & H. McKim........ 5,437 pounds bolt and sheathing copper................                           20 95-100  do....  Brooklyn.
6,140 pounds braziers' copper.....................        22 65-100  do
30,119 pounds bolt and sheathing copper............... 20 85-100  do.... Gosport.                                   *
6,550 pounds braziers' copper.................           22 40-100  do
July 10   June  30   RichardJenness............ 3,100 pounds dry white lead..........................                          6   per pound... Kittery.
300 pounds dry red lead..............................               4        do
300 pounds litharge...............   4   do
500 pounds white lead......... ~~........ 1~               do
100 pounds French ochre.............................               10        do
300 gallons raw linseed oil............................        72   per gallon.
90 gallons spirits turpentine...................    40        do
200 pounds beef tallow..........................                    9   per pound.
80 pounds beeswax............                                    40   do
July  3   June  30   Jesse Williamson........  3,000 pounds dry white lead..........................                          61      do.....  Philadelphia.
300....do..........do...............................               6        do
100 pounds litharge.........                                        6?  do
600 pounds yellow ochre..............................                        do
15 pounds sugar of lead............................       10'do                   P
300 pounds lampblack...........................               10        do




No. 2-~List of contracts-Continued. ~
Date. TExpiration.    Names of contractors.                                   Articles.                                  Rates.             Navy-yard where
deliverable.
1850.      1851.
July  3   June  30   Jesse Williamson-Contin'd  2,000 pounds whiting........................... 0.... per pound.  Philadelphia.
14 pounds umber....................................    10  do
14 pounds terra de senna......................        10       do
10 pounds gum shellac...............................    14       do
500 pounds Spanish brown............................            6        do
500 pounds white lead..........................                7        do
300 gallons linseed oil................................    72  do
100 gallons spirits turpentine..........................    42        do
30 gallons bright varnish..............................    30           do
20 gallons copal varnish..............................  1 50            do O
30 gallons Japan varnish......1 30                               do.
3 gallons spirits wine................................    50            do
I glazier's diamond........                                   5 00       do                                     Z
July  5   June  30  John P. Lyman............ 8,000 pounds round and square iron...................                     2 1-10 do.....  Kittery.                     0
July  5        J       Bowlby & Brenner......... 2 dozen pairs 4 by 31 inch brass slip-pin butt hinges and
screws..................................... 10 53   per dozen.  Philadelphia.,.
100 pounds 3-inch brass wire...................    25   per pound.
2 dozen 1'-inch brass fiush rings and screws........... 1 00   per dozen.
2 dozen 3-inch brass cabin door hooks.................            25    do
2 dozen 4-inch....do....... do......................   3 00       do
2 dozen 5-inch....do.        do.................           3 75        do
3 dozen 2-inch brass cabin plate buttons................       75-       do
3 dozen 2-inch brass cabin buttons, round end.........    372       do
3 dozen 1i-inch...do....... do....... do...........    31              do
6 dozen l -inch brass cabin pantry hooks..............    25             do
6 dozen I ~-inch brass cabin screw knobs.                       50        do
3 dozen 1-inch...do........do...................    37             do
3 dozen 1-inch...do.......do......................    31              do
2 dozen 3-inch brass cabin laimp hooks................   1 50            do
6 dozen 1-inch brass cabin coat and hat hooks....      2 00       do
3 dozen 4~ by 3 inch brass upright mortise knob locks...   9 00          do
5 gross 1-inch brass screws, No. 10..................,         65   per gross.
5.....do,.,.....do...   o.No. 14,.............  1 00  do




5....do......... do......No....................  95         do
5 gross l-inch....do.....No. 15....................   1 50                       do
40 pounds copper tacks....................            40   per pound.
100 pounds 4-inch compositiou spikes..........     25         do
6 dozen pairs 3~ by 3 inch iron butt hinges and screws..   1 65   per dozen.
6 dozen pairs 3 by 3 inch....do...........do......    1 40                       do
6 dozen pairs 2-inch......do.........do........                       50         do
5 gross 1-inch iron screws, No. 10.....................                  20   per gross.
5...d.....do...... No. 12.,...................                  22         do
5....do....... do.......No. 14.................                    928         do
5 gross 1k-inch...do.....No. 10................       25         do
5.....do...         d......  No. 12.................                 30         do
5....o.d        o........o.        14.....................            35        do
137 pounds patent sprigs............................                    10   per pound.
12 dozen 1-inch mahogany knobs and screws......                            8   per dozen.
6dozen 1 -inch.......do..........do.............                        12        do
6 dozen   -inch........do.........do........            15        do
6 dozen2-inch..,...do......do.........             18        do
200 pounds 6-penny wrought nails, American make.....                      9   per pound. 
200 pounds 8-penny....... do...........do........       8        do
200 pounds 10-penny......do............d..........                        7        do
200 pounds 12-penny......do.......                  do.... d.......       7        do
200 pounds 20-penny......o............ do........                   7        do 
3,500 pounds finishing....do.........   do..........                    31      do
500 pounds 5-inch cut spikes.......................           3g       do
500 pounds 6-inch...do............'.....              3        do
6 boxes X  tin...................................... 12 00   per box.
6 boxes XX  tin..................................  13 50         do
100 pounds block tin.................................                     181   per pound.
10 pounds  -inch iron wire.                                               10        do
4 ships' water-closets..................... 23 00                 each.
4.......... do......................................  20 00                       do
July   9   June  30   Storer &  Stephenson........  300 bolts No. I flax canvass..........................  11 20   per bolt..... Brooklyn.
300 bolts No. 2... do..............................   10 30                     do
100 bolts No. 3....do..................                            9 80         do
10 bolts No. 4....do.............................   9 20                          do
10 bolts No. 5....do.........................   8 50          do
100 bolts No. 6.do..,.......   7 80                do
50 boltsNo. 7...do...............................   7 30                           do
50 bolts No. 8....do..............................    6 70         do
[Each  bolt to contain 40 yards in length, and to be 20
inches wide.]




No. 2-List of coniracts —Oontinued. 
Date.  Expiration.          Names of contractors.                                          Articles.                                          Rates.               Navy-yard where
deliverable.
1850.       1851.
July   9   June  30   Storer & Stephenson-Cont'd  10 bolts Russia duck...............................                                      50    per bol..         Brooklyn.
10 bolts ravens duck.................................          50        do
1,500 pounds flax sewing twine.....2...............                          4   per pound.
25 pounds whipping twing............................                       40         do
100 bolts No. I flax canvass.........................   1140   per bolt.....  Gosport.
100 bolts No. 2....do...............................  1050                           do
100 bolts No. 3....do...............................10 00                             do
100 bolts No. 6....do..............................               7 90         do
50bolts No.8,...do................                   6 70          do
[The bolt of 40 yards to be 20 inches wide.]                                                                                       0
1,000 pounds flax sewing twine.......................  25   per pound. 
July  12   June  30   DanielHill..............  14 sides bellows leather..............................                      3 50   per side..... Kittery.
615 pounds rigging leather............................                      15   per pound.
July  10   June  30   Bonsal &  BuTroughs........  I dozen expenditure books..........................  48 00   per dozen...  Gosport.                                               0
I dozen 3-quire better-books..........................  12 00                        do
I dozen 3-quire order books..........................12 00                           do                                           -
25 reams foolscap paper.............................   3 0UO    per ream.
25 reams letter paper................................   3 25                         do
5 reams log paper..................................                      2 00          do
S-reams envelope paper..............................   3 00                          do
2 reams blotting paper...............................   1 00                         do
100 sheets drawing paper.............................                        5   per sheet.
6 dozen pint bottles black ink........................   3 00   per dozen.
2 dozen ~-pint bottles red ink.........................   1 50                         do
1 dozen wood inkstands (2 holes)...............   4 00           do
1....do........do.....(1 hole)......................   100                          do
1 dozen glass inkstands (1 hole).......................   3 00                      do
I dozen Lest quality penknives....................... 8 00            do
3 gross best quality lead pencils.......................   4 00    per gross.
2 gross best quality red tape..........................   3 00                        do
2 pounds India rubber...............................                      50   per pound.
2 dozen round rulers..................................2 00   per dozen.
2 dozen flat rulers...,,.....,.............. 1 50              do




I dozen large parallel rulers..   r..............  10 00          do
6 dozen caar;el's hair pencils..........................              50        do
I dozen boxes water colors.......................... 20  )0                  do
dozen pounce boxes and pounce.........2........                    c00       do
dozen ivory paper knives................               300          do
2 dozen wafer seals..................................  20 0                     do
July   8   June  30    William Tatem............  100 cords red oak wood.............................   2 74   per cord.
July   6     tJune  30   B. & A. J. Smith  ~....... 3, 00 0 gallons pure sperm  oil...........................   1 06   per gallon... Brooklyn.
8,000 pounds pure sperm candles......................     39   per pound.
July   9   June  30   Camberlaine& Fuller..... 5 broadaxes......handled.......................         2 00        each.       Chrlestown.
5narrow axes.....~.do...................... I......      75        do
nars' axes..  do...................... 75    do
2 coopeters' axes... do..............................   I 75                  do
2 c'arpenters' adzes.. do...o1 oo                                             do
2 coopers' adzes.....do.............................               1 00         do
2 hollow adzes...do...........................                 1 00         do
50 brad-awls........do.............................          2        do
50 awls................................             2        do
braces and bits (48 bits)............................   5 00                  do
brac      and  bit (20 bits).......................               2 00         do                                       0
3 steel-tongued bevels.................................               50        do
ng-b orers...................................                     75        do
2 Dearborn's patet balances...........................   400                     do
50,000 iron birds, I and   inchb..                              6      per M.
10,000 Randall's brads...............             8        do,
10 carpenters"'.compasses........ ~~......         10       each.
2 sets fireer chisels,  - to 2 inches, handled.,....           2 00      per set.
2 sets socket chisels, j to 2 inches....    4  0                        do
10 brass locks.....              50   each.
2 coopers' callipers.......................      30        do
2 mast callipers....................................                  75        do
3 coopers crows...................                           75        do
large butcher's cleaver...........                                   00        do
2 small butchers' cleavers.....1.....~.............   I 00                      do
2 glaziers" diamonds.....................                          400          do
5 brass dividers.....................................                  50        do
2 dozen spike gimlets.....                                           50  per dozen.
2 dozen nad gimlets..................................                  25        do
1 dozen rat-tail files.                       I...                     0        do
I dozen whip-saw files.. ~......   50           do
12 dozen handsaw files....,....            100        do
et firs mer gouges'.....,       5      per set.




No. 2-List of contracts-Continued.                                                         - 
Date.  Expiration.           Names of contractors.                                              Articles,                                            Rates.                Navy-yard where
deliverable.
1850.        1851.
July   9   Jane  30    Chamberlaine  &     Fuller —                2 sets socket gouges....  a    o. o.   e.....    $2 00        per set...,   Charlestown.
Continued.                         6 carpenters' gauges.....            ~.............o...                13        each.
5 gridirons........O...............................                       75          do
5 griddles.................. ~...........            50         do
50 pounds China glue........................      12-  per pound.
10 broad hatchets..................................     56        each.
10 claw  ha-mmers....................................           50         do
3 wrench hammers..................................   1 10                                do
10 pair iron hinges..................................                          5      per pair.
I dozen secetary hinges, with springs........                              5 00    per dozen.
12 brass hocks and eyes.,.........................                         21        each.
9, beck irons................................   5 00                            do
3 marking irons...... o...............................                     50         do
2 jack-screws...................................  15 00       do                                             0
5 drawing-knives..................................           50         do
3 palet-kivs..                  I...2.......................   25  do                                      I
3 putty-k.lves.....................................                         17         do
2 rounding-knives........ e e.....................         50         do
10 sail-knives.................................                 15         do
5 butchers' knives....,... o........         25         do
5 cheese-knives....................................                           25         do
5 shoe-knives....................................                          13         do
1 pitch-kettle........O..........................   1 00                   do
5 iron tea-kettles...................................                     50         do
5 fish-kettles........................................              00       do
2 patent leads.............. I........................   5 00                            do
25 papers sewing needles.............................                          2    per paper.
100 sail needles.....................................                         3        each.
100 seaming needles...................................                         3         do
100 8-thread needles...........................                             3         do
100 6-thread needles.,.............................         3         do
100 4-t.read needles..............................S.                     2         do
100 marline needles.....,,,,..............,.f... 2         do




300 pounds iron cut nails............. o o...         3}  per pound.
300 pounds iron wrought nails............... do
6,000 scupper nails...............................                            50       per M.
10,000 clout nails....                                                        50          do
5 pair pincers....................................                   20        each.
4 smoothing planes.........................              75          do
4 grooving planes..................................                            75         do
4 jack planes....................   e  e          1 00           do
4 moulding planes......  o.........................                          75         do
3 plough planes...........................   3  00                do
3 astrigal planes...............................                       1 50           do
2 coopers' block planes..........................   2  00            do
12 2-foot rules.............................        30          do
5 wood rasps.....................................                      30          do
3 gauging rods......................................                        1 00           do
10 pounds hose rivets.................................                        50    per pound.
3 iron spades.......................................         50        each.
6 screw-drivers..............................          *                   do
3 steelyards........................................  I 00                               do                                            O
4 handsaws....................................                          1,  25           do?
1 pit saw...........................................    5  00                             do
1 cross-cut saw.....................................    4  00                          do,
2 wood saws......................................               50          do                                            0
2 sash saws............. G O *..............   I 00     do
2 pannel saws................               75    do                                                  -
2 compass saws................................     17          do
2 pad saws......................................,      17          do
2 dove-tail saws....................................                       1 00           do
2 tennon saws.......   o......................          75          do
200 pounds iron deck spikes,........................                           5    per pound.
5 spoke shaves...........................                    38        each.
5 bucket shaves................,..          42          do
25 cast-steel scrapers......................     40          do
6 trying squares................................            25          do
6 iron squares.......,.............        17         1do
1 brass square......................................   4 00                              do
3 sets tin scales.............................   4 00                per set.
5 butchers' steels................................ 29       each.
3 can-shaves...............~...~...~~...,,.......                         25          do
a in-shaves.*........................................    50          do
3 bread sieves.......................................   1 00               do
3 bread shods,e,~a.ee. e            50          do'




No. 2.-List of conatracts-~Continued,
Date.  Expiration.          Names of contractors.                                        Articles.                                         Rates.               Navy-yard where
deliverable.
1850.       1851.
July   9   June  30   Chaamberlaine  &   Fuller-               100,000 tinned tacks..................                       6     per M..... Charlestown.
Continued.                       3 bench-vices, large..................................   4 00                     each.
3 small vices.......................................   1 25     do
3 hand-vices v     e....................................               50        do
3 coopers...........................................                      19        do
2 iron safes......................................... 15 00                        do
3 sets iron weights, 1 to 4 pound......................               25       per set.
3 sets iron weigthts, 4 to 28 pound.....................   1 00                    do
I set lead weights, 1 ounce to I pound.................   1 00        do
200 pounds pig' zinc.............................                          51  per pound.
200 pounds sheet zinc..............................             6        do
July  10   June  30   Bonsall &  Brother........  15,500 pounds sheet lead.............................            5.40 per pound..  Gosport.
100 feet drawn lead pipe............................                 20      per foot.
5 boxes xxx ti.........................            12 00       per box.                                      0
8,150 pounds composition sheathing nails........       19.20 per pound.
100 barrels bright tar................................   1 85    per barrel.
50 barrels black tar.................................    165                       do
50 barrels pitch.........................                             125         do
25 barrels soft turpentine.............................   3 50                      do
3,000 pounds best clean tallow.....................                     9    per pound.
500 pounds beeswax..............................                        25         do
500 pounds white chalk.....                 do
400 pounds spun cotton...................                                12        do
40 banks cod-line, (fine)..............................                  25     per hank.
40 hanks cod-line, (stout).........................                      30         do
100 yards green baize................................                    30    per yard.
20 yards black haircloth..                                             1 70         do
20 yards black haircloth, 28-inch wide.........      00        do
50 yards coarse cloth................................                    20         do
July   6   June  30   Williams & Hinman.....~.. 3 sides heavy, oiled pump-leather...                                                     5~     per pound..  Brooklyn.
1,200 pounds tanned plump-leather..................                      22         do
5~00 sides rigging-leather.........................                        5      per side.
100 sides bellows-leather.........,....,,,..,.....   250                       do




10 sides buff-leather................................  2 75                        do
10 sides white oalk tanned sole-leather, 300 pounds......               23    per pound.
30 sides harness-leather..............*........    4 00      per side.
100 best quality sheep-skins....~..........                           1 00       per skin.
July 22   June  30   Chester P. Knapp..........  200 cords oak wood.................................  2 99                                     per cord... Pensacola.
100 cords light wood.................................  2 99                       do
July   5   June  30   Alfred E  Smith............  50 tons No. 1 best American gray pig iron.........         3  45    per ton.... Washington.
200 glasses for air-ports................. s e a.....  2 25  per glass.
4 dozen brass padlocks..............................    4 00                 per dozen.. Pensacola.
4 dozen iron padlocks........ ~....     3 00         do
2 dozen cupboard-locks.............................  2  50        do
2 dozen desk-locks...............*....o...o.  2 00          do
S dozen Collins's wood-axes......................... 13 00                         do
4 dozen coppering-hammers..... o.....................    600             d
1 dozen carpenters' claw-harmmers....................   4 00  do
2 dozen brad-hatchets.......................... 18 00                          do
3 dozen 2z-inch brass butt-hinges.................  2 50            do
3 dozen 2-inch brass butt-hinges..............       1 50         do 
3 dozen I'-inch brass butt-hinges.......................   1 50         do                                          0
4 dozen 4-inch iron hinges............................   1 56                      do 
4 dozen 3-inch iron hinges........................                   75        do
4 dozen 2o-inch iron hinges..........................                50         do
4 dozen 2-inch iron hinges........................      44        do                                          0
dozen braces and bits......... o... e...... e..... 48 00          do
dozen carpenters' adzes......e.. I ~,...,o.... 24 00     do
1 dozen compasses........O.............   1 00           do
dozen steel squares e.....,.. oee....oo.....  12S 00            do
dozen butchers' steels......................   9 00                    do
2 dozen tape-lines..................... 12 00       do
dozen monkey-wrenches.....................   8 00         do
dozen glue-kettles.............. 15 00             do
dozen keyhole saws............................... 4 00                          do
6 dozen 12-inch flat bastard files...        o.................   3 50        do
G dozen 14-inch flat bastard files......................   4 75                    do
1 dozen 12-inch rat-tail files...........................   3 50                   do
I dozen 8-inch rat-tail files.................-...........           1 87         do
12 dozen 8-inch handsaw  files.......................   1 87                       do
2 dozen sailmakers' sewing-palms...............  e.  3 00         do
2,500 pounds white lead.. -...............e.I   7    per pound.
2,500 pounds black paint..  e  a e....  a e,.... o.     6        do. 
250 pounds putty.....a i.               O a.....,...   6        do.
i! ~~  1B~ 1 450 pn                  -1n   la. h.pbl a..s a. a          e    e  &  Q os    a          do et




No..-List of contracts-Continued. 
Date.  Expiration.         Names of contractors.                                        Articles.                                          Rates.               Navy-ya         here
deliverable.
1850.       1851.
July   5   June  30   Alfred E. Smith-Continued.  5gallons spirits wine............................  $1 00  per gallon..  Pensacola.
10 pounds ivory black.............................                       5    per pound.
100 feet glass, 16 by 20 inches.......................                 12      per foot.
100 feet glass, 14 by 18 inches........................                  12        do
100 feet glass, 12 by 14 inches.................. 1'2                             do
July   6   June  30   Horton, Cordis &  Co......   56 hickory brooms...........................          17       each....   Charlestown.
50 corn brooms.....................................                       17         do
50 whitewash brushes...............................   I 00                         do
12 dusting brushes.................................         42         do
50 paint brushes, No. 1................                         60    do                                              O
50 hand scrubbing brushles.......................                       33         do 
50 clamp scrubbing brushes.....................           33        do
10 long-handled tar brushes.......................         20        do                                          Z
10 short-handled tar brushes..........................                  20         do 
5 pieces white bunting, 40 yards long.................   7 50         per piece.
5 pieces blue bunting, 40 yards long...................               7 50         do
5 pieces scarlet bunting, 40 yards long.................               7 50         do
1 piece yellow bunting, 40 yards long..................   1 00                     do
5 silver calls............................                            4 00        each.
30 yards bleached cotton............................                    10      per yard.
1 set truss-hoops..........................                          4 50       per set.
10 pounds curled hair.................................                  40    per pound.
10,000 pounds ox hides........................         6        do
100 feet 29  inch leather hose.........................                  66      per foot.
54 feet suction hose.............................                       60        do
200 pounds pump-leather.....................            15    per pound.
70 pounds bellows-leather...........................                     38        do
200 pounds hose-leather..........................                        5         do
50 pounds lanmpwick yarn........................    20        do
3 gross lamipwick, wove.............................    1 00                     per gross.
25 chalk-lines.......................................              4       each.
3 tape lines........................................                  1 50    do




10 casks lime.....a..,...........   1 00  do
25 fishing line s......................................                      42         do
100 dozen Russia mats.......               50    per dozen.
50 gallons whale oil..............................                            55   per gallon.
30 gallons tar oil....................................                        20         do
20 mounted roping palms....................                                 65        each.
20 mounted seaming pals.......................            65         do
3 Turkey oilstones...........................                            1 010          do
3 arindstones, 200 ponds.                                                      3   per pounds....................   3   per pound.
300 pounds Suffolk tar.............................     1 00   per barrel.
5 pounds pitch..........*................   200  do
3 pounds rosin....e.....................            1 50          do
10 pounds thread, white and red.......................                        75   per pound.
10 pounds shoe thread.................             50         do
25 pounds whipping twine...................       37         do
20 pounds seine twine..............................                      10         do
20 pounds yellow  beeswax...................           33         do
10 pounds mop yarn.................................                           75         do
25 yards black cotton velvet...........................                       50    per yard.                                           0
6 gallons alcohol...................................   1 00                              do                                              t
500 pounds red lead.................,......       4    per pound.
500 pounds litharge e................. *.*....4                         do
2 pounds vermillion.........................                50         do                                             O
1,000 pounds lampblack..............................                           3         do                                             *
500 pounds whiling (Spanish)........................                             i       do
100 gallons spirits turpentine..........................                      25   per gallon. 
300 gallons raw  linseed oil.........................                       73         do
10 tons Manilla hemp.............................  197 40                   per ton.
July  10    June  30    Tucker, Cooper & Co.......  100 barrels pitch................................           45    per barrel.         Brooklyn.
10 barrels tar.......................................    275                            do
10 barrels white turpentine...........................   3 25                            do
50 gallons fish oil....................................             60   per gallon.
30 gallons Florence oil.........~.~................   110  do
20 pounds Britisb lustre...........................      15   per pound.
5 pounds mica.....................................           4  00          do
2,500 pounds tallow.................................                          8         do
110 pounds sulphuric acid...........................         8         do
110 pounds muriatic acid.......................        8         do
10 pounds sal ammoniac.............................                           18         do
500 pounds beeswax................................                            25         do
150 pounds thrums................................        20         do 
200 pounds spun cotton,,........,.............. 15     do




tNro 2-L^st of Coiratcts —Continued.
Date.  Expiration.           Names of contra tors                                           Articles.                                        PRates.                Navy-yard where.;/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.i~~~~~~~~~                                                                                                        ~ ~deiverable.
1850.        1851.
July  10   June  30   Tuckr, Cooper,&Cos —Con.  50 pounds pure curled hair~,~....$,0............~....    O 035   per pound.                                       Brooklyn.
5 yards 30-inch haircloth..........................                      1 75    per yard.
5 yards 24-inch haircloth.............         o.............   1 40    do
5 yards bottle-green cloth............... e..........           3 00         do
30 bundles coopers) flags........ o..................                  20   per bundle.
3 reams heavy brown paper.....                   e.. o....   ~~~<~.  3 50    per ream.
12 21-inch brass coupling screws........ o......       2 50    per pair.
12..do........do.."do.....................                 2 00         do
24 water-closet cocks............................                     1 75        each.
24 oil can cocks.....................oo. 8.oo.  50     do
500 sheets large middle horn....................                         7   per sheet.
5 pieces scarlet bunting, 18 inches.....................    6 25    per piece.
5....do........do....12.. do,.,. e.,........      4 25         do
5.... do........ do.... 9..do.......................   3 25                   do
5....do....... do...... 42  do.........o......o... 175                        do
5 pieces white bunting.. 18.. do......................               6 25         do
5....do.....do.....12..    do.......................   4 25                  do
5....do....... do......9.do..DO.................               3 25      do
5....do.....do.....         41.do.......................   1 75                     do
5 pieces blue bunting.. 18..do...................                 6 25         do
5.... do.......             2. do.....12.do.......................   4 25       do
~j~~~~~~~~5....do........do......9. do..............o.......                                                  3   5         do
5....do........do......4-.do.......................   1 75                do
20 pounds black and white thread.....................   1 00  per pound.
1 50 yards white muslin...........................                        14    per yard.
50 hand lead lines....~.............................    1 00        each.
75 leg lines, 80 fathoms..............................                   80         do
500 fishing lines.....................................                   15         do
1,000 sailrnakers' seaming needles.    1 75                          per 100.
500 sail needles, assorted.o,.....a......~..........  3  each.
100 roping palms.........   o.........................        20         do
6 Gunter's scales................................   1 00        do
4 sailmnakerls brass squares,..e....    e.  o..   e. o.    ee    3 00          do




,lO0 pounds houseline...................      10    per pound.
1,500 pounds hambroline......................   10         do
1,500 pounds marline...............................                         10         do
6 barrels oil of tar................................             10 00   per barrel.
50,0 hickory brooms..............................                          9 00       per 100.
400 corn brooms................................... e  0 00                                do
6 silver boatswain calls...............................    3 50          each.
500 fishhooks......... 1 50 per 100.
500 C. S. ship scrapers................            30        each.
10 pounds shoe thread.........................                75    per pound.
100 pounds lampwick yarn............................           22         do
50 gallons neatsfoot oil.................                                  1 00   per gallon.
I China bowl and fixtures for water-closet............   17 50                           each.
300 Bath bricks....................................                            6         do
1 dozen roping palms................................ 2  50    per dozen.                               Pensacola.
I dozen prickers....................   250                   do
1 dozen hooks..............................      1  75         do
500 6-thread roping needles....................                                25         do
500 IO0-thread rping needles..........................                       30         do                                            0
1,000 seaming needles................................       20          do 
2 gross 3-inch iron screws............................            1 50    per gross.
2..do.. 1. do....do..............................                              87         do                                             Z
2..do..2.do...do.................................... 60                               do                                             0
4. do. 1-  ~.do...do.........................                            45         do
4,.do. 1     do. do................................                       33         do'
4. do..1..do....do................................                          30         do
4..do...do....do.................................                         25         do
100 ship scrapers...............................  50 00               per 100.
12 air port glass lights...................   1 00         each.
50,000 copper pump tacks...........................                            50      per M.
50,000 iron pump tacks.....                                                   20         do
20,000 closet nails.....................................          30         do
300 sheets lantern horn............................. 7     per sheet.
1,0@0 pounds brown soap...............,............                         7   per pound.
10 pounds shoe thread..............................      70          do
300 pounds 4-penny iron cut nails......         5         do
25 sides bellows leather..................................   2 75    per side.
25 sides rigging leather........................ 2 50             do
100 pounds beeswax..  o..............................                       28   per pound.
20 pounds quicksilver.............,,,,......,.,                      1 25          do
500 pounds tallow.....             o....e................               9         do
50 pounds lanmpwick.                   o....... o.. ^   2.     do




No. 2-List of  conlracts-Continued.
Date.  Expiration.    Names of contractors.                                   Articles,                                  Rates.            Navy-yard where
deliverable.
1850.      1851.
July 10   June  30   Tucker, Cooper,&Co.-Con. 1,000 pounds hemp wiping-stuff................ $0 09  per pound...  Pensacola.
100 pounds bat cotton..................    15                 do
200 pounds seine twine..............................    35                do
4,000 pounds sheet lead...............................           6       do
July 17   June  30   Earp & Randall............ 4,000 pounds round iron, 31 inches diameter............                2       do...... Philadelphia.
9,000........do.......    and 1  inches diameter......          2 9-16  do
3,000....do...-.....5-16 and ~ inch diameter.......            2        do
2,000 pounds square iron, 31 inches square.............         2        do
7,000........do...... various dimensions..........       2 9-16  do
4,000.       dodo...............                               2    do,
3,000.......do................do............        2       do
48,000 pounds flat iron...........do.................          2 9-16  do
July 29   June  30   Oliver Whittlesey........... 500 pounds pure dry white lead.......................                6       do...... Washington.                 Z
500........do......red lead...........                   6       do                                    0
100 pounds litharge..................................          6       do
500 pounds Spanish brown...........................             1        do
July 10   June  30   J. R. Anderson............ 24,060 pounds bar, square, and round iron, various dimensions...........................................              90    do......   Pensacola.
4,625 pounds boiler iron..................                      5       do
"                                              1,010 pounds sheet iron....                                       5       do
July 10   June  30   William Lang.......    10,000 pounds sperm candles, sixes...........    281     do...... Charlestown.
45,000 pounds pure dry white lead....................           5.90   do
3,000 pounds lampblack........................       7        do
2,000 pounds red lead......................           5. 90   do
2,000 pounds lilharge...............................           5.90   do
2,000 pounds yellow ochre...................             2        do
20 pounds rottenstone.......................      2        do
5 pounds Van Dyke brown..........................              25        do
1,500 pounds Spanish brown......................               11      do
20 pounds sugar of lead...........  25   do
10 pounds India red...........................  1 00         do
5,000 pounds whiting.................................           do
15 pounds pummice stone.o...,...............             16       do




300 pounds patent dyer..............................                        10         do
4,000 gallons pure linseed oil..........................                    70   per gallon.
500 gallons spirits turpentine..........................                    35         do
40 gallons best copal varnish..........................   1 50          do
40 gallons harness varnish............................    1 50                          do
6 gallons coach varnish........................     I                   2 50          do
140,800 pounds square, round, and flat iron, various dimensions........................        2.47 per pound..  Gosport.
5,000 pounds plate iron...............................3        do
13,000 pounds hoop iron..............................                        3         do
July  13    June  30   Timberlake &  Ricketts......  5 bolts No. 3 flax canvass............................  10 75                                    per bolt..,.  Kittery.
24 bolts No. 4....do..                                                  10 00  do
17 bolts No. 7..... do..........................   7 50                    do
14 bolts No. 8....do...............................                      6 75          do
1 bolt Russia.......................................  10 00                            do
1 bolt ravens duck...................................   7 00                           do
180 pounds 2-thread flax twine........................                      26   per pound.
I bolt No. I cotton canvass..........................         9 50    per bolt.
20 bolts No. 6.....do.............................      8 00          do
1 bolt No. 7.......do................................   8 00         do
21 bolts No. 8....do................................   7 50                             do
1 bolt No.9.......do...............................    6 75                           do
4 bolts No. 10....do................................   6 25                          do
8 bolts bag canvass..........................~~  18 00          do
11 bolts hammock-stuff..............................  23 00            do
170 pounds cotton sewing twine...................         27   per pound.
25 bolts No. 2 cotton canvass......................                    9 25       per bolt....  Gosport.
50 bolts No. 4....do...............................    8 75                            do
50 bolts No. 5....do................................   8 50            do
100 bolts No. 6...do................................   8 25                          do
25 bolts No. 9....do................................   7 00                             do
25 bolts No. 10...do................................   6 25                           do
100 bolts hammock canvass O~.~......................  25 00          do
300 pounds cotton whipping twine...................                       30   per pound.
Aug.  6    J une  30    Bonsal &  Brother...........              6 dozen brad-awls, harndled...........................            1 00   per dozen.
6 dozen narrow  axes, handled........................   8 00                           do
I dozen wooden braces, 48 bits each..~....~....~.ee,~  48 00                          do
1 dozen iron braces, 20 bits each.................  30 00              do
2 dozen dusting brushes....................                    5 00          do
2 dozen varnish brushes.............................                      5 00         do
8 dozen paint brushes, 0000, fine-ground...0.....~.~...    500                        do
8   O s......do.......0000, coarse-ground....,.<~.... 5 00   do




No. 2 —List of contracts-Continued.
Date.  Expiration.        Names of contractors.                                       Articles.                                       Rates.              Navy-yard where
deliverable.
1850.       1851.
Aug. 6   June  30   Bonsal& Brother-Cont'd..  8 dozen whitewash brushes...................,.....   5 00   per dozen.,.  Gosport.
26 dozen hand scrubbing brushes.................                   1 50         do
30 dozen clamp.......do.O.........................   1 50                     do
6 dozen short-handled tar brushes.O....,.  2........ 2 50  do
3 dozen long-handled tar brushes.....................              3 00         do
40 dozen hickory brooms........................  1 00         do
50 dozen corn brooms............................   2 00         do
25 dozen plain brass buttons...,.....................     20                    do
1 dozen silver calls,.... o.......................  25 00                  do
4 dozen hand bellows..........................                    50       each. 
1 dozen carpenters' compasses....................    5 00   per dozen.
6 dozen bass cocks................                                 5 00         do
1 dozen coopers' callipers..........................b   500                   do
I dozen spring callipers............................             8 00         do 
3 pounds catgut..............................   1 00  per pound.
10 pounds crocus mortis...........................             315   do
1 dozen clamp screws....O..........................   5 00  per dozen.
I dozen glaziers' diamonds......~............... D i             25 00         do
I dozen brass dividers..........................  5 00          do
1 dozen iron dividers...........,.,,,.........        5 00         do
3 sets dies, letters and figures......................   15 00    per set.
50 pounds fine emery................................'10  per pound.
50 pounds coarse emery................ o...   10         do
6 gross hand-saw  files.......................          6 00   per gross.
150 yards fearnought.............................           50    per yard.
150 pounds glue..................          10  per pound.
I dozen gauges.........,....................                   2 00  per dozen.
50 dozen fishing hooks...............................  10                       do
4 dozen hatchets................10.............  a  00      do
800 sheets horn....................................         5   per sheet.
300 pairs 4-inch brass butt-hinges..............,  60 00  per 100 pair.
240 pairs 31-inch brass....do.....................   30 00                    do
250 pairs 3-inch brass.., do..................... 20 00                do




50 pairs brass desk hinges..  *....*,...........    10 00          do
14 pairs brass screw  hooks............................                     25   per dozen.
8 pairs brass clothes hooks.........................     150                           do
4 pairs shoe knives.................................     50        each.
1 pair pitch kettles...................................  10 00                          do
1 pair sail knives...................................                    2 00          do
2 pairs butcher knives.............................                       2 00       per pair,
2 pairs cheese knives...........................    3 00          do
60 dozen iron cupboard locks.,................    1 00   per dozen.
23 dozen iron padlocks.,......................~..   1 00                           do
6 dozen iron case pin brass knob locks.............. 5 00          do
50 dozen iron drawer locks...............,.....       i 00          do
6 dozen iron closet locks, 4 inches long................                  300           do
6 dozen iron closet locks, 6 inches long................    300                        do
8 dozen brass closet locks, 3 inches long................   6 00                        do
8 dozen keys for door locks.........................                        50         do
I dozen linen tape lines....................0.....        30   0         do
6 dozen fislhing....d.........................                1 00          do
2 dozen coasting..do................................  60 00                            do.
3 dozen lo......  do...............................   12 00                             do
25 papers sewing needles........................                         25    per paper.
2 dozen hand lead lines.............................                12 00   per dozen.
1,000 seaming needles..........    20  00       per M. 
1,000 4-thread...do................................. 20 00                             do
1,000 6-thread...do...............................  20 00  do
1,000 8-thread...do,...............................  20  00                           do
500 marline....do.............................   20 00            do
4,200 pounds iron cut nails............ a........        4   per pound.
2,100 pounds wrought nails.........................        6         do
100 pounds 30-penny copper cut nails..................                      25         do
750 pounds 12-penny.....do.........................                         25         do
1,400 pounds 10-penny... do........................                      25         do
2,000 pounds 8-penny.... do......................                        25         do
900 pounds 6-penny......do..........,.......                               25         do
100 pounds 3-penny......do.........................                       25         do
20,000 1-inch clout nails.............................       70      per M.
5,000  1-inch...do............,..,.................              1 00          do
10,000 11-inch......................        1 00          do
53,000 1l-inch copper brads......................                         40         do
40,000 l1-inch...d..o....3...,,......              40         do
30 d,000n    nch.       d........do,,,.....................   20  doz
dozen pincers.......,......,..,......,.,,.,    5 00   per dozen. 




No. 2-List of contracts-.Continued,                                                                                             K
Date.  Expiration.          Names of contractors.                                        Articles.                                         Rates.              Navy-yard where
deliverable.
1850.       1851.
Aug. 6.   June  30   Bonsal &  Brother-Cont'd..  2 dozen plyers...................................... $4 00   per dozen.                                        Gosport.
12 reams sand paper.................................   2 00    per ream.
2 dozen sail prickers..................................   5 00   per dozen.
4 dozen sewing palms...............................                  9 00         do
4 dozen roping palms..............................O       9 00         do
2 dozen wood rasps................................    3 00                         do
2 dozen sheep shears..............................                   3 00         do
4 dozen iron shovels.......* ~~... ~.    D  5 00                  do
3 dozen iron spades.................................    5 00           do
8 dozen ship scrapers............................                      5 00         do
I dozen Gunter's scales....................O~.   3 00                          do
aws   00~         ~~~0~00~..... 9 O0                        do
1 dozen panel aws..................00                            do
2 dozen tennon saws...............................    9 00                         do 
2 dozen wood saws........................*.......     9 00          do?
2 dozen hack saws...........................      9 00         do
2 dozen sash saws.............................   9 00                          do
2 dozen handsaws.............................    9 00           do
2 dozen dovetail saws............  o...........     9 00         do
2 dozen smoothing planes.........................  10 00    do
I dozen grooving planes..................,...                       10 00         do
I dozen long jointer planes  *.......~ ~...  ~......    10 00                     do
1 dozen short jointer planes......................  10 00                         do
I dozen jack planes.................................   10 00                       do
1 dozen bead planes...............................  10 00                       do
2 dozen astrigal planes.................  10 00         do
2 dozen coopers' short jointer planes...................  10 00                    do
I dozen spoke shaves.............................   5 00          do
I dozen trying squares................O.............    6 00         do
1 dozen screw  plates, 6 taps.......................... 10 00                      do
1 dozen sail stabbers......................0     5 00         do
50 pounds brass solder...............................                   40   per pound.
30 pounds pewter solder.............. o      O.........     20         do
10 pounds sal ammoniac,...               o.........,....9a.. 20             do




3,000 14-ounce copper tacks..........................                50      per M.
12,000 16-ounce......                                                 50 do
6,000 E-ounce......do............                                    50    do
12,000 I-ounce.....do.........                                        50         do
64,000 1-ounce.....do...............................                40         do
116,000 iron cut pump tacks.......................                   6        do
600 iron welded thimbles............................                  5       each
100 pounds No. 17 copper wire.....................      30   per pound.
20 pounds 1-inch diameter..do...................      30        do
20 pounds 5-16-inch do....do...............                          30        do
20 pounds  -inch...do....do.......................            30        do
200 pounds brass wire............................      25        do
50 pounds No. 17 iron wire......................               5        do
250 pounds various Nos. iron wire...................                   5        do
1 dozen large bench vices................. 20 00   per dozen.
1 dozen small..do... do............................    10 00             do
1 dozen hand.....do.............................. 20 00                       do
12 sets iron weights, ~ ounce to 4 pounds..*..........              P~5     per set.
6sets zinc....do.......do........do...........   1 O0          do 
500 pounds cast-steel................................             16  per pound.?
500 pounds blister steel...............................             10        do
300 pounds German steel,...................      10        do                                        Z
50 pounds spring steel................................     10      do                                        0
2 dozen copper tea-kettles............................ 20 00   per dozen.
2 dozen iron tea-kettles..............................  10 00                   do
4 dozen stew-pans........................   8 00    do
1 dozen gridirons................................     900          do
2 dozen waffle irons.......................            5 00         do
106 gross iron screws, various sizes and numbers, to be
of drawn wire.................................          40   per gross.
10 gross 21-inch brass screws, Nos. 14 and 16.......... 2 00                    do
55 gross brass screws, various numbers................   1 00                   do
Sept. 16   June  30   William  N. Clem.........  3,200 pounds iron cut nails, various sizes...............                       3~  per pound... Brooklyn.
200 pounds iron cut nails, 3-penny, fine................               6_       do
400 pounds wrought-iron nails, various sizes..........              9        do
100 pounds wrought-iron nails, 6-penny................                10        do
800 pounds wrought-iron boat nails............               9        do
200 pounds wrought-iron boat nails, 6-penny........           10        do
100 pounds wrought-iron boat nails, 4-penny...........                15        do
500 pounds copper cut nails........................ O..              27        do
200 pounds copper cut nails, 10-penny.................                  8        do
200 pounds copper cut nails, 8-penny....e.........o 28                         do




No. 2-List of contracts-Continued.
Date.  Expiration.        Names of contractors.                                      Articles.                                       Rates.              Navy-yard where
deliverable.
1850.       1851.
Sept. 16   June  30   Wm. N. Clem-Continued..  100 pounds copper cut nails, 6-penny...,...........   0 29   per pound... Brooklyn.
100 pounds copper cut nails, 4-penny..............                     30        do
20 pounds 1I-inch wrought-iron clout nails............                30        do
40 pounds l-inch wrought-ron clout nails..............                30        do
200 pounds fine finishing nails...................                    9        do
50,000 8-ounce iron cut tacks.........................                 5      per M.
50,000 10-ounce iron cut tacks..............                       do
50,000 ]2-ounce iron cut tacks.....................                  7        do
10,000 14-ounce iron cut tacks...........              8        do 0
20,000 11-ounce copper cut tacks................I    75                  do                                        ~
20,000 3-ounce copper cut tacks......................                 75        do?
20,000 ~ —ounce copper cut tacks.............   75       do
60,000 I-ounce copper wrought tacks o,....... D..o  a..   175                   do
20,000 "-ounce copper wrought tacks.................   1 63                    do?
20,000 a-ounce copper wrought tacks...... O......      1 63        do
16,000'-ounce copper wrought tacks........o..   a             I o,   150  do
10,000!-ounce iron cut brads,........................   16        do
10,000 1 -ounce iron cut brads.............           14        do
10 000 I-ounce iron cut brads.....................          12        do
10,000 i-ounce iron cut brads.........................                10        do
30,000 scupper nails...............,...........           75        do
144 pounds sheet brass...................                          20   per pound.
21 pounds sheet brass.....................,.....  20     do
66 pounds sheet brass.....- e...........                22        do
20 dozen candlestick slides...........................     1.8   per dozen.
40 dozen lamp screws................................                   6        do
10 yards brass jack chain.............................                 25    per yard.
2,000 3;-inch iron sheave rivets.............     8 00       per M.
3,000 2-inch iron sheave rivets.......................   4 00                   do
3,000 11-inch iron sheave rivets.......................  3 75                   do
60,000 iron turned rivets.............................         50        do
50 pounds copper rivets.............................                  50        do
5 gross 2-inch iron screws, assorted numbers.,                         55   per gross.




5 gross  -inch.. do.......... do... o..... e. d.  30         do
5gross 1l-inch....do..........Odo.........*......                  25         do
5 gross 1-inch...........do.........             20.        do
5 gross — inch...do..........   o...............         15         do
5gross  -iMch...... do.............                           do 15  do
5 gross  -inch.. sdo........do...,............            18         do
5 gross 2-inch brass  screws..,       d.do.................    1 60             do
5 gross 1i-inch.do..... o...................      1 20-         do
5 gross ] -inch.. do. ~.........do ~..o.G. o C......O.               90         do
5 gross 1-inch...do..,.......  do.................            60         do
5 gross i-inch.... do....... o.~...,.......o.           50         do
5 gross -iinch... do........ do s             e........... o...   45            do
5 gross ~-inch....do.........d.....................                      40         do
20 pairs 4 by 4-inch brass butt hinges......O.,oo...e.  85    per pair,
50 pairs 4 by 3-inch......d o....................D.   60         do
5 pairs 3-inch.........*. do *......................      40         do
5 pairs 2-inch..,.0o...do.......................                   35         do
5 pairs 2-inch....................................  30  do
24.pairs 3-inch iron butt hinges......................                 (;        do                                         O
150 pounds iron wire, various numbers...............                    6   per pound.  
100......do......do.....dO o................o..O....  6                  do
10 pounds brass wire, i-inch..................e. e   30         do                                          Z
2 dozen 3-inch mortise closet locks...................   5 00   per dozent                                                     0
7 dozen 4~-inch upright mortise  locks, wrought-iron, and
mineral knobs..............................               12 50          do. 
I dozen 5-inch upright mortise locks, wrought-iron, and 
mineral knobs...........,...................o   15 00                        do
6 dozen 3-inch iron closet locks....... e...... o.            2 00          do
6 dozen 3-inch iron drawer locks..................                 2 00          do
6 dozen 4 inch.......do...,........................   3 00      do
I dozen  6-inch wrought-iron dead locks,.............   5 00                      do
12 dozen 3-inch iron padlocks........,............                 5 00          do
3 dozen 3-inch brass padlocks.................   12 00                do
10 dozen blank iron drawer-lock keys................                   50        do
10 dozen blank composition keys..........e.....O o    1 38          do
1 dozen 4-inch closet locks.................,...........   2 00  do
8 dozen 4-inch brass cabin door hooks...,..........2  50             do
2 dozen 4-inch brass flush bolts..........,,....        2 00          do
3 dozen 6-inch bulkhead bolts,.........................                 6  00        do
3 dozen 1l-inch brass table castors......,. o........   2 00             do  
3 dozen 1-i2nchl brass table fastenings................   3 00        do 
14 dozen  -inch brass screw  knobs.,..,,..,,  o...    18              do;




No. 2-List of contracts-Continued.,
Date.   Expiration.         Names of contractors.                                         Articles.                                         Rates.              Navy-yard where
deliverable.
1850.       1851.
Sept. 16   June  30   WVm. N. Clem-Continued..  30 dozen 2-inch mahogany knobs...................... $0 12   per dozen...  Brooklyn.
50 pounds plate zinc................................                      5    per pound.
i00 pounds g'ue..................................  20        do
12 gridirons................... e......            1 00        each.
12 griddles...................   100           do
A0 iron teakettles.................................    100                        do
10 fish-kettles..,.........................           3 50          do
132 cooks' iron ladles.........................            75         do
20 f ying-pans................................                           60         do
50 stew-pans, I to 10 quarts....................       75         do                                         0
6 camp-lketles.....................................                   1 50          do?
12 waffle irons.......e....................  75         do
12 butchers' knives..............................  25                     do 
G gaauging rods.........,.........,............                       50         do?
12 bread "shovels.....................................    50    do
6 butcher's steels,....................................     50         do 
12 sets lead weights, I oz. to 1 lIb..................                   60      per set.
3 sets iron weights, 4 lbs. to 28 ls......................              00         do
6 sets shovels, tongs, and pokers......................   1 00                      do
3 dozen wood axes, handled........................  12 00    per dozen.
6 caroenter's adzes, hatidled.........................   2 00                   each,
6 carpenter's hollow  adzes, handled.,.......,.. ~.   2 00                        do
50 brad awls, handled...............................                       6         do
50 shoe awls, handled........d... O...............         3         do
12 wire awls, handled...............................                     6         do
3 cooper's adzes, handled..................   2 00           do
3 cooper's broadaxes, hlandled.......................    3 00                       do
12 wood braces and bitts......................                        00         do
3 iron braces and bits.........................,.   2 50                        do
6 bun, borers...............................       7 75       do
6 tap borers........................................    50         do
3 patent balances...................J.......   5 00       do
12 carpenter's compasses...,.........,,......2..                  18         do




?2 firmer chisels, handled......,.....~~.....             30         do
72 socket chisels, handled...................      60         do
12 brass bib cociks,!-inch...................         75         do...do..... do.....1-ifich...........................   1 50                     do
6 cooper's crows.................0..........    100                do
3 pair sailmaker's dividers........................                  1 00          do
6 giazier's diamIonds................................   1 00                        do
2 dozen fiat files, fine, 10-inch,.................                   3 00    per dozen.
2..do....do....do..12 inch.........................   4 50           do
2..doo....do....do...8-inch........................ 2 00       do
2..do.do,...do..14-inch...............              6 50          do
1 dozen flat bastard files, fine, 8-inch...                            1 75          do
1..do...... 2.2.do.        do...0-c.........                          2 25          do
1..do......  do...... do...12-inch.............   3 25                             do
1.......do....       do... 14-inch.................    5 25                do
1..do....haif-round..do....8-inch..............          2 00         do
1..do.......do......do...10-ineh.................   2 50                        do
1..do........do.....o... 12-inch.................     3 75       do
1..do,........do...,..  do...14-inch.................               5 25          do                                         0
1..do......round....do,..3-inch...............       60         do?
1..do......do......do....4-inch..................                      80         do
1..do......do....          do....5-inch..................               00         do 
1..do....do... d...do...6-inch..................   1 50                       do
i..do.........do....8-inch.................    1 75              do
1..do.........do......do... 10-inch..................   2 50                       do
2 dozen 14-inch wood rasps....................                       5 00          do
3 dozen taper saw files, 3-inch.....................                    75         do
3..do....do....do...4-inch..........................                   80         do
3..do....do....do...5-inch.............            1 00          do
3..do..,.do....do...6-inch.....................   1 50  do
3..do....do....do...7-inch.........................   1 80                        do
3..doo..                8-..do.in.....................        2 25          do
G..do..cross-cut saw files..........................    1 50                        do
10 dozen nail gimlets..........................                      37        do
5 dozen spike gimlets,.........................  1 00          do
G dozen firmer gouges, handled.......................             350           do
6 dozen socket gouges, handled...........~....                        6 00         do
I dozen carpenter's gauges.........................                   2 00         do
4 dozen claw hammers........5 00                        do
^ dozen screw-wrench hammers.......................  30 00                         do
3 dozen sail knives..............................   3 00           do 
2 dozen drawing knives,,,,..,,..,,.,~............  1.8 00          do




No. 2 —List of costra ts-C ontinued  
Date.  Expiration.        Names of contractors.                                     Articles.                                      Rates.              Navy-yard where
deliverable.
1850.       1851.
Sept, 16   Jan,  30   Wm. N. Clem-Continued..  I dozen pallet knives................   7 00    per dozen.    Brooklyn.
~ dozen glue kettles, copper..................o  18 00  do
dozen pitch kettles............................        24 00  do
dozen rounding knives...........H..........  12 00            do
2 dozen hollowing knives.......................... 12 00                   do
1 dozen tape lines, 100 feet....................... 12 00         do
1 dozen pitch ladles.....................,.  12 00          do
1 dozen pincersh ladls..................O.......    3 50         do
2 dozen smoothing planes......................   10 50           (o
1 dozen grooving planes.........O,.............              6 00        do 
dozen short jointer planes..........................o  15 00         do
2} dozen jack planes.   oe      0.o........  o............   12 00         do d
I dozen moulding planes..........................o                6 00        do 
dozen plough planes and bitts.,  O..... O......   36 00       do 
1 dozen astrigal planes.................. o.     o       6 00     do
I dozen pair match planes........................... 15 00                  do
4 cooper's long jointers..........o e..................   4 00        do
6 cooper's short jointers.. e...............,    3 00          do
2 dozen 2-feet rules..,...o.....................                5 00         do
6 dozen-steel shovels.,........o..............      9 00         do
dozen steelyards................................. 18 00                    do
3 dozen handsaws.....,.....V........~.........  12 00                do
1 dozen wood saws, framed.......................... 12 00                      do
1 dozen sash saws, framed.,...O..................   9 00            do
1I dozen panel saws.............................  12 00         do
11 dozen key-hole saws and pads.................   4'50                     do
2 dozen tennon saws................................ 18 00                      do
dozen dovetail saws...,,..   1200                                         do
1 dozen hack saws..,,...,.......,..,  12 00          do
12 spoke shaves........................,...e....                        75   do
4 Turikey oil stones...........................    25         do
12 trying squares.............,   e.... o.....  50          do




i 12 cat-sAteei squares.....a........... ~~.......     100          do
12 saw  sets....................               25        do
12 hand vices....................................... 50       do
6 bucket shaves................................  50    do
6 can shaves..........                 50        do
6 cooper's vices..,...o.......~ o.......,......       18        do!24 24-inch scale beams.,...,,.............   2 00          do
12 18-inch....do....          o    o....................             50        do
3 sheep shears............*....................      50        do
12 screw plates and taps........................   1 00    do
6 screw  plates for figes................,. 2 00                  do
3 pairs tinner's shears.............. a.   5 00            do
3 pairs tinner's iron stakes............~.   5 00           do
pairs tinner's edging stakes..,................   3 75      do
-3 tinners' planishing stakes..o.,..........B........             3 00          do
200 pounds best cast steel.................c...              18   per pound.
200 pounds best German steel..............                             12         do
6 coopers' beck irons............................   1 00  each.'S~ept  8 IS    c. ^30 IJ  0.L   avyden..~.., 0..I.    44 tons best quality St. Domingo lignumvitce, various di^ 5..185.mensions....  a........................... 57 00    per ton.
Oct   9       e     30   John Nash.                            30,000 cubic feet white oak planksstocks..,~.,....                        37  per cubic ft...  Charleatcrn2,000 cubic feet white oak curve timber.....,.,..      75        do
3.000 cubic feet white oak butt pieces................                    37        do
210 inches white oak cheek knees.................   125    per inch.
140 inches white oak knees for cat heads................   1 50                    do
61 1 cubic feet white oak beams.......................                    45  per cubic ft.
310.... do............do......................-    45             do
3,000 cubic feet white oak  butt pieces...............                   33        do
20,000 cubic feet white oak plank stocks................                  22 49-100 per c. ft. G  sport
15,600 cubic feet white oak thick stuff...,^........... 35 00                   per M.
50 white oak knees to side from 3 to 5 inches,......   150                      each.
5,000 white oak hogshead staves...................... 40 00                       per M.
5,000 white oak barrel staves...~..o...........2500             do
3,000 white oak-barrel heading....,............,..    25 00                         do
12 white oak or hickory butts........o..............                  1 25      each.'16 hickory butts.....................................   125                         do
1,325 inches white oa.k knees..............      1 95   per inch,..   Pensacola,
c)~t   5   Dee   30   J. M. Drewrey.,,,,,,,,,  200 hickory capstan bars............,...,..,.                                     75      each.,,,.,  Gosport.
150 hickory handspikes.,...o, o.  i,.,,,,,,.           50         do                                           4




No 2~.List of contr^ct — Continued.
Date.  Expiration.         Names of contractors.                                     Articles.                                       Rates.               Navy-yard where
deliverable.
1850.       1851.
Oct.  5   Dec.  30   J. MT. Drewrey-Continued.  10,500 feet cypress boat boalds.......................$24 00                             per M.         Gosport.
Oct.   8   Dec.  30   D. D. Simmons.....o...... 10,000 feet elm for gun trucks...................          4    per foot.
4,300 feet elm boat boards............                 3        do
39,100 feet white ash boards and planks.................              3        do
Oct. IL    Dec.  30   Bonsal &  Brother.........         36 tons lignmunvitzs, various dimensions...........                46 50   per ton...   Brooklyn.
8.....do.......... do......................... 57 50                 do....  Gosport.
Oct. I    Dcca  30  Win. G. Gunnell 0........  3.000 cubic feet white oak logs.......................                           30  per cubic ft... Washington.
900 cubic feet white pine logs,..................                     14        do
20,000 cubic fet white oak boards and planks...                   34 00      per IM..,000 cubic feet: 3-inch white ash plank.............             34 00         do
3,000 cubic feet    ich...... do.....................   39 00                   do
4,000 cubic feet 2-inch.......do...................... 34 00                    o 
6,000 cubic fee;   -inch................          39 00         do                                        Z
500 cubic feet 1-inch white pine prime plank........  40 00      do                                        0
1,000 cubic feet 3-inch,...do........do............  o   44 00     do
500 cubic feet 4-inch......d o.......do......... 42 00          do
500 cubic feet — inch black walnut....do..............        7   per fooL
500 cubic feet 1-inch....do.........do..............      4        do
500 cubic feet.  inch...do.....         do...............         6        do
Oct. 16   Dee.  30   John R. Chapman..........  34,000 cubic feet southern yellow pine.................  24 00  per cubic ft..  Charlestown.
5,000.....do............. do.......... 0,        4 00         do...... Gosport.
COct,.5   Dec.  30   J.H. Taylor.& Co.....,.   41 st quality white ash oars, 18 feet long.............    1 08              each. O.o. Kitteryo
56....do............ do....16...do.........                     1 00         do
50...do............do...14..do.................                    70        do
32...do...            do....13...do.................              65        do
24 rough hickory bars.............................   2 00                       do
Oct.   7   Dec   30    James Bioler..............  13,000 feet white oak plank and boards................. 39 00               per M.....1 Brooklyn,
57,000 feet white pine.......do... 450         do'  5,000 feet 1l-inch merchantable wvhite pine plank......... 3t 00               do,I.                                 5(00 nerch-attable Albany piece plalnk..,..............                 40     each.
I3  00........ d........boards.......o....o..              30        do         I
5'1,S0 feeL ash plank.... *.............      5....  00  per M.
18,000 feet cypress plank and, board;.j... a.o       30 00         d0




200 feet walnut and maple........................  44 50                do
40,000 feet white pine plank and boards..............  39 00             do.....  Philadelphia,
6,000 feet ask planic......5.....................  25 00              do
5,000 feet black walnut   t......,,,.............    45 00  do
4,500 feet white oak boat boards and plank.......*... 40 00               do
300 cubic feet yellow locust...........................         1 30  per cubic ft.
Oct. 10   Dec.  30 G G.. Bogert....  G....             32  tons lignumvite, various sizes.........  78 00                         per ton....  Kittery.
100 white ash oars, 16 feet long...................  95              each..       B....  Brooklyn,
200.,..      r1...do.... 15.do................  85       do
200......do.............4......do.....,.,...         75        do
100...,. 13..do.d.....12....                          0 do...  60  do
1.00,.,.do.. e @ 2..d o.......       e                 6.ci  *..   e * -. -..  6 0  do
75.....do.......1... do.......................      55       do
25......do......10... do.....................                 50       do
Oct.  4   Dec.  30   Alpheus Fobes....  600 feet white pine plank boards, 1-inch thick...........           3 5-10 per foot...  Gosport.
600........do....... do.......1o.....do.........       3 6-10 do
1,200......do.........do.......1...do..........                 3 6-10 do
4,000..d.......      do.......do..........       3 6-10 do
5,000......do....... do......3.....do...........                   3 6-10 do
5,000......do....... do.C...*......... d............  3 6-10 do
75,000...dodo........do..2.....do............             3 5-10 do
35,000.....do.. do,..........   do..                   3 5-10 do
75,000.... do...... do.................         3 5-10 do
70,000.....do...d.....d            o..........      3 5-10 do
15,000 fec-:t 2d quality,.do....... 2....do...........   2 6-10 do
15,000.....do            o........do................2 6-10 do
5,000 feet white pine plank stocks.................... 30            do
Oct. 21   Dec. 30   Samnuel P. Brown..O~...,  20 spruce spars, 9 inches in diameter................. 1 80    each
20..do..... 8.....d..................      1 60        do
30.. do......7..    e.do...... do......   *.             1 40       do
50.... do...........do............................       1   20     do
60....do...........do..............   1 00                                do
150 poles, 21 to 4........do..................      30       do
6 spruce piece sticks, 14.do...................                18 00        do
8.        do.....  4do.................          10 00        do
15.. o............. II.d,............   C    6 00        do
25 black sprucespars,16. do.........................o  30 00        do..,,.. Pensacola.
25......do...... 12.do..................   8 00        do
25 e...     do.....................   3 00                         do
25.......do........ 7. do.........................  3 00        do
Oct4  22   Dec,  30   Miles J. lHelingoton....   60,000 feet yellow pine boards and plank.........,   11 50    per M.
4t, 1g   Dee. 30   Alexander McVoy..,.,   70,000 feet white,.               o do..,  do.o.........,....    415 50  do




fNoc. o2-~i     oft        CoCrceL- onttinued, 
Date. jExpiration.l          Names of contractors,                                           Artcldes.                                            Rates.               Navy-yard where
deliverable.
i850.        185 1,
Oct.  11   De.  30   Alexander McVoy-Con'd.   15,000 feet cypress boards............................30 00                                          per M....  Pensacola.
Oct. 18   Dec.  30   Neil Wilkinson..........  30,000 feet white oak boards and plank................   39 97                                        do
Sept. 10   june  30    William  Lang............ 2,500 pounds pure sperm  candies......................                       40   per pound.
1550. 
Nov. 4   Nov.  11   William  T. Dove...........  800 tons Cumberland coal.................         5 47        perton....  Philadelphia.
June   7,5.i.  J ames Montgomery........ Patent right for steam  boiler.........................  1,000
0ov. 18'Dec.  30' Ward &  Keefer........ e.O.   30,000 feet (No. 1) 1st quality white pine...............  35 00   per M  fet..  Charlestown.
1ttu~~                       l 30,003 feet (No. 2) 2d quality white pine............                   PS 00          do
l ~~~~~I t132,000 feet white oak planGk..........................                                         3        per foot.
18,000...do.,..........various dimensions.....         5         do 
500 cubic feet 1st quality elm  timber.............                         25  per cubic ft.
10,000 cubic feet white ash plank.....o..  3                         do
1,500 cubic feet black walnut.................  31               do 
100 rough hickory bars...............................                      40       each......  Brooklyn, 
20 white heart hickory butts......................                       1 50         do
It  474,000 prime whiteoak staves..........................                                                 5        do..2,000 white ash barrel staves........................                     3         do
P     _______ _       ____________ _     _____________   __ __ _____, ________ _ ____ _______________________         __ J.__________________________________ —~ —-  --




ABSTRACT OF OFFERS
MADE
TO FURNISH NAVAL SUPPLIES,
COMING
UNDER THE COGNIZANCE
OF TIE
B.REAU OF CONSTRUCTION, EQGUIPMENT, AND REPAIRSEXHIBITING,
In scales from No. I to No. 12, inclusive; as well those which were accepted
X  those which were rejected, between the 14th of November, 1849,
(date of last report,) and the 14th of November, 1850: reported
in obedience to the act of Congress of March 3, 1^843.




No, 1.-Scale of of'ers to furnish supplies for the fiscal year ending J.a   30, 1851,  at the navy-yard at Kittery, Maine,!
under advertisement of May 6, 1850. (Offers received to June 10.) 
Class No. 1.    Class No. 2.    Class No. 3.    Class No. 4.    Class No. 5.    Class No. 6.
Ofrers.                                     ron.          Hardware.    Flax canvass.  Cotton canvass.                                     Leather.
Aggregate amounts.
1     Alfred E.Smith.,.........,.,,...                $360 00             $34039.................             865730.......
2     Ralph C. Cutter.................                           378 95........                  $1, 070 80              683 00             $9850
3     John A. Hiins...........................            505 00             630 25            $84100             1,129 00             668 00               302 00
4     Timbcrlaie  & Ricketts................................  338 83.579 55              809 65.,............,
5     Daniel H ill -.^.............................................................                   141  25
6     Storer &  Stepherson........................................                 623 40              880 50........................
7     Chamberlain &  Fller....,..............                             63 75..,,................................  
8     D. 1M. Wilson &' Co.......~...............                           S!40 00'................................,.<.....-...,                 ^
9     George P. Folsoni. (informal; omnits to sign the offer.)....................
10     Richard Jennes...........,............,.       240 00             346 66              67095            1,179 19              52950                14598
11     John H. Pearson......................................                  949 60......................
12     JohnP. Lyman,,,......,............         168 00......................................................
13     William  Lang......,.............             260 00             372 97.........................                         539 15               180 70
14     S.G. Bogert..................................            286 25........................                                        582                  18820
15     A  s. &  D. J  Morse...........................................
16     Spalding & Parrott...........                           08 00................  08...................................
17     Chamberlain &  Faller........,...........,...........               357 26........... 
18     Grantt &  Barton.-..............                                                                640 10........................accepted. —Offer No. 12, of John P. Lyman, for class No.  1; No. 15, of A. S. & D. J. Morse, for class No. 2; No. 4, of Timberlase & Ricketts, for class
No. 3 and class No. 4; No. 10, of Richard Jenness,, for class No. 5                    5 of Daniel Hill, for class io. 6.
CHARLES WM. SKINNER,
JuNE 18,. 1850.                                                                                             Chief of the'Bureau of Construction, Equipment, and Repair.
Offers opened on the 11th, 12th, and 13th of J.une, 1850, in presence of-                                                      CHAS. WM. SKINNER,
P. C. JOHNSON,
JOHN H. REILY.




&Jae of ofe.s to furnish sujpplies for the fiscal year ending- Jne 30t 1851, a the navy-yard at Charles-town, Aassaciwa'
setts, under advertisement of  Mlay 6, 1850.  (Offers received to Ja.ne 10.)
Class No  1.         Class No, 2.          Class No. 3.          Class No. 4:         Class No. 5.          Class No. 6.          Class No. 7.
Offers.                         Hardware.    Ship chandlery. Paints and oils. Sperm  candles. 10 tons Manilla    Stationery.                                       Fuel-wood
hemp.                                      and coal.
Aggregate amounts.
JohnA.Hig ins.......... 9425        34985                $506 00           $4,500 00             $,190 00..
2     Daniel S.Crep....................5....................................... 
3      George N..avs..............1,   6.... 584 9..............                       
14    Oakmesan M       hElad..................................3952,0...........                         00 00
1      A    lfredE.S      roith....5...............                                                              60.2,12000................
6     D.W&lA. Kisan. d &Co....,....                               52.97              14.. 37                8.........  32,900 00            2,1.8 00.                                       506..  5
7     Johotn. Grahami.....&....,...-...                                                                    421 25.58 7......................... 
8     Storer  &          Stephensoll.......................1,572..4......... 1,99950...........
9     J ohn, M  ars h............,...... -.. ~-.............,. ~...,.............,.....,..87 58........... 
10      Nathan Merril..................................................................{...........35................0
II      A.S.&D. JSm                i          t           h           4.............. 7740     0       0         [       4..4..0.{..........................................
12     Robert Todd.,.....,,......................1..............481   5
23      GeorgeW.Shawt...............                             50.7-19-.         1,4 6.30'                                   3,70000              2,000.........49514      Chamberlain &  F' ullear,.,.~.                             48.3,.,..   ~~........................... 3....'.,....~......,
i                                      i           -     I.........................
15      James M.Sa,...,...~                            -. -.-~..~.. ~....                    3,975 00             S,'jOIG 00   ^.........._.^......
16      C. AIlen'Browne......-. -.-        ~-..-..                -". -              3     60.......                        2,190 00.-....       _.........
~17     William  Lang............,,....,...                        5S 7              1,703                    3704.      28-00   12 0........... I...                  50 6 S5
18      Hohon.Cor&.-s           Co.............                58.1 77..................................................
19          Do...,.   o,..~..........~....................-..                                            324 75...........................~~.....~. ~
20          Do........do...................                  1,572 41............................................
SI         Dot~n  Marq~..... do...........................
^..............           [............................~-....... 27     8......
23          Do....Boo.......................................................................                                                    1     9......................49500
23,   S, G. Bogert  ~~~~~?2 490 00                                                                                                                - -                    495,30s 9
24      W. A. Wheeler &  Co..............................................~45.9                                                       i
25      Warren.&   LP'Ogfflall................. 66 232




28~0                           B~Doc. No, 1.
No. 2-Continuedo
ACCEPTED OFFERS.
No. 14, of Chamberlain &  Fuller.......................................for class No 1.
No. 20, of Horton, Cordis, &  Co........................................do...No. 2.
No. 19, of...do.. do..............................................do...No. 3o
No. 17, of William Lang.................................................. No. 4.
No. 22, of Horton, Cordis, &  Co.......................................   do... No. 5.
No. 24, of W. A. Wheeler & Co...........................................do...No. 6.
No. 12, of Robert Todd..........................................do... No, 7.
CH. WM. SKINNER,
Ckief of Bureau of Construction, Equipment, and Rep air.
JUNE 18, 1850.
Offers opened the 11th, 12th, and 13th of June, 1850, in presence ofC. WM. SKINNER,
P. C. JOHNSON,
JOHN H. REILY.




No. 3.
&cale of of'ers to furnish suppliesfor the fiscal year ending June 30, 1851, at the navy-yard at Phi/adlphia, under advertisement of  May 6, 1850.   (Offers received to June 10.)
Class No. 1.    Class No. 2.    Clas No. 3.
Iron..        Hardware,        Paints, &c.
Offers,                                                     Ibrass, &c.
A ggregate       Aggregate         Aggregate
amount.          amount.          amount.
1     John A. Hg1ginS,. *.....                                                                                   $.. $'   4, 760 00  $1,862 60       $849 70
Daniel S. Grice..............................................................                                                                             731   48 
Earp&           Randall.............................................................................
Joha K. Graham.....................................................,.........  750 89                                          0
6   Jesse Williamson, j..............................................,........ e...           69695    Z7'
^~~~~~~~ Geor a ge~~~~~~~~~Adams...~6'".........%22.....................
8   Wetherell &  Brother......................................................................................               743 92
9   Bowlby &Benner..................................................          805 02.............. 
0 H ris Duagan..........,........                 746546
1    Joseph Jackson & Son.....................................2. 4    0.............................. 0e0 
11    D.O.Bog e.                                                                                                       3,08....,,, &;............................ ^,...........0    00..............  750 81 *,**   *  @
15   Charles L.ndersluys...........................                                                                   3080  0.......
16   John Weetherell........................................................................................................                             706 62
J. R     A nderson............................................................................................
18   Samuel Grice........................................................................00..............  1374 35
19   Ba xter & Brother.....................................................   ]       830 57  1..c/cepted.-Offer No. 3, of Earp & Randall, for class No. I; No. 9, of Bowlby & Brenner, for class No. 2; No. 6, of Jesse Williamson, jr., for class No. 3.
JUNE 18, 1850.                                                                               CH. WM. SKINNER, Chief of Bureau of Constrction, c.
Offers opened 11th, S12th, and 13th June, 1850, in presence of-   CH. WM. SKINNER, 
P. C.'JOHNSON,,.
J. H. REILY..




Noo 4.
Scale of offers to furnish  suplies for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1851, at the navy-yard at Brooklyn  N,  Y., uder
advertisement of MIay 6 1850.  (Offers received to June 10.)
Class No. 1. Class No. 2. Class No. 3. Class No. 4.  Class No. 5.  Class No. 6.  Class No. 7.
Offerfs                                    Iron.            Copper.         Hardware.  Lead and tin.              Glass.        Flax canvass,  Cotton can"
&c..          vass, 
Aggregate amounts.
I    Cameron &  Brand'...............                   11, 907 50
2    JohnA. Hi'ggrhs...........,..o.........   $15,88384             $3,505  42         5,872  35       $1,449  22 11,579 00    $17,030  00                     18,291 25
3    Grant &  Barton..............................................................................                            -11,  7500.,...........
4    John K. Graham.........................o^,...............................                            65   50.......
5    George W. Sh.aw...................................               Informal.).........,,~.
6    Boston and Sandwich Glass Company...........................  (Informal.)
7    John Travers, president, &e., &C.................................................                  10, 47950           10, 141 00
8    John H. Pearson......................,.. I..................                                                            13,545 00
9    D.&. &  A. Kinsland &  Co....................................~..................-............. 
10    William  Lang.......................            8,377  22.......     3,553 7..............
11   W. &          B. Mc   oidm..,...,,................             9.......1...................
1I    Storer &  S-tephenaon....,.,,......~~.,.,.,,,,,,...................~.,..................,........... 
13    Daniel Grice......,,..,,...,........,...................
14    Henry G.Nicholls-,                 2.,.~...          22;       q    4........,:::2..b.  8,9-27     {...,.-92,7 42 4.....                                       2............ 
15    Wicks &  Blatchford ~., ~..........   -................................  1,354 96..............3...................,......
16    Daniel S...................~...................................................
17   Storer     Stephenson.........................~.................. I.........                                10,46   00         11, 262 50
18    George Adams....................,,....            8,361 44......,............................................  -,
19  Joseph Jackson & Son,.....   8,958 9.........8..5........................,,,, 5,........,.
20    William  N. C4.e..3.                                                                 3..............
S1   J. R. Anderson.......................               8,371 14..........................................................
22    White &  Knapp-..................................-...          4,580 06..................................
23    Henry Hendricks,.,,........I......    "                        651 19.,.     ~.,._,,I..........i...i.....




~4 i John M. Shaw..,..,..~..            c,.i... ^.~^........... ~.....l........
25
27   Timberlake &  Ricket.............................                                                      3,283 70          1,384 87            861 00        10,734 00         11,045 00
28    B.     A.J. S    ith.........................................................................................................
29    Phelps, Dodge, &  Co........................................    2,535 50............                                    1,300 30............
3( Williams & Hinman..............................::.........,,.
31   Fred. R............................                                                      3,295 88.......................\...J'/........
32   William  Matthews....18                                                                                                                                               12..............................................................2...........
33   W.A. Wheeler&.o.........   ~....~............................,...........,.........................
34    D.M. Wilson &  Co.........................                            7,880 37................................
35   ~~Buford   &     Co...,...~...............~..'......................e....................  I.,.......,.....!....,,,
36   J. NV. Dwight, president, &c..................             2,55171..............
37   Kennedy &  Hill.....................      I...........................              961 04
38   Lam bert &  Lane....~... ~....~<.......................~...~~~........ ~... ~... ~.......
39   Tucker, Cooper, &  Co...........................................
40    Alfred E. Smith.......,...._........   12,072 60                2,873 58         4,049 25          j,390 50 1.,..1....
IN. 7.~-John Travers, president, &c., declined. to execute the contract after the acceptance of his off r, 
Remarks -Nos. 5 and 6 are informal, offeing for part ofnly of classes                                                                                                                            0z
accepted~-Offer No. 34, of D..  VWilon &  Co., for class No. 1; No. I, of W. &  HF   McKim, for class No. 2; No. 27, of Timberiake &  Ricketts, for
class No. 3; No. 29, of Phelps, Dodge, &. Co., for class No. 4;- No. 4, of John K. Graham, for class No. 5;   1o 7, of Storer &  Stephena on, for class No. 6
No. 27, of Timberlalse &  Ricketts, (in lieu of Travers, declined,) for clasg  No. 7.




No. 4-Scale of offers-Continued.
Class No. 8. Class No. 9. Class No. 10. Class No. 11.1 oass No. 12. Clas  No. 13. Class No. 140
Ship chandle-  Paints and   Sperm oil and  Stationery. I   Fuel (oak                         Leathero          Brushoa.
Offersry.                                                     oils.          candles  vrood.)
Aggregate amounts.
BostCameron and Sandwich.....................................................
3    JoGr ant & Barton..................................................................
9    D. Joh A. K   rhlandm    &  Co...............                  6,72000....................................                             8 
10  WillamLan...                                                             2,69767. 6,368o80    6,640.00..........                                 1)2,10000    1,407,00.....~
Storer &   S         haw.........................enso............................................................
6    Boston an    d Sa ndwi c h G  lass e........................................   7................................................
17   John    ravers, president, &y., &'......................................................................
8   John TIe. Pearson. e0a.................................0....................................
9 D & A. 7ingsland & (............ 6,7720 00 o  & Snon.............
10 William Lang e.................................  2 697 67   6 368 80   6 640 00............ $2,100 00   1,407 00..........o.
/ t W. & IA. McKim.................
12   Storer &  Stephenson...........................  *2  633 27............................... * k.................
943 Daniel Gice w...............................7,22 0........................';60e............
14    H  enry      G. N icholls............................................................................................. *.*..*.**1..***.*
15       -   BVick, &  Elatehford....................;............................................. 00...............................
16   Daniel S. Grice..........................................?7,152 20.... |. *. I  ob-o@ v@*j  D  *. ooe*...*e*ee*****.........*
7   Storer &  &ephenso               *........................**............................................................O..............................
1   i           & Georth..or.....noe  Adas......................................................... I......
9   Joseph lack son &  Son.......................................................................                                           3896,         arvn d DO a - v i r i & e  e   r t t................... orma...........
$7   Tim -erlake                t...................                                         6,994 65,...............                                                              358




8      F.   A. J. SmLth............................................
I35 Phf;,D      o        Co........D................. p,                                                 0 Buo...o...o........... 
W Wil H 1amis & - H inna n..............-.-.......        9 —5~4 851..................-.. -                      -::.:::::.:          1_3. 0.3 __. 410
3    F.';     i; Leet.  Ceeo:..:..........:...................................
34   D.1 ln c     l       G. o;i cw......................3 8.............
385 Lam~ Buro..............................................
39  To A.heeloopr & Co.......................
34   D     A-    V 1o K n &   Cli........~...................-...-......-.....-lI-                                                          -"'
39   Tucker, Goopbr, &    Co......,.............................................................................~..............
40   AlfrS d E.  Smbtrh..................                                                  570        7,19000..............     1,480 50            323 00
Re~rrks,-No. 2a is i         nformal, making no extensions and giving no aggregate..Sce ^edy-Offer  0o. 39, of Tucker, Cooper, & Co., for class No. 8; No. 10, of William  Lang, for cla.s No. 9; No. 28, of B. & A. J. Smith, for class 
N'o. 10; N'o. 33, of W, A  Wheeler & Co., for class No. 11i; No.'5, of S. G, Bogert, for class No. 12; No. 30, of Williams &  Hinman, for class No. 13;
No. 4, of John K. Graham, for class No. 14.
CH. WMo S [NN.  [R, Chief of Bsreau of Co struction, &/e.
JuN   18, 1850. 
Offers opened IP11th, 12th and 13th, June 1850, in presence ofCHAS. WM. SKINNE.R,
P. C. JOHNSON,
J;O. H. REILY,




No. 5 
&1cd   j offers to frn'idsh supplies for tihe fiscal year ending' June 30 185-1 at the navy-yard, Washington5 D. C., under 
adeortisement of May 6, 1850.  ( ffers received to June 10.)
Class No 1O. I       Class No. 2.          Class No. 3.          Class No, 4.          Class No, 5.          Class No. 6.
Offers~ 
~Offn~ers~    ~Camboose iron.                            Pig iron.            Hardware.                Glass.               Paints.              Oakum.
Aggregate anmounts.
I    John A. Higgins.........................          $4,945 90             I1,450 00             $1,325 25                $900 00               $114 00..............
2    Ch. L. Ondersluys......................         4,233 27              1,18700...
3    Plume &  Co.........-....................~...~........~......,.......~...,.......................................~..~......... ~99 70        t
4    George-W. Shaw............7 00..........................                                                                  82862..............   7600..,......... 
5    William  Lang.................................          3,406  20             1,400 00                884 84                550 00                  87 00                 143 00
6    Alfred E. Smith...............................................                                    1,172 50                 883  75               450 00                 93 00                 110 00
07  WOhittlesey......................................................                                             450 00                  71 00                102 50 
8    Hoton, Cordis, &   Co...................................................                                   800 00.....................
n                                                                                                                            868 38.......................
9 E. M. jintlicum  &  Co.....................................................
10    D. 1M. Wilson&  Co.....................................................................
B...............................                           3,45280............................................................
13    J.. Al   i      on...............rson.............,390  21            1,309  00..........................................
im Tberlake & Rickets......,...............884 78                                                                                                     1, 494 00                 86 50..............
15    W7li5a    W. Glenn...............................                 1,300 00......................................................116   ^BSoston  -ruid Sandwich Giass Company.............. n............. a.............................                                         Informal.,....~..........~.........,...
17    tSl.lntde&Tyson....................................................               Informal......................................!8 t    Evimbela & Daices                                                                                                        Infomal........................8478, 4 9 0   8 50..............
18  WillamWs. Gle           n a...............................................                                                 Informal........................................
19   B osmoith     ndSndihson         Glass...............................            Ifora..............................................................
20    Dallas, Earle, &  Cape-1............................................................84 50..............
21    Chamberlain &  Fuller...................                                    1,650 00...................................................
2     S. G. Bogert...............................        3,976  16             1,445 00..............                        580 00                 8375                  119  00,
23    tSn-ith  a Tyson (duplicate of No. 19)...........                              Informal..............................................................
94    Chamiberlain &. Fuller.........................................................             922 58.
Offers per pound, instead of per glass.  OlTffer not signedo                                                                        G  arantying theiq 9wn- offer.




Doe. No. 1.                                               28
No, 5-Continuedo
ACCEPTED OFFERSo
No. 10, of D. M. Wilson & Co.......................................... for class No. I,'
No. 6, of Alfred E. Smith.............................................do...:No. 2.
No. 4, of George W. Shaw...............................................do...No. 30
o. 6, of Alfred E. Smith (by lot)..........................................do...No. 4.
No. 7, of 0. WhittleseyO.....................................do...No. 5.
No. 3, of Plume & Co..................................................do.,.No. 6.
CHAS. WM. SKINNER,
Chief of Bureau of Construction, Equipment, and RepairJueIE 28, 1850.
Offers opened the  11th, 12th, and 13th of June, 1850, in presence ofCHAS. WM. SKINNER,
P. C. JOHNSON,
J, H. REILY.




:ai0 of ofers to furnish supplies for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1851, at the navy-yardat Gosport, Virginia   under
advertisement of Aay 6, 1850.  (O/ers received to June 10.)
Class No. 1.  CGlass No. 2.  Class No. 3.  Class No. 4.  Class No. 5.  Class No. 6.  Class No. 7. Class No. 8.
Iron.           Copper.         Hardware.           Lead and    Composition                Glass.         Flax  can-    Cotton canOfers,                                                                                      tin.          sheathing                               Vass.             vass.
nails.
Aggregate amounts.
1     Grarnit &  Barton....................................................................                                                 5,047 50............
2     Jno. A              s...............,35   00       10, 406   4         5587 85              98650           2,105 00              V3600          7,000  00         6,495 00 
3     Dickscn &  Malory......................................                     990  O, I..............................            0
219       ~~~~ Henr    1.'^.., Caia...                                       8,017                                                                                                  65.........1,...  ~.........
4................................................l..................... 7   6....
5      A..e.  Edo......E..................................................... 1,8.......................
1A d~ so n".....'.....'.....................'.....
18 J P annca.... 4.758........
2       Henry    Hean i, 4.0627.....................0.......4..........................
15      Ahfed, E. Smih.....................................   1               5                             5.......................
1.       PImj9                                                      4'0          e a &'      1..^ il  l-. 9   -'1'1             -...'..
11 ie              l....,....,. Dsi..... 4 ".........,., 03.............................,..........
17  R. Anderson.,2                             $0.......................................
19      J. Rm  M. An     o.     4,....5.............................................'....................
1        o     Ja5...................................................................................            5 5.25     jwF.  Wiclksolia  &  Soil................ 4,96  50..............I.............................




S3  I  D.&. A.-  K~i  gslanoSd,     ^.     -       ).^.     ^     ~.^.          ^,., ~             ^............
24           S.C.  Bogeft....j,.............................                                                       1,021    25                  1,996             75..................
D5           Daniel  S.  G rice..................................................:,1.....!.....,.
-6           George W. Shaw......                                                                                                                                  3, 9...........................................I........
27           Bonsal!      Brother..................                                                   4,319  36...........                      4,640  41                          917  00                   1, 564  80                        276  003..................;2 8         C.L.Ondersl ys.................           5,476   00.........................................
29            W.A. Y           heeler.......................................................
B.H. Ellicott......................    Informal.,.......................................
31           Sam uel  B. G rice................ 5................................
10,002~~~~~~~~~~~~.............
32           D.M. W'ilson a              Co................                                   4,283   30..................................~                                l................:.^.       J'.                    ~
33           D ullis, Ea,,'Ic~,&                     Cope........................................... I.......,85!.................                                                                                                                                       50.......
34           G eorge   A dams..........o,.........                                                      4,388   50...............................................
315          Binford    &5    Co.............................................................................i......
38           Lam bert &                   Lane......................................................I........................'...
37            Bonsal &                Burroughs........                                         I...................................................................
38           Phelps, D odge,&                            Co.................                                          8,025 99..............                                                    J., 1,  56. 00......
39           Storer  &               Stephenson.............................................................                       4,565    00                   4, 879    50
40    -       K ennedy                &     H ill........................................                      262       00............. %...,. 5
41            W    m.~st rp       e       H aUci w.................. i.............J...................O i   ^^ 1 ^
43                 o        W. D      ieght, president, &c....................                                                     7,9 9 9 3............................................44          Dan~-ieto:l,- S. G         ice...........................................................................................
45           T.; W. BlacD      ford,...........  9..4.............1........................................o......
46            D.D. SiPrmnons...................................................'...........              6,6'00    00
47           W     illiamt     Peters.................................i.....................................accepted.~ Offer No. 2S, of W,'m. Lang', for class No. I; cofcr N1o. 14, of ~7. & H. McKim, for class No. 2; ofiir'No. 26, of Geo.'W,. Shaw, declined;
offer N"4o. 27, of Bonsal & Brother, in lieu of Shaw, for No. 3; offer No. 27, of Bo->sal & Brother, for class No. 4; offer' No. 27. of Bonsal &  Bcother, for class
~No. 5; offer NIo. 8, of John K. Graham, for class No. 6; offer No. 39, of Storcr &  Stepenson, for class No. 7; offer No. 13, of Timberlake &  Rickett% for
dass N4o. 8,




Noo 6. —Scae of offers-Continued.
<
Class No. 9.   Class                                             No. 1   1.          Ciass' No. 1.  Class No. 13.   Class No. 14.  Class No. 15,
Ship chandlery. Paints and oils. Sperm  candlesI  Statio' eiy.                                                                                Leather.                    Woodforfue-.   Dye goods.
Offers,[ 
and oil. ___
Aggregate amounts.
I                                                            ~'   Per pound.
I   Gcaintt & Barto. 
2         John A.-.,50i                              19         54................................ 5.0.....450 9.. 95.00
S         ik o          &         air........do...,..:..:.,.................-................'....,..............   ^,..,...., ~......                t
3         i.........
11.        a...::...............................................................
1.i...dr..917e.....................14  I             ix. k.& H     ira:a'.... ^...........................I...........':t.....,....,..,.................            ~0 5 i..o:.1..,...,..,  ^/'^..,. 1.        2'1
16         P0ume.2                                                                                                                                   5...............................................................                                      I..............'
9i            ^'^-... do...o.................................................................
SO           John.......................................I.............                                                                                                                                                                    V -, "
{ i.......                                                                                                                                                                                              274 2.
13           H e r D.             rCA. k~  s a d...............                         ~.,...,....            ~.., 2        0....           ~ ~.,,.,....    ~
24  iS.G.Bo                  ITo    MI.......,..                            9 40..............3, 5                                                       0..............854                                                                              1      09'O
2        I.  ~DailliaS'G~iaem.:                                  t..,.'................................'...,..............
19           Jueon e          W.     h..........................70 00
23           D. &         sAl       KB -s'and.,........,...      887 5                       1,9       1 0................3,,..^                                                                         ^'                         ~i 4
24  S. G. Bogort"'..1, ~~~~~~~~.................  934 00                            39 9.50 00                                                                        35                       421 00                              2008 00~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
27           Bosa  &~  Brte.                                                                              88             0              1910..........35




8       C... Onderslu^ys,. ^ ^ < ~o,o. ~ ~e  OOC,~.........~0 o o.^.l..,..~........,,..,.-.. s o.....~,o~^e~~~..,, ~ e.......,......o~..
9       W. A.Wheeler,..........38  4.3............. r..........................
30      B. H. EIliGott.............................................
31      Samuel B. Grh cer,.................................................................................................
32      1).     Wilson &...Co.............................
33      Dulli, Eaarle, &  Cope............................                       2,09895......
34     Geonge A l.am.......3........4...................................
35      BPuelpd, & G, Co.......o...............'...................................................
36     Lambert &  Lane............................................................                                      41650.............................:......~......
39     ftorer &  Stephenson......................
40     Ke rnedy      Hill..,............5 87..,........,, 5....................... i~..............
41      Christopher Hall.................,............~..........I,.....,..           395 94...~.....:...,~,~.~.,.  ~.........~:42     W:m.: M:a:t::th:e:ws::.....................................................
43     John W. lgwight, presideint, &(ee........:::::...........................::::::.:
44  DanielS.Grie...................                                                                  70000...........
45     T. W.PBlackford...............................................................................................................
46    rD. D.Sim. MoDS...............              941 70            2,386 00            4,150 00....3...........
ceepied.-Op er No. 27, of Bonsal &  Brother, for.ass No. 9; offer No. 26, of Geo, W. Shaw, fo.r class No. 10'; offer No. 26, of Ge.. Shaw, for 
Class No. Il; offer No. 37, of Bonsal &  Brother, for class No. 12; offer No. 24, of 8. G. Bogart, (by lot,) for class No. 13; offer No. 11, of Wm. Tatem, for
class No. 14 -.offe.r No..27, of Bonsal &  Brother, for class No. 15.
CHAS. WM. S......KINNER,
Chief of.Bureau of Construction, &6.
Offers opened,......th  and..... thJune,1850, in  resene of.............
t DC. W. SKINNER,
P. C. JOHNSON,
J. H. REILY.
47'WilimPee~.........................:....i.........~.........i.................,<




NO. 7.D
Scale of ofes to furnish suppiies fo  the fisealyear end/g' 30th Junc 1851, at the navy-yard at Pcnsaca. -undcr (dvert  I~~~~~~~( 4,! 0k
t'Iscm1U3t of (6t1iMayiJ, I50.   (Offers received   to                               J     e.)
ICas          Cas              la Class  Class Class  Cla  C             Clas          Cass           Ca             C    s         Clas
INo.1~ ~  No..                           5. 3  No.4,.5  No.       o9 -o      No.    8             No9  No.
Iffera                                                                   _    tHardware.    Ship  Fl ax   Paint, iSheetleadL    Copper,  Iron.  Sperm  Stationery.    Fuel,
chandlery.    avac                                  candies.                                                          (wood)
Aggregate amounts.
i  Granui-&  Bart~on.^      ~.,... -.~.,.......1j1,577 09.............                  I....... ^ 
Jon  A.   igns...........                8448 75         891 50 I 1,910 GO'58 00          255 00,4,61i 85'.a,573  50    1,75 00 9:....~.~.. 
3..... G raham...................................... 43.5 35........l......................
4            J-.,, L   Kn dalII &   C o....~~    O~..~.,. ~..!.,.........1....._.                                ~.p 00 0 0...........~~...
5           Albert L. AVery........................ [..I.........
Geonrge  T. Patison.............    339 08.12 5 63   2,447 00            408 45        280 00   4,088 55    1,336 76   1i25  00 -.,..  81, 70  0
7 J. R. anderson,............~.......},.,.~..........,.......!..,.....~l..........o..o....,l...,..... 9901 10...~.....~....,...o.~.~..~..    8;7.,:,-,:oea..,.............!   373 83    1,55    63   1,266 00    415 25         260 00   4,026 55   1,293. 98               975             5434........    C. afcrP. U   Knac   p..........          1...............250   3546  57,     1.....
Pe, Dodge    Co,..................................         3, 29702..................
W. A. Wheler  Co..........................................................                219 19......
13   WViliimnm  Lan..,..........................................~..........  informal    1,000 00....................
14   Timberlake &  Ricketts........................    1,416 40.........    270 00.....................
i5....~ %. _,r~.slan~.............
15    D.&  A. K A, sla  nt.,....,.............,.......,...................               i, 075 00..............
16   Kennedy &, Hil.........i...................    417 75 I..........L................................
17 jW. &  a. E-M cr, im.,.............................i..............I.l. 3,34 70    -.....,.....-.....i........3
18   S.G.   oe.. E....................2......-........,.  1,175 0......                                                                                             47 00
19  I. J.  D;)'    ht, president,&c.......... 3...,......53568.............
21S~~~~~l~~~~~~~i~dE~~                                                                                3 5:::::  " 8.1 90..9,......  -....... 38 0.   80   4193 57   1,433 45    1,00  00  34394......,,,O    Alf'~.!ii,...........    294 81 I                     999 47..........           38'7    5      28    0,1957   14345l (!00                             343 94 J.....
521   Lami~crt&   Lane....................................~..........
L~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~..................24 63.........
2~g   Duiiis Ea.[ie,,A  C',epc....................[.................... 3D7:!0...........i..........i..............j.....t..........I............~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




. c oo, f    Coere..o..j...   641-10           4                           0013,5        07.......... 0.'2;:?'               c201,058........
S      lud B.ce1     e........1,29550                                          80                      192245........, OerF for pax  coly cf class No. 7,.cJ.-C     f; —r-GT  No. S0, of Alfred E. Smith, for class No. 1  No.5, ofTJ   cle-r, C-ooper, &t  Co., for crsd  No, 2; N2o. 8, of Hienry Boreai, [failed ] No,
14, of..;atbe rdaatke a& Rhi~cketts, (i'-o lieu of Boreau,) for clas  No. o.; No 1 0, "f Alfred.8. Smith, for claOss NIo. 4; No. 25, of Tucker, Cooper,. Co, (9; lot,)
for css No. 5; Io. It, of Phelps, Dodge, & Co, for class No  6; No. 7, ofJ. R. Anderson, for  clas No. 7; No. 8, of Hen-r  Boreau, [failed;] No. 13, of..W-.-.,   (in lieu of Borleau,) by lot, for class No, 8; No, 12, of W. A. Wheeler & Co., fr clas Co. 9; No. 9, of Chester P. Knaop  for clas   No. 10,
C'  I A P  C   E ARLES. WM,.SLN.i, 
Chi ff Bureau of Cwlstr  ti-'ervw, Eaa-ta enet,, d R 1pair
JTN..  18, 18501.
Offers opened 11t.h, lI2t'h, and 1Sth June, 1850, in presence of
Cr.  A HS  VE8.   N
_} _ FT_ w.RT (_ } ~ ~    ~ 




No. 8S
Scaie of  offers to furnish timber),  c., at the navy-yards at Kittery,  Maine, and  Charleston,     Masachusetts, under advertisement of June 24, 1850.   (Offers received to September 1 1; deliveri's by December 30, 1851.)
Kittey.                                         Chariestown, lassachusetts'
Class No. 1. Class No. 2. Class No. 1. Class No. 2. Class No. 3. Class No. 4. Class No. 5. Clasa No. 6.
Offers.
White ash  Lignumvita.s  Whits oak.   White oak    White oak  Elm, ash, and Yellow pine.  "White pinao
oars and                                      knees,         plank.    black walnut.
hickory bars.                                beams, &. 
Aggregate amounts.
I   JosephGrice.......323 30                          p250 00.....................................
2   S. G. Bogert.......... -225 20                                195 00....,...................
3   Francis   Ch rch..............................................
4   R. C.GCutter..........                 9          0.............. 2...................................
3    ohFranis............            0              0.........................................
6   George Adams........................          232 50..............                         1.....692  0.12,005 0.0  81,800. 00
7   T. H. Talor & Co................               185 72        237 50   $14,350O00         2,753 65   l10,500 00           587 50    10,88000           1,910 00
John Nash.............................              13,710 00       1,876 95       9,000 00............
J,,,                                                                                              I.............
9   John  R     Chapman.................................................................   8,160    00............
10   Joseph Grice..............................                           21,250 00       3,314 45       7,500 00         755 00    11,000 00         2,820 80
11   James Bigleer..................................................,................2, 100 00
1 o.. D..............., 50 00
145    m EdwardH. erberts..........................................                     3...................... 1,0000    -..
13 Potter.                                                                           00[                                                1,260 90............
14 1Samnel P. Brown..,....................22....0  500
15   Edward R. Herbert......,.,.........13,000 00               3,121 00.......11,900 00..... I......
16   Samuel P. Brown...............,.......,............,I,..,........  Informal.
17   John A. i  gins..............,....:............................
18   J. W. Mayorie,,................................. 14..............................     1,  0 00........0.
i9SarnueIB. Griee...c,..e,.^o.~~,<,~...o,,~.e oJ.~,~~,~~..14.0000........................     10,700 00           085-00




2S    S. El. Saemple..................................,.............                                 11,650 00.............
21   D. D. Simmons.,...,.........................................................                      8,295 00.,.......   11,332  00....
22   Albert Webster........................1, 3200........................
23   J.M. Robertson.................................................   10,775 00.........
24   FrancisChurch..........~................................. 13,82500.......................                                    75000        11,10000............
23   Alexander McVoy................................                      490 00
26   Robert T.odd..........................................                       2,550 00
27   S. G. Boert.................................               0          70........                                                     2,2850 00
28   William  Lang...........................................  3,282 85.........               820 00.........            219000
29   Roswell C. Peck.................................   17,730 00          3,294 95        9,180 00...........................
30     /i H.....et
31 Jonl. Kea o eJ..e..................................                                    formal..........
31   w,:n if,. C, Lu-~..................90   0
31   William~~~~~~ J.  e..,.~.......,.I............,...............................<.,.....,..'....,.......   19,9o0 00 t.......~....
32 IJohnW.C.Loud........:.........................                16,620 00         3,406 55   Informal.              772 50       11, l 135 00............
33  Aiphnis Fobes.................................. 19,050 00        3,624 30    10,320 00           1,195 00       13,000 00........
34   Jchn Petty.......................................... 14,910 00                         2,504 75    14,160 00............
35     ThomasTatem~............................  15,017 50............   13,500 00,......................
36 J.I P~e~o~:~~...,............,..1,700..
36 j. M.RberIs..........................................................    10,775  00:.
37   C. N.W atts.......................................................                         7,500 00          86'2 50.....                   1,800 00
38 I Ward   Heeferlj..................................................                   5,5-20 00         5$7 50 1.........  1,800 00 
*Offs's for part of class No. 1; ObGarlestown oTffer not sign-d.    -No guaranty.               Not signed for class 3o. 3.           Wants but one class.,Dec~ned for zlass Io      ~r  cetnc b     y      l         t           
Dc ed fo  class No. 6 afte acceptance by lot.       iAccepted for No. 6, in lieu of Watts. 
iccpacd.-For KiUtery.- No. 7, of T. H. Taylor & Co., for class No. 1; No.'2, o  S. G. Bogert, for class No. 2,
or Charlesioten.-No. 8, of John Nash, for class No. 1; No. 8, of John Nash, for class No. 2; No. 38, of Ward &  Keefer, for class No. 3;
No. 38, cf Ward & Keefer, for class No. 4; No. 9, of John R. Chapman, for dcass   o 5; No, 37, of C. N. Watts, (by lot,) declined;
No. 38, of Ward & Keefer, in lieu of C. N. Watts, for class No. 6.
CH. W. SKINNER,
SEPTEIBR 21, 1850.                                                                                                                 Chief of Bureau of Consiruction,  c.
Offers opened 12th, 13th, and 14th September, 1850, in presence of —
CH. W. SKINNERV
J. H. REILY,
JAMES SELDEN.
ZA




No. 9K
advertisemTeient of  une 24, 1.850.  (Ofers received to September I 1; deliveries by December 30, 1851.)
Brooklyn, New  York.                                         Philadelphia.              V Washington.
Class No. 1. Class No. 2.    lss.,  Class             No. 4. C    la ss INNo. 5.   Clas s oNo.  1.                   C Cl ass  No.  i. i ass No. 2.
Offers.                                                          -
[ FV
IHWickory      Lignaum viss.    [b'White oak    White ash    White oak                 Lumber,!     toe oak    W               phite pine
bars, &c.                         plank and            oars.             laves.                                 br, timber.
boards, &c.
Aggregate amounts.
I   Joseh Gince..............   o               15 00        $3,564 00          5, 878 501    1,423 75                  90 00...................
I            ~~1'   lal ___'7   59  7
Johnr.Higgis...............................'.8.......   5 0...,..l......1...
L Piusoel &  Thlatclher.......,.............    Informal5.........................
5   James MDIunson.,,., -        -....~                  17000................                9335........
6a   B. Nelson Ger.,  o.-................................   Informal.'..........
7       Jam  s unlon........,....           170  O         1,4 0..... 1......~.................3..,1,...............,,.
8.  elso................................................................... 5941 00.
9    Alphieus.Fo bes................,9    00        5,366  30            67875.'...
10    Ca'R.es:.olfe........................                           3,780 00..........................
1.   S  G.Bogert................              00............    5,298100!                  66815             3.0 00 i.........................
9 B              en.sal &..rothber...,.,,.........          1,674 00..........................................
13   Joaa VT. C. Loa.....od............  3,50 00                                       30 0.............................
14, eorge. ge........................................................
17    Eon7a d KefBother........,...00............ 1                   6 74 00                                      2. 70 00
Is1  l......                                                            29..  4,..............




20,                         -F' A.6P      naY...  AA  43....
A. Iu...................................................  6,09350......................................
F I ranc.s Church............0.........                                                                              9...................
0 23    ISifll(i k  -holl-........................,.............................
24    SiThomas Tatem. bolls...........................................48
245    Gheorae Adamrns.                                                                             6          50..................................  6,065 50............[.....................
26    De Gra'w, Lutdington &k DeG               w..               25000          3,06000            7,242   0             90000              3400...................................
27  IJohn Nash~......................................                                               1,1l500............................. 5..........
T.8...Taylor &Co'..'.                                       140 00         3,096 00           5,550 00              7'38 75            320 00,    614 00......
S5  I40 0''ir'o................-.1......
38    John.A.,...................................................................................., 70 0..............
37  I.ro ph  r;c...,-..............................8................                                                        0.,. 50
38 I  J. Bigler.............  5..... ~~..............................    2........
39 4i  1W34pler. H. Ganneli^.,.^.^...^,..,. -.,..................                                                        1 1...50
40  1osleph Ertem-           e.,........... ISO.............
41'Tl S.-I Aom-t......                                                                                                                                                        1,170 00...........
34.      i,,!es b........................................'.................................  1,54...00..........00  1,8550
438    A.J. Rolat~rtsojj.....................................   I-.............                                             2,10 0
40  S -- n) u -- I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~0............
41                                                                                                                                                                         i.......
4     J2.. A. Loud........... us..........................!    1, 78     50..
45                     o......................................                                             1,350  00...
Saue iZ John erids....,.,.,....^.,^......,,.........,.....~..~.~~...,....~.~.,....~...,....,..................... 1,200 00,...........
41   s.Zh o:. Naosh-.................')100........
4c 7  I T, C Taylor, Co..........................    1,800.00                2,195 00
^0^.^ ^osi 4 andG are informaloffering, for part?, of classes..             tNo. 1G inormial from  samne cza-mse-  No. 20 informnal, guaranty not certifie (to
a6ccepted-~For Brooklyn,~Offer No. IT, of W~ard &  Keefer, for class No. I   No. IS, oF Bonaal &  Brother, for class~ NoI;     o 1 8, of J. B.er for
classs No' 3 -, No. II1, of S. G. Bogert, for class Ngo. 4; N-Io. 17, of Ward &  Keefer,_for clasa Ngo. 5.  -For'Philadd-phi'i.- Ofi-'r N.3,of J. Bigler, for class
No. 1     Far  Mfishwngon.~Offer No, 39. W. H.. Gunneil, fo —r clapsNo- I;No. 399, W. H. Qunurmell, for class No.,
4"' t,C,SKINNER
SPEBR21,71850.                                                                                                                                Chtief of Bu       u ofCnsrcim  
Offev,~rs o-oened thpe 12th, 13th.1 and. 14th of )Septem~ber, 18510, in presence of~                                                                     ( —H ARP-LES  W.7  SK~I NN ER
A~~~l-.,,~.~ -o,,~,~.....................[...........~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~i- H  -0R TAD'                                                                                J-............IL.......................
JAE    SoL.DEN             lS5o
1..............




No. 10. 
Scale  of offers to furnish  timber, ^"c., at the itavy-yard  at  Gosport, Virginia, under advertisement of June  24, 1_850.
(Offers received to September   1; deliveries by December 30, 1851.)
Class No. 1.   Class No. 2.   Class No. 3.    Class No. 4.    Class No. 5.    Class No. 6.   Cl ass No. 7.
White oak        Yellow pine   Elm, ash, &e.  Hickory and             White p'ne     Spruce spars     Lignumvi te.
Offrs plank stocks, plan                       k s tocks.                       cypress.    plank & boards,.    and poes.
Aggregate amounts.                            o
I    John A. Higgins...............................              $760 00
2    C. N. Vats...................................I.....           2       0.................Z....       a       7. 00                   I
3    Ward&K ee2e............................................                      3,136 00 }...........    lna9Sra 50...........................
4    W. Hr. G&uyieee.........................................................................{..............                      552    00
w D          i...r ery.....................  $6,150 50..............................     477.00..................o.'
S    J. Mi. Druery.,,,..,...,       $6, 15050....                   $47700,............
6   eorge  Adam.....................................       $1 2144 50           1,800 00
7          Do...........~, ~..........~,  ~...           168     40.....................          ~
8e.........................2184.,.........
9    J. V. Pearson.......,,....                                 18,000 00.................,.....
10    J. Bigler...............18.......9 2....5...................189S..............
11    Francis Church................                                15,750 000.......                   1,5 0..............,!1,58750                          98000
12  Samuel P. Brown...................................,.                                                                                    553 001 4,
13    Pw B. Knight.......6.......................................................... I
14    Ed. H. Herbert...................             5,974 00  7 10, 000...............              45000..............................
5     Joseph Grice.....................            7,557 00         13,050 00         2,161 70          1,065 00        15,013 00          2,37250              760.00
16  J. M. Robertson............ 13,500.....                                0...............................................................................
17    D. D.Simmons...................               8,078 14       Informal.           1, 723 50           644 00.......!.......
18    Bonsal &  Brother....................................................................         11,870 40.........      460 00
19.. Greening...........         14,400 00,......................................................................
20    S. G. Bogert........1.....            6,..71068........ 75..............
21          Do...............b..............2         11,794 809100
^   Do. - - -.,. - -.... ~.- ~ ~ ~     ~     ~      ~    ~     ~ ~l......~.............................I......- ~.......} 14680 ^,....-.....~......
22   D.D. A eSimmobes..........~^^o^..~ooo        ~..,       ~.,~..l^                  3,01870 14  I n f.     ormal.   11,794850              691 00 0  100.........
92-2~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~                                                                                                    ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~..............0    G




23    John R. Chapman....................... 10,800 00..............
24    Miles J. Herrington...............................      15,075 0.............
25    Samn uel B, Grice.......... 11,099 00             13,275 00                697  0..........             3  0....    80' 00
S6    J. M. Robertson.....................            13,500 00......................
27    Samuel P. Browne..............000 0..............    18,00000
28    Samunel Etheridge..........................              11,700 00.....'....             856 00.........::...,..~..:.:o,.......~.ee"'
29    John Tunis......................................................................  12,502 50  *.............~..,oo
0    Deraw, Ludington, & DeGraw...........                   2,617 50..............         18,684 00..................
31    John Petty.......           6,248 56.............          2,207 50           590 00.................-.......32  William Tatem................                 6,392 00..............................................
33     oh  Nash...........                   853 75...........................................
4    T.H. Taylor & Co........2...J.......                                    2,141 00           88000        12,288 00         1,010 50            720 00
NOTE.-ThOSe offers marked informal do not embrace all of the classes for which they are so marked. Tho e marked thus (*) are informal from the
same cause.
a/ccpted.-_ Ofr No. 33, of John Nash, for class No. 1; No. 23, of John R. Chapman, for class No. 2; No. 17, of D. D. Simmons, for class No. 3; No.    <
5, of Jos. M. Druery, for class No. 4; No. 22, of Alpheus Fobes, for class INo. 5; No. 12, of Samuel P. Brown, for class No. 6; No. 18, of Bonsal and    <
Brother, for class No. 7.
CH. W. SKINNER, Chief of Bureau of Construnidon, &c.
SEPTEMBER 21, 1850.
Offirs opened the 12th, 13th, and 14th of September, 1850, in presence of-. 
CHI.'WM. SKINgNER,
J. H. REILY,
JAMES SELDEN.




i..
Sc eof        t O rs ao fwmrnish timber,  vc- at the navy-yard at Pensacola, Florida, under advertisementof June 24 1850.
(Offers received to S'eptember 11; deliveries by December 30, 1851.)
CIlass No. 1.   I   Class No  2.              Class No. 3.           Class No. 4.           Class No. 5.
Lumber.            White oak tim-   White pine and'Black spruce         White oak knees.
Offers.,                                                        i         ber.                cypress.                 spars.
Aggregate amounts.
I. G. Bogert...............                     $1,35000                 1,44000                3,63000   i.........                     1,722 50  0
2    Francoi Church.,.,.1,380 00..........................              $3,500 00                  2,65000.
3   Jos. Gnice.,...................,....................                           2,100 00               2, 400 00              4,250 00               4,125 00                  1,987 50 
4   T. H. Taylor &  Co........................            230000                 1,400 00               3,725 00               1,450 00)                  2,371 75 
5   John.ash................................o......-...J                                         1,8     00       ~....... -.......                  1,656 ~5 
6   GeoreAdams...............,..................................................              2 000 00............-..
7   Jno. W. C. Loud..................................................
8   AlpeusFobe..........2...................,19000                                   1,350 00               3.5  0               2,425 00............
9 Samuel P. Brown..,,.I,,2     -..~....
9   Samuel P. Brown..,,,.,.................................................  3,85..............
10    Nl. G    ilknsgon...,&..,...76{..4.....................:Io    Pete Parker,.i o ~.  co..,......................................',0   0..-.......',.......~..,.-......~...~.....
11   Pe.te roer..a o....................................... 1.500 00......
IP,   J. MIq  Robe, —-                                                                     920                 15       07................
13  ]),x Sam eiP.B wn........................................................................
13   Samuel  P.                                                                            763, 9......................................00
14   TITV~~~~~;O IiT'Ikinso-                    716 40              1)199 10~~~~~~~~~~~~................
15   J, Bier.~.....................................................                            1,500 00               3,775 00.
16     V Wiliam  T. Keyser.....,..,...............                           960 00              2,040 00               4,2122 50.........
17   Y. W. Hll. ~,.,,....,..~................,o............  7500O0................................i......,..-.....o..-............
i8     ~s.............                                  7 0 CO..............................
S      me1 B. Grie.....,..,,B......,...,O....                            2,100 00               2,000 00               4,675 00..........,186 5
19   T homas},  axto..........................     1.....       0....15....00          4........                                      2,65000'O   J — 1nt Pett......................................:                3,300 00               6, 00000..o..3.....          2,318 75
Albert..V,.b..-.....-                         1, 700 O 4 1............~..-...
^     D.  1.,:S......0 4r,12k -.......................    4
23   Q        Y v I Gregory   KmoI-O..............................




.4   Goodtrn~  Bethea..        _      -...... o,.............      1,500 00............._                                  _
25 A. B - Mc.'eain...- o,<........,~...,                                      3 500
26   Alexander MVoy. y........                             720 00           1,290 00            3,755 00,........,~29~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1 90
27   Jo h  A. Higgins............ -...                                     5,190 00.     
29..                                                                                                                                                  ~"^""s2,650 00
30                                                                  I'llo^o.,~.                2,300 00.~,~.,4ccepted. —No. 10, of M. G. Herrington & Co., for clas. No. I; No, 14, of Niel Wilkinson  for class No.- 2; No. 26, of Alexander McVoy, for crass
No. 3; No. 13, of Samuel P. Brown, for class NoA 4; No. 5, of John Nash, for cldas No. 5.
CH. W. SKINNER,
SEPTEMBERi 2I, 1850.                                                                                                      Chief Burema of Constructiosn, f.e,
Offers opened 12th, 13th, and 14th September, 1850, in presence ofCH. WV. SK(NNER,
J. H. REILY,
JAMES SELDEN.
0




$02                                  Doe. No. 1.
No. 12,
CUMBERLAND COAL.
Sca& of ofers, received from  the navy agent at Philadelphia, to furnish,
ginder advertisement by him  on the 24th of October, 1850, at the Phildelphia navy-yard, within  seven  days, eight hundred tons of CO nmberlazd coal, for the United States steanmer   Susquehannah.
aniel Grice........ for 800 tons, at $8 20 per toil......................    $6, 600 00
Charles L. Oudersluys..,do.... at 7 00 per ton........................           5,600 00
John JI MeCahen........do....at 6 50 per ton.... o...............        5, 00  00
Win.o    Dove............do,...at 5 47 per ton..................      4, 376 00
Allottecd to Wm. T, Dove,
WM. SLOANAKER, Navy Agent.
Opoaed in presence of-                                 T. A. SLOANAKER,
W. F. MISKEY.




Dee, No  1.                              303
No. 3.
BUREAU OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHY,
October 1, 1850.
Sin: I have tlihe honor to forward herewithl thfe estimates called for by
your letter of the 6th of August last, for the service of the Ordnance and
Hydrographical Bureau  of the Navy' Department; and for the Naval
Acadenmy for the fiscal year which commencs on the 1st of July, 1851.
It gives me pleasure to state that although they are suficient in amount
to cover the current and probable necessities of tlhe first named branch,
they are considerably less than those called for for the present year.
Two causes have combirned to produce this effect-the diminution of.expenditure by the gradual supply of articles which are to be procured
for geneiral service, and the small number of cannon to be cast within the
time, by reason of the delay attendant upon a fuller and more complete
revision of the process by which the metal is to be tried, and its fitness
ascertained.
The amount required for the Observatory is soinewhat a.rger than that
submitted in the estimates for this year, because more labor will be required
in preparing and keeping in order the grounds within the Observatory
enclosure, and their protection against the injury often caused by heavy
rains; and by the propriety of increasing the sum  necessary to the further
publication of the wind and current charts, and books, maps, &c.  Of
The sum  estimated for this purpose in the present year, only a moiety has
been appropriated, and hence the necessity of asking for an increase-the
demand for them  being considerable, and their usefulness daily made
mnanifest.
I am induced to close this summary but explicit statement of the wants
of the bureau by a recurrence to the close of my report of the last year, in
which I had the satisfaction of making known to the department the great
proficiency attained by the experimental course of gunnery at the Washington navy-yard, including the successful preparation of ordnance articles of all kinds, and the casting of bronze cannon for thle boat and field
service of the navy.
To this I add that the operations of the Observatory have been conducted with the skill and attention characteristic of those engaged in it,
which has hitherto given such general satisfaction.
The sum for the?Naval Academy may appear to be large, but it is to be
considered that it is the continuance of a systematic provision for the
preparation of numbers of young gentlemen for the proper discharge of
their duties, by affording them the advantages of theory and practice in
navigation, gunnery, and modern languages-an advantage which they
wrill scarcely have an opportunity of acquiring at sea.
I am; very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. WARRINGTON,
Ctie, of of' Bureabt,.TiO. SECRETARY OF T'IE NA.vV




aD04                         Doc. No. 1
Scitcdule of papers co0&~iagL the estimates of the BLrieau of Ordnance
anc2d,ydrogra' y Jfor the y6ear en,'   Jiune 30  1t852.
A. —Estimate.of the expenses of the bureau.
1B.Estimate of the pay of officers on ordnance duty.
CJ~, —Estimate of ordnance, ordnance stores, &c., for the general service
of the navy.
Dl,-Statement of cost or estimated value of the ordnance and ordnance
stores on hand at the different navy-yards, July 1, 1849; and
the receipts and expenditures for the year ending June 30, 1850.
E,-Statement of the labor performed at the different navy-yards.
F. —Statement of contracts made by the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography.
6~-Estimate of the an-monut required for the support of the National
Observatory and Hydrographical office.
H. —L stimate of the pay of officers employed at the National Observatory and Hydrographical office.. —Estimate of the amount required for the repair and erection of buldings at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland.
J. —Estimate of the amounit required for the contingent expenses of the
United States Naval Acadelmy Annapolis, Maryland.
K. — stimate of the pay of officers employed at the United States Nava!:
Acadetmy, Ann apoli s Maryland 




Doe. No. 1.                          20
A.
Estimate of the amount requiredfor the expenses of the Bureau of Orddance and Hydrography, for the year ending June 30, 1852.
For salary of chief of bureau a   3, 500 00
For salary of 1st clerk.                                  1,200 00
For salary of 2d clerk                                         000 00
For salary of 3d clerk    -                                  1, 000 00
For salary of 4th clerk    1,000 00
For salary of draughtsman.                                1, 000 00
For salary of messenger                                 -.      700 00
9,400 00.Amount appropriated for year ending June 30, 1851, under
acts of Congress approved August 31, 1842, and March
3, 1847                                -                    9, 400 00
Contingent expenses.
iFor blank books, stationery, miscellaneous itemsn and labor  $'750 00
BUREAU OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHY;
October 1, 1850.
L. -WARRINGTON,
Chief of Bureau.'Civil.-Salaries                -         -$9, 400 000
Contingent       "  -.                                750 00
B.
stifnate of pay requiredfor officers on ordamnce duty for the year ending
June 30, 1852.
1 captain, as inspector   -       -      -                   3, 500 00
I commander, as assistant         -.                 2, 100 00
7 lieutenants, as assistants, at $1, 500 each   10 500 00
16,100:
Amount estimated and appropriated for the year ending
June 30, 1851   -                         -                   $ 00 00
BUREAU OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPtHY
October 1, 1850o
L. WARRINGTON,
Chie f of  ureau.
Navy.-Pay of the navy..       $15, 10  00
20




Ci
Estitzate of ordnance and ordnance stor.es', c,. required for the geu6ira-i
service of the,avy for the year ending 30dh June, 1852.
For 30 32-pounder cannon, of 57 cwt. each, at 61- cents per
pound    -        -...   12,500 00
For 60 S-inch cannon, of 55 cwt. each, at 6! cents per lb. -   24, 100 00
For 2L 10-inch cannon, for steamers of 90 cwt. each, at 6-2
cents per pound  -                                             13, 800 00
For boat guns, field-pieces with carriages, and carriages:for
boat guns, with ammunition chests          ~      -, 11,5   00 0
For 300 gun carriages of various and improved sizes, at.162 50 each    -             -       -                           800 OG
For labor at the different navy-yards in the preparation of
the various articles of ordnance for service, for swords,
machinery, primers, caps, locks, and other requisites for
ordnance                  -       -.          29,500 00
For contingent expenses: viz: drawings and models, postage, inspecting instruments, &c., hire of agents and rent
of storehouses on the northern lakes, for advertising for
transportation of ordnance and ordnance stores, for powder, ball and targets for experimental practice at the
Washington navy-yard, and for all incidental expenses -   31 000 001"
171,200 00
Amount estimated and appropriated for year ending 30th
June, 1851                       -                            196, 900 00
BUiREAU OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHY;
October I, 1850.
L. WARRINGTON,
Chief of Bureau
Navy.-Ordnance and ordnance stores, $1t71,200,




Doc. No. 1l                                         307
D.
Sateement of cost or estimated value of  stores on hand at the several navyyards, July, 1849, of articles received  and  e.zpended from   Aune  30,
1849, to June 30, 1850. and of those remaining on hand July  1, t850
which are under the direction of the Bureau of  Ordnance and Hydrog"
raphy.
Navy-yards.            On hand July       Receipts.    Expenditures.  On hand July
1, 1849.                                         1, 1850.
Portsmeouth..............~...    ~ $87,286 67  $18,349 06     $16213 08        $89, 294 5S
Charlestown..,.........   497,155 69            184,917 28       13,225 -02       54, 847 95
Brooklyn...............   891,026 34        91,327 17       366,689 16       615,664 35
Philadelphia......,...        81, 629 28       5, 492 70        27958 76         84, 162 22
Washington................    153,256 28   137,762 22       136,075 62        154,942 88
Gosport,.......OO......O.   658, 819 88     165, 868 53      149, 003 37       675,685 04
Pensacola...o.o..... O      101,743 04      40,949 99        2,748 59        139,944 44
Memphis............                    96..........                                    96 27
On the lakes...............      38,746 48...........................          38,746 48
Total,.........  2,509,759 93       674,666 95      812,913 60    2,341,384 18
BUiREAU OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHY,
October 1, 1850.
L. WARRINGTON,
Chief of Bure au.
E.
Statement of the number of days' labor and cost thereoffrom  July 1, 1849,
to July  1, 1850, at the respective navy-yards, chargeable to the  Bureau
of Ordnance and Hydrograpchy.
Navy-yards.                   No. of days'   Cost of labor.    Average per
labor.                              day.
Portsmouth.........................                  602              807 67        S1 34
Char!estow n  o..............          7,827~         11,118 30          1 422
Brooklyn............................               6, 2301         8,,889 37         1 42 7-1
Philadelphia.............24                                     287 63          1 28
Washington.................                       29,085           40,670 33          1 36
Gosport................................           14,836           22, 504 99         1 52
Pensacola...,......................           755             900 10          1 191
Memphis..........................          1581            110 92            72Total.............        59, 7201        85,289 31           1 42 —
BURREA  o0  ORDNANCE ANlD HYD ROGR APIY,
Oc^ober 1, 1850.
L. WARRINGTON,
Chief oJ Bureas.




Satement of contraets made by the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography, for the yea ending June 30, 1850.
Contractors' name,.                 Artieles contracted for.            Place of delivery.  Date of con-   Expiration of          Price.        Amount of
tract.           contract.                        contract.
Gouverneur Kemble......           30 32-pounder cannons, of 57 cwt. each.. New York.... Aug.  4, 1849  May   1, 1850  61 cts. per lb..   $12,383 80
Knapp &Totten.....                 30         d........ddo.......  do.......do........    Aug. 6, 1849  May   1, 1850.....do.....    12,383 80
Joseph R. Anderson........ 30.......do.....do...                do...  Norfolk........ Aug. 6, 1849  May   1, 1850......do......    12, 383 80
Cyrus Alger    Co..... 30...... do........do........ do...... Boston......... Aug. 17,1849  May   1,1850......do.....    12,383 8
Junius L. Archer.......N 30..do.....do..........o.......   Norfolk........ Sept. 11, 1849  May   1, 1850...do......    12,383 80
Francis B. Deane, jr........ 10,000 32-pounder solid shot........    Washington..Dec. 27, 1849  Sept. 1, 1850  3 cts. per lb...                       9,900 00
BURAu  OF  RDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHY, Octobsr 1, 1850~
L. WARR1NGTON, Chief of Bureazu,
~'c~




Doc. No, 1.                          30$
G.
Estimate of the amount required for the support of the Hydrographieal
ofice and National Observatory for the yeaw ending June 30, 1852.
For the purchase and repair of the nautical instruments required for the use of the navy   -    -- $10,500 01
For the purchase of all the books, maps and charts required
for the use of the navy  D..           8250 II
For backing and binding the same, and for printing and
publishing sailing directions, hydrographical surveys, and
astronomical observations             -                   9,200 0
For models, drawings, and copyings, $1,000; for postage,
stationery, freight, and transportation, $1,500; for pay of
lithographer, and for working lithographic press, including chemicals, $1,300; for keeping grounds and buildings in order, $1,800; for finishing the grading of the
grounds, $1,500; for pay of porter, $360; gardener, $540;
watchman, $720; instrument-maker, $900; for fuel, lights,
and all the unenumerated contingent expenses of the Hydrographical office and National Observatory, $2,000   -   11)620 00
For copying abstracts from old sea journals for the wind and
current charts, and for continuing the engraving and publication of the same, including cost of copper, stones,
chemicals, paper, &c., in the National Observatory  -   15,000 00,
To meet outstanding liabilities, incurred in consequence of
the deficiency of former appropriations on account of nautical books, maps, and charts, required for the use of the
navy                                  -.    8,725 0063,295 00
Amount estimated for year ending June 30, 1851  -        $52,361 15
Amount appropriated for year ending June 30, 1851      -   35,135 01
L. WARRINGTON,
Chief of Bureau.
BUREAU oF ORDANANE AND HYDROGRAPHY,
October 1, 1850.
Special.-Nautical books and Hydrographical office    - $63>295 00;




11.i0                       Doe.Ko'".L
Estimate of the amount required for he pay of qcers employed at  e
Estimate of thte am2ozun8?t equir7ed fior the pay of officers em/plsoyed at thAe
Hydorographical office and National Observatory for the year ending,une 30), 1852.
I lieutenant, as superintendent   $ —..    3,00000
10 lieutenants, at. $1,500 each                              15,000 00
6 professors of mathematics, at $1,500 each                   9,000 00
6 passed midshipmen, at $750 each                        -    4,500 00
I assistant observer       -                             -    1,500 00
1 clerk.. -..                  1,000 00
34,000 00
Amount appropriated for the year ending June 30, 1851   - $31,500 00
BUREAU OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHYI
October 1, 1850.
L. WARRINGTON,
Chief of Bureau.
NOTE.-The above estimate has been increased by the addition of one
assistant observer and one clerk, their services being deemed necessary in carrying on the operations of the Observatory.
Navy~-Pay of the navy   $31,500 00
Special.-Nautical books and Hydrographical office         $2,500 00
Estimate of the amount required for the repairs and erection of buildings
at the United States Naval Academy, Annavolis, Maryland, for thi
year ending June 30, 1852.
For midshipmen's quarters, 60 rooms                         $2 30,000 00
For house for professor    -      -                           5,500 00
For quarters for three assistant professors, master, instructor
of drawing and draughting, and carpenter       -      -   24,000 00
For hospital       -      "..    6,000 00
For chapel -                             -               -    3,000 00
For recitation hall                    -                      15,000 00
For observatory and offices -         -.               -   10,000 00




B-nzee  No  l.                        831
2 or engine-house, gun-house, and arlmory... -  3,00() 00
For storehouse for storekeeper,0 0 1,000 00
For quarters for ordinary   -      -                      -    5,000000
For ship gun-battery       -..       -    2,000 00
For sea wall, and filling in between fort and. east wharf       3,000 00
For sea wall, and filling in between fort and north wharf -,000 0j
For building for laboratory, and steam m                        3-,- 000 00
For building for pyrotechny                -       -.          3,0''~ b
For bath-house.-       -       -                    2,000 00
For repairs of all kinds    - s.                       5,000 00
127,5000.Amount appropriated for year ending June 30, 1851        -          28,200 00
Plans of the buildings will be submitted to the Secretary of the Navy.
BUREAU O  OORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHY~
October 1, 1850.
L. WARRINGTON,
Chief of Bureau.
iSpecial.-Naval Academy, $127,5000
NOTE.-Of the above amount ($127,500) the sum of $75,000 will, in all probability, be:expended in the ensuing fiscal year.
Estimate of the amount required for contingent expenses of the United
States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Muryland, for the year ending
June 30, 1852.,For fuel, oil, and candles..     11,500 00'For pay of watchman, messenger, gardener, attendants at
recitation and mess halls, and laborers employed in keeping in order the public grounds -                             6,-700 00
For freight, cartage, postage of letters on public business,
and repairs of instruments           -          -         -    i)00O   00
For blank books, stationery, and blank formis              -  500 00
For philosophical apparatus and books for library  -  5,900 00
-For paints, oil, and lime, and provender for horse -           1,000 00
~For incidental expenses  I-.           -          1,000 00:For furniture and fixtures for public buildings    -     -   10,000 00
26,700 00
BUREAU OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPIHY
October 1, 1850.
L. WARRINGTON,
Chief of Bureau.
Special.-Naval Academy, $26,700.




3L2                        Doc. No  1.,
K.
Estimate of pay required for officers employed at the United States Navag'.Academy, Anwapolis Maryland, for the year ending June 30, 1852.
I commander        -.                    - D               $2,500 00
I lieutenant       -       -                            -    1,500 00
1 slltron.    2,000 00
1 chaplain     -   1,200 00
1 master   -  -.                                          1,000 00
3 professors, $1,500 each.                  4,500 00
2 professors, (civil) $1,500 each.. 3,000 00
4 passed midshipmen, as assistants, $750 each   -      -    3,000 00
3 assistant professors, (civil) $1,000 each         -        3,000 00
1 instructor of drawing and draughting                        1,000 00
I instructor of the art of defence..500 00
I carpenter -      -      -                                        00
80 midshipmen, $350 each -..  28,000 00
I secretary, (civil)      -              -,00 1 00 00
I clerk, (civil)                                              5.    500 00
1 gunner's mate..      -      300 00
I hospital steward   -                                        360 00
1. coxswain -                                          -   288 00
54,348 00
BUREAU OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHTY
October 1, 1850.
L. WARRINGTON,
Chief of Bureau.
Navy.-Pay of the navy            -..   $44,400 00
Special. —Naval Academy.                                 9,948 00
RE CAPITULATION.
Civil.
Salaries     $9,400 00
Contingent     -    750 00Navy.
Pay of the navy     92,000 00O
Ordnance and ordnance stores                           -  171,200 00
Speoial object,~
Nautical books and Hydrographical office -  -              65,795 00
Naval Academy   -  164,148 00




Doe. No. 1.                           3S3
No. 4.
BUREAU OF YARDS AND DOCKS, October 12, 1850.
SIR: In compliance with your instructions of the 6th August last, I
have the honor to submit my report, with the estimates from this bureau,
for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1852.
These estimates have, after careful consideration, been reduced to the
smallest amount that a due regard to the public interest, and the present
state and future progress of the several works of improvement at the respective navy-yards, will permit.  It will be seen that the aggregate
amount falls short of the last year's estimates in the sum of $1 113,742;
owing chiefly to the fact, that nothing further is required for the completion of the floating docks now under contract.
The present report will exhibit the progress which has been made, with
the amounts expended, for improvements and repairs for the last three quarters of the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1850. This is done with a view
to enable the bureau hereafter to make the annual reports correspond with
the fiscal year.
There are at this time eight navy-yards and two naval stations, which,
vith the Naval Asylum and the care of the timber upon the public lands,
have been placed under the direction of this bureau.  It is evident that
considerable outlay and expenditures must be made for keeping these
establishments in a good state of improvement and repair, and ready at
all times to meet the wants of the service, whether as dock-yards for ship
building, manufacturing or other purposes; and if kept in such condition,
they will be found, with the addition of a naval depot in the State of
California, amply sufficient to meet all the demands of our present navy
for many years to come.
A description of the work done at the several navy-yards, and the particular objects for which appropriations are asked for the next fiscal year,
with explanatory remarks thereon, will be found ia detail under the head
of each yard, to which I respectfully ask your attention, as follows, viz:
PORTSMOU'TH; NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The works of improvement at this yard which have been completed
since the 1st October, 1849, are: the quay wall west of ship-house No.
4, and the filling behind it; storehouse No. 30; pitch-house and enginehouse; timber-shed N\o. 27; wall west of timber-sheds Nos. 6 and 7, and
the powder magazine.
The progress made upon the other authorized improvements has been
satisfactory, and they are all in a state of forwardness which promises an
early completion. Timber-shed No. 28 is finished, except a small portion of the paving and painting.  Quay wall east of ship-house No. 4 is
completed, and the enclosed space is about three-fourths filled up. The
work upon the commander's quarters has progressed rapidly; the building
is now nearly completed, and will probably be ready for occupation during
this fall or the coming winter.  Such repairs have been made upon the
existing improvements as were required for their protection and preservation; and there has been expended upon all authorized improvements
from  the 1st of October) 1849, to the 30th of June, 1850, the sum  of
$29,382 63.




'I-x 4L.Doc. No. i.'Estimates are submitted for ithe  fiscal year ending 30th June, 1852,
for commencing a quay wharf across the head of the timber dock; for
filling in around the walls of the floating dock basin, paving around timbher sled, magazine wharf, and filling in low grounds, engine-house,
wharf, and filling east of No. 4, and fbr repairs of all kinds, amounting in
dthe aggregate to $64,527.
The quay-wharfl and the filling around th:e wvalls of the basin, are
-deemed highly necessary for the protection and successful operation of
the important works now nearly completed.  The pavement around the
timber shed is required to carry off the water and render that portion of
the yard useful.  The magazine wharf is much desired, as there is at
present no wharf in the vicinity at which articles fol the magazine can be
Banded.  The engine-house is very necessary for the accommodation of
machinery to be driven by the steam-engine provided for the basin and
railways.
The amount estimated for repairs of all kinds will be necessary for the
preservation of the different buildings at the yard.
BOSTON.
Siqce the ist of October, 1S49, the works of improvement at this yard
lave advanced rapidly; those which have been completed are timber-shed
No. 37, wharf No. 59, and tracks in gun-park, and shot-beds. The other
-works in progress are the sail-loft and cordage store; wall and filling ia
-southwest of ship-house H; coal-house near smithery; paving avenue 63;
anchor hoy and water-tank; reservoir, drain, pipes, ce., and addition to
brick barn; all of which will be completed during the year 1850, except
the sail loft, which will probably be finished next year. Such repairs
lhave been made upon the different buildings in the yard as were requisite:for their preservation, and the amount expended for improvements from the
1st October, 1849, to the 30th June, 1850) is $74,186 96.
Estimates are submitted for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1852, for
completing sail loft and cordage store; grading and paving; storehouse
No. 36; paving, grading, and filling in between Nos. 27, 28, 29, and 30;:grading yard; paving gutters; drains; rain-water cistern; rebuilding
smrithery; coal-house near rope-walk; dredging slips; completing steamtug and water-tank, and for repairs of all kinds, amounting to $104,450.
The sail-loft and cordage store is nearly completed, and a small amount
is required to finish it and place thie grounds around it in such condition.as to render this important building convenient and useful. The amount
asked for No. 36 is highly necessary, as this building will furnish several'excellent work-shops, which are much wanted. Pavements, drains, grading and filling in low places,are all of the utmost importance.  The present smnithery is a very old building, much decayed and inconvenient in
its arrangements: it is proposed to remove this old building and erect one
having all the modern improvements and conveniences for the proper ex-,ecution of the large amount of work done at this yard.  A coal-house for
the storage of coal to supply the engines at the rope-walk is much wanted.
A small sum is required to complete the steam-tug; this vessel is now re.,ceiving the machinery, and will be a very valuable acquisition.  The
amount asked for repairs will be required to meet the current expenses for
that object.




NEW YORK.'Two houses for officers' quarters have been completed since the 1st of
October, 1849, and are now  occupied.  The iron and copper store is
nearly completed, and a small amount has been expended in. dredging
channels' filling in and building a fence along F-lusning avenue, and.
paving gutters; the usual annual repairs have been made upon the existing improvements, and there has been expended for improvements, from
the 1st of October, 1849, to the 30th June, 1850, the sum of $19,779 53.
Fcr the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1852, estimates are submitted for
a smithery, saw-mill, continuation of quay-wall, cob-wTharf, dredging
channels, timber-shed, paving gutters and flagging, cisterns, gutters and
leaders to ship-houses and timber-sheds, filling in timber-pond, and for
xepairs of all kinds, amounting to $t178;500.
The amount asked for the smithery is highly necessary, the present
building being small, inconvenient, and requiring extensive repairs.'The saw-mill is much wanted, as all the sawing is now done by hand,
which is a slow and expensive method.  At the late session of Congress
an appropriation was made for facing the wharves of this yard with stone;
~and an additional amount is now asked for the continuation of this very
-important work.  The amounts asked for cob-wharf, dredging channels,
paving gutters, cisterns, &c., are very much wanted.  A new timber-shed
is required at this yard, the present sheds being entirely insufficient for
the protection and preservation of the valuable ship timber on hand. The,estimate for repairs of all kinds will be required to preserve the buildings,.and render themn useful.
PHILADELPHIAo
The only work of improvement which has been completed at this
yard since the 1st October, 1849, is the addition of a second story to a
portion of the smithery.  The extension of ship house G is nearly conpleted; a portion of the amount appropriated for the extension of wharves
Nos. 1, 2, and 3 has been expended, and the work is now  in progress;
wo-houses for officers wvill be completed and occupied this fall; the building slip fbr ship-house G is nearly finished, and the new timber-shed will
be completed and ready for use during the month of October.  The
buildings in the yard have been kept in a proper state of repair; and for
the several improvements there has been expended, from the  st of October, 1849, to the 30th June, 1850, the sum of $33,689 58.
Estimates are submitted for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1852, for
/launching slip to ship-house G, addition to walls of basin, and filling in,old timber-pond, and for repairs of' all kinds, amounting to $24,400.
Ship-house G having been moved towards the river, it becomes necec.
sary to construct a new launching-slip. The building-ways are now in a
condition to be used for building purposes; and to render them  complete,
the launching-slip is required.  A small addition to the walls of the basin,.and the filling up of the old timber-pond, has been found necessary; and.;a small amount is asked for these objects.  The usual amount is asked
for the necessary annual repairs upon the several buildings and other improvements.




316                         Doc. No. 1.
WAS'HINGTON.
Since the first of October last the following works have been completed.
at this yard, and are now in successful operation: fitting of part No. 11 for
a boiler shop, steam-hammer for faggoting scrap iron, steam-hammer in
place of old tilt hammer, extending brass-foundry, boiler and furnace for
small faggoting-hamner, and boilers for engines Nos. 1 and 2.
The work upon the stone wharf has progressed satisfactorily, and a
small amount will be required to complete it. The large boring-mill has
been put in operation, and several heavy lathes and planing-machines
have been built, and the other machinery provided for by the appropriation of March 3, 1849, is advancing towards completion.  The necessary
repairs have been put upon the several buildings in the yard, and there
has been expended for improvements and repairs since 1st October, 18499
to the 30th of June, 1850, the sum of $24,948 49.
This yard has become of much importance as a manufacturing establishment; all the chain-cables, anchors, tanks, and many other articles for
the navy, are now made here; and tools have been procured for building
and repairing steam-engines and other machinery. To obtain greater
facilities for the performance of the increased work at this yard, estimates
are submitted for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1852, for filling up timber dock, saw-mill and machinery, ordnance building No. 11, completing
wharf, slide-lathes, copper rolling-mill, for conveying water to the yard,
reservoirs, pipes, &c., railway in ship-house T, paint-shop, wharf-crane,
raising brass-foundry and tank-shop one story, and for repairs of all kinds,
amounting to $224,800.  The amount asked for filling up a portion of
the timber-dock is much wanted, the land to be made being required for a
site for the saw-mill.  The old saw-mill building having been converted
into a machine shop, a new mill is highly necessary. The ordnance.
building is an important and desirable improvement, the present shops
being entirely too small for the performance of the large amount of work
to be done in that department.  At the last session of Congress an appropriation was made for the commencement of a copper rolling-mill, and the
amount now asked will be required for its completion.  The estimate for
conveying water to the yard is of great importance; most of the water
used for drinking purposes is now obtained daily, at heavy expense, from
a spring about one mile distant from  the yard, and it is contemplated to
procure the water, by pipes, from the spring on public reservation No. 17.
An estimate is submitted for building a railway in ship-house T.  This:
will be a valuable appendage, as we have now great facilities at this yard
for the repairs of steamers and construction of steam-engines; and it frequently becomes necessary to haul the vessel upon the ways, which can
be done with much more ease and safety, and at less expense, if this appropriation is granted.  The other objects fbr which estimates are included are all necessary for executing the large amount of work now don.e
at this yard.  The estimate for repairs will be required to meet the current expenses for that object.
NORFOLK.
The improvements which have been completed since the 1st October
last are 600 feet of quay wall; 450 feet of pile-wharf; coal house, and the



Doe. No. 1.                           317,steam-hammer and engine, for the smithery.  The wall across the timn
ber dock is nearly finished; one large cistern has been built, and is complete with the exception of the pipes; the engine-house for the smithery
is nearly finished, and the amount appropriated for that object at the late
session of Congress will be sufficient to meet all further expenses,
A large amount of materials has been collected for building No. 19, the
foundations have been built, and the walls are in rapid progress. This valuable building will probably be ready for occupation early in the spring.
The several buildings in the yard have been kept in good repair, and
there has been expended for improvements $66,960 80.
Estimates are submitted for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1852, for
sea-wall at St. Helena; saw-shed; cylinder exhaust pump, &c.; watertank and capstans, and for repairs of all kinds; amounting to $50,800.
The sea-wall at St. Helena is necessary for the protection of the works
erected at that place; the saw-shed is much wanted, there being no suitable place.for sawinig the curved timber for ship-building.  During the
past year a series of experiments has been made by the inspector of timber, James Jarvis, esq., to ascertain the proper season for felling timber;
the cause and progress of decay; and, if possible, to discover means by
which decay and the ravages of the marine worm may be arrested.
These experiments have established some important facts; and for the
purpose of pursuing them further, an estimate is submitted for a cylinder
and exhaust pump.  The water-tank and capstans are much wanted;
and to meet the current expenses for repairs of all kinds, the estimate
submitted will be necessary.
PENSACOLA.
The improvements which have been completed at this yard since the
1st October, 1849, are the store-house No. 26, and cistern; four houses
for warrant officers; coal-house; drains in rear of officers' quarters, and
pavements in east and south avenues.  The smith's and machine shop
is now occupied, and arrangements have been made for procuring such
machinery as will render the establishment complete. The guard-house
is nearly finished, the walls being built and the roof slated. The paint-shop
and cooperage will probably be completed during the next year.
The foundation  for the new  timber-shed is commenced, and the
building will probably be ready for use in January next.  A portion of
the materials for the rail tracks has been procured, and the remainder is
under contract. The brick kitchens for officers' houses are nearly completed.  Nearly all the materials for the 1st and 2d class houses have been
procured, and four of the houses are in a state of forwardness. The progress
upon all these works has been highly satisfactory.
The permanent wharf has not progressed during the past year, as the
bureau had been led to expect.  In his report of 20th September, 1849, the
engineer stated that by the end of the fiscal year (30th June, 1850) he expected to have 200 feet of the southeast face of the wharf above the
water, and the foundation of the remaining 200 feet in a state of forwardness, provided means were furnished to carry on the work. Ample provision has been made for this object; the wants of the engineer have been
promptly supplied from this bureau, and he has been repeatedly urged to
go forward with the work. I regret to say, hoWever, that his expectationas




3S18                         Doc,  No. Le
with regard to progress have not been realized.  In   r. Herron's last
report,dated 30th September, 1850, he states that on the southeast face of
the wharf, which is to be 400 feet long, the following work only has been,
done, viz: over one-half the foundation piles have been driven; the
piles for 60 feet cut off at the proper depth; a portion of the wall, from.
40 to 50 feet in length, commrenced., a part of which is built to within 14
feet of the surface of the water only.  Much time and money have been
expended upon this work; and as the masonry has at length been corn-,menced, it is hoped that during the remainder of the present fiscal year
the progress of construction wiill be more satisfactory.
h:he  teas b  eeil expend for ai improvem-lentO from  thei 1st October,,.
1849, to the 30th June, 1850, the sum  of,1148,897 27.  Estimates are
submnitted for the fiscal year endino 30th June, 18592 for the permallent
wharf, paint-shop, and cooperage, guard-house, wharf near storehouse,
No. 26, tar, pitch, and oil-house, storehouse for shells, house for boiling
tar, pitch, &c., steam-tug and water-tank, rail tracks, fences and outbuildings for houses outside of the yard, and for repairs of all kinds,
amounting to 1188,713.
The sum asked for a permanent wharf is the amouont which the cora —
mandant of the yard presumes will be sufficient to complete the work,
he not having received the engineer's estimate and report, in consequence
of his absence from the yard, in time for his annual exhibit.
The bureau, however, from a subsequent report of the engineer, believes a.further sum  of $100,000 will be required, in addition to the
above, for the extension. of this wharf.
Most of the other- objects for which estimates are submitted are in
progress, and the sums now asked for are required for their extension
and completion.
The steam-tug and water-tank is an indispensable object, there being
no efficient vessels for those purposes at this yard.
The amount asked for repairs will be necessary for the preservation of
the buildings and other improvements.
MEMPHIS.
The foundation of this yard is of doubtful solidity and stability.  The
effect of the strong currents and overflows upon it cannot be predicted;.
and the most effectual means to guard against injury from  these causes
have not been decided upon, and the subject is of great consideration and
importance.  A large amount will be required to defray the expense of
filling up the space allotted for the yard to a proper grade; and 1 recommend that a board of engineers be detailed to make a thorough examination of the premises, and report upon the nature of the bottom, the effects.
of the river, and devise some plan for protecting the river front, and
guarding against future injury to the yard from  the action of the cur"
rent, 6&c.
Since the 1st October, 1849, the work upon the embankment has been;
in progress, and a large space has been filled in around  the buildings'
which have been commenced.  The rope-walk building is nearly conmpleted, an$ the contractor is now engaged in putting up the machinery:.
all of which is in the building.
During the past season the saw-mill buildi   has b   e a    en much injured.




D  C,. AtO  _.  9"i
by the floods in the river, and it wrill be necessary to reconstruct a part
of it.  The joiner's shop is nearly completed, and is reported  to be in
good  condition  and of the best workmanship.  The  tarring-house is
nearly completed and ready for use.  A small amount has been expended
for pavements, drains, and ditches; and the total amount expended lbr
all improvements, from the 1st October, 1849, to the 30th June, 1850, is
$35,122 63.  Estimates are submitted fr the fiscal year ending 30thf
June,   852, for emi  ankiment, rope-walkl   saw-mill, piling river front.
paving, drains, gutters, &C.; cisterns for rope-walk, lime-house,  and f)r
repairs of all kinds, amounting to $116,6(00
The amount asked for embankment is necessary for the protection andpreservation of the buildings in progress.  To complete the rope-walkt
and savw-mill, a smnall additional amount is required.  The foundation of
the building for officers is reported as defective and below  the level ofi
the yard.  T'hese buildings have been more expensive than'Las originally anticipated, owing in some mteasure to the insecurity of the foundations and the difficulty in obtaining suitable material and workmen. The'
rope-walk is now very nearly completed; and it is expected that the nachinery will be put in operation during the present year.  The amount
asked for securing the river fiont is of the utmost importance, a  a largeportion of the low ground is overflowved at ti gh stages of the river, and
liable to injury fi'ro   the rapid current.  Pavements, drains, and gutters,.
for carrying off the water, ae a.ll mrchki wanted.  The cisterns for the
rope-walk are for supplying the steam boilers with pure. and clean water,
and are highly necessary.
A house for the storage of lime is much nieeded, there being no suitable place in the yard fol that purpose.  The amount asked  for repairs
of all kinds will be required for the proper preservation of the buildings-.
in the yard.
SACKETT S  iHA-B IOR
At this station there has been expended from the 1st October, 1.849, to
30th June, 1850, for repairs of all kinds, 8344 35.  Estimates are submitted for repairs of' all kinds; and for grading and filling in some of thelow grounds, amounting to $2,300-all of which will be necessary irthe protection and preservation of the public property.
DRY DOCK,  BROOKLYN  Nt. Y.
This important work had advanced  so far towards completion  as toi
admit of the docking of the United States ship Dale on the 8th of January, 1850.  A large amount of work has been performed since the tst
of October, 1.849, and the last stone of the dock was laid on the 19th. of
April last.  The removal of the coffer dam. was attended with great labor.:
but was successfully performed without accident.  The iron floating gate
was completed and delivered at the dock by the contractor on the 1st ofi
January.  The workmanship upon this gate reflects great credit upon thecontractor, Honry R, Dunham, esq.  The foundation  of the enaginehouse is completed to the water-table, and about one-half of the quantity
of granite required for the building has been delivered, and one-fifth o.
the whole quantity cut by the contractors,




320:Do. No. 1.
The work upon this building has been much delayed by the failure
of the contractors to deliver materials in proper time; it is now progressing rapidly, and the large, pumps and engine for permanent drainage
are being put up, and will probably be ready for operation by the middle
or last of November. The iron for the folding gates has been procured,
and the ribs and plates fitted; the work was then suspended in consequence of the near exhaustion of the appropriation. All the work remaining to be done upon the dock and its appendages will probably be completed during the next spring. Thle amount whi6h has been expended
since the commencement of the work isFor labor  -      -                                        $779,904 31
For materials             -              -                  928,267 97
Total                                - 1,708S172 2S
The amount expended from the 1st October, 1849, to the 30th Jun.e,
1850, isFor labor  -....,  80,583 99
For materials     -..                 209,389 51
Total. -                289,973 50
FLOATING DOCKS.
Since the 1st of October, 1849, the work upon the floating docks,
basins, and railways, building under contract at the navy yards at Kittery,
Philadelphia, and Pensacola, has progressed rapidly.
At Kittery, all the foundation piles for the basin have been driven; the
caps and plank floor laid; about one-half of the granite stringer put in
place, and the walls of the basin nearly completed.  The foundations for
the railway have been commenced, and are in progress. The floor of the
dock has been completed; two-thirds of the truss beams are built, placed
and fastened; the bottom of the dock coppered and ready for launchingo
The work, thus far, has been executed in a very satisfactory manner.
At Philadelphia, the foundation piles for the basin and side walls are
all driven; the floor nearly finished, and the walls so far advanced as to
leave no doubt that all the work on the basin will be completed this fall.
The foundations for both lines of railway are completed; the stone ways
of one are laid, and the other will probably be finished before cold weather.
Seven sections of the dock have been completed, except the machinery,
and are launched; two other sections are framed and set up, and the machinery for all is in progress of construction. The contractors for this
work have displayed great energy, and the works are rapidly approaching
completion.
At Pensacola, the works have not progressed as rapidly as at the other
yards, owing to the necessary suspension of operations during the summer months. The platform of the dock and the truss beams have beer
completed, and the side framing and bracing commenced; the space for
the basin has been enclosed by a coffer-dam, and the excavation for the
basin is nearly completed.




Doe. No. i.                           12.
NAVAL ASYLUMX.
Thle condition of this institution is the only remaining subject to which
i would call your attention,
Since my last annual report, the duties of the asylum have been performed with promptness and efficiency.  An evident change, I am gratified to believe, has been effected in the chlaracter and general conduct of
the pensioners. Good order and a disposition to conform to the rules and
regulations which have been adopted for their government seem to prevail among tlhem..  Iy opinion, as expressed in my last annual report, in
regard to the location of the asylumn, is still unchanged; and I beg leave to
call the attention of the department to the recommendations therein submitted.  There are, at present, about one hundred:and eighty-five in-:mates' including officers and attendants, and the applications for admission are gradually increasipg.
The sum expended for the support of the institution for six months
ending with the fiscal year, (30th June last,) amounted to $20,060 41,
and was charged to the following appropriations: hospital fund, $8,472 96;.pay of the navy,.11,466 71; contingent, $100 94.
As the contracts for the present fiscal year have not yet been made,.
owing to the late period at which the navy appropriations were made by'Congress, they will be reported early in January next, agreeably to law;
at which time, if it meets your approbation, the bureau will submit an
estimate for the amount that will be required during the next fiscal year
under the act approved 28th September, 1850, authorizing a floating dock
in the State of California.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
JOS. SMITH.
Hlon. WILLIAM A. GRAHAM,
Secretary of the Navy.
k&Aedule ofpapers w/ich accompany the report of the chief af the Bureau
of Yards and Docks to the Secretary of the Nary,for the year ending
30th JuSne 1852.
Y. & D.-A. General estimate for yards and docks.
Y. & D.-No. 1. Estimate for the support of the bureau.
T.  D.-No. 2. Recruiting stations.
Y. & D. —No. 3. Officers and others at yards and stations, in detail.
Y. & D.-No. 4. Improvements and repairs at yards and stations.
Y. & D.-No. 5. Statements showing the sums which make up the first
and second items in paper A.
Y, & D.-No. 6. Improvements and repairs ofhospitals and asylum.
JOS. SMITH.
BUr-REAU OF YxARDS ANs D DocKis October 12, 1850.
21




322                                 )Doe. No. 1l
Y. & D.-A.
General estimate from the Bureau of Yards and Docks for the year eniing 30th June, 1852, in addition to the balances that may remain in the
treasury on the 1st July, 1851.
Estimated for  Estimated  for
theyear end-   the year ending June 30,   ing June 30,
1852.           1851.
1. For the pay of commission, warrant, and petty officers (see
paper Y. & D. —No. 5)...........................   241,966 00  $236,1, 2 00
2. For the pay of superintendents, naval constructors, and all
the civil branches at the yards and stations, (see paper Y.
& D.-No. 5).................................    92,160 00             73,950 00.3. For improvements and repairs at yards and stations, (see
paper Y. & D. —No. 4)............................   955,090 00                845,966 C
4. For hospital buildings and their dependencies, (see paper Y.
& D. -No. 6)......3....................   39,787 00                         18,750 0
5. For floating and stone docks..................................    e1,265,56   00
6. For contingent expenses which may accrue during the year
for the following purposes, viz: for the freight and transportation of materials and stores for yards and docks; for
printing and stationery; for books, maps, models, and
drawings; for the purchase and repair of fire-engines; for
machinery of every description, and for the patent-right
of using the same; for repairing steam-engines, and attendance on the same in navy-yards; for the purchase
and maintenance of horses and oxen and driving teams;
for carts,timber-wheels, and workmen's tools of every description, and repairing the same; for postage of letters
on public service; for furniture for government houses;
for coals and other fuel; for candles and oil for yards and
stations; for cleaning and clearing up yards; for flags,
awnings, and packing boxes; for watchmen and incidental labor at navy-yards, not applicable to any other appropriation....................................             303,700 00       307,145 06
1,632,703 00    2,746,44  o0
1,632,703 00
Less for 1852..............................               1,113,742 W
NOTE.-The increase in the amount required for the naval branch at yards is occasioned by the
addition of four warrant officers to the Boston, New York, and Norfolk yards, a chaplain to the
Portsmouth, and an allowance of $80 each to the pursers' stewards at Portsmouth, Philadelphia,
and Washington.
v The estimates for tle civil branch are increased in consequence of eetimating under that head
for the civil engineers at Portsmouth, New York, Philadelphia, Norfolk, Pensacola, and Memphis; and for a superintendent of the rope-walk at the latter yard, and by increasing the pay
of commandants' clerks, and the second and third clerks of storekeepers, and naval constructors'
clerks.                                                                                      A
The hospital branch is increased by allowing a chaplain to the Naval Asylum, and nurses,
washers, and cooks, &c., at Pensacola, Philadelphia, and New York..
The amounts asked for improvements and repairs at navy-yards, hospitals, &c., are explained
in the report from this bureau under the head for each yard.
The contingent estima;e has been somewhat reduced, and the aggregate amount of the est.mnates from this hureau have been reduced in the sun of U1,113,74.
JOS. SMIT'IH.
BvitREaxz      YAs-^. Ai c DocKs, October 12, 1850.




Doe. No. 1.                           321
Y. & D.-No. 1.;Est'imate of the surm s required for the support of the Bureau of Yards
and  Docks for the year ending 30th of Juzne  1852, under the acts f
3Lst Avgust, 1842, and 12th August, 1848.
For Commodore Joseph Smith, chief of bureau   -          -   13,500 0
For Win. G. Ridgely, chief clerk -l-                            1,400 01
For Stephen Gough, clerk                  -1,000 00
For William P. loran, clerk                -      -       -    1, 000 00
For James M. Young, clerk          -                      -      800 00
For W. P. S. Sanger, civil engineer       -               -    2,000 00
For George F. cde la Roche, draughtsman  -                -    1,000 00
For Charles Hunt, messenger               -                      700 00
For contingent expenses   -        ".                  1,000 00
12,400 00
Subirntted.
One additional clerk       -         -                            1,000 0
BUREAU OF YTARDS AND DocKS, October 12, 1850.
Y. & D.-'No. 2.
Bs:stina, c of the pay of of icers attached to the recruiting stations for t.i
year ending June 301 182 i85;f no alteration' is m-ade i  the number of
stations..i                  0
~'._     ~              Aggregate
Ra.nk.                a     0        p., ainounL
Commanders   "         -         1    1       1    1      6    $12, 600
Lieutenants   -        -   1     1         1   1    1    6         9, 000
Surgeons       -       -  1    1   16                             0  03
Passed midshipmen   -   II 1               I         1 1           4, 5vit
Total    -        14    4    4    4             24         36,00
BR.EUAr OF YARDs AND  OCKS, October 12, 1850.




324                         Doe. No. 1.
Y. & D.-No. 3.
Estinrate of the pay o officers and others at navy yards and stations for
the year ending June 30, 1852.
No.              PORTSMOUTH, N. H.                 Pay.     Aggregate.
NTaval,
I  Captain.. -                     -           $3,500
1  Commandr          -      -      -       -      2,100
1  Lieutenant                                     1, 500
i Master   -        -                             1,000
1  Surgeon  -        -                            1, 800
I  Purser   -.   -              2, 000
I  Chaplain -        -      -      -              1, 20
2  Passed midshipmen at $750 each          -      1,500
1  Boatswain                                        700
1.  Gunner  -,       -        700
1  Carpenter-...             700
I  Steward, assistant to purser    -       -        480
1  Steward, (surgeon's)    -       -       -        288
$17, 468
Ordinary.
I  Passed midshipman                -        -      750
1  Carpenter's mate -              -       -        228
6  Seamen at $144 each    -        -       -        864
12  Ordinary seamen at $120 each  -         -      1,440
~-.. _-    - l}  3,282
ivil.
1  Storekeeper              -              -      1,400
1  Naval constructor-       -                        2,300
1  Civil engineer   -             -1,500
1  Foreman and inspector of timber         -        900
1  Clerk of the yard        -      -                9
1  Clerk to the commandant         -                900
I  Clerk to the storekeeper -      -       -        750
I  Clerk to the naval constructor          "        650
I  Porter    -       -      -                       300
1_~ -        9,600
Total -.                                30 350




Doc. No.. 1.                             32
No.                    BOSTON.                          Pay.  Aggregate.
1   CapaPI.C.                -       -               3, 500
I   Commander                                          2, 100
2   Lieutenantsl at 1,00 each         -               3,000
I   Mt aster. -:    000
Surgeonl    -         -                               1, 800
I   Purser.                 -                       2, 00
1   CIhapla n                  -                       1,200
2   Passeod  midshipmen, at $750 each          -       1,500
I  Boatswain           -                          " 
I  Gunner              -       -       -       -         800
I   Carenter-          -                                 800
I   Sailnmaker                 -                          800'
I   Gunner, (keeper of magazine)   -            -        80
I   Clerk to purser   -        -       -                 500
1   Steward,  assistant to purser      -       -         360
Steward, (surgeon's)          -       -       -         30....$21,820
Hospital.
I  Surgeon  -.                                         1 l'5O
I  Assistant surgeon -                                   9 50
1  Steward  -          -                                 360
1   Matron             -   -           -           80
2   N  rses, at $144 each      -                          288
I   Cook       -       -                        -         ISO.               ashe -         -  -                       120
3   Watchme-en, at 240 each  -          -       -
4,548
I   Storekeeper.                      -      1, 700
I   Naval constructor          -       -               2, 300
I   M8easurer and inspector of timber           -      1, 050
1   Clerk of the yard                                    900
I   Clerk to the commandant                    -       1, 200
1   Clerk (2d) to the commandant   -            -75
I   Clerk to the storekeeper  -                -       1, 050
I   Clerk (2d) to the storekeeper    -         -           50
I   Clerk (3d) to the storekeeper    -         -         6
I   Clerk to the naval constructor              -         650
I   Porter    -        -       -                          300
_____~  11,300
Total        -       -                                   37 668
NOTE.-The surgeon of the yard is to be required to attend to the marines also.




%;68                  ~2Doe. No. 1.
Bo.                 NEW  YORK.                        Pay.      Aggregate.
Narval.
I   Captain  -        -  -                          $3, 500
I   Commander         -       -       -              2,100
2   Lieutenants, at $1,500 each  -                    3, 000
1   Master   --               -   1, 000
1   Surgeon           -       -       -       -       1,800
1   Purser   -        -                              2,  500
1   Chaplain                  -       -       -       1,200
2   Passed midshipmen, at $750 each                   ]  500
1   Boatswain         -               -                 800
I   Gunner  -                 -       -       -          00
I   Carpenter                 -                         800
I   Sailmaker         -       -       -                 800
1   Gunner, (keeper of magazine)   -                    S00
I   Clerk to the purser       -       -                 500
1   Steward, assistant to the purser -        -         360
1   Steward, (surgeon's)    -         -                 360
~ ~       321, 820
Hospital.
I   Surgeon  -                          -       i    1,750
I   Assistant surgeon         -       -                 950
1   Apothecary       4-  -                              420
1   Hospital steward -        -       -                 360
I   Matron   -        -               -       -         18
4   Nurses, at $120 each      -           -             480
2   Cooks, at $144 each       -               -         288
2   Washers, at $120 each   -         -       -         240
I   Porter.                           - -               144
1   Gatekeeper        -       -       -                 360
I   Gardener -        -                                 240
I   Assistant at laboratory           - -               120
------- ~, 5,532
Civil.
I   Storekeeper               -       -       -       1,700
I   Naval constructor                 -       -      2, 300
I   Civil engineer    -       -       -               2,400
1   Inspector and measurer of timber                    0 1,056
1   Clerk of the yard         -               -         900
I   Clerk to the commandant           -              1, 200
1   Clerk (2d) to the commandant  -                     750
I   Clerk to the storekeeper                  -    1, 050
I   Clerk (2d) to the storekeeper  7T5




Doe. No. 1..327
No.             NEW  YORK-Continued.                   Pay.      Aggregate.
1   Clerk (3d) to the storekeeper    -        -       $650
1   Clerk to the naval constructor   -        -         650
1   Porter                -       -           -         300._.       ~.$13, 370
Total             -41, 052
NOTE.-The surgeon of the yard is to be required to attend the marines also.
No.                PHILADELPHIA.                       Pay.      Aggregate.
Naval.
I   Captain   -                                      $3 -    - 3500
G Commander                            -  2, 100
1   Lieutenant.                              -       1,500
I   Master                                            1  000
I   Surgeon  -.-                 -       1,800
1   Purser   -.  -  2 000
I   Chaplain -        -  1,200
1  Passed midshipman          -  -                      750
1   Boatswain          -    T70
I   Gunner&            - -      -                        700
I   Carpenter -.          -         700
1   Sailmraker   -                                      T 700
1   Steward, assistant to purser              -         480
1   Steward, (surgeon's)..  288
-$1'4'1.S
Navdal asylum and hos2yal
I   Captain  -                        -               3, 500
1   Commander..        -, 2100
1   Lieutenant        "               -       -, 500
1   Surgeon.-                          -      1,750
1   Chaplain -        -                               1,200
I   Secretary -       -.         -                 900
1   Steward, (surgeon's)              -        -        360
1   Steward, (purser's)       -       -        -        360
I   Nurse    -        -       -       -                 120
1   Cook      -                                -        144...... ~1.,   934
Civil.
1   Storekeeper        -       -       -       -      1,50 
1  Naval constructor                           -      2, 200 -




3228                            Doe. NO   1.
TNo.               PHILDELPHI- A-Continued.                Pay.       Aggregate,
I   Civil engineer    -                                      -  -. 12,350
I   Measurer and inspector of timber  900 
I   Clerk of the yard.. 900 
Clerk to the commandantt                        -         900 
I   Clerk to the storekeeper  -                            7 50 
I   Clerk to the nayal constructor                         ( 650
I   Porter                                       -          300
10, 300
Total.     39, 6152
NOTE.-The surgeon of the yard is to attend to the marines and the receiviing vesselo
No.                   WASHINGTON..                        Pay.       Aggregate.
I   Captain- -                  -..      3, 00
I   Commander.         -.                         2, 100
i   Lieutenant.                                1,500
I   Master    -                                          1,000
I   Su-rgeon  -                 -.                   1, 800
I   Purser    -         -. o                             2 000
I   Chaplain -          -                -               1,200
2   Passed midshipmen, at $750 each              -       1, 500
I   Boatswain    700
I   Gunner              -                -                  700
I   Carpenter -         -       -        -'
].   Steward,  assistant to purser               -          480
1   Steward, (surgeon's)        -                -          360.  ^.,,-                           - _-174~,'I
Orcdinazy.
1   Passed midshipman                    -                  750
I   Boatswain's mate            -                           228
I   Steward   -                          -       -          288
1   Carpenter's mate -              -                      228
10   Ordinary seamen, at $120 each   ", 1,200..                 2, 69.i
Civil.
I   Storekeeper                 -        -       -       1 700
I   Inspector and measurer of timber                        90
I   Clerk of the yard           -        -'          900
I   clerk to the commandant                      -          900




Dbc. No.                                   329
jT7o.          W YJi^7ASHBIT.NGTON —CoIntin-aed.        Pay.      Aggregate.
Clerk (2d) to the commandant                             7 50
I   Clerk lto the storekeeper  - -                        900
I   Clerk (2d) to the storekeeper                         710
1   Steam- engineer and machinist   -, $800
I   Master tank and camboose maker              "      1, 20
I   DMaster chaim-cable and anchor maker               1 250
I   Pyrotechnist                        -              1,500
1   Keeper of the magazine  -   -                         480
I   Porter                     -                          300
~ 11, 3380
Tot al      -                      -33, 614
NoTe.-The surgeon of the yard is to be required to attend to ite marines also.
iH7o.                NOQR FOLIK.                        Pay.       Aggregate.
Naval.
1   Captain       3-           -                -       3, 500
1   Commander          -                                2, 100
2   Lieutenants, at  1,500 each                         3, 000
2   Masters, at $1,000 each  -                  -       2, 000
I   Surgeon            -                                  B 1,800
I   Ptrser    -        -       -                  2,500
I   Chaplain -         -       -        -1,200
2   Passed midshipmen, at $750 each                     1,500
2   Boatswains, at $800 each            -               1,600
-2   Gunners, at $800 each   -                          1, 600
2   Carpenters, at $800 each -            -   1600
1   Sailnaker          -                                  800
1   Clerk to the purser        -                          500
1   Steward, assistant to purser        -                 360
1   Steward, (surgeon's)                                  360
Hospital.                                   $4,420.  Surgeon  -          -       -', -  50
I   Assistant surgeon          -            -             950
I   Steward            -       -                -         360
I   Matron    -  80
3   Nurses, at  120 each                                  360
2   Cooks, at $144 each        -        -       -         288
2'Washers, at $120 each   -          -                 240
4   Boatmen, at $120 each  -                              480
1   Boy        -                                           96.~ --         5, 204




Doc. No. 1.
No.              NORFOLK-Continued.                   Pay.      Agg'regateo
ivil.
I   Storekeeper       -       -       -       -      1,700
1   Naval constructor-                -         -, 300
I   Civil engineer   -                                  -    1,500
1   Inspector and measurer of timber          -      1,200
1   Clerk of the yard         -       -       -        900
1   Clerk to the commandant           -              1,200
1   Clerk (2d) to the commandant  -           -750
1   Clerk to the storekeeper -        -       -      1, 050
I   Clerk (2d) to the storekeeper    -                 750
1   Clerk (3d) to the storekeeper  650
I   Clerk to the naval constructor                     650
I  Keeper of the magazine  -              -            480
1   Porter            -       -       -                300
~$13,430
Total                                                43, 054
NOTE.-The surgeon of the yard is to be required to attend to the marines also.
No.                 PENSACOLA.                        Pay.      Aggregate..Naval.
I   Captain   -       -       -                     $3,500
1   Commander                 -               -      2100
2   Lieutenants, at $1,500 each.             -      3,000
1   Master   -        -       -               -      1,000
1   Surgeon  -        --                             1,800
I   Purser            -       -                      2, 500
1   Chaplain -        -                       -      1,200
2   Passed midshipmen, at $750 each.          -,500
I   Boatswain                 -       -                 S00
I   Gunner            -       -       -       -        800
1   Carpenter         --                                800
I   Sailmaker         -       -               -          00
1   Steward, assistant to purser      -       -         360
I   Steward, (surgeon's)    -                 -         360.. ___                                   ______   2,20
Ordinary.
I   Lieutenant                -               -      1,500
1   Carpenter's mate -        -228
2   Boatswain's mates, at 228         -  456
10   Seamen, at $144 each    -         -       -       1,440
60   Ordinary seamen, at $120 each  -                 7, 200
-...~~           10 824




Doe. No. 1.                               331
o6.     ~ PENSACOLA —Continued.                     Pay.       Aggregate.
Ios2ital.
I   Surgeon  -                 -                -     $1,750
1   Assistant surgeon -.                       -         950
1   Steward            -       -                -         360
1   Matron   -         -.                       250
3   Nurses, at $120 each       -        -       -         360
2   Cooks, at $144 each        -        -       -288
3   Washers, at $120 each               -       -         360
1   Baker                      -       -                  420
1   Carter                     -        -       -         120
I   Messenger                  -        "       -         144
3   Watchmen, at $360 each                      -       1080
1   Gardener -         -                -250
-                $6,332
Civil.
I   Storekeeper                    -            -       1,700
1   Naval constructor -        -                -      2, 300
1   Civil engineer                          -  3,000
I   Clerk of the yard -                         -         900
1   Clerk to the commandant            -        -       1,200
Clerk (2d) to the commandant  -             -           750
1   Clerk to the storekeeper  -                 -      1,050
1   Clerk (2d) to the storekeeper          -              1750
1   Clerk (3d) to the storekeeper               -         650
1   Porter.   -                             300
12, 600
Total    -                         -                   50, 276
NOTE.-The surgeon of the yard is to attend to the marines near the yard and to such persons in the yard as the commander may direct.




838l2-                        Doc. No  1.
o.                   ME HS. aME.                                Aggregate.
I   Captain.        -.        $-3,500
1   Lieutenant        ~       ~ o                    1,500
1   Master..-              009 
Surgeon  -.., 800
1   Purser.   -                          2,000
I  Passed midshipman          -       -                750
1   Steward, assistant to the purser          -        360.   tYtvi'7-             1' —-'    @0 9it0
I   Storekeeper      I-               -              1  250
1   Civil engineer                -   -              2,500
I   Superintendent of ropewalk        -,500
I   Clerk of the yard-                -         i      900
I   Clerk to the commnandant              -            900
I   Clerk to the storekeeper  -               -        500
1   Porter            -.   300
Total                            - - -               18, 760
No.             SACKETT'S HARBOR.                     Pay.      Aggregate.
1   Commander.     o   t-, 100
1  Master   -.                          1,000
13,100
Total             -      -       -                    3, 100




RECAPITULATION.
Naval.        Ordinary.       Hopitai.         Civil.       Aggregate.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire        -     1.7,468         $3, I2                          9,600             $ 30,350
Boston     -                           21,820             -           $4548           11, 300             37,668
New York  -    21, 820                                    -             5,532         13, 700             41,052
Philadelphia..-           17, 418                         11, 934        10,300              39,052
Washington -       -      -             17,540          2,694             -            3,380              33, 14
Norfolk    -       -                  - 24,420            -             5,204         13,430              43,054
Pensacola  -       -           -       20,520          10,824           6,332         12,600              50,276 
Memphis   -        -        -    -      10,910            -                            7, 850             1, 760   o
Sackett's Harbor   -      -      -      3,100             -                              -                 3,100..___._____ _ __ ___    _- Z
155,016         16,800          33,550         92,160             297,526'.                 _ _.. _____.    ~, ______   __________ ^____________, _,  ]..  _ " -
NOTE. —The pay of 1st clerks to commandants at all the navy-yards is fixed by the law of 1835 at $900. The bureau
proposes to increase their pay at the navy-yards at Boston, New York, Norfolk, and Pensacola to $1,200, and an estimate is
submitted accordingly.
BIJREAU OF YARDS AND DOCKS, October 12, 1850.




334                         Doc. No. 1.
Y. & D.-No. 4.
Estimate of the amounts that will be required towards the cons-truction,.
extension, and completion of works at the several tavy-yards, and for
the necessary current repairs at the same, for the fiscal year ending
30th June, 1852, as follows, iz:
PORTSMOUTH, N. H.
Towards the construction of quay wharf across the head of
timber dock; filling in around walls of floating dock basin;
pavements around timber-shed; magazine wharf and
filling in low  ground; engine-house; wharf and filling in east of No. 4; repairs of all kinds           $- 64,527 0'
BOSTON.
For completing sail-loft and cordage store, grading and paving; completing storehouse No. 36; paving, grading and
filling in between Nos. 27, 28, 29 and 30; grading
yard, paving gutters, drains, &c.; rain-water cistern; rebuilding smithery; coal-house near rope-walk; dredging
slips; completing steam-tug and water-tank; repairs of all
kinds                      -                  -             4104,450 0
NEVW YORK.
For a slnithery; saw-mill No. 24; quay wall continued;
cob wharf; dredging channels; one timber shed; paving,
guttering and flagging; cisterns, gutters and leaders to
ship-houses and timber-sheds; filling in timber-pond and
low places, &c.; repairs of all kinds    -     -          17,500 0W
PHILADELPHIA.
For slip of ship-house G; addition to wall of basin and filling in old timber-dock; repairs of all kinds  -       -   24400 00
WASHINGTON.
For filling up timber-dock; saw-mill and machinery; ordnance building No. 11; completing wharf and slide lathes;
completing copper-rolling establishment; to convey water
to the yard, reservoir, pipes, &c.; railway in ship-hou.s
T; paint-shop and wharf-crane; brass foundry and tankshop, (raising one story;) repairs of all kinds       -  224)800  0
OORFOLK.
For sea-wall at St. Helena; brick saw shed; cylinder exhaust pump and apparatus; water-tank and capstans; repairs of all kinds                             -          50^ 800 0




Doc. No. 1.                            3
PENSACOLA.
For permanent wharf; paint-shop -and cooperage; completing guard-house; wharf near storehouse No. 26; tar,
pitch, and oil-house; storehouse for shells; house for
boiling tar, pitch, &c.; steam-tug and water-tank; rail
tracks in yard; fences and outbuildings for outside houses;
repairs of all kinds     -                              - $1S8, 713 O0
MEMPHIS.
For excavation and  embankment; rope-walk; saw-mill;
piling river front; paving drains, gutters, &c.; cisterns
tbr rope-walk  lime-house  repairs of all kinds  -      -  116,600 00
SACKETT S HARBOR.
For repairs of buildings, grading, filling in, and repairs of
all kinds        -       -       -              -            2,300 00
RECAPITULATI ON
For Portsmouth, N. H       -       -        -             - $64, 527 00
Boston  -                      -                      -  104, 40 00(
New York       "       -.-       -       -  178,500 00
Philadelphia                          - -                 24 400 00
Washington   -         -                                 224,800 00
Norfolk        -       -              --                  50, 80  00
Pensacola      -       -                              -  188,713 00
Memnphis               -.                -.  116,600 00
Sackett's Harbor              -       -       -       -    2, 300 00
Total for yards    -                         9 -    -  955,090 00
BuREAUv OF YARDS AND DOCKS,  OGeober 12) 1850.
Y. & D.-No. 5.
Sait4emen shoawwing the several sums which Smak e up the amounts of the
first and second items in the genoral estimate for the Bureau of Yards
and Docks, mnartked Yo.     D.-A, -for the year endineg  June 30,
1852,
FIRST ITEM.
For recralting stations    -       -                      -  $36, 64 0( 
For naval branch at yards and stations             -      -  155,016 0'
For hospital branch at yards and stations  -       "      -   33, 550 0
For ordinary branch at yards and stations -                    16,800 09
Total         -                         241,966 0O




$.36                        Doc. No. 1.
SECOND  ITEM.
For the cix il blanch at all the yards and stations  -    -         392, 160 00
BUREAU OF YARDS AND DOC;KS, October 12, 1850.
Y. & D.-No, 6.
For navy hospitals and asylJun
r.  Bo.ston. For repairing, painting, whitewashing, glaz i -:~ furnaces, ranges, stoves, &c.   -       -       -       -1, 00 00.    o!II:: vw  York.-For plastering, painting; repairs of furia.:s, tanks, wall, paving, and flagging; building for.:-cratoly; wall round grave-yard; grading, setting trees,.li all other repairs                -      -             -   15 000 00:;?f-liladelphia.  For removing and  rebuilding stable;:ir'ais and water to stable; excavation and grading; wall
on,outh side of Shippen street; curbing and paving?o:;g Shippen street; painting house, iron railing, &c.;
l-piurs of all kinds..                                 13, 837 00
Bt N.'tor7folk.-For general repairs   -           -             5,000 00
t Pi:ensacola.-For wall around hospital grounds; draining
an.d filling ponds; repairs of all kinds   -    -                4,450 00
Total for hospitals, &c.          -           39,787 00
BUREAU OF YARDS ANM  DOCKS, October 12, 1850.
RECAPrTr ATION.
Civil
Salaries             -         -                   -      -  $11,400 00
Contingent -           -           -                            1,)000 00
Submitted           -       -                   -               1000 00
Navy.
Pay of the fiavy                    -       -      -         241,966 00
Contingent..-.  303 700 00
Special.
Pay of superintendents                -   -.                   92,160 00
Improvements and repairs of navy-yards  -         -  95, 090 0
Impiovements and repairs of hospitals             -       -   39, 78'7 00




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Doe. No. i                                3,
No.,
BUREA.U OF PROVISION S AND CLOT-ING,
November 16; 1850,
Sr: In  compliance with your instructions, I have the honor to trans-it herewith, estimates for that part of the naval service coming under
the cognizance of this bureau, for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1852,
malrked A and B; also, statements and abstracts, in compliance with the
a.cts of Congress of April 21, 1808, March 3, 1809, and March 13, 1843,
markehd C to M.:The. estimates correspond with those ofthe fiscal year ending June 30,
1.851   On this subject I beg leave to make some remarks.  It is evident,
fromn the information possessed by the bureau, that if all the bills for provisioas (including the ten per cent. reserved on all deliveries runtil the
completon of the contracts) were presented for payment within the fiscal
yeaxr thie appropriation for provisions would be inadequate to meet them
bby nman.y thousand dollars.  As it is, the expenditures of one year running itnto the succeeding appropriation, leaves no deficiency  for the momuenit vapparent, however much it may be felt subsequently.     I will endecrn. a   from  a sense of duty, to state, as concisely as possible, some of
the causes whichl have heretofire produced, and will continue in the tfture
to piod.ice, this deficiency; and in doing so, would disclaim all purpose
or desire  to retrench any just right or privilege of the men of our service.
The,,: actual first cost of the ration, by contraet, has for a series of years
iaveraged. about fourteen'cents; but the appropriation for provisions is.founrded on an estimate of twenty cents for each ration.  This difference
is intended to cover not only the first cost, but likewise all contingent
and i-cidental losses and expenses, such as deteriorationl leakage, con4demia.tion,;  c., the greatly enhanced prices sometim ies paid on  foreign.
~statiions to supply' deficencies, and ibr expenses of substitutes, such as
fresh bzeef and vegetables, for different parts of the ration, as well as for
yauri'osts otler charges which fail on this appropriation.  But it is subject
Ito heavi.er drafts stillt in consequence of the large number of rations aleowed,to be commuted by the men, for which the full estimated piice of
thle ration. is paid, which in 1my opinion is in conflict with the spirit of the
~act o4i Au.gust 29; 1842.  It is paying a m1aximum price fbr commutations
on the. part of the government, for articles in return  not of equal value.
and  t o constant deterioration; and in proportion as the price paid the
comerlotter s exceeds the value of those articles, the appropriation is the.
loser.  I  tahe army, no commurtation of subsistence, except to officers
and tkei.r attendants, is permitted, but all must draw the rations provided
fir ttheim.  Unless it be made obligatory for the cres of our vessels, with
tihe exception of the oflicers and their attendants, to draw the rations provided.ior them, or unless it shall be made imperative that a fixed number
of rations,,s shall at all times be commnuted on board every vessel, and at
all stations. the bureau has no data to guide it in providing the supplies,
but munst continue to estimate for the full com.plement of men allowed to
eaclI vessel; the number of commutations varying so materially at different timnes on the same vessels and stations, as to make it unsate to adopt
any estimnate but that for a fall complement.  The result of this shows'that tbe. appropriation is subjected to great loss, both in money paid for
mtmm. t:attion s at an advance Upon oth@ oost of the ration,  and tle co.lse22.,, 




338                           Doc. No. 1
quent additional quantity of provisions left on hand, liable to condemnation.  In a vessel, the total value of the'rations to which the:crew
were entitled amounted to p167,366; and of this sum  $$45,982 rwas paid.
for undrawn rations, being more than one-fourth of the whole amount.
Another source, entailing no inconsiderable loss upon the appropriation 
is found in the provisioning of the small vessels attached to the coast surr
vey; not arising, however, from any fault of their commanders, many of
whose returns are always correct and prompt.  It is by reason of the losses
sustained by the diffusion of stores in small portions amuong so many vessels, the occasional purchase of supplies at higher prices than by con'tract.
rendered necessary to be made often, from the peculiar nature oftheir dutieso
It alsb frequently happens that upon the return of thesel small vessels, to be
laid up for the winter, the remnants of their stores have to be sold at a sacyri,
fice, as they will seldom keep until again wanted for that service.
In this connexion, likewise, I would present to your notice the large
amount drawn from the appropriation for provisions for the benefit of the
hospital fund.  By the 5th  section of the act of February 26, 1811,
it is enacted,'That when any navy officer, seaman, or marine, shall.
be admitted into a navy hospital, the institution shall be allowed one
Tation per day during his continnance therein, to be deducted from the
account of the United, States with such officer seaman, or marine. 9   r'hi
section has been construed, and I think correctly, until within a few
years past, to embrace only those sent to and subsisted at the hospitals
on shore, while the rations of the sick men on board ship, for whom there
is provision made for medicine and stores, by annual appropriations, were
always stopped and noted on the weekly returns of provisions. These latter
remaining as part of the stores belonging to the vessels, did not constitute
a charge on the appropriation.  But it has since been claimed and allowed
that the value of these stopped rations should also be credited to the hospital fund, thus further subjecting the appropriation to an additional tax
of five or more cents per ration; in fact paying, from a- fund intended to
meet various and unavoidable losses, a premium  for leaving the rations
undrawn, which are afterwards to be subjected to the usual concomitat.s
of deterioration and condemnation.
The amount credited to the hospital fund, as nearly as can be ascertained, out of the appropriation for provisions, averages about twenty-five
thousand dollars per annum.  I would respectfully suggest the propriety
ofdiscontinuing the practice of crediting the undrawn rations of the sick
on board ship  to the hospital fund; and, in any event, that all credits
for undrawn rations should be, as I t hink was the intention of the law.r
estimated at the actual, and not the estimated cost of the ration.  Or l
would propose a fixed rate of fifteen cents, under such regulations as,
this bureau might prescibe, to insure correct returns and credits.  IA W1oul
also suggest that no person, not actually attached to and doing duty on
board a sea-going or receiving-ship, should be allowed a ration; and
that the compensation of all other persons should be a fixed suni per montho
This would be more satisfactory, and would materially simplify all. accounts, and be more in accordance with. that part of the act of:.iarh 3e
1835, relating to the rations.
For many years complaints hlave been made of the bread fuirnised or
the navy,  and large quan:tities have been colemrniecd —.-much lart.er tthan
-  ulld hav e ben the case, had the articles been mnanufactured of sutic
aterials as slercified iut the contracts,  It is believed-indeed' there ca: b




Doce No. lo                              339
no doubt of the falct-that biscuit can be manufacturecd of' almost any
kind of flour, even of the most indifferent description, whether sour, old,
or tainted, by adding to which some particular and perhaps deleterious
ingredient, may be made a bread of good appearance, and sweet to the
taste; yet, in a short time this article will deteriorate, and become mouldy
and wormy.  Although our contracts require the bread to be manufactured entirely of fresh, sweet, superfine flour, and that it be subjected,
before it is received, to a rigid inspection by intelligent and  competent
offlcers, we have by no means succeeded in obtaining such an article as
we have a right to expect, or the contracts demanded; and this, notwithstanding the vigilance and care of the inspecting officers.'Wheile every precaution has been taken to send to our vessels on foreign
stations such an. article, of this most important necessary of life, as had
borne a close inspection, and was to every appearance faultless, it has
been found, in many instances, after its arrival abroad, unfit to be issued
to our vessels.  This has in some cases delayed, quite injuriously, their
movements; and  subjected the government to heavy losses from  the
enhanced price it was compelled to pay, in meeting the deficiencies caused
by condemnatio:ns.  This condition of things, against which no care or
inteliigence caif guard, shouldi if possible to correct, be no longer perrmitted; and, as the only remedy, I would respectfully suggest the establishment, under the control of this bureau, of a bakery at the navy-yard,
Brooklyn.  I mnention this as a proper location, because of its central
position, the great facilities its large market always affords, and because
the major part of our shipments are made from it.  From the best information I am enabled to obtain, it is estimated that a suitable building could
be erected, the necessary machinery and appurtenances procured and put
up, for a sum not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars.  I believe the
value of the bread condemned under our present contract system, in two
years, frequently equals, if it does not exceed, that sum.  During the
past eighteen months, Mr.. Parrott, the intelligent and efficient chief clerk
of this bureau, has caused to be kept a record of articles condemned,
connected with its administration, taken from  the returns of surveys
made; by which it appears, that during the year ending June 30, 1850,
there was condemnied 298,848 pounds of bread, which at the contract
price cost $12,586 84.  it does not appear that any such record had been
kept previously, although  the returnq of surveys  are in' most cases
deposited in the office; but in a report nmade to the department by my
predecessor, it is found that the quantity of bread condemned, and otherwise lost, iln i84, alone amounted to 335,091 pounds; costing, at the
average contract prices of that year, about $13,500.  I would remark
that conlemnations do not result in. all cases in a total loss; but it is
evidenti that L-e proceeds arising from the sales of condemned bread must
be nearly so.  It is andmitted that the price of bread manufactured           at a
public bakery mrigtA, perhaps, exceed contract prices -but it i s equally
certain that a better article one  upon which at all times reliance cou'ld be
p!acedc! —-:woul  be mi anu..acdtured, ssecri1 ng the service fromn disappointmlent,
Iassu1ing to t,;i sailor a. wh:lesome and lunexceptionabla  bread; and as it
regards economy,  di,      away wi i  thw e  prvsent fre1qetot and heavy- losses
sustained by coenatins.  Another i.p oto.         n' foe  t i  o b  i   in into
consi,.eratiol:   that, w-e should have ti e    seection of t ih   flour best; adapted
to th;e lmainufatcure n'  th1 uc s't bisciuit  atnd i. d  d ob tlhis selection 1e



140                            Doe. No. 1.:erads, in a great measure, the whole secret of good bread; and we cannot
doubt that such an establishment would tend materially to lessen, if not,entirely to prevent, the recurrence of the inconveniences and losses to
which the government, in the procurement of this article, is now subjected.
Many persons no doubt ofter to enter into contracts with the governiment atlow and ruinous prices, hoping for and relying upon somIe exigency or fortuitous circumstance, in the event of their bids being suaeessful, to secure the reception of their articles by the government, whether
they be inferior or not. They fancy it is only necessary to have a contract.
with the governmnent, to result, in some mysterious way, in success and
fortune to themselves.  The bureau has endeavored to counteract such
expectations, by rigidly enforcing the conditions of all contracts, and
requiring in all cases a strict adherence to the samples, where such are
provided; and the acknowledgments of the bureau are due to the officers
acting as inspectors at the several stations, for the facilities alnd assistance
-they have ever readily extended; and especially are they due to Commander Carpender, the inspector at New York, for the very efficient manner
in which he has always so ardently co-operated, as well as for the valuable information which his zeal enables him so frequently to impart.
The government does not desire to be served at the expense of' its citizens; and in driving the excessively low, and perhaps irresponsible bidder,
from its future service, by rigidly enforcing the contracts, it will be doing
justice to those who are willing to supply it at reasonable and fair living
prices.
-The quantity of cheese on hand at the navy-yards at Boston, NewYork, and Norfolk, is equal to a supply for two years and a half, and there
is. a large amount, besides, at our other depots at home and abroad.  The
cause of this;accumulation may be found in the following statement:,,Qn the 1st of J'anuary, 1S47, there was on hand at, the above nam ed
places 249,692 pounds, sufficient for a supply  for three years; and
g64 236 pounds on the 1st July, 1847, besides considerable quantities at
our o-ther depots.  In May, 1847, contracts were entered into for 80,000
pounds per annum, for four years.  The first delivery of 40,000 pounds'was made in November of that year, and a like quantity was to be delivered
in each succeeding M ay and November, until the completion of the contracts'
So much complaint was amade of the quantity of the article on hand, and
by the men of the quality, (it being by regulation required that the oldest
article should be first issued) that soon after taking charge of the bureau,
in July, 1849, I felt it my duty to bring the subject to the notice of
your predecessor, by whose instructions letters were addressed to the contractors to ascertain whether, in view of the large accumulation of the
artiele on hand, they would be willing to abrogate the contracts, or att
least to suspend for a tise any further deliveries.  To both propositions
negative answers were received.  As a preliminary to any action, and.
previous to addressing letters to the' contractors, instructions were givenl
to the conmmandants of the above named yards to have surveys held on
all: the cheese in their respective stores, and to report the quantity under each
year's inspection. It fortunately happened that but a small quantity of any
delivered prior to 1847 at Boston and Norfolk was remaining, but the?
result of the survey held at New  York will be best understood by the
IfollowMrg extracts from  the report of the surveying officers: CThe first lot,:omprising 1,346 boxes, containing  02n,197   aounds, we have concemned




Doc. No. 1.                            341
This cheese has been in store since prior to 1846, and some of it is reported to have been here since 1843.^  "The cheese was, no doubt, good
in its 6i"tme, but age has impaired it, until almost every box has lost its
flavor; the salt has kept it from decaying, but it has become hard, hoheycombed, shrunk, and in some instances discolored."  "The second lot,
282 boxes, weighing 21,129 pounds, supplied in 1846, is inbetter order.'
The surveyors recommended that this lot should also be sold.  The cost
of the first lot of 1,346 boxes was $19,034 19; the net proceeds of thesame at auction amounted to only $2,238 79.  The second lot having
been considered good for immediate use, was distributed to the different
yards, to be issued as soon as possible.  The last deliveries under thesecontracts will fbrtunately occur in May next; and no new ones will be e a
tered into until our present stock is nearly exhausted; and when theyshall be deemed necessary, care should be taken to stipulate, as is the
case in most of our present contracts, not for any specific quantity, but only
for such as the wants of the service may require.
Heretofore the small-stores were procured, after advertising, by contracts.
at and for the different stations; and as a matter of course, there being no
uniform samples, neither the articles nor the prices corresponded at any
two places.  This was unjust to our seamen, who could not understand
the propriety or reason of their being obliged to pay for an inferior article,
at one station, much more than for a similar but. superior one at another.
To obviate this anomalous state of things, a board of officers was appointed, with the approbation of your predecessor, to make a selection of
samples for all articles coming. under the denomination of small-stores,
Sets of the samples then selected, properly sealed, jiave been deposited
at each navy-yard, to secure uniformity in all the supplies. After advertisingin conformity to law, a contract was made to have all articles delivered at
the same prices, and in such quantities, at whatever yard the bureau might
direct.  Our men will now be supplied, as they have hitherto been, with
clothing at uniform prices, and with articles always alike, at all and every
station, whether at home or abroad; and besides giving satisfaction to the
men; there is no doubt this system will result in economy to the government.
The suits referred to in my last annual report against the contractors,
for failure of delivery of beef and pork for the year 1847, are still pending.
In that report it was stated that the contractors for beef for the year
1849 had not delivered a barrel; purchases had in consequence to be
made, and a special report, showing the amount of excess paid by the
government over the prices stipulated in the contracts, was made to your
predecessor, and prompt action was taken by him to recover the excess.
The suit is still pending.
All the contracts, with one exception, for the fiscal year ending June30, 1850, have been fulfilled.  A special report in relation to the delinquent contractor was made to you on the 22d August, and measures were
taken to recover the loss sustained by the government.
The clothing fund is ample for all purposes; and although we have
large amounts in the Pacific unaccounted for, it is believed that when the
returns areireceived, no considerable, if any, diminution will be found. 
The bureau has endeavored to carry out the wishes of the department.
t  prevent any undue accumulation of stores, and in doing so it is satis,




TV2                           D    oe.. M 1.
fied that an ample supply is now  kept onl hand and its atten etion shall
continue to'be directed to making suach lurth er reductions as the wants
of the service may ad-mit.
The total value of provisions, clothing; and small-stores on hand on.
the 30th June, 1849, was $803,178 53'; and on the 31st December)
1849, was $674,399 42; showing a diminution, for the six months, of
$128,779 11.  The value on hand 30th June, lS50, was $624,827 24,
being a reduction of $49,572 18 in six montlhs, and a total diminution
for the year of.$178,351 29.
The discontinuance of the depots at Honolulu and Monrovia, as suggested in my last report, and directed by the department, will be a saving
to the government of four thousand dollars per. annum.
The returns from  our store-keepers, at home and abroad, have been
made with as much punctuality as circumstances have admitted; but I
regret to say that the condition of the affairs connected with this bureau,
in the Pacific,. is in mnuch confusion.'We have not yet received accounts of the sales of large quantities of clothing, provisions, and other
stores, which we have incidentally been informed have occurred there.
The removal, probably made necessary by and'consequent on the changes
of the state of public affairs in California, of vessels consigned to Mr.
Botts, our store-keeper at Monterey, and subsequently of the stores there
deposited to San Francisco, and the appointment of agents not recognised
by the department, in whose charge they were placed, have doubtless
been the principal causes of the difficulty.  Subsequently the above-'named store-keeper has removed to San Francisco, and again taken
charge of the stores, making a few returns, satisf.ctory so far as they go;
and it is hoped,: from the strong appeal made to him by the bareau to assist, if practicable, in extricating our affairs from this condition, that we
shall finally succeed.  It is, however, to the well known energy and zeal
of Commodore McCauley, who has recently assumed the command of
our forces in the Pacific, and who was put in possession of the wishes of
the department, that wre look with confidence for a full elucidation of the
condition of our affairs in that quarter.
I take great pleasure in stating that the returns of the pursers on the
home and foreign stations have been regular and satisfactory.
The bureau begs leave to renew the suggestion contained in its last report, that the " Warren," now at San Francisco, represented to be as unfit
for sea service, be prepared and fitted for a floating storehouse at that
place.
In addition to shipments made per statement D, the bureau has forwarded, since the 1st July, in public store-ships; about 3,700 barrels of
supplies to the Mediterranean, and about 2,000 barrels to Rio de Janeiro;
and in a chartered vessel, about 2,100 barrels to the coast of Africa.
Further shipments of about 3,750 barrels to the Mediterranean, and about
2,100 barrels to the coast- of Africa.'will leave the United States in a few
days, in vessels chartered for the purpose.  And the United States storeship "Southampton," with supplies for our vessels in the Pacific, will
sail from  New York in a few weeks.  Some few articles have also been
sent to Macao in a transient vessel.
I have been requested to bring to your notice the very inadequate compensation made to the clerks and assistants in the pursers' department of
the navy, particularly at our navy-yards and in receiving-vessels.  I am




Doe. No. L 
wot aware by whom. the present rates of compensation were established,
but I can fiom experience bear testimony of their perfect insufficiency for
the support of such men as are competent to perform the responsible duties that necessarily devolve upon them.  It is not the amount of labor
alolne  but 4 is the trust and the extent of honorable confidence reposed
in such cases, which ought to be considered. But even the extent oflabor
in performing their duties will be found. equal if not greater than that performed by any other assistants at the yards; and it will not be pretended.
that the qualification and education of competent accountants are inferior
to those engaged in copying.
I believe it would materially tend to promote the interests of the public
service to increase the compensation of those subordinate officers, so as
to make the places desirable for men of established character and qualifications;  and I imost earnestly recommend the subject to your favorabeconsideration.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfilly, your obedient servant,
Wlo SINCLAIl.
Hono WILLIAM  A. GRA-AM,
Secret-ary of the Navy.
Schedule of papers herewith sub mitted.
A.-Estimate of expenses of the bureau.
B. —Estimate for provisions for the navy.
C. —Statement of provisions, clothing and small-stores, at home and'
abroad (last returns.)
D.-Statement of shipments made during the fiscal year.
E. —-Cost of provisions, clothing and small-stores, condemned.
F. —Abstract of proposals received for " navy supplies."
G.-Abstract of proposals received for  clothing and materials."
1H.-Abstract of proposals received for- small-stores."
1.-Abstract of proposals received for C fresh beef and vegetables."
K.-Abstract of proposals received for "navy beef and pork."
L.-Abstract of proposals received for "transportation of stores."
i.I.-Statement of contracts made by the bureau.




110 44c, D                           o. 1.
A.. s imne of'te expenses of the Bureau of Pro0sziions and Clot'ia, g for
the fiscal year commencing July 1,.851, anzdendinzg June 30, 1852;
For compensation to the chief clerk of the bureau, per act.
of August 31, 1842                                    -  $1, 4    00
For compensation to one clerk, per act of August 31, 1842,    1 200 00
For compensation to one clerk, per acts of August 31, 1842,
and September 30, 1850.-                                  1,000 10O
For compensation to one messenger, per act of August 31,
1842             -      -700 00
For compensation to one clerk, per act of 3d March, 1845 -    1,200 00For compensation to one clerk), per act of 3d March, 1847,-    1 000 00
%6 500 00,
[0NOTE,.-Th'. salary of the chief of the bureau is provided for ty the
act of August 12, 1848; therefore not embraced in this estimate, a pirser
of the navy having been assigned to duty as head of said bureau.]
C CNTNGENTo
For printing, blanks books, and stationery                "     450 00
For nmiscellaneous items   -.. 200 00
For one laborer, at $10 per month -          -             120 00n20 00
APPROPRIATIONS FOr THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1851.
For compensation to the clerks and messenger of the bureau;  $6, 300 00
For contimgent    7-'0 OO
7,070 00
ASKED TO BE APPROPRIATED FOR THE YEAR ENDLNG 30TH JUNE) 1852.
For compensation to the clerks and messenger of the bureau,      6, 5,00 0
For contingent                 -          -      -. -             O 
7,)270 ~0
BUREAU OF PROVISIONS AND CLOTHING,
October 5, 1850.




D.oc N* o. 1. 3N4o,
Respectfully submitted, to equalize the salaries of the clerks in this bu1re1a
~with those of the clerks in the bureaus of other departments of the gov-.
rnement;, viz:
Additional to chief clerk   -.                       300 0~
Additional to one clerk of 1st class                      -       200 00
Additional to two clerks of 2d class       -      -       -       200 0
Additional to one clerk of 3d class -                             100 00
800 01
B.
Estimate from  the Bureau of Provisions and  (,YUhiing for that pYotion of the United &'ates naval service cormingy unader its cognzizane eduring the year commencing July 1, 1851, and teriminatiing Jine 3.
1852.
ESTIMATE FOR PROVISIONS FOR 7,500 MEN.
One ration per day for 7,500 men would be, for the year,
2,745,000 rations, which, at twenty cents each, is equal to $549, 000 001
One ration per day for'750 commission and warrant officers
"attached to vessels for sea service," for the year, would
be 274,500 rations, Vwhich, at twenty cents each, is equal
to        -                                                 5- s4  9(P IO
One ration per day for 750 officers and marines attached to
vessels for sea service, would be 274,500 rations, which,
at 20 cents each, is equal to   -       -       "       -   54 900  00
Additiofal sunm required for an estimated number of 4,000
men who may decline to draw the spirit portion of their
ration, as provided by the acts of 3d March, 1847, and 3d
August, 1848    -        -                                  29,,280  00
Aggregate amount required -         -  688, 080 010
BUREAU OF PROVISIONS AND CLOTHINGI
October 5, 18503
RECAPITULATION.
CIVIL.
Salaries.. -  -   -              -    6     00
Contingent                 -   770 01
ubmnitted.....    8t0, ~
Ni AVY.
Provisions'..             -      -$688, 080 30




148                                  Doc. No. lo
o
tatemew t sh/owing thle valuae of jproisions  clothing5,                 and sd-maZl-sores on
hand  at the last dates received fro, the d'fferent United;ates'  naval
stations,  at haone aid abroad; submitted t ho    e department Juldy 1, 1850.
Station.                 Date.         Provisions.       Clothing.     Small-stores.
Portsmouth, N. H....o....  July  1, 1850
Boston, Mass.................... do....          59,536 83      $55, 638 72        10,918 30
New York............. d......       56,779 41        47, 437 94         7,819 60
Philadelphia.....................do......              44 61         1,2,38 90          217 31
Washington, D. C................ do.....              199 67., 749 27          468 91
Gosport, Va................... do......    5, 985 t1               48,830 49         11,057 11
Pensacoa, Floida........... do......          333  5      31,537 01          4,666 85
Macao, China........... Jan.         5 1, 1850      5, 5,5 69      20, 608 16            504 69
Spezzia, Italay.................do....    3,138 73       15,870 55          3,313 00
Port Prava.............. April 1,1850'7853 72        14,225 92          1, 28 84
Rio de Janeiro.                 Jan.  1, 1850        5, 635 68       18, 872 43         2, 306 69
Monterey.....................  do0...    45  20 38  10 193 18  1 240 76
In transitu to Macao....,.................  3, 63S 14
Do..Monty...Moe................. 19,611 66     172178 93          3, 02 1
Total..................,.    295,001 56       284,381 50         45,444 18
Per transport "Ariel," and United States storeship "Supply."
BUREAU OF PPOYISIONG ASD CLOTHING, Octobe  5, b  5, 1850.
1).
/Statenment shocwinfg the value of shipmments made by the Bureau of Prowisions and Clothim     g to the respective squadrons on foreig   stations, during
the fiscal year ending June 30; 1850.
Station.                      Provisions.       Clothing.    Small-stores.
~  ___ w   _.., _
Macao..,..........11 2 25......       l815 6
Mediterranean............^........                 47,566 99       $'7, 540 63         3,886 04
African squadron..........................           13,402 10        4,972 57          1,743 59
Brazil squadron..........................  10, 686 97    5, 039 46         1,872 49
Pacific squadron...........,1 6...      19,61166         17,178 93          3,002 12
Total...............   102,439 97             54,731 59        11, 319 89.NAVY DEPARTMENT,,
Bureau of ProVisios Lmd ClotEing,.tmber 9, 1850.




Doc, No 1.                                          347
E.
Sanciebneu    som$,cI?, g  tGe,coSv of p ro0s o  s, cloting, and2  small-stores cnO -
dened o   boardcv   th'e variouts natzional vessels and at foreign naval siations, and  tIrown  overboard t wor  otherwise  destroyed;  loss by  leak/g-ve
evaporation, and  other casualties of  th/e service; also, condemned  and
sold  at auction, at naval stations at honze and abroad, with amount of
net plroceeds of sale, fronm  July 1, 18/49  to June 30  1850  inclusive.
Provisions.              Clothing.            Small-stores.
StatsEioas,   e..
Qcst.    Preceeds.    Cost. ^PProceeds.    Ct.   Prc,
IPortsenmouthg, E4foN.,H...   964 11    $290 99    p254 36       $50 76   $939  5 2      55 79
Boston, Mvass,......,.. 2,504 58         645 63      916 33      194 65      570 73    128 69
New York:.......... Sl,  597 31   2975 33  3,756 3     760 660    7966    174 06
Philadeiphia, Pa.........       64 85        6 45............................
Washington, D. C.......    936 62 i            256 3,4    667 60     13  54    97 90       8 04
Norfolk, Va..             1,750 02       544 85   2, 753 69      796 27      659 03      72 40
Pensacola, Fla.......... 2,151 647  1906 7  2                      166 99      372 26      21 36
Rio de janeiro.........  562 37           104  6        9 12..        440 66      67 51
Macao............... 6,374 43  2,305  71       73......          43   14    38 69
Port Praya...,..........  1, 147 90.... ().........................
Monrovia............    238 0             18 58      165 73       361..........   23 49
Monters..............  8,754 23    1560 58.......... 3, 743 16    1,259 98....
Spezzia...............          ()        425 77.............
The several other vessels,
including leakage, &.,.. 8,052 41....())...    106 02            484        8448   92 41 81
55,657 30   7,8S9 49   9,846 25   5,926 00   4,965 53    591 83
* Fromr these stations no account of sales as yet received.
J The proceeds from Monterey are from condemnations of last year, and friom whence no returns wene made.
$ These amounts received from William  Hindman, navy agent, Baltimore, for sales of condemned property on board receiving-ship Ontario, and from Sterrstt Ramsey, from sales of condemned property on board the steamer Michigan.
B.u J. S.
BURss U OF PRoVIsIONS aD CLOTH'NCG, btUgst 1, 1850.




F.,-bsract of proposls for eavy supplies o 1850 and 18S1i reeeied- under t e tedertse:isnet of the Bureait sf Pro'S s and tClUirg, &dted    ch Q0, 1853-. 
Flour, pa; barrel.
Flour, per barrel.                                   Biscuit, per 100 pounds.
Names.                    Residence.          Boston.   N.Yor'k.  Norfolk.  Bston.                                 N. York.                  Norfolk.
_  I light cask. Fiourbbls. righlt cask. Flourbbls. Tight cask. Flourbbhs.
Curtis &o Co.. Boton................
ReJmington & Co.... New York.................. o................................................
George W. Shaw....            Boston............. $5 90               $5 90           9         $t   $83 4                  86 1      $3 41       $3 86         $3 41
Willis S. Nelson.Flton, N. J.......                         7 00        7 00         7 0          7 00        6 00 I          00        6 00         7 (0        6 00
Jas S. Sturges, (informal). New York......................D.-............
Thomas Brown...........     Georgetown, D. C...             67          6 75             5        3 67  3        38        3 65         3 24         3 44          3 17
William Lang.... Boston............            5 98        6 1.         6 25 o.....................................................
John Woodside & Co.....  Philadelphia.....................................,..................................................
VWardwell, Knowlton & Co. New York...............................................
William Heilmian.......................................................................
John A. Higgins.Nrflk.............              5        9        5            440          396         437          38           450          400
Thomas. Lukens.........      Philadelphia........          6 25        6 50         6 25.........................................
R. A. Worvell.                N.rfolkw o........................................... *..... 
ApN.H.e rhushlaepifo  k............                         6 9..........    9..........
Jr. 0. Donohues, (informal)  New.....................................................................
Alpleus Fobes..                    do5 93                                5 69         5 792eo  &   o    oe ~...................................
WHells Miller, & Prevos......... do.........................I.........-.
Stephen G. Bogert.ds..6..85 16 8.5                                                  65           485..........  4  4 15    485         15         4 75 4             05
Fr. T. argent, (informal). NeYork....................................................
EStorer &   Stevenson................................,.............................................         -
Buckli.tn & Craneo............do..............................................................
A.rPtte&C                          tm......................................
Hyatt & Stumenp........... do..........................................  
John A.HEiggins........5.87o9                                                    53............5  4 40     396         4 37         3 9          4........50   4 00
A. Jeffersae.........do............ o...........................
M. Bartlett..........::........I.....3 70......3 34........... 
iberlake&Rieketts....................... 5 97       5 97         5 97 9.................................................,-au Pickrell..Georgetow,.C...
GJodon K. Tyler.......... Baltimore..... 3 99                                                  3 4.    3 95             340    385                 3 39 
E. P. iolden......do.........................                                3 75 1                   3 70         313         3 62          3 0




F — Continued.
Whiskey, per gallon.                      ugar, per pound.                     Tea, per pound.
Names.                    Residence.' —        -'~~~
Boston.   N. York.  Norfolk.   Boston.   N.. Y                 Norfolk.   Boston.   N. York.  Norfolk.
""~~"'    ~       ~"~  ~  ~       ~            ~            ~         ~   ~ ~~~~       ~   ~~~    ~  ~ ~   ~    ~~ —-F-  ~ ~ -- ~ - ~  ~,~
GCurtig   &   Co...........   Boston......  i............................ 0.     1.0        24
Remington & Co......... ewYork........................
George'W. Shaw........         Boston 4................2.3.3.31'^ ^ ""]      1 2"       "l]'~
SiilisS. Nelson....              lton, N. J...... 3.                    36         36            8            8            8            65          65           65
Jas. S. Stures (informal). New York.................
Thomas  Grown.........  Georgetown, D.'....'',      8            8            8.      43          43           43"". ".
illiam Lang.....................                                                                                 6.7          31           38.........
John Wtoodside & Co..   Philadel phia.................................  46  46  4
Wardwell, Knowlton & Co. NewYozrk......::.::..................                                5.5.95                     39  
William Helman......... Philadelphi,....               9            28..............................................,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~....
John' A.........                                         Norfolk.29   7               7,.3                     547                       52
Thomas E. Lukens....... PhI             h......
R.A. Worvel,...........  Boston.....................I 3,9,t 55
N.H. Graham........... Philadelphia.                       8'1          071         0             6. 0        6.20         6.20  j    39' ~ 39                   39"        9.......~~~~~         ~    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~:~88   I_..~0..P..,..1. 0. Donoghues, (informal) 1Nev. York......................-.
Alpheus  o...    do.....       299-10       27.....16. 7310' 9-16  "739"  64  60  61i3i4 
I I.;  im -15-161    7 3-10  16  i.'i9-~ ~~~~~~~t    it}
VWeil, Mi&l.er, & Prevst           do........ "       -,.
~tephenG. E~ogort......../do..."............!..............i    78......                          t.....                78-10  " 641"   "641. 6'
Williadoei lman &."..............,.,....,....
Step~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ten ~~~ ~ ~ ~      ~          ~          ~          ~         ~          ~        ~         o G.Oat....67
Frs. T. Sargent, (iformal........).......n.......... n...
Storer & Stevenson...........   4.'                                                              7
B.u.Woiine&.............................................
Bncklin    Cratin..-             do:::.                                                                                            37           3            1
A. B. Patterson    Co..... Baltimore.............................       66.48                     6.48        54-93        54.93        54.93
Ny. tt&Stump.......K..."'.............        33                     3                                      6           45           45           45
John A. Figg-is....  Norfolk.....                                                                               3       7            54           46           59
A. Jeffera..... d..................................................................
Alpheu~~~~~~~Bstoben...-............d........ I.......2 -1        q~      21-1
Tim.berlak.e &RIicketts.~   NwYor........    27. 04                     26.4" 4    27 02r4       63           6.768       6.3186       44.47  1 44.36           44.47.
_sa  P~rell.............................C... G. 5  35  35................
Gurdon K. Tyer.......   limoe......................' 
_               _e_       __.................,...__.........._..,_'......'.'................'..........               __...............~....~.....-....-.......-...,...,........i...... {..... 4^4~
Bucklin &  Crane.~^                  ~~-~~~ ~- d-~- ~ t.....7....
2t.  B.  Patterson & Co....., Baltimdre...        I            {                 6 zl8  t    6 -48        6 48 — 54 —-------------




'   erpound,?IRice, per pound.                 Butter, per pound.              Molasses, per gallon.
per poound.
1-'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o ~  i-~^  I~I "o"t n.                                                  i            [   oIk
N'lewYorL    Boston.  NewYork. Norfolk, Bos1ton. N.York. Norfolk. Boton. New York
I          ^'    ___ _________                     ____~~____ ______ ____           ___        ___I____ ___II_____
________                                          -    -                                                              Boston. I.ew.ork. Norfolk~.
~:e- ~ Co...,......~Cents.                               Cents.       Cents.       Cents      Cen       s.    Cents. Cen ts.. r.         Cents.     Cents.
Ji    S. i  S-  C  esBo           st..................................
Tho   row,   *.-~,.    t ~orko........  0..8.. 1                                            -.3               7 
-v'ovtow:DC   ~                      41           44   ~                           K.....~133                         3           33
W  illia m       a w           l s o l........-             4            4            4             1 6 3  0             3     24j          30           3Q
5 1~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~3 
N e lso    n.......    10          35           3.9 0                                               38
Nel-4on...  i Fi-i'tco                                          25    25                                ~     ~     ~~~~8 Bs
V/ardweilKS wit.ir   Co.I~ New Yor.........................3. 0.   0....................
1'-0 G~r^ ^  8-1h  5   ^4 0"    "48-10'  Az.     3           3815'2^^ S". 3 1  33
Thornas Brown                 Cxcorg~sto        D. C...    1         4........   4             4...........90                                                                           39..0....,.... 1:                          3
o"i'-V C)d ia Idm La; O      T.sasta(.............     
^r~ oT^^ 1^^^ -4^16~^^-^-^ 1o 73
II, C.o.!  e'r.........................
h -mnc. s E. Lukens....     Phildpi,........'...,....... a......... 
". r K,-~,~~, I..                                                 "           "l'l........h,:   "........ 4.' S                               "320'"
1j       15^::::^- ^...........                                                                             3:4
e~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~ is    Irev z  d......................................l....
lo  4            4~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.........
13,   i  LS-_', C ka Y 1 C- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~    ~     ~    ~    ~    ~ ~ ~ *,...................
"~':;:,'~~ ~~~~~~..i-.;5-;:/                                              9' 34-'V~~~ei s M~~~~~~iier& Prevost.~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~'.'i....,.......I,...                                                   I297
~~~~do......... I..........O.................. 1..............
s,?, L                      do~,..... 12.~,........     -0,sl 4  s40   4 -~o.             ~~~ ",              ~Yi'~~- 
r:~ ~,,......                                                                                            J9:7...,9.'''2.47'i::~ ~  Co  i B~~~~~~~~~~~~~~l~:mor~ ~~~~~~~~... 90 9    3......1.....~......:.........
i. Ba~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ rlt........
G ~ ~  ~     ~    ~ ~          1       [4 [o D, I"C'........................
U"~~~~~~~~~~~ s~  i s s~t 
Jolde ~   ~i...............~................
T~~~~~~~~~~~~..........1.............




F-Coritinl ed
~~~~~I         I.Beans, per bushel.                      Vinegar, per gallon.                 Pikiles., per pound.: I'Beidenc I  ________________________.________
IBootoi    New York.j Norfolk.   Boston.  Mew York- Norfok.    Boston,    ew York. Norfolk.
Ren-IM9Ut                                                            I                                                                                4il
2.  ~~     )...o.                ok.............,......~....-...           3?....
CurtiVsH                 -.  Boston.............           49      1   11         159  101...... 43               61
W?~i~ll s. Nels.on. ^...... Fulton, NJ~..~..... ^001i               ^209         2001        20     1     ^     2      0      1                1           1
J t        an1 ri-iVoO(  i            C..........................                                1                                                       
JOS       n *uOeWOsi Co-LC...1.......4...........................
John  a:                       BoFton                     1 s4        I 09          1                      10
W..Ii-          n Moi- e &C l.'-.Philadelphia................... 1...;?.dweiiKnollen,&PCevos~.    ew      rk..-..do..-...............-....................4  4
T-, nG.B aIgert,............. PhIadeph.....       1641          59         144          5           15          15.         6. 
0. Di-rue (inio  m"l)         o Y k............................................
Job obes19                                           6..0...... -.......:.......2                       65         6            59-10
4q. _-raha   mco........... 4. ~
lm.L3gR  r...1i4bad..e9l p                14i9      i    49.     "12.9         12.73         1.9 
L.eO. orc  Tinrm   l         NeYor........................................,,) t (i   I............
~4'   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~...........................,  i...................."' 
Wei olsd,.............os................
A.         _     o............do................................................!..............
fi_..'.  Pcteo n H. CoTy.....Uaimore................I.................................................
C',a.. d.urn..............o................4      0! 4a; 1   P   9
EoY A. P. F oi  s............oui  I...........I:,1, 1t 9 ~ J




U~       IIIi (
Raisins, per pound.                    Dried apples, per pound.             Soap, per pound.
Names.                                       R esidence,  ___________________                                                                                            
Boston.  New  York.  Norfolk.    Boston.  New York,  Norfolk.  B,
and Norfolk.
Cents.        CCj ts.       Cennts.       Cents.        Cents.        Cents.            Cents.
Gurtis & C  o..................
Remington&  Co......~.,.~~.  Nkew York........,e...,.......B.................
George.W. Shaw.................. Boston...................   IS.1                           i   212                                                                        01~*^n " *^i"  **^^ "\
S.  ellson_...................        Fulton, \'. J..............   35              1  15           1 15^            3             i7             12              171
Jas. S. Sturges (informal)......    New York..............                                             1.........
Thomas Brown..................... Georgetown, D.C.......................         10            10 8.....
WViiam  Lan.....................  Boston...............   10          i11 11                           9           It             12                5.45
John Woodside &  Co..........                 Phladelphia.................................,
Wardawell, Knowlton, &  Co........    Nev York......................................................
Wfiliam i eilman..................................................'.....
J on ~   Io', ns........................;........................~..............l....................
JohnA.. i................... Norfolk................      1     I              11.49  " 9' 119.      96.20:  ~.:............... ~,.!          9     ~      9                      6.20
Thomas E. Lukens.....                        Philadelphia............................. 
R.A. Worvell................   Norfok...'....................................................
N. H. Graham............,....    Philadelphia.............    1                                 S12                          9.87           9             9
J, 0. Donoghues (informal)........... New York................................  
Alphe~s Fohes..                                    c-......          I. 1         10i        113                 9             97-16. 10                      7'Wells, Miller, &  Prevost...........do..,,,..                   ~...............
Si eph,G- Mern, &  rBo t.................do                      13 4-10.12..-10    ".10 2.10    99-10        1.i04-10           5.53'.sr. T. Sargent (informal)..........................,... 
Storer &  Steveg..  0  I -o..'" n'''..............~
A. B.FPat er-s&Co.n........1...                               1....5o...5................... 
H1yatt &Slmmp.....................                        12            12.                         10             10..........
JohnA.Higgi............... Norfolk,...............    117-10 I                    117-10        11.49           103            9.70          9N               6.20
A. Jeff  a   c.........................o..................................          7 
M. U:artlett;........................  Bost................ 
Tibera           RicKetts........   11.17' l.' o                7.85~         7'85.......
Esau P ck r eli.                                e                                            ilD00.................
Grdon K. Tyler....,.....         Baltimore-....,.,...................
E, P. Holden........................    o.............................
NAyu  lkR T           T.......T re......f Provisions' and Cohing,            15. ~mnel'  9,... 
NAVYo PJF.MJEt Tv',er.......... uboe.............'.....[.....!... 




Abstract of proposals received for "cdlthing  qnd cotinng  materils"  under the ad-crtissnent of  the  Bureau  of  ProvmiSon$
and Clothing, datled April 171, 1S50.
2-1~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~0                                0
Namee,                     Residence.           I                    I                                                                 I
~^           ~                ~         ~ ~        ~          ~      ~ ~           ~ -        ~           ~          ~          ______.   ____ ^~~~~_____  cJ
Each.   Each.    Each.    Each.    El ach.   Each.   Each.                 Yard.       Each.    Each.  Yard.
Dan iel. B. Zrice...,.......  Neaw York..................................
Wiwin, Kehoe, f Galloupe..  Boston...........    6 00    $5 50    84 50                       0                $1  85 S0 Q' "190 85,'O"I0'O    "M'8'''    L7
Tinnbh' kee i         ts.          NeYork.                   6 73      5 70       4 90       3 00      1 37         88         85      34           1 00       1 ( 5     5 4
William Mathews...  o....................................................'      31          96      1 i
Fta &  W   ice..,... B     so........,.........................................U; Z^  ^
Feair~, &A~itney.Boston....                                                                                                                                  95   75           A
D. &J. Nobiit.Philadelnhia.........*...........................
Gant &  l-rton.                     New York.....................................'.....'..............
Aaron   homes.ones...~..I Germantown, Pa..................................
John A..  ogins.N....               Norfolk,.a.    7.   50            600.650
M   H  oapon....~~~~~~~ Boston                               360        150          90~~~~~~  1 10:37          1 25       1020       623~
M. H. slampson........1 Boston....,......,...,.,...............Charles  CGiiiord...............'... do......................... ~...............'.."'" ^                      y......... o...
John   W etbierbee, ir.....,.1.do.....,....,.........,,......~...........\\'1 ^'' "     " "      ^ "        ~   "  ~.   -................
Chade9W azein.\o7..          do.'...~.......~-                                                                                       ~'..................




SNamesv                                                            0         0er~idence..,   -   | Reidnce5
Yard.      Yard.       Pair.     pair.   Pair.       Pair.     Pair       ac      Each.     Each.
Daniel S. Grice.               New York..........                                                               I....................        $1 69
Whiting,Kehoe,&GMalloupe.. Boston...-. $0 0   0 j.......                                       2500                                             1 9' 2  Q 
-15    2   05  00  o   9         200
Timberlake& Ricketts......    New York........   25 94, i......                                                t            4 43    81          1 70
William Mathews.............                       24 3-10      8 3..........                         3 79    8i   2    1 57
Fearing& Whitney.   B............ ot............. 3 
D. & J.Noblit,................. Philadelphia..............................  5 9 8.. 
Grant & Barton........New York.......    23........   1 60 
Aaron & Thomas Jones..... Germaitown, Pa..........   4. 
John A. Higgins....l Norfolk, Va......   35               10      $1 75          2 00     1 62     50            25     4 3      87         1 94
Charles Gifford.........do...........................                        o               I 
Cbarle                                                                       -1 1 19-10|   1 QO  I 1..............^^^
John Wetherbee, jr........................    68.............
Sumner Fla.do................  4 28.
Charles War r en.................................... 37
NAVY DEPARTMEN-T,
Bvea-u of Provaisions and Clothing, November 9, 1850.




DOC LNo. l
H.
Abstract of prposcils received for'' srall-stores,"  under the advertisemenc
of the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing, dated April 22, 1850.
C, 
00'~~~^                   S.;       ^. &    ^     ^        ^      ^
Artcles.                     1"    1^                ^^1  
s       0                               a
Boxes, shaving...................each....0 05  ^009  ~0 05   0 08   0 02   0 05   0.05
Brushes, shaving...............                     8      10      10      10       2       6       5
scrubbing................do....    18            24      20      20      19!    20       20
shoe..............5
shoe....................do....    22            25      20      10      19      25      15
clothes....................do....    10  27    10      10       2      30       3
Buttions, navy, vest.............per gross. 225   262   1 75   250   1 50                   50   1 00
navy, coat...........        do....  4 50   525   300   450   225   300   400
dead-eye.................do....    21             21      20      20      22      10      16
Blacking, boxes of..............per dozen.    44           56      50      75      50      50      45
Beeswax, in 4 lb. cakes.........per pound.    26            30      25      32      27      30      22
Combs, coarse.................per dozen.    50              62     50      70      25       50      70
fine....................do....    9    0   1 0         0 100   100        25   100   110
Cotton, spools of..................do....    25             36     30      45       15      30      40
Grass, for hat................100 hands. 2 20   275   2 25   2 00   2 00   1 50   2 00
Handkerchiefs, cotton.............each...    14             19      15      15     20        5       8
silk................do....    55          55      50      74      75      55      60
Jack-knives......................do,...    33               38      25      49      50      26      24
Looking-glass.....................do....             6      18      10      10       1      10      18
Mustard seed.................per pound.    18               16      10......   14            7      20
Needles, in papers of 25 each....per M...    50   1 50   1 00   1 25              50   125   1 00
Pepper, black................ per pound.    15              16      12              15       5      15
red.......................do....            5      23      10...    15             5      15
R-izors, in single cases............ each...    25          38      25      35      10      33      25
-azor strops......................do....    30              58      30       20      5     25       25
Ribbon, hat....................per piece.    65             77     55       79      70      66      70
Soap, shaving, in cakes.........per dozen.    20            30      25.25        3      12      25
Silk, sewing, blue-black........per pound. 6 00   7 25   5 00   4 50   2 50   6 00   6 50
Scissors.........................each...    19              27      20      28      30      18      16
Spoons...........................do....              4       5       4       5       6       5       3
Thread, black, white, and blue..per pound.    55            80      55      88      75      60      58
Tape, black and white.........'.per dozen.    30            30     25      35        3      10     25
Thimbles........................each...              2       3       1       1       1       4       1
NAVY DEPARTMENT, Buireau of PYorsions and Clothing, At'. 9, 1850,




306                                    Doe. No. L.
abstract of proposals received for the supply'of "fresh beef and vegetables,"
at the several navy-yards, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1851,
ander advertisements of  the  respective navy agents, by direction of  the.Bureau of Provisions and  Clothing.
Names.                    Where to be delivered.          Beef, per   Vegetables,
pound.      per pound.
Joacph B. Currier.......o.... Portsmouth, N. H.............   }0 08                    $0 01,Samuel P. Wiggin....................do...................                  9               1
Benjamin Kimball............. Charlestown, Mass                             7               2
Nahum Chapin........do....................            7               1.9
B    enjamin W. Valentine........ Brooklyn, N  Y...............            4.96            1.74
GCharles S. De Bost..................  d....................                  74            1.98
George Haws........................do....................    4.98            1.98
John J. Smith................ Philadelphia, Pa..............               10              3
ODavid Woelpper......................do........... 9  39
-G:?rge W. Pappler............ Baltimore, Md................               7              S
William Ward.........., Gosport, Va................                     6               3 
Wiliam Collins................do....................   6.87            2
Wiliam T. Bell............. Pensacola, Fa.................          5      ~       3
g. J. & A. G. Mileted............         do.........                        31             3
William MeVoy......................do...............    5               3
HIenry A. Nunez..............             do....................            6               4
oseph Sierva......................... do..............             51             3.Yv  DEPARTMENT,
Bureau of Provisions and Clothing, Aovne7rer 9, 1350.




K.
Abstract of roosy als received fori  Sp                     / (f        vy bcj            d        vy po' 1851,   T                    ie    adverliseoment of  the
u rcau of #Provis3ions anzd Clothing, dated Aug'ust 1  1850.
N avy beef.' Navy pork.
Names.                        Residence.
At. Boston,   At New York,   At Norfolk,             At Boston,   At New York,   At Norfolk,
1,800          barrel         s. 11800  barrels. 1,89000 ba rrels. 900 brrels  900 barrels.  900 barrels.
I  er barrel.    Per barrel.       Fer barrel.      Per barrel.       Per barrel.       Per barrel.
Seward, Bangs, &  Crouse......  Fayetteville, N. Y.....                  11 50            11i 50          $11 50            $13 00             13 00            $13 00
Perry & Jacobs................ Bos ton, ass...........0 74                          i 44....                   O
Henry Ames & Co...        St. Louis, Mo.......              11 70             I1 70             11 70            11 70             11 70             11 70?
Brawley, Douglas, & Hastings... Meadville, Pa......                 11 19             10 73             10 93            12 23             10 93             -11 09
John R. Childs & Co.....       Cincinnati, Ohio............................................                         11 49             1i 49   11           99       Z
E. A. &  W. Winchester.....   Boston, Mass......                      11 50........................         1*2 50............................    o
E. T. Bangs.................... Syracuse,  N......r              10 44            10 34             10 65            11 44             11t 44             11 60
Norman C. Baldwin........... Cleveland, Ohio.....                            93           10 86             11 17            13 25             13 00              13 371 ~
John iMoore*.............................................................
John D. Early..............   Baltimore,   d,d......                   0            10  0 1              00            1070 1C3. L0 720          10 73
Benonia P. Pratt..............    Troy, N.............               9 95             9 95              9 95            10 95             10 95             10 95
James C. Adams............ Baltimore, Md.......                11 97            11 47             11 47            12 47             11 97              11 97
James M. Shaw..........              Boston, lMass........              10 37            10 70             10 70            10 40             10 80              10 90
~ Informal.
NAVY DEPARTMIENT, Bureau of Provisions andt Clothing3, Novenmber 9, 1850,
^4




353                            Doc. No. l,
L.
Abstract of proposals received for the transportation of stores from the
navy-yard at Brooklyn, New  York, to the' navy yard at Pensacola,
florida) under an  advertisement of the Bureau of  Provisions and
Clothing, dated January 7, 1850.
Names.                           Vessel.             Price per bbL.
Nathaniel Hamlen.........        A good vessel...........0 S7T
G. Winthrop Coffin................o                     84
James W. Elwell..........   Barque Emma Lincoln.....                      44
William Lang..............     A satisfactory vessel........            84
Abstract of proposals received for the transportation of stores from  the
navy-yard at Charlestown, Massachusetts, to Port Praya, Cape de
Verde, under an advertisement of the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing, dated June 7, 1850.
Names.                           Vessel.              Price per bbL.
George M. Weld.                      vessel............ A vessel.     $0 69
Nathaniel Hamlen...........       A good vessel.............              74
Abstract of  proposals received  for the transportation  of stores from
Brooklyn, New York, to the Mediterranean, under an advertisement of
the navy  agent at New  York, (by direction of the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing,) dated November 1, 1850.
Names.                           Vessel.              Price per bbL
James W. Elwell............ Barque A. F. Jenness......               $0 59
Chamberlain &  Phelps..... Ship Arcole..............      8
James W. Elwell........... Barque Sarah Hand........                       89




Doc. No. 1.                              30
T.- Continued.
Abstract of proposals received for the transportation of stores from  Charles.
town, Massachusetts, to Port Praya, under an. advertisement of the
navy agent at Boston, (by direction of the Bureau of Provisions a.d
Clothing,) dated November 4, 1850.
Names.                          Vessel.              Price per bhL
Kingman, Henry, & Rice....  Barque Antelope...........   $1 I'
Aaron Rice & Co........... Brig Qttawa.............                     98
C. J. F. Binney............ A good barque............                 75
Nathaniel Hamlen,......... A good vessel...........                  80'
seo. M. M  Weld.........................6......                          4
Joseph B. Ludlow..........        An A No. I vessel.......              609
A. A. Frazar.......e..... A good ship...e...........             2
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
Bureau of Provisions and Clothing, Novemaber 13, 1850.




Stater.ant of  contracts  made by the B1ureau  of  Provisions andi  Clo Ainngforj                                i anid -   beb.af  of  ike Navy Department, for
"supplies for  1/'navy," to  be  delivered during  Ike fcal year ending-Jne 30, 1851: prepared in obedience to the
acts of Congress approved Apri 21,                 0  and Iarh 3, 1809. 
Contractors' names.          Date of con-                  Aricles contra.ted fur.                        At what price.               Where to be delivered.
tract.
Hyatt & Stunip.........  May -, 18t50   Beans........................  $1 45         per bushel....  New York.
Bucklin & Crane...........      May, 1850   Tea..................  37  per pound...    N - ew York and Norfolk.
Remilgton &Co...........  May   -, 1850    ickles..................'          do..... Boston and'1 Noi folk.
3          do........ Newe  York.
N. Hicks Grah.........  May   2, 1850   Vinegar....................... 8.    per gallon.                   BostoJS, New York, and Nolqolak. -
Tirflberlake& Ricl'ettts.        May   2, 18590  Coffe..................                  8 18 per pounda..... Ne    0ok
RPaisins..................                  o.O... 11 i8 No iff.
MolassesN,,~'.5,73 per galto.......                                            Nev York.
25. 79      do........ Norfolk. 
Whiskv....~............                        27.2 S4      do..... Boston.
J'                                             Se-,26.43    do            N ew York.
CGeorge W   Shaw.......... May   2, 1850   Rice.......C................                  31   per pound...... Boston and New  York.
Dried appl'es......................  do;Butter. c......e, * e e e...se vo o o~e.o. I.    do...... Boston, New York, and Norfolk.
Aaron Jefers............... May   3, 1850   Dried apples............... 7.                          do            Norfolk.
Wardwell, Knowlton, & Co.. May   3, 1850  Sugar.................... 5..5          do........few York.
5.95 5     do.....   Noifolk.
WVilliam Laong...~.....,.o May   4, 1850   Soap..........                                              5.45       do.......      oston, New York, and Nofolk.
Tea.....................................*  e.       31           do.Q:w.Yok  Boston.
Raisins........................*..........     10           do
Molasses..........................  24    per gallon.
Sugar....................................               51   per pound.
Beans..............6...o................     35"   per bushel.
John A. Higgins.......... May   4,1850   Whiskey................................                          251-  per gallon..... Norfolk.
Thomas Brown........... May   4, 1850   Biscuit (in tight casks)...,.............   S 67    per 100 pounds. Boston.
3 65          do........ New York.;                                                                                               3 44           do........ Norfolk.
Enoch P. 1Holden.......i... May   4, 1850   Biscuit (in flour barrels)..................... 3                 d...Boston.
3 113         do...e.....New York.




.                                                            306                S do........ b    Norfolk.
John A. Higgiis.,....   ~, May   4, 1850   Floour............           0.               5 87       per barrel.....    Boston.
5 59           Cdo........   New York.
5 35            do........ Norfolk.
Bea. u.................    1 19         per  buslhel.
WRiice..........................                    3.49 per pound.
Alpheus Fobes............... May  -   1850   Raisins...................                         10            do.....    New  York.
~~Wim~~~~~iame fMathews.......... May  27,850   Bluef ne...............   29    -10 peryard.....  Boston, New York  and   orfolko
Black silk handkerchiefs................                   81  -12    each.                           0'     I.
B lankets........................................  1    57  do
Barnsit-y sheetilg....................      52       per yard.
Canvass duclk...............,.             3- 10    do
Dungaree......................,.....  8 3-10     do
Aaron and Thomains Jones.... May -, 1850   WVoollen stockirns.....................           40 5-12 per pair.
Woollen socks.......                                                      do
Whiting, Kchoe, &  Galloupe. May  28, 1850   Blue peajackets,........................   6 00              each.
Blue rnoney jackets.......................   5 50                          do
Blue round jackets...               o...................   4 50       do
Blue trowsers............................       3               do                                                           0
Blue flannel overslirts,..... o............            11  5o             do 
Blue flannel  undershirts...................                80            do
Blue flannel dra  ers..........,,....,                                elo
Sheeting fioeks........................        05           do
Canvass duck trowsers  e..................                   85            do
John  Vetherbee, jr.........          May  28, 1850   Mattresses and covers,.....................   3 63'                              do
Charles Gifford............. May  30, 1850   Calfs-kin shoes........................1 1 1 9-10 per pair.'                 Kipskin shoes........................                  1 00             do 
Calfskin pumps................,      C0O           do
SIi-'slCres, zz:
John AX i-liggins........... June 1, 1850  Boxes, shaving..................               5          each.
Brushes, sbhaving..........................                    5           do
Brushes, scrubbing..................... SO          do
Blshes, shoe.............................     15           do
B rushes, clothes....,.,.    3                                                o
Buttons, navy, vest.................,   1 00      per g-: os S
Buttons, navy, coat......................    4 00                       do
Buttons, deadeye.......................                 16            do
Blacidng, boxes of.................,,......                  45        per dozen.
Beeswax..............   2. 22                         per pound.
Combs, coarse....                          7. s   e   0  per dozen.




iMI-Continued 
Contractors' names.          Date of con-                   Articles contracted for.                        At what price.                Where to be delivered.
tract.
John A. Higgins —Continued. June   1, 1850   Combs, fine.............................     10         per dozen..... Boston, New York, and Norfolk.
Cotton, spools of...P....P............O.  40          do
Grass, for hats.............        2 00    per 100 hands.
Handkerchiefs, cotton..................d..                8         each.
Handkerchiefs, silk........................             60           do
Jackknives..............   24                  do
Lookin-glasses..........................                18          do
Mustard seed.........,.,,......                  20      per pound.
Needles, assorted.........................   100        per 1,000.
Pepper, black...........................                 15      per pound.
Pepper, red..............................                15          do 
Razors, in single cases  *................      25          each. 
Razor strops..........,..........5                 do 
Riband, hat..............................                70      per piece.
Soap, shaving.......................            25      per dozen.
Silk, sewing.....................   6. 0       per pound.
Scissors.........................        16         each. 
Spoons................................         3          do
Thread.........,................             58     per pound.
Tape..................................                 25     per dozen.
Thimbles......................1.                      each.
Joseph B. Currier..       ortsm    o     June -,1850   Freah beef....................8                             per pound.....     Portsmouth, N. HL
Vegetables.................................                           do
Nahum  Chapin............  June 12, 1850   Fresh beef...............................         7~          do..          Boston, Mass.
Vegetables.................................     1.9        do
Benjamin W. Valentine...... June -, 1850   Fresh beef................................                        4.96        do....... New York
Vegetables...........~.1......'...........              1.74       do
David Woelpper..........   June   6, 1850  Fresh beef...........................                                          do..    Philadelphia, Pa.
Vegetables.............................                  3          do
George W. Pappler.......;   June  3,1850  Fresh beef.,......................                7           do.,.....    Baltimore, Md
Vegetables,.......             2          do
William. Ward. e,..~,..    June   6, 1850   Fresh beef..........                                              6          do....   Norfolk, Va.
Vegetables.............O........ Q,. ~......     1  do
WilliamMeVoy.   O.    D.. June 28, 1850   Fiesh beef..............                              o....... *.,.   5  do........ Penacola, Fla,




{bgnonia  P.  Wratfr,Vegetabless....  4 a                -                           do
Benonia P. Pratt.........,.. Sept. 3, 1850..1,800 barrels navy beef;.......           95    per barrel,,..     Charlestown, MThai,.
1,800..do....d...do                               995            do......    BrookIyn,. TY.
1,800..do...do...do.............................                                 Gosport, V.
James M. Shaw....Sept. 10, 1850  900.....do....do..pork.................... 1 0 4d0 e'....                              C harlestown, Mass.
John D. Early............   Sept.  4,1850  900....do... do....do................    10 72          do....        Brooklyn, N..
900....do.....do.............               10 73          do.......        Gosport, Ya.
Unexpired contracts:
Gilbert Davis............... April 28, 1847   160,000 pounds navy butter........,,,                       25     per pound.         Boston, New York, and oorfolk.
Frederick Griffing.......        May  6, 1847  40,000....do....do....do  4.............o 4                             do 
Eli L. Corbin...........        May 26, 1847  40,000...do....do............                        22           do
Gilbert Davis............. May   3, 1847  200,000...do....do..cheese.............                   17          do
William Starr...........  May 10, 1847  40,000....do....d..do.............            133         do
Orrin Brown...............May 10, 1847  40,009....do....do....do................       14          do
H. Burrill& Co.......           June  5, 1847  40,000        do... do... do..  do..............      15          do
Robert A. Mayo............ March 1, 1849  Tobacco.................................                     18          do
Charter Parties.  
Barque Emma Lincoln.......      Feb.  8, 1850  Freight of stores...................       44    per barrel...,. To Pensacola. F1a.
Ship Ariel.....      May  14, 1850              Do............                             1 50           do...,,.   To Macao, China.
Brig G. W. Brinkerhoff......July  16, 1850.                 Do..............................               69          do....,.   To Port Praya, Cape de Verde.
$ These continue for four years from their respective dates.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, Bureau of Provisions and Clothing, N.^ovember 9, 1850,




364                              Doe. No. 1I
No. 6.
NAVY D EPARTMENT,
Buresu of Mlfedicine and Su"rgery, October 14, 1850.
SIR: I haVe the honor to submit herewithn estimates of the several sums
required for the support of this bureau, and the medical department of
ite naval service, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1852:
Bl ance of appropriation,; surgeons' necessaries and appiances," renmaining on hand June 30, 1850    -                 -  $tL,48  82
Amount appropriated by act of Congress approved Septcemhe 28, 1850.       -                 -.,800 00
B3alance of sug1ei'ens1'   n" eccsslares and  alia
treasury OctoDer, 1850                      -                       3 737 14
Amount  t of naval hospital fund in treasurvy Oct 1, iuSO           " 208203 27
t h1.e aLount  reouired for the support of the Blreau of iedcine and. Surgirvv dcuri- n  the fiscal year endting,-ne 30,
1852, (estimrate A) is-..          78O0 00
The a-moitu.nt rIequired fior surgeons' necessaries and appliances on boarld seagoin  ships, at navy yards and naval
stations, fr' the marine corps and the coast survey, during
the same period; (estinate B) is          -                          37- )00 00
I subioi  a tabular statemen t, derived from  a collection of all the sick
reportis weceived fiom hospitals and other stations within the United States,
during the year ending June 30  185 i0:
h.                                           -.,    p,.,, O                    7 35       4. 68 C.T,- _Iosp~m..........,._._7
N.'avJl ospiuala-  O7,..        17 O* 66   1,041   ], 00   57  35   i,297 i 123   4.6
Receinshis............       332    778      776   9   -       8I10  25   1.l
2davy- odaids &c...... o....   48   1, 8 1,2i      6        1,303  337    S8   0.44
Agreg atte..................  256   3,108   3, 081  72  35   3,64   176   2.44.
The statistics of the force on foreign stations cannot be given for so late
a period; but from  the aggragate returns of squadrons and shore posts for
the year ending September 30, 1849, the following result has been ob



Doe. No. lo                                  36
tained, with all the accuracy practicable under the present system  of reporting:'       t   QJ'~,
C, -,_                    0 5   ^0""*  ^
Squadrons,.5 -,
Pacific....................................   92      3, 046     20       98    0.65
Mediterranean.............................   80      3,386      23      1  4    0. i
Brazil...,.                                4...........*..............  43  1,139  8  36'    0.7)
Hlomee, or West India...............    37, 761      11       46    0.39
Afi can...................................    44 795             1       39    0. i
East nda..............................  20    1, 175     33       76(   2. 8
Naval hospitals................              21!,385     66      11    4.83
Navy-yards, receiving-ships, &c............. 110      3,97 4  _ 1         G2    0.30
Aggregate.......................       617   17,641     174      622      0 8
The principal feature of this exhibit is the large mortality reportLe  irL
the East India squadron, owing to the prevalence of epidemic dysen:tery
on board the U. S. sloop Preble; and, in  connexion  with th1at evern, I
would take occasion to speak in the highest terms of the able and faithful
mnanner in  which the medical officer in charge sustained the tr-ying  responsibility of his station.
1With such occasional exceptions, the sanitary condition of ou"r naval
forces abroad is generally most satisfactory.  The largest proportion  of
deaths occurs at naval hospitals, to which are transferred the more serious
cases both from home and foreign stations; but in the aggregate, the ratio
of deaths to cases, in the whole service, will be found to compare ifavorabiy witli the like statistics in other communities, while it also testifis to
the skill and attention of the nmedical corps.
Repeating the suggestions offered in my last report, I would again urge
the investment of the naval hospital fund as an object of great importance to
the medical interests of the navy.  Although the annual receipts from  the
contributions of officers and seamen, and from  the stopped rationis of the
sick, have for several years exceeded the disbursemients for naval hospitals, it is to be feared that these accumulating balances would cease witkl
the demands of a new station, such as may, at no distant time, be anticipated upon the extended western seacoast.  In view  of this contingency,
as well as to secure the integrity of a fund derived from  the sailor's earnings, and peculiarly devoted to his comforth it would seem both expedieixt
and just to promote its prosperity by a measure equally safe and advantageous.
It is very desirable that an  appropriation should be asked for an additional building to accommlodate the insane of the service, -whose presenece
among the sick in naval hospitals has been so long and justly cormplain.d
of.  The necessity for such a provision has been so fully explained in previous comnmunications and repo ts, that no new views remain to be ofa ed..
It has been recognised by the department in an order to furnish thie plan
-of a suitable edifice, with an e stiimate of its cost.  Both hav-:  beeon s ubiUt



G66 t                            oce No.s.
ted     ted,  lmy  tr of Juily Sthi last: and frnom thLe  fact that the amouln, t required is not large., o or re than commensurate with the advantages to'be
attained, and that the expense of marintaining such an institution would
add but slightly to presernt outlays, I trust that the proposition mlay m-eet
viith your approval and support.
I have requested the chief of the Bureau of Docks and Yards to append
to thie estimates for the New-York station an item of $1,500 for the erecs
ti-n of a small laboratory within the enclosure of the na-val hospital.  Si:ne
the yeari8z5 the experiment of supplying the navy with medicines prepared under the supervision of its own officers has been successfully tried;
and though, necessarily upon a linited scale, from want of adequate and,
appropriate convelniences, the result has been such as to assure me that
pharmaceutical preparactions and reost of the iu)portant chemicals may bemade and issued with entire confidence in their purity, and at a great reductioi from martiet prices.
The apartments now in use as a laboratory are in the basement of' the.,hosplital; unsuited even fir presient operations a.ndU especially so for any
more extended, besiess being manifestly misapplied in a building devoted
to the reception and treatment of the sick.
To remove and ftcilitate the work of the chemis.t, to afford stor'age —roomn.
for medicines, and opportunity for a wider diffusion of the benefits already
realized, it is believed that the small aimount desired will be fillyv suffi~cient, while more than an equivalent will be attained in the increasedeconomy and reliability of medical supplies.
The department is already aware of the severe and unequal aLmount of'
labor necessarily imposed upon the medical corps, and of the importanee
of increasing its effective number.  The terms cf service of the sur-geons
range ifrom twelve tofifty years.
it is apparent that many must be disqualified by age and infirmity from1
performing their share of active duty; while each year that passes adds to
the burden of the younger grades, fromi  which substitutes have to be obtained, although legally excluded from  the pay and rank appropriate to
their forced position.
I would most earnestly ask your consideration of the statement presented with my last report, as embracing all the grounds upon which thisnmeasture of relief is so strongly and generally desired.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
THO. HARRIS,
CG/ief of Bitreau of.]Meicine and Sucurgery.,
Hon. WILLI.M AM. GRARAM),
Secretary of the Naevy.




Doc. No. 10 L6T
A.
Estimate of the amount required for the support of the Bureau of Miledicine and Surgery for the year ending June 30,. 1852, under acts of Con.:
gress approved August 31, 1842, and September 30, 1850.
Salary of chief of bureau    -                    3000 00
Salary of assistant to chief'                     1,400 00
Salary of one clerk                               I  1,200 00
Salary of one clerk   -.             1,000 00
Salary of messenger                                 700 00
-   -~     $7,^q00 00
Contingent e.zenses.
Labor -,.  120 00
~Blanik'books and stationery..                  350 00
4Miscellaneous items  -      "                      100 00
-~ ~            m'Q_ 570 00
Total required                         -           7,8 0 00
THO. HARRIS,
Chief of Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.
Respectfully submitted, to equalize the salaries of the clerks in this bureau
with those of other clerks in the bureaus of other departments of the
government:
Additional to one clerk, 1st class -                              t- 200 00
Additional to one clerk, 2d class -                               200 00
B.
Estimzate from  the Bureau of MIedicine andd Surgery of the amount required for the support of the medi cal department of ships afloat, navyyards, naval stations, marine corps, and coast survey) for the year ending June 30, S152.
Razee-1 
1 at 1$,400      -....                 $1 400 00
Frigates-60
16 at $1,200 each     -.  7209 00




368                         Doc. No. 1.
Sloops-16.
7 of first class, at s800 each -                 5,600 00
6 of second class, at $700 each                  4,200 00
3 of third class, at 0600 each                       1,800 00
$11,600 00
Steamers-9.
4 of first class, at $700 each -    -            2,800 00
2 of second class, at S500 each                      1000 00
3 of third class, at $300 each                     900 00
4,700 (JO
2 rigs-4.
4 at $5 00 each              -                                   00 00
Sh&ooners-2.
2 at $300 each                       600 00
ore~10 -s h 7-is
3 at $250 each       -; o750 00
4 at $225 each                      -  900 00
__-    1,G O 00o
Recei2vin??g s/ipS —4.
1 at $1,300, (U. S. ship North Carolina)       1,300 00
I at $800, (U. S. ship Pennsylvania)       -       800 00
I at $600, (U. S. ship Franklin)    -              600 00
I at $300, (U. S. ship Ontario)            -       300 00
~ ~-      3.000 00
Nya"vy yards —.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire          -               100 O0
Boston                     _                       2-50 00
New York             -      -                      350 00
Philadelphia, including receiving-ship "Union"    350 00O
Washington. -    3^0 0O
Norfolk              -      -       -      -       400 00
Pensacola...                 500 00
Metmphis      -                     -.       5 00
-~,~.5 Q0




Duoc.  No  1. J.
Naval stations —3.
Marine barracks, Washington          -           $1 500 00
Naval School, Annapolis      -       -              400 00
-Observatory, and general relief of officers   -    300 00
$2,200  0
Coast surveyc
I steamer    -..     $150 00
2 steamers, at $125 each    -        -      -       250 00
2 schooners, at $75 each    -.                150 00
I steamer, at $50    0       -                       50 00
"Temporary relief of sick seamen in vessels
having no medical officers -      -       -        00 00
900 00
R EC APtTULATION.
I razee -    -',40000
6 frigates             -.                           7,200 00
16 sloops        -..                                      1,600 00
9 steamers     -           -          -                        4'700 00
4 brigs -              -..                       2,0   00
2 schooners    -       ".                                 600 00
7 storeships..                          1, 650 00
4 receiving-ships      -        3,000 00
8 navy-yards."      -                               2 350 00
3 naval stations -. -.                   2200 00?Coast survey   -       -    900 00
Total required.                             3'  600 00
THO. HARRIS'
Chief of Bureau of Medicine iad tur gery.
RECAPITUL iTIOiN
Civil.;Salaries -      -                                             $7  -  7300 00
Contingent..,                  -                       570 00
Submitted                   -         0                -          400 00
Sil..geons' necessaries, &c.    -                      -       37,G00 Cq
24




No, 7,
H.EABvQIARTERS, OF T'I1IE MARAiNE CORPe,!Washtinglotic e Novemn-ber 19, 1850
SR: Y-our l. ette: of the 9th. instant, directing me to increase the guards
of the reDeiv-ingships at Boston, New  York, a.d  Norfolk, has been r'eceived.
The prese.nt distribution of lte corps, as exhibited in.tIe general return.
which accomipanlies this, shows that it is not in my power to increase the
guards of the receiving-ships, without prejudice to other equally important
requisitions on it.
The general reteur  shows, in the first place, that the corps is very titlit
withint its legal st;rerngth,   In the sec0nd place, it exhibits its distribuatiorn
into guards or detachments on board the ships-oc-war, and at the respeciLt
ive mainie barracks.
It  th.e shiops-of-wvar of all classes there were, oil the 31st ultinio, sxh
captains' 11 first lieutenants, 12 second lieu-tenaitAs  P51 sergeants, 70 corporals, 22 drummersa  21 fifers, anrd 652 privates; leaving ifr duty on land.
4 5 sergeants,  22 corporals, 1-  drummer1s,       0 fliers, a.nd 277 privates.
T The force onn shore is nearly equally distributed am long the several stations;
reserving at headquarters just mern enough to attend to police duty, wit houta havgil   a single sentinel on post, and, coniseqtentlywithout beliag
able to afsord instruction in the drill; or evel  imipart to the soldier the,
krnovledge of the duty of a sentinel oni post-so esseitial in active servirce
on land or in the ships-of-war.  If the strenlgt  of  the corps would admnit
of it, I believe it would be of great advantage to make this station the de-3
pot for drilling the men.
By reiref nce to the st.renglth, of the rguard a  t ea. c  nh one of the stal'io:i
oiln shore, and at head quarters, t}e. depairtment vwill ireadily observe tat io
detail can be tmade properly frorm  a foirce alreacdy so smnall and inadequ;ate.
I believe that evetn a st onr-gef guaird  thaa that required in. your lettemr of
the 9th iinstaiit is nelcessary on board the receiving-ships, where so rmaV
newly siLipped xlen are sent for distribution throug'houtg the service.  I
sincerely regret that I a   compelld to report to the department ray onnality to comply with its order, without,  a. befs bre e m.entio1ne d o, dong i-i:, 
injury to the public service on shore.
This bein.g the condition of the corps, the deparnent must see the h'ecessity of its enlargement to enable it to meet the detanids now making'
on  t, evei wit hout a reference  to the crsis brouoght on by the abolition of
corporal punishlmnent in the navy.  Previous to this enactmtent, the guards
on board the ships-of-war were so small as to impose on. each soldier'verly
arduous duty as a sentinel.  To explain in detail the severity of this duty
woutfld be tedious to the department, but its character is such. as to entitleit to that irelief which can only be Ifarished by an ad.dition; of at least
one-third to the strength of each. guard.  Besides whiclh, when not on.
post. the inarine has his regular watch on d(eck,,and far every additLonia
priv- te s.ent on board ship, one landsiman can be dispensed with, w'i'},,llt
prejudicae to the efficiency of a man-of-war.
During the last war with England, adnd       previous o o thatn our vessels 1h-ad
a prvate marine to each grun.  This would now give 90 for a ine-o:f b-atle
ship, fom  50 to 60 for each frigate, and int toat pr-etportion ifr t"he,oti'tr
classes of vessels.  The present table will show' how much smaller ithese
guai rs na3ow  are.  It  may  be here allowed to contrast the gua rds i o:f




Lse. Nol.                                    71
manrnes in the Engiish service with those of 6rs.  T heir line-ofbattle
ships have 150 privates, ours 52.  In that service marines are found more
useful than landsmen, or even ordinary seam.nen.  Is there any reason why
it should be otherwise in our service?  Is not the Amzerican sailor ini character much like the English?  Indeed, hlave we no.t  any English, Irish
and Scotchmen in ouir  navy, and are not the habits of sailors of Anglio
Sa xon  rigin pretty much alike?'  The guard of marines in each service is
conservative of good order and  discipline.  In the English navy, either for
efficiency in war or for the preservation of discipline in time of peace,
they have three narines to one in our navy.  In that service corporal
punishment has always existed, and still a large conservative force of soldiers is found necessary.
This is a most important crisis in our naval service, and urgently calls
for serious examination and reflection.  The great increase of our national
steamr  marine, and the prospect of its still further extension to keep pace
with  other naval powers, creates another consideration, and naturally
leads to the inquiry, what is the best force to place on board steamships of
war?  I beg leave now to say that the opinion expressed in a letter to the
department of the 11th May, 1841, (an extract from  which accompanies
this) remains unchanged.  I fully believe that a body of well drilled
soldiers is the most efiicient crew that can be placed in a war steamer.
With these considerations in view, I am compelled to recommend a cosnsiderable increase of the rank and file of the corps.  We have no desire to
increase the officers either-.i-, rank or numiber, but simply to imbody with
the corps the four captains, fou  irst and four second lieutenants, now
provisiR naly in the service by the action of Congress.
In support of my own v iews on the subject of te i   necessity of an
ic:rease of ther corps.  I beg leave to -ref —r the department to a letter from
Cornrmmdore Williarn  B. Slhubrick, dated 29th August, 1839, enclosing a
coinmunication of al the commani      ers in th e'West In.dia squadron; also
an.xtrac t of a letter from the same officer while in commiand of the Pacific
sqluadron, dated the 12th May, 1848.  I might also refer the department
to letters of Commodores Stewart, Perry, and Thos. Ap C. Jones, with.
manly others,  strongly nrging the necessiy of.nI in crase of the marine
corps'  All thtese lette:rs, together with the great increase not only of oui'
vessels-of-war bunt our commenrcial marinet in every sea, seem to establish
beyond a question the urgent necessity thlat now exists of a considerable
enlargement of the marine corps.
The increase of mantries on board the ships of-war may justify a decrease of landsmen, and even ord;iary seamnen; thus creating no additional expense.  T his increase Tay also render irreslonsible and inefficient watchmen unnecessary; their places to be'supplied  by sentinels
amenable at all times to the laws and discipline of the service.
vThat the necessity for an increas  o the corps has existed and does exist, willi. I  m. surel be admitited by a.ll naval men; and I feel assured that it
will only be ilnecessary fbr you, sir, to exa.nmie into the subject to recomn
mend strongly the propriety of'its being do.ne, not only to insure greater
efficiency in our ships-of war, but for a better and more economical protect:ion.of the largme a.nmolt; of public property in ore navy.-yards.
i have thie  Ionor t re, TCain.  with -ra.I TC espsct your obedient serlvar.an^
ARCH. HJE'NDERSON,
Brigader A.enerl C'.min.tda,.L%;;,:
on.''   A. C G1iA.HAM; Siee ia r   f/C       I74a voe




general retutrn of the officer, non-commissioned officers, muiceian s, and privates  f the  UTnited States marine  corps,for the:
month of  Octobern 1850.                      t
III...11,._..- _
G  u                                 ardy ast;thny-ad  Dit                     a t         ric   to        for t 
~Brooklyn, ew York..                                                                         O
jeiladquitera Pe.....a........,..... 1 3..... 1...2.... W..h..gt   i  mi  barcs  B                                                                        er   5
Stationg,&c.                  1    1         11.1e                                                            Remarks.                              
nrdn taolnavey-yrdst Dsorida....................... l..T..:....Hardy:bent.. I  leave
rooynt Naew, York1.....".... 1    n.....56....
NoeasqortferVing sip ni,.o.............................                       Washington, mere   barracks.  Briadier   enera 
P   Henderson, the aPjutant and inspector, paymastir, quar-..2
termaqterr  and aid-deNcax1p  to brigadier general cor-    *
oBrooklyn Li New Yorkcl..thig.................             2...j.'    1  56
returned here have been detailed as a guard for the sloop
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.....................   1 2    1 43.. 2 1 57    72
Norolk, Virginia clothing store................  
North Carolina.......... t1  12 L.        21.  0    25
Franklin..    11  1..                                         21 o o  20 | 24 i
UTn on.......                         I.. I..  i. I.  I.  I  2 I  12QI 15 
Brolrl7LI Nw  96FM ~~0000~..DJ0 1~~~P P          1 5 2              243  6




Michigan.,...................... I.     1      16
Saranac.......:;.................,!,...1  12. i           3
RazeeIlndependence............                                     I        1 21.ii'.'    i  38    48 une 3, 850.
Frigate Constitution........1..                                       3..  1  1  35    4    Ocober, 1849, when this guard was I  st ieutenant, 1 
135 4[   cItuhr  35 18A0 wnn1s
i  I            Oleernnt   ets,  3 corporals, 2 rmsicians., a1 d 36
~,.I~~~ i   I                       li~~privates; since which, I private ioire61 sloop JamestownX
Brandywine................. 3....   1  1  35    44   Auust,  850
Congress.....  1                                    ". 11"  1     4  1 24    1  39    5    August 31,1850.
Congressand.....,....................1..I.    1 f.  21 2  3  1. 11 38  7    pril S, 1850, when this guard was     ist ieutenant, 3 sergeeants, 3 corporals, 2 musicians, and 39 privates;  since
wvie,      i,private loined at New  York " sick."
Savannah..........                             1......   28    41     ui r i. 150.
Rarrian.......,........,        _...........   2' 4..   1  40    51   This  uard                   fro    Gspot Va, 7th   ly last.
St. Lawrence..........                                 1  32    43   Sepieiber.0 I8.
SSiop Saratoga..........                                                7:)..             1   1 0         Au.u........., 18 0,    v hen.this guard was 1  st Ieuenat, 1  r
geant, 2 corp orals, 2 musicians, and 19 privates; since
whichi fhi   private joined fror  tGosport, Va.
JSohn Adams  I.2 a....,......1.,....       1  15    22   June 30, 1850, when this guard was I 1st lieutenant, 2 Ser- 
geants, n  corporals, 2 musicians, and 16 privates; sine           ^
Vincennes..........^~~~~~~~~~~~~.~which, I private joined at New  York "sick."
Vincennes.......................... 1.. 2,..                               17    21.  Septemlbel        I 30, 1s5O.
-7Warren.,..,,~...,....       ~.............~ I~~I  I~~~..........:~.......:...:       g   Jey 6,1850. 8ee remarks on general return for iast month, p
since which, I private joined from  sloop V cenne.
Falmouth.......... 1    14    20   Augusst 31, 1850.
Vandalia......,....,........,.  1                                   1.  2..1   1  19    25   March 31, 1850, when this guard wa  1 ~std lieutenant, I aergeant, 2 corporals, 2 musicians, and 20 privates; since
which, 1 private transferred to sloop Warren.
St. Louis,.,.,.,,....................1.  I1   1..  1  1  19    24   June 30, 1850.
Portsmouth........,....,........               1.              1.. 1       19    26   May 31, 1850.  See remarks on general return for Julay laEst
Plymouth............1....                   I  1  17    22   October 31, 1849, when this guard was ~ sergeants, 2 core
porais, 2 musicians, and 17 privates; since which, I sergeant and 2 privates transferred, and 2 privates joined
i from sloop St. Mary's.
t.   arys......... 2...............                                      1  20    26   This guard joined from    osport, Va, 19th utimo.  Lieutenant Grahanm returned here; was ordered to this ship on
the 3d instant.
Preble,..........................................         12    1    July 31, 1850, when this guard was 1 sergeant, I corporal,
and 10 privates; since which, 2 privates joined from sloop
1'orktown.....,.,, _....................... 1,. 2.. 1..  16            O   May 31, 1850.  See remarks on general return for July lat
2[ *.;  i  ^  I  il  ^ I  i    I  I   l~t   ~ 




GENERAL RETJRNA-Continued
1                     t_ _   ______i    I                          ___    __ ____i__
StitinB D rs ^_                   E X r _m    z,, ei
Z
Ploop   erio.n. i,,........ 1.. |.i. 2I..     1!   19i   25 February 28, 1850, when this guard  was I 2d lie.tenant,!
ti       t  j        11 |                      (          whtich,i  I priva-te joined at New York. 
rDale.....................o....i ol.. 1 1 I j                                       2i I  August31,1850.
Brig Baiibridge...........I...g......o....       i  e...l.      5  6  his  uad oied fo   Ne  York ^5th ultimo 
Perry.. ~ T e e      roO*s; o                 io ^..  t...  *.  >i!   I.  -..  3 1   4   Aril 30 1850  whe  t his guard.a.s I crporali  and 5 pei~! jI   il         iil,1!  I,  1  I  t'!vates; sinTe which  2 piva.tes joined at GTS port 5Va.
Dolplhin..*e   r.,~.........>,..... b...1....,s e rb l.a. L \'.I' 1 *....1   5 1   6 I April 5, 5 1848, when this guard was I corporal and 6 ri-    F!! Ill      I  i        |l |    il,' vates;  since which, i private joined sloop St. ary's.
Dolphin......                                                 -9    2       eray  8  80   by....    this g ard was,
Pvrpoiae..*....................                 1.   5     6   This guard joined from Gosport, Va.,   Sth May last.
Superintendi-g recr. ing service...     Ir i!....      See remarks in general return for November, 1848.
On leave uf absence..........................,...t... -1*. "'':      i...., *  i 2d Lieutenant Butterfield "sick."
Under orders...... o.o..^~..,     ~.... I. |..1.., 1 2       1 Captain Macomber, froma 16th ultimo; to the home souadron- 
I              It                      I  j'eiI Fli   1st Lieutenant West to the sloop Albany since 24i i -
I,                                 l,              e. l'  tant; 2d Lieuteinant and Brevet 1st A.S. Nichoison to!   I              II'!.!,AI,                   the  rasee Independence since Sth J unelpast  and      6 Lieu1,.__.jI       I     j    I  i    I       i tenant Strickland to report at New York 6th proximo.
1 41-1   41623SIl  48660 92223631929 1,1520
P. G. HOWLE;   djuteant an'd Intsp ector.
EDaea AadRTaERaS OF THE  OARisE CORPS,
2dj ianti an~d Ironspectcsris Office, Waskingeion,  BoAsmbes'rt 18, 1850.




Doc,. No. l                                3'75
f Ejxtra zt..]
LD:E.AtaitAR'T.ERS OF THIE MATR-iNE CoR.'s,
WPrashing, R0to t 0n?, M/ay   1,1, 841
n'S'R: On the 7th of October, 1839, a. report on the condittion of the ma-:riem corps, carefully prepared  was made to the deparimnent.  On a review
of tihat report, I find that it comprehends nearly all the points I could wish
a' this time to present to your attentiton,.  I have therdfore had it copied,
and have the honor to transmit it to the departme t w tt   tis, letter.
"IIn that report no reference is made to the introduction of steam power on'board the ships-of-war; or to any change that may lollow  from  it in the
component parts of their crews.  In war, steatmships will be chiefly er-'pi.oyed. either ofiensively in attacking the enemy in his ports, or defen-'sively in. epelling any hostile attack that may be made on our own coast.
For such service a mi.ritair force, regularly instructed in the artillery and in-:Bantry drills, would. seem' to be the most suitable.  In attacking an enemy
on his coast, or in defending our own; operations on land would dou btless
take place,  equiring  the emoployment of regularly  trained  soldiers.
ht oulld this view be correct, it adds great weight to the reasons assigned
in the accompanying report for an increase of the marine corps.  Since
our last xwar with England  a considerable enlargement of the guards of
marines on board their ships of-war has taken place, while ours have been
greatly reduced; reduced, too, contrary to the opinions and wishes of the
uaaval oficers on active service on the ocean.  The experience, therefore,
of a, great foreign naval power, as well as that of our own navy officers on
a.ctive service, would seem to establish firmly the opinion that I have always
expressed, of the utility of a competent guard of marines on board of our
ships-of-war.  rhis is so strongly sustained in the report now enclosed,
that I deem. it useless to dvwelt further on it."
U,YriED S-TATES F RTG ATE  l\MA.CEDO NAN,
Pensacola Bay, Augzust 29, 1839.
SI: I forward. hlerewith a copy of   comy  f  munircation addressed to ime
byy all the commanders in the squadron,,
I had the honor^ in forwarding from  Norfobl  a communication from
Lieutenant Tyler, commranaing the marine guard of the Macedonian, to
submit to the department imy views on this subject; but I will avail mryself of this occasion to express more filly nmy opinion of the inadequacy
of the guards of the ships cormposing the squadron under my command
to perform properly the military duties required of thenm.
That there are military duties to be performed on board a vessel of- war
which cannot be as well performed by any one as by a regularly discipfined soldier, I presume none will deny: and it is to me equally clear that
twi th  e guards allowed a-t present to the ships, some of those duties:must be neglected or inadequately discharged. Without venturing, there:fbre, to give my opinion as to what the number of the guards for the respaective ships shoull  be, I fully concur in opitinion with the signers of




~76                   H0~De    o. 1.g  D
the communication, that th!e g-uards at present allowed, even if they were 
at all times kept full, (which can scarcely be expected.) are insufficieint,
I have the honor to be; very respectfully, yours,
W. BRANFORD  SHUBRUIC,.
IHo0n. JA:InES K, PATULDING,Secretariy of the Navey, W'Vashingtoi
P-ENSA COLA A ug st 2 6, 1839.
SIR: The undersigned,  commanding offcers of the several ships
composirng this squadron, beg leave' to call your attention to the marin e 
guards belonging to the same, and to suggest the advanrage that woTn3d.
result from an 1incease d numiiber of marines on board each ship.  The
different detachm-ents are not sufficiently numerous to furnish a reltief
accordiig to milita-ry usage, for the number of sentinels posted.  qThe
Macedonian requitres eight sentinels daily, viz: one at each cabin doori
one in each gang wayo one on the forecastle, one in the foreorl.op, oone at
the cockpi,  one at the galley, and one at the scuttle-butt; to furnish
which requires a daily guard of twenty-four privates, with a corresponding' number as a relief-guard-making, witlhout allowing for sickness and
other casualties, forty-eight privates: whereas the Macedonian's guard
amounts to no more than twenty-one privates.
A sloop-of-war requires six sentinels, viz: one at the cabin-door, one
at the forecastle, one in each gangway, one at the scuttle-butt, and one
at the galley; which requires a daily guard of eighteen privates, with a
corresponding number as a relief guard-making thirty-six privateso
whereas a sloop-of-war of the first class is only allowed at present ten.
privates.  It is then. obvious that the marine guards of the squadron are
insufficient to furnish the requisite number of sentinels.  We therefore
beg leave to suggest they may be increased, and to give it as our opinion
that it would be an advantage to the service.  It is not our purpose to
discuss the utility of a marine guard as a part of the crew of a ship-of war,
though we are decided advocates for it. even beyond former usages —we
-mean as to numbers: our whole purpose is to bring under your consideration
the subject as it now exists. If marines are necessary, our ships have too
few to perform  the duties required of them  by law or the regulations of
the navy.
If we could be permitted to express our opinion, it would be to recomniend the substitution of marines in place of all other landsmen now- i
service.  It is evident that one landsman is as competent to do the pulling and hauling duty of a ship as another, and that a body of well-disciplined marines would be in every other situation preferable to the
common landsmen, especially when engaged in any service on shore;
which in all naval operations should be provided for. As this is a mere
passing suggestion of ours, we will add, if the duty now performed by
the after-guard, waisters, &c., of a ship, should be performed by the marines, it would only be necessary to detail a guard daily for military duty;
and employ the rest of the marines in the other duties generally of the
ship. As many seamen would thus be created as at present, there being
2no reason wihy a marine cannot be taught seamannship as well as any




Doc, No.                               T
other landsman. We should then blend ours and the French system, and
in our judgmernt materially improve both, more especially if the marine
corps should be composed in future wholly of young Americans, and all
appointments into the corps be taken from the graduates of the MilitaryAcademy at West Point.
In co:ncclusion we beg leave to remnain, very respectfully,
BE V ERLYP  KENNON, Cantain,
W. A. SP ENSER.,
WMT. V. TAYLOR,
JOS. SMOOT,
J. D. WILLIAMSON.
I concu:r in the above suggestions for increasing the guards of the different ships of this squadron, but am decidedly opposed to the idea oi
makring sailors out of soldiers.  I think the two services should be kept
separate a.nd distinct.
IU  P. LEVY,
Commander.
Commodore'Ws.o BRANTFORD SHUBRICK,
Comm nmnder-n-chief WT4est India squadron,
Extract from a letter of Commodore W. Branford Shubrick to the Hon.
Secretary of the Navy, dated Mazatlan, February 21, 1848.
" The marines have behaved with the fidelity and constancy whichb
characterizes that valuable corps; and I embrace this opportunity respectfully to recommend that ships coming to this station be allowed as large
a complement of these valuable men as possible.  The service would
be greatly benefited by doubling the number allowed to each ship, and
reducing to the same extent, if necessary, the complement of landsmen
and ordinary seamen. The want of marines is strongly felt in all operations on shore."
HEADQUARTERS OF THE MAARIVNE CORPS,
W4ashington, October 7, 1850.
Sin: Estimates for the marine corps for the year ending on the 30th.
June, 1852, accompanying this.
I remain, respectfully, yours,
ARCH. HENDERSON,
Brig.  General Commandant.
The Ion. WILLIAs  A. GRAHAMA
Secretary of the Navy,




DCtCad  estimate ofpay and subsistence of officers' payonon  onin                         ioned officers', ^a'cians, asnd privates  of the  United    i&,Sltates mnaine corps, and pay for undrawn clothing and rations, from  July 1,1851, to June  30  1852, inclusiv Qre
Pay.                            Subesitence,
i  ~5  ^ ~    ^.~   ^                  ^;;     5CI
co
Itank and gr76e8
Assis-tat  Ia e    Ioa.1I........................  7   00......,8 
Brigadiergeneral commandant.......                                  1  17500                             06800       6       6 }7840                $,94540    ^
Lieutenant comlonel.        ad.    se..................... 60 00                  2...... i        888 00      5       5          732 00 0     1,60 00 
irslieutnt.................                                      00.......  4  10 00          4                2,34240   1  5,41  440
Iecond l nt,                                                              342 1        5, 4 14...5 40
Adjutant and inspector, paymaster and quartermnaster......600073600.                                                                   087840        3,61440 G
rAssmidfquatermaster  L...50..... 0.................                 2. 0.....  1  696  0  4    9   80  988 80{
Captains ommanding posts, andatea..................                  8     500...1           5,472 00       4       4        4,68480       10,15680
Cataim s.8 4............0...............-1              8   00     1.      4,  2 00       4.......        2,342940       6,8547 40
First lieutenants commanding guards at sea......           6     40 00      1.........       3,384 00      4       4        3,5136         6,89760
Firstlieutears.........l...n....................                  1      30 00      1...         7,54  00       48                       0     14........60
Second  lieutenants...........  2v3I25 00                1.            8,832 00       4  1..           6,734 40      15,566 40
Sergeant maior and quartemoaster sergeant,..........                 21 17 00...,...                   408 00......
Drurms and fife majors..... 1..00...40.
Orderly sergeants and sergeants of guards at sea..........    34     16 00........:.           6,5280),                                      6,5258 O
Sergnts......................        46     1300......                7,176 100...........    7,17600
Corporals...................................  80           9 00.                      8,640 00.....                              8,640 00
Drummers and fi.r.....................                          601  8 00.5,76000.........,....                                             5,760 00
Privates................                                        1..  I, 000  7 00.                 84,000 00 1...................,00000
Clerks to brigadier general, adjutant and inspector, paymaster, 
quartermaster, and assistant quartermaster............9..                                     5     00.....,               I.  1
Hdpital stewards sec................................... 30 000...... 3604 0031  1  19 7380 3
Addonailrtionstooc fo fi e yearserv ice.........0............. 1 [.......  0........t 4,93  80;   14,932 80




Bountv for re.enHistmnent (noa^ommissioned oficers)....                5  1..,.,,,          ^.,'    819  00
Bounty for re'erilltment (isicians and private).......i.....5.. 0....                      5 
Twoa  monthisf' pay for unexpired time of former enrlistme.jt,....    12............ 15............750
Two months' rations for unexpired time of former enlistmeqnt...... l  125 1.. ].,.~......                    448 75        1,448 75
Two months' clothing for unexpired time of former enlistment.  125........ol........,,........                    625 00          625 00
Officers' servants, at $8 50 per month, for rations and clothing.  81            e..  e...l...........-.,    *        j t-  8,262  00     8, 262 00
Undrawn clothing and rations.........................~                                                         6,000 00  6,000 00
Messenger to assistant quartermaster........................           I        t............         366 00
Clerk in clothing bureau at Norfolk..........                           1  23 44...........                   281 28.,    -      -..     2.1 28
Messenger and nurse at headquarteirs hospital...........                                                 677 16.  i   I                            67 16
162,841 44                        58 5598 55    221,439 99
"At 19 cents.                           tAt $1 per day,                  iPerI monti,
Respectfully submitted,
G-O, W  W ALKER, P.; r, Al   C?
HEADQUARTERS M'ARE CORPS,
Paymaster's Office, October 12, 1850,
^32
^j
^~na/




380 B3Doc. No, 1.
Estimate of the ex.penses ofr the quartermaster's departnent of the marinae
cops, fobr one year, frorm the 1st July, 1851, to the 30th June, 1852.
There will be required for the quartermaster's department of the marine
corps, for one year, commencing on the 1st July, 1851, in addition to the
balances then remaining on hand, the sum  of one hundred and twentynine thousand six hundred and one dollars, as oblloaTs, viz:
Ist. For provisions          -. -       $ 15,000 00
2d. For clothing   ".                                    46,416 00
To supply deficiency in appropriation for clothing, being
the amount of clothing lost by the wreck of the ship
Robert Fulton on her passage to California            -   10,185 00
3d. For fuel.. -. 10,000 00
4th. For military stores, pay of armorers, as follows, viz:
FPor pay of chief armorer       -               "                600 00Fo:r pay of two first-class armorers and gunsmiths               800 00For pay of two second-class    -                                 730 00
For pay of one farrier and one blacksmith               -        730 00
For repair of arms, purchase of aceoutrements, ordnance
stores, fliags, drums; fifbs and other instruments   -      5,140 00
5th. For transportation of officers and troops, and for expenses of recruiting.-                                9000 00
6th. For repair of barracks, and'rent of temporary barracks
and offices where there are no public buildings for
that purpose          -..     6,000 00;
7th. For contingencies, viz: freight, ferriage, toll, cartage,
wharfage, compensation to judges advocate, per diem
for attending courts-martial, courts of inquiry, and
for constant labor, house-rent in lieu of quarters,
burial of deceased marines, printing, stationery,
forage, postage, apprehension of deserters, candles,
oil, straw, furniture, bed-sacks, spades, axes, shovels,
picks, carpenters' tools, the purchase of wagon and
horse  and keep  of the  same for the messenger,
pay of the matron; washerwoman, and porter at the
hospital headquarters                 -       -       -    2000 00
129,601 00
Respectfully submitted:
AUG. A, NICHOLSON,
Quarterm.a.ster Marine Corps




Doe. No. 1.                                              381
Estinates for the marine corps-Continued
PROVISIONS.
" ~
a..
For whom required.                           W                     d c         a
a
Non-commissioned officers, musicians, privates, matron,
and washerwomen............................. 512  34    1   547   1'29,948 25'Deduct supposed surplus on hand at the end of the year..                                       14,948 25
Amount required..................................             15, 0O0 00
CLOTHING.
For whom required                                     men.       Amount..Non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates, at $36 per annum..   1, 156    $41, 616 00,90 watch-coats, at $8 each..................................'4,800 00
46, 416 00
FUEL.   *
Commandant......1   36    4                                               36    4.
Majors        For  whom.4   26euired,.....           104.:baff captains.....o  o    u..2... 2
Captnd ant..................................   1   36...         3655..:Lieutenants, first and seconel........................   1 f 6    4....             396 
vants, and wash.erwomen..                                           4.......................547....
Matron to hospital, headquarters...................             1    4                 1    4
Hospital, headquarters.............................             1   331.... 
aHospitals.................................                        16    4....           82 4......
Arieutenmory a t headquarters second....................        3 
Offices of the commandant and staff ansd commanding
officers of posts..........................................
Guard-rooms at barracks...............   6........        126........'Gfuard-roomrs at navy-yards.........................   3               1......          63........
Stores for clothing and other supplies................    15
One-fourth additional on 546 cords, the quantity supposed to be required for stations north of latitude 390......       136    4
____________ _______ ^____  _ L322    6:V'Which, at $6 per cord, is..................'.......9....................,13.9    50
Deduct supposed surplus on hand at the etd of the year......................    3, 936 50
Amount required,,,,,...,.,,,,...,,,..,.,,,,,,..,,.......    10, 000 00




382                            Doe. No. Io
AssT- QUAiR.ERMA:STER A5  OFFOIE MARINE CORPS
cew York   Mfay  31a, 1800.
SIR. I apprized you som e time since of the wreck of the ship "Ro-bert
Fulton," by which wve lost nineteen cases uniform clothing for the Paci:fic
squadron.  Below I give you a list of the articles and cost, showing t.heos.s -we have sustai.ned, viz:
200 stocks       -           -       -$.                              50 0Os
200 w. coats                                                  -     -     1., 54400t 
20 musicians' w.'oats' -                                        1 T  07 O0
4t0 pair non-commissioned officers' epauleUttes'            -           00
600 pair linen overalls     -        -       -                -      660 00
1.,00  shirts                  -       -       -                       760 g   00
1,000 pair brogans  I-        -                -           -  1,500 00
100 blankets        -       -        -       -                       325 00
400 pair socss                                                       136 00
400 fatigue caps   -. -              500 00
200 fatigue jalckets                         -.          -          264  00.400 pair iatigue overalls.              -.            14160 09
200 linen jackets  -        -...-             26/4 00
200 watchl coats                     -       -1 7'50 e0
12 sergeants' w, coats..'. 1105 iO 
400 red flannel shirts.-           -            -      600 00
1.00 pair w r. woollen overal),s     -       -.               -      336 00
10,185 0e
T'Ihus you see we have o0st ten) tihousand one hundred and eighty-fi.ve
dollars' aworth of clothilng  foi)r which the governm. ent had no insurance,
The honorable Secretary of the Navy wil1 doubtless, atuthorize yoel to
draw- from thiso amountl  unless he does, I cannot see how the bills are tobe paid for articles purchased to supply their loss.
Respectiully, your obedient servanit
G. F. LINDSAY,
Assisfant  Q(.uartermcastelr Miarines,
Ial. or A  A. A   NIC -: OL SON,
Q(uartermaster.i  Corps'p  i6"as srngton...




'Ag, GN, 8,~
-Ag e e oa'                                   f   t   fc  yea  181I i  ^   I   i   u   ^    ^. i   i'
il~                ii       i   aF ij s                   i        i       ^            i                 i         i  
1           5          1r~                  15!2                                                     ^'
0~                                                                            5,                                       goo oo I-^
11'; io.                                                                              00$1,40.i0     0 $,3
Salaries...,...,,,,,.,..}...             2.-.,.  ^1,950001.1,750001   ~l9,:;00 00                         19,400001   ^11,400-00                ^6,50000!  ^7,30000-                     77,90000 -
rS                                                                           r~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CGoanligent,..........................2,840  00'825  001,              000    01         7'5000            1,000  00            7700              570  00            9, 755  00
24,790  00         4,575  00 j_2~0, 600   00              0,!7,210O0 7,                      $50  lO                      57. 655O0
NAVY  PROFPER                                     1'; P.-                                                                     ii
Pay of th6 navy..................
Provsios.^,.,.,..,...,......;.......                                                                                                 8,8 0.........                         688,080  00
__                                                                       7:~ 61 O                                       Of 0 O  61            0
a.... ~ ~ ~~ ~~~0.............!..........
S ecu r e...........1 37,                      000
~~~~~!.................}....................  137:600 O0 7,60 O
Incrtease, repairs, &e,,.,..,..,,~,.,l...^                                    ~  1.385,000 00  j,.,.......J.........,.,.~................~.-.,.';  1,365, 000O00
i d                                                                                 001 r       ~i                                    ir
Ordnance and ordnanec atores...............,.....,.........-....171,200 00  I....,..~,..........~..............                                                           171,200  00
Contin,:e-nt,~.,~.......,...........,.,...1....,..,...,.1                        3,0        0l....,..........1  303,'7000O0,..................,.....1                        528, 70000
225,000  O0.:       3     700..........., 3', 424 00.............l                    00  I g63;!00 ~0           545, 666 00    688,080  00   j  37, 600 00             5, 549,580  00
M~ARlINE CO01S,                                                                                                                                               44       S 
Forprois-on&                                                                                                      e,00                                                             0
i ~  ~           ~           ~ ~ b ie a~~
For   proviso............,.............,.,......,.....' 
F.r....................                                                                                                                             56,6 40 COO
P':'~''yi......
I   *d   r ~~~9 ~~~ ~              13j~~-1 ~~      ~aa............~"~:3?                                                                 k                                                                                                0.. OOO,f




-No. 8-Aggregate of navry estimates-Co-ntinued,.1-lead.                                      ^                                                                                                o.  t a. ho
o            o
~,L~MIR,     COCRPs-ontinuedo
For transp.ie.rtation.................e...........              9,000 00         I
For eont imlgent........... * -. o B a       -...*................*......' *...........co
i                                                  I'I                                    I 1i                                 I                - e
1^    ff         |                 t                     l                 l                  I ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~351,041 00 
Specal objects..                                                    I so4 o' si
Pay of supe-rintendents..................................                 6      e                                              929160 00
Inprovemrent Q rep- i.s o-f vyya rdsv z:,
Al~~~t Pors ut, D                               r e C.D sO                                                            64,527 00  s   9 
FoAt Nitewa Y    st           o    e         OO    e       DO       *5*'***oresk........  c O.................................. 9!6,00  COS
FAt Philadelnsporhione............. 0............ 00....................... 24400  00 
Fa    repairs,  dof h i rac o c    e....... 0.......................                                                                          60,00000 0
At PS i C  C *e  5 O o   e   o s  o * -    4oC* ia.............  V...*...~.*.*9CO i*          188.713  00
Pay G-fspe te             nta....^.........               o...~..~....,         9 10 0..,.....,.............,-9..-6...'00
Jimprovemai is  f epairs of  imjv ards,  s              e:  
At P       ortsmouth, N. H............................................     64,527 00
Aor t B nsposton   ion, ~c.....................,....,.............c..        64,0 57 00
At ScwY r.L'z    a...                                                                2,300  00 
Bos_    _  _  _  _  _  __ton_.o._._......__,o_  _._                                                            _......._._.,                _  _  _.....  *......  o......5,  9   o
ora  Nofiltary.... s to...res,.........I...,..........,............ 10,               0  00
Forrepairsofbarracksc..................................                                                                                                          60,0 00 
At  Pfsipad     o     ten, hi.................................................................9, 10, 471  00
At  icphn.    Hy   oa     a              o..........................................................                                                         6  79   00,
At: Bosto..,....*,.....,.              104,450 00
At~i; ~7.slm; too,.,...,...,.........[...2..24, 800 00
At~~.  r'ens;a.co'~  L~~* trosoeaier~i,~~*cs~.............  r~r~ocrurr~oroi                        o       ~ t             t    188, 713 00..At i~lels................1!..1                         t!16, 600 00
At Sackett's Harbor  2..,,,0000.,.,.                                                                                                 2,30000
I,,..,.*,    _               ~_ _,-,..'........                               955,09000




PilaelBoston         1............................,..,.,.....1...........~,...,....                                                                -          13,500  00
J'kr        lork...................................             1    5,000  00
Philadelphia..............................................-.....,........................                     13,837  00
N       orfo! k........................................-.~,,....!.    ^        -.............. 5,000  00
Pensacola.....................................                                     4, 450  00
39, 78700
<; Naval Academy, Annapolis...........................................   161, 148  00......................................                                               164, 148  00
c  Transportation of the  mail........874, 600 00....                                                                                                                  874, 600 00
^ Transportation  of the m~ail.........874,600  00......................................................................                        874,600  00
Nautical Almanac.............          19,400  00.............................................................                     19,400  00
894,000......... 229943 00  1,087, 037 00..,210,980 00
~tw
a
Q1




3'86  Doc.  No. 1.
No, 9.
General estimate of the sumis required for thie sutippor of the of0ce of the.crotary of the Niavy, and the sever1a  bureaus of the IL'Va^     Depart
mernt, for the fiscal year ending Jus e 30, 1852.
Office and bureaus.             Salaries,    Contingent.   Sacbmitted
Oice of the Secretary of the Navy..  21,50               $2,840                50
Bunreau of Construction, &c.....    19,600                t1,00
Bureau of Ordnance, &c.........                9 400           750
Bureau of Navy Yards, &c........               i 400         1 000           1000
Bureau of Provisions; &..........            6; 500          770            800Bureau of MLedicines, &c.........         7,00            570            400
76,1 0         6,930          2,2 50
RE CAPITULATION.
Salaries...... ~.....,~0..o..~<..... $76,1:0
Contingente...............                                          (.............  6,930
Submited,.............................,,........       2,/250'
No. 10.
Genemra  estnate of the stums requ.ired for the expenses of the southwoEt Execttlive building for thefiscag alear etnding Aune 30, 1852.
Salairies,.. eae...e..,.........o oo,75@
Contingent.. i.: e...~^.~ ~.~~.......;825
3Dtit3p  a   08   O O  O C   O O O a,  c c o   o o a   a o   a o  o  o  e o  O  O       6*0  2,587C5,
3L >a7T5.




No. I.
Gc/Lc'w1l es'ima1jtae of  t      she sv.in  rcqui'red   br  t1he  stpporil oj tl, f e  unavy Jor ilfte fis'cal yew  CoilWmetUtc     g' oit t/1 e I_   dag  ofJ  Julyf',
18 S    ad  edetaig  ao  the 301/  day of June, 1852.
Heads of appropriations.                                              Estimatcd fbr        Estiniated for    Appropriated for
1851-'52.           1850-'51.           1850-'51.
fPa y  of C. nmisnIo., warrant, and petty oflcers and seamen, including the engineer corps.......,..., 759, 000 00    $2, 758,2G2 00        $2, 758, 262 00
Tvisc-ion' t tfcr..o0)1iisson, s wav:-ir;rt, ann  petty ofeicers and seamen, inicluding engineers and also
matsricis  at;ached to veisels fori5 a service................................       688, 080 00          7566,200 00          686, 200 00
7   6 Soo"- 118, 54:7 6 
Suirgeonrs' n ncceaegsaril  and appliances for the sick and hurt of the navy, including the marine corps......       37,  0 00           36, 800  00          36, 800 00
10, 000 00 C
Increasc, repair, armamnent, and equipmrent of the navy, including wear and tear of vessels in corn- 
rmSisicn, e.lci for steamneri-, and purchase of hemp for the navy..............................,  365,000 00        1,750,000 00         1,750,000 00.
|~~'''   ^                     ~*297,000 00
Ot^ia. ncC anlld ordnance stores, indralding incidental expenses...........1...........    1........... 171,203 00               196,900 00           196,900 00'I'~ ~~;~                           i35,000 00    0
Gol.lIgert cexpenses which may  ccrue during the year for the following purposes, viz: Freight and
Iraaspportation; printing, staionery, and advertising in newspapers; books, maps, models, and                                                                           I
dirawlings; purchase-and repair of fire-engines and machinery; repair of and attending to-steamelgines in navy-ygads; purchase and maintenance of horses and oxen and driving teams; carts,
tiinlber-wlilee;,   and the purchase and repair of workmen's tools; postage of public letters;
fi'rnitule for governrnent houses; -fuel, oil, and candles for navy-yards and shore-stations; pay
of watchat.en and incidental l'aTor, not chargeable to any other appropriation; labor attending the
dlelivery of stores on foreign stations   wharfage, dockage, and rent; travelling expenses of officers and others uainer orders, and  tineral expenses; store and office rent, stationery and fuel,;oimrnission  a.'-d pay of clerks to navy agents and storekeepers; flags, awnings, and packingiboxes; premiiu-is and other expenses of recruiting and apprehending deserters; per-diem pay
I, persons attending  courts-marti;l and courts of inquiry, and other services authorized by law;
1'y to Iludcgeas alvoc te; plotage -and towage of vessels and assistance to vessels in distress; bills
of  hieath aild qcarantin  expenses of vesaels of the United States navy in foreign ports.....              528, 700 00         53, 145 00            532, 145 00
5,549,580 00        6,030,307 00.6,420,854 61
_______p bill.____________________________________________________=___
* Dsenist1 y mll,                                                                                 a




fo,&.~ 4                                                                                  It
(general estimate of te  rsn ofequired    fa te spport of tohe mfw                 arine corps for te fiscal yea r conm encig  on the Iti da
of.uly, 1851., and ending  on the 30th day of June, 1852.
Heads of appriopriations.                                           Estimated for    Estimated for   Appropriated for
1851-'52.         1850-'51.          1850-'51.
Pay of officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, privates, clerks, messengers, stewards, servants, &c.; for rations and clothing for servants; subsistence and additional rations for five
years' service of officers; for undrawn clothing and rations, bounty for re-enlistments, and pay 
for unexpired terms of previous enlistments........................................    $ 21, 440 00           $253, 406 07           253,406 07'40, 000 01'
Provisions for marines serving on shore................................           15, 000 00         20,0 00               20,0000
"'0, 000 00 i
Clothing..............................................56 601 0                    46, 416 00            46, 4160 00
58,60100   46,4160               46,04160
Fuel..        o.. i.................................................i     10,000 00          110,00000                   00
"'.0, 000 00    "
Military stores, repairs of arms, pay of armorers, accoutrements, ordnance stores, flags, drums, fifes,                                                     
and musical instruments...................................................., 000 Go                  6, 900 00             6,900 00
Transportation of officers and troops and expenses of recruiting.............................              9,00  00           9, 000 00             9, 000 CO 
Repairs of barracks and rent of temporary barracks and offices for commanding officers..............           6,000 G0           6,000 00              C, 000 00
Contingent expenses, viz: freight, ferriage, cartage, and wharfage; compensation for judges advo- 
vocate, per diem for attending courts-martial and courts of inquiry; for constant labor; house- 
rent, in lieu of quarters; burial of deceased marines; printing, stationery, forage, postage, pursuit of deserters, candles, oil, straw, furniture, bed-sacks, spades, shovels, axes, picks, carpenters' tools, expense of a horse for messenger, pay of matron, washerwoman, and porter for the  
hospital at headquarters...................5,000 00                                                                        20,000 00             20, 000  00
1  510 00
351,041 00         371, 222 07           432,32 07
Deficiency bill.




No. 13.
General estimate of  tiihe sunms rejuircedfor special obieclts, under the  7avy Diepartment, for  tlheJiscal year Cor'mmen&c  g  on
the first day of July, 1851., and ending  on tJhe 30th day of Jg-tne  1852.
Heads of appropriations.                                          Estimated for      Estimated for   Appropriated for
1851-'52.         1850-'51.           1850-'51.
Pay of superintenndents, naval constructors, and civil establishments of navy-yards and stations.,...      $92, 160 00        $73,960 00            $73,960 00..                                             1                           *2, 869 70
NXautical books, )maps, charts, and 1binding; instrumenits and rep7airs thereof; and all expenaes of the
H ydrographical office... C..C................ *....O. O........................     65, 795 00              52,361 15            35,135 00
Improvement and repairs of navy-yards andl stations............................................   955, 090 00        845, 96  00           78566 00
I: 151,500 00     U.Repairs of hospital buildings and their depcndencis............................................            39, 787 00         19,550 00  19,550 00 
I    e2, 626 25 
Improvement and repairs of buildings and grounds, and support of the Naval Academy at Annapolis.           164,148 00    8i,  200  00         28,  0 00
T ransportation of the mail..................8...........4,0.................874600 Of 74, 600 00                                874, 600  00 
N'autical Almanac, publication of.....................................         19,400 00         11, 850               12,85000 
2,210,980 00       1,907,487 15         1,987,256 95 
* Deficiency bill.




110lex U              Doc.   o. I
No. 14.
TREASURY DEPA RTME.N T,
Fou rth Auditor's 0ffie, October 2S' 1S50.
SIR: I have the honor to transnit herewith two copies of a statement
of the expenditures of the navy under the head of' contingent expenses,"'
as settled and allowed at this office for the year ending June 30, 1850~
I have the honor to be) sir, very respectfullyr your obedient ser va.t,
A. 0. DAYTON.,
"13no  WTM,, Ao GARA  HAM
Secretary of t@f 1e Nay,




No. 14  Continued.
Statement of e.xpenditures under the head of contingent  xpeenses,  s setted and al/o'wd at the offi                                        e f  thl    evourth  AudLio'
durilng the year ending Juve 30, 1850.
No. of    Date.                 NNa.mes.           j        Rank.            Contingent  Conting'tnot  Contingent                               Purposes.
report.                                                                     enumerated.  enumer.ted. marirne corps.
849.                                                                                                           "
8682   July   12 ly. N.   ili........., Passed midtshipman                 $467 00..................               For travelling expenses.
8883           1     George W'. WValker....  Paymaster marine                                                   7
I    orps ~................                          *117 58   For apprehiendig ileserter.s.
8685           13   Octavus Cohen ~.........   Navy agent....                     7370.......................   or office expenses.
&687           13   Joseplh White....do........ e3,344 10.....................1 For travelling, pilotag,% tra nsportatioin, freioht,
8690           3.7   S. Cushman.................. do........,0)4  9.....................    [For travelling, pilotage, transportation, freiaht,    0
I    &.c.                                        C'
8691           23   T. 0. Larkin.............           2, 816 33............            46 63   For export duties  ommisions, &c.,
8693           P-I   B. D. Heriot..........,..,......                      377 91.............,  For wharfage, pilotage, cormissions &c. - kc
8698           26   H. Bridge.............. Purser...........                 7610 I.......................For                   lotae, s    ne.
8700           P 7   C. T. Patt.........,   Commander....                      7 50.........    For po.staove.
8704      |        ~8   Joseph White.....~t pr.  |. Acting purser    2........    |   For freight, transporation, pilotage, postai,ge, 
8694           526   J. WVilson.............. Purser..... o...1, 1137 92..~..~.........~...~..o   For labor in navy-yard. postage, &.
8709           39   J. Rudenstein.    [....... Assistant surgeon..            941 1.0..................... For travelling fro-. Mexi co to United St'teso
8710           31.  S. P. Todd.i............... P e.. 45072....................                            For labor z. nary.yl,&c.
8713   AugC..S. B. P,B Ritten hou e.o.....        d............    5,464 51.......     I For labor in navy-yard, drayag, &c.
8715            2   A. A. Nichol-si            n.......   ( Quarterniaster rma-.,
&c
871,6            4   SD. iner            eo         Storekeeper                  52  74................c..... I For store rent anod aTbor in store.
8718.....  Joseo  Fl  Navy aet.      7.  995 51       187 00...          For tr nsponat,tr av         ea,   e     fel, &.
87T51           A0   George'W. Smith........o... -             92................,   For freight, travel, fuel, hay, corn.cor.r".isins, &c.
&:Co
87;34 14. n   ldridge...o..... orser. o.....        255 7 9.        00.........   For istore rent, fe.i tt, q a    rte.r bonat htreo rc 
87'0  |              William B. SGott.........   Navy a-ent....... 5,3            54   | 1,73-307............   For pilotage, freight, travel, tools;, stati.onery,
8723           14   Willia      m glansekor.... l..e......o.... d          6,9|.61 99         4000            25 f 0;For pilo, Ianr   frei3h)t, travel tool?, tationeryv        f =




N~o   4- -Continuedo
No. ofI  Date.                  Names,                      Rank.            Contingentt  Contingt not  Contingent                              Purposes
report.                                                                     enumerated.  enumerated. marine corps.
1849.                                  I
8724   Aug. 16   Joseph Hall.........Navy agent..................... Fo 94piotage, freight, travel, tools, stationery,
&.
8725           18   S. Rasev............. Puorser............. 00      For warehouse rent
8726            18   WTilliam  IHindmran....... Navy agent.......             455 28..           For freight, travel, stationery, postage, &c.
8727            18   S. B. Bt.enaett.............     do..........    2, 958 01........... For pilotage, freight, transportatio,  travel,.
87319          22   J.I- I.atirop...........do.,.......    7, 49 79.                                         Do
8731'2 5     1J..  Watiotogh......   Purser.........    1, -5  38...........                    $0 75   For stationery, piloage, travel, &c.
8733           27,   W. A. Bloodgood..           d!... do..........            91!3 00...................   For opilota ge, freight, ravel,  c.
87S.9            O   T.......................  96 50.............      For apprehendingeserters, &c.
87 40          3tL   W. H. Kennon..........n....    1, 0,*7 25....................   or sationery, potae, piotage, &cpo.
87432  Sept.  3   A. D. Crosby, dc'd..  249 15..................... For drayage, postae, stationery, &c.
8743  4   G..B arry,      1    d c                            0........                     For at pprehending deserters, postage &c.
8745             7   A. Welsh.' 0                                                     9............ For repaC irs of ve-sel, fuel, pO.visions, sec. f
8747             8   F. B. Stockton.....             do...........       013 77............                             v For p isions, pilotage, coal, postage,  c.
8748            II   Gcorge F. Sawyer........-do............................                7 70   For postage, &c.
S750           14   George W. Smith.                Acting purser..,       1,48885........................ For labor in navy-yard.
8751            14    W illiam  Hindman.........        943 1................... For mechanics' labor, &c.
8752 1         20   J. S. Thatcher..... late. IPurser...........    9, 797 75...........               For balance due on account, per at Cogress,.
8754           21   Sterrett Ramsey.....                    81 Si  5................... For freight, travel, rent, stationery, &c.
8755           21   D. M. Thornton.......      do.......   13,088 64........................ For labor in navy-yard, &c.
8756           21   F. B. Stockton......do                                    404 64..................:F or travel, loss on gold, postage, &c.
^757           21   A. J. Watson...,...........,.   9,036 6.............. For labor in navy-yard, postage, &c.
8758           24   T. M.Tayor.......        on..18..........             Do                   do.
8759           24   W. Carroll.....a.l..S.consL....                             1020................        For boat hire, &c.
8761             24   T. 1l SeQvens....       a N   srekeeper         28319.                                     For s-ore rent and labor in store, &c.
8764           25   Joseph White......             Ac    nrer....          1, 874 I.. For labor of mechanics, per roll.
8765           25   S. B. Bennett...........   Navy agen_                       107 23........................ For commissions and of-ce allowances.
8769           29   John Parrot.......  U. S. consul.3, 776 00.............. For eoport duties,  orterage, commissions, &c.
8772  Oct.  i  S. P. Lee..          Lieutenant and acting purser,,,..          a  87............... For surveying expenses.
8773             2   George Loyall.               I Na vy agent..,..       23,645 09          $3 13............  For freighIt, t         -ataportation, traveL pilotage  mc.
8774             3   J. D. Gibson...               Purser...........              405........a                 8 26   For postage.
8776             8   W. Aderson. ot....... Navy agern.t..                   4, 0 527.........For piotagetvel, wharfage, comti'sionsSc.
8777             8   A  E. Watson,,....            Purser.,,,,..    3,27656..F.,,...l..,.,,,,  For labor in navy-yamr.




8780,            10   Nathaiel Vilson,   4............0...                     Do               do
8779             10   J. B. Rittenhouse........          do........... 7,338......    Do               do
8781             10   B. D. Heriot.                            aget................... For   h rfge, travel, tran.portation  office CI  pen sCa.
8785             19   J. DeWBree........               Purseri..........'d to consul.
8788            S0   Capt. G. F. Lindmsey....   Ast.quarteraLi
imarine co s...................        542 77       or freight, stationery, quarters, &rc.
8790             20   J.'W'. Revere.......... Traneporcn agent.                     903 00                                        For pcspge forn New York to San FraiciscoG
8792             22   Thomas H   Stevens, late.    ava  storkeeper.                     26 17...................             For store re       bor, &..
8794              4   F. G. McCauley........   Purser                                 55 03.................                      For provios, fel, postage,  c.
8796             26.....................do...         480...............                            Do                  do.
8798             31   Octavus Coen........ Neavy agent......         8  84................or stat                  ry, postage, com issionand office
8804   Nov.   5   William  Sloanaker............. 7, 436 91.......Fr...      For fight             otaton, tsravel, pilotage, &c.
8817             16   Barsng   rothers &  Co...........         4, 52 7   4-.....,.or C m                              ion.
88S20            17   Qunc-tin Busboce.., rse5......... Purser............  For  etntion of deac ent on sore.
8831             1 7   H.ug g          sW.   GreTo  f  l e.  9,t e i                   6...i............                 9For fael cands, pilote porterage, S c. 
882 i                W2  iliam  Sinclair...5......... o..2.~......  |, 555 01................yard, posta, 
8827             22   Rlph King..............i S, cons'......    6 70.................  For frerlht for boo 
8831   Dec.    1   0, H. Berrymnan...              Actinr..     purser.................................  For pilog,  ire of boats, waer,  c.
8832              3   A. A. Nicholson........  Oa*artLercmastcrmsarine corps....... e ~ ~ a.....         4, 018 54       or  fE cers' quarters; edoetisirtg, etatoiienry, I
8834              4   J. C. Eldridge                   0Purser....              07 31                                         o  s      n................   For stati ry, postage, wood &c.
8837              7       ilali     Hindimn...          N    y aaent..         5, 892 41...................               -  For travel, freight, pilotage, tranportation, &c..
8838              8   A. Sirclair                       Actin  purser.                 4.31 23.                                     For pilotage, provisions, &c.
8841             13j   Ge-orge   />  Nmth.            avy agente.......    1, 050 87.....................  For fieiooht. travel, fel, coun, oats, hay, &c.
8842             J8   H. Bridge..............  Purser.                              2,77132........................ For labor in n~avy-yard,  c,
8444             19   C. P. Patterson..........Aciing purser.....                  360 37..................~...  For provisions, fuel, water, &c.
88 I             22   T. M.Taylor.......... Purser...........    9, 25712.....................    For labor in navy-yard, &c.
8847             28   5. Ramsey..............             do......, S8 32..........                 I.        For pilota          arfage,   nsportation,   c.
8848             28   J  H. Wright........... Navy agent.....     34,435 57...................                                    For travel, freight, transportation, tools, pilot8850   Jan.    3   MlcKean Buchanan... Purser...                 3,528 68.......................  For freight, pilotage, candles, fuel, &c.
8852              4   A. Sinclair............. Actin g                                 1000...............                        For postage.
8854              5  G. P. Sawyer...n Ps...........    727.....                  Do
8856              7   IH. N. Crabb....307 18............  For clerk hire, tfansportation, &c.
8859              8   J. 1H. Lathrop........    Navy agent.       28, 928 52........................  For Freight, travel, pilotage, advertising, ccinmisi'Ions, &C.
8861             10   GeorgeV. Smith.....            Actinig prser...,1 1............  For labor in navy-yard.
$866             14  William Hindmain.......do..do....... 2822 42....  For mechanic, labor &c.




No. 14-Continued,                                                                                            C,
No. of    Date.                 Names.                       Rank.            Contingent  Cent.ing't not  Contingent                                 rposes.
report.                                                                      enum          erated. marlie corps.
1850.. 
8867   Jan.  15   P. IVM. Wetmor... Navy agent.......         $ 8, 530 61....................    For tavel  freiht, pilotage,  tranaportatlion
tools; &e,.
8872            17   George Loyall............       do..........    9, 770 75              10 50.............  For travel  feht, pilotage, transportation,
tools, &c.
8873            18   Octaves Cohen............do..........                     77 30.......................  For travel, stationery, ofSe  expenses, and
coo — marissious.
8874            13   J. G. Harris.er.........., 4     5........................  For provisions, travel, labor, candies, &c.
8876            19   S. P. Lee............          Litenant..                  2430...........4.30.....    For rc-rveymig expenses.
8881                   W. Anderso...........                              4,049 85..............  For w fiartIge, freight, travel, pioae, &e 
8885             3   S. Cush an................do.........                   4, 671 35..                              _          ~)o.    do              do.   ~
8890            28   S. P. Lee............... Lieutenant....... 313.................    For postage. 
8891            29   Levi D. Slamm....en... Purer.......... 3,6087........................  For pilotage, freg-hnt, candlei, stationd ey,& & 
8893            3)   J. C. Douglass..........                  10,045 08...................  For lb'or il navy-yarl. 
8894            S3    T. A   e.   Lutenant......                                      57........................        For statiofery, travdlin', &c.                         0
8895   Feb.          A.. Watn........    Purser.                   3, 1464............              For labor in:avy-yard, posts'       &,
8896             2   George W. Sawyer.......... do..                              6 30............... F..                 nps' o.tv.. P
8898             5   C. R. Baf ry....        d.......          265 5...............J......... 65 apprehending dcssrter, cc
8899              G   XIWilliam Fl 1     o. Le R oy., 837 80.......................  For travel, fieightL, instruments, translortation
8900             8   D...F. Thornton.....        P  -ser............  11, 529 84........................  For labor in navy —ar d,  ~c.
8902            12   J,. Wi ite.............  Navy ageatt......    2, 680 14.......................   For tanspotation  pilotage, freight, cmmis
sions, &c.
8903            13   A. E. EWTatson.......... Puser...........    1, 770 42........................  For lbo  in navy-yar.
8905            14   E.T.Dann................do............    3,586 46....Do                                   do,
890'6           15   Ed iwards Gilkerist.... - e'irgon o...)..               497 30........................ For trave.ling expense.; &c.
8904            18   W. Sloanaker                    Navy agent.............  80999  50   For f).i.eg,, tra eJ, trasleportation, oitsTe. &c.
8907            19   Robert Pettit....... P...      rser                     567 45............  For pilotase, aoprele-a-iig I-t &I'
8909             2   J. B. Rittenhouse...........   7,347 77........................  For labor 1                 navy-yard, v.c.
8917   Mar. 12   J. I. WrLi.ht..       I.. Navy agent.......    9, 56G  87........................  For transportation., eig-ht, travel piotBz- &e
8918            13   G. R. BTayr  v...........Pt rse..             175 23........................  For apopr)rehending deserter,3 ~8919 ti          3   ]IafC Bucrhanan........           d                        60....d..... 9..............      For fi-eight, piloto    &c.
8920           1 4   S, J. fHensley........ C(m>'I  exploring
expeditionh..... 277 65..........e..    >. -   For p'oviiAns travelo  &c,




8921             14   Baring BrotherA &  Co.            Navy agents,                3,463 44...........                          For conmissiong<
8922             15   0. Cohen............... Navy agent.......                        74 90........................   For office expensies, &c
8924            20   Edward Storer.......... Purser.746 75...................,..  For freight, pilotage, &c.
8925            21     S. D. Patterson.......   -Navy agent.......                   45 00.......................  For fuiel for oc.
892f;           22   S. Ramsey............. Purser.......                           500 52.......................                For wharge, freight, stationery, &c.
8927            22   Jos. Vgilson..............  do........    9,084 27........................  For labor ain navy-yard, &c.
8928            27   H. Bridge...................do........      3,877 01..................                           Do                do.
8929            28   W. Anderson........... Navy agent......                        5,235 45........................  For vharfage, fr'eight, travel, pilotage, &c.
8930            29   J. D. Gibson........... Purser...........                           8 84........................  For postage.
8931            30   William  H   Le Roy....   Navy agent.......   17,500 53........................  For freight-, travel, pilotage, transportation, &c.
8934,   April   4   D. M. F. Thornton..... Purser.........                        13, 002 02....................                     labor in navy-yard, &c.
8935              4 S. MMcClellan...........  Acting purser.                          8 iO  08..    c                      isios on   is         eets
8936              5   George Loyal!.........  Nvy agenrt..                      8,331 61.1  05.....              For freiht, travel,   io transportation, &co
8937              6   E. 0. Perri............ Actilg purser.....    1, 437 04........................  For labor in navy-yard.
8938              6   B. B.  ieriotv    gn.......                                      y40 17........ 4   17............    For wvharfage, freight, pilotage, commisions,
&.
8939              8   C. W. Cutter..............do.......    3, 007 3.9......  For tools, fireight, transportation, hay, con, &c,
8940              9   L.T. WFaller............ Purser                               254...2                                        For pilotae, wood  waterc
8945               3   D. M. F. Thornton..........do.......    4, 51818..    For labor n navy-yard.''-947                                                                                         G                                      For apprehending liesorters.
8947        17   G. R. Barry...........                do..6...Fo..............rn  d                                        est 
89529   E. 0. Perrin............ Navv age0nt.. r...... 1,0i7  80                                          o..............              r fieight, labor u  navy-yard, &c.
8953             19   E. T. Du nn.....       Purser.....             4,721 1....................  For labor in navy-yard. 
8954             20   W. Anderson...........  Navy agent                           4,503 29........................  For wvharfi'age, fight, trave,  corn, hay, &. 
8956' ~ *   ~                                ~...................... ~, -J-;...
8956            22   W. H. Le Roy..........   14,4 -2 063........................  For re                                                     traelpiloag, tranpo              o &c
I.....uo..........[  ~   14;406                                   For prilo ~trage, oo, pqoagte'n r  oiti,,   &e
8964   May    I   WT. 3.  Ogden........... Acting purser.....    2,350 38............                                                 pilotage, wood, wate, c.'
8965              2   George F. Sawyer....... Prser...........                          4 00........................  For postage.
8970              6   J. H. Lathrop..........         Navy agent.......,......  For 1ools, fireight, t rave, advertisig  comisibons, &c.
8971              7   J. C. Douglass........    Pirser........    9,283 45........................  For labor in navy-yard, &.
897               9. Hindman.........            Navy agent......          4,08 24........................  For travel, freigt pilotage,. ii
8973             10   B. D. I[eriot..7........... o                    998 30..................  For wharfauge, travel freight, pilotage, d,
8974             1     C. W. Chauncey...... Acting purser....                        49 04........................   For pilotage  wood, warer, &1.
8975             10   R.   P. Price............ Purser...                       3,136............o..........    rc pilotae, fne], judge advocate, &c.
8976             14   Jos. Wilson................do......    8, 191 28.......................  For labor nnavy-'ard, &c.
8977             16   J. De Bree.................do..........    5,62 06........................                                         Do               do.
8978             17 J. W. Holding...... U. S. consul......                           5   76...................    For apprehenditng de.e"ters from  United States
s n amer A'ban',
8979               138  W. Hindtman.......... Acting purser.....                      1000..     o.......  For postag, &.c,
8980       20   B.S. Sands...........                do..........          89 90...                           For otlo:eo,    w ater, &c.
984             23   William  S. Oden................                                33 25.............                Do               do.
8986              5   J. j Wright..........t   Navyagent.......    7,849 72.                                                           i.......x.....,....  ftei.naporat ~m i,  av hayv, corn, &.c,
898?             P, Geoirge Harris......... Purser  1.......  i2 34                                For postage~;a:    onery, &C,'




No. 1 4:-Continuedo
No. of    Date.                Names.                      Rank.           Contingent  Conting't not  Contingent                             Purposes.
report.                                                                   enumerated.  enumerated. marine corps.
8992   May  30   S. IRarnsey........   Purser.......       467 03........................ For labor in navy-yard;
8993           30   Wrn. L. Shuttleworth... Brevet captain, narine cos..........................      815 28   For feight, forage, quarters, &c.
8999   June rgeLoya.......   Navy agentO....   5,490 51                                      $3 25.......... For travel, pilotage, freight, transportation, &c.
9000            6   C. W. Cutter..........  o                 2,820 25.....................                 Do              do             do
9009           12   G. R. Barry........... Purser.........      2  8....................... For postage.
9010           13   E.G. Perrin............ Acti.ng purse r.     1, 347 64                                   F......................  Forlabor in navy-yard.
9017           14   WT. Sloanakef.......... |     Navy cgent.......,199 29  |.............               For travel, pilotage, transportation, com Lmits
ions, &ec.
9018           15   N  C. Barrebino.               Surgeon.                    430 75........................ For   vfo ChagestoValparaiso.
9020           17  1W. Anderson...........   Navy agent.!25................              For wharfage, freight, travel, stationery, corm 
issions, &e.
9021           17   I. Bridg.............. Purser...........    2,482 60........................  For laLor in  avy-yard.
9022           21   John M." Bell...              Late navy agent..    8,318 57........................ For pilotage, travel, freight, transportation, &c. 
9026           25   F. G. iIcCauley........ Purser..........               4,181 11........................ For labor in navy-yard.
Total......... 550,743 68           1,989 00    12, 095 72
TFEASURy DEPARTMENTr, Fourlt  udit0r's Ojlce, Octobe 28, 1850.
A, 0 DAYToNJ




Doc. No. 1.                            397
No. 15.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office, Aug'us 22, 1850.
SIR: In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the
12th instant, I herewith transmit, in duplicate, the annual statement,
prepared in pursuance of an act of Congress approved May 1, 1820, of
the appropriations for the service of the Navy Department, from  July 1,
1849, to June 30, 1850.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, &c.,
ALBION  K. PARRIS,
Second Comptroller,
Rion. WILLIAM A. GRAHAM,
Secretary of the Navy,




1' —'                  "t Y        |                  ^ |                           a          j
0%                  n 5?               i,;,  0.1
1.     I,..n.:                0
1 —-:^,,<                      4!<  
Pay of the;.avy........................   4 4,0729 O 2,46,500 Og          $706,821 94  pS13,39396l3 0J96,20872l   $11, 1.85 34
PFay of s~u~e;njiatende.:'ns. naSval constr'uc.tors, &,.............          1, 9~23 ~9        76, i829 70           6, 470 53         85, ~23 51          7   7 6   2
increasce, re —air, a-i          and euiielf, a   uipme tC  be      of ii:vy....     484, 170, 97   f2 J05, 000 0o 0<, o0844 05                                                  4 814, 315  O9 
Cotitigfent ex         p  ense u         s       on erated'......t....,......  46, 591 /  88  508(, 00.0  66,  s 17 90  I  0, 70'd 78t                        6            i
ContiAnent  ee.i.ct. cts               etd, o.................  7)6 5i  c..d., alom,      419, (/7         3,n1ra5 59 DI  ti 561330
Pro'~vision!s'........................................,,6 183  6,04,747 61        37, 476 84         868, 916 8          82 85500:42, 0618.Nav),hospi'":uhnd;20 5.................  S,95  30............  40475                   464,36165! 430 3054542
Ciothi sg for i bte *  vy..............-.....I        3 38  473 16...........            70,717 84        i 09,9.   0          180,0519             42?;!eMtlaicin~eB,   anori.es: &cr of................,...,....e..........,................,..............   2C5                                                                      0
-urgeonse n.eessa.ries.,& c.,,.fbr the sick, ]ut, &c...........  53  68                        48, 500 (10          5,  55- 3;                                                    5,4 5894
B0ooks, map3s, &zc., of HydrcgrapnhalC^d ohiqce,.............                    576 53         58, 280 00            5,168  43         64,004 96           606586                    346
_aval School    Annapolis..........................       6, 7   37          22000....          35,097 37,883
leteormo^i"e'l observations,.............,..,.......~..c., SC  QOOO      1,033 34            3,033 4             2,1504                  88   9
Pte  ofs war stea mer,     construction  of, for harbor def..                 47. 183,521 S32...., 0...00         06.  9.... 4........    183, 521                I 3  1 08     117, 152  24
Nvacupt at NeswOrl Seans etablishiig,...........                              4,00    8,000               00             98000 CIO 9,730 CO                610,~ 50, 730 00




SLcaimll:IAI rvcC.V............,,......,/....,..  93100 00  874, 60900 0....   1,06'7, 701)0 0     188,569 45         879,13055'..' "vc'  of the coast, from  AppaRlacicola bay to mouth of 
tC   s ppi'1..........                                  63.............,7,68       57  68            2!7 45             275 23
ew "rdi.in  officer's and cr!e1w of two boats uinder Captain
Gregory............                                     0
rO............................................................                                  300   00          300   00.........            300   00
-iorle sa U'dro-n   pay ald subsistence of a.......................                              500 00            500 00..........            500 0
exican-   hotilotis.b.'....................... o..o.....   50,6              II          835 43        116,8122 14      i38,; 57 28       11,945 00             5, 4132 
Prize-y-r, Bo csto a rs during th.e Mexican war, per sectio- 8n,    ~erc      ok, a  1843......................         85000         4,181  5........         45, 031.5        4, 15309          40,878 16
Militar, corbutions ia n Mex.ia co:       i.......,                    200,   0 0 00             4,         0.0         17, 687 34           6, 31   66
a    we a etpo,....-ar, e:'i:e.,....................................                 1, 000 00                         120,0  00           1 4, 6,   4         8,035 3
~Navy-yvard, Portsamoul...       54, 620 53         2,542 132       57, 162 65         50, 799 85          6,62  80
sv/vy  dro, Boston    vssaIusett..                                  14,-283 79       151,2-21 50,686 76        1638, 1S205       110, 120 60         58,071 45
~   8-  New Yo"k, Le   York......7.......                           70000       609,500  6        85,302 58        694, 872 58       620, 765 63         74 1o5
Navy-aad, 1Philadelhia,  Pesyvania,.....              5,,774" 24 j    86,027 00          4,749 50        96, 550 74        60, 94 14          35, 6;2  60
J -ya'lr  d5, i1-7,3,......................                        1725389         165,844  00        11,581 67       194,685 56        125,099 31           6, 586s 35
a vy-ya, a    csaoia, Flria.                                         59a59,544 681   216, 013 55          6,937 28       283, 495 51      170, O00 29        1 2, 49 5 22.'      s'avy-y:ard, i'V-mph   Te -nnssee.                            13,057 93       15d8, 554 00        Q,27 9 76       173,891 69        145,410 14          28,481 55
N{av-         jLard,  Lashin.otr    ct    oluao.bia.   o o.o o..    7,580 30         44, 530 00         2, 456 89       54,567 19         43, 050 84           i,51  35.!c a.v y-Yr, v ck. a r,ic.wYork..................                  50 55         1,500 00               7 50         1,558 05          1, 558 05......
avma.       zc, Boston, lvas:-acsCt                                       3  90           618,46616t.....2...  388                              11199             1,01139
Navali       sine,Kc ~:wYork,   W York.................              500c            1,19837..............             1,698 37            415 59           1282 78 
Nat         zie,   ashington District of Columbia......                   00                50 00..                         1,450 00..............             1,450 0
_Naval mI v azine, Lnorfoa k, Vir-ginira.                              1, 938 00         1,504 59               9 98         3, 345  57, 000 O)          3, 45   57
a h..o'spital, Boston,  MlassachuseCtt..............                  88 54           1,500 00            613 30          2,991 84          1,789 35           1,20  49 
ava hospit, Nev Y'ork, New York..................                      7  81    11,300 00            10,191 90         21, 519 38        15,840 35           5, 679 03
Navai lhospital, Norfolk, -Virgini          a "..'nt.2, 00! 00                                             329 17          2, 329 17.3........         39 17
av  Ihospitl, P-enso -,Fio'ida.....................                1,796 92          1,809 56          1,243 09          4,849 57          3,317 46           1,532 11.Naval iof pi tao, a a h1in., District of Columbb a.....            100 00             50 0..............             350 00..............                50
iry-dock,  oatir, ao  iioitcry, -  MCainc, (Portsmnouth,) act:uUst;3, 1848....................................    129,128 36            344,000 00            962 79        374,091  15      258,387 78          115,703 37
L'ry-dck oa, Lsng, at Ihiladelphia, act August 3, 1848....    117,733 67             242,000 00           1,683 83       361,417 50        356,370 26            5,047 24
Dr- dock floatineg, at Pensacola, aca August 3, 1848.......         86,515 65        310,000 00          4,62 55        400 778 20        179, 670 20        221, 108 0o
MARINE CORPS.
Pay of marine corps...................................'   721 77       249,012 00          14,756 26       264,490 03        234,910 22          29,579 81
Provisions of oicers, marine corps.....................              17,865 90         40,674 80         22,816 26        81,356 96         47,532 95           33,824 01
Transportation,, marire corps......................                     76 10         8, 000 00        12, 102 99       20,179 09          12,254'20          7,'924 89
F' uel, mmniae corps.,......            89 05       2:3, 158 00         8, 687 09       31,934 14         13, 000  i00        18, 934 14',io   g of riarine corps........,,,......                           4,239 91         42,948 00          3,136 79        50,324 70         50,250 18               74 52
hlepaii-s of banrrrai, marinc  corps..............,....       26 57          6,000 00         11,576 71        17, 603 28          7,624 40           9,978 88      e




No. 15-Continued. 
00~
~c.. _. _                          -^0.10- 1 5-c                "a 0 
Contingiont, matine corp        p s.....        655 85      $18,0694 00 |          8 2 6 |  $l9,438 11 | i0i9, 065 84 |              372 27 
Military sFres) arinne co      rps............                    4 20 00, 000 00 j28 05                10, 8c8 05       10, 827 77                2, 
( eI)  1...1,902 5                                                1, 02 56
Reli-t of Joseph,V,lso. (Indfefinite).606  7..6061  7                                                                            60 067 6.............
ReUliteof jtor marineph 4  El-   (norpefinite)...............2..............4...0  6 0   o8 5-:1.3   
Miii4rystoi)rn"necorp9...........,.......-.-.~.l  4,200 0  6 0  0  1
ierCoFart Mo mh1   1. (Indefinite).............                2,00.72 00.......
vier   a(,,'                                       9 25................
Ptl.hef of wida.es a13n o. p9ans ot  cerss lost i79 9he                                               9137 I, 51 0
v l -a   t    ch3,l S17.    (indefinite.,.................................................. ],_7'2                                                  50............., 039,798 13  9,691,47. C5   1,799,913 67  |13,531,059 45   9,691,805 611   3,829,53 84
9, C91,347 65  1,799,913 i3                 45__9,691,____    61____ __ 3, _9_ 5  84~__




Doc. No. 1.                                              401
No. 15-Continued.
RECAPITULATION.
Amount applicable to the service of the fiscal year 1849-'50, as per aggregate of
fourth column.............................................13, 531,059 4;'
From  which deduct amount of refunding and transfer requisitions, as per third
column...............................................................    1,799,913   67
WVill show the balance actually applicable to the above period............... 11, 731, 145 Th,
From which deduct amount drawn by requisitions from the treasury, as per fifth column.................................  9, 691,805 61
Fromr which last sum  deduct amount of refunding and transfer
requisitions, as per third column,..                                  1        1............   1,799,913 67
-         7,891,891 9,
Will leave the aggregate of the sixth column of balances, June 30, 1850........  3, 839,253 84
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Secod Comptroller's Office, rl4gust 22, 1850.
ALBION K. PARRIS,
Second Comptrotlsr.
Amount drawn by requisitions from  the treanliry in the fiscal year 1849-150.... $9, 691, 805 6
Deduct repayments from July 1, 1849, to June 30, 1850.....................   1, 799, 913 6'
7, 891, 891 9 4M
Deduct special objects, viz:
Pay of superintendents, naval constructors, &c................            $64, 544 86
Books, maps, &c., of Hydrogrqphical office................                   55, 490 21
Naval school at Annapolis..3........    i       13,883 18
Military contributions in Mexico....................       13, 687 34
Page's magnetic power....1,66...................            1, 964 64
Navy-yards, magazines, and hospitals.....1...............!, 218, 805 83
Metecrological observations............................    1,117 08
Steam-boilers, &c., testing, &c..............................                    493 15
Stevens's war steamer......................                1 00
Survey Appalachicola bay................. t..........r..r                    297 45
Prize-money.............................................                      4,153 09
Steam mail service.................................      188, 569 45
Dry-docks, floating, at Kittery, Philadelphia, and Pensacola..            787, 19 07
Relief acts......................................             7, 642 76 
2,368, 169 1:
Total expenditure for the navy and marine corps for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1850...................................................5, 523, 722 SNAvy DEPARTMENT, Septembcr 30, 1850.
26








Doc. No. 1.                           403
REPORT
OF
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL
P.OST OFFICE DEPARTMfENT,
November 30, 1850.
SIR: The number of mail routes within the United States, at the close
-of the fiscal year ending on the 30th of June last, was 5,590; the ag-,gregate length of such routes was 17S,672 miles; and the number of con-,tractors employed thereon, 4,760.
The annual transportation of the mails on these routes was 46,541,423
miles, at an annual cost of $2,724,426; making the average cost about
five cents and eight and a half mills per mile.
The increase in the number of inland mail routes during the year was
649; the increase in the length of mail routes was 10,969 miles; and the
annual transportation of the year exceeded that of the previous year by'3,997,354 miles, at an increased cost of $342,440.
The mail service in California and Oregon, having been irregular in
its performance, and imperfectly reported to the department, has not been
embraced in the foregoing statements.
There were, on the 30th of June last, five foreign mail routes, of the
aggregate length of 15,079 miles; and the annual price of the transportation thereon, payable by this department, was $264,506; being an in-,crease of $8,814 on the cost of the preceding year.
There should be added to the cost of transportation, as above stated,
the expense of mail messengers, and local and route agents, (which expense is chargeable to the transportation fund,) and which for the last
-fiscal year amounted to $107,042; being an increase of $45,529 on the
expenses of the mail messengers, and local and route agents, for the preceding year.
The increase of our mail service for the last fiscal year, over the year
preceding, was about 9 4-10 per cent., and the increase in the total cost
was about 12 7-10 per cent.
The extent and cost of such service for the last year, its division among
the States and Territories, and its comparison with that of the preceding
year, will more fully appear by the accompanying report of-the First As-.sistant Postmaster General.
The number of postmasters appointed during the year ending June 30,
1850, was 6,518.  Of that number, 2,600 were appointed to fill vacancies
occasioned by resignation; 233 to fill vacancies occasioned by the decease
of the previous incumbents; 262 on a change of the sites of the offices
for which they were appointed; 1,444 on the removal of their predecessors; and 1,979 were appointed on the establishment of new offices.
The whole number of post offices in the United States at the end of




404                          Doc. No. 1,
that year was 18,417.  There were 1,979 post offices established, and
309 discontinued, during the year.
The postmasters and other agents of the department have, with few
exceptions, performed their duties with fidelity and promptness, and main —
tained the credit of the department for efficiency and usefulness.
rThe failures of connexion which have from  time to time occurred o01
some of the routes have caused much inconvenience and annoyance.
It is hoped, however, that the renewed requirement of the returns of
weekly and monthly registers of the arrivals and departures, by the postmasters at the ends of each route, which are now regularly made to the
department, and the efficient action of the increased number of special
agents, will render these irregularites less frequent.
The gross revenue of the  department for the' year ending June  0;,
1850, was $5,552:971  48, derived from the following sources:
From  letter postage, including  foreign postage, and
stamps sold          -       -                          $4;575;663 86
From newspaper and pamphlet postage            -       -      919,485 94
From fines      -       -      -                                   38 00
From miscellaneous items       -                                3,048 66
From receipts on account of dead letters       -       -        1,748 40
From the appropriation made by the 12th section of the
act of 3d March, 1847, for the franked matter of
the departments      -       -       -              -       200,000 00
5,699,984 86
From this sum should be deducted the amount received
during the year fbr British postages which are payable to that governmemt under the postal convention of December, 1848       -                      -       147,013 38
Leaving for the gross revenue of the year      -            5,552,971 48
The expenditures of the year were as follows
For the transportation of the mails     -               -  $2,965,786 36
For ship, steamboat  and way-letters.               -      40,543 71
For compensation to postmasters         -       -       -,549,376 19
For -wrapping paper    -        -                       -      27,435 53
For office furniture    -       -           -                    6,509 70
For advertising         -       -       -                       72,633 50
For mail-bags  -        -               -                       31,160 82
For blanks                                                     30,639 26
For mail locks, keys, and stamps               -  -              9,392 30
For mail depredations and special agents       -       -       29,725 79
For clerks fbr offices, (offices of postmasters)  -    -      357935 51
For miscellaneous items        -       -                       S -  8926 00
For post office laws and regulations    -      -                 1,722 24
For repayment of money found in dead letters           -          216:52
5,212,953 A13




Doc. No. 1.                            405
Leaving, as the excess of the gross reVeneue over the expenditures of the year, the sum of   -       -       -      340,018 05
The undrawn appropriations for this department under
the 12th section of the act of 1847, before referred
to, amounted, on the 30th June last, (including the
$200,000 embraced in the revenues of the last year,
and included in the foregoing balance,) to  -        -    $66s,555 55
The Auditor of the department estimates the balance to
the credit of the. revenue of the department on the day
last mentioned, which will be ultimately found to be
available, (and which does not include the $665,555 55
above mentioned,) at          -                             649,165 31
~    1
-Making an available balance, from all sources, of          1,314,720 86
Out of which there is payable to the British
government for postages collected under
the postal treaty during the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1849   -        -       - $35,66  66.And during the year ending June 30, 1850  147,013 38
182,675 04
Leaving a nett balance (as estimated by the Auditor) of   1,132,045 82
For a more detailed statement of the fiscal condition and affairs of the,department, you are respectfully referred to the report of the Auditor,
hereto annexed.
The new contracts for mail transportation in the northern section, corn-posed of the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont; Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York, made in the spring of 1849,
showed an increase of annual compensation of $96,98;  ) being an increase
of more than eighteen per cent. upon the previous cost of that section.
The new contracts made under the lettings of last spring for the western section of the Union, embracing the States of Michigan, Indiana,
Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama,
Mississipi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas, and the Territories, exhibit,a still greater increase in the annual cost of transportation in that section,
This increase is estimated in the contract office at $236,696 pe; annum,
being about 25 per cent. advance upon the annual cost of thatl section
under the contracts in force up to the end of the last fiscal year.  Of
this, about ten and four-fifths per cent. is attributable to the increase of.service in that section, and about fourteen and one-fifth per cent. to the in-,creased rate of compensation provided for in the late contracts.
The increased cost in the other sections of the Union, under the orders::for the improvement and extension of the service on existing nail routes,.made by the Postmaster General, during the first quarter of the current
fiscal year, will amount (after deducting the curtailments
ordered) to           $- 12,470 00And similar orders to be made during the residue of the
year may increase the expenses        -       -       -      50000 00
"The placing of the steam mail-packet Franklin on the New
York and Havre line will add the cost of a half-monthly
line for about 10 months                                     62500 00




406                           Doc. No. 1.
The service in California and Oregon, so far as reported,
will cost for the current year about   -       -       -    $80,470 00
The placing of the steam-packet Humboldt on the New
York and Havre line, and the putting in operation of
the new routes established at the last session, so far
as it can be done -within the remainder of the current
year, in accordance with the requirements of the laws
regulating the department, will probably add to the expenses of the year    -           -       -                   20000 00
The estimates upon this item, and that of the additional service yet to
be ordered, are made upon very uncertain data.  Indeed, the extent and
cost of the mail service, as well as the revenues of this department, aresubject to constant fluctuations, and the best considered and most carefut
estimates can furnish only a reasonable approximation to the actual re —
sults.
The expenditures for the current year are estimated as follows:
The annual expenses of transportation, (foreign and inland,) as it stood at the close of the last fiscal year   - $3,095,974 00
Additional cost in western section under contracts which
went into effect July 1, 1850          -                     236,696 00Cost of improvements in other sections ordered in the
first quarter of the current year      -       -       -      12,470 00
Cost of improvements to be made under similar orders during the residue of the year  -                               50,000 00Expense of steamer Franklin on the New York and Havre
line            6-              -      -62,500 00
Service in California and Oregon already reported                80,470 00
Cost of new routes and steamer Htmboldt          -       -       20,000 00
Expense of publishing a revised list of post offices and
postmasters, and a new edition of the laws and regulations, with a map to accompany the latter  -         -       14,500 00:
Expenses of last year under the heads of compensation to
postmasters; wrapping paper; office furniture; advertising; mail-bags; blanks; mail-locks, keys, and stamps;
mail depredations and special agents; clerks for offices,
(offices of postmasters,) and miscellaneous items; with
eleven per cent. added, (such expenses necessarily increasing with the increase of the revenue and general
service) -              -                                  2,447,199 906,019,809 90
To meet these expenditures, the department must rely on the receipts of
postages, the annual appropriation of $200,000 under the twelfth section
of the act of 1847, which has been before referred to, and the trifling appropriation made at the last session of Congress as a compensation for the'
transportation of the matter sent free through the mails under the act for
~taking the seventh census.
Before giving an estimate of the revenue of the current year, it is properto remark that no reliable estimate of the receipts from  postage can be
made.  The increase for the year ending June 30, 1847, was 11 27-100'
per cent.; for the year ending June 30, 1848; only 7 43-100 per cent.; and:




Doc. No. 1.                          407
for the year ending June 30, 1849, 14 20-100 per cent.; being an average
for the three years of 10 96-100 per cent.; and the increase for the year
ending June 30, 1850, excluding the balances in favor of Great Britain,
was 14 5-8 per cent.
It is believed that the postages of the.current year will
show an increase over those of the last year of at least
11 per cent., and amount to                         - $6,099,616 28
Deduct British postages, estimated at   -      -      -   145,000 00
5,954,616 28
Add the appropriations for the fianked matter of the department, and the appropriation for the postage of census
matter  -      -         -                  -       -   212,000 00
Making estimated revenues                                6,166,616 28
From which deduct estimated expenditures       "      - 6,019,S09 90'
146,806 38
The conveyance of correspondence between this and foreign countries'
and between the Atlantic and Pacific portions of the United States, has
become a large and -important branch of our mail service.  The means
provided for this conveyance consist of sixteen steam-ships now in actual
service, with four more to be added under the existing contracts. Consnected with this service is the land service across the Isthmus of Panama,
which is performed by the government of New Granada, under a treaty
providing a stipulated compensation, according to the weight of the mails'.
The whole duty of the government in regard to our correspondence
with foreign countries is not discharged by simply providing and supervising the means of conveyance.  Arrangements should be made with
the countries to which our steam-ship lines extend to specify and secure
mutual and satisfactory terms for the interchange of mails, and for the uninterrupted transitof our correspondence, in the mails of those countries,
to the countries beyond.  With Germany such arrangements have been
already made. They yet remain to be adjusted with France; but the subject is now in charge of our diplomatic representatives, and an early and
favorable termination of their negotiations is anticipated.
In respect to our correspondence with the West Indies and South
America, some specific arrangement is desirable; and the early passage of
a joint resolution of Congress authorizing this department to take nmeasures to secure such an arrangement is recommended.
The mail service in California and Oregon, and especially in the former, is still in an unsettled state and but partially reported, so that no
Satisfactory statement in regard to it can be submitted.  Sufficient time
to communicate with the agent last appointed to take charge of the California service has not yet elapsed since his appointment; but his report
upon the present condition of the service in that State may be expected
at an early day. In addition to the difficulties incident to the new and
very peculiar state of affairs in that distant region, there are many that
result from the want of proper experience and skill on the part of those
to whom  the management of postal affairs in that section of the country
has necessarily been confided. The appointment of a Deputy Postmaster
General and an Auditor to reside in California, as proposed by a bill re:



408                           Doe. No. 1.
ported at the last session, might aid in removing, some of the diffieulties,
b3ut would give an organization which would sever that service from  the
service. in other parts of the Union, and: is liable to other objections.  It
is, therefore, respectfully suggested that improvement system, economy,
and efficiency would be sooner introduced if Congress should authorize
the Postmaster General to send temporarily to the Pacific coast an officer,of the greatest knowledge and experience in mail arrangements and in
die principles and rules of the department governing the making of contracts, for the purpose of being there associated with the local agent in
organizing the service at the outset, anid placing it on a proper basis for
t.:he future charge and management of such local agent. If the local agent
is to be continued in charge of the service, his salary should be increased to an amount better corresponding with the high prices prevailing
in California.
In vieiw of the time required to communicate with Oregon and our
siewly acquired territories, the following modification of the post office lawrs
is urgently recommended:
1. That the contract and fiscal year for the Post Office Department, in
respect to the service in California, Oregon, New Mexico, and Utah, be
Tchanged, and thatit commence and end three months earlier than for the
rest of the Union, so that the returns, accounts, and all other statements
for the last quarter of the' fiscal year in that portion of the Union can be
~made to the General Post Office in Washington in time, after being duly:audited, to be embraced in the annual reports submitted at the opening of
"Congress.
2. That authority be given to the special agent in that country to open,
at San Francisco, the dead letters returned from the offices in California
and Oregon, and there dispose of them, as is now done at the General
Post Office, under such regulations and restrictions as tlhe Postmaster,teneral may prescribe.  For this purpose, a clerk or clerks, with suitable,-alaries, should'be allowed to the special agent.
A considerable reduction of letter postage, and the adoption of a uni"folrm inland rate, are desired by a large portion of the people of the United.States.  Interesting and able reports, recommending different degrees of
reduction,were made, but not acted upon, at the last session of Congress.'The subject will doubtless again engage the attention of Congress at its
approaching session; and, with an earnest desire that our rates of postage
~may be reduced to the lowest point that is practicable without calling for
a contribution from the treasury beyond what should be paid for the transmission and delivery of the official and public correspondence, I recom-.mend that the inland letter postage be reduced to three cents the single
letter when prepaid, and be fixed at the uniform rate of five cents when
Vot prepaid; and) also, that the Postmaster General be required to reduce
this prepaid rate to two cents the single letter whenever it shall be ascert:ained that the revenues of the department, after the reductioiis now
eecommended,  shall have exceeded its expenditures by more than five
per cent. for two consecutive fiscal years.  I also recommend that the
postage to California and Oregon be greatly reduced, and that the postage
charged on other sea-going letters be made more simple and uniform.
With the numerous rates now  charged-some with and some without
the addition of the inland rates-confusion and mistake are frequent,:nd unavoidable. I therefore recommiend that twenty cents the single let



Doc. No...                          409
ter be charged on all correspondence to and from the Pacific coast, South
America, the Eastern Continent and its islands, and points beyond either;
and ten cents the single letter on all other sea-going letters, without the'superaddition of inland postage in any case-excepting, however, all cases
where such sea postages have been or shall be adjusted at different rates
by postal treaty already concluded or hereafter to be made; and power
should be given to the Postmaster General, by and with the advice and
consent of the President of the United States, to reduce or enlarge the sea
rates, with the view of making better postal arrangements with other governments, or counteracting any adverse measures affecting our postal intercourse with other countries.
I also recommend that the provision which imposes an additional halfcent postage upon newspapers sent more than one hundred miles, and out
of the State where they are mailed, be repealed, so as to leave the uniform inland postage on newspapers sent to subscribers from the ofice of
publication at one cent each.
The postage upon pamphlets, periodicals, and other printed matter,
(except newspapers,) may be simplified and somewhat reduced with advantage to the department. Two cents for the pamphlet or periodical of the
weight of two ounces or less, and one cent for every additional ounce or
fraction of an ounce, is recommended as the inland rate upon all pamphlets, periodicals, and other printed matter, instead of the present rate of
two and a half cents for the first ounce, and one cent for every additional
ounce or fractional part of an ounce.  For the sea-going charge on such
matter, and on newspapers, twice the inland rate to and from the points to
which it is proposed that the letter postage shall be ten cents, and four times
the inland rate where the letter rate is twenty cents, is deemed a just and
proper rate.  This would, in some cases, increase the postage on printed
matter sent to the Pacific coast, and by our other sea lines, where the
postage is not already fixed by postal arrangement; but the postage to
California, as above proposed, would hardly equal the price now charged
by private expresses for the conveyance of the same weight, in packages
of less than one hundred pounds, to San Francisco.
It will be perceived that the reduction proposed in the postage upon
printed matter is not large.  The reason for the greater reduction of letter
postage is found in the fact that the rates of postage upon printed matter
are now  exceedingly low, when compared with the letter rates. The
average postage on letters is estimated at about three dollars and sixteen
cents per pound, and on newspapers or pamphlets at about sixteen cents
per pound.  After the reductions proposed, the average inland postage on
letters will be about $2 50 per pound when not prepaid, and  1 50 per
pound when prepaid.
The reductions in postage now recommended will, if carried out, reduce the revenues of the department for the first three or four years.  At
the end of that period, the revenues of the department, under the reduced
tariff of postages, will probably again equal its expenditures.  To meet
the deficiency which must follow this reduction, the surplus revenues already accumulated may be first applied, and, after these shall have been
exhausted, an appropriation from the treasury will be required, unless
Congress shall-deem it expedient to abolish the existingptivileges of sending and receiving free matter through the mails, or to increase the annual
appropropriation now made to the department for the conveyance of a




410                           Doc. No. 1.
part of such free matter to a sum equal to the revenues that would be derived therefrom  if all free matter were charged with postage.
The continuance of the franking privilege-a privilege which may be
properly considered as the privilege of the constituent rather than of the
representative —may be dictated by an enlightened public policy and required by the public interests; and the same may be said of the privilege
possessed by newspaper proprietors of sending and receiving exchange
newspapers fee of postage.  But if these privileges are continued, it is
respectfully submitted that this department should be paid for the conveyance of the matter sent free under them by an appropriation from the public treasury, rather than by a tax on the private correspondence of the
country.  If a sum equal to the postage which would be charged on all
free matter, were it chargeable with postage, should be annually appropriated and paid to this department, it is believed that such appropriation and the accurmuJated surplus revenue would enable the department
to sustain itself, nothwithstanding the proposed reduction, or that the
appropriation required would be so inconsiderable as to interpose no serious
obstacle to the adoption of the measures now recommended.
In case a reduction of postage shall be made, it is suggested that it
should only take effect from and after the 30th of June next, that it may
go into operation at the commencement of the next fiscal year.  This is
desirable for the purpose of enabling the department to present the fiscal
results of the reduction with clearness and accuracy in future reports, and
also for the purpose of giving time to prepare the forms, instructions, and
blanks which will be necessary in consequence of the change in the rates
of postage.
Any reduction of postage is likely to increase the labor, and reduce, for
a time at least, the compensation, of the several postmasters.  It is therefore recommended that power be given to the Postmaster General to
increase the rates of commission at the smaller offices, so as to insure the
services of competent and faithful officers.
The term neewspapsr is not so fully defined by the existing laws upon
that subject as to enable the department to decide, without embarrassment
and difficulty, whether a particular periodical is or is not to be deemed a
newspaper; and, thlough various decisions in particular cases have, at
different times, been made in the department, they have not relieved the
question from perplexity and embarrassment.
Thete was a manifest incongruity in the laws establishing the California
steam-ship lines in providing for a conveyance of the mails twice a month
from New York, New Orleans, &c., to Chagres, and a conveyance of the
same only once a month from Panama north along the Pacific coast.
Soon after the close of the last session of Congress, mv attention was
called to this subject by a memorial from the representatives in Congress
from the State of California and Territory of Oregon, insisting that a semiuonthly mail service should be regularly organized and performed on the
Pacific portion of that important route.  The contractors on the route had
already so far yielded to the complaints and wants of the public as to
take occasionally a second monthly mail, but, for want of legal authority
to make compensation for such service, its performance had never been
properly organized.  It was voluntary merely, and only occasional.
The action of the department wvas urged in view of the provisions of the
recent act of Congress making an appropriation for actual mail service




Doc. No. 1.                           411
performed, or to be performed, by mail steamers; but I did not feel at
liberty to make an order which might divert a portion of that appropriation
to the payment of services not within the contemplation of Congress when
the appropriation was made.  Anxious, however, to afford to the new
State the requisite mail facilities, an arrangement was made with the
contractor for the monthly mail by which the additional service was
secured, with the express understanding and agreement that the order
therefor should create no liability of any kind against this department or
the government; that the service authorized by such order should not be
considered in fixing the amount of any compensation for mail service by
ocean steamers for which any appropriation had been theretofore made
by Congress; and that the order for such service was subject to be revoked,
if Congress, to which alone the contractor was to look for an allowance of
pay, should disapprove of the same.  The assent of the contractors to
these terms was recuired and obtained as a condition precedent to the
completion of such arrangement.  It remains for Congress to adopt such
measures, in regard to this subject, as may be deemed just and expedients
The locks and keys in use upon the mails of the United States have
now been in service for many years; and the experienced officer of this
department to whose charge this branch of the service has been committed recommends that the same be changed.  I concur in this recommendation, and shall ask that a sufficient appropriation for that purpose
be made by Congress at the approaching session.
The publication of the list of post offices and of a new edition of the
laws and regulations, for which an appropriation  vas made at the last
session, has not been completed.  The list of offices has been prepared,
and its printing directed; but the printing of the new edition of the laws
and regulations has not yet been ordered.  The delay has been caused
by the desire to await the action of Congress upon the bills affecting this
department which were reported at the last session, and by the pressure
of business, Twhich has hitherto prevented such a revision of the regulations as it was deemed expedient to make before the new  edition was
ordered..
The accommodations for the post office of this city are entirely unsuited to an office of its importance, and are decidedly discreditable to
the department and the country.  Some improvements lately authorized,
and now in progress, will afford partial and temporary relief; but other
arrangements of a permanent character should soon be made.  The
rooms of this department, also, are already unreasonably crowded' and
additional rooms for the officers and clerks of the department, and of the
Auditor's office, will soon be absolutely required.  To afford suitable accommodations for these and for the city post office, it is respectfully submitted that the contemplated extension of the west wing of the General
Post Office building should be authorized, and that the upper floors in
such wing be assigned to the Auditor and his clerks, and that the first
floor be devoted to the use of the city post office.
The laws regulating the action of this deparment and its officers are
numerous, were passed at different times, and contain many obselete and
conflicting provisions. An entire revision of these laws, and the passage
of a single act containing all the provisions of law  relating to this department, would aid all its officers in the discharge of their duties, and give'




412                         Doe. No. 1.
greater ease, accuracy, and despatch to its operations.  Suh a revision is
respectfully suggested.
In conclusion, I desire to acknowledge my obligations to my assistants
and the clerks in the department for the cheerfuliness, zeal, and assiduity
with which they have labored in the discharge of their respective duties,
and to renew the recommendation of my predecessors that the Assistant
Postmasters General beplaced;upon the same footing, in respect to their
compensation, as the heads of bureaus in the other departments.
N. K. HALL,
Postmaster General.
To the PRESIDENT.
AuDITOR'S OFFICE OF THE TREASURY
FOR THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
November 19, 1850.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations
of this office for the past fiscal year:
~Revenue.
Balance to the credit of the revenue on the 1st July,
1849         -       -      -                           $606,338 17
Receipts from postages, &c., for the year ending 30th
June, 1850 S -     -.                           5,499,984 86
6,106,323 03
Expenditure.
Payments                                 $ -  52-5212,953 43
Charged to bad debts          -       -         275 03
Charged to suspense        -          -           16 46
5,213,244 92
Leaving balance ist July, 1850, to the credit of the revenue         -      -893,078 11
This balance results from the entries on the books of this
office, and includes debts yet due by late postmasters
who became late prior to 1st July, 1845, (most of
which is considered irrecoverable,) amounting in the
aggregate to-        -      -      -                      245,912 80
Leaving an available balance of       -      -       -      649,165 31
In addition to this, there remains in the treasury, under
the act of March 3, 1847, undrawn, for mail service
performed for the several departments of the governmnent            -      -.....       665,555 55
Aggregate available balance from all sources to the credit
of the revenue               -             -      -    1314,720 86




D1oc. No..                             13
Out of which there is payable the amount due the British government on account of postages collected under the postal treaty to June 30, 1850       -             $1 82,675 04
Leaving a nett balance of              -               -    1,132,045 82
The postages on letters, &c., under the Lteaty with Great
Britain, from its date, as reported by the postmasters of
New York and Boston, weTe            -       -      -      $885,000 95
Of which there vwas collected in the United States            424391 OS
Due British government in adjustment of the international accounts to 30th June, 1850  -               -       182,675 04
Leaving in favor of the United States -        -              241,716 04
For the fiscal year from  Ist July, 1849 to 30th June,
1.850, the postages were     -       -                     $623,421 04
Of which was collected in the United States  -         -      338,213 98
Due the British government on adjustment of accounts
for the fiscal year    -     -                       -      147,063 62
Balance revenue resulting to the United States for the
fiscal year......              191,150 36
-Brem.en Afails.-Postages by this line, from 5th October,
i849, to 30th September, 1850, collected by the United
States       -       -                       -      -        46,914 63
[This, however, is subject to a small abatement for
dead letters, inot yet ascertained.1
Add balance due to the United States from Bremen   -               950 97
Revenue arising from  postages, 5th October, 1849, to
30th September, 1850         -               -               56,865 60
The following statements have,been made up from the books of this
office showing the. postages arising on the California and Havana lines:
Postages on the Ch:arleston and Havana line from  October 18, 1848, to
September 30) 1850.
From  October 18, 1848, to September
30, 1850-'
Mails received        -       -       -:$13,598 79
Mails sent            -               -       8,807 58
$22,406 37




414                         Doc. No. 1
Or as follows, viz:
From  October 18, 1848, to June 30,
lS49Mails received       -              -     $4,744 99
Mails sent   -       -                      3,529 48
$8,274 47
From  July 1, 1849, to June 30, 1850Mails received       -      -               8,049 22
Mails sent,   -.       4,802 08......12,851 30
From July 1, 1850, to Sept. 30, 1850Mails received              -  804 58
Mails sent   -.-                              476 02
1,280 60
22,406 37
Postages on the New York and Chagres line from December 1, 1848, to
September 30, 1850.
From December 1, 1848, to September
30, 1850Mails received    178,699 67
Mails sent    -.                    223,890 96
~-..$.8402,590 63
Prepaid.                69,749 04
Unpaid..    332,841 59
~ ~   - 402,590 63
Or as follows, viz:
From  December 1, 1848, to June 30,
1849Mails received       ~.  $6,727 89
Mails sent..              16,907 14
- ~. —    ~$23;635 03
Prepaid     -..                          5,243 39
Unpaid      -  -                  -     18,391 64
23,635 03
From July 1, 1849, to June 30, 1850Mails received              -       -    109,263 26
Mails sent    -      -                   1  140,005 64
_~~ ~- i249,268 90




Doe. No. 1,                           415
Prepaid                -               $37,083 05
Unpaid      -          -                212,185 85
249,268 90
From July 1, to September 30, 1850Mails received       -       -      -      54,630 57
Mails sent    -      -                     7 75,056 13
$129,686 70
Prepaid            -              -  27,422 60
Unpaid.            -         102,264 0i
129,686 70
402,590 63
A large portion of the postages collected in California has not been accounted for, and is not included in the revenue of the year-but few returns having been received from the post offices presumed to be in operation,
Collection of post ofice revenue.
The whole number of post offices in operation on the 30th June, 1850,
was 18,417.  Of this number, those denominated "collection offices"
were 13,835, the postmasters of which are required to pay their balances
quarterly to contractors, on orders issued from this office.
The number of postmasters reported by contractors as delinquent was
124 only: all of whom  have since paid their balances-114 on special
requisition from this office, and 10 on collection drafts.
The amount collected by contractors on the orders sent
from. this office was        -       -$1,046,592 92
And there was collected from  ten collection offices, by
drafts         -      -                                       359 46
1,046,952 38
The balances due by the postmasters of the whole number of post offices, (18,417; of which 2,482 were draft
and depository offices,) on adjustment of their quarterly
returns for the fiscal year, amounted to     -         $3,374,508 32
Of which was collected by regular contractors, at 13,835 offices, and by ten
drafts, as before stated     -      -$1,046,952 38
By special contractors for special mail
service at 2,100 special offices    -      85,664 05
1,132,516 43
Leaving subject to the Postmaster General's drafts and
warrants for the service of the department, in the fiscal
year, in the hands of postmasters and in the treasury -  2,241,991 89




416                         Doe. No. 1.
The balances on accounts of late postmasters who went
out of office between the 1st July, 1845, and 30th June,
1849, unsettled on the 1st July, 1849, amounted to  -  $117, 330 55
Collected during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1850Withlout suit  -                       $ 94, 447 61
By suit            -                      3,057 75
Credited on vouchers      -              6, 043 14
Charged to suspense       -       -          13 90
Charged to bad debts      -       -         185 67
103, 748 07
Leaving uncollected 1st Jully, 150                           13, 582 48
Due by postmasters who went out of office during the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1850            -       -    145, 709 91
Collected within the year       -            96,259 11
Credited on vouchers admitted          -            27, 653 37
Charged to suspense    -        -      -             51
Charged to bad debts   -               -          540
123,918 39
Balances uncollected 1st July, 1850     -       -            21, 791 52
Aggregate indebtedness by late postmasters fiom  1st
July, 1845, on unsettled accounts, to 30th June, 1849   $117,330 55
From 1st July, 1849, to 30th June, 1850               -    145, 709 91
Total for settlement from 1st July, 1849, to 30th June, 1850    263, 040 46
Collected and settled during the fiscal yearOn the accounts previous to 30th
June, S849      -       -      -   $103,748 07
On accounts of the year ending
30th June, 1850 -       -       -    123,918 39
227, 666 46
Leaving yet due to the United States on account from 1st
July, 1845, to 30th June, 1850, by postmasters who
became late during that period           -          -      35, 374 00
It is confidently expected that nearly the whole of this balance will be
satisfactorily settled within the current fiscal year.
It is due on accounts of late postmasters for the year
ending30th June, 1846            -              -       -      3, 263 25
30th June, 1847    " "                    -                 969 33
30th June, 1848   1-       -       -              -      1,573 18
30th June, 1849    -                              -      7, 776 72
30th June, 1850    -       -              -       -     21,791 52
35,374 00




Doc. No. 1  417
Suits were brought during the fiscal year for the collection of balances amounting to        -      -       -      7 377 21
in thirty-nine of these, collections have been made,
amounting to..       2,941 08
Leaving balances unsettled on stuits brought within the
year ending 30th June, 1850                 -       -      4,436 13
Collected as above     -   2,941 08
tin forty-six suits, in which balances were
uncollected 30th June, 1849, there has
been collected within the fiscal year
ending 30th June, 1850       -  8,273 76
Whole amount collected by suit within the year -             11, 214 84
Of these suits, there was one against a late contractor, one against a
failing contractor, and the rest were against late postmasters.
The balances to the credit of late postmasters which were
unsettled on the 1st of July, 1849, on the books of this
office, for the five years ending 30th June, 1850,
amounted to           -              -                    59, 644 48
Of which there has been paid or settled within the fiscal
year   -              -              -      -             23,366 18
Leaving yet open for adjustment        -                    36, 278 30
There are also open on the books of the office apparent
balances in favor of postmasters who became late prior
to July 1, 1845, awaiting proof for settlement, amountingto-         -      -                                    3,557 00
The amount of old balances due by late postmasters prior
to 1st July, 1845, and appearing outstanding on the 1st
October, 1848, was   -        -      -      -       -    266,081 87'Which was increased in settlements made in the year
ending 30th June, 1849                                        666 50
266,748 37
Of which was settled within the fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1849, by collections, credits, and readjustments         13,006 9fCharged to bad debts   -      -              1,433  2.-...... 14 440 24
Leaving unsettled 1st July, 1849       -       -      -    252,308 13
Which was increased within the fiscal year ending 30th
June, 1850, by further charges      -       -                 498 73
252, 806 86
27




418                            BXic  No. o~1.
Of which was settled in lthe fiscal -year
ending' m3th June, 1850, by collections,
credits' and readjustment of accounts          $6, 884 06
Cthaged to bad debts   -          -       -10 00
$6, 8'4 06-:
Leavingl due 1st July, 1850..   245, 912 80
]itjost of these old balances are considered irrecoverable; and therefore,
bei:g unavailable as revenue, but included in the surplus balance appearing against the treasury, the whole amount has been deducted from  that
slrplus balance, for the purpose of exhibiting the available means of the
detlartmrent, as shown in the first part of this report.
T'lhere is another class of old balances, (which do not affect the s'i'iUs, balaance chargeable to the treasury,) most of which have been for a.
long time outstanding, and are now considered irrecoverable.  They are
du'e on accounts of late contractors, late marshals, late district attor:neys,
l.ate mail agents, clerks, &c., involving, in many instances, charges for
fiiies' penalties, and disputable items-all of which renders it impracticable to state the amount in the aggregate with any approach to accutacy at present.
The current business of this office increases progressively with the
annual extension of' the department's operations.  Every new post office,..
ne;w,mail route, and change of route, involves additional returns and:
new.acorunts.  This increase of business for the past fiscal year will be
unlde rstCod friom the fbllowing statement:
Thee numbner of post offces in operation 30th June,
1i849A  was-      -                                     I — 1-6 747
Con]i;tacto(s' ac counts      -                -       -   2 758
Special accounlts             -       -       -            1, 545
tbiscel laneous acounts aco                                   300
21. 350'
On tl-e 30th June, 1850, the number of post offices
in  operation was  -                                -  18, 417'
Con.tractorsl accounts        -                            3200
Special accounts                      -           -        2,100
ltiseellaseeus anlcd ifre1ig  mail service    -              400
-  24, II(
ShQowVig an increase within the year of current annual accounts                                                               2.  -..   -  7 tT6
Bet ea.h office in operation renders within the year four' quarterly accoilnts current, with numerous returns for examination; and the contIactors aiso require four quarterly settlements: so that, for the 18,417
offices arid 3200 contractors of the fiscal year, the examinations, adjustnmen.ss, correspondence) and settlefents, involved 48,468 accounts.  Of
these'c 11,048 arose out of the increased business of the fiscal year.'This progressie increase of business calls for additional office aecoinimecdticiin.    The necessity is already  pressing-ly felt for several m-ore
rctms.t^ to enable the clrs Cf e  this bureau to dpatch  the business a



Doec,  No. 1.                           4i19
lotted to them in a satisfactory imannper  the number of rooms at present
assigned to them  being insufficient, and therefore too nimch crowded.
I have the honor to be, respectfuflly,
J. W. FARRELLY, Auditr
[To the Hon. N. K. iHALL,
PEostmaster Genieral,:POST:  OFFE  Al DEPARMENT,
ContracCt QOffice TNovember 16, 1850.
Sin: The 1annmexed table (marked A) exhibits the mail service of the
United States for the last contract year.  It represents the extent of the service as it stood at the close of the year by the number of miles of annual
transportation-the only  oommoion standard to which it can be reduced;
and it presents the cost of the transportation in the annual prices at
which that service was elngaged.  It tmay be well to explain that, in the
nature of things, it gives results at higher amounts than what the actual
payments of the year, under the modifications and deductions that take
place, would show..As compared with a li-ke table made fbr the year ending June 30,
1849; it shows an increase in the service of the last over the preceding
year in all particulars-greater length of routes within the United States
by 10,969 miles; nore annual tralsportation thereon by the difference
of 3,997,354 miles: mlore   agrecrgate ccst on transportation  within the
United States by the sum of               m 95,911; more cost in mail agencies a.nd
fbreign service by'$5. -43, making the total increase of cost $350,254.
That increase fronm 1R,49 to 1-50} is 12,,  per cent. in cost, and 94, per
cen t. in service.
Tie mlail service in (aliitoria, and the trfling  amount in Oregon, performed within the last contract year; were too irregular and too imperfectly
reported and understood at the department to be embraced in the annexed table.
Ont the 30th June rastI tere         5,595 U nited States mail routes in.
operation; there were 4-,7'65 mail contractors;, 100 route agents, 27 local
agenlts, and 376 mlail messengers.  Tiable B will show  how they were
distributed among the different sections of the service.
in respect to the current year, commencing first July last, attention is
called to tie annexed. table marked 0.  It shows the annual prices and.
the extent of transportation at which the mail service in the southwestern and northwestern sections of the Union was placed  under contract
at and since the last annual lettings, held in April and May last, for the
term of four years, beginning with the 1st of July, 1850.  A  quarter's
performance of this service has already expired. The last year's service
in these States and Territories, to wit: tiichigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wis.
consin, Iowa,  Miniesota         souri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama,
Mississippi, A.rkanisas, Louisiana, and Texas, was the last performed under the contracts that expired on the 30th June, 1850, and  sums up at
17,36C8998 miles of annual transportation, and $943,492 annual cost.
The new service now employed in these States and Territories, and in.
operationi since the 1st Jtly, 1805! stands at  1924,1/,9.0 miles oi anltua.




420                         Doe. No. 1transportation; and $1,180,188 of annual cost. More this year than last
by 1,872,942 miles, and $236,696.
Here is one item, the difference in cost of transportation
between the old and new contracts in one of the four
sections of the United States, that will increase the expenses of the present over the past year            -.236,696 00
This is the result of the last periodical lettings. The
miscellaneous daily, orders of the Postmaster General,
directing changes, improvements, and enlargements of
the mail service in the three other sections of the Union
for the first quarter of the current year, will add the
further sum, annually, after deducting the amount of
curtailments, of      -              -      -       -      12470 00
The placing of the steam  mail-packet Franklin on the
New York and Havre route will add the cost of a halfmonthly line for about ten months    -      -              62,500 00
The service in California and Oregon, so far as officially
reported for the current year, is               -          80,470 00
There is reason to believe that the actual amount will exceed that
sum.  The service in California is yet in a crude and unadjusted state.
No routes have been established within it by Congress until a very recent
date.  No mail transportation has been authorized, except the temporary
service to be procured by the agent created by the act of August 14,
1848.  What has been obtained has been for short periods, and on brief
notices, and at high rates. The agency placed in charge of this anonmalous service has changed hands three times. At so remote and difficult a'
point of operations, beyond the immediate reach of orders and advice
from the head of the department and its other offices, what is most needed
is an adequate knowledge and practical familiarity on the part of the
agent with the principles, rules, and modes of proceeding in the arrangement of mail service, in the letting of contracts, and other details; and
this is not to be immediately expected, if the necessary experience is yet
to be acquired.  Sufficient time has not elapsed to receive information
from the agent last appointed.
There are other items, of expenditure to swell the expenses of this year
over those of the last; but the amounts of them  cannot be stated with
precision. The steam-ship Humboldt will be placed in the New York and
Havre service, at the additional cost of $75,000 per annum, but at so late
a date probably as to bring but a small portion of the expense into the accounts of this year. It is impossible to anticipate what will be the amount
of the current orders for the increase of the Irvice in the three last quarters of the year. Putting it at due proportion (which would be quite arbitrary) to the amount of like orders for three sections of the Union made
ih the first quarter, it would be at the rate of $52,878 a year. Bat then
only a part of that amount would fall into the payments made this year;
and circumstances in the service may arise to produce a very different
amount of additional allowances.
By an act approved September 27, 1850, Congress created'783 new
post routes.  One sixth of them in number may be put in operation this
year, at a supposable cost, we will say, of $15,000 per annum-fivetwelfti-s of which only will come into the expenditures of this year. To put




Deco Noo A.                               421
this service under contract, requires an advertisement for proposals and a
public letting.  In respect to these new routes, that lie in  the New England, New  York, and middle sections, advertisements for bids may be
immediately issued., and the lettings thereon held at an early day in January next.  This preliminary letting could not well be enlarged, in order
to include in it those of more distant States, without seriously interfering
with the proceedings of the great annual lettings, which, this year, embrace
the entire service of the southern  States, as a later period would have to
be fixed to allow  the legal notices to be given  to the distant points.
Therefore, the new routes in all but the New  England2 New York, and
middle sections, and in California and Oregon, will have to be disposed
of to con:tract at the annual lettings next spring, and go into operation on
the 1st of July; 1851.  B-ut in the mean time, temporary contracts might
be made whenever -parties proffer proposals for that purpose.  This last
proceeding will involve an additional cost beyond what is above estimated;
and the amount will be further increased by the new service that the
Califobnia and Oregon agents may succeed in placing under contract
within the year.
I recur to the new  contract service of the current year-that of the
norrt western and southwestern States and Territories-to point out the character of its increase in cost and extent over the old service of the same
section, which has been superseded by it.  We pay on that section'25
per cent. more this year than last, whilst we have but 103- per cent. more
of annual transportation of the mail.  This, with the fact that the increase of the last year over the preceding is greater in cost than in the
extent of the service, would indicate a constant rise in the prices of mail
transportation.  A close examination will show  that, in the change from
the preceding year to the last, and from the expired contracts of last year
to the new contracts of the.current year, there has been, to a large extent,
a substitution of the higher for the lower grades of mail conveyance.  If
we do not get an equivalent increase of the service in the number of
miles, we get service of greater speed and better quality.
The mails have been shifted to more expeditious and costly lines of
steamboats on the  ewestern lakes.   They have been transferred from
coaches to the nrewly constructed railroads radiating from the great centres of business and pop ulation in all sections of the country; and they
have found entire new channels of conveyance on the Cumberland and
White rivers, and. on the coast of Texas, in steamboats arranged into
lines for that purpose, wvhere before there was nothing but some detached
cross routes.  And this species of change is more or less in progress, as
the enterprise of the country is developed in the creation of improved facilities.  Nor is it confined to the cases where steam  has superseded the
inferior modes of conveyance.  At the last lettings, four horse coach transportation was contracted for on the thoroughfare roads in the southwestern and northwestern States, instead of the two-horse coach conveyance,
which could have been obtained at much lower prices; but which left the
public to suffer under an inadequate mode of mail transportation, or look
to the uncertain favor of the contractor to furnish a better mode, under the
influence of some other motive than a sense of obligation to the govern~ment.  The increase of cost beyond the proportionate increase of extent i"
miles is not, therefore, wholly an advance of price or additional cost, without an equivalent, but represents mainly a better quality of the service




42                             Doc. IN o,.
secured by the contract in the particular of spFeed: and greater capacity to
give certainty anad security to the nmals.
On account of the more special interest taken by Congress and the public in  our1 railroca  and steamboat mails, tlhe annexed tables D and E
are applended to show the particulars of the contract on each route of railroad and steamboat conveyance for the current year.   Improvements have,
been ima-e on. several of the lines, so as to gi ve a speed of about twentyfive Dmiles to the hour,; bry means of special trains, stopping at. but few  of
tie inteli ieliate proints, and devoted to the accomm.lodation of the throuAgh
mail and  travel.  it is believed that this is attended with decided pecuniary ladvantages to the companies, derived froom the additional travel. thus
attractedf oTver their roads.  The desire is universal and most urgent to
see ti's imoprovemeint i'troduced, wehere it is so natural to look for it, upon
the principal line in the'United Sates tl:at between it; first commercial city and its capital.   A departure from  New York onr this line at 7,
instead of 5, in the evening, would pronmote the convenience and ecc'l:
omy of travTel.  It would promote the mail accotlmmodation of the public
to an immense extent, by taking on the entire correspondence of' the day,
rwhich thele would then be time to  riite betfore the close of business hours)
and by taking on a vast amou-nt of mail f'iom the interior, which in that
case wsould have time fo make full connlexions with  the southern line.,'Tiis, with a despatchl of but twenty  miles to the hour, including all stops,
instead of tile average of sixteen now given on the whole line, would bring
the madil to Washington by 7 o'clock the next morning, and allow a reasonable interval (whereas there is noxw not a minute) for overhauling and distribu-tig, that portion of it that is to go firward to the South:i  The ertula.
tion of our contlactors on the ocean line has, in a space of three years,
increased the speed of our steam-ships between America and England to
equal, if not to surpass, that of the British steamers.   Nowhere within
tie   United States could this example be followed with greater adrvantage
and  distinction  than  on this the most nlational of our railroad linesi
the route between New York and Wrashington.  Another improvement on
a portion of the railroads is greatly  needed-more suitable apartments in
the cars than have been furnished, to contain te mails safely, and to
serve as an office for the mail agent.
Table F  exhibits a list of the foreign or ocean routes, distinguishing
those under contract with the Secretary of' the Navy from those held directly under the Postmaster General.
On these routes correspondence is conveyed to and fri o  foreign counltries and reimote portions of the United States in steam-packets, employed
under contract by government, and running at stated periods.  By the
former mode (still in use whenever parties resort to it) it was conveyed by
sailing vessels, as their voyages might occur, for a small gratuity, paya.ble upon each letter at the port of delivery.  T.'he new system is rmulch the
most expensive, but it gives to correspondence regularity and despatchthe utmost tlhat is attainable for any purpose between the same points of
destination.  This is of the highest importance to the interests involved
in correspondence, and, as a matter of service, deserves a larger compensation.  But this species of mail conveyance devolves a cost upon the gov-Betvweenm Lverpool andt London, the speed of the ordinary rails, as we compute it, f5'or
offce to oftce, is tnomr twenrty to twenty-three miles an hour, andi of the expiress mail train f'OLn
twenty-six to lhiety,




Doe. No.BS                                421
eyn:ment',heyond tlie price of service as fixed Tby ang  postages tha~t have
been prescribed.  This is because individual maeans arc maequate to tthe
unAdertaking of establishing and  mnaintaining  steam  inavigatio  (n the
ocean,  Aid from  the government is necessary, and a w-ise po.liy con"-ri.butes it; for navigation by steam, in view  of th.e competiti o   ofc othTer,a tlioins  is essential to the success of the commerce of te country, from
"vehich our public revenues are derived, and emin-ently important as a
iaeans of public deieence and an element of niat oal prosperity and pove:r
Government aid has been extended to these imiportant steamt eterprises
to an extent beyond the revenue in postages derived ftom the correspond.-'ence.  so conveyed:; yet an enlarged view of the subject wrill shIowr tiat';the surplus thus contributd s ted i    ate ll, returned to the o gsovernlme    in
-epostag-es collected.  One letter received from-  abroad nmay cau se -ve'al to'be written  at hone.   Look at the extraordinaar  y     incrmease in the a.n nua..anmount of postages since our fioreign steam  mai.-l ines have been putir in fut ll
-ope)ration, swelling to nearly threefold our usual annual rate of adzi-ae,
VPor{lei^n commerce, tlhat deposites its freights at our seaports, does not.iii-.t to tlheme the prosperity it creates, but quickens and e.inaroges domesdc
t rade through all. the interior channels of blsiness,  So -'ith foreign cor-.nesiondence.  It creates and stimulates a. correspondence within the cn.ttryv whicl. enlarges the more as the former beconmes, through  o t he a.ge:ricy
of s reami conveyance, more regular, expeditioaus and frequent.
This policy of aiding coamercial enterprise, in creating and improvin. g
th1e faciitv of stea-m  navigation, by contracts for the lnailsT was colm-:rnented by Great Bitain.  ]France followed the iexzample for a briuef period
Ol",t> in her short.lived Havre and New York line.  The Ionlor of maino  tamiling tie cornlpetiition ia that career of policy, Vriwera the struggle is for;success in the improvement of steam navigation and in the comnmerce of:the world, now devolves on the United States.  Our commnYenaceement (onL
the 1st of June, 1.847) was on a small scale, with the steam-ship Wa.shing~toi, on the route to northern Germany.  We now number sixteen ocean
steamers in actual mail service on routes' to  EnglAand a.nd  Flrance, as
Awell as to (ermany, to Cuba, the Isthmus of Panama, and the ports of
Ca-iiifrni a.ned. Oregon; and the lnumber will be t wenty 1when the fu:ll
tcompTlenment under t1he present contracts is fiur islhed.  It vaould b-e un.reasonaile to suppose that the system  has attained its full[ growth.'We.may well anticipate that other steam-packet lines will be establisaed from
the Atlantic and Gulf cities. will connect the East Indaies and Clina with
California, and be extended to the Pacific ports of South America.
The establishment of them devolves important duties on the General
Post Office.  Postal arrangements with the countries to which they are
exatended are necessary, to enable the benefits to be enjoyed whicht they
are designed to confer as mail facilities.  Hence the postal arrangementts
nr.d1e by this department with the post office authorities of'Germany in
18. 7, and those which were effected thlrough treaty with Great Britain il
184S.  Now we have a line just established to France.  Postal arrangemea ts with that republic should follow, so as to secure with it and the
~countries beyond advantages of like character vwith  those obtained from.the lines to Germany and England; and it is hiMghly desirable to have
likre arrangements with the authorities of Cuba, of Janmanica and of Panama,
to enable us to mail by our steam-ships through those places, and. by the
foreia1n lines th  cnneig, the cne correspondence of our citize:ns to points




-424                          Doc. No. 1.
beyond, in the West Indies and on the south Pacific coast.  Besides the
foregoing, there are unfinished arrangemenLats with GreatBritain,respecting,
the Canadian correspondenc   i   e w  ith the    ited States,  which have beel
withheld from completion by Great britain  on account it is supposed, of
some important change in the relations between the mother country and
the provinces.  The convenience of our public requires the consummation of these arrangements, providing a uniform rate for United States and.
Canadian correspondence, with the privilege of prepaying the postage or
sending unpaid.
It is proper to state, in this connexion, that, t1e minister of the King of
Prussia having manifested a strong desire for the establishment of better
postal relations with this country, under negotiations with him, the late.
Postmaster General directed an agreement aith the post- department of
that kingdom to be prepared.  It is now under the consideration of thatgovernment.  The object to be gained is a " closed mail" communication throuigh England and Belgium; a uniform rate of postage, combining
with that of the United States and Prussia the transit charges of Great
Britain and Belgium, with the right to prepay or send unpaid; and a
scheme of accounting between the two governments and with those of the
intermediate countries-Boston and New York on our part, and Aix-laChapelle on the part of Prussia, to be the exchange offices.  Arecent
post-union convention between Austria, Prussia, and other German powers, will give a wide effect to the postal agreement with Prussia, whosefrontier town is the key-point to this extensive territory.  Its executions
by Prussia is delayed to obtain lighter transit rates through England and.
Belgium.  These, doubtless, could be secured by a conveyance in our'
Havre line and over the railroads of France to Aix-la-Chapelle, through
a proper postal agreement with that republic.  Certain modifications of
the details under the treaty with Great Britain have very recently received
the preliminary assent of thLe British post department, agreeing to the
views submitted by this, for the greater convenience and despatch of the
post office business between the two countries; and they only await thefbormal execution of the papers to be made public and carried into execu.tion.
For the purpose of pointing out an important reform, I beg leave to refer
to the fact that, soon after coming into office, you discovered certain irregularities and abuses in that branch of post f ice business called'distribution of mails," and ordered most vigorous measures to correct them,
Certain post offices designated for the purpose collect and receive the
mails, both in large and separate packages, from various points, for particular regions of country, and then distribute them  to the several places' to
which they are addressed.  They are landmarks to the distant offices to
guide the course of their mails to remote points, receiving them as they are
made up at the mailing office. and reailing theml, with a new post-bill
and new entries in the accounts of " mails received" and of " mails sent,"
to their respective destinations.  For this service the distributing post
office receives a commission of 7 per cent.  The evils incident to this
operation are too frequent distribution, and consequent unnecessary expenseand delay.  Originaliy, the regulations of the department contemplated
two distributions on each transmission to a distant place; for many yearspast, but one; but in fact they occur so frequently in many cases as to,
absorb almost all that remains of the postage of the 1etter, after taking out




Doc. No, 1,                             425
the delivery commission.  The cause of these evils is obvious: it is much
easier to mail the letter to the next clistributing office, which is well
known, and so on along the whole route, than to find out the ultimate.
distribution circle to which the office addressed belongs; and the avidity
to swell the commnission fund encourages the practice.  But this is not
the worst. On being detained to receive a distribution mailing, the letter,.
in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, loses its connexion with the outgoing mails, and. serious unnecessary delays are thus occasioned.  In a
former report I showed that "distribution" is obsolete in other countries,
and entirely unsuited to the present state of our mails.  But a substitute
scheme for forwarding  mails, for the purpose of guiding them  to distant
places in the right channels, by positive regulations, is indis nsable.  To
effect the change, certain modifications of the present law, and provision
for getting up and putting in operation the new plan, will be necessary.
Let " distribution" be abolished upon all except sea-going mails.  Issue
written instructions, or rather partly written and partly printed, to every
post office in the United States, how  to bag its matter, and the matter of
other offices passing through it, to every other office in the United Statesthe chief portion of' which could be stated in said instructions under the
names of States, or by counties in the State.  What is here stated in so
brief a space vwould be a work of great labor, requiring for its execution
the best and most minute knowledge of mail arrangements and the course
of the mails that the department possesses, to be aided by personal consultations with the principal postmasters in all parts of the Union.  On a
line between two given offices, the intermediate points where the routes
join each other that give the most direct course would be specified as
bagging points.  Retain one foot of your compass on one of these extreme
points, and shift the other to a new  point on the circle, and you will see
that new  intermediary points of connexion present themselves upon the
new line' thus described, wilich will require a new designation of bagging
or forwarding offices-in the selection of which, it is important to consider
the frequency of their supply, the speed and connexions, and the probable amount of matter in filling a bag.  Apply this illustration to the
whole network of our routes, and consider how various are the directions by Tv7hich the mails traverse them, and some idea may be, formed
how multifarious must be the instructions which this scheme of bagging
and forwarding will require.  It would take a year to get them up, proba,
bly more, and the entire appropriation of an officer to the task.  To be
uniform and perfect, it should be the -work of one mind throughout; and
it would amount to the greatest practical reform ever introduced into the
operations of the service.  Under this system, every letter would be
mailed direct.  The account of mails sent would show (in a column inserted for that purpose) to what office it was bagged.  That office would
forward it towards its destination, by bagging it to the office to which instructed to bag such matter; and thus it would proceed from one bagging
or forwarding point to another to the post office addressed.  There would
be no delay, as in distribution, at these forwarding points, because there
is nothing to do but to shift the package from  one bag to another, agreeably to the specific regulation.  And with howr much less clerical force in
the office coutld this process be performed than the complicated operation
of opening the mail, resorting the letters, remailing them, with new postbills ancd new entries in the accounts, and rewrapping, tying, and bagging




4426                            Doc. No. 1
it!  And then the copying Of thlese voluminous distribution accoulnts, and
the labor and trouble of their settlement, are dispensed with.  The saving in clerk-hire will be very great, and the business in all respects be'better done.  The accounts can be more easily checked, when they are
confined exclusively to the mailing and receiving office; and the trace of
letters through the mails, in case of loss, can be made with far more certainty than now.  The large o-ices will object, on account of the loss of the
distribution commission; but tile necessity of it will in a great measure
-cease on being relieved of the distribution work.  The force employed on
it can be dispensed with.  The labor of mailing the matter originating at
the large offices will, doubtless, be greater than now, as mails will have
to be'divided into a greater number of packages; but this increase will be
~small in comparison with the distribution work that will be discontinued.
I:f riore clerk-hire is necessary than what the delivery conirissions wia l
pay- for, it will be better and safer to submit the matter to the Postmaster
General; to order such additional clerkships, and pay for them  out of the
general fund, than incur th.e liability to tile abuses which yon so well
know the present system.is subject to.
The time has arrived whlen it becomes a pressing duty to simplitfy anad
economize the operations of the post offices.  Congress will doubtles re-,duce the rates of postage.  A vast increase in the number of letters will
bee tile consequence, and a great increase of business in the handling and
charlge of these letters in the processes of receiving, mailing, delivering, and
accounti ng.  Duties thatcanrbe dispensed with, like those of distribution,
should be abolished, in order to apply the force occupied. by them to
i::ao re lecessary labors.
The undersigned is satisfied, from La trial of fourteen years, that the business of the contract office, faithfully performed, devolves on the officer
whro has it in charge what, at the lowest estimate, and on fair comparison,
an.mounts to a double task.  Relief would be afforded to some extent,
-wilthout injury to the public service, by establishing agents in the differ=
ent sections of the United States, of corresponding functions with the.English surveyor of posts, to take charge of certain matters of mnail arrangerrents in his section in vhich personal observation on the spot is
Beneficial, and to make the contracts, subject to confirmation by the Postnlaster General, on the inferior class of routes.  This might be effected
by some nmodificationi of the present special agencies, and some alterations
in the law.
It would afford still further relief, and give more stability and efficiency
to the service, if the duration of the contracts was regulated as in thec
English mail service.  Instead of terminating absolutely at the expiration
of fbur years, let the contract continue over beyond the time set, unless
the department or the contractor gives six months' notice of intention to
determinne it on that day, with power to either, by like notice given at a
certain portion of the year, to determine on a subsequent day. Whenever
contracts were mutually satisfactory in their terms, and well performed,
they would continue over, and thus greatly moderate those revolutions n.
the service that succeed each annual letting, and so seriously disturb for
several months each section of the Union, once every four years, with tllhe
derangements incident to a change of contracts.
Believing that postage will be reduced as low as it can be short of con-tributing from  the public treasury to the. cost of transporting pivate cor



D0oc. No. ie                            427
respondence-so low as to be relieved fromn  t hat portion of tie present
heharge which prevents the full use of the mails, and which is, besides, a
tax imposed to defray the expense of certain measures of public policy'that the public at large should sustain, and not the postage-payer exclusively —   refer to this expected measure, in connexioln with the subject of:improvements in the performance of post office business, to urge the importance of having a uniform rate of postage, fiee from all exceptions that
wrould interfere with the simplicity of the' accounts, so that theentries in
the post-bill and the accounts may be made solely by the number of
rxates-counting a double letter as two,'and so on.  There might be one
rate for unpaid, and another (to be less) for paid letters; for the entries of:unpaid and paid postage must, of course, be separate.  There might be a
separate rate for newspapers, because they cannot be entered on the postbill but the account of them should be kept by a quarterly exhibit..  If
pamhphlet postage is not to be the same as newspaper, let it be, with a
-v.ew to the accounts, double the newspaper postage; so that a pamphlet
may be entered in the newspaper accounts as two newspapers, and; where
there is an additional charge on account of excess of -weight, let it be
made at flll and not fractional rates, as at present. A discrimination might
be made, in a lower rate for paid newspapers and pamphlets, without inter —
fering with this principle of convenience in the accounts-which is a matter,
certainly, worthy of careful consideration in framing the provisions of the
larw; since it will promote despatch. in business and accuracy in the accounts, and save labor and expense.
From the nature of things, the low uniform letter rate will not include
the sea-going letters.  But the postage on thenm  needs alteration.  There
are now no less than ten or eleven different rates of postage on that cla-ss
of letters-a most perplexing diversity.  I judge that two rates Aould. be
suffScient-the higher for the correspondence with the Eastern Continent
and its islands, with South America, and all places on the Pacific and beyond; and the lower rate for all other places to which letters are sent by
sea cenveyance.  But the Postmiaster General should have the power of,modifying these rates to conform to those of other countries, the better to,enable him to make international mail arrangements, or counteract any:unfavorable postal policy in other governments.
RIespecttfully su obmitted.
S. I. HOBBJIE,
irst AssistanS.1   Potinostaster GZene-a l.
To H-on. N. K. HALL,
Porstmat-7r Genea,




~~A,                                                           ^~~~~~~c
Table of mail service for the year ending  30th of  June, 1850, as exhibited  by the saate of  the arrangements at the close
of the year.Annual transportation and rate of cost.
States.        Length of                                                                                                 Total annual Total annual
routes.                               ~transportation.  rate of cost,
Mode not specified.          In coach.            In steamboat.           By railroad..Miles.    Jiles.    Dollars.    Jiles.    Dollars.           ies.    Dollas.    Miles    Dollars.         Miles.        Dollars.
SMaine.                    4,252       1,755      10,943       2,3692    23,824.....135                 12,254       1,369,680         47,021
New Hampshire....          2,042          751      5,075       1,061       6,706          30         100       200     17,139          736,736        29,020
Vermont.2.........         2,519         875       7,925       1,342      14,019.........303                 28,875         964,860         50,819
Massachusetts.......   3, 071            888      13,387         923      17,128         265       4,500       995     98,319       2,179,046        133,334    Q
Rhode Island.                 414        209       2,048         Ill       1,571................94            8,12'213,304        12,231
Connecticut......,..,    2,852           696       8,117         620      10,343          30         450       506     46,014       1,017,944         64,924
New York.........    13,397           5, 414     48,036       5,803-   85,937           989      60,297    1,19t    123,920        6,148,258        318,190    Z
New'ersey.........        2,336         967       7,234       1,125      13,467          28         300       217     37,622       1,003,652          58,623    ~
Pennsylvania.......    11,422          7,039      43,093       3,925      63,786...........                  458     48,050       3,455,792        154,929
Delaware...,.......          488        278       2,851         210       5,856.-.. ~-.~...  -.....,...... t.....                 167, 544        8,707    G
Maryland...........         2,438      1,446      13,269         576      25,026                               416     99,612       1,010,456        137,907
Virginia...       11,923       9,122      60,581       1,895      32,758         610      26,094       296     51,107       2,574,900        170,540
North Carolin a.......     7,931       5,866      34,207       1,536      33,904         282    39,500         247    46,700        1,683,604        J54,311
South Carolila.            5,464       3,666      32,111        671      18,586         880      18,160       247     41,862       1,170,621        110,719
Georgia.............      6,921       5,124      41,202         771      17,252         358       7,500       668     80,376       1,670,034        146,330
Florida............         2,607      1,768      16,047         536      10,457         289       4,100        23         620         384,456        31,224
Ohio.........12...            267      8,024      43,973       3,544      76,842         439      11,560i      280     19,730       3,421,535        152,105
IMichigan............      5,188       3,528      17,763         892      11,561         424      15,000       344    33,593        1,318,893         77,917
Indiana.............       7,262       6,212      34,313         946      23,172...........                  104      4,029       1,458,772         61,514
Illinois..............    10,314       7,091      37,825       3,223      77,302......................       2,448,744        115,127
Wisconsin...........       4,572       3,896      22,531         676       8,470......                                        767,664        31,001
Iowa............           3,664       3,005      10,088         659      10,714..                      541,408         20,802
Missouri...........        9,702       6,969      30,858       1,277      20,824       1,456      i9,360..1,818,249                          61,042
Kentucky......,.,.         8,745       5,887      36,713       1,091    30,098         1,767   ~38,534...            2,489,656        105,345
Tennessee...........        7,371      5,564      24,552       1,807      39,067                                                    1,441,958         63,619
Alabama....,,,.....        7,554       6,007      46,861       1,185      51,989         259    136,272        103     13,843       1,737,324        148965
MJississippi.,...      5,460       4,646      37,742         680      28,319          75       1,975        59      5,950       1,051,700         73,986




Ariransas..... 0......    5,6       4,882      27,6i9    46          15,74i 5        78      8,77i..........o..        796,86        52,11
Louisiana........       451        2,819      30,481        137         2,930    1,195    30,214........       600,332       63,625
Tefxas..............,  7,698      6,891      51,739        727     15,349          80s     1,250.........                   897,462       68,338
178,672    121,285    799,254    40,776   793,002          9, 75   313,943    6,886   818,227       46,541,423   2,724,426
Route and local agents
and mail messenForeignmails........   15,079......|    14,506....250,000.............1.......    264,506
193,751    121,285    813,760      40,776   -93,5002       9,725   563,943    6,886   818,227       46,541,423    2,995,974
The entire service and pay are set down to the State under which it is numbered, though extending into other States, instead of being divided among the
States in which each portion of it lies.
t The Baltimore, Wilinington, and Philadelphia railroad is under a Maryland number.
This embraces the steamboat service from St. Louis to New Orleans.
This embraces the steamboat service from Louisville to Cincinnati, and from Louisville to New Orleans.
This includes the route from Mobile to New Orleans.                                                                                                  O
S. R. HOBBIE,
First.ssistant Postmaster General.      Z
-L




i43,80                                  BDoc. No. 1.
B.
Nihm-rber of mail routes, fzail contractors7 route   genRts,  local agents, and''
mail messengers  at the               oe e  cos   o   t    contract year ending  Jumne  30Q
Sections.             RouTes.    Contractors. Route agents. Local agents. Mail mes8segers.
New  England.d                     744            676             32...........          9
ew   o.,........           695            592             23              1  153
Middle................   1, 138                  968             18              2           66
Southern................           887            774             17..........        24
Northwestern.........   1,086             885              5              4           25
Southwe-rel n...........'   1,040         865............          19           19
Ocea  rou..........                        5              5              1
T0ota..... e,,,.... 5, 595      4,765             100             27          376
S. R. HOBBIE,'irst.csssistant Postmaster CGe ict'al
C.
20a7il s'Cervice:en  tke   northwe t             ester   and  southwestern  sections for th e yearending June 30, 1850.
Annual trans-   Annual co.t.
portation.
Mliles.
Railroads.................................................             484,588.57, 415 0O0
Steamboats........................................        2, 256, 320        141, 382 00
Coaches.O...............................* e.........  5,538,753   335,5 40 00
Inferior modes...........................................    9,089,337  409,155 00
Total....................................      17,368,998          943, 4-2 00O
As in  oeration,  on the 1st of October, 1850.
Annual trans-   Annual cost,
portation.
Miles.
Railroads      C.............................................           604,396         $68, 163 00
Steam'kboat.........,.t  2.........,...a...., 659, 656        177, 417 00
Coachees..............................          7,271,555          527,008 O
Inferior S^odea.-4..........,.~..............*..   8, 706, 333   407, 600 00
otal.........................                     19, 241,940, 180, 188 00
17, 368,'998       94, 490  00
Diferene..............................        1,872, 942        236, 696 0
S. R. HOBBIE,.19r't 44'tc& tpl 9itI n7aleS  T G meuaerLd




Rtaiload service as i^ opccration  on the  I1t of  October, 1850o.~   ~
S~~~~~tatle,  ^  I     ~Termini.                        \         \S          \     ~'              I                          Remarks.
Maine..............    61 a    From Bangor to Upper Stillwatcr,..               9    1........  50
91      From Danville Junction to Watervill.   55........       6         3,47 
94      From Portland to Portsmouth,N. H.             9    i              1          6,718
99      From Portland to Bath.............:33    1971    12:               1,900  $15,394   Under coach contracut,
New Hani, silhirc          201       From Concord to Lowell, Mass                  50........     18         6,429........   Ebraces side supply.
206      Fro   Concord to Plymouth............. 6               3....................
207      From  Concord to West Lebanon,  
with branch to Bristol.........                        6          6,4771....do......... do.
237a  From Oover to Farmingto.........               18          00        6             80         15,373
Vermont,                   301       From Montpclier to Windsor.......                            6. 600
308      From Montpelier to Burlington                40',950.........   Under coach contract.
I360     From  West Lebanon, New  Hamp- I
shire, to Wells River............b 4......... i                 57
365      From Bellows Falls to Windsor..             24I.                             2,  2..,.        Embraces side supply.!377     From  Bellows Falls to Burlington...   119            302, ^  6             11,200          26,629..do.do.
lasaalmuset.e.......   401          From  Boston to Portsmouth, New  
Hampshire                                                         1       8,324
I         I   Hiampshire18......................         4.. 1           24                                  do             do
Branch to Marblehead..............            4                    6........  6....
402      From  Boston to South Berwick Junetion, Maine, with 3 miles branch  
from  Dover, New  Hampshire, to   f
Great Falls...........................                 12          6,921.....................do. 
1  403   From Bostonto to Lowel.          l............. 1880 
Brncdi  t Wobull, ie..........                 3.'t  6      0  s~                                                     ^
i  3jl  Frln  &elas Fll  toWidjsor,,.3...,, i    i                                    ~.o,,,,}




D-Continued. 
State.        |                        Termini.                                                                                     e 5     Rema ks.
M liles.     ile
Massachusetts-Con.   404          From Boston to Fitchbur...                502                              583......       Embraces side sul.
Branch to Lexington......5...........  E       s   s'y
405     From Boston to Worcester...........     24        9 219
Branch to M'lilbury..           4.......        6 
406     From Boston to Providence.........   43......           18            n 7.o
Branch to Dedhamn................    5
407      From Boston to Plymouth.....   37..,...         12                                                                  Z X
Branch to Bridgewater...                 8..............  
411     From Boston to Milton...                 7........     6           190
418     From Lawrence to Salem, N. H....         6           315
421     From Lowell to Lawrence..........   1          12           500
424     From  Grotoii Junction  to  West
Townsend....................        16.....          6           600..do..........do.
425     From Groton Junction to Lowell..,    18.......             6           600..........tdo.
428     From South Acton Depot to Feltonville...O.....       9............... 6   450..o...........do...O
430     From South Framingham to Milford.    12.....               6           54
436     From Dedham Junction to Blackstone    S7......             6         1,8Embraces side supply, wih
I                            permission to through to and
from Boston.
441     From South Braintree to Fall River..   42..   1          3,579..        Embraces side supply.
442     From Braintree to Cohasset, with 6
additional trips to Weymouth, 2
miles.......................... 12.     6           514
448     From Middleboro' to Sandwich.... 28......................o            do,
464     From Taunton to Mansfield Junction.   12........   1                1114
465     From Taunton to New Bedford.              2....    21        13        1,950
421  Frorrm  d~~~~~~~rotoll  Junction  to ~~~~~~~~~~est~




1471     From Fitchburg to Bellcows Fails, Vt.   64......              6         5, 729........... do.....   do.
472      Fromt Fitchburg to Brattleboro, Vt..   59 |........            6...........do.
I0j                 12          4,06
47T8     From  VTorcester to Albany, N. Y.........   56    18     2,5
101!......        12
479      From VWorcester to     shua.........   45.......  6                    1,929
503      From Springfield to Zqorthfield Junetin..............                           5...                          457. o      c.....  Contrat not e xeuted.
505     cFrm Springfield to Chicopee Fals..           4                   12            17
5. E     From Pittsfield to North Adams.....    21          1004          6            900        97, 00
PRhode Island.....o.    G00         From Prouvidence to Stonington.....  0..        6         5, 000
610      From Providence to JWorcester, Mass.   44              94        12         3, 612         8, 612   Embraces side supply.
Connecticult...,...    674     From   Allyn's Point to   Worcester,     59....      12         8, 1000
Massachusetts..................                        6
687      From  New  H-aven to Springfield,
Massachusetts...........              63-......         18        10,857
688      From New Haven to Tariffville, with         451.......         6           4 0
branch to Collnsvtlie...          11..  t  3......
689      Fronm Bridgeport to VWinchester.            62..... 6...o,  6       2, 657  
705      Fronm ridgeport to State line, 1Mass.    98.6                       4,200. 
710      Fronm N ew v  York, N. Y., to New ~Ha-'.
ven, Connecticut................    783......                183, 372 
711      Fromr  Hartford to Wfilimantice..,        32..              6         1,386......o.. Embraces side supply, and ex- 
pense of route agent, if one
is required.
712      From New London to Startord Springs    50             5086        6         2,143         45, 050
3New Yok^~D 2*.a           806      From. Nevw York to Greenport......  101           6         4, 329
810      From New York to Dover......... 83                    3, 557
8!1     From New York to Pougkeepsie..             75........       6         5 449...   e.   For 19 days, to Jne 30, 850.
804....,,. O.    o  October, 1  850.
813      From Pier.mont to Corning and Salubrsia........................        298....           12        24, 608
889      Fromi  Huidson to Chathoam Four Corners.......................    17.          12          1,000
915      From Albany to Troy...........               6..12                        771
916      From Albany to Schenectady......   17..           19         3, 400
929      From Troy to Saratoga Springs....           3...            7         3,200
930      From Troy to Schenectady.......    20.....                      6           879
935      From Saratoga Springs to Whitehail.    39                         7         3,950
967      From Schenectady to Utica.......... 78.....       19        15, 600
1030      From Utica to Syracuse........    19          10, 600 
107 9     From Syracuse to Oswego........   35...                   13         3, 297 9




D- Contintsued ld. 
I_  _i ___^______   I -U    ____ __ ___ ____                                                                                            _ 
cd         I
M,
StateI.|en |.                                       U o|                     I'|           U                            eard 
7o. o an tee.......                s 
1                                                                                   i 19   0,29 90
Miles,   J7iE les.
SjiT^,- wY 1orkG,-Cnt d a,f  S {     F10n89; iromyra — 3to Aub<u r n... X * O19.5,4 -0  000
08N7                                                        27m.T.n"i7.ton ato Sk-nealeles.........  5.. o  1  33 
1 9 C7    Fro.t        brn u o RotciheStera.. D C O.    78 2    O.7.     19    15,600 CU
1i198,hro;m t R.:, i e a to 1;i.**.b 7*........  3i.. 1       3OO     6,203 00
21yg    1b a1                                                                    4C             (19
iGi:'i0     From  Locirport to  Lewiston  and                                                                                                                      -
1 1217      7-   7 31   t 1 tN aO   Fals... O             2 s.           7.I, 7 1     00!
244       F^N'a..     a   a   s  to L swis t....             9 7.....            7      9 00 
j246       From  ti;                 -_Jo to.i, h a......   a,..         1e      e        O 6      128300 
1~;47      r*- m LN.,-wbu)U h to Chester........ J                               6        857 00
1253       Froij.loseirsc  Po)int to Chateaugay..          45  1,191              G      1,S900   193,773   00
ie    Jersey o. ~...-,      -301,Fom  T Tew York  to the intersection
vi'th P}i'adlphia r4ad..........     14    11,788 00
1302       From  N Iew York,. Y., to Paterson,. J-................         18. O.......       13       I, 50 00
1.303      From  Ne?/:'tor, Ki'. Y., to MIvo:'riI 15      Fom Eliz ethtow n ta  hit Ho uses.      3..... 1.         I,9 34 00
1334       From  point  of intersection to PhilaO delphi a, Pa.....................        4.1 7,00   00
13m8           From iC ur,!i-:to t o Mt ount 1-101.         7.....-..        19        200  0
1353       F1rom P-,; ii-acde;,- ha,-t PLa., to Trenaton,
N.                                            7............. 34  27  7,400  O       37,      00
53Pe >3nn^^pisy             1-i>^~81   Fromn Phl~dslT   ~iat toi CKoi~lumbia.,*.~ ~     8?Fl to7........    4    525  00!I,  d    Fo.r.. r lni, Pac3,i    o Chat      **o'u a     45      o, 1 i * c            11 595 00                co
I2,'il P 1. Y. ~. p 1   ato. Ot
{"40      rom viii a'elp!ia to..Pottsv.ille....,      973         1., c,08S6 0O
1415    1 From  Phi!adelphia to iAeOstclester.              33.......          6        55.   00




i45        From   Port Clinton to Tamaquao0......                             6        8 5  00
i469       From Linnmaster to -larrisburg.... o..,..                          14    5. 644 00
] 488      Fromn larrisburg to Chambersburg..    52..       3    7, 4;9 00
49O2       Fron  l-arrisburg' to -oliidys bu..      1....,.          7   l i2,   LO 
1504.From  Chambersburg to - ageratovn,
Ai,.................    O O  2      -....            6        943 00
1740       Fromn Co ring to Blossburg....,..    40             50-             6, 715 ( 0, S 2,850 00
i[Marylant1d               -......c...O  ~    ~o ~                                509...         12    -e (    G
I arla. n do.C.    O          0 FO rom B      Baltimore to Phiiadeilphia, Pa.    10o    0..i...,       3    35, 6O00  0'1902      From Baitimore to YVasthirnglto, D. C.               40...            4   1 2,4 t  4o 1)00
1903       Fromn        o Baiti nor e to Cunnmberland, vh th
branch to Frederick c 3 miles.....   7   42, 812 50
1905       From Balttimre to Coluimbia.......               7    -..            7    7 000 00
1927      Fromi  Annapoii  to Annapolis junction2..............,.,                 416                   2, 20  00    99)612  50
Ohio... e   o....... 1 2165     From Mansfield to Sandusky...        o.         6.....           6    2, 615 0 
2206       From Springfield to Sandsky....               13.,......         6          8,6 S 
2334       F-om  Cinmcinnati to Sprinmfiaeld......    85         20              7    8,500 00    19, 730 00
Virinia. ~.....o 2o 2425  From Junction to Charottesvilie.             721.....o.           7     7, 50 00 
24 -7 pt.  Fro    Rich mond to A qicu  Cr- ek....        7.....           7   18, 046 33
2 429      From Richmond to Petersburg-...               4........        7    5, 818 48
2440       From Petsrsbrg to City Poimt..-.,    1I              D...O..         6        450  02444       From  Peters: ur, Va., to'elddcn,
N.....6................                64..,    0000- 
2448       From  Hicksford, Va., to Gaston, N.
C........                                O..............   7      f8 000 0 
2524       From Winchester to larper's Ferry              39      3200            6    2,T743 00    51,507 81
iNorth Carolina......                 From  Raleigh to G-as-on............       7    8, 7i;0 00
281 7 pt.  Prom     ldon to    /!ring on.               1 C0       17             7   38, (000  0    46, 700 00
South Carolina..          -310  4      From Columbiab  to Branchville......      60           o.....        7    6, 9!0   00
3122       From  Charleston, S. C., to Augusta,
G-a.......................            139,..        7   33, 01 250
3196       FPronm Junction to Camden....               39      2 47            7            1,  50 00    41, 8G2 50
Georgia..........    250 5         From Savannah to Macon..........             90....  7   i9, -2'   0
3287       From  Maeon to Atlanta............  ).       7   10, 00 00
3299       From  An.uusta  to - ittanta.........   174  }                      7   3i, 146 00
3308       From Union Point to Athens.,                  40".......       6    2,  0 00 
3344       From Atlanta to Chattanooa.........         6       102,O O00
3409       From Kin gsto  to i-e..e......                183 -5 6683-10                    93     00    803736 00
Florida...........  3516             eFror Taiahassee to St. tiks,.         e 2o             23                     600               S 69, t2Ou
lic. igai  crec*o........  3t7003      Fromi Detroit to I ew- o             cif I.   21      o 8.......o   6,    400
1S2 trips three moriths, and 6 trips n  ie months                                             d 6'dlitionl trip  duri ng navgationt




D —Continued 
Statelr t         ormini.                                                                           i T.hi.                         R wi   1arks4, 0I  
AfailesS.    2 es.     
Michigan~Contiued  3712     From Mtonroe to h ills..............                             6,914 00
3716      Fom Adrian to Toledo, Ohio.......   33             319           6    1, 414 00    33,462 00
Indiana.,...... 3903            From Indianapolis to Madison......         87                   6    3, 729 00
3975      From Edinburgh to Rushville.......   39            126           6    1, 671 00     5,400 00
Illinois......... 4154       From Springfield to Naples.6.......        8 68........       6    2,914 00 
4312      From Chicago to Elgin, with branch        40'     U 1           6    3,00100       6,34  00
to St. Charles..................   10$           b     am 6         429 004 
Kentucky.......    5106           From Louisville to La Grange......   26                          7      365 00                                                       Z
5113      From Frankfort to Lexington.......   29             55           7    1,17000       1,535 00                                        0
Alabama.......... 5501            From  Montgomery to Opellikau             67....  6              7   13,400 00
5557      From Decatur to Tuscumbia........   43             110, 842 86    15,242 86
Mississippi........   5704       From Brandon to Vicksburg........   59             59           7    5,950 00      5,950 00   O~ifor of department.
7,190{                           830,863 67
S. R. HOBBIE,
First  ssisanta Peostmieaster General.




Steamboat service, as in operatdion on the Isl of October 1, 1850.
a3
E tate.!         ~|  TeRmia i.                                      | 1 5t                                         a  Rerks.
to New York, Nf.............  0Jciles.   M64iles.
New Hampshire....,    260       From Weir's Bridge to Centre Earbor and Wolfboro...,.........        30         30        6             00        10
Mlassachusetts....e..  461      From New Bedford to Nantuceket..,.   65........    6           3, 000............  From November 25 to March 
25  from  Wood's Hole to
Nantucket only. By steam-    Z
boat and packet alternately.    0.No contract,
516     From Fall River, via Newport, iR. I., 
to New York, N. Y.............  0est         6        1,       500  4,5
New York....,,.... 801        From  New York, N. Y., to Stonington, Conn...................  125.......          6        9, 000
802     From  New York, N. Y., to Norwich, Conn.................             142.....      5, 000
808     From New York to Tompkinsvilleoo         9...           7            54
809     From New York to Albany and Troy.  150.....            19       30,000...c...o..o.  13 times a week to Albany,
and 6 times a week to Troy.
812     From Nev York to Port Richmond.    9......              6           130
813 pt. From New York to Piermont.....               25.......  12       2, 143
943     From  White Hall, N. Y., to St.
John's, Canada..........1......   150    o.....  6. 4,800
1121     From Salubria to Geneva............        39               2        2, 194
1216     From Lewiston to Ogdensburgh...   300                       6        3,000
1246     From Ithaca to Cayuga Bridge......   40          989       6        1, 50        57,931 
New Jersey......... 1304       From  New York, N. Y., to  ey Q
Port, N.J..................    28            28       5           300           300 0




E-         Conint ueo                                                                                t
C0
rPU~   00 ^~  ~0
0  C)
8o                                                                                              a
2051      From  Cleveland to ToledC]o..........                                 7:
2184      From    uffaJo, N.Y by  Cioveland, Ijo
OhLo to Sandus..............
State.      2240       Fro   C ininati to  /asvil,   1y.                   43                     90           1    0                   arks.
i.227  m   q     Crk V    to W                                      s
f                                                  Q        E-1        S                        <
in ton, D. C...........Fre lev... ela7d t T. 
2416      From Richoo,n  to N'orf...e..la. d,   5..      6         2, 40'3
2461  F   o, tN   o    Sands poo.........      S                    6          1                                                             -8  
2S40      FrIom Cincinnati to A' May7svile, Ty..  64           439        6            G000      pi; 560                                         9
igiTirDgm2ia~.    O,,,.~, 2427 z  pl  Fom. B.quia CGree ek, Va., t o  W ash- 
2452      F         roTi Nr, V.t Blrnorefolk,    V.  200.Ao...  6                   8, tiOO
24 63     From Norfolk to Eastville.........        57......         2           955 
2464 pt. Froa Norfolk to Su olk..........       3           717
2699      Frodm WTheeling to Parkersburg.....    9             6101        2         1,500         26,094
North Carolina.....   2817 pt. From W7ilmington, CI. C. to Charileston, S. C..................            180........      7 I7, 000
2850      From South Qtuay to Plymiouth....    109              282         S            500        39,500
South Carolina...... 3123         From Chlarleston, S. C., to Savann h, Ga....  6........   0                      20O        7        14,000         14, 000
GCeorgia o..,....    3:251        From  Savannah, Ga., to  Piat ha, Fa.   358           358         2         7, 5 0         7, 500
Fiorida..........    3507       From Pilatka to Mellonville.........    130......     1              1  500
3523      From  Chhattahooches to Apa!aochicola.   150          280         2         9, 60          4, 100
Michigan............  3701      From Detroit olch, tic o Bufoal, N. Y.  300...       6        10, 000
3707      From  Detroit to Sault St. Ma.re..         51.....         1           200
3789      From Grand Rapids to Grand Haven.    35               686         3,           160        10,360
8 mos.
illinosi". O.......e ~ 4307       From M it-wau kie,) WTis., to N. eaw Buffalo, Mih..............  145        145        6         7, 500         7, 500
lisonsin..,......   4518    F rom  lilwau   e to Sheboygan          l   60. 60        3           800             800.




ivissrouri..,..-.. 4      8e 9 42     r omn St. Loo, P-o., to N-ew O-  
leans, L-..........-.-    1250........        3,210. o.... Svic' en.ac  b L t rip.n
4332       Fr om' St. Louis.,Io., -to  Eieokuck,
Iowa.,..                 i 26    i 45             6           i,120         9,60            Do            do.
e-ntuclkr..........oeo..o 500!5  r's Lo. is.vile,. to St. Leuis,
issou.  0i,......,,..........        o 65 0...,         3         10, O0.........            Do            do.
51 01      From Louisvi le, Ky., to Cincionati,
Ohio..........D.......1.... 1..   7  0, 500
5102      Froom  Lbuisvlic, Zvy., to New Orleans-, La.............-  1448.             2,40         6        25,  0           4 5, 70          Do            do.
Aata ooina              5..02.i'                  o.r r    e..  r ctO  O  rc  o I  O o b...    7        5, 1. 7......    onde7          r     c oach contract.
5540      From C.i, t- t'  Laniing to Decatur..    61 9G 05                     6          4 225           9, 40)2
MIissippi.....  5714  From Vicisbu    ot Y oo    ty....   110  10      3          1,495           1,495
Arkt............. 501       F:it   ck to N'apolon......                   2 7S        3         12,000          12,000
Ltoutiiaaia..o....  6101        Fr.n bT! s   Orc.ans, La., to?  oile,
Alabama.........-.........   1 64,...O..         7        26,175
610 2     From i  Nw Orl ens to St. 1Fra ncise......................        1 7.......        3        10, 500 0.
6103      From NeTv Orleans to  Shrvspr...                                  ()              15......... 5S  -vice e',gaged b y th  trip,       C)
61 04    FIom.  O rleans to Col    on.         60.        935         3             800         4  0,a0 o 
Texs s.~.,.......... 6291           From  lndianoiaTexas, to_  2ewv Or-.
o'Sub. I     leans;  La,../.............1              12,8  e.v.
6201      Fiom  Bre'sos Sano  -,s Te ias, to.                                                                                                               0
Sub. 2'ew Orl   ns   a..........                              15, 00
6202      F Xor       v Gal vstono io  usto........80                      2          5,000           3,GO5 0 
10l822                                 3'3'' 30
*  During naviatn,-              f 2 a  vweek to  Natchito.nes 374t miles; 1 a week rIesidu.e.
S. R.  HO4 BBIE 2i, E     F- ss t-  i.Posimasaler Genea L,.
A,1 C''




Uzdited  Sates mzail service abroad a6s iz operatcioC on tize ist of  Ocitoer,   850,
l~umber of                    Points.                  Diance.        umber of            Contractors.         Annual pay.                   R  marks.
rouate.                                                              trips.                    -
J7iles.
New York, by Southampton, Eno'-   3,750   1 a month...  Ocean Steram  Naavia-                         20O9,  00   hnder contract with the Postmaster
land, to Bremen Haven, Germany.                                      tion Corpany, C. H!,                       General agreeably to act of ConSand, President.                          greessof M arch 3, 1845.
2   Charle son, South Carolina, by Sa-           669   2 a month...  M.  C.Mordecai......                 50 000   Under contract with the Postmaster
vannah, Georgia, and Key West,                                                                                  General agreeably to acts of ConFlorida to Havana,  uba.                                                                                        gress of March 3, 1847; and July,Fier-da')                                                                    IU~~~~~~~~~t0, 1848.                      0
3    New York, by Charleston, Savan-  f,400'                          )                          )               f                                            c
nah, and -IaGvana..   I G. Law, 1T, 0. Ro-                Under contract vwth the Secretary of
To New Orleans, Louisiana.....          700    2 a month..           berts, and B. R.    S 293 000            the Navy agreeably to act of Con-    t
And from  Havana to Chagres,    1,200                                Mclivaine.   grss of March 3, 1847.
I   New Gienada.  J                                         J                          J 
4   Astoria, OreSon, by San Francisco,   4,200   1 a month...  W..-l. Aspinvall......                 199 000   Under contract wit  the Secretary of 
Caiifornia, Monterey, and  San                                                                                  the NTavy agreeably to act of ConDiego, to Panama, New Granada.                                                                                  gross  of March  3, 1847.  Semirmonthly  service is performed on
this route in connexion with route
No. 3.  TI- additional compensation, therefore, remains to be adjusted.
Estnsjon 4   Panama to  Ch.aoores............     ~    30  per trip  Service peforlmned by the New Grenafor first 100   dian government under treaty.
pounds on
each mail,
and,$12 for.j~~~~~~ ~                                                 C~~~~~~each  succeeedinf 100
n ounds.
5    N —iv Yor  to Liverpool England.... 3,100   2 a month for   E. K. Collins, James' 385,000   Under contract with the Secretary o
8  months,        Brown, and Stewart                        the Navy agreeably to act of Con



& 1 a month      Brown.                                     ress of March 3, 1847.
~  I       residue  of 
the year.
6   New  York  by G e,  C    e to HUavlvre,      io,70   1 every other  Ocean Steam  Naviga-          75000   Embraced  in the Bremen contract; Frtancc-                             tI  onth.                       tion Company; Mor-                       route No. 1, with Postmaster Gene2i                                      l timer   Livingston,           ral.
i_ *                                    1          1                    agent.
9~,..r
S. R. HOBBIE,
f.as J1sstant Pos:tmaser GeneraZl
0
a,.
^fiaB








REPORT O   THE CEMSUS BOARD,
CENSUS OFFICE, November 30, 1850.
SIn: I have the honor to report that this office was organized, immediately after the passage of the act of 23d May last, by the appointment
of a Suiperintendent and the necessary clerks and other assistants.  The
force employed'has varied as the requirements of its duties seemed to
justify.  During the month of August, there were employed,: in addition
to the Superintendent, twenty-one persons, at salaries varying from  three
hundred and fifty to one thousand dollars.
In September, the services of but fourteen persons were required.  For
the entire month of November, thirty-four persons have been constantly
engaged in various duties.
The printing for this office has been executed under the direction of the
Census Board, in accordance with the 19th section of the act of 23d MIay
last.  The schedules have been furnished, and the other printing' executed
as required, in a satisfactory manner.
The work of taking the census is progressing with great uniformitv
throughout the whole extent of the United States and Territories.  TPhe
returns made are in the main very satisfactory, and exhibit a commendable degree of prudence and discrimination by the marshals in the appointment of their assistants.  The entire number of assistants will somnewhat
exceed three thousand, from nine hundred and sixty-seven of whom returns have been received at this office, exhibiting, on comparison witlh
the census of 1840, a gratifying increase in population and wealth in every
part of the Union.
The materials furnished by the present census, apart from  the geo:graphical information contained and the sanitary condition of each por,
tion of the United States developed, will afford the elements fr a compilation of value, illustrative of the industry, enterprise, and social concition of our people, unequalled by anything now existing with reference to
any country.
Great as must prove the labor to compile the materials furnished by'these returns and condense them into proper form, it is believed that it'will prove as nothing in comparison with the value of a work which is
calculated to exhibit, not only our onward progress as a nation to wealth
and numbers, as compared with the past, but our exact condition, at the
middle of the. 19th century, with reference to population, internal improvements, agriculture, manufactures, and the mechanic arts-literature,
education, religion, and morals. It is believed that the population returns
and all other interests may be comprised within three or four volumes
folio-a form at once convenient and suitable.
The compensation provided by the act of Maay last for marshals and
their assistants is found generally to be sufficient, but in a very few cases
entirely. inadequate, as the actual expense incurred by the officer has exceeded the amount which by law he is authorized to receive.
The proper remedy for such cases would be an extension thereto of the
provisions of the first section of the'~supplementary act' approved
Aung~t sj lt e




444                         Doc. No. 1.
It is believed that no further appropriation by Congress will be necessary to carry into effect the act of 23(d May.
The disbursements from the census fund up to this date, inclusive, are
as followls, viz:
Paid to United States marshals and assistants    -       -. 68,442 46
Paid for paper and printing (under direction of the Census
Board)   -                                            -   16,000 00
Salaries   -                -                           -   15,408 90
Contingent expenses (including $1,602 1. paid for transportation of schedules)         -      -                    2,729 94
1.02,581 (30
Which is respectfully submitted.
JOS. C. G. KENNEDY,
iSuerintendent of Cenus..
Hor,  A. H.  H. STUART,
Secretary of t1he Interior.
[END OF PAUT  RST.]8




31st CONGRESS)              [ HO  OF REPSo ]                       Ex. Doc.
2d Session.                                                       No. 1.
MESSAGE
FROM
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
THE'TWO HOUSES OF CONGRES'S,
AT T ER
COOaMMENCEMENT -OF. THE SECOND SESSION
TE TI.RTYT-F RST CONGRES5,
DECEMBER 2) 1S50.
e ud,5 refeirrd to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Urlion,anld 11,000 extra
copies, with the accompanying doemments, ordered to be printed,
PART  II.
PRINTrED FOR'PTE HO. OF REP5.








REPORT
T  E $ S  C   TAiR   OF      WA
WAR DiEPARTM ENT,.Vasl.lngton.~ Nrovelmber 30 1e8o0,
SIn: I beg leave to sutmit the following report of the operations of this
department during the last year. 
rTe aggregate strength of the army, as "at present established by law,
and supposing every company to hiave its complement, is twelve thousand
nine hundred and twenty-seven (t2,927) officers and men, including all
the staf corps.  It rarely happens, however, that a company is complete,
fodr while on the one hand the enlistments can never exceed the limit
prescribed by law, deaths, discharges; and desertions must always cause
the number of men actually enrolled and in pay to fall far short of it.
This is particulaly the case in regard to troops stationed at the frontier
posts; for, as the men are all enlisted in the older States, considerable time
must always intervene between the happening of a vacancy and its being
flled.  It is estinmated by competent judges that owing to these causes,
comnbined with sickness and other casualties of the service, the number of men actually in service and fit for duty usually falls short of the
legal organization, on an average of from thirty to forty per cent.
The report of t1he Adjutant General, hereto appended, will show how
this force is distributed.  By that document it will be seen that out of the.
twelve thousand nine hundred and twenty-sevel (12,927) officers and
men composing the army, seven thousand seven hundred and ninety-six
(7,796,) or morte than one-half, are stationed in, or are under orders for,
Texas, New Mexico, California and Oregon.
When it is recollected that large accessions have, within a few years
past, been made to our territory; that an extensive seaboard wvill require
fortifications, and an enlarged inland frontier needs protection against
the Indians, it will appear manifest that the present military establishment
of the country is entirely inadequate to its wants.  Allow me to call your
attention to the remarks,  on this subject, contained in the report of the
general-in-chief.
The most important duty which at present devolves on the department, is the protection of Texas and New Mexico against the Indian
tribes in their vicinity.  This object has engaged the antxiois attention
of the department, and all the means at its disposal have been employed
to effect it.
The recruiting service has been actively prosecutel, with a view to
bringing the comnpanies stationed on that frontier to their complement of
seventy-bour (74) men, as fixed by the act of the I7th of June last. Prom.pt
measures have also been taken to carry into effect the provision of tie




4                             Doe. No. 1.
same act which authorizes the rmounting of a portion of die infrhntrly s't'rtioned in Texas.
Early in August last the seventh regiment of infantry was ordered t
Santa Fe, and had proceedd on its destination some distance beyond
Fort Leavenworthc when a steamboat laden with11 supplies foi the expedition was sun.I on her way from  St. Louis to that port.  In consequence'
of'this accident and the advanced  state of the season, it was ordered to
return and take'up its winter quarters at Jefferson barracks, from which
point it wi1 resumne its march as early as practicable in the spring.  Froml
the reports of the officers in command in Texas and New Mexico, as Awel
as fiomn other reliable sources of information, the department is futIl  satisfied, however, that the force novw stationed on that frontier, with all the
reinforcements it will be able to send there in the springg, will be entirelg
isufficient for its protection.'In order to make the troops as available as possible for the protection of
the settlements, they have beeni separated into small detachments, stationed
at various posts along the friontier   But as the frontier is many hundred
miles i-n extent, these posts are necessarily a considerable distance apart,
and the utmost vigilance and activity on the part of the officers in conmi
mand cannot prevent small bands of Indians from passing between them
and committing depredations on interior settlements.
The only description of troops that can effectually put a stop to thelse
forays; is cavalry.  Unlike those of their race in this part of the continent;,
the Indians that occupy the vast and open plains fiom the southern extremity of Texas to Oregon, in all their expeditions, whether for war or
for the chase, are invariably mounted, and are well skilled in the management of the horse.  In their incursions into the white settlements they are
prompted not so much by a feeling of hostility as by a love of plinder,
and consequently seldom move in large nmumbers, prepared to encoeunter an
armed force, but, separating into small parties, watch a favorable opportunity, make sudden and rapid inroads into the settlements, drive offwhole
herds of cattle, and occasionally commit acts of shocking barbarity.
Emboldened by the impunity with whichi these incursions have been
heretofore too often attended, and encouraged by the success with which
they have been.rewarded, these bold marauders have of'late ventured
much further into the settlements  and even within a short distance of our
military posts.  All the roads leading into the country are infested by
them, aiid cannot safely be travelled without a military escort.  They
stand in little awe of troops on foot, but a light and-active cavalry could
pursue and chastise them, or recapture their plunder, whereby their depredations wogld be rendered more dangerous and less profitable.  Severa,.
of these tribes have made some progress in civilization, having fixed,
habitations and considerable property.  By pursuing these to their homes
and retaliating severely upon them; they would soon be taught that it is
their interest to respect the property of the whites.  The officers in command in "these departments concur in the opinion that to enable them to
do this, a larger force, particularly in mounted  men  is indispensably
necessary.  As a temporary  means of supplying  this deoiciency, the
commanding officer in Texas called out several companies of volunteers,
but the short period for which this description of force can be legally called
upon to serve, renders it more expensive and less efficient than it would
otherwise be.  Doubts are entertained whether the experiment of mount



Doc. No. 1. 
ig i'trantry will prove successful.  Little, if anything, is gained by such
an arrangement on the score of economy, and soldiers enlisted with no
reference to their aptitude for cavalry duty will seldom. be able to adapt
themselves to a service for which their previous habits may not at all
qualify thenm..   t is therefore very much to be desired that Congress will
at an early period consider the propriety of increasing the army, and particularly of raising one or more regiments of mounted men.
This additional force will, at first, be attended with a proportional addition of. expenditure; but it is believed that in the end economy will be
promoted by it.'.['he supplies necessary for the troops stationed in that
country are now nearly all taken from the other States.  These supplies
have to be carried a great distance by land, and owing to the badness of,the roads, the scarcity of provisions and provender  and the exorbitant
prices demanded for labor, the cost of transportation is enormous.  The
ifollowing is the actual cost of transporting pork and flour (the two most
nmportant items of supply) to several of the military posts in Texas and
-New lVexico, Viiz
For pork. For flour.
To the nearer interior posts in Texas, per barrel        - $8 00   $5 30
To Santa Fe and Las Vegas, New Mexico                    -  32 00   21 30
To Taos $Socorro, Abique and Savoyette                   - -41 60   27 56
To Paso d.el Norte, Texas, and to San Elizario and
Dona a A                 -                          48 00   31 80
The above-sums are paid for transporting bread and meat to a country,;a large portion of which is susceptible of producing abundant crops of
tgrain, and nearly all of which is well adapted to grazing; and these sums
will continue to be paid so long as the incursions of the Indians continue
to prevent the settlement and cultiyation of the country. It is confidently
believed, on the other hand, that if adequate protection were afforded to
the country, in a few years its population and resources would both inrease,  a smaller numlber of troops would suffice for its defence, and supplies might be furnished at a mulch less cost than they now are.
It has been suggested by persons well acquainted with the country that
the inhabitants (including the Pueblo Indians) might, if properly armed
and organized into a kind of militia, under the direction  of officers of the
army, render essential aid in protecting it against the sudden inroads of;he more savage tribes.  The experiment is well worth maaking; and if
authority were vested in the departmtent to distribute arms and ammulni-tion among them, it might be so exercised that no ill consequence could,;at all. events, result from it.
Thlese, however, are only temporary expedients.  It is obvious that:some other means besides the terror of our arms must ultimately be erm
ployed to restrain the Indians.  Hemmed in, as they are, on all sides by
the United States, by Mexico arid the Rocky mountains, as our settlements advance, the scarcity of game will compel them  to fall back on
our weaker neiglhbors, whom, by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, we.
are bound to protect against their incursions.  Both policy and humanity
woulfd' therefore seem  to dictate that some system  should be adopted
whereby the whole of this unfortunate race mighit be induced, as a portion of them were by the Spaniards, to abandon their wandering life, to
live iU villages, and resort to agricultural pursuits.
The regt.mlut of mo unted  riflemenl which, when the last report was




6                            Doe. No. 1o
made by this department, was on its march to Oregon, reached its destination in safety-having, in accordance with the act of 19th May; 1846,
established a line of military stations along the rou-te to Oregon. In consequence of the scarcity of forage and provisions at one of these posts7
(Fort Iall,) it was subsequently abandoned; and the troops stationed
there were transferred to another post near the Dalles, and to Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia river.
Since the conference held with their chieis in SepteImber, 1849) by
Major General Twiggs, the small remnant of the Seminole tribe remaining in Florida have abstained from all acts of hostility against the whites,
In one of the frontier counties, the sudden disappearance of a youth recently caused some alarm  among the inhabitants.  Orders, however,
were given to the agent residing among them to institute a rigid inquiry
into the matter, and the result of the investigation has been the Conviction on his part that the Indians had no agency in this matter.  Every
information, on the contrary, that has reached the department, leads to
the belief that this feeble band are at length satisfied of the utter futility
of prolonlging a contest with the whites.  Under these circumstances a.
portion of the troops stationed in Florida have, been recently withdrawn~
A few companies, however; have been left to guard against the possibility
of another outbreak.
The Indians remaining in Florida, although their number does not exceed one hundred (100) men, are a source of terror and annoyance to the
whites in their neighborhood,  and, no doubt, tend very much to retard
the settlement of that part of the State.  So long as they remain in the
country, collisions will continually occur, and will only end with the extinclion of the race.  No efforts, therefore, have been or will be spared
to induce them to migrate and join the, great body of their nation in the,
west; and it is confidently believed that this desirable result will sooner
be attained by peaceable means than by the employment of force.
Information has been communicated t t this department, that, through
the instrumentality and persuasion of the governor of MIinnesota and our
agent stationed among them, the Chippewa tribe of Indians had been
prevailed upon to make a treaty of peace with the Sioux, with whom
they were at war, and who had been the aggressors; that shortly after
the treaty was concluded, it was broken by the Sioux, who had made an
unprovoked attack on the Chippevwas.  As the treaty had been made at
the earnest solicitation and almost command of the governor and the
agent, and the most solemn assurances had been given by them both to
the t,;hippewas that if it were violated the United States would interfere to protect them and redress their wrongs, the department has been
invoked to make good these pledges.  It is highly important that these
people should respect the authority and confide in the promises of the
agents of the government.  It is deemed advisable, therefore, that a
small force be sent against the Sioux.  No doubt is entertained that the
mere appearance of this force among them will suffice to intimidate theme,
and prevent what might otherwise be a protracted and sanguinary war.
The board'of military and naval officers appointed to exaamine the
Pacific coast of the United States and to designate such points thereon
as are suitable for fortifications and naval depots, have concluded their
labors.  Only preliminary reports have, as yet, been imade; but the department is informed that certain positions have been designated as -.eUl




Doe. No. 1.                               7
adapted to military and naval purposes.  Measures have been taken to
reserve these sites from sale, but more detailed surveys will be necessary
before the works can be commenced. The delay which this operation
will cause is the less to be regretted as the high prices of both labor and
materials in all that region would render it inexpedient to commence the
construction of any important works on that coast at present.
In virtue of an act passed in March, 1849, making an appropriation for
military and geographical surveys west of the  Mississippi, a party under
the direction of Captain Stansbury was despatched in that year with
orders to explore and survey the region in the vicinity of the Great Salt
lakeo  It is understood that the party have completed their labors; and
are now on their way home.  As soon as their report is made, it shall be
laid before you.
Under a similar appropriation, miade at the last session of Congress, a
party has been organized under the command of Captain Sitgreaves,
with directions to explore the river Zuni from its headwaters to its junction with the Colorado, and the latter river from that point to the gulf of
California.
An appropriation was made at the last session of Congress to survey
the delta of the Mississippi river, with a view to the deepening of the
channel at its mouth and the prevention of overflows.  The execution of
this work, so important to a large portion ot the Mississippi valley, has
been confided to Major Long and Captain Humphreys, two accomplished
officers of the corps of topographical engineers.  In addition to which,
Mr. Charles Ellet, jr., a distinguished civil engineer, has been employed
to examine this interesting subject, and report the result of his observations to this department.  These two parties will act independently of
each other; and yet will co-operate whenever it may be found advantageous to do so.
Prior to the passage of the law establishing a Territorial government in
New Mexico, the inhabitants of that country had held a convention,
adopted a State constitution, and proceeded to put it in operation.  On
the other hand, the officer in command of that militaly department refused to recognise the government thus established.  To put an end to a
conflict of authorities which might be productive of unpleasant consequences, as soon as the above-mentioned law  was passed, instructions
were despatched to the officer in command to abstain from  all further interference in the civil and political affairs of the country.
The Military Academy continues, by its excellent discipline and admirable course of instruction, to afford ample guarantees that it will
realize the expectations of the country, and sustain the high reputation it
has hitherto enjoyed.
I beg leave to renew the recommendation of my immediate predecessor,
of the formation of a retired list of officers of the army. There are many
officers who, in consequence of their advanced age, of wounds, or of
disease contracted in the service, are entirely disabled, but who, nevertheless, receive full pay.  It would be more in accordance with justice,
and no doubt with the feelings of the officers themselves, that they should
receive less pay and be legally exempted from  duty.  By. this. means,
justice to the officers would be reconciled with economy and the effieiency of the service.
in connexion with this subject, I beg leave to call your attention to




8                              Doc. Nio. l
the remarks contained in the report of the general-in-chief, relative to the
establishment of an asylum for disabled and destitute soldiers.
The Quartermaster's department employs in its service about five hundred (500) teamsters. who are hired men, and have recently exacted enormous wages.  Besides, not being subject to the restraints of military discipline, they are sometimes very turbulent and ungovernable.  To obviate both these difficulties, it is recommended that authority be given to
enlist such number of them as may be required by the exigencies of the
service, and that a higher rate of pay be allowed them than to tie privates
in the army.
The usual annual estimates have been furnished to the Secretary of the
Treasury, to be by him submitted to Congress.  They embrace detailed
reports, from the heads of the bureaus of this department, of the sums
that will be required by them  respectively during the year commencing
on the 1st of July, 1851, and exceed in the aggregate the estimates for
the current year.  This excess is owing chiefly to the following: causes'
Ist. No appropriation was required by the subsistence department during
the current year, there being a balance on hand resulting from overestimates during the war, sales of subsistence stores, &c., sufficient for the
service of the year.  2d. By an act passed at the last session  of Congress, the rank and file of all the companies serving on the western frontier was greatly increased.  3d. By another act passed towards the close
of the same session, the pay of all the officers and men serving in California and Oregon was nearly doubled.  4th. An increased expenditure
in theuQuartermaster's department.
Priorto 1845, our frontier posts were all established either on the Gulf of
Mexico, on Lake Superior, or on the headwaters of the Mississippi and
its tributaries.  They were all, therefore, accessible by water, and many
of them situated in the midst of a fertile and cultivated country.  Now,
on the contrary, they are either on the Pacific coast, on  the route to
Oregon, or far in the interior of Texas and New  Mexico, remote from
navigable streams and from the States where enlistments are made and
whence all the supplies are drawn.  The distance of land  carriage to
many of these posts is, as has already been mentioned, very great, and
numerous trains of wagons are constantly employed in conveying supplies to them as well as in accompanying the troops in  their marches'
The exorbitant cost of furnishing supplies to the troops in  Texas and
Newv Mexico has already been stated.  On the Pacific; owing to the high
price of labor, water transportation is proportionally expensive.
The consequence of all this is an immense increase in the expenditures of the Quartermaster's department.  In the year ending June 30:
1844, the expenditures of that department amounted to only $8T7,999 73
In the year ending June 30, 1850, they were $4,295,298 60.  In the
year ending June 30, 1851, appropriated $3,915,954.In the year ending June 30, 1852, estimated $4,950,000.
In the year 1844, the cost of transportation  for the army   ras less
The amount stated for the year ending June 30, 1851, is that of the appropriations only,
which were based upon a supposed increase of the army of fifteen hundred (1,500) men, in-.stead of three thousand, (3,000,) as provided by law. It is believed, therefore, that the expenditures will exceed the appropriations, though they will not equal those of the year ending
June 30, 1852, in consequence of the delay which necessarily intervened, after the paasango'~
the act of June, 1850, before the augmentation authorized by it could be effeced.




Doe. No. 1.                               9
than $120,000.  In the year ending 30th of June last, it amounted to
about $1,900,000, showing an increase of about fifteen hundred per cent.
It is hoped that as settlements increase and cultivation extends in
Texas and New  Mexico, and as mining becomes less profitable and
labor more diversified in California, these enormous expenditures will
diminish.  In the mean time every effort will be made by this department to curtail them. It is possible that at points so remote from the supervision of its chief, defects of administration in the Quartermaster's department may exist, to remedy which some changes in the organization of
that department may become necessary.
No economy can, however, be effected by reducing the estimates,which
are based upon positive data and cannot safely be curtailed.  The only
consequence which has heretofore resulted from such reductions of estimates, with/out dimtirunqsht ing t]he objects of e:cpense, has been the accumulation of arrearages.  An arrearage which has existed in the Quartermaster's department since the year 1848, amounting to the sum  of
$1,290,860 32, is said to have originated in that way.  The practice of
allowing disbursements to exceed the appropriations is dangerous in the
extreme; but if estimates, carefilly prepared by the proper officers, are reduced without diminishing the objects of expenditure, this irregularity
may sometimes be unavoidable.
I hereto annex such portions of the correspondence of this department
as relate to the subjects mentioned in this report, together with the reports
of the general-in-chief and of the several heads of bureaus of this department, to all which I refer you for more ample information in regard to its
operations.
Respectfully submitted:
C. M. CONRAD,
Secretary of War.
To the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.




10                          Doc. No. 1.
DOCUMENTS
ACCOMPANYING THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR ro THE PRESIDENT, NOVEMBER 30j 1850.
1. Correspondence on the subject of1. Indian hostilities in Texas, New Mexico, and California.
II. Indian difficulties in Florida.
III. Civil affairs in New Mexico.
IV. Expenses in the Western department.
2. Report of the General-in-Chief, with returns of the Adjutant General.
3. Report of the Quartermaster General.
4. Report of the Paymaster General,
5. Report of the Commissary General.
6. Report of the Surgeon General.
7. Report of the Chief Engineer.
8. Report of the Chief of the Topographical Engineers.
9. Report of the Chief of Ordnance,
10. Report of the Third Auditor,




Doc. No. 1                               11
No. 1.
List of correspondence on the subject of -Indian hostilities in Texas, New
Mexico, and California.
TEXAS.
Decelmber 14, 1849-The governor of Texas to the Secretary of War,
presenting views and considerations connected with the protection and
defence of the frontier.
January 19, 1850 —The Secretary of War to the governor of Texas, respecting the measures taken for the defence of the country.
August 30, 1850-Governor Wood to the Secretary of \War, respecting the
best mode of providing for the defence of the country.
Reports of General G. M. Brooke, commanding 8th departmentJanuary 10, 1850-Enclosing copies of letters and reports, viz:
Major Van Horne, 8th November, 1849.
General Trias, of Chihuahua, October 10, 1849.
Colonel Langberg's letter to Major Van Horne, October 23, 1849.
General Brooke to governor of Texas, January 10, 1850.
January 20, 1850-General Brooke to the Adjutant General.
January 31,1850-General Brooke to the Adjutant General, enclosing one
to the governor of Texas, January 30: 1850.
March 7, 1850 —General Brooke to the Adjutant General, enclosing reports from Brevet Lieutenant Colonel W. J. Hardie, March 3, 1850;
from Brevet Major J. M. Scott, February 22, 1850;
from Captain John H. King, February 28,  850;
from Lieutenant W. W. Hudson, February 27, 1850;
from General Brooke to governor of Texas, March 5, 1850.
March 17, 1850-General Brooke to Adjutant General, enclosing reports
from Brevet Lieutenant Colonel W. J. Hardie, March 13, 1850;
from Juan Manuel MValdonado to Major J. M. Scott, in Spanish, with
translation, March 10, 1850.
April 18, 1850-General Brooke to the Adjutant General, enclosing report
from Captain John H. King, April 10, 1850.
May 29, 1850-General Brooke to the Adjutant General, transmitting
copy of a letter to the General-in-Chief, dated May 28, 1859, and enclosing reports from Captain John S. Ford, Texas mounted volunteers,
May 21, 1850;
from Captain John S. Ford, extract for Adjutant General, May 21,
1850;
froml Captain John H. King, May 16, 1850;
from Lieutenant S. B. Holabird to Captain John H. King, May 16,
1850,
June 2, 1850-General Brooke to the Adjutant General.
June 8, 1850- General Brooke to the Adjutant General, enclosing a report from Captain John S. Ford, Texas volunteers, May 30, 1850.
June 9, 1850-General Brooke to the Adjutant General, enclosing reports
from Brevet Major G. A. H. Blake, 2d dragoonts, June 2, 1850;
from Lieutenant Thomas J.'Wood, 2d dragoons, lay 26, 1850.
July 3, 1850-General Brooke to the Adjutant General, enclosing communlication from Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Montigomrery, 8th inifantry,
June 27, 1850.




12                           Doc. No. 1.
J. ly 5, 1850 —General Brooke to the Adjutant General, enclosing reports
from Captain S. M. Plummer, 1st infantry, June 30, 1850;
from Lieutenant A. J. Walker, Texas volunteers, June 19, 1850.
July 25, 1850-General Brooke to the Adjutant General, enclosing reports
from Captain Ford, Jully 4, 1S50;
fromn Lieutenant M. B. Highemuth, July 3, 1850.
July 28, 1850-General Brooke to Brevet Lieutenant Colonel W. G. Free-'man, Assistant Adjutant General, enclosing resolutions passed at a public
meeting of the citizens of San Antonio.
August 15, 1850-General Brooke to the Adjutant General, enclosing a
petition of the citizens of Corpus Christi.
September 20, 1850-Adjutant General to General Brooke.
September 17, 1850-General Brooke to the General in-Chief, enclosing
reports from Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Hardie, September 14, 1850;
from Major Blake, August 23, 1850;
order No. 39, relative to scouting parties, September 17, 1850.
October 10, 1850-General Brooke to the Adjutant General, enclosing
communication of P. W. Humphreys, October 4, 1850};
communication of Captain S. M. Plulmmer, October 6, 1850;
and of H. D. Norton, respecting the abduction of two young girls.
October 15, 1850-General Brooke to the Adjutant General.
October 15, 1850 —General Brooke to the Adjutant Geteral, enclosing
copy of paper printed at Victoria, relative to certain horrid transactions.
November 7, 1850-Assistant Adjutant General L. Thomas to General
Brooke.,NEW  MEXICO.
March 2, 1850-Brevet Colonel John Munroe to the Adjutant General, enclosing report of Major Stein, February 5, 1850.
April 15, 1850-Brevet Colonel Johnt Munroe to the Adjutant General,
enclosing reports from Brevet Major William N. Grier, April 12, 1850;
from Sergeant W. C. Holbrook, April 7, 1850;
from Major Stein, March 24, 1850.
August 22, 1850-Brevet Colonel John Munroe to Captain  Irvin McDowell, Assistant Adjutant General, enclosing reports fromMajor E. Stein, July 1, 1850;
Captain W. N. Grier, July 31, 1850.
CALIFORNIA o
May 22, 1850-Brevet Captain N. Lyon to Major E. R. S. Canby, Assistant Adjutant General.
May 25, 18500-General Persifor F. Smith to Captain Irvin M.cDowell, Assistant Adjutant General.




Doea. lo. 1.                             13
EXECUTIVE OFFICES Austin, December 14, 1S49.
Sir: Being about to retire from office, I feel it to be my duty to invite
your attention to the state of our relations with the Indians upon our
borders, and to avail myself of the occasion to present some views and
considerations connected with the protection and defence of our frontiers
against their incursions, which have suggested themselves to me during'a
residence of many years in this country, and especially those with which
I have necessarily become familiar during my administration of the government of this State.
It is iknown to you that Texas has a sparsely settled frontier, nearly one
thousand miles in extent, commencing on Red river at about the 33d degree of north latitude, and pursuing generally this parallel to the Rio Grande,
and down that stream nearly to its entrance into the gulf.  The settlers
upon this line, throughout its extent, are exposed to Indian depredations
and outrage at every point, without exception; and they are at this time,
and have been for the last four years, as well as previously to that time,
subject to these depredations and the victims of these outrages, except so
far as they have been protected by the forces of the United States, which
force has ever-been, and is especially at this time, wholly inadequate to
insure them  protection or security.  I do not wish to be understood as
expressing the opinion that a force adequate to a successful prosecution of
a war against the Indians, either in its number or appointments, is by any
means necessary, entertaining the opinion, as I do, that a war with them
should be avoided so long as such a course would not jeopard the safety of our citizens.  The difficulties which would attend it are obvious and
manifold.  The country which they inhabit is immense in its extent and
far the greater portion of it ill adapted to the operations of organized
forces, the first affording them opportunities for dispersion so as to elude
pursuit, and the latter the means of retreating where they could scarcely
be reached.  A war with them  would necessarily be protracted, require
much hard service, and involve an immense expense to the nation.
I am therefore clearly of the opinion, that to avert a rupture with them
is the interest of the country, second only to the paramount interest she
has in the protection of the lives and property of her citizens.  The inquiry, then; is, how shall we attain both these important ends?  No other
plan, 1 respectfully conceive, is so certain to secure these as the presence
of a strong force along a line drawn from Red river to the Rio Graicde, sufficiently strong to keep up a continual intercommunication along it, and'capable of moving with promptness and celerity.  This is not intended
as any disparagement of the troops now engaged in this service; on the
contrary, I have no hesitation in saying that they have rendered good
service, and as efficient as could have been expected under the circumstances.  A considerable portion of this force, being infantry and artillery,
is wholly unadapted to the peculiar service required against these tribes,
who by many successful forays have possessed themselves of large herds
of hor:es, and who move uniformly upon horseback and with great celerity.  Companies are stationed from fifty to one hundred miles distant
from each other, along a line running, as I have before said, through a
sparsely settled region, and intersected at numberless points by a character
of country well calculated to shelter their approach and afford them an
undetected ingress into the settlements, where, in obedience to their savage instincts; they plunder and murder, and, before troops can be had from




14                           Doe  NO.  1.
any station, they are beyond the reach of pursuit and secure in their fastnesses.
The citizens on our southwestern frontier are, from the nature of the
country, more exposed to depredations than at any other point, and necessarily require more troops, and which should be of the proper kind,
and placed in proper positions; the intermediate country between the
San Antonio river and the Rio Grande, with dense chaparrals, affording in
many places safe retreats for Indians until they are prepared to escape,
and, indeed, where they can and have lived for years.  This is the character of a great portion of the country between these rivers from near their
entrance into the gulf, extending back to the vicinity of San Antonio and
Laredo.  The settlers in this portion of Texas are principally engaged in
the business of raising stock, and by far the larger portion of what they
are worth consists in this species of property, and against which the acts
of depredation on the part of the Indians are principally directed as their
means of subsistence and movement, but principally on account of the
facility with which its transportation can be effected.
There have been. at least one hundred and fifty persons killed in the
vicinity of Corpus Christi within a year, an incredible amount of property
carried away and destroyed, and the settlers in many instances entirely
broken up and driven from their homes.
The utter futility of all mere treaty restraints with such a people, without fixed habitations or pursuits, or the means of offering adequate guarantees for their observance, and into whose social system the right to steal
and kill is incorporated as fully as their right to breathe the common air,
needs no demonstration.  The history of the past is pregnant with its
confirmation.  They can only be restrained by- motives of fear, awakened
by the presence of a power ready and able to punish them.  The condition of things alluded to must and will continue, unless arrested by a military force adapted to and adequate for the purpose.
As an important auxiliary means of protection, I would respectfully suggest the establishment of a government depot at Corpus Christi.  The
transportation of government stores from  that point to all the different
posts along the western end of the line, would have a tendency to give
confidence to the settlers; and the escorts necessary to guard the transportation trains in and out, would, with a very small additional force, give
complete protection to this entire section now so much exposed, and which
has already suffered so severely in the loss of life and property.
It affords me much gratification to express the opinion which I have
ever entertained of the disposition of the present administration to mete
out ample justice to Texas in the protection of her citizens against savage
cruelty and violence, but I cannot in justice to my fellow-citizens, or to
my own sense of duty, permit my term  to expire without submitting to
the federal authorities my views in relation to this important subject, and
giving such information as I know cannot fail to be useful, and which I
am Allowed to conclude has not heretofore been in their possession.  I
have thus endeavored briefly to present my views for your consideration,
confident that such action will be had in the premises as may be just and
proper.
I have the honor to be, your very obedient servant,
GCEO. T. WOOD.
To Hon. GEO. W. CRAWFORD,
Secretary of War.




Doc. No.L                                15
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washiangon, January 19, 1850.
Sin: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 14th ultimo, postmarked the 21st, and received on the 17th
instant.
Its purposes are, as it appears to me, to show that the protection of the
frontier of Texas, and about one-third of its settled territory, is insufficient, from the want of numerical military force, its adaptation to the
repulse of the neighboring tribes of Indians, and the establishment of a
military depot at Corpus Christi.
As regards the amount of force employed in Texas and its equipment
for the repulse or pursuit of the Indians, I am sure your Excellency could
not have made a comparison of what has been done for Texas and for
other portions of the United States which are equally exposed to the
same or greater dangers from  the same kind of assaults.  Nor is it supposed that you could have fully considered the comparative strength of
the military engaged in protecting the Texas frontier whilst she was a
republic and since her annexation to the United States.  It is believed
that whenever the comparison is instituted, the result will be according
to the ratio of one to seven.  Or even in respect to the mounted force,
which it is admitted is to some extent necessary, that whilst the disproportion would be less, still it would be so striking that the conclusion
would be inevitable, that if Texas be not now properly protected as a
State, as a republic she was more inadequately defended.
The establishment of military depots must necessarily depend, in a
gTeat degree, on the judgment of the officer who is in command of the
department, and who must be presumed to be fully informed as to the
facilities and wants of each place.  But I should think the establishment
of a military depot at Corpus Christi, on the gulf, whilst the plundering
Indians are in the north at a distance of about one hundred and sixty
miles, with an intervening settlement, would be wholly indefensible as a
military operation.
Permit me to suggest to your Excellency whether the danger of Indian
depredations and incursions may not have been increased in consequence
of the undefined condition of the enjoyment of the Indians to lands
westward of the line of military posts in Texas. I respectfully present
this question, as it has been brought to the attentioli of this department
by the inquiry of the commanding officer in Texas.  It is not contemplated to interfere, in the remotest degree, with the jurisdiction of Texas;
but whilst that State is thus extending her laws without any recognition
of the occupant right of the Indians, it must be apparent that the latter
must either recede or be annihilated.  In making this suggestion of a
probable result, and in. reference to the views expressed by your Excellency as to the best mode of avoiding Indian disturbances, it is the wish
of this department to have the cooperation of Texas in producing that
condition which may give repose to the people of the State, by the application of gentle measures towards their savage neighbors.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. W. CWRAWFORD,
Secretary of W ar.
His Excellency GEORGE T. WooD,
Governor of 2exas, Austin, Texas.




16                          Doc. No. 1.
WASHINGTON CITY, August 30, 1850.
SIR: Agreeable to promise, I have the honor to submit for your consideration my views and opinions as to the line of policy most likely to
secure the frontier settlements of Texas against the incursions of the numerous tribes of hostile Indians constantly committing depredations upon
the lives and property of our citizens.
I have looked to this subject with intense anxiety, especially for the
last two or three years, and I am exceedingly gratified at the intimation
that the department has- been pleased to make of its inclination to
listen"to the suggestions of one who cherishes feelings of the deepest anxiety and solicitude for the safety of our frontier inhabitants, and for their
permanent lsecurity against the ruinous depredations of these Indians;
depredations, too, which have been yielded to with so much patience by
our suffering citizens, whilst we were not permitted to doubt the ability of
the general government to afford us an ample protection against those
ravages; yet, at the same time, we cannot close our eyes to the melancholy
fact that the exercise of this power has hitherto fallen very far short of
accomplishing the end so desirable; and although this paramount object
has not yet been achieved, I feel warranted in the assurance, on the part
of those whose interest I represent, that the utmost confidence is felt in the
justice of the general government. The people of Texas are not disposed
to ascribe the failure of the government to extend that security to life and
property on the frontier in question which, as citizens of one and.the same
great nation, we had every reason to expect, to any feeling of indifference
on the part of those charged with that duty. They are rather persuaded
that the failure may be ascribed to the peculiar character and great extent
of the country to be protected, as well as to the character and number of
savages to be held in check.  The Indians inliabiting the immense regions
on the western borders of Texas are different from any with which the
government has hitherto had any intercourse.  They arefor the most part
wild and uncivilized; roaming at will over the vast prairies; having no
fixed habitations; and having, as far back as we know anything of them,
gratified every impulse of their savage nature by the most heart-rending acts
of violence upon the defenceless Spanish settlements of the west, and
never, until recently, come into contact with a force capable of holding
them  in subjection, and of course they yield with great reluctance.
Hence, it is not remarkable that the government should find it necessary
to pursue a policy towards tlem more vigorous and efficient than that
hitherto pursued in reference to other tribes of Indians.
Texas has a very extended line of frontier settlements; beginning, as they
do, on Red river about where it is crossed by the 34th parallel of north latitude; stretching thence over a large prairie region to El Paso, on the
Rio Grande, a distance of six or seven hundred miles; thence down that
stream to its entrance into the Gulf of Mexico, eight or nine hundred
miles further; besides, it is found necessary to employ considerable force
for the protection of the inhabitants between the lower Rio Grande and
the San.Antonio rivers, from the gulf coast for at least one hundred miles
up those streams.  This, too, is one of the best and most desirable portions of the State, and already contains a population of ten or fifteen
thousand inhabitants, and some of the most flourishing towns and villages
in the State, liable every day to be sacked and burnt by hostile Indians.




Doc. No.. 1
This lower region of country is mainly prairie, yet large portions of t are
covered with dense ckh.%uparral or thicket, affording a safe raeteat to the Indians, and rendering successfil pursuit exceedingly diflicutt    The population is conined mnlyr  o t     th e valley of t.le Rio  Grarnde. asi to Corpus
Christi and its vicitniv, withi occasional se.lttlent.  s on iotihe   Nueces and
San An.onifo riv ers rwhils t the i termedia te ccntry, though   i g hly fertile 
~is xregarded  as too runsa'fe -for settlement,.T..  A.tr..c. to be the
case so lorng as the governmment continues her present policy,  aThe reasol
is obvious; fr besides affording to the savage a safe retrea) it a'fords every
induceme-.st e.o Ifac ilitv frpl lndel and s:tbsi, -ctenede.abo...in..   as it does.
in every.species ofp gatme- common to the western c.ountry; and, in addition
to the garme it is fill.ed.  with str oek horses, and cattle in countless numbers.  iAnd         tha this state of tings must and  nwtill c.ntinnt e to exist so
long' as the India-ns are pesmirtted to inhabit or visit -this'regi)  cannot.admit of, I  isasonabe.a   doubt.' The settle'.ents camn ot a nlvalc -.e in safety
without an armed ifrce at every man's door; whilst the indmuements to.plunder and -. utlrder w\Till cioa. ue to icrease
I             -m atwae tdat  i. what I may h ave h' to suggest touching the best.means of giving protection to the fronwtier o f T'exas, I. may not only come:into colision with    e tiong-estabished opinions of many as to the best.mode of accomplishing the ob:jeet, but also wth the opinionts of those in
Texas vwhose pecuniary interest m-ay possibly be affected by the change
here proposed.  Nevertheless, a faithfful discharge of duty towards the
frontier iEnhabitat:s of that State, not less han j ust sentiments ofhum.anity, impelis ne to a filt avowal of -m  views upon the whole question —a
question which iaioleves in its issue riso only the interests of ordinary pursuits, bui, the Veryi vitalily  of our ifonier stements.
With these prielimrinart  remarks,    1 wil  proceed to. submit for the consideration of the depairtlmea t such suggestions as  if adopted, can  scarcely
fail to insurte  e-ace and seceIity to our frtfi'el — an  object we h rave so long
vainly desired to see accomplished.
And first I would  suggest the propriety of establishing a permancn
line of posts along our northwestern frontier, beginulg at somte point on
Red river in the neighborhood of the 34th parallel of latitude. stretching
thence in a direct line, as near as mlay be, to El Paso on the Rio Grande;.
or, if thought mnore advisable on account of procuring supplies, it aight
be wei. to cross the Brazos river at about the 33d parallel conforming somewhat to the settlements, and thence in a general difection to El Pas-o.
Occupy this line of posts by a strong cavalary or mounted force, in  connexion'withl such infantry forces as may be necessary for the, protection
of the posts and government stores whenever the mounted force may be in
active service.  Cause all the Indians south of this line to be removed
north ofit, with. a&n express understanding trhat the rmot. ent they cross
this line they will be regarded as hostile anai  chastised with. severity.
The remtoval of the Indians to the northward of this line can e-asily'be,ertcomeo cUiter by reaty or ribce.'The rumn diiiculty will be in keeping
-them  north of this line after they shall have becen so removed.  As to the
forces reqti.osite for the defence of thi. liniie, that is a matter whicih rmust be
~determined by the departnment,.     entertainl no doubt, however, that it
woV1d be economy on) the part of thie governrment to ermploy at once at
least two regiments of mounted troops, armed with rif fes and x'evolvers.
-Such  aforce wold at once secure protection, restore confidenice, and con-'Part ii —2




18                           I Doc  Noo 1o
vince the savage that he can no longer commit his depredations with impu>nity.  It must be borne in mind that tile country through which this liie
is to pass is a vast prairie region, with which the Indians are perfectly
-amiliar; that they move altogether on horseback, and hence the necessity of having an active cavalry force to pursue and punish them. Not.hing, indeed, can be more manifest than the utter inadequacy of infantry
troops to hold in subjection an enemy of this character-an enemy which,
instead of relying upon their strength in battle, make rapid forays into the
settlements, plunder and murder their defenceless inhabitants, and fly to
their mountain homes with almost incredible celerity.
In addition to the establishment and defence of this line, it will also be
tound indispensably necessary to employ a small force of a similar character in the vicinity of Corpus Christi, the Nueces valley, and along the lower
RFio Grande from  Brownsville to Loredo, in order to defend this region.
against such Indians as cross over the Rio Grande above El Paso, a-nd
iTmake their way down that river on the Mexican side, recrossing andr
enltering our settlements on the lower Rio Grande.
But, the policy above indicated once adopted, the necessity for troops
in this quarter will soon give way.  The confidence which a policy of
th is character must  inspire wxill at once invite an emigration along the
fnorthern line, which in a very brief period will form  an effectual barrier
ag'ainst any probable aggression or hostile incursion into'the lower country.
Having thus briefly submitted my views in reference to the protection
o: f  our fiontier, without going into such detail as would extend this commiunication to too great length, I would merely add that I do not wish to
Jbe tunrerstood, in any suggestions I have made, as intending to detract;
frmn  the mlerits of the.officers or soldiers of the United States charged
w-ith the defence of our frontier; on the contrary, I regard them  as the
most efficient arm of public defence in the world when operating against.an enemy where their efficiency can be made available.  But it is well
k nown that the Indians who infest our borders are the best horsemen in t;he
world, use the bow and arrow with greater readiness and effect, that they.travel altogether on horseback, and with great celerity of movement.  it.wil also be borne in mind that the larger portion of the forces employed':a our defence are either infantry or artilery corps-tlhe former being Twholl.y
un;fitted fr the character of service needed; and the latter can only bee;liie.nt when the enemy may choose to come within range of their gu7ns
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. T. WOOD.
Hon. C. M. CONRAD
Secretary of War, Washington, D. D.
No. 1.
HEADQUARTERS EIGHMT  DEPARTMENT.
San  zntonio, January 10, S10o.
GENERAL: I have the honor to forward a communication from Major J;.
a an iHorme, 3d infantry, dated the 8th November, with two enclosures —
(one friom  Governor Trias  of Chihuahua to the inspector of militaryclon. ies at Paso del Norte; and the second; fromn  the'last-named officer,




Boco, Ne   1                              19
in relation to the, tonduct of an American, named Leaton, near the Pre"sidio del Norte, who is charged with fturnishring the Indians with arms,
wder, and   ead, and who tlso purchases property stolen from Mexicans.'Yoi will also receive a communication addressed to his Excellency P.
H. Bell gofovernor of Texas,'on this subject.
I shal  inform Major Van Horne of the steps which lhave been taken to
redres   hlais evil and, at the same time, instruct lim to inform. Governor
Tri.s -of the difficulties which  have prevented the government of the
Ut dAted States from  carrying out faithfully and. honorably the specificaions'of the' treaty of peace wTith Mexico.  I shall, at the same time, instruct.Major Vani Horne to say that we ourselves have the most serious and
grave causes for complaint against the high authorities of Chihuahua,
particularly in reference to the employment of Americans in making war
~_on the Apaches and other Indians, not only in Mexico, but on the territory of the United States on this side of the Rio Grande, whereby the
Indians have been made to believe that the American government approve
*of those aggressions.  The consequence is, that many of our citizens have
been murdered and robbed  by the Apaches and other Indians, and the
wvhole  route betweeTn this and New  Mexico and  Califbrnia, in  our
own country, has become extremely dangerous to travel, unless accompanied by strong and expensive military escorts, when, before the violation of our soil and the employmentof unexpatr'ia ted Americans, there was
peace and security as far as El PNso positively, and to Santa Fe and California but few disturbances; whereas now  all the tribes are greatly inflamed and revengefully hostile.
You will perceive the strong opinion which Major Van Horne expresses
in favor of the establishment of a new post in the neighborhood of the
Presidio del Norte. I approve entirely of his views in this matter, believing that the post should be established'as early as possible, and a pretty
strong one.  I Ilave to regret thfat it is out of'my power to meet his. views
in the construction of this new post; from the' want of means, as my force
is toe small alrealy to be weakened by a further extension.
I am. very respectfully, your moSst- obedient servant,
GEO. M. BROOKE,.revet,ajor General.
Brevret Maj..'Gen..  R; JoNES,
Adjutnet Gen eral Was1./?hiItoln a. Co
No. 2.
HE A}JUA RTERS POST OPPOSITE EL PASO; NEW LMEXICO,
N/ovember 8, 1849.
SRa: U/lr'. Benjamin Leaton  is at present on a visit here from Presidio del
Norte, twro hundred and fifty miles below this.  He says that he had for
he last year or two, endeavored to gather the Apaches about there, advise
ing them to preserve friendly relations with the United States, and hoping
that an Indian agent would be along there to make.a treaty with them.
He also says that we came through the midst of thel —their warriors
numbering about eight hundred-and to his advice to them not to distub
as be a,.triblutes theI faIt that they did not molest us, Immediately aftf:r we




820                              oc. Noo 1e
had passed, however, the party of American outlaws, under Glanton;?
crossed at his station, and, after attacking the Indians, and with difficultv
escaping, returned by Leaton's again   on their way to Chihua.hua. Thi.s
Leaton says, has made them hostile to him, and to all Americans, as they
do not know  any distinction between Glanton's party and any other
Americans.  He says that all the settlers on our side, except himself
have gone to the other side; that he considers his position very unsafe, and urges strongly that government should have troops there.   He
thinks it was some of Gomez's party who made the attack at Janos,
Leaton dasir-e;s ine strongly to urge the necessity of having troops at
Presidio del NiC:te, to restrain the inroads of the Indians upon the Mex.i
can territonry7
Since writ-ing the foregoing, I have received a comnmunication from.
Colonel Laugberg, Mexican commandant, E1 Paso enclosing another
from Angel Trias. governor and commanda-nt general of tihe iM. exican general government dated  Chihuahua, October 10, in which'great complaint is nrade if Ben. Leaton for trading with thte  paces and Comanches, and giving them powder, and lead, and gu Is  &.,  iLn exhange for
animals and other property which the Indians steal frm the  Texicansthus encouraging the Indians to continue their depredations in Mexico, and
violating the treaty of peace, which forbids tihis.  They ul-ge trongly that
the United States government should put a stop to this.
I take the liberty to enclose these docluments to you, at the pressing request of Colonel Laugberg, as it relates to matters in your department. On
inquiry, I think there is no doubt but that Leaton deals extensively in
buying mules and horses stolen  by the Indianrs fr om the MIexicans, and
in trading them  off. The Torrys and others carry on the same traffic;
-ald the Indians are extensively supplied by traders at.Santa Fe, Sau
Miguel, &c., with arms and ammunition, in exchange for animals, &co
Many of those traders rove about among the Indians, and live with themo
It is highly probable that the Presidio del Norte will be an important
point on the great route of trade from  San Antonio, Lavaca, Corpus
Christi, &c., to Chihuahua, Durango, &c., which is an additional reason
why troops should be stationed there.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. VAN HORNE,
Brevet.lMaqjor 3d lkifa2trJy, commandingr.:Major GEOnRE I)EAs,
Asst. Adjt. Genercd 8th Military Dertme-, San Antonio, T7exas.
No. 3.
[Translation.]
MII',1TAR.Y i)iSTRICT, STATE OF C.m-l tIUAV-IA
C'ihcdta,C ) October 1 0 18:9
The American, Leaton, who resides on the opposite bankl of the i  (io
Grande, near Presidio del Norte, has, for some time past, been conmi-ntting
a thousand  alus1.es, and of so hurtful a niatulre- that he keeps un.  otpfa
treaty wvith the Apacrhe Indians, in opposition to whlit hte lh.s bteen cix



Do,  No. 1                                21
pressIy advised' not to do.  He has been repeatedly charged with this depraved conduct; but it has been impossible to put a stop to it in a satisfactory
maanner as he does as he pleases, without respecting either the authorities
of that presidio or the laws of the country.  These abuses are reported
every day, as you will see by the accompanying letter.:Leaton is, besides, a
man entirely vanting in respect, as he never satisfies the just claims which.
are made upon him, as has occurred in the case of a demand made upon him
for a horse which he took from a captive who0 a few days since, made his
escape from the power of the Indians-to which aflair the same letter
refers.  I  have advised the supreme governmlent of the whole matter, as
Leaton does not conform to thejurisdiction of New Mexico; but, desiring:
that lthe abuses be checked, untial  can hear of the resolution of the governinent, and: whefher the commander of the American forces nearest this
ci-ty has jurisdiction over the individual referred to1 I hope that you will
bring this subject, and the contents of the letter, before the American comtander, inm order that he may take such steps as are necessary and in
colnfbority with the treaty of peace.
1.i renew-vto you the assarances of' my esteem.
God and liberty!
ANGEL TRIASo
To the iL sseoEC7:co   c'urg'ed   i.'d,it h,e  0.ii'.C1lo ies,  Paso.
I certify this to be a copy of lhe original,
lLAUGBERG.
A.    tra trtaiiaion, by. kXt;:lV     AS 
| Asvil   A iAu acnt tGenera1l
No,,
j.lSe. PECTi[Os; /OF Mf'ILJTi.aTi  CoL,0Otm o'SS OJ"' T'ITE S"TATE OF' CHITH UAHEUAa
JPaso,  October 23, 1849.
SiR: The enclosd:corm-amunicatiofn fm  the commndanant general of
ife general g3<overnlme n t of lMexico has been transmitted to me. From it you
Nvill pereeive tl hat various complaints Lave been made against a person resid.ing opposite the Presidio del Norte, calling himself Ben. Leaton, and the
place of his residence Fort Leaton.   Among the complaints which. have'been made against' this person l  andd, in fact, the one to which I chiefly desire to call your attention  i.s the trade which he continually carries on with'
the Apoache and COonanche Indians.  I need hardly state the fact to you
tnat the Indians are continually eingaged in murdering,.robbing, and plunderng th;e citizens of this country;   i s notl therefore, not only probable,
but positive proof is in ithe hands of the commandant general, that a greatxportion of this illicit traffie consists in the selling and. purchasing of the very
goods and property' o  the citizens of this country, and of which they
have been sobbed bc r these I[a Ldians.  Bnut the evil conrsists not onily




2y2                         T,Doc, No 1..
in this: in return for the plunder which this person takes froi  the Indians, he furnishes them  with arms, powder, lead, and. other articles of
ammunition.  This, in itself alone, would be sufficient grounds for a
complaint against this individual to you, inasnzmuh as a citizen of the
United States, a country with which this republic is upon the most friendly
terms, furnishes these Indians, who are at war with this country, with the
means to carry on the war.
But how much stronger is the case against this individual when you
take into consideration the eleventh article of the treaty of peace between
the two  governments, by which the government of the United States
binds itself to protect this frontier from the incursions of these Indians..
I therefore respectfully request you to" take this matter into consideration, and to inform me whether, by virtue of your office, you can take any
steps to prevent a recurrence of these outrages, or, if not, wo is the proper
person to address nmyself to.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servants
EMILE  LAUGBERG,
Inspector a.nd comvnmaerdig ofice,.
Major JEFFERSO:N VAN HORNE,
o. Co27mandjing, "c.
No. 5.
HEADatr ARTE RS EIc HT-r D)EPART''MENT,
San AnItonio, Janury 10, 1.850.
GovERNOR: I'have the honor to enclose, for the information of your
excellency, a colmmunication from Major Van Horne, third infantry, commanding at El Paso del Norte, with two enclosures — one from Governor
Trias, of Chihuahua; and the other from  Colonel Emilio Laugberg, in
relation to the conduct of a Mr. Benm  Leatorn, an Indian  trader, opposite
the Presidio del Norte.
I have no doubt, from  the opinion expressed in  Iajor Van Horne's
letter, that the acts charged are true; and I have respectfully to ask the
interference of youir excellency's aid and authority in endeavoring to
put a stop to this Indian trader's conduct, which is in violation not only of
the treaty of peace between' the United States and Mexico, but in endangering the lives and property of our own citizens and others, pursuing"
their peaceful travel and business in our own couniry, and on our own
soil.  I have, at the same time, no doubt but that all the Indian traders in
Texas are more or less engaged in the nefarious, illegal, and injudicious
traffic omplained of in the case of Leaton.
You will also receive an extract from a communication of the 20th of
August last from  the Adjutant General of the army, addressed to me by
order of the Honorable Secretary of War, particularly on the subject of
Indian traders.
To carry out the views of the War Department, I am ready at all times,
and with great pleasure, to aid and. assist in the execution of such




Do, No  21o
measures as your excellency may deem  necessary and proper, with the'force under my comimand.
I am, with high consideration, your excellency's obedient servant,
GEO. M.'BROOKE.
Brevet iMajor'eeral2
To ihis Excellency P. H. BELL,
GovernorE of Texas, Austiu,.
HEADSi UAATER.S EIGHTH MILITARYr DEPART3IENT.
San Antomio, Januarwy 20, 850,.
GENERAL: I have to report that the murderous and thieving disposition
of the Indians on this frontier has become more marked, in its frequency,
boldness, destruction of lire, and the stealing of property.
On the 11th instant, a Major Bryan, who had been sent fiom  Austin
by Governor Bell to muster out of service the two companies of rangers
called into the service of the State last summer by Governor Wood, was
murdered by Indians, about six miles from Refugio, and thirty-five miles
-below  Goliad.  In consequence of the murder of the four persons near
(Cstroville, as previously reported, Captain  McCown's  company of
-angers was ordered into that neighborhood, for the further protection of
the settlements; and this party of Indians must have secreted themselves
in such a manner as to elude observation, and, on the moment of the
departure of this company, must have taken advantage of its absence, in'
killing the major, and stealing nearly four hundred horses.
Information of these acts has been forwarded to Captains Grumbles
and Ford, who, it is hoped, will be able to fall in with those Indians,
and inflict a proper chastisement.  The commnanders of posts along the
frontier have  also been apprized of these atrocities, with orders to
endeavor to intercept the marauders.
W-ith a view  to secure the safety and protection of the inhabitants of'
that country, and to enable rme to disband the volunteers, a tnew post had
been ordered to be established on the Nueces river, below the junction
-with the Rio Frio, by two companies of the first infantry, drawn fron
Fort Brown.  The execution of the order will, no doubt, greatly attainthe object; but, at the same time, under the present appearances, I must
confess, that to discharge the volunteers before these Indians have been
most severely retaliated on and punished, through their nations, would
incur a risk and danger which might involve the most serious distress
and misfortune.  Knowing the smallness of our army, and the great
inconvenience of leaving one part of the country unprotected to secure
another part, I have not asked for an increase of the forces in this d,epartment; but I have been, and am  now, fully aware that the number of
troops in this country, considering its very extended frontier, is not equal
to its proper and just requirements.
I have also just received information- that a soldier of the first infantry
was killed on the 2 st December, within half a mile of Fort Dun can, by
Indians.
Information has also come to hand, this morning, that a party of Tonkaway Indians had been stealing horses in the settlements near Fort
Gates; they were pursued, all the horses recaptured, but the Indians




24:                            Dco. No,  1
themselves esca  d. by. jumping  from. their horses and. entering  the
chaparral 
Another party las also been p'urued, (by a commarnd o dragons from.
Fort Croghlan,)'who have been stialing horses from  thie Brazos and
Williss's Creeks settlements —with what success, I have not as yet heard.
T'he coamImand 1s freon I7ort Lincoln and  -fredericksbuTrjg are still in
pirsait of the Iitadits who committed thle murders near Castroville.
As the seaso;  of the year is now  ast appcraching in which the Indians
have  eet en nost inu the habit of comnmitting their depredations, it is to be
feared that an Increase of these at.rocities imay be exlpected; every exertion,
hovweveri will be rmade to racet thetn that can be effectedi  by zeal and
energy',
I have the honr to be, general, yo'ur most obedient servm-t,
it7O,.i. IBROOKBE,
aBevet Major Geineral.
Brevet Ma[or Generali R. JONEJS;,
Ajtiay ard Gen-Geraif, Ws, h'i'ngo  cityy, D). (..HEL,3QA5TAiRTEiS  IGH=DTH.DPAR TEN T.,
&Sm Anionio, Jan:wary 31, 1850.
G E: i-.i:l  h ave the honor to ienclose a copy of a communnnication of
theS 0t instant,-addressed by me to his Excellency P. H. Bell, governor
of TeF3cass   I regret that, for the reasons therein stated, it is not in my
poWver, -wi:t a dule.protection of the frontiers,'to discharge the volunteer
compaMnies lately called into service.  WTere they mustered out of service,
the saw':m.e tragic scenes would be re-einact'ed if not greatly increased and.
nuliplied. lIn many instances the frontier settlements would be aban-.
doned; new' improvem ents destroyed, which are now expanding; and all
emigration checked and terminated.  I can assure you this determinatioxn
rhas bee.c i.duc ed by an honest and. perfect conlviction of its necessitythe preservation of lifi  and property, and the obligations of protection:
xwhich belong to a new, defenceless, and frontier country.  I had hoped
that the erection of a post on,the Nueces with two companies from the
1st uinfanlry, (one mounted,) would hlave enabled men to have dispensed
vith the services of the volunteers; biut the instant movement of one of
thelm to anotiher part of the countr:y, w-o hich had just been the scene of
four    AnUders  and  the destruction of sonme property, wvas immediately
faltlen advantage of by' the nlamns —a -va-,ble  citizen w  as assassinated,
and a large umrnber of horses run o.f
1n btoth i mnstanceos ofa th1e imurderts at Gastroville and the Refugio, strong
parties were sent in: pursuit- -one  or. frIom   -oAt Lt-incoln,  another from  Fort
tLart1ia )eot, andc the thirhd from  lhe Nueces —t he two first, 2d dragoo-as'
andc the lattfer? (Gilnmble's company of volunleers.  The trails of the Indin s were, fiolieowyed or more than 0aone hundred miles beyond the frontier,
but jn, contseiquece  of the prairies havieng been fired, the trails were lost,'Th e wa:. of subsistence for the horses, ald the dispersion of the Indians inL the amounltains, forbade a further pursuita, and the scouts have retrarned without the success due to their exerts   -It. as found th at the.'Indlais travelled dcay and night; and, from- he tim  umrbe of dead. horses left




-n their trail, their flight was so rapid as to leave but little hope of overtaking them.
I am; very respectfally, yo'ar~ most obedient servant,
GEOC-o  l. BROOKE,
Brevet 3ajor Generals
To JBrevoet IMXajor G leneral R.'JONES,
Ad-anuigz  Geineri ~ Warshingo, t,,i.C Dty, ito J0
i'Ar%) X.RFS U.  EIGHTH 1 EPARTMENT,
Aan Antonio, January 30, 185l0'GVERNR:    i'The iterm3. of service (six months) for which the three volninteer companies of mnounted rangers tom  this State were called out
being s0on to expire, I have determined to:oer those companies a renewai::
of their engagements for six months more, unless sooner discharged by
ordea of the President of the h  United States.  The murders and robberies
lately repeated by ythe Indians' and the season now approaching when a
renewal of the same atrocities may be expected, the exigencies of the case
appear to me to demand the continuance of the force already in service
until either treaties are made with the Indians, whereby a better understanding may be had, or the regular fbrce increased, which will alone
justify me in dispensing with any part of the volunteers now in service,
I have, therefore, the honor to ask your excellency for your approbation.in te rem-ustering into service; for the period of six months, as referred to
a'bove, the three companies of mounted men now in service, and, in the,
event of thleir not wishing to continue in tshe field, to call on your excellencv Jior three companies, organized in the same manner as those now'
employed, to be mustered into service as the period of duty for which
each of the present companies were- engaged respectively may expire.
The interest of the service, with the proper protection of the country,.
induces rme to pefer    reer the   nusterig into service the volunteers already in
the field, as they now occupy the ground upon which the new companies
would act. and no absence of the coatin'ied protection of the country
woald occur
Besides this, the preseit companies of rangers have become perfectly'
acquainted with the couatiry, whilst both offieers and men have acquireda better knowledge of their' military duties.  In justice to the companies
of Ca.ptai is Ford, Grumbles, and IMcowon,  with their oficers, I take.
great pleasure in acknewiedgirg teir elergy and perseverance in the
emost active scouting ang  puUt 0o' the savages, with a perfect obedience
in. the execution of all orders, aid in connexion with a due subordination ofT regular troops.
As but a short tnie will elapse previotis to carrying out the views ex,
pressed habove> the earliest answer to tdis communication which  your convenaTene witll allow  will bei particularly acceptable to me.
I;t a'with- high consideration, your excellency's most obedient ser-;EEO. Mt. BROOKE,
Pre-et Major Genrte o'Tlo s^i EL ce'llecy P. e? Bll L bis,
GXm3erosiw  of Teas,  A Sli




Doc. No. 1.
P. S.-I have submitted the proposition of re-entering the service tE
-the captains of the companies, and, so soon as their decisions are received,
I will immediately advise you on the subject.
G, M. B.
HEADO.VARTERSL EIGHTH MIILITARY DEPARTMENT,
San Antonio, March 7, 1850.
GENERAL: I have the honor to enclose, for the information of the eon.orable Secretary of War, copies of the several communications, in reference
to murder and pillage lately committed by Indians in this department,
from  Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Hardee, 2d dragoons, (No. 1,) Brevet
Major Scott, 1st infantry, (No. 2,) Captain King, 1st infantry, (No. 2,)
and Lieutenant Hudson, 1st infantry, [No. 4,) together with my requisition on the governor of this State for an additional company of volunteers,
(No. 5.)
You will perceive by these reports that the Indians have become more
daring and impudent in their aggressions, and that there is a very large.
body of these savages on the road and in the neighborhood. of the small'
towns on the Rio Grande.
In fact, the road between this point and Fort Duncan cannot be
travelled with safety, unless the public trains and private parties goiig
through the country, on their own highways, are protected by strong
escorts.
This duty is extremely arduous, and, with the scouting ordered, does
not permit that proper security, with the means under my control.  The
mounted force is at present diminished by nearly one company of dragoons, which it was necessary to detach as an escort to Brevet Lieutenant Colonel McCall, 3d infantry, for El Paso del Norte.  In a month,
two more companies of mounted men will leave for the protection of the
very large public train transporting subsistence, quartermaster's, and ordnance stores for the 3d infantia  and the dragoons stationed at El Paso
and its neighborhood.
These duties take from me three companies of my most available troops,
In view of this state of things, with the unusually large numnber of Indians thus early in the season on their murdering and plundering expeditions, I have been compelled to call on the executive of this State for
an additional company of mounted men.  It is a subject of deep regret
to me that I am forced to increase this kind of troops, whilst at the same
time I feel acute mortification in not being able to prevent the unfortunate
disasters which have occurred.
The withdrawal of any part of the troops from any particular location
or section of the country has been immediately followed by Indian attacks,
as in the case of the murder of Maajor Bryant, and the stealing of horses
in the neighborhood of Corpus Christi, on the transfer of MeCown's company of volunteers to Medina, in consequence of the murders of the four
men near Castroville; and these late aggressions on the Leona road, I am
certain, have been induced by the absence of the dragoons with Lieuten.ant
Colonel McCall, drawn from Hardee's and Oakes's comparies.
Immediately on receiving Lieutenant Colonel Hardee's report, orders
were despatched, by expresses, directing Captain Oakes, with what was




Doe, No. 1. 
left of his company, to reinforce Lieutenant Colonel Hardee; and forty
men of McCown's company were moved from  the Medina, to take the
place of Oakes's detachment, which had left for Fort Inge, whilst the remainder of the company continued'in position near Castroville.
The new company I intend to take post between Forts Inge and Duncan, which will not only be able to protect the road, but give greater seicurity to the frontier.
As I have heretofore stated, an increase of force in this department is
absolutely required; and we cannot expect peace on the border until the
war is carried to the homes of these savages, or a proper understanding is
had with them by treaty.
I am, at the same time, perfectly convinced that dragoons or mounted
men, (good riders,) are the only troops capable of proper action against
these Indians, who are well mounted, admirable equestrians, and always
having with them fresh horses for reliefs or remounts.
The mounted infantry are miserable riders, more than one-half foreigners,
who probably never before bestrode a horse, utterly incapable of using
their arms when in the saddle, regardless of their animals, from the want
of practice and training, and, by bad riding, breaking them down long
before the endurance of the horses under better riders would have been
continued.
Captain Ford's company of volunteers has been posted at a place called
Antonio Viejo, between Ringgold Barracks and Loredo, which will prevent, I hope, a recurrence of the late aggressions in their neighborhoods,
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE M. BROOKE,
Br'evet Major Ge;e.;eald.
Brevet Major General R. JONESs
Adjutant'GenerTal, W'Hashitgton.
HEA.DQTARTES, FORT INJGE, TEXAS,
March 3, 1850.
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that last night a man was brought in
here, from Mr. Aubrey's train, dangerously, and I fear mortally, wounded.
The train had reached Turkey creek, en route to El Paso. The man
was hunting, and had separated himself more than two miles from. his
companions, when he was attacked by the Indians. This accident is to
be imputed in part to the man's imprudence.
This morning I received information of a still more gloomy character.
Last Monday I sent a party of four dragoons to escort a merchant tMain
from this post to Fort Duncan.  On their return, Lieutenant Whiting
placed his ambulance in their charge, and in it was' a Mexican woman,
the wife of a discharged soldier-the husband being in the party, mounted,
but unarmed.  At the water-hole at the Chacon, this party was anmbussaded and attacked by a party of Indians numbering from fifty to ninety
men.  A part of this force was on foot, concealed near the water-hole, and.
the other part mounted. At the first discharge, private Cater was shot
Ilrough the head and killed.  The mules being much frightened, and.
the driver being unabie to manage them, the woman jumped out and ran.
Finding it impossible to get the ambulance along, or to defend them



^8X                   3)~oDoc. NAo. 1.
selves against such overwhelming odds, the four remainint:;men deserted
the ambulance and fled' for their lives.  About six miles from the Chacon,
the party met Captain Merchant, who was escorting Mr. lieade and his
family to IFort Duncan.   hree of the men were retained by Captain
Mlerchant, and thie fourth-..(private Phitzeer,)-who was in charge of the
party, was sent forward, and arrived here this morning. This man-reports that the weekly express f-irom Fort Duncan to this post left an hout
and a half before him.  As this express) consisting of four men, has not
leaehed here, and as he saw nothing of it-on'the way, it must either'have
left the road for safety, or it has been cut off by the Indians. I hav
deemed i fit to give yo- the above informnation by special express.  The
facts, taken in connexion with recent events s8how  a fixed determination
on the part of the- ndians to murder and destroy our soldiers citizens,nd their property, whenever they can do so with impunity.  There is
unq-estionably a large:orce of indians between this post and Eagle Pass,
and their spies are kept constantly ony the alert to give information of the
approach of the whites. If the party is large, and show indications of
pursuit, they fly to the monntainms scatter, and elude detection; if, on the
other hand, the party be small, they  anite and attack it.
I shal1. go: out immediately with all my disposable force, including some
of the infantry, and shall continue the pursuit as long as any -hope remains of overtaking the murderers.  The calls on me for escorts are eso
numlneirod-s that il.havee been left twice recently wivth only.,four men of mycomany fir duty.
Respeitfully, yo:rT obedient servant,
W. J. J  ARDEE,
iBreve:t- Lieutenant ~olonW. U. S. A 
Mlajori GEoiRGo IDEAS
Assisat an Adjutanr  t Generm;,,1San Anet'io  T eas.
P,; 8,-The express from Port Diulncan has just arrived-all safe.
W. J. H.
P -    b. idnHAl, TEPXAS)
February 22, 1850':aI:  a.  iave9 he, honor to.;' infrm you tha: t one of the escort to a quar-.t^,r'iasters'wago8 r fro-m  San An0tolio, private   Kellogge  of company';S 8th regimeent o0f iilantlry, was' wounded by Indians on the morning of
the 21i1st iiSta'nt ab.oiut seventeen miles from this pos, anddied last nighto..
h.avel the hOhnor t)o b 4e, very 3respectfinlly; youa obedient servant:;
J1 Wi~ SCOTT,.
rcee'.Major, fU S. A. co:mmnauding'.
B i't  8h.M'ajor G':en iA
Asmtan^'ACytlia   G/ nemlc 8tht )i(J -iz'Si   D parttre.d,




..oc. No. 1.,.1-.:
TASt'UARTBERS BATTALION PIRSTIlNtiANTRY.
Ferg Mcl  tosh, Texas, February 2s, 185,,
SIRo  I have te t   honor to report that a party of six Indians killed a
M8exiean on the 23d instant, about 3 o'cloeik p. im., three miles below  the;town.  T1n a very little time Lieut. Viele and eight men were in the saddle
and on the trail orf fioulr Indians on foot, and foilowed. it till dark.  Thenext mor3ning     r was again taken and.followe.i A   ill2 im., wheni it: was entirely lost..   his oicer continued in search of the Indians without any
success until 2he third night, and then retitrnfl to the post,
During the night cf the same s   day (d) a-n ITidiai; visited t1he vicinity
of our horse lot, buti, filing in his eff:rts to get ahny of t}he pobhlic animals,
killed a horcse,o  t he quartermaster's department - with all arrow.  The:next m;orrning at 7 o'clock, Lient. Hudson, withI twe.ive men  u.   started on the
trail of this iman,  t immediately ordered anothe pr party to get ready to go
in another direction,.and  while the ment wvre sadd(Hlog up I was informed.
by-a citizen of he town th at Indian sigas h    gain been seen n that vicin. ti  is party was soon in rn iodoin with good guides, and they had
no trouble in inding a. fresh trail of a few Indians.   The two parties.joined i'n the afternoon;  and what followed is state d in te report of Leut..Hudson which I h1erewith enclose.  I shall continue to keep out scouting
-parties to give protetrin to the Mexicans,  who are now engaged in planting corn; but, if the Indians are disposed to trouble them^, they can do so.without runn-ing imucah risk themselvgre   by encamping on the west side of
the:river. I informed. you some time since that we'eexpecAed to have a garrison of I.exieav n ttroops opposite,.  and another forty miles above; but, as a
great:manly of t.  tr.-oops s.bout,-ont.eerey have. hae sent to Victoria to:sette the diifculti.tes in. that quarter, they inost probably wiill not be occu..pied: till their return.
Aboutt the time of the Indian exscitement on this side of tie river, two
Indians: ran e M ex.ican across the plaza in the town opposite, but no injury
was done.
I remainr, lespeetfaldly, your obedient servant
JOHN H.KING,
Captain Ist Infantry, co}mmnditng
Major GBO.QElA DF s,
A'8sta-tM  Acjuhmt  Generltc  1V e. $~
FoxiT MiNTOiS     LOa~R.O: TEsXAS'
FebDruary 27, 18$0.
S:  Agreeu.a.bly to.your9 orders to pursue and ki11, if possible, a party of
hostile Indians whose signs hAadc been sean int the vicinty. of this post,
I started on the morning of the 24th instant, with a Mexican guide, and
a detaehme nt of twelve men of c romnpaOny,GI 1 st infantry, and followed a
trail'of one (Indian) on oo t, proceeding iin a northern direction  (supposed to
be the iindian that killed the horse the night previous in the stable of the
acting assistant quartermiaster a.t this post.)fo rb about one mile, where we.
found lite had joined two others who were mt.ounted.  After travelli  ing  a
meandering course, through dense chaparral, our trail was joined at I
o'.coe:.  p, m. by, a  as ne.rly as we could ascertain, thirteen more I ndians
frosa i-0elow,  with; Ia*othvl.. party8 of tweAlve' ^a in. cbarge of a rnon-comr




80                           D~oce~t'o No.~
mirissioned oficer, in their pursuit.  We proceeded together until about 5
o'clock p. in., having travelled a distance of fifty miles, when we discovered on an emiience, about a half mile in advance of us, some twenty
or thirty Indians, mostly armed with guns, and mounted on fresh horses,
apparently watching our movements.  I approached within a short distaice' of them, when they fired upon us. I returned their fire, wounding
one of them slightly, when, upon a signal from their chief; they fled.  I
ordered the other party to endeavor to turn their right and cut them  of~
but, they having the advantage of ground and fresh horses, I found it impossible to do so.  I then ordered a charge, and kept up a running fire
for about three miles, when, night coming on, they succeeded in making
their escape.
Our horses being much fatigued from  a hard day's ride, (several of
them had entirely given out; and one died in a half hour afterwards of,
exhaustionl) I recalled the men, and returned towards the spot where
we first met them, and found our guides in company with a Mexican boy,
about ten years old, who had made his escape during the melee, and
joined us in our rear.  He directed us to the camping-ground of the Indians, about five miles ofI; where I proceeded, and remained for the nighto.
From the boy we obtained the following information in relation to his'
capture; the strength, &c., of the Indians.  He had been taken; in company with another Mexican, (whom they killed and scalped,) about a month
previous, while at f1}itslanginzo, some twenty or thirty miles from Loredo.
He stated that the Indians were about sixty strong, and belonged to the
tribe of Tah-wah-co-nees; that half of them were on a predatory excursion in the lower country; and that they had been in this vicinity six
weeks, making that their headquarters.  The night before, they had sent
a party of three, with the boy as their guide, to point out the locality of
this post, stables, &c.; with the intention of coming the night following
and stealingthe horses belonging to this command.  After reconnoitring the
camp and seeing no possible chance of effecting their object, one of them,
in a fit of disappointment, shot the horse mentioned above.
On the morning of the 25th, I again started on their trail, and followed
them until about half-past 4o'clock p. m., when, findingthat they were abandoning their loose horses and superfluous traps, such as gun-covers, moccasins, saddles, and one scalp, (supposed to be Mexican,) and scattering
towards their homes in the north, and being short of rations, I concluded
to give up the pursuit and return to this post, where I arrived on the
evening of the 26th, after an absence of three days.
Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
W. W. HUDSON,
Second Lieitenant Pirst Ihfantry.
To Captain JonN  H. KING,
first Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH DEPARTMENT,
San Antonio, March 6, 180.
GoV EANoR: Having been authorized by the President ofthe United
States to call on the executive of this State (in the event of its necessityaxl an increased necessity appealing to me now to exist): for such force of.




Doe,'No, ).
mounted men as I[ may deem proper, I "now  make on your excellency a
requisition for one company of mounted men, in addition to the.three now
in service, to serve for the period of six months, unless sooner discharged
by order of the President of the United States.  The strength of the company will be-one captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant,
four sergeants, four corporals, two musicians, two farriers, two blacksmiths, and sixty-four privates, and to be placed under my orders.
Each man will be required to furnish his own horse, saddle and bridle,
halter and' lariat;" when he will be furnished by the United States with
a percussien rifle and pistol and ammunition, and the proper departments
will be instructed regarding the supplies for the company.  Your excellency is, no doubt, aware that there is at present no money in the treasury
foi the payment of volunteers, but, from assurances which I have received
from the Hon. Secretary of War, I feel confident that an early appropriation.
to that effect will be made by Congress.
An officer of the army will be designated to muster this company into
service; and will be instructed to inspect closely each man and horse, and
to reject both, or either, unless they appear sufficiently strong and capable
of bearing the arduous duties and fatigues of an Indian campaign.
The mustering officer will attend at such point as your excellency may
deem most convenient.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, your excellency's most
obedient servant,
GEO. MI. BROOKE 
Brevet  ia/jor General.
His Excellency P..IE BELL;
Goveranor' of Texas, Aust in.
HEAl.QUARTERS EIGHTH' DEPARTlME'NTr
San Antonio, MAfarch 17, 18500
GgENERtAL  I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Hardee's report of his expedition in pursuit of a party of
hostile Indians, together with a copy of a communication addressed by
Colonel Maldonado; of the Mexican army; to Brevet' Major Scott; commanding at Fort Duncan, in reference to the same subject.
Captain Oakes has not yet returned.
I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
GEO. M. BROOKE,
Brevet 3Major General U.. Ac,
Brevet Major General R. Jox.s,
Adjutant General, Washington, D. C. 
HEADQUARTERS, FORT INGE, TEXAS,
3.March 13, 1850.
MAJOR  I have the honor to report my return to this post yesterday
afternoon, after an unsuccessful scout of ten days. I took up the trail of tfhe
Indians at the Ghacon, and followed it until they crossed the Rio' Grande
about tweaty-five miles below the Presidio crossing.  I endeavored to'




'U3~2                  5)g*oe. N o  1.
cross the river with my command, and intended, if   ould do so to follovr
the Indians into Mexico.  I made a raft with the lirited means at my
command, but it was so frail I was afraid to trust my arms on it: I then.
soursed upthe river, hoping to find a fordi, but, failing to do so, I pushed oa
to Fort Duncan.  On my arrival there, I requested Major Scott to inform
~the comrmanding officer at Presidio that I had driven the Indians into
llexico; he did so immediately, and that night a party was despatched
from Presidio to take up the trail and to pursue the Indians.  I enclose you
the reply of Col. Maldonado, the Mexican commander of the upper Rio
Grande.  Captain Oakes did not join me; he arrived here on the evening
of March 6, and I left on the 3d.  I understand that, on the other side
of the Nueces, hle found a heavy trail of Indians leading to the north, and
when last heard from he was following it.  On his return to this post, I
shall direct him to proceed at once to Fort Lincoln, a:s I shall not require
his services.
Respectfully, your most obedient servant,
W. J. HARDEE,
Brevett Cieut onan    l Go'bnel U. So A.
Major GEORIGE o)EAS,
Assistanit Adjutant General, San Antonio, Texzis.
SUB-INSPEsCTOR DE LAS 
COLONIAS DE 0RIENTE. 
VILLA. DE GUERRERO, LTtrzo 1(0 de 1850.
A  conseqrencia  del aviso que V. S. se sirve darme en. su note dea lyer,
he tomado 1 its3 providencias para que u na partida detropa porsiga a los
Indios qu-  pasaron el Bravo abajo del Paeaati (Presidio) hacia el interior,
perseguidosF hasta alli, por el Teniente Coronel Hardee.  Doy a V  S. las
mas espresivas gracias por la oportunidad de la noticia; asegurandole una
completa reciprocidad por mi parte, en este servicio tan importante a los
habitantes dela frontera de dos nacioies amnigas;  y tengo el honor de
repetirme su servidor atento.
JUAN MANUEL MIALDONADO.
Al Senor Major J. M. SCOTT,
GConan dante del Fuerte Duncan, Texas.
True copy'.
GEO. DEAS, Assistant Adjutanft General.
[Translation.]
CITY OF Gv:RLElnFO,  arctCh 10, 1850.
In consequence of the information received fiono  you in your note of
yesterday, I have taken measures to send a party of troops in pursuit of
the Indians who crossed the Blavo belowv Pacali (IProsidio) into the
interior, and who were pursued as far as that point by lieutenana t C0oloinel.
Hardee.  I t'thnk you most cordially for this intelligence,  rith tAle
assurance.of a complete reciprocity on my part in a service so important to




Doc. No. 1.                           33
the inhabitants of the frontier of two friendly nations; and I have the
honor to remain your obedient servant,
JUAN MANUEL MALDONADO,
Sub-insspector of the Eastern Colonies.
To Major J. M. SCOTT,
Comtmanding Fort Duncan, Texas.
A free translation.
GEO. DEAS, Assistant Adjutant General.
HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH DEPARTMIENr,
San Antonio, April 18, 1 $5.
GENERAL: I have the honor to forward herewith a copy of a letter from
Captain King, first infantry, commanding Fort McIntosh, detailing an
affair which took place between our troop and a part of Indians, near
Laud's, on the 7th instant, in which one soldier was killed, and Lieutenant Hudson and a sergeant badly wounded.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. M. BROOKE,
Brevet lMajor General.
Brevet!Major General R. JONES,
AdjutantC General, FWashington, D. C.
HEADDQUARTERS BATTALION FIRST INFANTRY,
Fort McInlosh, Texas, April 10, 1850.
MAJOR: In my last letter I reported that Lieutenant Hudson, with a;
party from " G " company, had gone out to give chase to a few Indians
who had stolen animals from two ranchos eighteen miles below.  This
party got to the Nueces on the second day, and found five Indians encamped on the opposite side, who immediately disappeared, leaving everything behind them, except two horses. A few Mexicans and two soldiers then crossed the river by swimming, and drove the animals (about
thirty) to this side.  The next day Lieutenant H. commenced his march
homeward by a circuitous route, and, on the fourth day out from the post,
(7th of the month,) met another party of fifteen Indians, who commenced
running at the first sight of the troops. This officer gave the command
to gallop, and took the lead at full speed. The Indians retreated to a
chaparral thicket, and, as Lieutenant H. and three or four of his men rode
tlp, they fired at them with rifles and arrows. Private M. Leahy was
killed, but not till after he had fired at his Indian. Lieutenant H. received a wound in the leg, and Sergeant Ling a very severe one in the
Chest. O'Donnell and Surbey were slightly wounded. Lieutenant H.
the~t dashed up to an Indian who was on foot, and fired at him three
times, and two balls, he thinks, took effect. He now dismounted from
his horse, as he found him difficult to manage, to make an attack upon
another Indian; but he had hardly got to the ground before this one and
three others rushed upon him and shot him with three arrows. LieutenPart ii-3




34                          SlDoe. No. 1.
ant H. cut the string of one bow, and caught a second man by the throat
and gave him  two cuts over the face with his sabre: he was, however,
too weak to do him much injury. About this time the rear men came
up, and the Indians commenced running, the soldiers following them;
but, as Lieutenant H. and his only non-commissioned officer were too
severely wounded to continue the fight, the men were recalled.
From what I can learn, three or four Indians must have been badly
wounded. Two or three rifles, three horses, the saddle and saddle-bags
belonging to the Corpus Christi mail-rider, with a few of the letters and
papers, were taken from this party. Lieutenant H. lost his horse'and sixshooter, and three of the company horses also made their escape. The
party returned to water, and an express was sent to me that I might be
informed of their condition. Assistant Surgeon Perin immediately left
with an ambulance and wagon to go to their assistance, and found their
camp the next morning.
These were the Indians Lieutenants Viele and Holabird had been sent
to follow; but as they scattered at every hill, there was great difficulty in
keeping the trail. This party, however, arrived at Lieutenant H.'s camp
the next morning, being one day behind the Indians.  Lieutenant Hudson has fbur wounds; two of them make his recovery very doubhtful. The,general is aware of my anxiety to have the mounted men under.my conm
mand furnished with six-shooters, and I hope he will consent to equip a
few of them (if not all) with this arm. All of the animals (except three
or four) have been claimed by the citizens, and turned over to them.
Lieutenant Viele will leave in a few days for New York, and 1 find it necessary to apply to you for an additional officer, as it will be very difficult
for Lieutenant Holabird to command the mounted company and perform
the duties of acting assistant quartermaster and acting assistant commissary of subsistence.
I send enclosed the requisition of Lieutenant Viele for additional horses
to cover deficiencies.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO., H.  ING,
Captain 1st Infantry, commnanding.
Major GEnRGE DEAS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
P. S.-It is almost impossible for Lieutenant Ho to recover, as the arrow-head is buried in his chest; and the wound in his side is also very
dangerous. He was mounted on my horse, and had my six-shooter.
HEADqUAARTERS EIGHTH DEPARTMENT,
San Antonio, Alay 29, 1850.
GENERAL: I have the honor to forward herewith a copy of my letter to
the general-in-chief, dated the 28th inst., with its enclosures, numbered
from I to 4, in reference to our Indian relations within this department.
I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
GEO. M. BROOKE,
Brevet Major General.
Brevet Major General R. JONES,
Adjutant General, Washington, D. C.




Doc. No. 1.                               1^
[For the information of the Adjutant G:erl.]
HEADQUARTERS EIGH-TH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
XSn Antonio, May 2S, bS50.
GENE'EIRAL: I have the honor to forward copies of reports lately received
at these headquarters, numbered from  1 to 4, inclusive, from  Captain
Ford, volunteers, and Captain King and Lieutenant IHolabird, first infantry, in relation to scouts and the general appearance of Indian hostilities.
You will perceive that the Indian parties are becoming more frequent
and in increased strength.  The same may b( said of this  whole frontier.
It is impossible to bring these deluded people to a sense of their weakness,
comlpared with the power of the United States, unless by severe chastisement and which cannot be effected Twithoutt carrying the war into
their homes and fastnesses; and for the same reasons we are unable to
comply wit tth the 11th article of the treaty with iVexico, guarantying protection from Indian attack and depredation.
The force in this country is inadequate to a general war promising suecess; depots and posts would have to be advanced, whilst, at the same
— time, you would be compelled to keep up the present chain of posts to
prevent the enemy from getting into our rear-exposing the present frontier
settlements to Indian massacre and destruction. We are certainly a nation powerful enough-possessing a complete superiority in point of numbers and all necessary supplies.  To place ourselves on an equality with
these people, whilst we have such advantages, does not appear to me
to be a good policy, when we look at. the great number of valuable lives,
both in the settlements and in the army, which are risked and jeoparded
by a want of means to force in every event perfect success.  r'he preda.
tory war now going on will be continued forever, unless we exercise the:strength we possess to put it down at once. I presume the delay in taking
the proper steps to effect this most desirable object may be traced to the
desire of the government of effecting some agreement with the State of
Texas regarding a proper boundary, and placing these Indian tribes on
the same fboting as those to the north and northwest, now under the protection  and sovereignty of the United States.  Allow even this to be
effected, it will be a long period before it can be completed, and then
probably not as to Mexico.  In the latter case, the number of posts must
be increased on the Rio Grande.  There should be strong          ~    at a
point on this river in the great bend opposite San Carlos, which is the
key to the country called on Disturnell's map'Bolson de Mapimi."  Indians passing at this place go to Chihuahua, Monclova, Paras, and Durango-laying the whole country waste.  Another poitt is the Presidio del
Norte, equally important.  I am not informed as to the precise disposition
which is intended to be made of the troops ordered from  the 7th to this
department-whether to establish new posts on the Rio Grande or to pursue the Indians to their villages who are depredating on the American
settlements on the frontier extending from  the Rio Grande to the Red
river.
In the event of a boundary being established for the Comanches and
other tribes of Indians on the borders of Texas, I have no idea such a
line will be respected, unless these Indians are subsidized, receiving annuities as the northern tribes; because they actually have not the means
of subsistence,  unless they follow the mustangs-wild droves of horses —




36                          Doc. No. 1.
which are to them what the buffalo is to the Blackfeet t Crows, and Pawrees.  If we succeed in keeping them from stealing and plundering o:
our own soil, they will be necessarily forced into Mexico.  Until they
become in some measure agriculturists, it cannot be expected they will
depart from  their old habits.  We must give them  annuities, establish
among them farmers and blacksmiths, or exterminate them by force.
I remain, general, with high respect, your most obedient servant,
GEORGE M. BROOKE,
Brevet lajor General1
Major General W. SCOTT,
Commander-in- cief, TNew York.
HEADQUARTE tS EIGHTH MILITARY DEPARTIENT,
Zan Ant(,w.o, May 28, 185C'50
Truie copy.
GEO. DEAS,
Assistant Adjulant General.
FORT. iMERRILL, MZay 21, 1850.
MAJOR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of an order fronm
Major General Brooke, directing me to take position in rear of Loredo,
with one-half of my command.  Previous to that time, I had placed a
detachment of twenty-nine in readiness to move in the direction of
Loredo, make a reconnaissance in the country between the Rio Grande
and the Nueces, and proceed to Fort Merrill to draw pistols. On the 7th instant I made a forward movement from  Loredo parallel with the Rio
Grande, up that stream 35 miles; I then turned to the right.  On the.
10th, my guide discovered fresh Indian signs. The command was halted,
and the country scoured in every direction by small parties, with orders:
to report the presence of any party of Indians they might meet with too
large for them to engage. The Indian camp was found: from the indications,
they were a small hunting party, which had seen us, and scattered to
avoid pursuit.  On the morning of the 10th, I directed Lieutenant.
Walker, with ten men, to return to Loredo, by way of a large water-hole,
called the Pato, lying 15 miles below the San Antonio road. The object.
was to deceive the Indians into the belief that the whole command had
returned; to place Lieutenant Walker in the rear of any party going up,.
while I was in front of them, with a fine opportunity to head off and surprise them. On the 11th I encamped near the Nueces, on the Arroyo
San Boque; remained in camp on the 12th, and sent small parties of reconnaissance. Breaking up camp on the 13th, and moving a little south
of east, at noon I came upon a large trail, which had the appearance of
a regular Indian thoroughfare. Its general course is north of west. A
party of Indians had passed along it late on the preceding evening. I
directed my advance guard to move silently and cautiously about 400
yards in advance of the command. After marching five miles, the Nueo sB
-was reached; the neighing of horses was heard; I ordered twelve nme
to dismount, and move through the chaparral to the right in thedirection
of the crossing. With the remaining seven I marched to the left. I
found the Indians had crossed.  The pack mules were placed in a bend,
in charge of a guard. The command pased the isv er by Jwimmirniu




Doc. No. 1.                             37
and was on the trail at a brisk gallop within twenty minutes after reaching
the west bank.  Eight miles from  the crossing, I discovered the Indians
just as they were turning the crest of a hill.  By dashing forward with
four men, I induced them to think our party was small.  The chief
ordered them to stand and fight.  By the time they had formed theirline,
my men had come up and commenced firing.  I directed them  not all to
discharge their pieces at once, as the Indians evidently intended to draw
our fire and then charge us.  A ball struck the chief on the arm; he
wheeled his horse.  I then saw there was no chance to get a standing
fight, and ordered a charge.  The command was obeyed promptly and
eagerly.  The Indians fled yelling; the men fllowed shouting.  Our
balls soon began to tell, and the yell sunk into a moan.  The chief was
a brave fello w^ and endeavored to halt his warriors: they were too closely
pressed to marke a stand.  At intervals they would halt for a few moments, and let fly a volley of arrows.  After running upwards of three
miles' the Inadians made a chaparral; my horses were quite fatigued, and
I saw no method of effecting anything further, and ordered a halt.  The
Indians were fifteen in number.  I had sixteen men engaged.  The loss
of the Indians was eight killed and wounded.  But one of the dead was
left on the field; the others were packed off, as is their custom.  Four
others died very shortly after the skirmish, I have no doubt, as they received mortal wounds: threw away shields, cow-tails, whistles, and other'articles they: are never known to part with while there is any hope of
living.  Of my command, private David Steele was wounded very
slightly.  My horse received a wound from  a poisoned arrow, of which
he died in three days.  I regret very much that my men had not been
able to draw their pistols before this engagement; with the advantage of
a pistol, in addition to the Mississippi rifle, I do not think a single Indian
would have escaped.  In a running fight with the rifle alone, it is very
hard, almost impossible, to keep within gunshot of the enemy, because
of the time lost in holding up to load.  Three of the Indians had on
Mexican hats; one was taken and recognised as belonging to a Mexican
who was killed about the 5th or 6th instant, 15 miles below  Loredo.
The party consisted of Comanches, commanded by a brother of the late
chief Santa Anna.  These particulars I derived from  Roque.  The Indians lost eleven Mexican horses and one mule, which are in camp, subject to the order of Major General Brooke, though, I presume, the most
of them will be claimed by Mexicans, citizens of Texas.  Late in the
evening, I crossed the Nueces and encamped near the crossing, with the
intention of intercepting any other party of Indians that might be passing.  I should have completely succeeded in this, but for an unfortunate
accident-the breaking loose of two horses after daylight on the morning
of the 14th.  They followed the trail back, and', when something over a
mile from camrp, were discovered by a party of nine Indians. So soon as
the Indians ascertained the horses were America.n, they left at fall speed.
In a short while I was in pursuit with twelve men.  They used every
artifice to elude us; however, all their devious windings could not deceive Roque, who hung on the trail from 11 to 4 o'clock —a great part
of the time at fall gallop.  I found my horses failing fast, and drew off,;satisfied I could not come up with them without a relay of horses.
I found it necessary to use great circumspection to avoid surprise, and




38                          -Doc. No. 1,
to keep my horses from being stolen.  I make my encampments in the
form of a circle-the men sleeping outside the horses.
I My men- ]ave behaved throughout the scout orderly and gallantly.  I
recormmend Roque to your favorable notice as a good guide and a brave
Indian-fighter. Miy pistols are here, but no cartridges.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
JOHN S. FORD,
Captain, cornnmanding company Texas fMoiunted Volznteers,
Major GEORGE DEArs,
Assistant A diutazt CGeneral StA iilitary Department,
San Antonio, Texas.
[For the information of the Adjutant General.-Extract.]
FORT MERRILI, Mafly 21, 1850.
MAJOR:        -;M4, 
I have directed that a bow and arrows taken be given to General Brooke.
The arrows are poisoned —the poison of two kinds, animal (rattlesnake)
and vegetable; that of the snake is beneath the wood, upon the spike
where it is received into the split of the arrow: the vegetable is upon the
integuments which are used to hold the spike to its place. A bluish tinge
is discoverable.  These arrows are never used except in war; they are
unfit to kill game.
Roque' is of opinion the Indians will be down in large numbers duringthe succeeding full moon. I shall endeavor to meet them. I shall remain
here four days, to recruit my horses-also, to purchase one for myselfand then move for San Antonio Viejo. If the Indians have already come
down, I shall cross their trails.  Should I not be able to fall upon them
below, I shall make a three-weeks campaign in the vicinity of the Co.
manche' crossing.  Keep pickets on both sides of the river, so as to cut
off any party going either way.
Respectfully, yours,
JOHN S. FORD,.
To Major GEORGE DEAS,
San Antonio, Texas.
HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH MIL1TARY DEPARTMENT,
San Antonio, May 26, 1850.
True copy.
GEO. DEAS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
A guide who has lived some time with the Comanches-a prisoner.
f Above Lomas Blancas, Nueces river.




Doc. No. 1.                              39
[For the information of the Adjutant General,]
HEADQUARTERS BATTALION FIRST INFAiNTRY,
Fort Mcintosh, Te.as, a    Iay 16, 1850.
MAJOR: I have the honor herewith to enclose a report of a scout made
from the post towards the Nueces by Brevet 2d Lieutenant S. B. Holabird, 1st infantry.
Captain Ford arrived here on the 4th, and left on the 7th.  He went
above the San Antonio road, intending to cross the Nueces, and pass down
between the latter river and the Frio to Fort Merrill, where he was to
procure pistols for his company and then cross to his station, on the Ringgold road.  When a few days out from here, he detached a lieutenant and
twelve or thirteen men to take a different direction.  The day they parted
the lieutenant's party struck a fresh trail, and by hard riding succeeded
in getting in sight of two of the Indians, but were not able to overtake
them.  On the 10th a party of Indians killed a Mexican just out of town,
(Loredo.)  A sergeant and thirteen men were sent in pursuit, but were
not able to overtake them. The Indians passed immediately up the river,
and some of them  crossed it and wounded a Mexican on the other side.
A respectable Mexican stated that he counted forty five Indians.  The
Mexican troops have been out three days, on the other side, but without
success.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. H. KING,
Captain 1st n.fan;try.
Brevet Major GEORGE DEAS,
Ass't Adj't General Sth Dep't, San Antonio.
P. S.  10 a. rn., May 17.-I am just informed that eight Indians were
within a few hundred yards of the town last night, and within fifty yards
of Lieutenant Walker's* camp.  This officer will leave in an hour, with
six of his men and the same number from this camp, to follow them.  I
am obliged to take the three horses from the quartermaster's department,
to enable me to mount the six men.
J. H. K.
HE /DQIUARTERS EIGHTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
San Antonio, May 26, 1850.
True copy.
GEO. DEAS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
[For the information of the. Adjutant General.]
FORT MCINTOSH, TEXAS,
May 16, 1850.
SIR: I have the honor to report that, agreeably to your orders, I left
this post on the 5th instant with 22 non-commissioned officers and privates, with eight days' provisions, and proceeded on a scout, first to the
* Subaltern of Ford's company, Texas volunteers.




40                           Doe. No. 1
springs on the Corpus Christi road; thence I cro s d to the Nueces, and
travelled up it two days.  [ then left the river, intending to intersect the
Eagle Pass road 36 miles from  this post, but, in the afternoon of the 1st
day fiom the river, we came upon a fresh trail, going down the country;
this was on the 12th of the month.  We took this trail and followed it
until very dark; the night being cloudy, we could see it no longer,
Canmped without fire. During the night a heavy rain fell and wet our
arms.  I delayed a short time to put them  in order, as I felt certain of
coming up with the Indians in their camp soon.  During this delay, a
Mexican., who was muleteer; having occasion to leave camp for a few moments;, was surprised and. run into camp, the Indians close on him.
They came within 150 yards of camip, wThich was in thick chaparral, and
seemed to threaten mne with art immediate attack.  I sallied out with a
few men to hold them in check until we could secure our horses, when
they turned and fled.  I think there were betw.een 15 and I)  Indians.
We immediately saddled up and pursued them.  Dliring the day they
changed their course, first towards the Nueces, and afterwards up the
country, travelling at a gallop-a gait the condition of our horses would'not allow us to assume.  We followed them about 40i miles that day; but
they gained on us hourly towards night, and kept up a gallop, not even
stopping, to water their animals, two of wvhich they left behind them
dead.  lThe night of the 13th wTe relinquished the pursuit, and reached..this post on the night of the 15th, having travelled eleven days.
Respectfully submitted.
S. B. H. -LA.BIRD,
Brevet 2d Lieutenaut Ist Is fantry.
Captain J. 11. KING,
Commanding.
HIEADQUARTER S EIGHTIT MILITARY DEPA RTMENT,
&an t Atnio0i0, May'26, 2 S0,
A true copy.
GEO. DEAS,
Assista'nt Af'juitant G(noeral..IEADQ.UARTERS ErGHTT H DE.PARl t.MENT,
San An'tonio, 2June S, 1 50.
GENERAL: I have the honor to forward the report of Captain Ford, of
the Texas volunteers, of a successfll skirmish with a party of Indians on
the Aqua Dulce, on the 28th ultimo.
The information given by the wounded Indian, I have no doubt, is
partly true, and that a large foray is intended by the Comanches in the
country designated; while, at the same time, I have no idea that the
number will amount to seven hundred and seventy, as represented.
The expedition lately ordered under Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Iardee
will, I trust, operate as a complete checkmate, and will, I am convinced,
produce the happiest results.
I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
GEO. M. BROOKE,
Br evet Major General.
Brevet Major General R. JONES,
Adjutant General, WTas/tington? D. C.
I




Doc. No. 1.                              41
[Fo' the information of the Adjutant General U. S. A.]
CAnP AQUA DULnE,
May 30, 1850.
MAJOR': I have the honor to report that, on the 29th instant, while en
-route for San Antonio Viejo, near the head of the Aqua Dulce, I came
upon a trail leading south of east.  From  appearances, the Indians had
evidently passed along it that morning.  Leaving a guard of 7 with my
pack mules, I placed myself at the head of the balance of the detachment
(17 men) and pursued briskly.  Within four miles or less the Indians
were discovered in a patch of thick chaparral, to our left. A chlarge was
~ordered, and the Indians fled, though in good order. About one mile from
their camp the firing commenced.  In the first encounter several Indians
were worunded; some horses and one of my men mortally wounded, who
incautiously, but gallantly, charg    upon a wouned   Indian.  Here it
was necessary to make a halt, for the purpose of placing him in a place of
security.  The Indians had made signals, which Roque said indicated a
reinforcement near at hand.  Not knowing the strength of the expected
force, I deemed it prudent to despatch a runner to hasten up my rear guard,
and continued to press the Indians, who retired slowly before us.  I endeavored several times, by making feints of retreating, to induce them to
charge us.  T'hey held th7e TMississippi rifles in too great esteem for that.
This continued for near half an hour, both -arties endeavoring to gain
time.  T he Indians were advantaged nothing.  Their warriors did not
come up, and I saw my rear guard emerging from the chaparral, flanking
them  upon the left.  Mly rear being now  safe, I gave the word to
charge, which was executed with promptness and gallantry.  The Indians
broke and fled precipitately.'We pressed them  for about two miles, during which time private David Steele killed their chief.  Our horses being
too much exhausted to follow further, I called off the men. We had the good
fortune to capture a wounded warrior. From him we learned that the loss
of the enemy was three killed and four or five wounded, besides many
horses.  Mly loss was two wounded (one mortally) and one horse wounded. The Indians had fourteen warriors, and were every moment expecting the arrival of six others that had been sent below to recolnoitre "a
mustang-pen."  T'he skirmish ended about four miles from  the Indian
camp.  I found it necessary to proceed in the direction of Captain Grumbles's encampment, on the Aqua Dulce, to procure medical aid for the
wounded.  One was borne upon a litter, but died at nine o'clock last
night.  H-e was wvounded with a poisoned arrow.  I reached here this
morning.  From the captive (Carne-lMuerte) I learned the following particulars, which, if true, are of some moment. Roque places reliance upon
the statements.  He is well acquainted with the Indian character. I give
it to you as I received it.  Buffalo Hump and four principal chiefs, one of
whom is an Apanico, at the head of seven hundred and seventy warriors,
and some families, are at this time at some point on the Rio Frio. Buffalo
Hump and some other chiefs are going to San Antonio de Bexar to deceive General Brooke by friendly protestations, and by pretending that he
wishes to come below to run mustangs, while the real object is to make a
descent upon this frontier, simultaneously, during the present moon.
One party is to move upon Corpus Chlisti and the adjacent country, by
way of the valley of the Nteces; another is to cross the Nueces river




42-                         Doe. No. 1.
above the San Antonio road, and make a foray upon Loredo and the ranchos on the Rio.Grande; the third is to cross the Nueces below the San
Antonio road about 18 miles, at the nouth of the Arroyo Prieto, and is
destined for Davis's Ranch and Brownsville. The principal portion of the
Comanche families are at the following points: upon the head of the San
Saba, the head of the Concho, and the head of the Colorado. The Indian who makes these assertions was assured of entire safety before he
was questioned  is about 17 years old, and the nephew of a chief or captain
called White Wolf. I think the information of some consequence, and
wish, so as to be able to meet any emergency, to procure an order from
General Brooke al'o ving me to concentrate my command at any suitable
point, and to subsist citizens, should their services be deemed essential,
I am proud to be enabled to speak in the highest possible nlanner of
the bravery and soldierlike bearing of my men, and beg to designate
Sergeant Level, privates Gillespie and Adalms as having acted extremely
well..illed.-None.
Wounded.-Sergeant David Id. Level, (slightly,) private Win. H. Gilespie, (mortally.)
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
JOHN S. FORD,
Captain, covmmanding company Texas M.lounted Voluiizteers.
Major GEORGE DEAS,s
Assistant Adjutant General Eight/h iJilitary Department,
San Antonio, Texas.
HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH JMILITARY DEPART.PTIENT,
San Antonio, June 8, 1850.
True copy.
GEO. DEAS,
Assistant Adjsutant General.
HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
San Antonio de Bexar, June 9, 1850.
GENERAL: With the view of showing the disposition of the Comanches,
and the very hostile feelings entertained towards them by certain citizens
residing on the frontier north of this, I have the honor to forward copies
of the reports of Brevet Major Blake and Lieutenant Wood, 2d dragoons,
of scouts made by those officers, dated respectively June 2 and May
26, 1850.
I remain, general, very respectfully, your most obedient servant;
GEO. M.'BROOKE,
Brevet Major General.
Brevet Major General R. JONES,
Adjutant General, Washington.




Doc. No.  o                            43
[For the information of the Adjutant General U. S. A.]
FORT CROGH AN, TEXAS, June 2, 1850.
IAJOR: I have the honor to report that, on the 28th ultimo, an express
arrived at this post from the settlements on the San Gabriel, bearing intelligence that a large party of Indians were committing depredations on
the property of citizens in that vicinity.  I inmmediately started for the
point named, with all the disposable portion of my company, amounting
to nineteen men, and found the settlers very much alarmed, and collecting together to follow the trail. At a point on the north fork of the San Gabriel, represented to be in the neighborhood of the encampment of the
Indians, I was joined by a detachment of dragoons from  Austin, under
the command of Lieutenant Tree; also by a party of citizens, (from
Georgetown and vicinity,) amounting to about sixty or seventy, who were
much exasperated against the Indians, and evidently bent upon retaliation, and it was with the utmost difficulty that I succeeded in persuading
this party from their intentions.  I followed them to the Indian trail, some
distance beyond the Lampases, and became satisfied that it was the same
party, under "Yellow Wolf," mentioned in my communication of the
24th ultimo; and as the trail was three or four days old, and leading in a
northwest direction, over the military line, I did not deem it necessary to
proceed further on the trail, and returned across the country to this place
on the first instant.  I have made diligent inquiries as to the amount of
depredations committed, and learn that they extend no further than the
killing of two or three pigs.  (A beef was killed and given to the Indians
by one of the settlers, to get rid of them.)' Yellow Wolf" is at present
encamped near here with a large party: he denies killing any cattle, and
says he has no intention of committing any depredations on the settlers,
but merely went down to hunt; and he has again promised me that he
will not cross the line again.  I will add that, during the time I was following the trail of the Indians, about twenty-five of the citizens persisted
in following with me, until they became perfectly satisfied that the Indians had taken a direction beyond the military line.  I am led to the belief that, should those or other Indians visit that vicinity again, serious
difficulties will be the result.  The scout sent out by Captain Lee in pursuit of the Indians who stole some quartermaster's horses from this post,
and referred to in my communication of the 24th ultimo, returned on the
30th ultirno, without being able to overtake the Indians: their trail led in
the direction of the Waco villages, and "Yellow Wolf," as well as my
guide, says it was the Wacos who stole them.  My own impressions are.
that they were stolen by Comanches and charged to the Wacos.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. A. H. BLAKE,
Captain and Brevet Major 2d Dragoons, commanding posl.
Brevet Major GEORGE DEAs,
Assistant Adjutant General Eighth Military Department,
San Antonio, Texas,
HEEADQCUARTIERS EIGHTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
San Antonio, Texas, June 9, 1850.
lTrue copy.
GEO. DEAS,
Assistant Adjutant General.




44                           Doe. No. I.
[For the information of the Adjutant General, U..  AB]
AUSTIN  rTEXAS, Mfay 26, 1850.
SIR: I have the honor to report the following facts for your information:
In conformity with instructions received from you at 10 o'clock p. m. on
the night of tile 22d instant, I marched from this post at 12 o'clock p. m.
of the same night, in command of all the men of the dragoon band and
~escort that could be niunted.  The Comanches having been seen by
Brevet Major Blake, 2d dragoons, in the vicinity of the half-way house
between this place and Fort Croghan, I directed my way immediately to
that point.  There I halted to breakfast my men and refresh the horses,
as well as to gain information of the probable locality of the Indians, and
of the disposition they had exhibited towards the citizens.  After having
procured a citizen of the neighborhood-who was not, however, by any
means, an accomplished guide-to accompany me, and accomplished the
other object of my halt, i moved in search of the Indians.  About I
o0clock,that day I'entered their camp, which they had probably abandoned
but a few hours before my arrival.  Taking their trail, I followed it as
long as possible without the guidance of an expert woodsman.  Previous
to losing the trail, it had entered a high, hard, and dry country, in which
it became so blind that further pursuit, under the circumlstances, was inpossible.  When last seen, its course was northerly, indicating that the
Indians had gone above the line of posts.  If I had overtaken the Indians, I would only, in accordance with my instructions, have conducted
them outside the chain of posts.  From  the point at which the pursuit
was abandoned, distant about twenty-five miles from Fort Croghan, I directed my march to that post, arriving at 9 o'clock p. m.  I was detained
there until 3 o'clock p. m. of the 24th in getting my horses shod, &c.
I finally returned to this post on the morning of the 25th instant.
The morning after my arrival at Fort Croghan, Captain Lee, then in
temporary command, despatched a scouting party, provided with four days'.rations, with orders to scour the surrounding country.  As this party was
out from a post whose proper duty it is to protect the country in which I had
been scouting, I deemed it proper, as well from. that fact as from your instructions to return here as soon as I could consistently with the accomplishment of the purpose for which I had been sent out, to return to this
post immediately from  Fort Croghan.  I learned, in the vicinity of the
half-way house, on my way out, that considerable excitement existed
among the citizens in regard to the visits of the Indians to the settlements.
The excitement was doubtlessly called into life by the combined influence
of ancient animosity and the fear of depredations on their property.  A
party of some fourteen citizens preceded me to the camp of the Indians,
and was compelled almost entirely to relinquish the pursuit near the
point at which I did.  This latter fact I obtained at the half-way house,
on my return.
I cannot close this report without calling your attention to the absolute
necessity of employing an Indian guide and interpreter for this post, if it
be expected that scouts be sent out from the small force now here.  As it
is, I think nearly as much scouting is done from this post as from many
imrmediately on the line.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
TH.  WOOD, Lieutenant 2d Dragoons.
Lieutenant Colonel T. T. FAUNTLEROY~, Second Dragoons.




Doc. No. 1.                            445
HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
San Antonio, June 9, 1850.
True copy.
GEO. DEAS,
Assistant Adjutant Genercd..
HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH MILITARY DEPARTMENTT
San Antonio, June 2, 1850.
GENERAL: It is with great regret that information has this moment been,
received that two citizens have been killed and scalped by a party of Indians not more than seven miles from  this town.  It is supposed that.
this event occurred about two or three days since. These men, farmers,
had gone out to cut grass, and, not returning when expected, search wasmade, and their bodies discovered from  the offensive smell, with three
arrows through one and five through the other.
This is the most daring act which has yet been committed not fr from:
a military post, and a city of three or four thousand inhabitants.  It is not
known to what tribe those Indians belong.  I believe, however, they areall equally hostile.  Every exertion will be made to discover atid punish
the perpetrators.
I see no help but in attack upon their villages.  To do this will require
an increased force of mounted men, and large supplies of provisions and
forage.
I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. M. BROOKE,
Brevet M3jor Generalc.
To Brevet Major General R. JONES,
Adjutant General, TWashington city.
HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH DEPARTMENT,
San Antonio de Bexar, July 3, 185O0.
GENERAL: I respectfully forward herewith a copy of a communaication
from Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Montgomery, commanding at Fort Gates,
in relation to Indian movements.
I have the honor to be your most obedient servant,
GEO. M. BR1OOKE,
Brevet lfMajor General.
Brevet Major General R. JONES.
Adjutant General, Washington, D. C.
[For the information of the Adjutant General.]
FORT GATES, TEXAS, June 27;, S1O
SIR: For the information of the general commanding the department,
I have the honor to report that recently Aqua Ouash, chief of the Wacos and other tribes, Visited this port to disclaim and to make compeasa,




46:                          Doe. No. 1.
tion for certain depredations lately committed by some of his people under
Chadcos, on the middle Bosque, as I have had occasion to report. For
the latter purpose, he left two horses, one of which has been given up to
one of the persons depredated oln and the other will be, whenever called
for by the proper person.
The Comanche Yellow  Wolf and his chiefs visited the post immediately after leaving San Antonio, professed to be friendly, and were treated
accordingly.
On their leaving, I despatched Lieutenant Pickett to the Lampases, to
watch their movements and repair the crossing.  AWhile there he reported
to me that a portion of this people had gone inside of the line.  I sent
Captain Snelling in pursuit, to order and accompany them outside.  He
did not, however, succeed in finding them.  I subsequently ascertained
they made a short turn and.went out of their own accord.  Immediately after, most exaggerated accounts reached me that another portion
of this tribe had visited and was then at Georgetown, where they were
very offensive, and had committed outrages.  AWhereupon I sent Lieut.
Pickett to look after the case.  He found, as I had previously ascertained.
from  citizens residing in that vicinity, that the account was a total fabrication. Ke-tump-see had been within some ten miles of the place, but,
upon being warned by citizens to,o further off, he did so without hesitation.  JHe visited, 1 am informed, Judge Fisk, an old settler, who made
him  a present of a beef, and to whom he and his people were perfectly
civil. rThe subsequent pursuit of this chief by dragoons and citizens
has of course been reported to you.  There is one suspicious circum-:stance attending this people.  Their chiefs invariably come in without
any of their warriors or young men, but any number of women and children, which leaves room for the inference that the former are engaged in
distant forays upon the white people.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. R. MONTGOMERY,
Brevet Lieut. Colonael and Capt. 8th'nfantry, commanding post.
-Major GEORGE DEAS,
Assistant Adjutant General Eighth Department.
HEAD DUARTERS EIGHTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
Sin Antonio, July 3. 1850.
True copy.
GEORGE DEAS, Assistant Adjutant General.
HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH DEPARTMENT,
San Antonio de Bexar, July 5, 1850.
GENERAL, I have the honor to forward herewith copies of a communi-,cation from Captain Plummer, 1st infantry, commanding at Fort Merrill,
-dated June 30, and from Lieutenant Walker, of the volunteers, to his
-captain, dated June 19, both in relation to hostilities with the Indians begween the Nueces and the Rio del Norte.
Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
GEO. M. BROOKE,
Brevet Major Generalf
Brevet Major General R. JONES,
Adjutant General, Washington, D:, C.




Doc. No. 1.                            47
[For the information of the Adjutant General.]
HEADQUARTaERS DETACiHMENT FIRST INFANTRY~
Fort  Merrill, June 30, 1809.
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that Lieutenant Underwood, 1st infantry, with one sergeant and seven men,u returned this morning from
Loredo, to which place they had been ordered on the morning of the 8th
instant wih th e mail-rider, to open a direct road between this place and
that point.
Lieutenant Underwood met with Indians twice on his route up-the
first, the evening after leaving here, about twenty-five miles above here, on
the Nueccs; and the second time, about thirty or thirty-five miles from
Loredo.  In the first case, on the Sth instant, the Indians fired on his
party from the opposite side of the river, which he crossed, and easily dispersed them.  In the second case, on the 12th instant2 he met a party of
nine, well mounted, directly in the road, coming towards him.  They
commenced a fire upon him with guns and arrows, which was returned,.and a sharp conflict ensued, which lasted about half an hour, when the
Indians retreated.  The condition of his horses, owing to the very heavy
state of the roads, did not permit of even a charge, and he consequently
dismounted his men and fought on foot.  The result of the skirmish was
as follows: one private killed on the ground, and one mortally wounded,
who died a few days after at Fort Mcintosh; and Lieut. Underwood and
five privates wounded, although not very seriously.  Three of the
wounded he was compelled to leave at Fort McIntosh, to which place he
repaired immediately after the skirmish.  One Indian was killed on the:ground and four wounded-one doubtless very seriously, if not mortally.
Lieutenant Underwood lost one horse and one mule during the skirmish,
which strayed off during the firing, and doubtless were carried away by
the Indians.
The party of Lieutenant Underwood, when he left, consisted of himself
1 sergeant and 12 privates, the mail-carrier, guide, and I muleteer.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. M. PLUMMER,
Captain 1st Infantry, commanding.
Brevet Major GEORGE DEAS,
Assistant Adjutant General, San Antonio.
HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
San Antonio, July 4, 1850.
True copy.
GEORGE DEAS, Assistant Adjutant General.
[For the information of the Adjutant General.]
CAAMP LOREDO, June 19, 1850.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report my operations since assuming command of a detachment on the 11th of May. In accordance with your directions, I made a forward movement in the direction of the Pato.  On the
12th one of my men was pursued near camp by a party of fifteen Indians.




48                          Doc. No. 1I
Immediate pursuit was made, and continued for ten or twelve miles: finding our horses were failing, I drew off.  On the 14th I arrived at CampLoredo.  On the night of the 20th a party of Indians visited my camp for
the purpose of stealing my horses.  The vigilance of the guard prevented
the effecting of their end.  On the morning of the 21st, at the head of
seven men of your command and six of the mounted infantry, I followed
the trail of the Indians, which led down the Rio Grande.  Eighteen
miles below Loredo the Indians scattered; three of them crossed the river.
I was then unable to pursue further.  I remained in camp, recruiting my
horses, though keeping well advised that there were no Indians in my
vicinity.
On the morning of June 15, at an early hour, a Mexican brought me
intelligence that a party of Indians were within a mile and a half ot camp.
At 7 o'clock I took up the line of march, at the head of twelve men;
struck the trail within two miles; followed it at half speed eighteen miles.
Finding the Indians had scattered and gone into a bend of the river to
gather horses, I directed the men to prepare breakfast at the rancho Benavidos, and to keep a strict watch for the Indians, who, I expected, would
pass out close to us.  In the course of half an hour a party of seven Indians approached within gunshot of my camp. They were fired upon and
fled: after a run of a mile, I engaged them, and a running fight ensued.
The Indians were encumbered by a large caballada, which they were endeavoring to drive-consequently we had a fair opportunity to play upon
them with our rifles. Our shots told so well that the enemy deserted their
stolen horses and retreated in confusion and rapidly.  Pursuit was continued for a mile further. My horses being so greatly fatigued I could not.
keep my party together, I withdrew my men.  The run was through a
heavy chaparral, and it became so dense it was impossible to follow the:
Indians further. The caballada was recovered and delivered to the owners.
The loss of the enemy was three killed and three wounded —among the
latter the chief.  Private Edward A. Stephens, of my command,  was
slightly wounded in the head.  We captured three horses, two bows and
arrows, shields, &c., &c.  I beg leave to present to your filvorable notice.
private E. A. Stephens, who killed two Indians, and acted with undaunted
bravery throughout the fight.  I also take pleasure in speaking in the:
highest terms of the gallant bearing of the whole command.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
ANDREW J. WALKER,
First Lieut. Capt. Ford's conmpjany Te.rvs 31. Vols.
Capt. JoIHN S. FORD,
Cornrmanding colmpany Texas 3lI. Vols.
N. B. June 20, 1850.-On the 19th some Mexicans visited the spot;
where I engaged the Indians, and found a little way from it the dead body
of the chief, with his arms and saddle.  His horse had been tied near by,.
but had broken loose.  The Comanche prisoner recognised the shield
and other things as belonging to a son of Pa-ha-ya-ca.  H4 says he was.
the favorite son of his father, and held in high estimation by the whole)
nation, and that large parties will certainly come down to revenge his
death.
A. J. BWALKER, Liet., U   c.




Doe. No. 1.                               49
lsAD1l.u..ARTR:i:t.S EIGHT.LI iM MILITARY DE'PAiRTlMEiN'Pi
San Antonio de Bexar, July 4, 1-85o
True copy.
E EORGE DEASR _4-istae.t    Adt utait Genertal
HEDu:.UA'TEIS.EI:GHT'rH M-LtXITYARIY DEPARTMENT,
San Antonio d(e Bevar, July 25, 1850o
GENERA.L: I have the lonor to fiorrward. herewTith a. copy of a comrnEm
nication received fromT Captain Ford, of the Texas volunteers, accompanied by a report fiom  his lieutenant, dated July 3, of on attack made
by Indians on his camp at San Antonio Viego.
Very respectfilly  your mlost obedient servant,
GEO., M. BROOKE,
Brevet Mz/or GencraL.
To Brevet Miajor Generat R. JONE s,
Altate G6eera-l('l,'.Ps/itg'o'L, i) (0
I[or the information of the Adjutant General.]
CAMP SAN Ax.NfOIO VIEGO,
Jl'y 3, 1850.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that, )on the 20th June, the mailrider and his escort arrived here, atd reported two Indian trails crossing
the Loredo road. near the San Juan. to, a  nd hearing  in the direction of
Belville.  I accorditjgly detspatcled a scout of nitne rmen, under the control of private A. J. Sharp, to im.ae a recotnaissanlce il the neighborhood
of tCaico  Lgo L a.nd Beivil le  w\itt  orders to retuirn inl the course of five
days.  I also sen.t tbur mien to PTihnggold Barracks, to escort forage wagons,
provided'they were firwvaled. [:este details left nme but ten men in camp.
On the morning of tIhe 26tl, about ten o  ci l, the camp  rwas approached.
from the south by a large party of Indians., halving come within two hundred and fifty yards of met under  cover of' t t     ihe timber,  They rushed
upon the horses, which were tied within one hundred yards of camp.  I
ordered the men to cover their horses, if  ossible; but, before it could,be
executed, I discovered a party of fifty or sixty charging the camp in front,
and that we were completely surrounded by thelm. I rallied seven men to
this point, and checked the advance of the enemy.  In the interim, other
parties charged the horses, cutting and breaking loose the whole of themM
except two, which were saved by three men, who rushed in among the
Indians and drove them back.  Trhe Indians retired beyond the reach of
our rifles, and drew  up within four hundred yards.  So eager were the
men to engage them, that they rushed out on foot and endeavored to
banter them into a fight: the fbe declined, and would retreat beyond the
reach of our guns, whenever any of the men approached themi under cover
of the timber.  While they were drawn up, we had an opportunity to
count themnthey nutmbered two hundred and upwards.  They remained
in the same position until 3 o'clock in the evening, and moved off north
of east.  I placed the rude building erected for the preservationof quartermaster acnd commissary stores in a state of defence by means of boxes,
Pat ii —.




<i0                         Doe. No. 1.
barrels, &c., supplied it with water stowed away everything that wag.
valuable, determined to retire to it, and hold it to'the last extremity.
For three days they continued to annoy me, though in small parties.
Sharp's party came in on the 27th; I was then able to drive them off.
I am confident I should have been enabled to protect my horses, had there
been a supply of forage on hand; but unfortunately there had been none
for three weeks previous.
The company have been without rations of forage for about sixty days
out of one hundred and forty. The ascertained loss of the enemy was
one killed; my loss of men was none. There were ten company horses
taken, and two killed; also, one horse and five mules belonging to the
government. Dr. P. N. Luckett lost his horse likewise.
The men of my command behaved most admirably. I found. no diffi
culty, only in restraining them from venturing too far fro-n camp.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
M. B. HIGHSMITH,
SecondLieut.  Capt. Ford's comp'y Texas Mounted Vol's7
commandiang Camp Sa&n Antoniio Viego.
-Captain J. S. FORD,
Commanding cotmpany Texas Mozunted Voluiteers.
IHEADaUXARTEiRS EIGHTH MrL.ITARY DEPARTMENI-TI
San Antonio,J ul y-24, 1850.'True copy.
GEO. DEAS,
Assistant Adjutant! G;eneral.
[Forthe information of the Adjutant General ]
CAMP SAN ANTONIO VIEGO,
July 4, 1850..MAJOR: I have the honor to report that, on the evening of June 30, I
zeceived intelligence at Loredo that my camp at this place was sLurrounded by a large body of Indians. I moved to the relief of Lieutenant
Highsmith, and arrived here on the 1st instant. The Indians have left
the immediate vicinity of the encampment, and have gone below. For
the particulars of the attack, I refer you to Lieutenant Highsmith.  No
loss of horses would have occurred but for the want of forage. The nmen
were compelled to " stake out" to subsist their animals; and it is not
possible to find a sufficiency of grass near camp to keep each horse under
the control of its owner.  I believe the language of complaint has never
been heard from me. Heretofore, when my supplies did not reach me,;some reasons would be offered in excuse. The instances ( this sort occurxing since my arrival at this point have been so many, and so utterly
without an extenuating circumstance, that I deem  them nothing short of
a deliberate and studied attempt on' the part of the conrmmanding officer at
Ringgold Barracks to unjustly withhold the supplies, and tlhereby cripple
the efficiency of my company. Trains have passed my encampment
heavily laden with forage, and not a bushel delivered to my acting assistnlt quartermiaster, in the face of repeated applications and requisition.s, and




0oe. No. i c                           e 
the denial of the ability to furnish.  It seems the commanding officer.thinks he has not been treated with due official etiquette by General
Brooke, in not being formally notified that my company had been ordered.
to take position at San Antonio Viego.
He said the supplies were, so far as furnished, a matter of accommodation, notwithstanding the order to that effect even while my command
was at San Gertrude.
An estimate was made by Lieutenant Highsmith for funds; it was
forwarded to the quartermaster at Fort Brown; he stated in reply that he
did not recognise San Antonio Yiego as lying within his district.  The
lieutenant is, and has been, without funds to pay the muleteers, or defray
any other expense. Lieutenant Caldwell, acting quartermaster at Ringgold Barracks, has, as far as he was able, extended every official and personal favor to my command.
I had organized a scout of forty-four men, and reached Loredo, en route
for San Antonio de Bexar-intending to make a reconnaissance on the
Nueces, and to deliver the Indian captive to Major General Brooke. When
the order of June 4 was received, I thought it advisable to remain at
that point until further orders, or until the reception of such information.as rendered. it necessary to move.
Another woundel Indian was found by the Mexicans near the plaae
Lieutenant Walker's skirmish occurred; he would not have recovered;,the Mexicans shot him.  This is the fifth out of the seven he engaged.
The Indians are reported to be near Roma.  To-day I shall move in.that direction with fifty men, and follow their trail, lead where it may.
I beg leave to call your attention to the good conduct of Lieutenant.Highsmith during the presence of Indians around my caimp. But for the
daring and gallant bearing of my men, the camp would have fallen into
the hands of the enemy.
Roque is of opinion that the savage were in quest of the prisoner.  I
left him in charge of Captain Burbank.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
JOHN S. FORD,
Captain, commanding company Texas Mounted Volunteers..Major GEORGE DEAS,
Asst. Adj. Gen. Eighth M1l. Dept., San Antonio, Texas.
HEAD QUARTERS EIGHTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
San Antonio, July 24, 1850.
True copy.
GEO. DEAS,
Assistant Adjutanf  General.
HEADQ.UARTERS EIGHTH DEPARTMSNT,
San Antonio, July 28, 1850.
COLONEL'.I have the honor to forward a copy of a certain set of resolu-tions passed at a public meeting of the citizens of this place on the 26th
instaut,
I have no hesitation in saying that the depredations of the Indians have;become more frequent, and more daring and impudent, than could have




M52 S~                  Doce:  N. 1.
een expected.      have no idea that a check or chastiseinent of Othese
marauding savages cain -be effected without a considerable increase of fore. -
hn this department; and fur:th'r, that the war must be carried ito their owB
country.  I do not believe that three thousand mnen, or more, stationed at'
the frontier posts, can prevent these deluded people firon secretly passing
the line of posts in very small parties at different points, and afterwards
1:uniting in large bodies in particular neighborhoods, where they commnit
their acts of miturder and depredation, and iinstantly return to their own
country, neither stopping night? or dcay until they conceive themselves out
of dangeT.  It is impossible to place a force at every point which. may be
a.ttackIed; and, firom their perfect knowledge of the country,'they are enabled to travel the most secret and unknown by-ways, eluding observatr.  anid discovery, whilst, from  their natural inslinct and education, they
are the best spies and riders in thle world, alxways certain to discover their
pi -,,ximity to any hostile fi)rce, with a certain and accurate knowledge of
t.e design and intention of the pursuing party friiom. the direction which
it ha..s tamkel and the point to where it has to go.  I am, therefore, thoroughl y. convinced tihat nIothing less than an invasion of their own homes and
settelenres can ter'minate this sad state of thiEigs.  The force required
slhotld be lar1ge and mounted, and should enter the Indian country fin'l.0'ee -on0:l1'ns andlC at as many different points-say, one column fromi the
neighbritblthoodi of' Fort Grahla i  another fiom Fredericksburg, and the third
fionm  Fort ingee  moving simunltaneously and in concert.  The cohinua
frIm Fort lIng e would enter the Lipan country; that from  Fort iMa'tini.
Sco t;,  thIe Comancaihe; ailmd the third. from1. Fort (Grahamn  would act agai nstl
ite Wacos,  Toinkaways, Wichitas, and T-owahnees, and other tribes, alll
of w'V hom equally deserve the most severe punishment.  Alt the present
fionttier posts should still retain a part of their' garrisons, or -the prevention
i:. atacks int our reara and th-e protet ion. of the villages and settlements
whiGi'wv e Lav e l.e ft behind us.  I can wvell onceive the great cost and expelense to which t e Unite Stted  tates will be subj ected  but it is imipossible
that thie present state of things should be continued,
Inr ansvwer to the application of the meetin;:)g firn the raising of rmore volui  teers   I sall ste t at t        hat tweo cotpanies of the  fifth infantry.will arrivie
ihiere Ton  Tu.sday  or'Wednesday next, which I will mount, and endeavor
to cover th3e cu'C'ntry as well as I can, until fiuther instructions are received
fi'om   the War )epartmient or the t(eentral-l  -cien':ihe two colmpanies of the eighth infantry at this post are reduced, to
skeietcon comipanies; and at this moment I have only  a few  extra-dutymen presernt, andl  am not able to mount a guard-all the others beingiotw oC  duty in. scouting and furnishing escorts to trains transporting publie supplies to the diffeent posts.  The roads and country are so infested.
with Indians that no train can leave withoriot protection.
I am, very respectfully, your nost obedient servant,
GEO..1[. BROOKE,,Wevet el:Major Genzera.,
To Bre vetLieut. Colon ze W. -     FREs M AN. 
Aassrmutr chjutwtitC "Generacle  iiqair'eso Gerr f           Ozy e, w Yizk ~
2'0 r*....    W, G.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




[or t he information of the Ge.e'.mral-in,-htif.]
At a large and respectable neeti ng of the citizens of San Antonio, held
at the American Exchanges on Friday, July 26, 1850, the following resolutionrs were  n anioussly adopted:
Wheeereas it is rendered certain, from  positive and reliable informaatlion,
that the greater portion of that part of western Texas extending from the
Guadalupe to the Rio Grande has been during the last month, and still is,
infested and overran by nurmerous bands of hostile savages, which h-as
already resulted in the sacrifice of many lives andt the loss of a great
ainount of property:
And whereas the depreddations of these savages are daily increas1ig
both in frequency and iboldness; and are now coinmmaitted aalmost witlhix
sight of our city, and; if not. promptly arrested, will soon destroy and break
~up every frontier settleent.t withltin th.at territory   TVherefore, be it
Resolved, T1hat the -preservatiion of the lives, safety, and properT of0 tihe
citizens,.and1 of the existenrce of' the present frontier settlenments, imperatively demands that the most active and prompt n-measures be adopted toi
iid the country efftectually of these.:ostile azltading blnds, and to inflic
upoon thenm a merited chastiselment.
Resolved, That the recent successes of the ivarious ma11rauding bands of
Il;ndians will no doubt encouragCe thsem1   to prosecute still further outrages
and barbarities, which must evidently result in the destruction of the
frontier settlements and a general Indian wa:r
Resolved,  That, in the opinionl of thias eeting, the commanding officer
of this mfilitary departmlent hasfurnished every protection possible frorn
the limited force and.material under his control, and is in no degree censuinrable for these outrages, not having been furnished with the necessary:irce, for either preventing or punishing them,.Resoled, That the. present deplorable situation of this frontier is justly
attributable to the inexcusable neglect of the TWar Department; that, notwithstanding that department has been frequently furnished with tr ue
representations of our actual condition and necessities, and has been repeatedly implored in the most earnest terms to furnish the necessary protection for the lives and properety of our citizens, yet the head of- the desartment has entirely disregarded our complaints; and we are justified in
concluding that his conlldct is controlled either from a want of capacity to
properly fill the station he occupies, or from an utter want of feeling and a
disregard for the sufferings of his fellow-citizens.
Resolved, That the present emergency in our Indian relations justifies
the'exercise of extraordinary powers in giving  immediate protection to
this frontier; anid we respectfL yV request the commanding officer of this
department to call into immledlite service a sufficient number of volunteers to clear the country of these marauding bands, and to punish the
authors of these depredations, believing that the necessity of the case will
fully justify the action.
I'eso lved, That the secretary be instructed to furnish to General George
M. Brooke, commanding the eighth military department, a copy of these
resolutions; and that the publishers of the newspapers in this city be re"
quested to publish the same.
A true copy.
B    E, ETDWA RDS,  &cret:,y.




35,:':,! fDoc. N o0 1L
HAEADOQiUAP TERS EIGHTH MIITITARY DEPARTMENT,
San Anonio, July 28, 1850.
True,opy,
GEO. DEAS,
Assistant A djWuant General.
HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
$an Antonio, August 15, 1850.
GENERAL: I have the honor to forward the within petition from  the,
citizens of Corpus Christi wvhich I really believe to be very nearly a truestatement of their situation.
I propose to send the two companies of the 5th infantry (now temporarily detained here in consequence of the numerous parties of Indians
who have lately committed several murders and the most serious depredations in the immediate neighborhood of this city, on the Cibolo alnd
Salado, and destroyed the ranchos between this and Victoria) to Corpus
Christi, and establish a garrison in that town.
The whole country appears to be filled with these savages, and, in fact,
the common roads cannot be travelled without an escort.  I have been,
compelled, from  necessity, to continue in service the four mounted companies of volunteers for six m'onths longer; and, if things remain as they:
now are, I am fearful that I shall have to increase this kind of force.
I have not been able to mount one-half of the regular infantry, as allowed, even in the reduced state of the companies; and, when recruitsare received, making the companies eighty-four rank and file, it will bestill more difficult, as it is very nearly impossible to procure good horses
in Texas, whilst the prices (knowing that they are required for the United
States) are exceedingly high.
I would strongly recommlend that a large number of horses be purchased at once for this department- in Kentucky and Tennessee, where
they are much better and cheaper.  Tennessee horses are believed to be
the best.
I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
GEO. M. BROOKE,
Brevet iMajor General.
To Major General Brooke, comm, andin g!. rn Anto'nio 
We, the citizens of Corpus Christi and?icinity, respectfully represent
that, in consequence of the unprecedented outrages and depredations upon
the lives and property of our fellow-citizens and ourselves lately commit —
ted, and still being committed, in this vicinity, and the want of horses,
arms; ammunitioI)  and means to buy them, which has been occasioned
by the interruption of all business here by danger from Indians; and because this is the natural position from which to send out scouts to arrest
the Indians which may be committing their nefarious deeds; and because
all the reports and information of the Indians below here, and on all the
principal roads leading from  here to the Rio Grande) including all the
country back of here, arrive at this place before they can be communica



~~Doc. No. T, Oo
ted to any of the military companies as they are now stationed —therefore,
we believe it but just and proper to ask that a company of well-mounted
men be stationed at this point, to be ready at any moment to pursue the
Indians, whenever tidings of their being in the country reaches here,.
that such an arrangement would greatly aid the military service.  As it is
now, the Indian news first arriving here, before it can be despatched to
any of the companies, and aid arrive, the Indians have time and opportunity to be out of reacl of' all danger of being overtaken. We therefore
respectfully ask that the commanding general station such a force of wellmounted men here as shall to him seem necessary and proper, in view of
all the circumstances and conditions.
The undersigned also request the company stationed here should be
as soon as possible.
C -IAS. W. BLACKWELL).1H.'L. KINNEY~
WYILLIAM STEWART;                     WM. L. ROGERS,
JAn ES R. BARN ARD                     GEORGE GREEN,
THOMAS S. PARKE R2                     H. W. BERRY)
30JHITA HINTON,                        ROBERT ATKINS;
J. W   K rINNEYi                       S. S. RICHARDS,
and 34 otherso
HAB.DQaUfARTERS EIGHTH MII1TARY DEPARTMENT
San Antonio de Bexar, August 15, 1850'
True copy.
GEO. DEAS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
[Extract.]
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, September 20, 1850.
GENERAL: Your letter of the 15th August has been laid before the
General-in-chief and Secretary of War; and the Quartermaster General has
been instructed, in accordance with your recommendation, to purchase;
horses for the eighth department so soon as he shall be in funds.
With respect to the ordering the two companies of the 5th regiment (whose
headquarters are at Fort Gibson) to Corpus Christi, it is proper to remark
that, according to the general rule, it would have been better if these two
companies had remained near their colors, rather than that contiguous lines
occupied by other regiments should have been broken.  The convenience
and other considerations of the service require that the companies of the
same regiments should, when practicable, occupy unbroken lines, so as
to avoid any unnecessary increase of distance in communicating with the
colors, &c.
Great negligence is observed in the volunteers in Texas in respect to
the muster-rolls and returns required by the regulations and the rules
and articles of war. They have not furnished either during the entire
period of their service. You will please to have this omission corrected




o6 rbDoc, No. D
fbr the future, and the back muster-rolls and returns due forwarded,
without unnecessary delay, to the Adjutant General's office.
I am., general, &c.,'c.,
R. JONES,
Adjutant Genera.,l
Brevet Major General GEo. M:. B01oo:E,
(Co1mn manding 8th De partment, San Antornio, T7exas.
HEADaQAs'wR.Svi:s EIfTT:-1siTH    LITARY DEPV)ARTMVENT,
Anto Atnio, Scptenber2 17, t850.
GENERAL: I have the ti  h r  o.forward the reports of Brevet Lieut
Col. Hardee and Major Blake, 2d dragoons, and other officers, of the
several scouts wlich have been made by my direction in this department.
You will observe that, although not suiccessful in every instance, it is believed that much good will result from  them-particularly that of Brevet
Lieut. Col. Hardee.
These scouts have been performed with great labor and privation, and
have afforded me much satisfiction in the energy and industry wit:  which
they have been executed.
You will also receive "orders" No. 39, in reference to a general scout
throughout the entire department, to take place simultaneously from each
post on the 151h11 proximo.
I amn very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. M. BROOKE,
Brevet MQjor Genera.
To Major General tWINFIELD SCOTT,
General-in-chief4, ^ Vashing tonz city, D. C.
SAN. ANTONIO, TEXAS'.
Septen2ber~ 14, 1S50.
MAJoR: I have the e honor to submit the lbojowing report of the operations of troops under my cormmand in a campaign against the Indians,
made in obedience to' orders" No. 2T of Junle 4; 1850.
On the receipt of your order, I concentrated Captain Oakes's comparny,
2d dragoons, and Captain Wallace's company, Texas volunteers, at Fort
Inge; and, on the 23d of the same month, made the following disposition
for a combined movermel t on Fort Merrill: I directed Captaitn  akes to
move down the left bank of the Rio F rio; Wallace to move down the
right bank of the Nueces; while I moved, in person, between these rivers,
crossing the Nueces about 25 miles from Fort Merrfil.  At the same time,
I sent a detachment of Wallace's company, under Lieutenant Brady,
direct to Loredo, with instructions to the mounted company at that post
to examine the country north of the San Antonio and Loredo road;
while Brady was directed to examine the country.south of the same
road, and to report at Fort Mierrill.  The mounted company at Loredo
was ordered to return to its post after makinlg the scout above indicated.
Oakes reached Fort nerrill on the 3d July, Wa-llace and myself on the




'Sth, and Brady on the 9th.  No Indians or recent signs of Indians were
seen by either of these columns.  Captain Grumbles, who had been directed to make a scout to Arkansas bay and Refugio and report to me at
Fort lerrill, informed me, in writing, that he had not been able to make
this scout, on account of excessive rains.  I  immediately ordered a
part of his command, under Lieutenant Gouch, to the mouth of the,Cibolo, to protect the settlements on the San Antonio, while I directed
Lieutenant Bagby and thirty men to join me for active service.
On the 8th of July, news having reached me that the Indians had
committed depredations near Corpus Christi, I immediately despatched
Captain Wallace to the point specified, with directions to take up the
trail and to follow  the Indians wherever they might go.  At the same
t.irae, I despatched Captain Oakes across the country to Loredo, in the
hope that he might intercept their trail, should the Indiaus have gone
above.  By Captain Oakes I fbrwarded orders to the companies on the
IRtio Grande, giving such instructions for scouts as to insure a combined
~imovement of all..the troops under my commnand.  Wallace returned to
Fort Merrill without finding the Mexican who was reported to have been
killed. or without seeing any signs of Indians.  Oakes, after followng a
trail of Indians for two days, came upon a camp of a small party of Indians on the 11th.  He succeeded in killing two, and in capturing twenty-.
one horses, one mule, with a number of saddles, bows, arrows, &c.leaving the Indians who escaped in a perfectly destitute condition.  On.
thie 18th July, the troops under my command rwere directed to make the
fbolowing scouts, concentrating at Fort Mcintosh: Captain.Granger, 1st
infanrtry, with a detachment of Captain Gmrumbles's company, under Lieut.
Bagby, was directed to move on Loma Blanca, from which point they
were to divide-the former to return to Fort Merrill by the way of the settlements on the Aqua Dulce and the Oso, while Lieutenant Bagby was directed to move through the country to Fort McIntosh;'Wallace was directed to move up the Nue th   to Espantosa lake; Brady to move through the
country by the most direct route to Fort Mcintosh; while I was to reach
thesame point by passing up the Nueces. Ford, who was atthe San Antonio
Wells, made a scout on the Rio Grande; while Captain Oakes and Lieutenant Holabird made scouts respectively to the south and north of the
Loredo and San Antonio road. In connexion with this movement, and
at myr request, scouts were sent out from  Ringgoold Barracks and Fort
Duncan in the direction of Toredo-so that ten columns, each column.
pursuing a.different direction  were moving simultaneously between the
Nueces and Rio Grande.
In this movement, Captain.  Ford pursued and drove a small party of':i(ndians across the Rio Grande: they barely reached the opposite bank in
time to save themselves.  Captain Wallace, in the execution of orders,
raet with a considerable body of Indians on the left bank of the Nuecesthey attacked him, and in the encounter Wallace reports to have lilled'seven Indians, wounded nine, and to have had three of his own command wounded.  None of the other parties met with Indians.  I reached.
Loredo on the 27th, and; as soon as I could get my command together, I
nmade arrangements for another movement across the country.  I directed
Captain Oakes to move down the San Roque to the Nueces, and fronm
thnence to proceed through the country to his post on the Rio Seco.  I
directed Captain FoJrd to pass down on the right, and Lieut. XWalker, the




Doce. No. i.
Ist lieutenant of his company, to pass down on the left bank of the
Raices.  Lieutenant Brady was ordered to examine the country about the
Great Comanche crossing on the Nueces, to pass that stream, -examine
the Frio, and to join me at Fort Merrill.  Lieutenant Underwood bias directed to scout about the junction of the Nueces and Frio, to examine the
right bank of the former river for about sixty miles, to make a circle to
his left, arnd to return to his post by way of the Laguna Trinidad. With
Lieutenant Bagby and my own command, I left Fort McIntosh to examine the country below, extending from the lower Alburque to Corpus
Christi.
Captain Oakes was again fortunate in finding a small party of Indians.
He killed three and captured a number of horses, &c., but, I regret to say,
was himself severely wound ed. Lientenant Tyler, of my company, who had
beenleftatFort Inge during myabsence, enleaTning that the Indiansfought
by Captain Wallace had not probably left the lower country, united a part
of his command with that of Captain MeCown, and went out in pursuit
of them. He overtook them on the Nueces, about eighty miles above the
Leona.  The Indians were thirty strong, and advantageously posted. He
charged them gallantly, at the head of ten men, killed two, wounded
some, and dispersed the remainder.  Much booty, consisting of horses,
shot-pouches, &c., was left in the hands of the victors.  Before arriving
at Corpus Christi, at the Pero Chalco, I met Lieutenant Bagby in the direction of the coast, while I went in person direct to that'point.
After resting a few days at Corpus Christi, I again left that place, with
a view of making a thorough examination of the country in the neighborhood.  On the 20th, I despatched Lieutenant Bagby to examine to
the Oso, the Alazan to the coast, thence to the San Gertrude, and up that
river to Fort Merrill.  On the 21 st, I left to examine the Aqua Dulce, the
Presenos, the Olmos, the Laquarta, and the Ramariania.
I reached Fort Merrill on the 27th, Lieutenant Bagby on the 26th. Neither
of us discovered any Indians, or recent signs of Indians. On the 31st, I left.Fort Merrill for Fort Inge, in obedience to your order, to resume the command of that post. I reached Fort Inge on the 6th of September..
The country between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, extending from
Wool's road to the coast, is for the most part a barren prairie, witl but
little water and timber.  A portion of this country is entirely destitute of
water, and in other parts it is only to be found in water-holes, sometimes
at great distances, difficult to find, and not always furnishing an abundant or a good supply.
The absence of shade trees rendered the heat very oppressive at times,
The thermometer ranged from 94 to 107 in the shade: and this heat was
the more sensibly felt, as my men and horses were sometimes from 24 to
36 hours without water.  The Indians disperse themselves over this
country in small bands, prowl around the settlements, awaiting a fatvorable nmoment to murder and rob, andI having accomplished their object,
they speedily cross the Rio Grande and elude pursuit, or fly with speed to
their homes in the upper country. It is difficult, nay, impossible, to overtake and punish any of the parties, when they become aware of pursuit.
If in danger of being overtaken, they scatter, and, each pursuing a different route to some remote point, they effectually baffle the skill of the
most experienced trailers.  My object has been, as far as circumstances
would permiit, to. push my scouts through unfrequented parts of the




Doc. No. 1.                               1 
country, to take up the trails where Indians least expected to be pursued, to follow these trails cautiously and quietly, and in this way to take,
them by surprise.
If the Indians stop anywhere in the lower country to recruit and rest
their horses. th-ey do so, I believe, either on the Arroyos Las Raices and'
San Roque or about some of the large lakes on the Nueces; and in this
connexion I would respectfully recommend that a company of volunteers should be stationed near the junction of the Las Raices with the
Neuces.  Either this should be done or Loredo should be reinforced with
two additional companies, so that the mounted force at that point may be
at least equal to one hundred and fifty men.  I judge also that good
policy, if not necessity, requires that a garrison of regular troops should
be stationed at Corpus Christi.  In this neighborhood are many Mexicans
whose business is to hunt the wild mustangs on the prairies. They are,
for the most part men of bad character; they live like Indians, dress like
them, and I fear resemble them in many other points.
It affords me great pleasure to notice the effective co-operation which
I received from Captain Granger and Lieutenants Underwood and Holabird, of the 1st infantry, and from Captain Oakes, of the 2d dragoons. The
latter met Indians twice. He is an officer full of zeal, intelligence, and gal:lantry; and I would especially recommend him to the favorable consideration of the commanding general.
The volunteers, with a few exceptions, evinced much energy and intelligence, and obeyed my orders; but in irregular cavalry, where the horses
are owned by the volunteers, it must be expected that they will consider
the preservation of their animals as paramount to other considerations.
With much respect, I have the honor to be your most obedient servant?
W. J. HARDEE,
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel U. S. Ao
To Major GEO. DEAS, Assistant Adjutant General,
Headquarters 8th Military Department, San Antonio, Texas.
HE ADQUARTERS EIGHTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
San Antomio, T'eas, Sept. 16, 1850.
Official.
GEO. DEAS, Assistant Adjutant General.
FOPT CROGHAN, TEXAS,
August 2', 18500
SIn!: I have the honor to report, for the information of the general commanding, that, in obedience to his instructions, transmitted to me through
Lieutenant Colonel Fauntleroy, 2d dragoons, and received by me early
in the morning of the 26th ultimo, I moved, immediately after reveille,
with all the available men of my company, (thirty-two,) in the direction of
Fort Martin Scott  In crossing the country between Forts Croghan and
Martin Scott, nothing was to be seen of any recent Indian trail; and I,
feel convinced that I was ahead of the party which had committed the'
late depredations.  At Fort Martin Scott I learned that BrevetMajor Mer-:ill, 2d dragons, had found the trail, and was in full pursuit.  He had'




~60                           Doc. No, 1.
with him a portion' his own company and a small detachment of the
2d dragoons, commanded by Lieutenant Wood.  I immoedately returned
towards the Colorado, (having been joined by Lieutenant Street, with
twelve mounted men, infiantry,) until I intersected Major Merrill's trail,
which I followed until I found him, near the Colorado, a short distance
above the mouth of Pecan Bayou.  The guides of Major Mlerrill's command liad not been. able to follow the trail constantly up to the point: intervals of half a day occurred frequently without the trail being seen;
but, from the general knowledge of woodcraft possessed by the guides, as
also from the general direction of the trail, they were enabled to give fixed
points of direction to his march.  After crossing the Colorado the trail
was not seen m-ore than twice, and this on the day the river ras crossed.
The general direction of the trail indicated that the marauding party had.
gone to the Indian villages near the friksof the Brazos river; and, being
impressed with that opinion, I determined, after the final loss of the trail,
and after abandoning all hope of' overtaking the savages, to visit their
usual places of resort in the region above referred to.  I moved on tow-ards them, and arrived at the (Caddo village on the Sth instant.  There
I met the principal men of the adjacent villages, comprising deputations
from the WTacos, Keechis, and perhaps lonis.  Tlhey professed to have
the most amicable dispositions towards the lwhites, and reprobated the
practice of stealing.  They acknowledged that some of their young men 
had been engaged in co-mmitting depredatians, but reported their inability
to prevent the commission of such acts.  T1his was particularly the case
with Aquagoslh, the chief of the Wacos. Hie confessed, at the first interview, that there was some stolen property at his village, and that he
would give it up immediately.  One horse was all that was delivered upo
He stated that the others (three or four mules) had been driven off by.some of his people in the direction of the Wichita mountains. In answer
to my demand for the perpetrators of the robbery, he stated that they had
accompanied the stolen property.  He further stated that the Tonkaways,
assisted, perhaps, by the Wichitas, were constantly engaged in thieving
expeditions, and. that a trail niade by them had been seen in the valley of
Pecan Bayou a few days previous to our arrival, and that their stealing
was not confined to the whites, but that they committed thefts on other
Indians, and offered guides to conduct us to the Wichitas.  The state
of our provisions, as well as horses, precluded any attempt at a more
protracted pursuit.  Notwithstanding the protestations of innocence on
the part of the principal men at these villages, I am by no means satisfied
of their guiltlessness.  If they are not generally active participators ia
the deeds of plunder, kc., they are aiders and abettors by. harboring.stolen property, or trafficking for it after it is stolen.  A public mule was
recognised by one of the officers, which had. been sold to a  Kckaipoo by
a Waco a few days previous to our arrival at their villa.ge.  I de canded
the mule of him, and he promised to bring it to ne in the morningi but I
left for the Waco village before he had time to bring it in, as he was on
his way to the trading-house near Fort Grahatm.  I reported the fact to
Lieutenant Colonel Bomford, who can get it by sending to that place.'Their villages are a concentrating and resting depot for the marauders,:after they have gone beyond the reach of chastisement or recapture.  [
did not, however, feel authorized by my mistsru. lions to tireat them s-1




Doe. No. L                                  61
avowed enemies.  PThey are now  engaged in cultivatiing, in a very rude
manner, the bottom of the Brazos adjacent to the lodges.
The day after our arrival at the Caddo village; I tookl up the returning
line of march, taking the Waco village en route. As my provisions were
nearly exhausted, I directed the guides to conduct us by the nearest
practicable route to Fort (raham.  This point I reached in five days from
the villages.  I do not think that the distance between the post and the
villages exceeds obur days' march for fresh horses.  There is a plain trail
the entire distance, passing through a good grazing country, easily passable in all directions for horsemen or pack mules.  A  party of dragoons
leaving either F ort'Graham  or \Worth can readily make the march to the
villages examine the 1mounLtain passes and gorges in their vicinity for the
stolen property, and return to their post in twelve or fifteen days.  The
conma.nd shoud    be sufficiently large to detach (after leaving a good
camp-guard) severat parties of fomr  twenty to tlirty men to examine
their houses, &c., to be found in the gorges of the mountains.
After resting two dclays at Fort Graham, I proceeded to Fort Gates. There
I again halted for a couple of days.  ThL.ese halts were necessary to restore the horses.  At Fort (aites Lieutenant W\ood left me with his com-mand to retlurn to Austin.  Major ilerrill, Lieutenants Street and Blakethe tvwo last  of the Sth iitnantr-ycout1teu ed wvith nme at Fort (,roghan.
During a considerable portion of our absence, the men lived on halfrations.  1The horses of the entire command returned. much jaded and.
brolken down —not more, however, thlan was to be expected from  a long
mlarch, (over a rough country,) miade oil grass; immediately after being
taken froml corn.  iThe condition of' my own company horses, as well as
th.ose equipped with. thie same saddle, is to be attributed to the deplorable horse-appointments which are iurnished us: u   ost of their backs are
sore, and it will require at least six  ees to e  pace t hemi in serviceable
condition a.gain.
I would here add that I have learned frot'm Manjor \Vnerrill.. thlat he passed
oni the trail, d. rinug   the first day of his pursuit, the carcasses of a horse
and mule —the horse probably broken down, and. the mule killed fr, food.
Tlhe horse delivered over by the -Wacos I turned over to l ieutenant
Street; to await the orders of the general commanlding.
I arrived at this post on. the 22d instant, after       a absence of twentyeight days, having marched upwards of' five hundred and fifty miles.
I am, sir, very respectfilfly, your obedient servant,
GEO. A. 1-. BLAKE,
Captain, an d Brevet Majlj'or 2d Dragoo.ns, comzmandin2g.
Mlaj. (Eo. D}AS,
Assistaenzt Ac Gutt  eneral Eigahth aMilitary Department,
San Antonio, Texas.
iF  ADq,,UARTER   EIGHT TH M'ILITA.RY DEPARTMENT,
San Antonio, September 12, 1851.
A true copy.
GEO. 1)EAS,
Assistant Adjutantl Get.eral/.




O m                           Do  No. I.
[ORDERS NO. 39.] HEADalA RTE S E  jGHTH MI I TAR  E DEPARTMErNT,
San Antonio, Septetmber 17, 1850.
1.  The decided favorable result which has attended the recent operations under Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Hardee against the Indians between- the Rio Grande and the Nueces, has induced the general comn-:manding to continue, from time to time, a close examination of the several valleys and passes in which the savages may be suspected to be lurking about.  Accordinigly, the following scouts will be comm11enced (simultaneously from  each post) on the 15th of next month, and will be continued over the country designated for fifteen days —which will allow
time sufficient for each detachment to return to its post at the end of the
month, should Indians not be discovered; if such should be the case, pursuit will take place.
Brevet Lieutena.nt Colonel Hardee, with his own and Wallace's corn
pany of volunteers, to examine the Frio and Nueces passes above the
line of posts; Brevet Captain Steele, with company  CG," 2d dragoors,
to proceed up the Canon de Walde, and returnby the valley of the Hondo,
if possible; and McCown's company, Texas volunteers, to examine the
Bandera pass, the Guadalupe and Cibolo valleys.  The country between
Fredericksburg and the Colorado will be observed by Brevet Mlajor Merrill's company, 2d dragoons, stationed at Fort Martin Scott.  The volunteer company lately under Captain Ford will be stationed on the Arroyo
Raices, near its junction with the Nueces, and will scout on the right and
left bank of that river as high as the Tortuga lake.  From  Fort Duncan,
the scouts will proceed as far as the Espantosa lake, returning by the valley of
the Nueces and Wool's road.  The mounted company at Loredo to scout
to Presido Rio Grande, and that at Ringgold's Barracks as far as Loredoboth to keep as near the bank of the Rio Grande as practicable.  The examinations from Fort Brown vill extend towards the Salt Lake and the Arroyo Colorado.  Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Abercrombie, who is to be stationed at Corpus Christi, with two companies of the 5th infantry, will
order the mounted company of his command to scout to the Oso, Aqua
Dulce, San Diego, and Presenos. returning by the way of San Patricio.
From  Fort Merrill the scouts will go as far as the Raices, by the right
bank of the Nueces, and return between that river and the Frio, crossing
at the Paso Piedra.  The main body of Bagby's company of volunteers
will scout in the valley of the San Miguel and Hondo, and its detachnent (stationed at the Conquista crossing) on the San Antonio, the Nacinalos, and the Cipoolo.  The scouts from San Antonio will proceed irt
the direction of New Brunfels as far as the Cibolo, and down that valley
to the Sulphur Springs.
II. In these operations, should the Indians (or recent signs of their
presence) be discovered, a vigorous pursuit will be given, with the view
to recover stolen property and punish the offenders.  In the event of the
probability of a long pursuit, information will be sent by the pursuing
party to the pest nearest at hand, with requisitions for supplies to be for-,warded on the trail, as also reinforcements, if necessary. In going over the:ground to discover the Indians, it is recomm-ended to the scouts to make:but short daily marches.  There would, by this plan, be as great proba-bility of discovering the enemy as by  tliger mlarches; and, as a matter.of course, the men and horses would be all the more fresh, in case a traol
were to be found, and pursuit giveno




Doc. No. 1                               63
IIIo At Forts Croghan, Gates, Grahamu,  and Worth, on the frontiers between the Colorado of Texas and the Red river, the respective commanding officers will order such scouts to be made below the present frontier
line as may be considered best for the prevention of depredations.  The
scouts will, in the event of discovering predatory parties of Indians, be
governed by the foregoing instructions as to pursuit, &c.
By order of Brevet Major General Brooke:
GEORGE DEAS,
Assistant Ai jutant General.
[E trat.l]
HEADqUARTERS EICGT - MILITWARY DEPARTMENT?
San An0tonio  October 10, 1850.
GENERAL: I much regret also to forward copies of three communications on the subject of the abduction by the Indians of two young girls,
the daughters of a Mr. Thomas, residing near Lamar. Orders have been
given to the commanding officers of the several posts in the department
to take tlhe most active steps to recapture these most unfortunate women;
and should the least trace of thenm  be found, the troops are directed to
pursue to the very villages ot the Indians themselves, and demand irmmediate restoration, or instant satisfaction vwill be taken. It is not knorwn
to what tribe these Indians belong, but most probably to the Wacos.
In looking at th-e present state of Indian affairs, I earnestly recommend
that a general council be held with the different tribes at the earliest possible period.
I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
GEO. M. BROOKE,
Brevet Mgajor General.
Brevet Major General R. JONES,
Adjutant General, Washington, D. U.
[For the information of the Adjutant General.l
CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS 
October 42 1850.
CAPTAIN: Enclosed I send you a communication from Mr. Norton, of
Copano, known to me as a man of character and veracity. Mr. Burns,
who is spoken of in the letter, is also known to me as such. Judge Neil,
the editor of the paper here, vouches for Mr. Simpson, also spoken of.  I
send it to you, being the nearest military station, and nearest in the route
of the Indians.  Please forward it to headquarters.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. W. HUMPHREYS,
Agent Second Military D-iepartment
Captain S. M. PLUMMER,
United States Inffarntry conw.Nanding Port Merrill.




TEA..'AES EIHuTH TMILiTARY'   LDEPA RTMENTr
&an Ann tonio Ocober 8, 1850 -!.eti. c.op~y 
GEO. DEAS,
Arssisar-tt Ac.sutant Generad.
Itoir the mforinaorma   oef the Adjutant General.]
HEr ArdU' RTE:RS BATTALION FLIRST INFANTRY,.F0ort Merrill, October 6, 1850.
MA.oR: I h ave the honor to fbrward you herew ith a communication fronie.tre agents of the qulartermaster's department at Corpus Christi, covering
one from JLludge Norton giving infbrnation that twelve Indians had ma.de
their appearance in the vicinity of Lamaar, ne   Afrkansas bay, and carried
off two of Mr. TPhomas's dau.ghters.  This connmmunication was received.
about 5 o'clock last night; and I despatched Lieutenant Underwood, with
twelve men, accompanied by two citizens, during the night, to endeavor
to intercept the Indians on theeir return, and with instructions, should
they have passed up, to take the trail, pursue it with vigor, and endeavor
to release the captives.  I have further instructed him, should he find.
Indians, from. indications, too strong ftr his party, to haug on their trail,
and send back for reinforcements and subsistence; and I have respectfuily
to request that I may be authorized to m.ove over a part of Captain Bag.
by's company to meet this contingency, should it be likely to occur..
send this communication up by private Neely, of H  company, 1st iin
fantryo
I am,  major, very respectIhfly, your obedient servant,
S. lat. PLUMMER,.pttait lIst rin:fantiry, cominnandinzt g.
Brevet Major GEo. i1,.s,
A  *ssistant A(du/anit General, Sane,  A ntonio.t
[For the information of the Adjntant Genjral.]
C     oP.N 0, October 2 18 50.
DE Al SIR: Word has just come from  Lamar that the Indians (twelve
in number) were at Mr. Thomas's, who lives twleve miles back of Lamar,
yesterday, between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and carried off two of
his daughters, who were a mile and a half from the house after the cows.
The Indians came within one hundred yards of the house, and drove off
all the horses. This was brought to Lamar last night by Mr. Simpson,
who had his horse stolen, and walked inl orn loot..Mr. Burns sent word
here: to be forwarded to the missioc.n
Yours, truly,
H. DI  NORTO'N.
I  or.D. W. BREVfWTER.




iA. iJ'UAiTjlSRiS'EIGHTH I-E ITARY DuEPA RTIM E'NT,,S an. Antonioit    Octoberi  8 50.
True copy:
GEO. DEAS,
_Assis'tant Adjutant Gceneral.
iEA.3sDQUxARTERS ECIGHTTIH MILITARY DEPARTM.iENT,
San Anzton:o,  Octocber 15, 1850.
G  IENsER AL:  have the  honor to propose that hereafter, when volunteers are
called out in this department, the term shall be twelve months, unless sooner
discharged.  rTheir term of service has been limited to six months, and I
have experienced much inconvenience in their being  rmustered out and
remnustered into the service.  Thee companies nowv in service are entering
ino their eighteen months' engagement. Many of them at the expiration
of the term of six months would not remuster.  The larger part of the
company are willing to remain; and to complete the organization,  we axe
compelled to recruit until the company is filled.  They arejust as willing
t;o engage for twelve as for six months; and one great advantage accruing
to lenzgth of service is, that the officers and men become better soldiers,
as well as more intimately acquainted with the country and the haunts
of the Indians.  The expense to the United States is the same, for the
r.eason that they would be discharged as soon as their services were not
f.rther required.  In fact it would be more economical, as it saves the
mileage for marching from their homes to the general rendezvous.
I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
GEO. M. BROOKE,
Brevet.Maijor General.
Brevet Major General  R. JoNEs,
Adjutaint Generlar, W'ashigton, t.'  C.
TjEA:DQIAPRTFM:6ES.ElGETi H MA-ILITA.RY DE1SPARTi)iMESNT
San Antonio,  October 15, 18-S0.
GENERs.LAL  I have been compelled, by the atrocifies just comnittedo by
the Indians in the neighborhood of Lamar, to ca8ll out one more company
of mnounted volunteers to cover and protectt the settlemetits in that part of
the country.
It is inpossible for i me to change the loca tions of the four companies of
vollmteers now in service; for as sure,as it is done. the Indians will take
advantage of their absence to commit the  lile deeds unlder which the
settlements hav e so horribly s-uffierd.  You will receive a paper printed
at Victoria, coL;nt zinta.g the particulars of the lae ltorrid tr asactions; which
I believe to bIe eltirely correct a.nd true in ever'y patuiular.
I have the honor to be, Genelrnal, veCyry  pctu      y     most eobedei.e
* 2  {  >  f   (,
To Brevet TGc:al R.  J,   n
Aj'i d;:u ri,? (:::,,,e^e'm"  Washugi~ o;:.
Pand.     lc:t. 5 $ No   t,;  i..... 2 o   A;.             0   f: y: -;...




Uoc. No. L
Indian outrages again.
The Indians have again been down in the lower settlements, committing all manner of outrages.  This time they came within twenty miles
of Victoria, and after stealing horses, and commritting an outrage updn a
female too shocking and horrible to contemplate, mutch less describe, they
succeeded in getting off with their plunder without molestation or harm.
On Tuesday afternoon, the 1st instant, they came within two miles of
-the dwelling of a German by the name of Thomas, living about eight
miles from Lamar, and captured two of his daughters wrho had gone out
for the purpose of driving up cattle.  One they succeeded in carrying off —
the other) about fifteen years of age, having suffered severely fiom their
brutal and shocking outrages, was left in a state too awfil to describe,
much lacerated and bruised.  She was found next morning by a 3'Mr. Fox,
who was out hunting cattle, who carried her to the nearest house where
she was kindly taken care of. After these savages (about eitghteen in
number) had satisfied their sensual appetites, almost to the final destruction of the unfortunate female, they proceeded to the residence of Mr.
Perry, on the San Antonio river, from  whom they stole three horses.
They then paid a visit to Mr. Tom  Conner's ranch, where they stole
ainety head of horses, the property of Mr. Welder. This is the third
time this gentleman has been robbed of his animals by the Indians in
less than two years.  He is to be pitied. He is a German, and by extraordinary industry and exertions, after being twice before broken up, he
had again accumulated this property, which in one night has thus been
taken away from him, and he with his young family again left helpless,
without a hope of recovering his property or receiving any remuneration
from the government, which has sacredly promised to protect him in the
peaceable possession of his property and his rights from Indians and others'.
How long is this sad and uncertain condition of things to remain? Are
we to be left entirely without protection?  How long must our people suffer because of the lying misrepresentations to the heads of departments at
Washington by base and unprincipled villains, representing themselves to
be Texans, and professing to be well acquainted with the country, and
the safe and happy condition of the people? It is needless to say that we
have already troops enough; for every day's experience is a sad and
calamitous refutation of the charge.  Our frontier is too large, too ex,
tended, to be protected by the limited number and character of the troops
the government has placed upon our borders. These troops very probably do their duty, as far and as well as they can.  They are insufficient
in numbers, and their efforts, though well intended, have most signally
failed.  We blush to say, that within twenty-three miles of Victoria the
females dare not venture out from home ibr a few miles without great danger of' being taken prisoners and carried into almost hopeless bondage by
the Indians.  Thank God, our government at last is waking up -from its
Rip Van Wninkle sleep, and is about giving us that description and nunmber
of troops which we have reason to believe are best calculated to protect
ou ilbves and property, and chastise these impudent red rascals in their
mountain homes. Our wives and children are now anxiously looking to
the movements of General Scott and Secretary Conrad for their longpromised protection.  Shall we look in vain?  In the name of God and
htumanity, we hope not. We hope the ridiculous farce is nowv ended. We




Doe.'.o. 1.                               7
have had fatal tragedies enough.  Thousands upon thousands of dollars
of the people's money have been spent in Congress while debating upon.
idle and ruinous abstract questions.  Had one-half the moneey and time
thus worse than uselessly spent been appropriated to the protection of
our frontier) by calling out suitable troops, to-day we would be spared the
iecessity of recording these horrible crimes' and our people would be
safely and quietly attending to their farms and their stocks  snugly seated.
under the protection of their own vine and fig-teee, with none to molest,or make thein adfraid.
ADJUTJAN B T GENERAI9,L   OiFFCE,
Washingtozn, Novemnber 7, 1.85,
GENERAL: Your letters of the 10th of October,  11th of October, (two,)
15th of October, (two,) and 17th of October, (fourr) with their respective-enclosures, have been received and duly submitted.  The Generai-inchief directs me to say that your reasonsfor stationing the two companies
of the fifth infantry at Corpus Christi are perfectly satisfactoryx and that
your measures generally, since in comm and of the eighth department..appear to have been energetic and judicious.
It is regretted that your proposition to muster voltunteers for twelve
mnonths cannot be approved-the law not admitting of their being retained.:in service for that period.
I am, sir, &c., &c.,
-L. THO1MSAS,
_ssistianr   Adjutant Ge-neral.
-Brevet Miajor General GEo. M. BROOKE,
Co-mnz anding Sth deperbtment,  S an Antonio,.Texas.
HEAD.UARTERS NINTH MILITARY DEPA.RTiM NT'
Santa 1e, New Mex'ico, MarC  2y 1850t
SIR: I transmit you herewith:
Department returns for January;
Post returns, Santa Fe, for February;
Copies of department orders (general and special) to date;
Proceedings of a general court-martial, excepting case No. 5, which has
been returned to El Paso for a sig nature omitted;
Hospital muster-roll, Santa Fe, for January and 7F'ebruary;
Certficates of disability-private James Gibson;
Report by M ajor Stein, Ist dragoons, of an expedition under his com-,
mand;
Remarks of Major Van Horne on the subject of the transportation o.t
supplies from San Antonio, Texas, to E1  Paso.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN 1MUNROE,
Brevet Colonel U. S. Army, lC'oemn'g Dep)arntment.
Major General R. JONES,
Ad jutant General U. S. Army.




68c. No. 1.
DONA. A.xA, NEwW MIEXICO; Fe.bruary 5, i850.
SIR: I have thle honor to submit to the commaianding officer of this  department the following report:
On Saturday, the 2d inst., about S o'clock a. m., a report was brought to
nmy quarters that the Apaches had made a descent upon the herds grazing
in the rear of the town, and driven off the stock, after wounding four
Mexican herders-one of whom  is since dead-and carrying a.ay one
boy.  On inquiry I found the facts as stated; and that the IndianIs had.
come within a mile of the town-so near that they were seen by the rmen.
from their quarters. I immediately ordered out company A, 1st dragoonas
and started in pursuit, accompanied by Lieutenant L. W. O'Bannon, 3d.
infantry; before, however, we could get started, the Indians h.ad gained.
somre six miles.
Ay first impression was that they were the Apaches from the CGuila,"7
and thought that, by going up the river, I could intercept them  at the
crossing; but the MLexicans all saying that they had gone in the direciirn
of San Diego, I was induced to follow directly in their trail.
Some six or seven miles from the garrison we found the'boyeada,9
which the Indians, seeing themselves closely pursued, had left.  After
spurring  the animaals, going on fifteen  miles further, we were evidently gaining on the -Indians.  I ascertained that my first impressions
were correct, and that the Indians were endeavoring to reach the river.
Here I divided my command, and, sending about twenty-five of the men.
who were best mounted with Lieutenant O'Bannon to follow directly on.
the trail of the Indians, and cut them off from  the mountains, I took a.
nore southerly route to come in between them. and the river, and thus
crive them upon the level plain of the   Jlordnada," where I thought we
could easily succeed in running them down.
The result, however, was contrary to my expectations, and the Indians:
proved to be better mounted than we were; for, after riding more than forty
miies at our best speed, we were obliged to give up the chase —our horses
being comipletely broken down, and the command so scattered that; at the
last, I had but six men left with me. Abandoning the chase, we dismounted
and led our horses to the river; and returning-still leading thenm -we
espied two men standing by their horses, half-way up a little rise, sonme
half mile distant, and' a herd of cattle grazing near.  Supposing  them to'be  texicxans,'we approached to within a few  hundred yartds, when, to
our surprise, they proved to be Indians, who jumnId upon their horses
and galloped up the hill, beckoning us to followr.  Woe did so a ifast as
our w7eaied animals would permit; but, arriving at. the top of the rise, wre
sawm i a little thicket of cotton-wood on the other side some thirty or forty
-wamiors, all mounted, and dashing about oni their Iorses, and cursing mus
in bad Spanish —alling us to conme over and fight themln.  A.s i did not
choose to do this with the few  iimen i had, I dismounteAd  1my party and
nmade arrangements to defecnd mlyself if attacked; at the sam e time build
ing a fire, in the hope that the smoke imiglht bring Lieutenant O' jan-:0oni  pa.rty to nmy assistance, when we would be able to give then a figl t
Reemaimning here an hour and a half; recrluiting m:y horses' I then returned to this place, which I realced at 9 o'clock p. m.; n haviag  ridden 80
nimles..LieurtenanOt O'Baa'on; wmith.. hlis party, following directly in the trai; ot
the Iv.,ians; gained'upon t hem rapidl[y; blut; coming to a'cauon above t.ie




"Sa'n ]Die'go, hie was obliged to dismount his men to lead thbeir horses do.)wrn
the rocl5y pass in single file.  here the men mounted as they p-,asedthriTOu.,ih, ild con;tiiu.ed. the chase; four of the first, thoughh, w-1ho were
best ionllted, were close upon the heels of the indians, and one rman,
private Q Legaiden, company  I'I," 1st dragoons, came up with a party of
eight who were thrown out as a rea.r guard. Woundiorl  one of them wit h
his carbine, tha,'ree of the others turned upon himn andi attacled hi1. i   wid
the1ir lances; he, 1ho wever, succeeded in parrying them with vhis sa1hre- 
receiving  olyr a slint scratch in the back; whei3  perceivingl the comrn-.
mantd clo siqn   upon themn, two fired O,  him —oine shootir.n   hima tlhouagi:
the thigh, severely fracturing the bone.  I must take this opportunity to
urge upon the commandin g, icer of the departnment the necessity ofariing company'"' withi Colt's revolvers. Had this man  haave iha  one of
these weapoans he would probably have killed several of these  In'it. -
should hiave r)mentioned that, before the  ndia.ns turned, the other three
dragoons had closed in and exchanged fire, wounding two other Inldians,
T,.he Vwlole cnommand i d anowR%  passedl the caion  and here ennsued a,
mlost exciting scene. The Indians in frll sight, not more than a Emite a.tl
a hal..in  aIxrvance, upon a level plain, aind the dragoons1 inl  hot pursuitboth  parties at the top of their sieed; and t thus the chase was continued
for ti:ty miles,  u  nt til r twere  ahorses  mp.letely brokien down.'Toxwards
the last, the Indians were to be seen throvlwin  away blankets; provisions,
-and everything bunt their arms;, rendering themselvCes as lig    as poss5ible.
Lieutelnant O'Bann on: in returning, fell in w-it another t -all party of
Indians, mounted on fresh hories and driving  more with theIm.   r.   the
fatigued condition of his animals, they easiy escaped him.
Three of my best horses were left dead in the road.      can only say,
the companyv' without  exceptioni  behaaed admirably, and. every possible
effort was - made to overtake the ITndians; and it was ow-ring to our hla'ving to,
arim  our horses over the first and most difficult part of the country that
we wese'unable to come up with them after getting upon the plain,
On my return I was irffoimed thatl at  about the time we started in pursuit; another party of  Indians had come fin at the lower side of the town,
near tBe river,i and drivuen off stock from there.  This was probably thef
party I saw- after wate   ring'. In colnnexion I wouldT. state that, on thle  7ti'h
alt,: a party came in about sundown, and stole two EMexiclan boys Iwho.
were workling in a field not a mile from t1he quarters, and drove off some
stock.  At the sanme time another party came in, some four miles southwest of us; and drove off twenty-three head of oxen, the property of ML.
Beck.
I cannot close this report without urging upon the commanding officer
-of the department the necessity of a campaign against these Indians, an
tkat as speedily as possible.
When Indians become so bold that they will conme in broad dayliglht
within a nile of a United States garrison, where dragoon-s are stationed,
and drive off stock and murder the defenceless herders, I think it then
becomes necessary to chastise them —and this can only be done by a
regularly-organized campaign against them.
When these Indians start on a marauding expedition they come imounted,on their best horses, (which are equal to any of ours,) and at the sanme
time have relays waiting for them  at twenty-five or thirty miles distance.'They do their mischief and get off with several miles theestart-come up




O                            Doc. No. 1.
with their relays, and thus are mounted on fresh animals, and can snap,
their fingers at us, W 1hose horses are broken down by the long chase.
Thlus,   i is next to impossible for any dragoons to overtake them-and for
this I urge the necessity of an expedition against them.  I would suggest
that a cdepot e n   sel ected at or near the copper mines, and t-hat that point
be established. as the base of operations.
All of'h1ch I m.ost respecti-ully submit.
E. STEEN,
Bt1  1tajor Ist Drago,,ons, Com"ri'g.
Llieutenant L. ]MCi!,Aws,
A.A. dA   G-e teral,  S  ata Pe.
I-HEADUia ARTERS NINTH MILIT-ARY D EPARTMENTi
S.anta Fe, New l iexico, April 15, 1850.
SIRS: I transmit you herewith a report by Sergeant William C. Holbrook,..
coImmanding a party of cemnpany' I" 1st dragoons, stationed at Rayadobeing a detachmrent frorn the post of Taos- giving an account of a gallant
and successful affair in which that detachment was engaged with a
narauding party of Apache indians, the troops having the valuable experi.
ence of Mier. Kit Carson and his two associates in conducting the businoss;.
A letter from  Brevet  Major Grier, 1st dragoons, commanding at Taos,
enclosing the above;
A report by Mtajor Steen, 1st dragoons, commanding at Dona Ana,
giving an account of an excursion made by the cavalry of his command
to the region of the copper mines.
I am, respectIfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN MUNROE,
B't Col U. U..Army, Comm'g.
Brevet Major Gen. R. JOE
9dj't (e'ucral U..S. A.
TAos, NEw MEXICO, April 12, 18I.
SIR: Herewith I have the honor to forward, for the information of the
colonel comrnmanding 9th military department, a report of Sergeant Holbrook, of my compan)y: who has lately had a fight with a party of Apache'
andians.  I regard the affair as a very handsome one, and very creditable,
to the sergeant and his men.  I am informed by a creditable person from
Rayado that t wo of the Indians were killed with the sabre-the contest
having become so close.
The sergeant speaks of having the scalps of the Indians whom  they
killed.  They were taken, I am informed, by two or three Mexican helders who came up after the fight was over,
I rejoined my command at this post (from Santa Fe) at 11 o'clock a. mr.
yes terd ay.
VTery respectfully, &c.,
WM. N. GRIER,
CUapt. and B't 2 aj., Com'g at 7aos, New Mexico.




PDoe. No   1. 1. 
kRAADO, iNEL'E    MEXICO Ajko il 7, 1850.
Si: It becomes lmy duty to report the result of a fight between the
detachment of comnpany "  " first dragroons, stationed at Rayado, and a
party of Apache warriors, which took place yesterday, the 6th instant, o0i
the opposite side of Red river, thirty niles from tlbis place.  The circumstances led to it as follows: On the night of the 5th instant, Mr. Maxwell's
herders' camp, which is three rniles from here, was attacked by Indians,
who severely wounded two of his men, and drove off nearly all of the
horses and mules belonging-to the citizens of thisi place.  On the news of
this I started in' pursuit, with the assistance of Messrs. Carson, Fesher,
and Newell; and as soon as daylight appeared, to enable us to discover the
trail, we galloped until we overtook the enemy.  A charge was immediately made, which resulted in the loss'on our side of one horse, (that of
private Richart's, shot from under him.)'We killed five Indians, (the scalps
of which we have for a voucher,) and wounded one or two others, and
recovered all the animals but four, which four Indians made their escape
on. Allow me to say that every iman was eager in the pursuit, and fought
with that gallantry characteris.ic 6f the American soldier.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. C. HOLBROOK,
Sergeant, (ommanding Detac.hmzeait.
Major WVi3. N. GIERa,
omlnmantzzdin.g officer at Taos, lNew Mielcxico.
HEA:DQIUARTERS, DONArA ANA.) NEw MlEXIco,
JaI'orch 24, 1800.
SIn: I have the honor to report to you that yesterday I returned to this
post, after being absent some thirteen days examining the country abo:ut
the copper mines.
We were prevented from visiting the Rio Gila and Preator on account of
not finding sufficient grass for our animals on the route.
For four days I examined the country about the mines in every direction, and, in my opinion, it is decidedly the best location that I have seen
anywhere in the country for a post, fbr several reasons.  It is about the
centre of the Indian nation. There are quarters sufficient for at least three
companies that can be put in complete repair in less than a month, and
at a very small cost.  Timber for building and other purposes is abundant
and easily to be procured. Water and grazing as good if not better than can
be found in any portion of New Mlexico that I have seen.
There are bottom lands suficient to produce more corn than could be
possibly used by the post, that would soon be put under cultivation if
troops were stationed there.
It would, if the troops at this post were removed there, be a saving to
the governmrent of at least fifteen thousand dollars per annum, which.
amount we are forced to expend here for reuts. fuel, and grass, all of which
are abund-ant and inmmediately on hand at the point referred to above..
In a communication from  headquarters of this department, dated 13th
March, 1850, 1 am informed that at present it is impracticable to organize,
either at this post or Socoro, a command to operate against the Apache:In




7t2                             i0Doc., N0. L
dians: to which. allow me to reply, tha  t i s m'y firm belie.t f thmt if t'e troops
at this post were sent to the mines immediatery, the necessity of a. con.m
bined expedition nwould be obviated entirelv, and that in less than two
months we could have peace with those Indians wituhout resorting to that
last of extremes, the shedding of blood.  The troops here could beyond a
doubt do better service to the country out there, to say not;-ing of  the irn.
provemlent of the morals of the soldier, which are not of the best, especiallyt
w here lle ming, es with a population suchl as we have  at th is p- r e    oind the
avoiding  of constant difficultv thiat occurs almost daily betw-een the soldier
and tle citizen, whichi it is next to impossible to plxeven;. During my stay
at t the m'ines, hunting parties from my command came- in contact with thef
Indians once or twvice withnout being molested by tmhem: on learning this,
I immediately hoisted a white flag a            ind raised smoe a t several points,
hoping to induce them  to comse in; but in this,!however we werei disappointed. Notwithstanding, I still hope to succeed itn gt,,;1-ting   thtemn' to conmi
in before vey t3long.
Fromi tifis point to the mines there is a fine wagon road.
I seni  you a fe-w sampes of copper:. You will confe-r a i-vor o n  rme by
havingt t:ienml examined by som e chemist.  I have been told that th.e copper of these mines contains a large portionl of ld.   lesse ildorm  ere of
the result, if you have thfe samples tested.
Very Drespectfully  your obedienit -servant,.E', S[.'CiTiEBNl,
Bifcrtev   ^lfo I-sf Drig-oosCmvr yCd, Lng.
Ca't..s [ls8t  ieut.] IL, ieL:cLw'  s,., A. A.  General, Siant. a:Fi.
T'rue aopy:
1.n L-icL 7Jfifmfo ry    A. A..A. Genera.
LlEArt D aii;t-u RT;'?:a;:i' 2S A..^M:Y,`'`  Yrk,.  iame 8, 180
Ass.i o m    A,.i     e nteral. &
HsA, lU)A.LTE Ras NI, NTZ. MIVL rrTRY D EPART: IEN.
Sata f e  NYew ]VMexico, A% ugst 22, 2 S5.'
SiR:  I encltse, herewith, returns for th, e nilth L n.iit.,arv depa.rtment aand
post of San  ta Fe for the month of July;
Copies of department,  general, and special orders to date, (orders 2
and 32 enclosed,) with procedings of courts —martiatl
A report of' Major Grier, 1st dragoons, of an expedition under his comnmand against Apache Indians, and one of Major Steent of his exploration
of the country east of Dona Ana;




Di9ez,   - io.  1. 
Also taplications fo. leave of ab.sence, for th te benefit of their health, of
Brevet Colonel. C. A. iMay, 2d. dragoons, and First Lieutenant.J H.,
Siimpson, topographical engineers, with the surgeon's certificates in each
case, and the special orders granting themn  permission to leave this departrmenit..1Res.ectf.illy, y1our obedient servan t,
JOLHN M[UNJRO! E,
Brevet C(ol. U. S, 8, &A.iComman8ding Departmens/
C(aptaii arn TRavIN i DowraELT,
_Ass-~isl. Adjutan; General,..
Ar'mny i-fecqver,  s, Ne-w, Ysr/:e
DONA ANl;.  T EXrA.s'  ly 1,. 1850.,
7:-R; I have the hono: to repo0rt, f'or thle infornlation of the colonel  conlmaidingu, that on the morninrong of the 10th  June I left this place, and
travelled east twren'y-li-voe m-iles to the road leading' from El Paso to the
Salt lake: this lake is about  120 miles north of El Paso; the road is fine,
but the samne difficulty exists on tihat as on the present ioad —-that is, the
scarcity of wa.ter; there is none, except:i the rainy season, for 120 miles,
though  I think that wvould be at least SO miles nearer than the present
road. i proceeded to the  White rmountains with the wiagons, a distance of
aboult S3O) m.iles;: 3t this place I left the wagons -vwith twenty-five  ien, and.proceeded with the reimaindler  of the c.ommana,    of thirty- two menw, with
four pak ln      a distance of about sixty vmile north; alnd ilnding no
water', I was c.ompelled to treturn to the aV,,ite mounltai:s   where I had
left the wagons. Du rin  this time I saTr a number of Ildiatns —Hicke es 
Apach0es, Eutaws. Comanches,'c,  all of whom were hostile; they would
hold. ao. commiulict, idol writh me and, seemingly, prepared to fight: ani.
from  some of the Apaches, old Santer's band, I was informed that there
were about two thousand wavrriors in waiting for me; and my commandal
not beings suf-cieit to engage so large a numiber of Indians, I ti:houghtl it'c
more pruduent to return to this place, where I arrived on the morning of
the 23d i.l3Te.   The uen anld horses suffered greatly for.the want of watert
being two days and one night, without any.  It is impossible to pass
through th1is country vwith wagons, except in the rainy season, which is
August and September.  i was within thirty miles of the "'Grand Quivera," but did not go there in consequ-ence of there being no water —aand
we had already travelled about sixty miles without any; and being coirinced that the men and animals would suffer too much, I gave up the
idea of visiting that place.
I regret ithat I am unable to give you a amoree fill and satisfactory report
of this section of the coun.try.
I-Had I gone about forty miles east of the route I took, I should have had
an abunidance of excellent water; but the country is veryr mountainoas}
ai'nd can only be travelled bvy packs, it being impracticable to pass wagons




74                           Do., No..1.
over the mountains; there is also an abundace of fne timber in thi
country for all farming purposes.
I have the honor to be, sir  very respectfulli, your oibedient servant
~E. STEEiN,
Brevet Milajor Un'ited States A'rnmn.
Laieutenant L.' MILAWs,
Acting Assistant AAjutant General, Sacnta Fe
Officia copy:
L. MGcLAWS~,.
7Aih  tfantry.) Acting  Jsisstant Adj utaGnt General.'AYAno, NE  MVEX ICo, Mdy 231, 185.
SIR: For the information of the colonel commanding departmnent, i
have the honor to make the following report of an expedition lately made
by ieoops under my commiand against the Apache Indians.
7he fi)ree placed under my commnand consisted of G and I companies
1st dragoons, and K company 2d dragoons —total strength 78 (seventy —
eight;) Lieutenant Adams, 1st dragoons, commanding K company 2d
dragoons, and Lieutenant Taylor, 1st dragoons, in command of G company 1st dragoons.
With the permission of the coclnel commanding, about ninety MexicansI
ifrom "Ltoda'1Mora,9  with oficers chosen by themselves, joined me at this.
place on the 22d inst.
On the morning of the 23d inst. I marched forn this place, movingnortherly along the base of the mountains until I reached the Yerniegoup that river nearly to its source, thence across the headwaters of the
Canadian or Red river. Having travelled two days and nights, we struck
the Indian trail, leading over m.ountains and difficult cahons-foll6wed
it, and about 12 in. on the 23d our spies reported a small party of the,
enemy in sight. I despatched Lieutenant Adams with the advance guard:
to the attack, and by a rapid and well executed movement he killed or
woundced the whole party, and captured the animals which they were
driving. On the same day, late in the evening, a party of the'Mlexicans who
went in advance as spies surprised another small party of Indians, killed
one or two of them, and brought into camp seven animals.
We marched again at night, and the next day (July 26) until 1 p. inm..
w.hen we came upon the mnain village, situated on the edge of a mountain,
in a thick and almost impenetrable  growth of aspens; the ground -for
some distance being full of springs and very marshy.
When we discove red them the Indians had removed their families'
having probably heard of our approach from some of the parties previously
-attacked, and at the sight of my command abandoned their camp and fled.
I pursued them  ilmmediately, encountering great difficulties from the
nature of the ground, until they finally disappeared; and the peculiar nalure of the country rendered further pursuit useless: they were then descending the mountains in the direction of "tGuajatoyas" or "Spanisb
peaks. "
In this chase the Indians lost five or six, killed and wounded.  I lost
o:ne non-conmmissioned officer, (Sergeant Lewis V. Guthrie) who was mor



oec. No, 1.                               Ts
tally wounded and died the next day. I captured also a number of horses:.
mulles sheep, and cattle.
The total loss of the enemy in the several affairs was: six killed, and five
or six wounded, about sixty horses and mules, eighty head of cattle, and
one hundred and fifty sheep, and a quantity of provisions and camp rnl
terials, captured.
The cattle, being part of those stolen at Rayado by the Indians, have
been returned by me to their owners.  Tlhe horses' mules, and sheep i
left in the possession of the Niexicans who acconrpanied the expedition.
The next day, Jaly 27th, I started on mny return in the direction of thfe,
"Costillah,' down that stream some ten or twelve miles, thence across thermounrtains, and  throug     cnoas, to the' Morena" trail; following that
trail until it crossed the trail from  Taos to Rayado, thence to this place%
where we arrived  on the 3Oth inst.  Total distance travelled nearly twoi
hundred miles, over a rugged and mountainous region.
Credit is due to Lieutenants Adams and Taylor for their gallantry and
the skill with which they conducted their respective commands, and tothe non-commissioned officers and men, who acted at all times with energy and effciency.
Very respectfitlly, your obedient servant,
WM. N. GRIER,
Captain  st DragoonS; and Brevet Major, U..  A.
Lieut L. McLAws,
A.A. Adj. Gd. 9n. Ih Mil. Dept., &Zmta Fe, New ilsexico.
HEADoaUARPTEPR  TIIRDu DIvISIOiN,
Sonotma, M.ay 25, S5 0.
CAPTAIN:  On the first day of April I left San Francisco, in the steamer for San Diego, accompanied by Lieut. Colonel Hooker, Assistant Adjutant Goneral, and Lient. Gibbs, aid-de-camp, to examine the southern
part of the territory, and fix on the position of posts.  Two days and a
half took us to Sail Diego.  I there visited the boundary line, as established and marked by the commission.  The end. of the line on the Pacific
ocean is about fifty feet south of latitude 32.  If this determ-ination be correct, the position of the entrance of San Diego bay must be a little south
of that assigned to it by Brevet Captain Halleck, engineer corps. The
troops (two companies second infantry, under i  a ajor Heintzelman) were
situated on the beach at the usual landing, near the mouth of the harbor,
vwithout fresh water or wood near, while a few men occupied the mission
about five miles fioro  the bay, where both are convenient, and where
good gardens can be cultivated.  General Riley had already directed Lieut,
Colonel Magluder's company to occupy San Diego on its arrival, and I
see no reason to change its destination. This will leave the two companies under Major Heintzelnan disposable, and a post will be occupied as.
soon as possible at the mouth of the Gila, by these or other two, companies,.
as General Riley may direct.  The missions are generally claimed by individuals.  I cannot assume to decide on the validity of srtch claims; but
assuming that such of them  as are now  in possession of government
troops are public property, I have directed the garrison of San Diego to he:
established at the mission, and remain there until the permanent bar



DOC No~ 1.
racks are built at thle worlks to be erected fbr the defnoe of thIe,harbor: or
the property is legally adjudicated  to some claimanait,
The escort detailed for the boundary commission  aving been disengaged, by their adjournment to meet on the Rio Grande, and havin-g been.
relieved'by Major Emory and ordered to report to department 1ea.dq.arters',
left a company of infantry under Captain Hayden, second ifn-.   try   and a
com.pany of dragoons under Lieut. Couts' disposable.  Maior E. Fitzgerald's company vwas also at San Diego, having been org-anized fromn detachments that came across by the Gila, and ctirectd br r iGeneral Rile- to occui..
py El Chino.  These three companies were  all too smtall to occupy any
distant or exposed point.  But the cavalry was st atoned at the mission, o
San Luis Rey, and a small infantry post determined ton at tie- Crajoi pass,
twenty-six miles from El Chino, after I had visited those places.  At San
Luis Rey are good stables for a squadron of cavalry, good quarters (with
trifling repairs,) the best of pasturage, a position central tas to the Cajon
pass, Warner's pass, San Pedro,  San Diego, and the southern   boi)l:dary
and. a  ost valuable (as T think) property gooing to ruin; good garideens can
be rmade, and the1e is much lufmit on the spot, a cnsideration  of g'"0eat importancc,:fr the ]Iealth of the officers anld   en in Cali-ornia has s nuered
much  fromt the w-ant of fresh vegetable diet,  The Cu lon paiss admits the
ingress of Indians' even firomn the Colorado, into tihe grieat,lley   Sa..il
B'ernadin,  in which is the rancho of' El, hio.  andu is t'ie oily pass itl
that district by which. they can drive cattle or horses rapid1l outr.  A
small force of infantry at its mouthI. xwill sfice to give notice to,t`he inimabitants when any predatory band enters, and to prevent thema  driving out
herds of cattle.  The inhabitants bein.g warned, iust undertake the ca re
of their own property, for these Indian expeditions rarely consist of more
than a dozen persons.  Cavalry could do no n'ore, for the pass is difc'ulit
for horses, and they could' ha.rdly penetrate at all in te moluntains.  Tihe
cavalry at San Luis R.ey, particularly if brought up to uits proper strengt'h.t, 
can be kept in good order at little expense, and moved oven vwith wxagons
-to any point I have named.  I have passed all of the roads myself witl a
wagon, except between the mission and El Chino and San Pedro, whien.
are well travelled carriage roads.  A large a.mount of- supplies had been
already moved to El Chino, under General Riley's order: otherwise i amn
not certain that I should have considered it necessary to plant a detachment at the Cajon until troops were more numerous in the divisiono  As
I passed up on my way northward, I went over the road from  San Luis
Obispo  to San Miguel.  General Riley had sent Lieut. Derby:. topo-.graphical engineers, with a party to open a wagon road from San 1/Eiguel.
to the Mariposa river and mines, thus opening a comrmuinication fromr sea.
near or at San Luis Obispo to the southern mines,.  The mountain  mrh.icz
lies between San.l uis and the head of the valley of the Sa.lnas river, in.
whose valley is San. Miguel, is very difiicult to cross with wagons loaded
-with anything like a full load.  MBy opinion is that a better route for transportation of supplies to the posts to be established on the waters eitering
into the Tulare, is from  the headwaters of the San Joaquin, taking advantage of the high water to reach the uppermost point of navigation, from
which it is only twenty-five miles to Los Reges river, over a level road.,
On1 this stream the post will probably be establishedo  Its position will be
-determined when Lieut. Derby's report reaches me.
I returned to Benicia on the evening of the 18tl instant, having rode




.Doc. No.   1                               77
840 miles fom-n San Diego.  The distance by the direct route is 487 miles.
I diverged to visit Warner's pass, towards the Gila, and the top of the
ridge overlooking th.e great desert; the Cajon pass, San Pedro, Monterey,
and other minor points.
The time remaining between the delivery of the mail from the Atlantic
and the ceparture  of the next is too short to permit me to give a detailed
description of the country.  In general it is better for agricultural purposes than I expected to find it.  There is much limestone near El Chino
anud Santa Barbara; many springs of mineral tar near the latter place and
the Puieblo de los Angeles; and lagoons near both, in the neighborhood
of the sea, that firnish every year, in the dry season, immense quantities
of salt of the best quality, in large transparent crystal (f the size of a
bhickory nut.  I ate very fine oranges firoo   the tree growing- in the open
air at Los Angeles,,showing a very mild climate.  Six thousand people
from Sonora and the neighboring MAexican States have come in this year;
by the route I came up, the road vwas covered with them, most of them
poor and in extreme want.  The Apaches have desolated their own country and left them  nothing to abandon or bring.  To comply with our
treaty obligations with Mexico, will require 600 cavalry and 400 infantry
on the line of the Gila and eastward to the Rio Grande, besides those now
on the two extremities of that line.  The cavalry must be practised dragoons, not recruits that cannot ride.  This country is the best school for
dragoons in the United States.'Then I was in Washington, on my return, from  Mexico, and my regimnent under orders for Oregon, I was authorized, on my application to
the War Department, to direct that only Americans from  the western
States should be enlisted after the fatal act of discharging the men from
Miexico was passed.  After I left, the recruits, generally the refuse of all
the depots, were swept into it; and I am informed that in one instance a
body of'American Nwestern men, enlisted under my order, were turned
over to a dragoon detachment, and. a body of recruits, many of whom
could neither speak English nor ride a horse, but nearer the regiment,
were turned over in their stead, thus saving a large anount of transportatio,1.  Many men deserted on the route; and, but for the excellent dispositions of Colonel Loring, the regiment would hardly  have reached
Oregon.  During the absence of Colonel Loring from  iiis headquarters
on d'ty this winter, more than 100 men deserted in a body, and a very
~1insatisfactoryy pursuit was made, under the orders, of' Major Tucker, by
Jtjo3r Ruff.  Colonel Loring on hearing of it returned in haste, organized a detachment containirng all the ofFicers of his command that could
be possibly spared, pursued the deserters in thle most incletnent seasoin
(over mrourntai rs covered with snow, and thlrough passes thought by the
"olId trappers to be at that season impenetrable, and returned, after a march.
of' a t-ousand mriies, with seventy.  Many of th.e rest perishied; but some
reached t.he norther    nines where they are sure of cid ai.,d protectionl
Ti e conduct of Colo nel Loring and his officers and mel.but espeei-'
his oiwn-for his energy animated and moved tLe srwhole. —is beyond  Iy
ciommendatuon. iand stows that the shnot which,  at the g,'r:ita of Eler,)
to-li of ao imbf, in nowise dimini rshed  his spirit or e ve. in;> strent, il
I lhope tht  in e tFliitng  men ibr the reogimen.tl, ^ ii:,'. "' t l eir p-   ui.  a
s-ervice ma.y be eons:idred.  and that the choice of 1'el  fr its raks 8 n limay
r't'be commin;.tt.ed Lfeto  iic.'. of o ther,corps who hav  e heir owel rfauits to




:78*                          Doc.   lo. 1.
f'iil.  There is no corps in the armny calculated to be so eminently useful
on this western frontier as one of mounted riflemen, properly constituted.
Last summer,  Captain Warner, topographical engineers, was killed by..a tribe of Indians on the headwaters of the Sacramento; and later in the
fall a tribe, or rather a confederacy of severay l who had long threatened,evil, murdered some citizens near Clear lake.  Prompt pursuit was made
by Lieutenant Davidson, commanding a comlpany of' dragoons stationed
at Sonoma; but the Indians took refuge on islands in thelake, and could
no be reached without boats; they becanme bold and defied us.  I wrote,
on my arrival from Oregon and learning these events, that it was my in-:ention to chastise the authors of both outrages, and orders were issued
-conformably.
Lieutenant Davidson, a most intelligent and zealous officer, had subEnmitted a plan of action for the Clear Lake Indians, founded on his expezience on the first expedition, which was approved.  General Riley detailed his company, and, as I directed an additional force of infantry to
be added, the General placed Major Seawell in comimand of the whole.
iManay instances were made by citizens to have the expedition start early
in the spring; but I gave positive directions that until the route was practicable for w-agons no movement should be made, as it' was intended to carry
boats for use on the lake. Major Seawell-made every preparation for several.months' service, for the detachment was to punish also, if they could
be found, the murderers of Captain Warner; but on the eve of starting,
the order of the President for a court-martial in Oregon took away Major
~Seawell, and it was necessary to provide another commander.  The lot
~fell most happily on Brevet Captain Nathaniel Lyon, 2d infantry, and he
marched immediately, about three weeks since.
M ty instructions, conveyed through General Riley, were, to waste no
time in parley, to ascertain.with certainty the offenders, and to strike
them promrptly and heavily.  There was no difficulty in detertnining the
-guilty, for they boasted of the deed and defied punishment, secure of a
etreat on their islands in a lake surrounded by mountains impassable for
any carriage.  Captain  Lyon pushed his advance with all his activity,
aand sent back all his wagons, except those prepared to carry three boats
i'om  the foot of the mountain.'By putting the teams of all on one
wagon, and by the assistance of all the men, th tthree  wagons, with the'boats,  were gotten over, and the boats concealed on the edge of the
lake without the knowledge of the Indians. A body of the latter were
driven from a thick jungle by a shot from a howitzer, and all took refuge
by their tule boats on the island.  Captain Lyon so disposed his command that a part, principally dragoons under Lieutenant Davidson, lined
Ithe shore nearest the island, while the boats mannedby the infantry were,to attack them in their retreat.  The Indians, confident in their position,
-expected the dragoons would have again to retire without being able to.reach them, and taunted them with the distance kept up between them —
-iCr some of them spoke Spanish-invited them at least to wade into the'water if' they came for a fight, &c.  When the boats appeared around the
point, they st up a howl of despair, but received them  manfully with,showers of arrows. Soon, however, the fire of the infantry began, as
the distance lessened., to tell fearfilly, and many fell before our men
landed, whene they were completely routed, and only those could escape
wrho could reach the water and conceal thenmselves in the rushes. Another




Doeo No.,                              79
t'ibe concerned  rith these were still further off. Catptain Lyon pursued
his march by night and day. and came upon them before hey could expect him; they were, however, prepared in a nmeasure, and had established themselves in a thick jungle.  This was surrounided and attacked,
and, after a spirited defence, the enemy were routed.
The cavalry was then sent down, by Russian river and Sonoema., to
Benicia, to get their horses shod, which Captain xLon, after moving down
the lazke, was to attempt to cross, by Cash or Puta creeks, to the Sacramento,
to move on the headwaters of that river in search of the murderers
of Captain Warner.   The facts I hfave detailed, I learn from  the officers who have returned this day: they all unite in awarding to Captain
Lyon the highest praise for his untiring eneyrg  his zeal and skill, and attribute his success to the rapidity and secrecy of his marches, and skilful
dispositions on the ground. His ovwn official report cannot reach me for
sonme time, but I cannot let the mail go off without communicating information which must be interesting, and expressing my highest praise of
Captain Lyon's conduct, and of that of the offcers and men under him,
many of whomn fought in the water up to their arm-pits, with their cartridge boxes on' their heads.
The.officers here think that two hundred Indians, at least, were killed.in the two affairs.
Some murders have been committed by Indians elsewhere, of which I
have no authentic a.ccount, except of one at the crossing of the Colorado.
When I  ras at San Diego, a great many complaints were made by citizens
4here, and persons arriving from the Gila, of a gang of lawless men who
had established a ferry over the Colorado, where not only they practised
the greatest extortions, but committed murders and robberies.  I was
urged to send out a command to drive them away. I offered, if any civil
officer charged with the execution of a writ for the arrest of any of themn
required the assistance of the military for his aid and protection, that the
whole command there, if necessary, should go, but that I could not on
these reports, however credible, "put such a responsibility on any officer
as was desired.  In the mean time, the captain of the gang complained
of came to San Diego with some men and mules to purchase goods to
sell at his ferry: one of the men with me, who had been in Mexico. recognised him as a man who had been tried, condemned, and whipped, for a
burglary committed at Perote, on the march of the army out of the country, he being one of the marauders that infested it.   While there, (in
San Diego,) one of the men with him  shot a soldier with a pistol, and
was pursued and taken: this man, I am since told, has escaped. The party
on the Colorado consisted of thirteen.   I learned from travellers on the
road as I came up, both from Americans and Mexicans, that the captain,
representing himself as a Texan who had served, received from the local
government a sum of money to raise a company to fight the Apaches:
with this he gathered his band and came to the Colorado and established
a ferry. There were two others already there —one kept by the Youmas
Indians, and the other by an Irishman.  This gang took the Indians'
boats and cut holes in the bottoms,;so as to render them unserviceable; and
a few days afterwards they seized the Irishman and brought him  up to
their camp, where he was tied. The next morning the dead body of the
irishman, with his hands still tied, was found in the water; with a ball
through his head,   A Mexican at work (to pay for his ferriage) told one'




80'                         Beem~~~B~tc. No, 1.
of my informants that the man xwas -taken out and shot by the captain's
osder, and the body thrown into the river; he saw  the whlole fiom where
he lay, as they thought, asleep.  A traveller froml  Tennessee, with twelve.
himndred dollars, was robbed and murdered some days afterwards: he
either followed shortly after, or belonged to a party under Colonel Anderson, of Tennessee.  All the Mexicans I overtook were loud in their praises
of Colonel Anderson, for having, while on the river, protected them from
the outrages of this set.  The universal complaint against the gang determined me to have a post established at the crossing, to protect our emigrant citizens, as soon as I learned that Lieutenant Colonel Magruder's
company was intended for San Diego, by which two companies of infantry'would become disposable.  A. few days since, I received a. series of resolutions from a public meeting in San Diego, calling upon the military authorities to send troops immediately to the Colorado, to punish a terrible
murder committed on American citizens there; and annexed  was an aff.davit of one of the ferry party, declaring that the captain and mlost of the
party were set upon one night suddenly by about three hundred Youmas
Indians, who had been living quietly there fbr some tiime, and murdered;
that the Indians did not molest any of the parties of emigrants near the
ferry, who were chiefly if not all Mexicans.
The Youmas are not good Indians, and may revenge themselves imndiscriminately on all they think Americans, and the movement of the tvwo
companies to the Colorado will still be necessary.  The resolutions ofthe
ameeting I shall take no notice of, as their style does not please me.
If the-revenge of the Indians should be satisfied by what they have
done, I do not think it would' be right to punish them; they had great
injuries to complain of; and only did what the law would have done, if it
had been administered with strictness. Their residence is in the MLexi- 
can territory.
blearning, though informally, that there is in Oregon an order from-..
the headquarters o- his regiment, transferring Lieutenant Haynes to one
of the companies there, I have directed him to report to Colonel Loring.
I neglected to mention, that so irregular is the mail communication with
Oregon., that the first informnationfrom Colonel Loring of the desertion of
his men reached me with the report of his return from  hi-;s pursuit of
them: his letters of 19th January were received by me the 22dJ MYay.  A
fne steamboat, the Carolina, has been put on the route by the mail conpany, and sailed as soon as she received the mails by th;e last steamer
from Panama.
A report froim the post at PFar West shows it to be so unhealthy, that
I will direct its removal up into the mountains, on one of the principal
routes across the Sierra Nevada.
The territory north of this is fast filling with mi nes in the neighaborhood.
of the boundary with Ore -on,  while oni the seacoast, aho::ti iatitude 400
5' a bay called Hunmboldt's bay, having a cthannel half a mile wide
witi-a four fitthoAs at low water, has been visited by mnanyL vessels,. arnd
some parties are settling there; it is surrounded wmit ft:in e ]anids ard good.farming' country, and has many Indians.living  ont it.'IT eia.ties s1hould be
held with the Indians to buy the lands necessary -fr pujbli  use or scet.titmenits, and reservations made for military purposes. if i  h lad'te T se of
a steamer, I would visit and determline somiae pointi  s.     thie indians I suppose t have roj authority to tireat!  whii  tere.re.diasti  agenQte




Doc. Noe,  1 
-here.  The bay is eighteen miles long, and from  five to six wide, with
good anchorage for any vessel.  No river of any size enters into it.
Some parties are establishing themselves on Trinity bay, an indentation of the coast, somewhat like Monterey bay, but opening to the southwest instead of northwest.
I respectfully ask that Benicia be made a chaplain post. tt would be
very much to the interest of the government if it were made a port of entry. Vessels could come then directly to the depot witfhout delayilng at
San Francisco to enter, losing their crews and incurring demlurrage on
the part of the government.
A vessel, the Charles Cooper, is now  discharging at Benicia a large
cargo of lumber, shipped by the Quartermaster General from  Bangor,
Maine, to San Francisco bay.  From a calculation furnished by the captain; the difference between the expense of landing his cargo at Benicia
and San Francisco is, in money, in favor of the former $9,600, and in
time two months.
Every day's experience estlablishes the superiority of Benicia over every
other point on the coast for a great military depot.
Your obedient servant,
PERSIFOR F. SMITH,
Brevet' i'i jor Genteral, Comzmanwding Division.
Captain IRVIN McDoWELL,
Assistant Adjuta ez  n Gezeral, headquarterss of the army.
P. S. As this seems to be the only division in which there is any
Jikhtint, I have left out Pacific divisioin.
P. F. S.
HIEADUiTARTERS OP THE AR;MY,
NEW YonR, July 17,  185(0.
W. G. FREEMIAN,
Assistant A djUttant Geaner;a
HEADCtUARTERS CLEAR LAKrE  XPEDITION,
Anderson's Rancho, May 22, 1850.
SRi: In compliance with department orders (special) No. 44, I proceeded from Monterey to Benicia, wAhere I arrived on the night of the 4th.
instant, and the next morning took commnand of the expedition designed to
proceed against the Indians on Clear lake and Pit river, by virtue of
Major Seawell's order of that date, (a copy of which is herewith enclosed,)
axl  setting out next day (6th) from  Benicia, I reached this position, at
fthe south end of Clear lake, on the 11th.  The next day the dragoon
company (Lieut. Davidson) was detached round the western shores of
the lake to co-operate with  the infantry, to proceed by water up the
lake. The Indians, on learning our approach, fled to an island at the
northern extremity of the lake, opposite to which, and on the western
shore of the lake, the command took position on the afternoon of the
14th, the Indians still gathering rapidly on the island.  Lieut. Davidson,
with Lieut. i-laynes (mountain howitzer,) attacked a rancho ol the mori.imn  of this day,killing four and securing an Indian chief.   arlTy on the
Part ii. —~




82                         IDoc. No. 1.
morning of the 15ti, the two shores being guarded, the landing on the.
island. was effected, under a strong opposition from the Indians, who,
perceiving us onceupon their island, took flight directly, plunging into
the water, among the heavy growth of tula which surrounds the islands,
and which on the eastern and northern sides extends to the shores. Having rapidly cleared the island, I saw no alternative but to pursue them
into the tula, and accordingly orders were given that the ammunition be
slung around. the necks of the men, and they proceed into the tula and
pursue and destroy as far as possible. The tula was thus thoroughly
searched, with severe *and protracted efforts, and with most gratifying results.  The number killed I confidently report at not less than sixty, and.
doubt little that it extended to a hundred and upwards.  The Indians were
supposed to be in number about 400. Their fire upon us was not effective, and no injury to the command occurred. The rancheria, extending about half way around the island, was burnt, together.with a large
amount of stores collected in it.  Being satisfied that the Indian tribes
on Russian river had participated in the murders of Stone and Kelley,
and were now harboring one or two tribes known to be the most guilty,
I now proceeded to the headwaters of that river, seeking first a tribe
whose chief is called Chapo; but finding the rancheria deserted to which
my guide ied me as his, i caused a thorough but ineffectual search to be
made in the vicinity, and then proceeded down the river for about twentytwo miles to a tribe called the Yohaiyaks, among whom, was Preesta and
his tribe, the most active participants in the atrocious murders.  I found.
them early on the morning of the 19th, on an island formed by a slough
from Russian river, which was covered with dense undergrowth, and in
the part where the Indians were mostly concealed were many trees, both
dead and. alive, in a horizontal position, interwoven with a heavy growth
of vinles.  Their position being entirely surrounded, they were attacked
under most embarrassing circumstan.ces; but as they could not escape, the
island soon became a perfect slaughter pen, as they continued to fight
with great resolution and vigor till avery jungle was routed. Their number killed I confidently report at not less than seventy-five, and have little
doubt it extended to'nearly double that number. I estimate their whole
nurnber as somewhat greater than those on the island before mentioned.
They were bold and confident, making known their position in shouts of'encouragement to their men and of defiance to us.  Two of their shots
took effect, wounding somewhat severely Corporal Kerry and private Patrick Coughtin, company' "G," the former in the shoulder and the latter
in the thigh.  A body of Indians supposed to have been concerned in
the outrages at Kelley's rancho, and who it was believed were harboring one of the tribes known to have been concerned in the Kelley murder, lay about ten miles below; and in order that action might promptly
be takeni against them, according to the circumstance in which they
might be found, I detached Lieutenant Davidson with his (dragoon)
company, to proceed hastily to the spot, so as to anticipate an alarm from
the events just mentioned. and obtaining, with the assistance of Fernando
Feliz, upon whose land these Indians lived, the facts, he was instructed
to act accordingly.  On arriving at Fernando Feliz's rancho he found the
Indians had fled through fear. The intelligence that the hostile tribe
was harbored by them  proved unfounded, and no definite intelligence
th:at tl-ey had participated in the murder aforesaid'was ascertained.  Du



Doc. No  1.                           83
ring our passage down Russian river an Indian was taken captive, who
communicated some very unexpected intelligence-that some citizens
(Spanish) had instigated the Indians against the Americans, confirming
in this respect the hints previously thrown out to me by several persons.
Lieutenant Davidson informed me that if this statement were true, the
evidence of it must be found among the agents of these individuals,
(Spanish,) and that the agents were living on the road to Sonoma; and
at that place I accordingly detached Lieut. Davidson, to proceed to Benicia by way of Sonoma, taking with him the wounded, and charged to
obtain all the information possible upon the subject above mentioned, and
to act accordingly; while the Indian who communicated the intelligence
was despatched with the promise to bring his chief and principal people
to the head of the lake and meet me to-morrow; and should they meet me
and confirm his statement, I shall endeavor to secure enough of them to
-establish the facts, and send them in safety to Benicia.
Leaving the valley of the Russian river, I proceeded across the mountains dividing the waters of the river from those of the lake; and after
two days' march, arrived yesterday, about 2 o'clock, p. m., at this place.
Submitting respectfully the above brief account, I reserve for a more
~convenient opportunity a detailed report, to be accompanied with a map,'which I shall furnish at an early day.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
-N. LYON,
Brevet Captain 2d Ilfantry, Commanding Expedition.
Major E. R. S. CANBY,
Assistant Adjutant General, Monterey, California.
HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
Monterey, May 30, 1850.
Official copy:
ED. R. S. CANBY, Assistant Adjutant General.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
New York, July 9, 1850.
Official:
W. G. FREEMAN, Assistant Adjutant General.
II. —List of correspondence on the subject of Indian difficulties in Florida.
Sept. 12, 1850. The Secretary of War to Captain John C. Casey.
Sept. 5, 1850. Governor of Florida to the President.
Oct. 6, 1850. Captain John C.- Casey to the Secretary of War.
Oct. 7, 1850. The Secretary of War to Captain John C. Casey.
Oct. 7, 1850. The Secretary of War to the Governor of Florida.
Oct. 22, 1850. The Governor of Florida to the Secretary of War, enclosing copies of letters from Jacob Summerlin, of the 2d October, and of S.
L. Spaulding, of the 5th October, 1850.
Oct. 30, 1850. Captain John C. Casey to the Secretary of War.




84                             Doc. Noo 1.
WAR DEPARTI-ENT,
Washingtonz, September 12, 1850.
CAPrTAIN: On your return  to Florida, you will execute the duties of
Indian agent for the Florida Indians.  In the execution of these duties
you will uise every exertion to preserve the peace of the' frontiers, and
quiet the fears of the inhabitants.  You will endeavor to acquire the confitdence and good will of the Indians, and labor to convince them  of the
kind and paternal feelings of the President towards them, as long as they
remain at peace; but assure theim  at the same time, that any further oertbr;eaks or depredations on their part will be severely punished.
You, will bear in mind that it is the settled policy of the government to
effect the removal of these people from the country.  You will, therefore5
endeavor to convince them that this measure (although it may be post —
poned for awhile if they remain at peace) must ultimately be adopted; that
the period cannot be very remote when their own safety will comlpel them
to enmigrate, as the whites will continue to encroach upon them, and dispu tes and quarrels arise which must end in their extermination. In a word
you wAi!ll use every argument which your knowledge of their feelings and
chtaratelr lmay suggest, to induce them to accept the liberal offers made by
the government through General Twiggs and yourself to such as may vo —
L.tariiy terigrate.'.
Great vigilance must  be exercised to prevent any contraband traffic with
these Indians, in order that they may not be able to accumulate stores of
am   un-ition, and no one except such persons as you may authorize xwill
be allowed to trade with them.
As the principal reliance of' these Indians for food and clothing is on
the c ase,  you  are authorized,   at your discretion, to allow a limited trade
in powder and lead, &c. otherwise their necessities would probably drive'
themn to conmmit depredations on thle whites, if not actual hostilities.
You  are authorized, as heretoforeto select a discreet officer to. assist you,
in  your duties, iwho wrill be exclusively under your orders.
In all matters connected with your agency you will consider yourself
as ac, tincg under the immeediate orders of  the dept artmcent and will correespond directly with ito
V.y r-'Ce.SPct lly,.ya     ob y) edient servant.
C.. CONRABD,
Secretary of V ar.
Captain JOH GC P o GASE'LY)
Wzas.htingto7an OU^~
EXECUTIVE' D EPARTM'ENT; FLORIDA 
5Tallahassee, Septern5bc  3 I 850.
S8n: As Geieneral Twigg', the coimmnanding officer of the: United States
force in Florida., has failed to furnish me with any information in regard
to 1his negotiation and operation with the remnant of the Seminole tribe ofii, dias 3   et remaining in Florida, and having received no official conlnunicatican o1) this sunbjec from the Secretary of War, it becomes.my ductyv to
adCtdres your Excellency for the purpose of obctainiing  the nec.essaryinfirmaton r,: e- l ei  thbe ultimate determiiation of the general governme;ent
s~/, th,,:, u', }iec.t o:.f their' einova} to the w7est ag reeably to leaty sti.pulatiosc.;.




Doc. No. 1L                              85.to be by rme communicated to the. General Assembly of this StateA at its
biennial session in November next.
This is a subject of vital importance to the people of Florida, and one
which is creating great excitement in all the counties adjacent to the
Indian frontier.  The murders perpetrated upon our citizens last year were
the cause of breaking up and dispersing all the settlements on the Indian
frontier of this State, and produced a state of distress and suffering
amongst the defenceless inhabitants which beggars descriptionl of which
the United States authorities were fully advised.  In a letter from General
Twiggs to Lieutenant Colonel Freemnan, Assistant Adjutant General, dated.,at Tampa Bay, September 1, 1849, and published in the report of the.ecretary of'War in December last, he says: " The panic is not less complete among the inhabitants;  all industrial pursuits have ceased.  The
settlers, flying from their farms, are on this coast and East Florida, forted as
far north as Fort King; and from a report of Colonel Smith received on the
31st ultimo, there remains but one single person south of New Smyrna, on
the eastern shore.  There seems a general determination not to return:
i:ntil the Indians are removed."'When,  however, a force of United
States troops was stationed on the exposed frontier, sufficiently strong to
insure protection and inspire confidence, the routed inhabitants returned
to their homes and occupations, under the assurance that the administration had determined on the speedy removal of the Indians.  In a joint
letter from the Secretary of War and of the Interior, to General Twiggs and.
Mr. Spencer, the Indian sub-agent, at Tampa Bay, dated 1Tth September
1849, they say: " In every aspect of the condition of the Indian, so long.as he remains in Florida, his speedy removal to the west appears desirable
and necessary.  The adilinistration being thus impressed, have concluded
that their removal, voluntary or forcible, is to be effected.  And this purpose, apart from other considerations, should be regarded as more binding
on the government because of an obligation arising under a treaty, tihe.execution of which does not admit of further postponement."   And Mr.o
Secretary Crawford in. a letter to General Twiggs, dated 21st September,
says: C"To Captain Casey you will please to communicate that the government properly appreciates his meritorious conduct in opening conferences with the'Indians, whereby they are permitted to select between a
peaceable or a forcible removal from Florida, or, what may be more disagreeable, their partial or entire extermination." This policy, as determined
on by the administration, it is hoped has not been abandoned.  The In.
dians have not yet been removed, and a large portion of the United States
troops, it is understood, have been withdrawn from the protection of the
frontier settlements, but of which I have yet received no official information. This state of things  has again caused great disquietude and.
alarm among the settlers on the frontier. The enclosed copy of a preamble and resolutions, adopted by a convention of the people of Hillsborough:county, will serve to show to your Excellency the state of feeling which
prevails in that section of this State, and similar resolutions have been
adopted by the people of Benton and other adjacent counties. But a
recent occurrence on the line of Benton and Orange counties, of the prob-.able murder or abduction by the Indians of an orphan boy living in the.family of Mr. Jesse C. Sumner, will have a tendency to create great
agitation and alarm, and may lead to another breaking up of the settle-'ments on the Indian border.  I have receiv ed several letters from gentle



Doc. No. 1.
men residing in that neighborhood, detailing the circumstances of this
affair, a copy of one of which, from F. M. Durance, esq., I have enclosed.
The people of Florida will not be satisfied with anything short of aspeedy
and entire removal of the Indians from the State. It is impossible that they
call ever live in peace and quietude as neighbors.  The general government has solemnly stipulated for their removal.  The public lands have
been purchased and settled with this express understanding.  Humanity,
on behalf of the people of the border settlements, cries aloud for the removal of the Indians.  The prosperity of the State demands it.  I would
beg particularly to refer your Excellency to my letter to General Taylor,
dated 29th November, 1849, upon this subject, and to my letters to the
Secretary of'War, of January 3 and March 26, of this present year.
Believing that your Excellency will give this subject your early and
serious attention, I am, with sentiments of the highest respect and consideration, your most obedient &cc.,
THO. BROWN.
His Excellency MILLARD FILLMORE,
President of the United States.
TAMnPA BAY, FLORIDA,
October 6, 1850.
SiR: I have the honor to report that the Indians are peaceable; and,
except a small band, Within their limits, are freely visiting the post on
Caloosa river. There is no reason for postponing the reduction of the
forces to a peace establishment.
It is not impossible that the little party of outlawed Indians may have
taken a white boy from the frontier of Marion county, last July.  Immediate measures will be taken to recall or capture this band; and, if they
have the missing boy, I trust he will soon be recovered.
I leave to-morrow for the south, to meet the chiefs, and shall report on
my return.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. CASEY,
Captain, and Agent Florida Indians.
Hon. C. MI. CONRAD,
Secretary of War.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WYVashington, October 7, 1850.
SI: Information has been communicated to the President, that on or
about the 6th of August last an orphan boy, living with a Mr. Jesse C.
Sumner, near the dividing line of Orange and Benton counties, Florida,
disappeared, and has not since been heard of.
Circumstances induce the belief, among the inhabitants of that part of
the country, that the boy has been either murdered or carried off by
the Indians; traces of whom  had been discovered in the neighborhood
about the time of the occurrence.




Doc. No. 1.                              87
You are directed to institute a rigorous investigation, and to ascertain,
if possible, whether the boy has been either killed or captured by the
Indians; and if such be the fact, you will demand the immediate surrender bf all who participated in the act, and will assure them, that if they
be not delivered up to be dealt with as the President may see fit to direct,
the whole tribe will be held answerable, and the severest chastisement'inflicted upon them.
If the boy be still alive, and in the hands of the Indians, youswill use
the most strenuous exertions to secure him, and restore him to his friends.
The result you will please report to this department.
With much respect, your obedient servant,
C. M.CONRAD,
Secretary of War.
(Captain JOHN C. CASEY,
Special Indian Agent, Tawpa Bay, Flozriida.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WVashington, October 7, 1850.
SIR: Your letter of the 5th ultimo to the President has, together with
its enclosures, been referred to this department, and I am  directed to
make the following reply:
The President has no intention whatever of abandoning the policy of
his predecessor in regard to the removal of the Indians.  On the contrary,
his attention has been constantly and earnestly directed towards the best
mode of effecting their removal at as early a period as practicable. Whether
that object can be best and soonest attained by the employment of mrilitary force, is, to say the least, extremely doubtful.  The number of Indian men now in Florida is estimated not to exceed one hundred.  The
extermination or forcible expulsion from the territory of this small remnant
could not be effected without loss of life and an expenditure of money
vastly disproportioned to their numbers. Under these circumstances,
policy as well as humanity would seem to require that so long as the Indians remain quiet, hostilities should not be renewed by us.
As the only act of hostility committed by them for many years was disavowed by the tribe, and those concerned in it were either killed or surrendered to General Twiggs, the hope was entertain'ed that they were at
length convinced of the. necessity of remaining at peace with the whites.
Unless the disappearance of the youth referred to in your letter is imputable to them, nothing has since occurred to induce a contrary belieIf
Nevertheless instructions, verbal and written, have been given to the
agent residing among them to impress upon their minds the necessity of
their removal at no distant day. The gentleman who discharges the duties
of agent is said to have some influence over them, and has been directed
to endeavor by every possible means to cultivate their good will, so as to
augment this influence and give weight to his counsels.  A copy of a
letter recently addressed to him on this subject is herewith enclosed.
Should his efforts, aided by the presence of a sufficient number of troops
to overawe them and- protect the inhabitants in their vicinity, prove unsuccessful; other means will be employed; and when all other modes of effect



838                          Doc. No. 1,
ing the object have been tried and found ineffectual, force, if necessary,
will be resorted to.
In the mean time it is hoped that the citizens of Florida will bear with
patience those inconveniences arising from  the proximity of Indians to
which every State in the Union has in its turn been exposed, and will
recollect that no other State has had greater efforts made or more money
expended for its protection against the Indians than Florida.
As regards the youth whose disappearance has excited so much anxiety
and alarm, instructions have been given to the agent to cause the strictest
investigation to be made as to whether he was killed or captured by the
Indians, and to report the result to this department.
It is proper for me to add, in conclusion, that no orders have been given
for the withdrawal of any portion of the troops assigned for the protection
of the Florida frontier.
With the highest considerations of respect, your very obedient servant,
C. M. CONRAD,
Secretaiy of War.
iis Excellency THOMAS BuROWN,
Tallathassee, Florida.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,  FLORIDA,
Tallahassee, October 22, S850o
SI.: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the
7th instant, and readily agree in the views of the President, that " policy
as well as hunmanity" would dictate the propriety of endeavoring to accomnplish the removal of the remnant of Seminole Indians remaining in
Florida by peaceable rather than forcible measures.  But there is a point
at which that policy should cease, and I think that point has been
reached.  The people of: Florida have borne for seventeen years not
only the "inconvenience," but the outrages and devastation, of these
murderous and treacherous savages, who have spared neither age nor
sex.  The United States stipulated, by treaty, for their removal from
Florida in 1833, anrd the public lands were sold to our citizens with this understanding; and the present frontier inhabitants were actually invited by
the general government to settle on the public lands, on the Indian borders, with the solemn assurance of protection, and a speedy removal of
their savage neighbors; so that the people of Florida occupy a very different position, in regard to the Indians within their borders, from the
other States of this Union.  And in regard to the large amount of'"money
expended" in unsuccessful -efforts for their removal, it is believed to be
attributable to the policy pursued on the part of the general government,
in sending large forces of regular troops, unsuited to such service, to huitt
Indians in the swamps and wilds of Florida, whilst a much smaller
and cheaper force could have been easily obtained, well acquainted with
the country and such service, and more effective, and less expensive,
You inform me that "no orders have been given for the withdrawal of
any portion of the troops assigned for the protection of the Florida frontier."   Having been favored with no communications from the cornrmanding general in Florida, in regard to his operations with the Indians,
I an  without information respecting the force'assigned for the protec



Doc. No. 1                              s
lion of the Florida frontier;" but the information Which I haive received
from other and various sources, upon which I can rely, is that troops have
been withdrawn from the protection of the frontier, and that the inhabitants are in a state of great excitement and alarm  from  the fact that they
do not consider that they have any protection, and which I fear may lead
to an interruption of the policy which the President is desirous of main-,taining.  I enclose you copies of two letters received from gentlemen in
that region of the country, which may serve to show  the condition of
the people, and afford some information to the department proper to bo
rknown.  These gentlemen are highly respectable, and their statements.may be relied on.
I am, with the highest respect and consideration your very ob't, &c.,
THOMAS BROWNo
Hon. C. M. CONRAD,
Secretarny of War,  c.
ITCHPUCKSAPA, October 2, 1850.
DEAR SmR: I have just returned from another scout last week, hoping
to hear of the boy who was lost or stolen from Mr. Sumner's family, and.
I have thought it my duty to let you know the result.
We started from my house on the 23d of September, and the first day
made no discovery; but the 24th, late in the evening, we saw some burnt
woods across a glade in the head of the Withlacoochee river, which we
could not cross that night.  Early on the 25th we crossed the swamp,:and after going about two miles came to an Indian field, which the Indi-:ans had not left more than four days.  They had cleared and planted it
the present year. There were corn, peas, potatoes, and other vegetables,:growing.  We crossed the field, which is on an island of about fifty acres,.and came to their houses or camps.  There were nine in number, five of
which were roof-fashioned and, covered with cypress bark and boards, and
bfour with flat tops and covered more slightly.  Everything they had left
of any value was carefully stowed away, as though they intended to come
back. We suppose that they had taken the alarm at the scouting party
which. had gone out before use From the sign we judge there must have
been twenty-five or thirty Indians at the least, and we were only six in
number.  We saw nothing at this camp which would lead to the discovery of the lost boy, except one sleeve of a shirt, which we took and will
send to Mr. Sumher, with the hope that it may be identified.
This camp is about twenty-five miles northeast from this place, and, I
believe, on the Fort Mellon road, and in a northern direction from General'Twiggs' camp about forty miles.  They are qn our ground, there is no,doubt, and you may imagine our state of anxiety when we cannot send,our children on an errand or to school without the danger of having them,
captured by the Indians.  We are getting tired of waiting to see what
government will do, and shall be driven to the necessity of taking eare of
ourselves the best way we can; and if we meet with Indians, we shall
surely have a fight, for the next time we go out we will have a stronger




90                         Doc. No. 1.
party. We continued our scout until the 29th, and found Indian signs
occasionally, but did not come up with them.
I remain your obedient servant, &c.,
JACOB SUMMERLIN.
To His Excellency THOMAs BROWN,
Governor of Florida.
TAMPA BAY, October 5, 1850.
DEAR SIR: I have just returned from a scout on the head of the Withlacoochee; I find there where the Indians have lived during the last season, and made a crop of corn, notwithstanding we have been all along
assured by the agent and the officers in command here that there had not
been an Indian outside of their boundary during the past year. This
shows how little confidence may be placed in their reports.
The discovery further confirms the probability of their having taken the
boy that is missing-if it wanted further confirmation-from the Palatlakar-har, as it is not a great distance from where they lived. Another
proof is that they were making a saddle, and had left it at their settlement
unfinished, which would show that when they got Mr. Sumner's saddle
they had no use for the one they were niaking, as it appeared they had
but one horse with them, so they abandoned the one they were making.
The Indians had left their residence before we got there, or we would
have been able to have given a better account of them. It would seem
they have not finally abandoned their settlement; they had just planted
corn, peas, and other vegetables, so that it is likely they design returning.
They had nine huts or camps, some of them covered with good cypress
bark or clapboards, as though it were a lifetime residence.
Yours, with due respect, &c.,
S. L. SPARKMAN.
To His Excellency THOMAS BROWN,
Tallahassee.
TATMPA BAY, FLORIDA,
October 30, 1850.
SIR:' have the honor'to acknowledge your letter of the:7th, in relation
to the white boy supposed to have been abducted by the Indians, about
August 6, from Mr. Jesse C. Sumner, in this State. The day after my
last communication (August 6) I left for Fort Myers, to examine the Indians on the subject, and returned last night. I am satisfied that the
chiefs know nothing of it, for, during my stay at Caloosa Hatchee,
the missing delegate (Hiolatoochee) came in, bringing with him his sisters, Sam Jones's wives, and their children and grandchildren-eleven in
all. He had been in the nation since June 26; and as his life was often
threatened, and great opposition was made to the removal of his relations,
he is much imbittered, and he would have been pleased to report anything wrong on the part of the Seminoles: yet he declares that he heard
no mention of the boy. Nor had the chief any communication with the
outlaws, while he was in the nationp of any moment. Bow-legs, while:




Doc. No. 1.                             911
asserting: his entire ignorance, pledged his word to deliver up all conconcered, as soon as their guilt could be rendered evident to us; and he
promised to exert himself in ascertaining the facts in the case.  I shall
collect what evidence I can from the settlers, (for the stories are now'
very contradictory,) and report as early as possible.  As soon as I
have good reason to believe that the Indians took or killed the boy, I
shall seize all of Echo-Smath-la's band that I can, and demand the
rest from the chief; but until I can find such evidence, I may doubt the
guilt of the Indians.  While the Seminoles acknowledge their responsi —
bility for this band, they do not desire to shield them, and desire us to'
capture them.
I shall forward the small party of Indians brought in by the delegate
(Holatoochee) to New. Orleans by the steamer Fashion.
Most respectfilly, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. CASEY,
capitai, and Special Agent.
Hon. C. M. CONRAD,
Secretary of. War.
HII.-List of correspondence on the subject of civil affairs in New AMexico..
July 16, 1850-Colonel John iMunroe to the Adjutant General, enclosing
his proclamation dated May 28, 1850.
Communication by Colonel Munroe, civil and military governor,.
Territory of New Mexico, to Senate and House of Representatives of the State of New Mexico, July 4, 1850.
Colonel Munroe to Acting Governor Alvarez, July 11, 1850.
Acting Governor Alvarez to Colonel Munroe, July 12, 1850.
Acting Governor Alvarez to Colonel Munroe, July 13, 1850.
Colonel Munroe to Acting Governor Alvarez, July 13, 1850.
Acting Governor Alvarez to Colonel Munroe, July 13, 1850.
Unofficial list of acts passed by the legislature of the State of New
Mexico.
July 31, 1850-Colonel Munroe to the Adjutant General, enclosing his
proclamation of June 25, 1850.
Proclamation by order of the civil and military governor, signed
by the secretary of the Territory, July 23, 1850.
Proclamation of Acting Governor Alvarez, State of New Mexico,
July 20, 850.
Extract of the law regulating elections.
August 26, 1850-Colonel Munroe to the Adjutant General, enclosing
resolutions of the legislature of the State of New Mexico, dated
July 15, 1850.
Proclamation of Vice Governor Alvarez to the people of NTew —
Mexico, dated August 8, 1850.
Circular of Colonel Munroe, civil and military governor of Now
Mexico, to prefects of counties, dated August 9, 1850.
September 14, 1850-The Secretary of W ar to Colonel Munroe.




'2e                        oDoe. No. 1.
zHAD QARTERS ININTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT)
Santa Fe, New Mexico, July 16, 1850SIR: The political affairs of New Mexico have assumed so grave a character that it has become my imperious duty to make the Executive of the
United States acquainted, through you, with the material fact that the
new State government, organized so far only as to take the preliminary
steps towards admission into the Union, has assumed to supersede the
actual government, and go at once into operation.
The ratification of the constitution and the election of an executive.and legislature by the people was held under the proclamation I issued,on the 28th day of May last, and there has been no official expression of
their dissent from that instrument, nor any authority given by them  to
the governor and legislature to act beyond its provisions.
Merely adverting to the unadjusted claim of Texas and the probability,of a territorial organization as causes of delay, I have, independent of
these questions of expediency, decided that my obligations are not to acknowledge the authority above assumed, but to await the determination
-of the Congress of the United States as to the legality of that authority,,or the orders of the Executive in relation to the course I am to pursue.'he purpose of the new State government being, by the appointment of
its officers and other acts, to supplant the present establishment with as
little delay as possible, you will perceive how important it is that instructions for my guidance be sent me without loss of time.
A reasonable delay on the part of the legislature, at a time when there
is every prospect that the people of New Mexico will soon have a government in accordance with their wishes, is a. policy which I have no doubt
the New Mexicans in that body would have adopted as best suited to their
interests, and as respectful to the government of the United States; but,opinions have been prepared for them here by those having no ties binding them to the Territory, except the possession and expectation of office,
and if. any serious consequences arise from the adoption of their advice,
will be found safely beyond its limits.
Those persons well understand the:unstable elements of the Mexican
character, the general ignorance of the people, their manifest dislike
(although latent) to Americans, and the strong sympathies a large number entertain for Mexican institutions and its government as opp6sed to,that of the United States; yet, with this knowledge, they have pursued a
~course, understandingly, from which sooner or later disagreeable consequences will undoubtedly arise.
As charges both general and specific have been made, and will be urged
at Washington, against those who have administered the affairs of this
Territory, an investigation into their conduct is due both to the people and
themselves.  If such an investigation should be ordered, I am satisfied it
will be shown that the persons and property of the inhabitants of New
Mexico have been protected to the full extent of the guarantee provided by.the treaty with Mexico.
A separate paper will enumerate the documents which accompany this
comlmunication.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN MUNROE,
Brevet Colonel U. S. A., comman2dit'ng.,
Major General R. JONES,
Adjutant General U,   S. Armny.




Doc. NTo.  9L3
3'eemorandum of the enclosed comzmuncaiionso
A.-Proclamation (printed) dated May 28, 1850.
B.-Communication by Colonel Munroe, civil and military governor of tihe
Territory of New Mexico, to Senate and House of Representatives of the State of New Mexico.
0.-Communication July 11, 1850-Colonel Munroe to Acting Governor
Manuel Alvarez.
D.-Communication July 12, 1850-Acting Governor Manuel Alvarez to
Colonel Munroe.
E. —Communication July 13, 1850-Acting Governor Manuel Alvarez to,
Colonel Munroe.
F.-Communication July 12, 1850-Colonel Munroe to Acting Governor
Manuel Alvarez.
G. —Commnnication July 12, 1850 —Acting Governor Manuel Alvarez to
Colonel Munroe.
H.-Unofficial list of acts passed by the legislature of the State of New
Mexico.
1.-Communication July 16, 1850, by Colonel Munroe to Adjutant General of the army, for the Executive of the United States, in relation
to the present state of affairs in New Mexico.
SANTA  FE, Juy 1.6, 1850.
A.
PROCLAMATION.
Whereas the people of New Mexico, by their delegates in convention.
assembled, did on the 25th day of May frame a constitution for the
Territory of New Mexico, and request the present civil and military governor of this Territory to issue a proclamation for elections, for the purpose
of submitting the same to the people, and for the purpose of electing such
officers as are provided to be so elected in said constitution:
Therefore 1, John Vl unroe, civil and military governor of the Territory
of New Mexico, do hereby direct that the qualified electors shall assemble
at the precincts of their respective counties on Thursday, the 20th day of
June next, between the rising and setting of the sun, to vote on a separate
ballotfor or against the constitution as framed by the convention, the same
to be deposited in a separate box; and on another separate ballot, to be
deposited in a separate box, for governor, lieutenant governor, representatives to Congress, and for senators and representatives to a State legislature,
to convene at the capitol on onday, the first day of July next. It being
provided and understood that the election of all officers in this election
can only be valid by the adoption of the constitution by the people, and
otherwise null and void; and that all action of the governor, lieutenant
govercnor, and of the legislature, shall remain inoperative until New
Mexico be admitted as a State under said constitution, except such acts as.
may be necessary for the primary steps of organization, and the presentation of said constiution pwopedry before the Congress of, the United States.




9oe, Doc.   lo,  1
rThe present governmeint shall remain in full force until, by the action
of Congress, another shall be substituted.
The election shall be conducted in manner and form as prescribed in.
the statute laws now in force in this Territory, except that the prefects are
hereby directedi forthwith upon the receipt of this proclamation, to divide
-their respective counties into convenient election precincts, and to appoint
thLee discreet persons in each precinct as judges of election, who shall
-appoint two clerlis of their respective precincts.
The prefects, with the assistance of the prefects' clerks, shall, within.six days after the election, count up all the votes in the returns of the
sereeral precincts of their counties, and shall immediately issue certificates
of election, under their hands, to the persons having the highest number,of votes for representatives to the State legislature.
They shall also make a fair abstract of the returns, from the several precincts of their respective counties, of all the votes for and against the con-,stitution, for governor, lieutenant governor, representatives to Congress, and,State senators, and despatch the same immediately, certified under their
hands, to the' secretary of the Territory, who shall issue certificates of
election' to the persons having the highest number of votes for members of
the State senate, and shall lay such returns before the two houses of the
legislature upon the first day of their session, and immediately upon
their being organized.
The number of representatives and senators for the respective counties
and districts for the State legislatuie, shall be the same as prescribed for
the Territorial legislature in the statute laws of this Territory now  in
force.
WVhen any county officer, whose duty it may be to sum  up or make
returns of votes or certificates of election, shall be a candidate for any office, the senior alcalde of such county shall be required to aid in counting
up said votes, and shall, in place of such officer, being a candidate, sign
all certificates of elections, as hereinbefore prescribed.
Givten under my hand at the governm.ent house, city of Santa Fe, this
28th day of May, A. D. 1850.
JOHN MUNROE,
Civil and Military Governor, Territory of New Mexico.
B.
GOVERNMENTr H0OUSE, TERRITORY OF NEW MEXICO,
Santa Fe, July 4, 185C.
To the    ae Senae and House of Representatives:
Having been informed, through a joint committee, that both houses are
organized, and ready to receive any communication  I may have  to
make to them, I would respectfully state that the proclamation addressed
to the people of New Mexico. under my signature, and dated the 28th day
of May last, in accordance with which elections were held for an executive and legislature, in view of the formation of a State government, em



Doc. No. 1.                          95
braces all that occurs to me at this time as appropriate for me to say in
connexion with the duties for which you have assembled.
The proclamation referred to is herewith enclosed.
I amn  with great respect,
JOHN MUNROE.
C.
HEADQUARTERS NINTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
Santa Fe, New Mexico, July 11, 1850.
SIR: I send you the within extract from a communication I received
on the 21st of May last from the War Department, as having a distant
bearing on yesterday's conversation held between us. I shall be happy
to subject the original to your perusal should you desire it.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. MUNROE,
Brevet Col. U. S. Army, 4-c.
Lieut. Gov. Senor MANUEL ALVAREZ.
NOTE. —The enclosure referred to above is an opinion delivered by the
Supreme Court of the United States, as communicated in a letter to me
from the Adjutant General, by order of the Secretary of War, and dated
March 8, 1850. The above letter is only important as being the beginning of a sequence.
J. M:
D.
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, July 12, 1850.
SIR: I acknowledge the reception of your note of yesterday, with enclosures, and will take an early occasion to answer the same.
In fulfilment of my voluntary promise to let you know of any important,steps taken by myself, I now inform you that I have proceeded to nominate those officers which the constitution provides shall be filled in that
manner.
Very respectfully,
MANUEL ALVAREZ.
Col. J. M. MUNROE,
Comm'r 9th Military Department.
E.
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, July 13, 1850.
Sri: In my note of yesterday I intimated that I would take an early occa-:sion to answer your communication of the 11th instant, in which you are
pleased to allude to a conversation, solicited by yourself through your adju



9B                            BDoc. No..l
tnt, which we held on the 10th, in whicht among other mattes, youl nti;
Bmated a disposition to disregard any acts of the legislature overstepping the
bounds of your proclamation of date of 28th Mlay, 1850, a determination
to sustain the authorities hitherto administering the functions of governmrent, and alluded to the course of the new government, in organizing its
departments and proceeding to exercise legislative power, as unwarranted
and revolutionary.
From the terms of your conversation I learned that you entertain the
idea that the people, in organizing a government, were bound to follow
your proclamationl literally, strictly, and that they can exercise no power
beyond its license.  In this construction of the people's right our opinions
are entirely different, since I hold the true ground to beIst. That the people had an undoubted right to hold a convention, form
a constitution, and organize a civil government, without either your ferst
or second proclamation, or without even consulting with you.
2d. That any private citizen, as well as the commandaant of the ninth'
military department, could have issued the proclamation, or could by
common consent have been designated for that purpose; and, if obeyed,
it Ywould have been just; as effectual and obligatory on the people and
yourself.
3d. That in the absence of any congressional legislation over us, we'
have as free and undoubted a right to reform and remodel our old system,
or to establish a new and different one, not violating the constitution of
the United States, as the people of Ne\v York or Virginia.
4th. That the civil power exercised by you under a military order from
General Scott can be no greater, nor more restrictive of the rights of the
people, than that exercised by the President of the United States.
5th. That the President of the United States cannot delegate a greater
power than he could himself exercise; and nothing is clearer than that
he, without the sanction of -Congress, has no power either to dictate a
government to us, or to prevent us from making such a one as we may
prefer.
6th, That it has never been pretended even by the President of the
United States that he had any authority to make a government for lus or
to insist that we should observe the one left to us on the termination of
the war.  President Polk in his message of December 5, 1848, holds this
emphatic language, in speaking of New Mexico and California:':Since
that time' (13th May,) the limited power possessed by the Executive has.
been exercised to preserve and protect them  from the inevitable consequences of a,state of anarchy.  The only government which remained
was that established by the military authority during the war.  Regarding this to be a defacto government, and that In the presunmed conssent of
the inhcabitants it might be contin'ued temporarily, they were advised to
coanform  and sub'mit to it for a short intervenin'g period before Congress
would again assemble and legislate on the subject."  And again, in his
previous message of 8th July, President Polk declares that "the war with
M:exico having terminated, the power of the Executive to establish or to
continue tem. porary civil governments over these territories, which existed
uanader the laws of nations wwhilst they were regarded as conquered provilnces, in our military occupatioa, has ceased."  Secretarv Crawford, i
iSs late' report, (November 30, 1849,) advances a similar view:  rThepectliar condition of the Territories ofa Ca.liforna and'New Mexico, n re



Doc. NOe.B                            97.spect to their internal governments and the absence of any clearly defined
authority by Congress for this object, has imposed delicate and difficult
duties on the army.  One of its assigned duties is to aid civil functionaeries, when required, in the preservation of public tranquillity; butit is believed that the civil authority, so far as it has its origin in political power,
in a great measure disappeared by the transfer of the sovereignty and
jurisdiction from Mexico to the United States. The military regulations
established for their government during the war were superseded by the
return of peace."  I refer you also to the instructions given to Lieutenant
Colonel McCall.  Not having these instructions, I can only refer you to
them.
All of these opinions, emanating from distinguished statesmen, are endorsed by the great politicians of the country. There is hardly any question of States' rights better settled than that the people have an inalienable right peaceably to assernble to take steps to reorganize or remodel the
government, and to establish such laws as are by them deemed most just
and salutary.  These extracts show1st. That the government hitherto existing in New Mexico is one
simply of consent-a consent presumed; and the people are advised to
submit temporarily to it.
2d. They show that the President disclaims any power to establish or
continue temporary civil governments.
3d. That the military regulations established for (our) government
were superseded by the return of peace.
If the positions above stated are true-and I am not aware that statesmen difer about them-it has always been competent for the people to
take the step they have recently taken; and that the commanding officer
of the ninth military department has exercised the functions of a civil governor, has arisen solely from  the consent of the people. That consent
is now withdrawn.  The people have amicably, and through the recommendation of yourself, proceeded to the full organization of a civil polity.
Until the national Congress shall undo it, or refuse to sanction it, by
the law of nations and the rights of States it will remain our only legitimate government.
Had the President power to make us a government, long ago he would
have so ordered. This power is reserved to Congress; and, until it acts,
the people must adopt such a government as to them may seem best.
The people of'California have pursued a similar course.  The governnent went into immediate operation; the officer commanding the troops
of the United States retired from the discharge of his civil functions: and
his conduct and the course of the people have met with general approbation in the United States.
If a State government is likely to be beneficial to the people of New
Mexico, why should they be delayed in its enjoyment?  Are they less
able to sustain it now than they would be in six months or a year?  And
what right has the military commandant of the ninth military department,
when the President himself has no such power, to say that such a government should be indefinitely withheld from the people?
If I understand the second proclamation issued by you, it contemplates the organization of the government, so far as may be necessary to
elect United States senators.  That is, it contemplates that at least the
executive and legislature should qualify and proceed in this election.
Part ii-7




:~~~98               IoDoe. No. 1,
The governor and legislature, by the very law that constituted them-the
popular voice-were, before entering upon the discharge of their duties,
required to take an oath to support the constitution of New Mexico.
Before an election could take place, it was necessary to pass a law on this
subject, and to provide the mode of authenticating the credentials of the
senators.  This the proclamation did not contemplate; yet it was necessary, and the signature of the vice governor, acting in the absence of the
governor elect, became necessary, to perfect the law. The signature of
the commanding officer of the ninth military department to the credentials of the senators would, to say the least of it, have been novel, and
exposed them to the commentary of asking for seats with an unusual and
unconstitutional evidence of an election.  Why were the formation of a
constitution and the election of an executive and a legislature necessary
to choose United States senators?  Simply because by the constitution of
the United States such officers must be chosen by the legislatures of the
States, and they are necessary to authenticate the credentials.  If, then, it
was competent for the legislature to make one law, is it not competent to
them  to make two, or as many as they may deem proper?  Was the vice
governor an officer constituted with full power yesterday to perfect the
law  "to regulate the election of United States senators,' and is he less
an officer to-day, or is his signature to another law adopted by the same
legislatureless efficacious, or absolutely null and void?  He cannot be an
officer with full authority one day, the next without such authority, and
on the third vested again with his official dignity and power: and if he
has been governor for one hour, he is so until his term expires, and, being so, there is no other; for the coexistence of two governors coeval in
the same State is impossible, and contrary to all law and experience.
I have failed to discover in the extract you were pleased to send
me any principle contradictory of the positions here laid down. The
propositions are stated generally, and are the law as commonly received.
The questions discussed are not the ones that at this time vitally affect
New Mexico.
It is certainly true, that, so long as we are not constituted a State, the
Congress has power to make all needful rules and regulations respecting
us.  But we are not a Territory until these needful rules are made. Congress has done nothing-has not declared us a Territory, nor extended.
over us the laws of the United States.  The doctrines asserted (although
inartificially stated) in the extract are sufficiently true, and, as general
propositions, will not be discussed; yet, applied to our present attitude,
they lose all applicability.
I have deemed it proper to say this much in reply to your communication of the 11th, and, while I assert an earnest desire to see the early prosperity of my adopted country, subscribe myself your most obedient
servant,
MANUEL ALVAREZ.
To Colonel J. MUNROE,
Commanding 9th Military Department,




Doe. No. 1.                            99
F.
HEADQUARTERS NINTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
Santa Fe, New Mexico, July 12, 1850.
SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date, addressed to me, as commander of the ninth military department, and informing me that, in fulfilment of your voluntary promise to let me know
of any important steps taken by yourself, you now  inform me that you
have proceeded to nominate those officers which the constitution requires
shall be filled in that manner.
Having, in my proclamation of the 28th of May last, calling an election
for an executive and legislature to consummate the proper arrangements for
the presentation of the State constitution to the Congress of the United
States, &c., stated "that all action by the governor, lieutenant governor,
and of the legislature, shall remain inoperative until New Mexico be admitted as a State under said constitution, except such acts as may be
necessary for the primary steps of organization, and the presentation of
said constitution properly before the Congress of the United States;"'The present government shall remain in full force until, by the ace
tion of Congress, another shall be substituted" —
Applying principles clearly in accordance with the constitution of the
United States, with the decisions of the Supreme Court, and the laws of
Congress, I had no right to suppose that the officers elected under its provisions would assume to themselves authority beyond the conditions on
which they were elected by the people, or that they would engage in any
acts to supersede the present government. But, soon after the meeting of
the legislature, I became convinced, from the expressed opinions of members, of other gentlemen occupying important positions, and from the
acts of both houses, that, in addition to its legitimate business, there was
an obvious intention of subverting the government by legislative action.
In a sincere hope that a purpose so repugnant to law and injurious to the
wellbeing of New Mexico might by conciliation on my part be averted,
I have done whatever lay in my power to avoid the possibility of opposition, either in feeling of in action, by the legislature, or the party by
which its majority was elected, against the constituted authorities and established government.
Reluctantly as I approach the subject, I now declare that the nomination of officers, and their confirmation, to assume the exercise of functions
which (by superseding the officers now in commission) will affect the laws
of this Territory as at present constituted, will be deemed and considered
as an act, on the part of all concerned, in direct violation of their duties as
citizens of the United States.
My official obligations imperatively require that the present government
be sustained until superseded by another legally constituted; and this duty
I will fulfil with all the means at my disposal.
I am, respectfully,
JOHN MUNROE,
Civil and Military Governor Territory of New Mexico.
MANUEL ALVAREZ,
Lieut. and Acting Governor.




100                         Doc. No. 1.
G,.
SANTA FE, July 12, 1850.
SIR: Your communication of to-day anticipated my reply to your
inote of the date of 11th July, 1850.  I regret to find that you have deemed
it necessary to interpose your authority, and the forces at your disposal,
to debar the people from the peaceful and full enjoyment of the government they. have lately adopted for themselves, and to the formation of
which you have lent the sanction of your name and position.
We now occupy the position of t-wo governments, each claiming to be
the true and legitimate one.  While you force the issue on the people,
and volunteer yourself and your military power in opposition to the will
of an admitted majority, the civil power recognised by the people, the
only and the true government, willt be respected by them, and will proceed peacefully, ahd with an earnest zeal to promote the common welfareto perfect and make- effective the State organization.
We believe ourselves to be in the right, and that the course which our
duty makes imperative upon us, to sustain the new organization should
be steadfastly pursued to the end.  We deprecate all collision; we have
thus far proceeded peacefully, and shall endeavor to continue so; we have
provoked no quarrel with the military; we anxiously avoided it; we
should have been rejoiced to see the military engaged in their legitimate
pursuit, hunting and chastising the foes of the State, while the people,
through their legislature, reformed the abuses that have crept il anld for
a long time discredited our government.  We regret this interference the
more, as we see no occasion for it, and as it has a tendency to embarrass
the people, and to superinduce a collision between the people on the one
part and the military, backed by a decayed government, on the other.
The work of reform, at least so far as a change in the persoznnel of the
government is concerned, has already been effected, quietly and satisfactorily, unless you shall assume the responsibility of counteracting the
popular will, and of attempting to nullify the clearly expressed wishes of
nearly the whole people of New Mexico.
Be assured that no collision will succeed, nor any embarrassment
intercept the quiet action of the legislature and the people, unless it'be
provoked and brought about by military interference. The people are
peacefully disposed, fully aware of the pacific remedy that exists for the
governmental grievances they have long endured, and will not readily
consent to surrender their dearest rights and the hope, long deferred, of
ameliorating their social and political condition.
I repeat, that the issue you have been pleased to urge on the people is
not of their seeking; that with deep sincerity'they deplore it; but they
cannot agree to surrender rights and principles dear to all freemen.
With-an annxious hope that a dispassionate reflection may bring to your
mind a change of policy, and with a frank confession that I see nothing
to alter my resolution indicated to you in my late letter,   I subscribe
myself your most obedient servant;
MANUEL ALVAREZ.
To Colonel JOHN MUNROE,
Commandin  Ningth Military Deparitent.




Doc. No. 1.                           101
Acts passed by the legislature of the State of New, Meaxico, (unofficial.memoranda; no fficial iainformation obtained,) session of July, 1850.
1. To procure a State seal.
2. To erect the county of Socorro.
3. To take census in 1852.
4. To regulate elections.  (The election of alcaldes, sheriffs, &c., to
take place on second Monday of August.)
5. To regulate elections of United States senators.
6. Memorial to Congress.
7. Joint resolutions in regard to Governor Munroe's letter to Lieutenant
Governor Alvarez, and recommending that the State government be
carried immediately into effect.
United States senators were elected, one of whom received his credentials.
Nominated secretary of State, four judges, auditor, and treasurer; confirmed by the two houses.
HEADQUARTERS NINTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
Santa Fe, New Mexico, July 31, 1850.
SIR: I transmit you herewith a proclamation, dated the 20th instant,
by Manuel Alvarez, lieutenant governer elect of the State of New Mexico,
and an extract of the laws regulating elections, which he had transmitted
to the prefects of the several counties of the Territory of New Mexico;
A circular, dated the 23d instant, which I addressed to the prefects and
other public officers of the territorial government, to disregard those as
illegal;
A joint communication of Colonel Calhoun, Indianagent, and myself,
to the caciques, governors, and other officers of the pueblos of New Mexico, dated the 25th of June.
Whatever Congress determines on the subject of a government for New
Mexico, it is important it should be known here as soon as possible; and
if there should be a failure to give one, what should be the course of the
civil and military governor?
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN MUNROE,
Brevet Colonel United States army, commanding.
Brevet Major General R. JONES,
Adjutant General United States Army, Washington.
To the caciques, gobernadorcillas, and other authorities of the Indian
pueblos of the Territory of New Mexico:
We have learned that malicious representations have been made to you;
and, in order that you may not be deceived by them, nor ir doubt, we
have thought it best to say that you are neither abandoned&nor lost.  We
say to you that yourselves, as well as your people, are in the sanme position




l~2                       BDoc. N,. 1.
and security which you occupied before the election; and the same protection of your persons, and the right or possession of your houses, lands,
or any other and all property, will be continuel as before; and that, until
other laws shall be legally made, or until the President of the United
States shall direct to the contrary, the internal affairs of your villages shall
be regulated by your own laws and customs, and by the same authorities
that each village may have elected as its gobernadorcillas and like officers;
and, as always hitherto, we present you our congratulations.
JOHN MUNROE,
Civil and Military Governor of New Mexico.
JAMES S. CALHOUN,
Indian Agent.
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, June 25, 1850.
To I, prefect of the county of              -:
SIR: Whereas two documents, signed Manuel Alvarez, vice governor of
the State of New Mexico, addressed to the prefect of the county of Santa
Fe-one purporting to be a proclamation for holding elections, and the
other an extract from a law passed at the late session of the legislature of
the State of New Mexico, directing the time and manner of holding certain elections-have been remitted to me by said prefect, and as it is presumed that similar documents have been addressed to the prefects of the
several counties of the Territory, you are hereby instructed that the State
government of New Mexico has no legal existence until New Mexico
shall be admitted into the Union as a State by the Congress of the United.
States; and that, until otherwise determined by competent authority, the
present government continues and will be sustained as the actual government of the Territory of New Mexico.
You will therefore disregard proclamations, mandates, or other acts
issued by Manuel Alvarez, vice governor, or any other officer under said
State government, and hold the same as null and of no effect; and any
communications made you from the above.named sources you are hereby
directed to remit forthwith to the secretary of the Territory.
By order of John Munroe, military and civil governor of the Territory
of New Mexico.
Given under my hand, at the office of the Secretary of the Territory,
this 23d day of July, A. D. 1850.
DONACIANO VIGIL,
Secretary of the Territory.
PROCLAMATION.
As, by virtue of an act of the legislature of New Mexico approved the
12th day of July, 1850, it becomes the duty of the governor of said State
to issue his proclamation ordering the election of certain officers:
Know, therefore, all men by these presents, that I, Manuel Alvarez,
vice governor, acting as governor for the present, order and require that
an election shall be held on the second of August next, in the different




Doc. No. 1.                             10
-precincts of the different counties of this State, for the following officers,
~to wit:
For each county, one first alcalde, one alguazil, one coroner; and for the
county of Taos, six alcaldes and six assistant alguazils; for Rio Arriba, six
-alcaldes and six assistant alguazils; for Santa Fe, six alcaldes and six
assistant alguazils; for San Miguel, four alcaldes and four assistant alguazils; for Santa Ana, three alcaldes and three assistant alguazils; for Bernalillo, five alcaldes and five assistant alguazils; for Valencia, four alcaldes
and four assistant alguazils; for Socorro, five alcaldes and five assistant
alguazils.
By an act of the aforesaid legislature approved the 5th day of July,
1850, the county heretofore known as the county of Valencia was divided
"into two counties, to wit: Valencia and Socorro, by a line drawn from
-east to west above the last houses of Sabinal; and the part lying south of:it, named the county of Socorro, will proceed to the election of officers as.above ordered.
Given under my hand and private seal, (for want of the great seal of
rL.   ]  State,) in the city of Santa Fe, this twentieth day of July,
eighteen hundred and fifty.
MANUEL ALVAREZ.
Attest:'LEWIS D. KURTZ, Secretary of State.
Extract of a law rZegulating elections.
Be it enacted by the legislature of the State of New Me.xico as follow.s:
SECTION 1. On the second Monday in August, 1854, and every four
years thereafter, there shall be an election held in each county in this State
for the election of governor and lieutenant governor.
SEC. 2. On the second Monday of August, 1852, and every two years
thereafter, there shall be elections held as afbresaid for the election of
representatives and senators to the State legislature, and a representative
to the Congress of the United States.
SEc. 3. That, on the second Monday of August, 1852, and every two
years thereafter, there shall be elections held as aforesaid for the election
of first alcaldes, sheriffs, and coroners.
SEC. 4. That, on the second Monday of August, 1850, and every
year thereafter, there shall be elections held in the several townships for
the election of constables and alcaldes, and there shall be as many constables elected as alcaldes.
SEC. 5. It is hereby made the duty of the prefects, and after the first
election it shall be the duty of the first alcalde of each county, to divide
the same into convenient townships, giving a name to each township, for
the election of alcaldes and constables.
SEC. 6. The jurisdiction of the alcaldes shall be coextensive with the
county.
SEC. 7. The prefects for the first elections, and the first alcaldes afterwards, shall, twenty days before the election, designate some house in




104                          Doe. No. 1,
each township where the elections shall be held, and name three discreet
persons to hold the same.
SEC. S. If the prefects or alcaldes fail to designate the townships, to
designate the house or appoint judges, or those appointed fail to act, it
shall be the duty of the circuit judge to designate such townships, to fix:
the place of holding the electidn; and the people, when assembled, may
appoint the judges of election.
SEC. 9. It is made the duty of the prefects under the provisions of the
fifth and seventh sections, at least five days before the first election, to
put up or cause to be put in public places in each township, at least six
days, bills giving notice of the limits of the township, the place of election,
and the officers to be voted for.
SEC. 10. Two.poll-books for each township shall be made out by the:
prefects, and by the first alcaldes after the first election, and furnished to
the judges of elections, at least six days before the election, and shall be
sufficient if they contain substantially the following particulars:
Poll-book of election held August -, 18-, in the township of
and county of, for the election of:
No.                           Name of Voter.
We, the undersigned, judges and clerks of the elections held August
—, 18, in the township of          -, county of         -, certify that.
upon counting the votes polled for the respective candidates at said election, the result was as follows:
A B receives         votes for the office of 
E,)
AX,                                                    F
Secretaries.
SEC. 11. When the governor issues writs of election to fill any vacancy, he shall mention in said writ how many days the sheriff shall
give notice thereof.
SEC. 12. The judges, before they enter on their duties, shall take the
following oath:  "1, -      -, do swear that I will impartially discharge
the duty of judge of the present election according to law and the best
of my abilities: so help me God.'"
SEc. 13. The judges shall appoint two clerks, who, before entering on
the duties of their appointment, shall take an oath, to be administered by
one of the judges, "that they will faithfully record the names of all the
voters, and impartially fulfil the duties of clerks of the election."
SEC. 14. Elections shall be kept open from  nine o'clock in the forenoon until six in the afternoon, and shall not be adjourned meantime;
and, after closing the polls, the votes shall be publicly counted by. the
judges, and tallies be kept by the clerks, and the tickets preserved and
sent to the prefects or alcaldes along with the poll-books.
SEC. 16. One of the poll-books, certified as provided fbr in the 10tla




Doc. No. 1,                            105
section, shall be transnirtted, within three days after the election, to the
prefect or alcalde.  The other poll-book shall be retained in the possession of the judges, open to the inspection of all persons.
SEC. 18. The prefect or first alcalde shall have no power to revise or
correct returns, or to judge of the legality of the votes given, except as
hereinafter provided.
SEC. 30. If any judge or clerk shall fail to perform  any of the duties
required in the law, or shall misbehave in their performance, or shall conduct himself unfairly, corruptly, or in violation of the provisions of this
act, he shall pay a fine of five hundred dollars, or be imprisoned in the
jail six months.
SEC. 31. If any prefect or first alcalde shall fail or refuse to perform the
duties herein required; shall fail to prepare and send poll-books; shall give
false or fraudulent certificates; shall presume to reject returns when they
possess legal sufficiency; shall substitute spurious for true returns; shall
fail to count up the votes, and give certificates, and make returns, as this
act requires, or shall in anywise impede the obtaining of a full and fair
popular vote, or be guilty of any fraud, wrong, or corruption, or bad faith
in the fulfilment of his duties, —he shall pay a fine of five hundred dollars,
and suffer six months' imprisonnlent in the common jail, shall lose his
office, and be forever disqualified from holding any place of trust, honor,
or profit in the State.
HEADQUARTERS NINTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
Santa Fe, New Mlexico, August 26, 1850.
SIR: I transmit you herewith, for the Secretary of War, the following
enumerated papers appertaining to the civil government of New Mexico:
Resolutions of the legislature of the State of New Mexico, dated 15th
July, 1850.
Proclamation of Vice Governor Alvarez to the people of New Mexico,
dated the 8th August, 1850.
Circular of Colonel John Munroe, civil and military governor of Territory of New Mexico, to prefects of counties, dated 9th August, 1850.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN MUNROE,
Brevet Colonel United States Army.
Major General R. JONES,
Adjutant General United States Army.
Whereas a letter signed by John Munroe, styling himself civil and.
military governor of New  Mexico, and directed to Lieutenant Governor
Manuel Alvarez, has just been communicated to the legislature, in which
said Munroe expresses a determination to maintain the civil authorities
hitherto administering the government in New Mexico, and also threatening to use all the forces at his disposal to resist the effective operation of
the State government now in complete organization, with an evident intention to overawe the people, the legislature, and the different depart



106                        Soc, No.  1l
mrents of the government, and to annul, by means of military power; the
peaceable desires of the people; and whereas seven-eighths of the entire
population of New Mexico are clearly in favor of putting in immediate
operation the civil State government lately adopted by them by an unheard-of unanimity, and to be relieved from the sinking, infective, and abhorrent system which they have peacefully respected for nearly four years:
Resolved, 1. That it is the indisputable right of the people, in the absence of all congressional legislation on the subject, to organize a civil
government and put it in immediate operation.
2. That the right of exercising any civil function by the commander
of the ninth military department (if it ever existed) was superseded by
the organization of the State government.
3. That we heartily approve the communications despatched by Vice
Governor Alvarez to Colonel Munroe, dated in July, 1850.
4. That we heartily approve the intention of Governor Alvarez to establish and maintain in operation the government just organized.
5. That the people have a clear and sacred right to take any step to put
in operation the State government, and that this right was superior to, and
entirely independent of, the military government hitherto existing in this
Territory.
6. That Colonel J. Munroe has no legal or other right to restrict the
peaceful action of the people in organizing a government; nor had he
authority, either in law or from the general government, to subject the
action of the late convention to any conditions or limitations whatever.
7. That said commander has assumed a power not delegated to the
President of the United States, and directly in opposition to the expressed
principles of President Taylor in his reply to the investigations made by
the Congress of the United States.
8. That the Secretary of State be required to furnish copies of the above
preamble and resolutions to Colonel J. Munroe, Governor Alvarez, and to
the senators and representatives to Congress.
W. Z. ANGNEY,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
JOSEPH  NAUGLE,
President of the Senate.
JULY 15, 1850.
A true copy.
LEWIS D. SHUTZ, Secretary of State.
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE,
Santa Fe, July 17, 1850.
SIR: I enclose you a copy of some resolutions passed by the legislature
of this State on the 15th instant, by reference to which you will see that
it is made my duty to do so.
Yours, respectfully,
LEWIS D. SHUTZ.
Colonel J. MUNROE,
Commanding 9th Military Department.




D)oc. No. 1,                        107
PROCLAMATION.
7To the people of the State of New Mexico.
Be it known, that, by virtue of a joint resolution of the Senate and
House of Representatives of said State approved July 15, 1850, no officer
elected, or hereafter to be elected, or holding any office by appointment
under said State, will attempt to or exercise any jurisdiction under or by
the authority of said State until after the first day of November, A. D.
1850, or until after they are duly commissioned to act as such.
Given under my hand and private seal, (there being no great seal of
Estate,) at the governor's house in the city of Santa Fe, this 8th day of
August, 1850.
MANUEL ALVAREZ, [L. s.]
Acting Governor of the State of New Mexico.
To the prefect of the county of   ~:
SIR: In your official character of prefect, you will oppose no obstructions to the holding of elections on the 12th of the current month under
the State constitution, nor will you take any part in them.
You will not, however, recognise those elections as giving the persons
chosen any right to assume the duties of the offices to which they may
be elected until the competent authority has so decided by giving the
act the validity of its sanction.
Given at Santa Fe, Territory of New Mexico, this ninth day of August, 1850.
By order of Colonel John Munroe, civil and military governor:
DONACIANO VIGIL,
Secretary of the Territory.
WAR DEPARTMENTT,
TWashington, September 10, 1850.
SIR: Your letter addressed to the Adjutant General, dated Santa Fe,
New  Mexico, July 16, 1850, having reached this department, and,
together with the documents accompanying the same, been submitted to
the President, I am directed to make the following reply.
The President' has learned with regret that any misunderstanding
should exist between a portion of the people of New Mexico and yourself in relation to the government of that country, and hastens to relieve
you from the embarrassment in which that misunderstanding has placed
you.
I have now the pleasure to inform you that Congress has at length
passed a law providing for the establishment of a territorial government
in New Mexico. The President will proceed with the least possible delay to organize the government; and, as soon as it goes into operation,
all controversy as to what is the proper government of New Mexico must
be at an endd, and the anomalous state of things which now exists there




108                         Doc. No. 1.
will be determined.  You will perceive, however, that the same act (a
duly authenticated copy of which accompanies this communication) also
fixes the boundary between New Mexico and Texas, and that its operation is suspended until the assent of Texas shall have been given to the
boundary established by the act.
Although there is little doubt that such assent will be given, yet, as
some time must elapse before it can be obtained, it-is proper that some
instructions should be furnished for your guidance in the interval.
It is at all times desirable that the civil and military departments of the
government should be kept entirely distinct.  Although circumstances
may occasionally arise which require a temporary departure from  this
principle, that departure should cease with the necessity which occasioned it.  No necessity seems to exist at present for departing from it in
regard to New Mexico.  The country is represented to be tranquil; and,
although the inhabitants have undertaken to establish a government for
themselves without the authority of a previous act of Congress, nevertheless there is no reason to believe that in so doing they intended to
throw off their allegiance to the United States; and, as the government
they seek to establish is entirely consistent with the lawful authority and
dominion of the United States in and over the Territory and its inhabitants, the President does not consider himself called upon to suppress it
by military force.  Unless, therefore, it should become necessary to suppress rebellion, or resist actual hostilities against the United States, (an
event hardly to be apprehended,) or unless the inhabitants, or a portion
of them, should demand from you that protection which is guarantied to
them by the 9th article of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, you are diTected to abstain from  all further interference in the civil or political
affairs of that country.
In case you should have any further communications to make to this
department in relation to the civil and political affairs of New  Mexico,
you will address them directly to the head of this department.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C, M. CONRAD,
Secretary of War.
Brevet Golonel J. MUNROE,
Fort Marcy, Santa Fe, Now lMexico.
IV.-List of papers on the subject of expenses in the western departments.
Statement of the current expenses of the army in the four military departments of Oregon, California, New Mexico, and Texas, as compared
wvith the expenses in the other seven departments; the force in the
former comprising an aggregate of 7,796, and in the latter of 4,530,
officers and men.
AMounted force-where stationed.
Comparative cost of fuel and forage in the eastern and western military
departments.
Letter from General Persifor F. Smith, commanding Pacific division, on
the subject of expenses in California.




Doc. No. 1.                                 109
Letter from  Colonel Munroe, October 1) 1850, enclosing letter from Major
Van Horne, September 19, 1850, relative to the losses of subsistence
stores in course of transportation, &c.
Statement of the current expenses of the army in t'hefour military departments of Oregon, California, New Mexico, and  Texas, as compared
with the expenses in the other seven departments; the force in the former
comprising an aggregate of 7,796, and the latter of 4,530; officers and
men.
In the                   In the four new de- In the sdven old' departments.        partments. 
Pay departmean..
Pay of the army officers' subsistence -  $1,595,035 76   $1,320, 709 24
Commissary department.
-Subsistence in kind   -         -              916, 697 50         218,087 50
Quartermaster's department.
Clothing, transportation, quarters fuel,
forage, purchase of horses, &c.    -  4,225,752 00               530, 247 00
Medical department.
Medical and surgical stores and supplies, hire of private physicians, &c.         46, 776 00          14, 722 00
Ordnance department.
Arms, ammunition, &c.            -              660, 00 00          329, 815 00
7,444,261 26   *2,413,580 74
In this sum.are included'the expenses of the greater part of the general staff, who, though
stationed in the eastern departments, are in the performance of duties appertaining equally to
the army in the western departments.




110                       Doc. No. 1.
1M1ounted force-where stationed.
Fort Snelling, Minnesota Territory, 1 company 1st dragoons.
Fort Laramie, Oregon route, 2 companies mounted rifles.
Fort Leavenworth, Missouri frontier, 1 company 1st dragoons.
Fort Inge, Leona river, Texas, I company 2d dragoons.
Fort Lincoln, Rio Seco, Texas, I company 2d dragoons.
Fort Martin Scott, Fredericksburg, Texas, 1 company 2d dragoons.
Fort Croghan, Hamilton creek, Texas, 1 company 2d dragoons.
Fort Graham, Jose Maria village, Texas, 1 company 2d dragoons.
Fort Worth, Trinity river, Texas, 1 company 2d dragoons.
Las Vegas, New Mexico, I company 2d dragoons.
Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2 companies 1st dragoons.
Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1 company 2d dragoons.
Dona Ana, New Mexico, 1 company 1st dragoons.
Socorro, New Mexico, 1 company 2d dragoons.
Rayado, New Mexico, 2 companies 1st dragoons.
Abiquin, New Mexico, 1 company 2d dragoons.
Sonoma, California, I company 1st dragoons.
San Luis Rey, California, 2 companies 1st dragoons.
Columbia barracks, Fort Vancouver, Oregon, 6 companies mounted
rifles.
Dalles of the Columbia, Oregon, 2 companies mounted rifles.
Conparative cost of fuel and forage in the eastern and western military
departments.
Average cost of fuel per cordIn department No  1 to 7, inclusive    -      -            $3 25
No. 8, Texas                        "          2 84
No. 9, New Mexico         -      -             7 64
No. 10, California        -                   23 55
No. 11, Oregon           -      -             10 00
Average cost of forage for 1 horse I monthIn department No. 1, New England                            7 59
No. 2, Michigan and Northwest       -          7 09
No. 3, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland     -             -             775
No. 4, Virginia, and to southern part of
Florida...     12 66
No. 5, Western Florida and Louisiana    -    12 69
No. 6, Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota,4 90
Fort Kearny               -    27 72
Laramie           -                   34 24
No. 7, Arkansas and Indian country             5 83
No. 8, Texas       -.            10 30
No. 9, New Mexico         -.    19 82
No, 10, California               -            20 84
No. 11, Oregon                               27 69




Doc. No. 1.                           I11
HEADQUARTERS THIRDD1iv sION,
Sonoma, May 25, 1820.
SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 8th of April, in reply to my letters of the 12th and 2Sth of January last, referred by the commanding general of the army to your department.
I am sorry to learn that steam vessels cannot be furnished to the quartermaster's department here, for it is chiefly on the score of economy that
I think them desirable.  The delays incident to sailing vessels multiply
more than thirty-fold their expenses, besides rendering all operations uncertain. I shall, however, take pleasure in carrying out your directions in
relation to the prudent expenditure of money. At the same time, permit me
to impress on all the authorities at Washington a fact hard indeed to realize, that everything, from the price of a broom to the building of a ship,
costs at least ten times what it does in the Atlantic States.  This is a
moderate computation-not a careless or extravagant assertion; and nothing can be done here at a less ratio. The difference of the common
laborer's wages and the pay of a soldier renders it impossible to employ
the latter as a laborer; he infallibly deserts: and, indeed, the actual strength
of the command here is already so much reduced by desertion that there
does not remain at any post (a large detachment being in the field) enough
for the ordinary garrison duty.
I may take the liberty of mentioning that, in a communication to the
headquarters of the army, I have recommended that, instead of sending recruits here, soldiers having but two years to serve, and selected for good conduct, should be sent. Enough, no doubt, would annually volunteer; and,
having but a short time to serve, and confirmed habits of discipline, some
hope may be entertained of keeping them.
The state of things here, so embarrassing, is not temporary; it is firmly
establishing itself as permanent, and must be met sooner or later.  If
measures for that purpose are postponed too long, under the notion that it
will pass away, things will be beyond remedy. In saying that the ratio of
expense here is ten times what it is in the eastern section, I do not confine the assertion to military affairs: land surveys, Indian affairs, lighthouses, and everything else, are included; and this must be considered in
all appropriations that are asked, or they will be insufficient. I have desired
General Riley to communicate, for the information of the department, the
course pursued in relation to the New  York volunteers and government reserves. It may be remembered that I remonstrated against the
independent communication existing for a long time between the commander of the department and the adjutant general of the army. This has
been corrected, by your directions; but, while it existed, its effect was to
take the direction of many affairs out of my hands, and leave me in ignorance of them until long after action on them, when I received my information only by copies of communications made direct to headquarters,
and which reached me in many instances some months after their date.
In relation to all matters that came under my control, full reports have been
punctually made, explaining the reasons and principles of action.
As the mails arrive at the end of the month, and depart the first of the
succeeding one, some time must elapse before the information can b; transmitted.
The production of gold is steadily increasing, and will exceed the esti



1 12                        Doc. No. 1.
nate of my report of last fall.  Population is flowing in from all quarters'
and the country steadily and rapidly advancing in prosperity; but courts
of the United States for the trial of offences against their laws and:
causes, and for the protection of strangers from extortions and -- under
~-  of the State laws, are needed beyond all expression.
With the highest respect, your obedient servant,
PERSIFOR  F. SMAITH,
Brevet Malejor General, commanding  Division.
Hon. Gio. W. CRAWFOnRD
Secretary of TWar.
HEADQLUARTERS NINTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT2
anta'e, New'Me.zxico, October 1, 1850.
SIR: Enclosed I transmit you the copy of a letter, dated the 19th ultimo,
which I have received from  Brevet Major Van Horme, commanding at
El Paso, as there are portions of it which contain information in relation
to supplies, &c., proper to be known at headquarters.
I am, respectfully, your very obedient servant,
JOHN MUNROE,
Major Second Artillery, Brevet Colonel, commanding.
Brevet Lieut. Col. FREEMAN,
Assistant Adjutant General, army headquarters.
HEADOUARTERS BATTALION THIRD INFANTRY,
Paso del Norte, Nelw Mlexico, September 19,1850.
SIR: Simon Manuel, Simon Porode, another chief, and eight other
Apache Indians of the Muscalaros band, living between the Sacramento
mountains and Presidio del Norte, came into this post and San Elizario
a few days since, instructed, they say, by their people, to ascertain
whether they would be kindly received; and that, if they were assured
that their people would be received in a kind and friendly manner,
they would return to their tribe and bring them in about ten days or
more from this time.  They were received with kindness, and some
presents made them, both at this post and at San Elizario, and appeared
to go away well satisfied, saying they expected their people would be inl
in considerable numbers, about the time specified, to make a treaty.
They also visited the town of El Paso, over the river, and were very
kindly received there.  I presume it is the wish of thegovernment to
cultivate friendly relations with themi; and, to do this effectually, I should
be authorized to issue provisions inlimited quanitties, and to make small
presents to the influential men among them.
A part of the train of supplies have arrived; the remainder will all be
here within a week, probably.  The teamsters, &c., in Coon's part of
the train, (about 1;20 in number, and well armed,) -are represented to me
by Mr. Coon and his'agent, Smiith, as a lailess and desperate set of
men, over whom they could exercise no contrdol and that theyhave lost
250 of Coon's oxen, and wasted and- lost much of his property.   e has
declared he will not pay more than a third of them. They drove off
Smith, and tried to: shoot the issuing agent.  There are so e apprehensions that they may seize upon the train and supplies.  This I think not




D      fToc. No  1. 
very likely.   Coonis has promised to have them  disarmed before they.reach here.  I have no doubt these men will occasion much disorder and;annoyance here.  Major Sprague informs me that the immense horde of
teamsters, &c., (about 320,) attached to this train, are, by the contract,
subsisted from the government stores which they brought up, and until
their return to San Antonio; and that, together with the supplies destroyed, lost, and unfit for issue, only about one-half the subsistence will
remain for the troops here.  The clothing and other property is also
damaged, the tierces, &c., being broken open.  Major Sprague calculates that by this mode of transportation, the ration will cost the United.
States here at least $1 50. The provisions are badly and inconveniently
put up, and many of the packages broken.
A Mr. French is also arrived here, with a letter from V. E. Howard,
M, C.; to me; with a train of carriages and some 300 passengers for California and employers.  An express is just in from  Washington city.
The house of Howland & Aspinwall, upon whose authority he has been
Iavishing immense sums to carry 120 emigrants from'New York to California, and subsist them on the way, for $250 each! have dishonored his
drafts, and a sheriff is now here to seize him, and all his property, carria.ges; &c.   They say the letter of credit which French exhibits, purporting to be from them, is a forgery.   Lockwood, Divine, and others at
San Antonio, furnished his outfit chiefly, and it is believed the government officers at San Antonio and elsewhere may suffer losses. Most of
these 300 men are also wholly destitute; and with the others, there is
likHely to be some 500 men wholly destitute of means, and those first
mentioned, of the most lawless character, thrown out of employment at'thi.s place, whlere there is at all times a horde of loafers and desperadoes.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. VAN HORNE,
Brevet Major'ird Infantry, Comnmading 
Lieutenant L. MlIcLAws.
A. A. A. Gc. G  Ninth MilittarY  Dep't, 8lanta Fe, N. M.
A true copy:
L. MeLAWS,
Fairst ifantry, A. A. A. G(neral
Part i-8




14                            BDoc. No. I
lo. 2.
REPORT OF THE GENERAL-IN —CHIEF.
HEADEQUAR'TERS OF TYIE ARilt', 
WashingtonV November 30, 1850.
SiR: IThe organization, actual numbers on the roll, and distribution of'
the army, will be shown by the returns from  the Adjutant General'
office, appended to this report, viz:
1. Organization of the army of the United States, as established by
law, marked A.
2. General returns of the army-B.
3. Position and distribution of the troops in the eastern division —C.
4. Position and distribution of the troops in the western division —D.
5. Position and distribution of the troops in the third or Pacific division-E; and
6. Exhibit of the numlber of recruits enlisted fr.om October 1,  84i-9 to.
September 30, 1850, (F,) with the AdjutanL General's report thereon.
In my last annual report to the War Departmenlt, dated! Novermber 3,.
1849, I represented the urgent necessity of an increase of the military
establishment, created mainly by the large accession of territory acquired;
by the late treaty of peace with Miexico, and tihe express stipulaiilon, on
our part, to protect that replblic from the Indian tribes withint our liinits.
Congress, by the act of June 17, 1850, recognised this necessity; h:ut the'
additional firce authorized was inadequate both in numbers and'description.  The act empowered the President, vwhenever in his opinioin anyexigency recuired it, to increase to seventy-ifur the number of privates in
companies serving on the wsestern frontier and at remote stations, and tomount such portions of the foot cotmpanies so employed, as he nmightl
deem necessary.
The great extent of our frontliers, and the peclCiiar character of the service devolving on the troops, render it indispensatble that the caval2y ele --
ment should enter largely into the comnposition of the armty.  Two additional regiments of horse (dragoons or mounted riflemen) ar  deemaed'
absolutely necessary.  The service is suffering greatly in':xs -.e
Mexico,  and on the Pacific, owing t  t the insufficiency of the force now.
authorized by law.  For the want of regular cavalry, the comnmanding
general in Texas has been compelled to call out, at  e gat expense, a considerable body of volunteer horse.  The commander iln Plew' M1exicot has
also made' repeated and pressing applicatieons ior cavaltry    but not a
company could be spared friom other quarters to reinforce him.  No other
description of troops will answer for the protection of our immense lines
of enigration and frontier settlements through- and bo:rdering on Indian.,
tribes.  Mlioun.ted ifantry, as a substitute, is wholly inadequate; and the:;
experinment of employing t)ot regiments in this way can only result in.
disorganizing them as infantry, and converting thetm  into extremely indifferent horsemen.  Belsides from their inexperience and the temporary
character of their new duties, the wear and tear of horses and equipmen-  ts
il ritie -hands of infantry would be enonrous-probably three-fo id greater'
thatn with  regul ar e valhy (dragoons or mounted rifiemen)-tlhus making
thlis non-descript force the most expensive and the least efficient ever'
kinownS to our service




Doc. No. 1,                               11
I beg, thereefore, to recommend, fbr the reasons given in my former
report, that three regiments be added to the establishmnent-two of light
dragoons or mounted riflemen, and one of infantry; that two companies
be added to the present forty-eight companies of artillery, and that the
fifty be organized into five regiments of artillery-one, with its field and
staff officers, for the Pacific coa-st; and that the President be authorized,
according to the exigencies of the service, to cause to be extended, by
regular enlistments, the number of privates in every company, old and.
ne'w, throughout the army, firom  forty-two, fifty, and sixty-four, respectively, to any number not ex. ceeding seventy-four privates per company.
Another year's experience has eon.rnmed me in the opinion that t is
only by such augmentations thle arm3y can be enabled to preserve our
greater fortifications along the British, the Atlantic, and Gul' of Mexico
frontiors' to guard tlhe' irmmense   line of emigration across the Pocky
mountains, and defend our numerous settlerenets bordering on as many
ill-affeeted Indian tribes.
in the same report, Novern ber 3, 1849, (E-,xecutive Document No. 5,
pages 9-10)3) I presented the equitable claims of the decayed or worn out
soldiers, regulars.and volunteers,  discharged or vwho may be discharged,
to an asyltun,  a.and showed that one mnight be establisihed out of funds
already lodged in the treasury by the army, and by other means, without
origiral or qsubsequent charge upon  the country.  I again beg leave to
conmme-nd this mlostintteresting subject to to   e kind attention of the higher
authoritiesO
A  bill providing for a retired list of disabled and worn  out officers
passed. the Senate at the last session, and will, I hope, soon be taken up
by the House and.made a law. 
The third secation of thhe act of Ju le  1T, i850, designe  to encourage
enlistments in the vicinity of rermote frontier posts by giving as a bounty
to eachk recruit the expense of subsisting and transporting  one from  the
principal depot in the east to such post, has proved a failure, and ought
to be repealed.  The inducement it presents is.not sufficient to accomplish its object.  Indeed, the  imain if: not the sole reliance for filling the
ranks of the aremy is by recruriting in the old States.
The act making appropriations for the support of the arny, approved
September 2S, 1850, section 1, doubles the pay proper of enlisted men
servinlg in Oregon and California.  This is a just provision, and ought
to be e:tecnded to New   ie.xico, whetre, it is believed, the expenses of living
are nearly as great as on the Pacifice and the service more arduous.  The
act limits the payment of this additional compensation to iare/ich, 1852, but it
will no doubt be:ound necessary to prolong the time.  It is also directed
that the gratuity be not paid to the soldier till the end of his enlist'muenrt,
This will cert:ainly serve as a check to desertion, but it is apprehended it
may also prevent re-enlistments.  A soldier receiving so large an. amnount
of back pay at his discihage, vwould riot be likely to re-enter for a second.
term.  Perhaps baoth objects, the prevenltion of d.esertion and encouraoging;
enlistments, might be secured by retaiLing, till thie expiration of service
onze-ha, f instead of the whole of the additional pay granted by the act 1rnferred to, and is        t is          t t aee m el  r  lt   l modiied  accr'eo'di,
I have the honor to remains, sir with higl  respect; your rosl obeiiei
servant,
WE INFIELDI SCOTT.
HIon O,  c i C zIL  CONxAD  Sretanry of War.




Doc. No. I.
IF.
ADJUTA ANT GENERALS OFFICE 
W'ashington, November 29, 1850.
GENERAL: I respectfully lay before you the following statement, showing the operations of
The recruitinga service.
This important branch has been prosecuted with zeal and the usual
success.  Two field.officers, fourteen captains, and ten subalterns, are
empployed for the general service, of whom  six company officers are engaed in recruiting for the mounted corps, under the superintendent,
Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Cooke, of the 2d dragoons. Eighteen
captains and subalterns, under the general superintendent, Major and
Brevet Colonel Waite, of the Sth infantry, have been employed in recruiting for the foot regiments.''he receiving depots and schools of instruction established in the harbor
of New York, and at Newport barracks, Kentucky, for the artillery and
infantry arms; and the one at Carlisle barracks, Pennsylvania, fbr the,dragSoons, are commanded by zealous and experienced officers.  The system, as heretofore, greatly conduces to economy, discipline, instruction,.and despatch in forwarding recruits to the several regiments.  The principal depot having been, some years since, temporarily transferred to Governor's Island, New York, while Fort Wood was undergoing repairs, has
been re-established the present year on Bedlow's Island.
The accompanying statement (G) exhibits in detail the number of recruits enlisted in the army from  October 1, 1849, to September 30, 1850,
inclusive, from which it will be seen that the number enlisted is:
For the general service       -       -      -       -       -       2,884
By 2egimzents.-For the 1st and 2d dragoons          -       -           79
For the four regiments of artillery  -       -        314
Fer the eight regiments of infantry -        -         405
For the company of sappers and miners    -13
Total       -               -       3,695
Owing to the great dispersion of the troops and their stations on distant
frontiers, but few recruits can be enlisted in the regiments.  To tlis catuse,
together with the recent augmentation of a portion of the rank and file,
may be ascribed the increase in the number of officers and of the expenses
for recruiting the past and current year, when compared with the state of
the service prior to the late war with Mexico.
According to the present laws, the enlisted men of the line are 11,528.'The term being five years, one-fifth of this number, supposing the army
to be full, (2,304) goes out every year by expiration of enlistment.  Add,the loss by death, discharges for disability, and desertions, the number
will be increased to about one-third, (3,850) which is required to be annually supplied by new recruits.
The records show  that, of the 19,599 persons who have offered. themselves the current year at the recruiting stations, only 2,884. were ac-:cepted as able-bodied and otherwise fit for the service.  The rejection of




Doe. ioo o  1. 
so Iarge a proportion of applicants (more than.five-sixths) evinces d-tu:
observance of the law and regulations on the part of the recruiting officers;
and in no one particular, perhaps) is greater attention bestowed upon tfie
observance of either, than in respect tothe enlisting of minors.  In
amrending the provisions of the act of March 16, 1802, section 1,. by thenew law, approved September 2S, 1850, section 5, directing-the discharge
of minors, the public interest seems to have been overlooked in the omission to prescribe some adequate penalty or punishment in cases of minors'
especially those of nineteen  or twenty years of age, who so frequently
impose themselves upon the recruiting officer by falsely affirming themselves to be twenty-one years of age, and frequently more.  In many, instances it is impossible to know whether the minor tells his true age or
not; and, although in all cases where minors affirm that they have neither
parent, master, nor guardian, the recruiting officer is required to ce rtify
that he has made diligent inquiry, and that the affirnation of the recruit
appears to be trtie; yet, all these precautions fail, in many cases, to gnuai:d
against the fraudulent enlistment of minors, whose discharge is su'bsequently demanded under the law.  The records show that, during the
ear ending Septenlber 30, 1850, no less than 2,064 applicants have been
refused at the rendezvous on account of their being minors.  Under the
present circumstances of the service, therefore, it is very clear that, unless
the new iaw  above cited be so amended  as to provide a peialty fort'his
description of frauds upon the public, the loss, expense; and other injurious results to the service,  now so seriously felt, will continue without
Iremedy.
With a view to the more ad.vantageous management of the recruiting
service, touching its fiscal concerns, and the speedy examination of accounts,  it has been  found necessary to recur to the former practice of
making a military scrutiny and examination of all recruiting   accounts in
this office before their'transmittal to the proper accounting officers of the
Treasury Department.  The "circular" of June 6, 1850, issued by authority of the Secretary of War, requires that such accounts be sent direct
to the Adjutant General of the army, since which date they have been
analyzed and carefully examined; and I feel well assured that much benefit
will result from such inspection here, especially in effecting.better economy,
&c.,  as well as in greatly expediting the settlement pf accounts.
It will readily be perceived that to conduct this important branchl of
the service in the best manner, requires all the time and attention of an
experienced officer of the general staff.  The details of this division of
the duties of the Adjutant General's office have, for years past, beet
specially assigned to the senior Assistant Adjutant General here on duty
The returns, correspondence, and records pertaining to the recruiting bui
siness, give employment generally to three clerks.
Respectfully submitted:
R. JONES,.Ajuanrt General U. S, A,
Major General WTINFIELD SCOTT,
Conmanzding-in-chief tMe Army of the'naited.Stiaies
WashPington
Part ii- S a




11 8                         Doc,, No,. oL
ADJUrTA.NT   ENERAL9S OFFICE,
Wasshington, Noovember 29, 18 50.
Statemnent showing the number of recruits enlisted in the army, from
the 1st of October, 1~49, to the 30th of September, 1850, inclusive:
o,-GENEFAL RECRUITINGr SERVICE
Brevet Colonel C. A.'Waite, major eighth infantry, superintendent
eastern department-headqcuarters, New York  -           -       - 2,192
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel P. St. G. Cooke, major 2d dragoons,
superintendent for mounted regiments-headquarters, Carlisle
barracks -       -.                                                6 "3
Corps of sappers and miners  -                    -.-          13
Detachment at West Point          ",.               39
-   52
2. —-~B':EAcMEINTS. 
Ist regiment of dragoons  -                                     52
2d regiment. of dragoons.                     27
Rtegimlent of mounted riflemen                                  00
Total mounted troops          -           79
1st regiment of artillery                                      135
2d regiment of artillery    -                 -            -    45
3d regiment of artillery    -                         -         62
4th regiment of artillery..            -    72
Total artillery              -           314
1st regiment of infantry                   -       -.5
2d. regiment of infantry                   -       -             3
3d regiment of infantry.                             7
4th regiment of infantry           -               -       -    8T7
5th regiment of infantry                                        10
6th regiment of infantry           -       -.                 233
7th regiment of infantry. ".            40'
8th regiment of infantry           -       -                 -  10'
Total infantry        -.                  405
Total number of recruits enlisted from the 1st October, 1849
to 30th September, 185.             -.                3,695




3. -RE CAPIT'UL ATION o'For the general service -.                                         2845
By regiments.-Dragoons and mounted riflemen            -               79
Artillery.                                     34
Infantry       -                                     405:Sappers and miners, and detachments                                   52
Ag  egate       -                    38696
4.-REOC RUITING FUNDS..Amount of recruiting funds in the hands of officers of the
army, September 30, 1849                       $- $37,456 32.Amount of recruiting funds advanced to officers of the army
from October 1, 1849, to September 30, 1850    -            36,1.12 43
I73,568 75.Amount of recruiting fuinds accounted for within the saame
period           -. —                                       8S,497 46
-Balance in the hands of recruiting officers, September 30,
1850             -                   -          -       -   85,091 29
The greater portion of this balance pertains to funds advanced during
the war with Mexico, to recruiting officers of the late additional regiments
and volunteer corps, or subsequently transferred, &c., whose accounts are,not yet finally settled.
Respectfully submitted:
R. JONES, Adjutant General U. S. A.
Major General ScoTT,
Commanding-in-chief the Army of the United $igae.s.




No. 3.
REPORT COF HE QLUAt TERMASTER GENERAL.
QUARTERLMA.STER GENER.L'S OFFICE,
TWrashinZg ton City, Nove tmber 20, 18  S0
SIR: In obedience to your order, and in compliance with the regula-.
tions, I have the honor to report the operations of the Quartermaster's de-"
partment for the fscal year which terminated on the 30th of June last.
When I presented my report of the preceding year, the balances in the
hands of offcers acting in the depart-ent, to be accounted for, amounted
to-                                                           $ -  -  730, 50 46
To which is: to.be add.ed1. Remittances, viz:
In the Ist quarter'of'the fiscal year    -   $685,789 00
In the 2d quarter of the fiscal year    -   1,156,856 77
In the 3d quarter of the fiscal year    -      937,572 91
In the 4th quarter of the fiscal year    -     503,487 54
3,283,706 22
2. Miscellaneous items, viz:
Proceeds of the sales of public property and rents of public buildings   -                  -.                       109,036 02
Amount borrowed from  the civil fund in California and
applied, by order of the generals in comm.and on the
Pacific, to the service of the Qularttermaster's department    751:743 29i
Proceeds of drafts drawn on this office by officers of the
department, on account of the service of last year, which
is a charge upon the appropriations of the present year,    539,117 03
Amount paid at the treasury, on accounts wvhich had been
examine ed and passed at this office                          47,460 28
Total to be accounted for                        5461,4,213 30:
From which are to be deducted
1. Expenditures, viz:
Prior to the fiscal year, but the accounts
for which were not received in time ior
the last report       $-               -    275o,050 59
In the 1st quarter of the
fiscal year -           $- $1292,372 67
In the 2d quarter           1,448,602 44
In the 3d quarter    -           965,861 86
In the 4th quarter  645,795 75
4,352,632 72
Deposited to the credit of the treasurer -      46,611 70   4,674,295 01.
Leaving to be accounted for -.           786,918 29




iDoet.   o.  11i
The accounts of three deceased officers are due; also of two assistant quartermasters, and forty-four regimental and acting quartermasters,
and agents.  These accounts, when received, will reduce the balance
now reported, it is believed, over three hundred thousand dollars.
A heavy arrearage accrued during the last fiscal year, from the entire
inadequacy of the appropriations to meet the necessary expenditures under
the new and extraordinary circumstances of the service.  When the estimates were decided upon by the late Executive, in the autumn of 1848,
the war expenditures still to be made were supposed not to be so large'
as they turned out to be; hence the balances of the war appropriations,
applicable to the service of the year, fall far short of what had been count-.ed on.  Added to which, the Indian hostilities in Florida, Texas, and
New Mexico, which have caused a heavy expenditure, were neither
f:reseen nor provided for.  Nor was any provision made in the estimates
e meet the state of things in California, where the expenditures of the
Quartermaster's department in the last year, for the small force employed,
have nearly equalled those for the whole army in 1845.
The arrearages, as far as ascertained, will be seen in the amount stated,as borrowed from the civil fund in California, and that raised by the disbursing officers of the department, on drafts on this office, which were:necessary in the absence of appropriations to carry on the service; and
which are a charge on the appropriation for the present fiscal year.  The
whole amount of the arrearage will be required in this year.
In the year ending the 30th of June, 1844, the whole amount expended'by the Quartermaster's department was $871,000.  The foregoing statement shows that the sum  expended in the last fiscal year was fivefold
that amount. Now, the army. has been increased since that date a little
more than one-half; and had the circumstances of the service remained
the same, the increase should have been in the same ratio, or but little
more than fifty per cent.  The enormous increase of the expenditures is to
be accounted for, in addition to the circumstances before stated, by the
vast extension of our territory in the annexation of.Texas, New Mexico,
and California, the stationing of troops there and in Oregon, and keeping
up long lines of communication between our former frontier and those
"Territories.
In 1844 the extreme western posts, extending from the Gulf of Mexico
~to Lake Superior, were Fort Jesup, within twenty-four miles of steam.
rnavigation, on Red river; Forts Towson and Washita, on Red river, and.above Fort Jesup; Forts Smith and Gibson, on the navigable waters of
Arkansas river; Fort Scott, on the southwest frontier of Missouri; Fort
Leavenworth, on Missouri river; Fort Snelling, near the head of naviga-,tion on the Mississippi; and Fort Wilkins, on Lake Superior.  Several of
these posts were in populous and well-cultivated neighborhoods, and all
-of them were of easy access, and readily and cheaply supplied; conse-,quently'the whole cost of transportation for the army in the year referred
to was less than one hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
The outposts are now removed to the Rio Grande, the Gila, the Pacific
coast, Columbia river, and Puget's Sound, with long intermediate lines;of posts between the former and the present frontiers.  The agricultural
resources of the new Territories have been but partially developed: those
of California and New Mexico are supposed to be limited.  In the former
~The gold excitement, and in the latter the hostile disposition of the Inl
Part.ii —     b




122                            Doe No, 1.
dians, prevents the inhabitants from availing themsselves of the few agrcultural advantages they are supposed to possess.  Western and northern.
Texas and Oregon have abundant agricultural resources; but the gold.
excitement and the Indian hostilities produce the same effects there,
though not in so great a degree, as in California and New Mexico.  The
reinforcements for the troops, as well as nearly all their supplies, are taken
from the older States, over long land and water routes; at an enormous
expense.  Large trains belonging to the public, and hired, have been
constantly moving over the land routes, and with the troops in the field.,
and. vessels, at an expense bearing some relation to the great- increase in.
the cost of labor, have been emplcyed in transporting troops and. building
materials, forage, and other supplies, on the water-routes;.the consequence. f all which is, that, -with the aimy increased a little more than one-half,
or fifty per cent., the cost of transportation in the last fiscal year has;
-eqnalled two millions of dol.lars or more than fifteenl hundred per cent.
In the present condition of the newly-acquired territories, with  the
posts established for their defence necessarily so far from  the sources of
supply, aid so( large a portion of their garrisons rmountedl,.ore than tenr
thiousant horses, oxen, and mules are constantly required for transporta-;ion,. and   r mZoulnting guides, spies, escorts, an:d troops;, forage is therefore a lheavy item of expense.  lhe supply of fuel is limited thirougho. t:
tihose tr itories, and. is obtained with difliculty at many of the present
posts: it is a- eavy item,  So is the hire of mechtanics, laborers, nind other
operatives; also the rent, erection and repair of qtuarters' barracks' storsehouses, a.nd. other structures required for the service.  The expense of
nelther can be mtuch redued, even writh. the most faithful and rigid adcministlation, unless the circuamstances of the whole country in relat.ton to
its cultivatiol, cou011muinnications' and mreans'of d.eebnce be changed.
Tlhe nomadic Indians between Texas and New Miexico hlave as log'o
as we can trace their history back, and down to a recent period, ibollowed
and subsisted upen the itmzense herds of buffalo that once covered thei
plalins east of tlhe Rocky mountains.  Tihe bu.lialo have been rapidly di..
rrilimshinm   for many yzars past,and -now a-ford the Indians a very sc. ant
supply. Thlese Indian-s have ever been warlike, wtello-)ount]ed.- a.nd weliLarn-ied.  IlTe rapid dlisappearanrce of their accustomed meanls of subsistcnce has, for somre time past, comtpelled them  to fight, steai, or starve
Brave nen in a. savage state, with arms in th.eir hatnds, never starve( ther.e
seives, nor allow t'heir womenii arnd children to starve, when lsbsistec'en,
caie be won by prowess or skill.  For half a, century past, as the game
has diminished, they have been in th-e habit of making inroads into the
Mfxican provinces; and they have at length broken into and overrut n
some of the better portions of those provinces, as the northern hordes
formerly broke into and overrun thie Roman emnpire.  Recently thev havemade inroads inlto Texas; and there, as well as itn New Moexico, they have
given the troops as constant and active employment as if a state of war
had existed.  So:fr as our own territories and people are concerned, thli
state of things is the natural and necessary result of' our treaty fbr the
protection of Mexico. Give the Indians a:tir field fhr their predatory ex:pditions in that republic, and. they will never trouble us: but if vwe
carry out the provisions of our treaty witlh Mexico in good falith-and no
American, I take it for granted, would advise the contrary —the existing:.imtate of things, a.d tie heavy expe ise a.ttendli^g i;tmust a.d will con



Doc. No.l.                             12
tiune, unless we either feed or exterminate the Indians, or prevail upoix
them. to settle down as cultivators of the soil  No treaty we can make
with them-no matter what their wishes, or how well disposed soever'they may be to fulfil their engagements-will bind them longer than their
means of subsistence last.  Thre moment these are lacking, resort must
necessarily be had to the only available mode of supply-to  hesitate
would for thern be to starve.
The estimates for the next fiscal year are made from  a careful consid.eration of all the circumstances of the service and a minute calculation
of its wants.  If: these circumstances remain unchanged, and the objects
of expenditure be not greatly reduced, the estimates will bear no reduction;
and. I respectfully urge the necessity of the whole being appropriated.
Ulnless objects of expenditure be reduced, the cutting of estimates down
may produce arrearages and embarrass the public service, but will not
save money.
The regiment of mounted riflemen, for which means of transportatior
and supplies had been provided before the commencement of the year,
were mnarched across the continent during the year, and stationed in the:Territory of Oregon, with the exception of two companies left at Fort Laranmie on the route, about seven hundred miles in advance of Fort Leavenworth.  For a portion of the troops, quarters were erected, and for others,
atld for stores, buildings were hired.  Fort Vancouver is the most important point to be occupied in that Territory.  It is now garrisoned, and is
the principal depot of'the Quartermaster's department.  It is, I believe,
the property of the Hudson Bay Company; and if it can be obtained
on anything lile fair terms, it should be purchased.  It is said to be the
only place in the Territory where a' mounted regiment can now be conveniently stationed; it has fair pasture ranges, fields for cavalry evolutions,
and is accessible for supplies through three rivers-the Columbia, the
Willamette, and; the Cowlitz-all communicating with the most fertile.
parts of the Territory.  Building materials are abundant in Oregon, and
a saw-mill had been put up at Fort Vancouver; and, at the last report, one
was to be sent to Astoria and another to the Dalles. For detailed information in regard to the march of the rifle regiment, and establishing it on them
route and in Oregon, i respectfully refer to the report of Major Cross,
which is appended, marked A.
In the course of the year a considerable amount of supplies has been
sent from the Atlantic to California.  Two storehouses, with quarters for
two companies, including officers, were framed and sent from the State
of Maine, and six small iron'buildings were sent from New York as an
experiment.  These buildings, it is ascertained, will cost far less than
those put up from materials obtained in California.
Quarters, storelhouses, and other buildings are required at San Diego,
Gila, and Colorado, Las Reyes, Clear Lake, camp Far West, Benicia,
and San Francisco, in addition to buildings already put up, and at MonLterey.  The estimates from'the Pacific for the necessary buildings, and.
including transportation -for the division, are over twenty-six hundre4:
thousand dollars.  By sending all the materia ls from the Atlantic, withi
mechanics to erect the buildings, it is believed that the cost may be greatly
-reduced; and I propose, if it meet your approbation, to adopt that course,
F'or detailed information. in regard to California, as well as Oregoa, I




d12 lsi'4                      Deoe,  No7.    1.
respectfully refer to the report of Major Tinton, herewith submitted, witi
the reports and statements accompanying-it, marked B.
Supplies of every description due from this department have been sentfrom Fort Leavenworth, in Missouri, and San Antonio, Teexas, to New
Mexico; and transportation has been furnished for troops marching thither,
as well as for the supplies of other departments.  Great difficulty is fouhd
in supplying the trains and the horses of the mounted troops with forage
in New Mexico.  The whole surplus products of the country, after supplying the inhabitants, would hardly be sufficient ibr the public demands
if they were available; but much of them necessarily goes into the hands
of the numerous bodies of emigrants passing to California by the route of
the Gila.  The difficulty can be obviated only by such a policy as shall
secure the cultivator, not merely from  attack while engaged in the business of cultvation, but in the quiet possession of his crop after it has
matured.  The most industrious portion of the population are said to be
the pueblo or villare Indians, (Mexicans.)  They suffer from  the depredations of the wild or mountain Indians.  They are represented as almost
entirely without arms.  Were they armled, and the troops so disposed as.
to afford their settlements efficient protection, they would not only diminish the public expenses by increasing tie supplies, but would be the
cheapest as well as the best auxiliaries of our troops in their operations
against the hostile Indians.  For information in detail I refer to the subjoined report of Captain Brent, who was nearly two years the principal
quartermaster in that Territory, with the report of Captain Bowman and
Lieutenant Whittlesey appended to it, marked C.
Throughout the year, the troops in Texas have been more like an
army in the field, in active war, than in garrison; and the regular force
has been increased by an auxiliary volunteer force. Supplies, with extensive means of transportation, both public and private, and horses to mount
a portion of the foot, have been furnished as required by the general
commanding.
The territory of Texas is so vast that the troops for its defence, as well:
as the trains to supply the posts on its frontier, have to traverse routes so
long and so entirely unimproved, that the expense of transportation and.
of ail supplies is extremely heavy.  In connexion vwith this subject, I
took occasion in my last annual report to ask the attention of your predecessor to the imnportance of improving the harbors, rivers, and roads of
Texas.  i now  take the liberty of asking your attention to the matter.
The irnprovenment of the harbors of Texas, with that of the navigation of
the Rio Grande; the Guadalupe,. Colorado; Trinity and upper Red river,
with the construction of good roads between the frontier posts and those
posts and accessible points on the coast and rivers, would be worth infin!ely more, in the defence of the frontier, thuan any system of fortification.
in regard to the state of the service on the frontier of Texas, and thecondition of the Rio Grande, I respectfilly submit copies of reports from
Captain Prench; (marked D,) and Miajor Chapman, (marked E.),
Transportation and supplies were furnished throughout the year for thetroops operating in Florida; also, transportation for captured Indians fromn
the scene of operations to New Orleans.
in relation to ma:i:.tiers tihere, I respectfully refer to the report of Major
*  i'yers, (marked F.) -witr th e meemoranda appended.
il regard t? ayt:   ex-lpendritures generally, it may not be out of place




Do0c. No. 1,                             12
here to remark, that the cost of supporting a given number of troops is the
same to most of the administrative departments of the military service,
no matter where they be stationed.  In the pay and subsistence depart-menlts, the allowances being determined by positive law, the expense
depends upon the actual force, and is materially affected only by the
increase or diminution of numbers and grades.  In the Quartermaster's
department the case is entirely different: there, the expenditures are in-'
tflenced by all the varyinlg  and contingent circumstances of the service,
as well as the condition and resources of the country in which the troops
are employed.  Takee, for instance, New  Mexico and the posts on the
Oregon route; also Texas; and both pay and subsistence depend upon
the number einployec, and would be about the same, were the force
there stationed on the Atlantic.  But, from the remoteness of all posts
in these territories from  the sources of supply, and the difficulties and
danger attending the communication with them, the expense to the ~Quartermaster's department is from three to five hundred per cent. more there,
than it would be on the Atlantic-in some items, more than a thousand
per cent.  As the troops become more active, or as their numbers are
increased at these remote stations, the expense must increase, and the
only abatement of this expense, perhaps, possible, will be in the settlement and cultivation of the surrounding country, whence a portion of the
supplies may be drawn at less expense than to transport them  from  the
seaboard or western depots.
The present state of the service requires the employment of a large:force of mechanics, teamsters, laborers, and other operatives. All these
classes are now hired, and, in many instances, at exorbitant rates; and,
in the extended operations over our territories, from  the want of any
legal control over them, their duties are often badly performed.  As a
measure calculated to promote both economy and efficiency, I recomimend that provision be made by law  for enlisting a portion, at least, of'
the several classes enumerated, for a period not less than two years, and
that all of those classes necessarily employed in the field, or on the long
routes through the Indian country, be made subject to the rules and articles of war, whether enlisted or hired.
The laws at present authorize the appointment of twenty forage and.T wagon-masters; that number is not sufficient for the present wants of the
service.  Barrack-masters and additional storekeepers are necessary.  I
recommend that twenty additional wagon and forage-masters be authorized, and that ten additional storekeepers be added to the Quartermaster's
departm.ent; also, a barrack-master at every principal station where there
is neither a quartermaster nor a storekeeper —all to perform such duties as
mayv be prescribed by the Secretary of War, or directed by the Quartermaster General or the principal quartermaster at the station, or on duty in.
the division or depar;tment, where these classes of officers may respectively serve.
I respectfully request that measures be adopted to obtain a more ready
settlement of the accounts of the officers of the department at the treasury.  The officers are compelled by law to send their accounts for settlemetnt withiin three monthsl after the close of the quarter in which they
accrue, on the penalty of dismissal.  These accounts often remain unsettled. for years.  Justice requires that the accounts be promptly settled.
I also ask that the laws be so changed as that all the accounts of the,




126                          Doc  No. 1.
Quartermaster's department be settled by the same auditor. At present.they are settled by the Second and Third Auditors, and it often happens'that not only vouchers in the same account, but items in the sa.me voucher,
have to go to both auditors.  The property accounts have to be divided
between the two auditors.  The consequence is, that the officers of the de-:partment, as- well as the officers of the mounted corps, have to make two
sets of property accounts in every quarter.  If the proposed change
-could be made, the accountability would be more perfict, because accounts would be more simple.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
TI. S. JESUP,
Quartermaster General.
Hon. C. M. MCONRAD,
ec9'retar'y of'Var; }V1ashington City.
A.
-.A report, in the form of a jou2rn^, t to he Quarterrmaste.r General, of tIAe
march of the regiment of moutnted riflemen to Oregon, from May s1
to October 5, 1849, byJ Major 0. Cross, quartermzaster Uniteld Stres
armny.
GUARTERML.ASTAEP GENER.AL',S  OFFIOCE
Washington City, April 25, 1849..
Sir: You will proceed to St. Louis, Missouri, and report to Colonel
Mackay, for service with the Oregon expedition.  Detailed instructions
-will be sent to you, from this office, as soon as certain matters now under
the consideration of the War Department be determined.  So soon as the
troops shall be established on the Columbia, or in the Territory of Oregon, and the necessary arrangements made for their future supply, you
will be expected to return to this city, via the Isthmus or Mazatlanr and.
through Mexico, so as to arrive, if possible, early in the next session or
Congress
Respectfully, &c.,
TH. S.  JESUP,
Q(wcrtermaster General,
Major'OSBORNE CROSS,
Quarterte, aster  Washigton City.




Doe.  1o.                                       27
iLLUSTRATIONS
ACCO.MPANYING TH}E REPORT.
Page.
L. Fort Laramie....................... 157O
2. Independence Rock.....,.....  *...~.............                          [~,e  16
3' View  of the Devil's Gap...............                                       169
4. Distant view  of Devil's Gap.................        170
5. Wind River mountains.......................*.   175
6. Outside view  of Fort Hall..... I........s.......                          O 180
7. Inside view  of Fort Hall................................    180
8. American ialls on Snake river.........,..       192
9. Artemisia plains................................    195
10. Salmon falls................................    19611. Cascade on Snake river.................*..............    198
12. View on Snake river..............,.....  198
13. Camp ground, August 23.................    2-02
14. Camp ground, August 25.........................       204
15. View of rock on Snake river..................                             205
16. Outside view of Fort Boisse.............................      206
I T. Inside view  of PFort Boisse.........................  206
1 8. Canp grounid...........................            210
19. Two miles from  camp, September 5)............       210
20. Grand Ronde..................................    211
21. Descending ilue mo ntains.............................    213
22, Indian burial ground..................................         214
23. Basaltic rock, Columnbia river,........................                      215
24.  Fall   river.............................................    216
25. Commencemnent of the Dalles..........................  216
26. View  of the Dalles on Columbia river...............       216
27T, Termination of the D)alles on Columbia river.............                    216'28. View of the Coluimbia river, near the Dalles,............               217
29. Mission near the Dalles...................                 217
)0. MAount Hood.....................    218
31. View, on the Columbia river, of Mount St. Helens.........                     221
32. Departure of the troops..............23'
33. Landing-place near the Cascadies................  224
34. Commencement of the falls of the Columbia river.,.......                   225
&5. Continuation of the falls of the Columbia river-....e........ 26




Doc. No. 1.
REPORT, ETC,
CHAPTER I.
ouwnzey to Fort Kcarny.
PHILADELPHIA, May 20, 1850.
GENElrAL:  The order which I have here annexed wilT show the duty:assigned me by you.; and in compliance with it, I took my departure
frorm Washington city, on the 25th of April, for Fort Leavenworth, PAissouri, where the rifle regiment had been directed to assemble, to make
such preparations as a march like the one contemplated might call for.
I arrived at St. Louis on the 8th of May, and finding that the cholera
was prevailing to a very alarming extent, left on the 10th, on board of the
steamer San Francisco, after making a hasty outfit there.  It will not be
out of place here to remark, that.the cholera was not only in St. Louis,
but had spread through every town on the Missouri river, and in many
instances had raged with great violence on board of several steamers, one
of which, after losing nearly thirty passengers, was entirely abandoned and.
left tied to the shore.  We were, however, more fortunate on board of our
boat, having but one case, which may be principally attributed to the untiring efforts of Captain Keneth, her commander, vjwho spared no pains to
keep his boat in excellent police, and m-ak;e his passengers comiortable
The troops had just passed up the river; and with so great a nuimber,
it could hardly be expected that tlhey would not be more or less affected.
by the epidemic;    was, therefore, exceedingly anxious to reach,, Fort
Leavenwvorth, to ascertain what effect a pure atmosphere would. have in
dispelling a disease with which all were in some degree threatened
who travelled the' Missouri river, and I was much pleased when I landed,
on the 19th instant, at that place, after a passage of nine days from St.
Louis.
It was expected that the regiment would be in readiness to take the
field by the 1st of May, but it was not prepared to do so, for several rea-:sons, until the 10th instant.  To organize properly a train, and make all
necessary arrangements incidental to a journey of 2,000 miles, required mulch
more time than was at first anticipated.  The officers were to make an outfit
for a permanency in Oregon, or at least they were to be separated from the
civilized world for soime time, with their families, and it was by no means
an easy task to make all proper arrangements even for their comfort while
on this long march; but in addition to this, the spring had not advanced.sufficiently to justify an earlier move.
On inquiring at the fort, I learned that the troops were tell days in advance of me, which was a very long start, as my mode of travelling was
the same as that of the regiment.  If I could have been fortunate enough
to have procured a few pack-mules, in place of wagons, it -would hare.greatly facilitated my movements, as I could have travelled mutch more
rapidly; but not being able to do so  I had      time to lose; and on Sun



lJoc. No..                          129
day, at 2 o'clock p. i., I left for Fort Kearny, after a short stay of
twenty-four hours at this place.
Last evening was very pleasant, and the sun, in setting, left behind a
bright sky, which was indicative of a fair morning; but, contrary to our
expectations, it became cold and commenced to rain during the night,.
which made it extremely disagreeable for our party, whose only shelter
was a commnlon tent; but as they had to come to it sooner or later, everyone took it quietly and made themselves as comfortable as their means
would permit. fMany of them were unaccustomed to a life of this kindand the scenes they were about to pass through, as well as the toil and
hardships which they would be required to endure, would be a new life
to them, of which, in reality, they knew but very little.
It had been threatening to rain all the morning, and continued colc.
The sky was becoming overcast by heavy clouds that were rising rapidly
in the southwest, and it began to rain very hard befire reaching the base
of a hill over which our road led: here we began to realize the labor
and trouble which were in store for us.  The evening was one of the
most unpleasant I had ever experienced.  The rain poured down in torrents, as if the clouds had been rent asunder by the heavy thunder,
which seemed to increase as the vivid lightning flashed incessantly around
us. The whole sky was at moments wrapt in one dark canopy, while;
at others it presented one glare of lightning. Having reached the base
of the hill, we found it necessary, from the weak condition of our mules,
to attach twelve of them  to one wagon to pull up about 1,200 pounds,,
and, with the assistance of all hands at the wheels, we succeeded, after
two hours' work, in reaching the top of the hill, In the midst of the
storm, and continued our imarch, which brought u,; to a small stream,
about four miles from the garrison, after sundown, where we made our
encampment for the night.
It continued to rain very hard; and, as wood was scarce, and we had
no means of kindling a fire, the party placed themselves under cover as
soon as possible, without having eaten anything since morning. As for
myself, I was completely overcome by fatigue, and much harassed at
the gloomy prospects before me. Every stitch of clothing I had on was
thoroughly drenched, and in this condition 1 was taken with a fever,
which lasted several hours; but during the night it passed off, and int
the morning I was much gratified to find myself able to resume my
journey.
My outfit was as indifferent a one as ever left for any station, much
less the Rocky mountains.  The mules were poor, unbroken, and by no
means calculated for such a march as -we had to perform.  The drivers
were not only stupid, but totally ignorant of their duty, as they had never
been employed in this capacity before, and seemed to have no other object in view than to reach the gold region with the least possible expense
or trouble to themselves; they were, however, the best among those left at
Leavenworth by the regiment, and I had no alternative but to take them.
They had been hired at $15 per month, without the least knowledge of
the duty of a teamster, or any capacity to learn.  I had men of this description with me in Mexico, who generally made out to destroy more
public property from  gross ignorance than would have hired double the
number of good teamsters:; but, from the system that is now observed, it
will always be difficult to remedy the evil. It is a laborious life, and the
Part ii-9




130                        Doc. No. 1.
sum of $1.5 per month will never bring into the service good and efficient
men who are calculated for such duty; and it is to be regretted that some
plan cannot be adopted to supply the department with experienced drivers, who are so indispensably necessary upon long narches like the
present one. I have been in favor for some time of enlisting men who
are particularly qualified for this duty; and I regret that the plan you
have so long recommended has not yet been adopted.
May 21.-The teamsters commenced their labor at daybreak, but the
unbroken condition of the mules was such that the greater part of the
morning was consumed in bridling and harnessing them, and we were
not prepared until half past eight to commence our journey.
Whoever has witnessed the scene of preparing unbroken Mexican mules
for the road, will not be at a loss to imagine the position of one with men
who had hardly ever taken a whip in their hands, and now in charge of
such teams. This, in a word, was our condition; and I had witnessed
enough yesterday to warn me of what might be realized before arriving
at Oregon, or even Fort Kearny, and the display this morning had not
tended in the least to lessen my conviction. This was the beginning of
a long and hazardous journey, filled with difficulty and labor.  We were
soon to find ourselves on a desert waste, cut off from all resources except
those we might have with us, and it certainly was no time or place for
experimenting.
I sent back this morning for an entire outfit; but the post teams, being
considered by fiar too valuable to be spared fbr such service, were withheld, probably because it was thought I was on the same footing with the
balance of the outfit of the regiment. If so, I could have no cause to complain. Be this as it may, to this subject I shall again take occasion to refer
before completing this journal.
This day may be noted as the commencement of our march.  The
morning, although cloudy, gave every indication of a pleasant day, which
we stood much in need of, after the cold rain of yesterday evening and
last night.  It still continued cold to-day, which greatly facilitated our
travelling.
The road lay over a prairie, which was skirted with timber, and at 5
o'clock p. m. we came to a steep hill, somewhat difficult to descend,
but succeeded in reaching the bottom without much trouble; for while
some attended to the mules, others held on to ropes attached to the
wagons, which brought them  to the base without any accident. The
broken tongues, hounds, and other parts of wagons showed plainly the
trouble which the command had met with at this place. As the evening
was drawing to a close, we made our encampment for the night on the
banks of a small stream  which was running at the base of the hill.
Here'we found plenty of good water and wood for our use, and fine grazing for the animals, which they stood greatly in need of. We had not
more time before sunset than would suffice for the arranging of our meals
and making a few alterations which were required before leaving in the
mcorning.  Our tents were scarcely pitched, and all things properly prepared for the night, before it began to hail, and continued until nearly
sundown, when it cleared off and became very cold, making a fire quite
comfortable.
May 22.-The morning was clear, and we left our encampment at 5'clock.  The road passed over a rolling prairie, and across several small




Doc. No. 1.                           131::streams, which were well wooded, as is generally the case in this vicinity.
Towards the close of the day, the country became very broken, as we
were still near the great Missouri valley; but our trail began to diverge a
little, which was soon to carry us from it, where the beauties of woodland
scenery were to give place to an endless prairie country, which strikes,one as being very beautiful at firstsight, but becomes tiresome beyond
any description after the novelty has worn off. It could hardly be expected to be otherwise, when you see nothing front day to day but the
-broad canopy of heaven above, and the greensward below.
We arrived at Wolf creek at half-past 5 o'clock this evening, having
made a march of twenty-two miles to-day.  I had thrown away nearly
all of the two loads whenl starting yesterday morning, so that we had but:little more than our trunks to transport, which could be very easily.packed.
The country was not the least interesting in this day's journey.  It
was much more broken than yesterday, which made it very fatiguing to
teams that were entirely unaccustomed to travelling.  The weather had'moderated through the day, which made the evening delightful.  It was
Athe first pleasant weather we had experienced since the 19th instant, and
it appeared to give new life to the whole party: we certainly stood greatly
in need of a change. It was also very favorable for our mules, which
had suffered much from the cold rains since starting.  The thermometer
at 6 o'clock p. m. ranged at 70~, and we had every prospect of a fine day
to nmorro w.
Since leaving Fort Leavenworth we had met with no one, and our
two days' march was very tiresome and monotonous. This evening our
camp wuas visited by a Sac Indian, who was dressed, as is customary
among that tribe, with a read blanket and head ornamented with feathers.
He soon presented me a paper which had been given to him by the:,subagent, the purport of which was to request emigrants passing this
way to male these Indians a small present for the use of their wood,
which they had complained of having been destroyed by the emigrants.
He also made quite a talk about the grass which the animals consumed,
and appeared to be fully impressed with the idea that they were entitled
to some compensation for it.
We gave him something to eat, and sent him off very soon after, evidently disappointed and much displeased at not receiving money, for he
had doubtless made up his mind on having a fine frolic on his next visit
to St. Joseph's and Western, places which are frequently visited by them:for that purpose, much to the annoyance of the inhabitants.
It is surprising why those employed with Indian tribes are disposed to
humor them, as is often the case, with erroneous impressions. Here, for
instance, was an Indian furnished with a paper to receive a tribute from,all who passed; and more than probable, if he should become displeased
iby not receiving some compensation, the tribe were likely to annoy every
one by stealing horses, or in some other way.  If these people really
deserved cornpensation for the wood used, which was of itself too absurd
to think of for a moment, it was a proper subject to lay before the Indian
department; but, to get rid of them, these papers are furnished, which
can have no other tendency than to annoy travellers and endanger their
property.
May 23.-We commenced making preparations at half-past three




132                         BDoe. No. 1.
o'clock this morninga and started as soon as it was light enough to see the
Toad. It was a cold, misty morning, and the thermometer was as low  as
48~ at sunrise, making a difference of 22~ during the night.  The country began to rise, and, with the exception of the distant wood on the borders of several small streams, and the valley of the Missouri, nothing
could be seen but a high rolling prairie.
We had been travelling for the last three days on a trail made partly by
the Oregon expedition, but had not proceeded very far this morning before a new scene broke suddenly upon our view.  We here came into a
road as large a  aally public highway in the United States, leading from
St. Joseph's and Western.  Large trains were coming in from all points
-of the Missouri river, on trails intersecting this great highway, which
~vas to lead them, after endless toil and much suffering, to the gold region.
All these trails followed ridges, which placed the wagons frequently in
such positions that they seemed to be crossing the prairie in every direction, and,  as their white covers were well trimmed, they looked at a distance not unlike vessels on the wide ocean steering for different parts of
the globe.  For the first time we passed one or two wagons to-day that
had broken down, and also several persons returning, who had already
lost their cattle, which they were ready, of course, to attribute to the Indians, and not to their own neglect.  The truth was, they had become
discouraged, and were willing to make any excuse to return rather than
to continue the journey.
In this day's march I overtook Captain Granger, of the rifle regiment,.
whom I passed, and about six o'clock in the evening made my encampment on the prairie, where I found a small stream, which was entirely
destitute of wood, there being but three solitary trees to be seen.  The
day was very fine, and the distance travelled was about twenty-five miles.
At this encampment our horses found an abundance of grass.  The evening was very pleasant, and the thermometer, at six o'clock p. m., stood
at 620.  I learned to-day that the command was not over seventy miles
in advance of me. They had met with much difficulty with many of
their teaiis since leaving Fort Leavenworth, which had given us the
opportunity of gaining already considerably on them.
AMay 24.-The bugle sounded at three o'clock this morning, when all
hands were immediately up and soon prepared for breakfast.  At half-past
four o'clock wewere ready to commence our march, the thermometer
standing at 600.  The day was extremely fine for travelling, and we arrived on the Nemahaw at eleven o'clock a. in. where we made a halt
for an hour to rest the teams. This is a pretty little stream, about sixty
feet wide, and- is a tributary to the Missouri.  Wood is to be found in
abundance on its banks; consisting of oak, hickory, walnut, ash, elm,,
and cottonwood.  I judged the soil to be good from its dark appearance,
and no doubt would be productive.  We continued our journey some
distance further, leaving many emigrants at this stream and the several
"water-holes in the vicinity of the road, as the cholera had prevented many
-of them from travelling.
One or two families, whom I overtook at the Nemahaw, passed us at
Fort Keariny and by good management were able to keep with the command, which generally travelled faster than the body of emigrants.
The cholera now began to make its appearance along this route, and'the number who had died with it w<vas sufficient evidence that the emni



Doc. No. 1.                           133
grants were suffering greatly from  its effects.  They were truly to be
pitied, as no aid in any way could be afforded them; on the contrary,'they were often compelled to travel when it was almost death to them to
be moved.
The country along here is high, and in fair weather very dry, and
nothing to aggravate the disease, as the atmosphere was as pure as the
mountain air, and not the least decomposition of vegetable matter to engender it.  Still the cholera continued to prevail among the emigrating
parties, and, with every care they resorted to, it remained among them
until they crossed the North Platte, in the mlonth of July, and in many
instances raged with such violence as to carry off nearly whole parties.
I arrived this evening on a small stream, such as are frequently found
amoung the hills near the Missouri.  There were many emigrating
families here, who were necessarily compelled to stop in consequence of'the prevailing epidemic. The evening was cloudy, and it began to rain
very hard soon after our tents were pitched.  The rainy season had now
commenced, which we would be compelled to endure until our daily
marches carried us to a section of country where rain seldom falls during the summer, which is generally the case with that section of country
found between the North Platte, the Sweet Water, and Snake river. On
the prairie between Forts Leavenworth and Kearny, it commences as
early as May, and seldom stops until the latter part of June.
Mlay 25.-The rain fell in torrents through the night, and~ was accompanied by sharp lightning and heavy thunder. The bottoms of our tents
were partly under water, particularly those that were not protected by an,embankment, which should always be made, whether the evening is clear
or cloudy, as little calculation is to be made upon the' weather during
the rainy season in this country.
When the call was sounded at four o'clock this morning, one of my
teamsters was absent. This man, finding that he knew nothingi of his
duty, and having exhausted the patience of all who endeavored to teach
him, thought it the safest plan to relinquish his situation as teamster to
-the Oregon expedition, and had run off during the night, leaving us,
the wagons, and but one teamster, to get on the most convenient way
that could be devised by the party. The corporal of the escort scoured
-the country, without being successful in finding him. We afterwards
learned that he had returned to Fort Leavenworth, satisfied, no doubt,
that he was not destined to reach the gold region in the capacity of team-.ster, and would wait for a more favorable opportunity.
The morning was very unpleasant. The thermometer at five o'clock
stood at 52~; it, however, cleared off towards the mi&dle of the day,
after a drizzling rain all the morning, andi the remainder of the day was
-extremely pleasant.
During the day I met two wagons returning to the Missouri. These
people were already discouraged, and thought it more advisable to return
than to attempt a journey of two thousand miles, and run the risk of:never reaching their place of destination.  Many of them had started very'unprepared,  while others were entirely unacquainted with a prairie life,
-and little calculated to accomplish a journey fraught with so many obstacles as this certainly is.
This day's march carried us over a high prairie, very much like that




34                          Doc.'No. I.
we had already travelled over, and brought us within five miles of a
stream called the Big Vermilion.
May 26.-It was cold and rainy this morning, which prevented us,
from leaving as early as usual.  We left our encampment at half-past
seven, and soon came to the banks of the Vermilion, a stream which is>
about one hundred feet wide, quite rapid, and barely fordable at this timeo
From this point the road commenced to ascend gradually; the ground.
was firm, and the wagons were able to move rapidly through the day.
The country was not so rolling as heretofore, but presented rather a seriescf plains, rising one above another.
This day's march brought me to a stream, having on its banks cottonwood and scrub oak in small quantities.  The soil bore much the appearance of that on the streams we had already passed.
From  the great exposure which the party had been subjected to, a
teamster was taken with the pleurisy, while one of the escort was seized
with the cholera.  Having no medical aid along, our situation was certainly a very unpleasant one. We, however, administered to them such
medicine as we had with us, and rendered them all the assistance in our,
power; but, being compelled to. continue our march, it was impossible to
make them the least comfortable.
It would be useless to attempt to enumerate the deaths that occurred.
among the emigrants.  The graves along the road too plainly told us that:
the cholera was prevailing to an alarming extent. At this point we were
one hundred and thirty-eight miles from Fort Leavenworth, and one hundred and seventy-two miles from  Flort Kearny, entirely cut off from all,
assistance or the least possible means of getting any relief.  It was out
of the question to lie by; for, being in the rear, we were compelled to
move rapidly on to overtake the command.  It was a serious subject to
think of, and I know of no danger that I would not sooner be exposed to
than again suffer the uneasiness of mind which I experienced at this.
time; for we had not only full proof of the prevalence of this drealdful
scourge along the road, but were actually carrying it with us in our wagons.
If I were to enumerate all the sufferings of the emigrants, and enterinto a minute description of our critical situation, it would take more
time and space than would be proper for me to devote to this subject; but,
I feel that it is necessary to touch upon it, so as to give the department;
some idea of the peculiar position in which we were placed, and the
great risk every one ran who travelled this route; for when we arose in.
the morning it was a question among us as to who might fall a victim
to it before another sun.
We met at our encampment this evening two men who were returning
to their homes in Tennessee, having heard of the death of some of their
relatives, which required them to retrace their steps. This presented a
favorable opportunity to us to send letters back to our friends, who, hearing of the existence of the cholera along our route, would doubtless feelt
great solicitude for us, and be much relieved on hearing of our safety
thus far.
The distance passed over to-day was about thirty miles: having a good;
read, and travelling quite late in the evening enabled us to make a very
long march; but it was somewhat necessary, as water to-day was scarce
upon the route. I hired an emigrant last evening to drive one of my.




Doc. No. 1,                           1 35
wagons as far as Fort Kearny, in place of the teamster who had so unceremoniously deserted us, and I found him  a very efficient man, who
earned well his dollar a day, which I was compelled to give him while in
my employment.
lay 27.-The bugle this morning called us up at half-past four o'clock
and, after the usual preparations for breakfast having been made, we were
ready at half past five to resume our march. The morning was clear and
bracing   The thermometer, at six a. m., was as low as 54~.
The road lay over a flat prairie all day, which was very muddy and
difficult to pass in bad weather.  We overtook at least one hundred wagons, and met one man and his family returning to the States.  Many of
these people were from Illinois, who had crossed the Mississippi at Palmyra and struck the Missouri at St. Joseph's and Western.  Those destined for Santa Fe generally stopped at Independence and Liberty, which
are below the mouth of the Kanzas river.
We crossed to-day two streams, one about ninety feet wide, that ir
rainy weather would be difficult to pass, but at this time the water was
lying in holes and very indifferent to drink.
Our teams were kept back by the number of trains we overtook to day,
and did not reach our encamping ground on the Big Sandy until nearly
the close of the evening.  We found a large number of emigrants on this
stream, who were to be seen in every direction, above and below the
crossing. A great number were also passed at the several water-holes
along the road, and, it being the Sabbath, many of them had stopped to
rest-some, no doubt, from religious scruples, while others believed it indispensably necessary to lie by one day in seven for the purpose of resting their animals.  It is a very good plan, and should be resorted to whenever time will permit.
ITowards the close of the evening very little was heard but the cracking
of whips, and a general talking among the parties coming in as to where
their encampments were to be made, and whether grass and water could
be found contiguous to each other; for they relished but little the idea of
driving their cattle any distance from camp, where they would be compelled to guard them during the night.
Dr. Browne, of St. Louis, was kind enough to visit the sick this evening and prescribe for them, but pronounced one of their cases to be a
very hopeless one; he rendered them every assistance in his power, and
visited them again in the morning before our departure.
Since leaving Fort Leavenworth I had seen no game of any importance,
although this is a region where deer and buffalo are generally found in
the greatest abundance. At this season herds of buffalo are always seen
on the Little Blue, a stream  which we were fast approaching; but the
immense emigration that had already gone on would no doubt drive
them from the vicinity of the road and cause them  to become very wild.
The few deer I had met with thus far were extremely shy, and showed
the effect the emigration had produced already in passing this spring.
The distance travelled to-day was about twenty miles, and the grazing
at our encampment was very good, as I had generally found it since
leaving Fort Leavenworth.
MIlay 28.-Wood being very scarce on the Big Sandy, we did not succeed in getting our breakfast before a late hour, although it consisted, as




136                        Doc. No. 1.
usual, of nothing more than fried ham, stale bread, and bad cofee: it
was, therefore, after six o'clock before we commenced our march.
The land on the Big Sandy is of a light soil and poor. The wood on
this stream is very scarce, consisting principally of cottonwood.
The road to-day led over a prairie somewhat level, though much better
than that of yesterday.  It brought us on the Little Blue, where the road
passes along its valley for at least forty miles.
Among the multiplicity of troubles which we had ment with since leaving, one of the wagons to-day broke down, and was abandoned, in consequence of having neither timber to substitute nor mechanics to repair it.
The sick, together with a part of the escort, were left with it.  I was not
with the wagon when the accident occurred, and this arrangenent was
made by a person in charge of the teams. It greatly annoyed me, and, although near sundown when they came into camp, I directed them to unload
and return for the party they had left behind.  This was accomplished,
and they returned to camp about twelve o'clock at night.
By this, time, the man who had the cholera became entirely deranged,
and required the strength of one person to keep him in the wagoin'  His
sufferings were very great, and his cries most distressing, particularly as
it was not in our power to render him any assistance or relief.  The condition of the sick, as well as the general indisposition among the party,
rendered it necessary to reach Fort Kearny as soon as possible, or it
would become necessary to lie by.  I was now reduced to one wagon to
transport the sick, my own outfit, and thai of the party, as well as the
luggage of the escort.  I determined, therefore, to leave allthe stores that
were not absolutely necessary for us for the next two days, hoping by
*that time to artive at the fort or overtake the command.
May 29.-The morning was clear and pleasant, after a rainy night.  I
did not leave the camp until seven o'clock, for the loss of one of our
wagons had greatly deranged our movements, and compelled me to make
entirely new arrangements.  Beds, boxes, and all bulky articles were left
behind, and, having a heavy load, I attached eight mules to it, with two
drivers, who succeeded in getting them along much better than any one
anticipated.  The remainder of the animals were driven by the escort,
and gave us much trouble; being wild, they greatly preferred the prairie
to being driven quietly along.
The road here passed along the valley of the Blue, except in one
bend, where it crosses a high level prairie of about six miles wide, which
I found very muddy, and in wet weather is extremely difficult to travel
on.  This is generally the case on all parts of the road where the prairie
is not sufficiently rolling to carry off the water.  The ground in this
state becomes saturated, making the sward easy to cut through, by which
the wheels sink and cause the hauling to be extremely fatiguing.'Wagons, as usual, were to be seen at every bend of the road, and
along the banks of the river.  Having made a late start this morning wee
were necessarily thrown behind large trains that had started before us,
and we were compelled to travel much slower than usual.  I therefore
found it a better plan to make early starts in the morning, as emigrants
seldom move before sunrise, and, by reaching some spot in the evening
where there were none, it would enable us to keep clear of them  during
-the day.
It is not frequently the case that you meet on the prairie mountaineers




Doc. No. 1.                          137
returning with their peltry; but to-day I met with a Frenchman who left
Fort Laramie with two wagons loaded with buffalo skins, and had been
twenty-three days from that place.  Although he gave me the cheering
news that the regiment was only one day's march in advance-which
was the first correct information [ had received since leaving Fort Leavenworth-he. was the harbinger of unpleasant information relative to the
country over which he had travelled for the last three weeks.  He stated
that there had been much rain between Forts Laramie and Kearny this
spring, which had swollen the Platte river, and made the trail very heavy;
and there was every probability that it would be too high to cross on our
arrival.  From  his statement, several thousand wagons were already
ahead of us.  Many of them  had passed Fort Laramie, and at all the
most convenient places for stopping the grass had been pretty much consumed.  The Platte valley, which in dry weather is generally very fine
to travel over, had been so cut up by the immense emigration that he
found much trouble in travelling, and it was highly probable that we
would find it but little better-the only hope was that it would cease
raining, and in that case a few clear days would make it passable.  It
was extremely gratifying, however, to know that we were so near the
command, as it would enable me, should I overtake them, to get clear of
the sick, who in my present condition had become a great burden.
We stopped to-day at two o'clock to graze our animals, which had
become very tired and were near giving out.  This was not very suprising,
when we reflected upon their'condition when we started, and the distance
they had travelled.  I would recommend by all means to small parties
to stop in the middle of the day, and particularly those who move with
pack-mules, as the loads are easily adjusted, and but little time lost; by
it your animals become greatly relieved: but with large trains there is
much trouble and but very little advantage, unless you are driving oxen,
which never require more than a few minutes to turn loose, and are
equally as easy to prepare for the road again.
I here began to discover that the grazing had changed very materially
on the Blue, which was caused not only by the number of cattle that
had been grazing on it for some time, but the cold weather had considerably impeded its growth, and confirmed me in the Opinion that the
first of May is too soon to leave the Missouri, unless you contemplate a
rest after arriving on the borders of the Platte; in that case, if you have the
means to carry along a small quantity of grain, which can always be
done, instead of the many surplus articles that often encumber your loads
to but very little purpose, the earlier you start the better, as a rest of a
week or ten days has a great tendency to prepare your animals for a long
journey, which they would not have by being kept constantly on the
march.
The day was pleasant; but our late start, and the difficulty of passing
the trains along the route, brought us into camp after sundown, and we
did not accomplish more than twenty-bur miles during the day.  The
thermometer this morning at six o'clock stood at 540; and this evening,
at the same hour, it was as high as 76~.
Since striking the Blue, 1 have not met with any buffalo, as the passing of the emigrants this spring has driven them entirely off. Not more
than a half a dozen have been seen within the last ten days.  Deer are




138                         Doe. No. 1.
equally as scarce, and you seldom meet with either without travelling
some distance on the prairie back from the river.
NiJay 30.-We left our encampment at five o'clock this morning, and
continued up.the Blue about four miles, where the road turns off across
the prairie to the Platte river.  The night was. threatening, and it commenced raining early in the morning, and continued until ten o'clock,
when it cleared off, and the remainder of the day was more pleasant.  We
pursued our journey through the day until we came in sight of the hills
which form a small range that divides the prairie from the valley of the
Platte, where I encamped for the night.
My encampment was upon the borders of a pond of water, or what is
more generally called a water-hole, which is often found on the prairies.
It was half-past seven o'clock before my wagons arrived, and some lime
after sundown before we made ourselves comfortable for the night.'The
evening being damp and windy, the cold was felt very sensibly.  The
thermometer in the morning stood at 620, and at half-past seven o'clock
this evening it was at 56~.  We met here another family returning to the
Missouri river, already surfeited with gold-hunting, which had cost them
much labor, and deprived them  of the many comforts of life.  Having
staked out our animals, and taken a scanty meal, we retired to rest,'being very much gratified with the pleasing reflection that the march in
the morning would bring us to Fort Kearny.
The distance of our journey to-day was twenty-one miles, and we
passed a stream, about eight miles before we reached our encampment,
that was extremely boggy and difficult to get through. The prairie from
the Blue, over wlrich we had travelled to-day, is very high and level; but
tha road being filled with wagons, we had much trouble and detention in
passing them.
M/ay 31.-We left our encampment at 5 o'clock this morning for the
fort, the distance being about ten miles, over a sandy road, and reached
it at ten o'clock, simultaneously with the rifle regiment.
It rained during the day, which made it very cold for the season.
The  regiment made their encampment about two miles  above
the fort, intending to remain until the whole train was examined, reorganized, and put in a condition to renew the march.
Fort Kearny is situated on the right bank of the Platte river, at the
head of Grand island.  It is garrisoned by a troop of the 1st regimetnt of
dragoons, and a company of the 6th infantry.  This post was located
here as a substitute for the one formerly at the mouth of the Platte, being
more on the direct route from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Laramie, as well
as the small towns on the Missouri river from whence emigrants generally take their departure. It is very well located to keep in check the
Pawnee and Sioux nations, and is also a great protection to the emigrants
who travel this route to California and Oregon.
The small-pox, as well as other diseases, has greatly diminished the
Pawnee nation.  A few years back they were looked upon as a large
and powerful tribe, but they have dwindled away so rapidly of late years
that they are no longer feared by the neighboring tribes: the Sioux are
fast encroaching on them, and frequently make war on them  successfully.
The site for this post is not a very pleasing.one, having nothing to recommend it in the way of beauty. The valley of the Platte is entirely




Doe. No. 1.                            1
destitute of wood in this vicinity, besides being low. It has the muddy
Platte river on one side, which gives the Missouri much of its color, whilea chain of unprepossessing sand hills are seen on this side, which forms
a dividing ridge between the valley and the country back, and is the
commencement of the first highland that ranges along the river, which
gradually rises until it becomes a bluff of considerable height.
What few buildings were inhabited, I observed, were made of sward,
cut in the form  o'f adobes.  The hospital was the only building which
was being erected. These buildings were under the direction of an officer of
the engineer corps, who, for the want of proper materials, was unable to
progress very rapidly with them.
Wood can be obtained on Grand island, which is about thirty miles
in length, and about five miles -wide.  Lumber for building is extremely
scarce, as coltonwood is the principal timber found on the island, and is.
considered very inferior for building.
The stream is not very'wide between the mainland and island, and is
seldom more than five feet deep, the bottom of which is very uneven and
filled with quicksand, like other parts of this stream.
In the partial cultivation of the soil, it has been discovered not to beproductive.  Gardens have been started, but to little purpose, except
that the experiment had partly convinced them that it was only labor"
lost.  Still I am of the opinion, when time has been allowed to find out
its qualities better, that not only vegetables may be raised in abundance,
but grain of every description.
Grazing for our animals in the vicinity of this post is extremely good,
but I apprehend that grass for hay is very difficult to procure in the fall.
The emigrants had not been permitted to encamp immediately around
the fort, which gave our animals a fine field to range over during the'
time they remained; and they stood greatly ir need of it.
This day's journey had not only brought me to the regiment, which
I had been pursuing with all possible speed for ten days, but also to FortKearny, a distance of three hundred and ten miles from  Fort Leavenworth, and I now considered that I had fairly reached the point where'
my duties were to commence.
The march from  Fort Leavenworth was a very severe one.  The
rainy season having set in, it rained nearly every day from the coi-mmencement of our journey to our arrival at Fort Kearny.  If we were fortunateenough to be blessed with one bright morning, we were certain to have a
shower: either in the evening or during the night.  Among personstotally ignorant of a life like this, whose avocations have unfitted them.
for such labor as is incidental to a prairie life, the experience which they
had already gained by the journey thus far would teach them  at least
that it would require a great deal of philosophy and patience to surmount:
the obstacles and endure the hardships that were still to be' met with before reaching Oregon.
The entire route from Fort Leavenworth to Fort. Kearny passes over
an undulating prairie, which is of a dark vegetable mould, and in many
parts might be productive if cultivated, particularly on the large streams.
In rainy weather the whole route becomes. extremely muddy and very
difficult to travel over, but in this respect it does not differ from  any of
the prairies of the West.  When the season is dry the ground becomes
very firm, andfas there are no hills to impede travelling, nothing can pre



140                        Doc. No. 1.
vent trains of any size from moving over it with mnuch ease and great
rapidity.  The few obstructions met with are found in crossing some of
the streams, which could be removed with very little labor; and it is in
the power of the government to make it one of the best public highways
in the western country.
There are many small streams crossed on this route, such as Wolf creek,
the Big and Little Nemahaw, the Vermilion, Big Sandy, and the Little
Blue, besides many others, which may be looked upon as drains to the
prairie.  There are water-holes off from the road, which may be known
by mots or small' groves of timber, which, added to the streams, afford an
abundance of water.
This is a part of that great prairie country which ranges from the Red
river of the North o to the Rio Grande, -and can be traversed throughput
the whole distance without the least difficulty. As far back as 1828, cattle
were driven from Independence, Missouri, to the St. Peter's river, which
empties into the Mississippi river a little below latitude 45~; and it was
not unfrequent for sheep to be carried as far as the settlement on Rted
river in the British territory.  From Lake Qeui Parle to the Yellow Stone,
it was commonly the route taken by the traders to carry their goods, instead of ascending the Missouri river; and there is nothing to prevent this
whole range from being travelled as far as the Rio Grande, except the
gdanger of encountering hostile Indians, who are frequently met with between Independence and Santa Fe, and particularly the Comanche tribe,
who are constantly ranging between the Arkansas and the southern
boundary of Texas.
Game of every description is found on this prairie; buffalo, elk, and
antelope are seen in great numbers; but this year very few  have been
met with, owing, doubtless, to the great emigration passing this way,  hich
has driven them further south.
While at Fort Kearny, I had occasion to converse frequently with'colonel Bonneville, the commander of the post, who had been many years.ago among the Indians in the Rocky mountains, and had obtained while
there much valuable information, which he freely imparted'to me; and
I found it, in more than one instance, of great importance, before arriving
on the Columbia river.
CHAPTER II.
March from Fort Kearny to Fort Laramie —a distance of 273 ziles.
June 1.-The whole outfit was carefully examined to.day, that it might
be put in as good a condition as our time and neans would permit; and
it required but-little experience to see that the condition of the mules was:not such as to justify the commnand leaving for the Columbia river with
any certainty of arriving there without accident.
The mules were principally those brought from the Rio Grande in the
fall of 1848, and were wintered in the vicinity of Fort Leavenworth by,contract.  They had been badly taken care of, and, when the spring,commenced, there was not sufficient time to put them in a proper condi-tion for the march. Many of them  were partly broken dQwn by former




Doe. No, 1.                            141
hard service; while others were wild, and it seemed almost impossible to,
break them  to harness.  They had just completed a journey of three
hundred and ten miles, in very unpleasant weather. The citizen and soldier teamsters were entirely incapable of driving, with the exception of a
few of the former, who had been in Mlexico. With all this combined, it had
greatly impaired the condition of many of them.
The responsibility which was about to devolve on me, to transport the
troops safely to the Columbia river, whether much or little was expected
by the department, determined me not to take the charge on myself
without letting it know the condition, at least, in which I found things.
Although I did not consider that any one was to blame since the march
commenced, I preferred calling for a board of survey, and it was con.
vened, in compliance with the letter here annexed.  The board inspected
the animals, and passed their opinion upon them, and, out of the whole
number, condemned one-third, as I was unofficially informed.  Although
this was their opinion, I never was able to obtain a copy of the report, as
they committed an infbrmality, which caused the proceedings to be annulled.
This was the aspect of affairs when I took charge of the department,
and relieved the offiser who had accompanied the troops to Fort Kearny.
zJune 2.-This day was passed in making out papers and arranging the
train.  The cozmmand moved about four miles above, to change their encamp-ment get better grazing, and be nearer to the water.
An order had been issued by Colonel Loring separating the command
into three divisions of two companies each, which were to march at an
interval of five miles between the first and third divisions, and encamp
in the same order, until otherwise changed.  This necessarily separated.
me from the greater portion of the cormmand, and confined me for a time
to a division, changing from  one to the other as my services were most
required.
Having only Lieutenant Frost with me as acting assistant quartermaster, who was in charge of the regimental train, and similarly situated,
I was compelled to trust much  to the agents, which greatly increased my
responsibilities, as it was expected that I would not only see that the
property was taken care of, but the troops properly transported.
This plan was decided on before I took chiarge of the department, and
no views of mine, founded on former experience, could alter it.  If it
had been absolutely necessary to cause the divisions to march several
days apart, from  the great scarcity of grass, the plan would have been a
very good one; but this was not the case, and increased the commanders,
when I found one amply sufficient.  While I saw  no good reason for it,
and having no officer of the department to receipt for the property in the
several divisions and superintend their movements, my position became
a very unenviable one, increasing my labors threefold, both bodily and
mentally.
June 3.-It became necessary, before leaving Fort Kearny, to increase
the subsistence stores, which called for additional means of transportation.
was, therefore, compelled to resort to ox teams, being the onlyptransportation that could be obtained at the post-and we were very fortunate
even to get this. i placed them under charge of a wagon-master, to proceed directly on to Fort Laramie in company with the emigrants, without.being governed by the mlovee ents  of the expedition, as:we were re



142                         Doc. No. 1.
-quired to make short marches in consequence of the delay of the beefcontractor, and it would enable them to get considerably the start of us.
June 4.-We left this morning at seven o'clock, and arrived at Plum
creek early in the evening, where the third division made its encampment
for the night. This is avery small stream, which rises among the bluffs
and empties into the Platte a few miles below where the road crossed it.
My tent was pitched on the banks of the Platte for the first time this
evening, which was swollen and extremely muddy from the heavy rains
that had recently fallen, which gave us much apprehension that the information recently received would prove true; for, ill its present stage, it
was very doubtful if we were not detained on reaching the crossing of
the South Fork.
When we look at the width of this river, its muddy water and rapid
current, we are greatly reminded of the striking resemblance it bears to the
Missouri, of which it is one of its principal tributaries; but when - we
reflect that there is only a short portion of the year that it is not too high
to prevent you from fording it, we are impressed with its total uselessness
and insignificance when compared with the smallest navigable river in our
country.  Although it is large, it is but a drain for the melting snows from
the mountains, and can only be remarkable for possessing more sand bars,'less depth of water, and more islands half covered with useless timber,
than any other stream of its size in the country. It is not navigable, nor,can it be made so, and, in a commercial point of view, has very little to
recommend it.
rThis liver is formed by the North and South Platte, which, after passing through the western prairies from  the mountains several hundred
miles, come together eighty miles above Fort Kearny.  The South Fork
we were soon to cross, when our route would lie along the North Fork
for nearly four hundred miles, until it turns to the south, where it rises
in the mountains, west of the Medicine Bow range, at least 2,0 from.wheie the Oregon and California trails leave it.
The valley of the Platte being as destitute of a tree as the adjacent
prairie, or that which we had passed over, we found wood very difficult
to procure at our encampment this evening, and what little was used by
the troops they brought on their shoulders from an island, which they
reached by wading to it.
The mode adopted for the arrangement of the three camps was the.same.  Each division or squadron occupied two sides of a rectangle, the
tents pitched sufficiently far apart to make room on the other two sides fbr
the supply train.  This generally made sufficient space to contain all the
horses and mules. The wagons are driven sufficiently close to allow the
tongue of one to reach the hind. wheels of the other, which is called
karalling a train, and makes a very formidable defence either against foot
or mounted troops. When it is desirable to leave the camp open, the train
is generally parked in several lines, making them as compact as the nature
of the ground will admit.
At the end of a day's journey the horses and mules of the division are
staked out until sundown, and then brought into the karall, and there
kept until the morning. Each animal is made fast to a lasso about twenty
feet long, which is attached to an iron pin of about fifteen inches in length,
which has at the head a ring that works on a pivot, and allows the horse
to move around without disturbing the pin.  About four o'clock in the




Doc. No. 1.                           143
morning they are all taken out, and allowed to remain until five, when
they are prepared for the march.  All being ready, the squadron moves
off, followed by the baggage train, and next the supply train, which has
an agent whose duty it was made to examine his train throughout the
day, making such alterations as might be deemed necessary to facilitate its
movement.  The traili is divided into sections of a certain number of
wagons, placed under a wagon-master, who is responsible to the agent for
the good order of that particular part of the train; and I generally found
that twenty wagons were as many as one man could properly superintend,
particularly when the teamsters were indifferent, and the roads very bad;
for on this march it was not unfrequently the case to require his services
at several points at the same time, and, in that case, I never found that I
had too many in my employment. And I will take this occasion to remark
that the number employed did not render my own situation a sinecure;
for, being always at the head of my own train, I often found mysef, as
well as my clerks, with our shoulders literally at the wheel, working as
hard, as it is well known, as any laborer along. I found it necessary to
do so to enable us to accomplish our march. This was the course adopted
and continued through the route. As the baggage train was necessarily
required to be in camp early, it was under the direction of the acting.assistant quartermaster, who was responsible for its order, as the property
was under his charge. The supply train, not being required to reach camp.so early, generally moved less rapidly, and in consequence came in less
fatigued and in much better order.
June 5.-Large trains could be seen this morning wending their way
along on both sides of the Platte. The river here is nearly three miles
wide, interspersed with islands, some of which are thinly covered with
very small cottonwood and willow; but in many instances they are entirely bare. It rained a little before we left camp, which made it muddy,
but, as it remained cloudy, it was pleasant for travelling, and rather facilitated our movements.
Our march was only eleven miles to day; as it has been but little more
than changing encamping-grounds since leaving Fort Kearny, it being
necessary to wait for the contractor, who was hourly expected, before we
could proceed.  This gave the mules and horses an opportunity of recovering from their march from Fort Leavenworth.
Having arrived in camp early to-day, I overhauled the wagons which
contained the lumber intended for such repairs as we might require on
the route, and found that we had but very little along with us, there being
but four pair of hounds and eleven tongues, which was a scanty allowance
for the repairs of one hundred and sixty wagons, that were to pass
over rough roads for two thousand miles. I had no desire to send back
for timber, which had been done previous to my arrival, some fifty milesrather preferring to trust to a good trail and the improvment of teams and
teamsters.
June 6.-It rained very hard last night, and continued this morning.
The dark clouds, accompanied with wind, were fast covering the heavens.
The lightning was very severe, andit rained and hailed very hard.'We
left our encampment at halfpast nine o'clock, and travelled about ten
miles to-day. The march being short, nothing occurred worthy of note.
The evening cleared off beautifully after the rain, and the mules bid fair to




144                          Doc. No. 1.
be well prepared by morning for a good day'sjourney, as they were up to
their eyes in grass.
While quietly wending our way along the Platte to-day, I saw for the
first time an antelope, and was somewhat disappointed in its appearance;
there was not that beauty in its form that I expected to find, from the
descriptions so often given "of the swift-footed antelope," when compared with the deer; and I consider it by no means as handsome or as
delicately proportioned. At a distance, however, it is much the same.
The head of this animal is very much like that of a sheep; the body appears shorter than the deer, with hair much coarser and longer.  It stands
very erect, and leaps with much quickness, gathering its. feet apparently at
the same time immediately under it.  Its curiosity exceeds any animal I
have ever seen, except the mountain goat.  When it first saw  me it
approached almost within gunshot, when, stopping for a few minutes, it
ran off for a short distance, and turned again, apparently to satisfy its
curiosity.  It then ran parallel to the road, getting sometimes ahead, and
then returning; if I stopped suddenly, or there was anything seen to attract its attention still more, it would run directly towards me until its
curiosity was fully satisfied, and then bound off with great rapidity over
the prairie until out of sight.  It is much lighter in color than the deer, particularly on its sides, breast, and hind-quarters; this, with a black stripe
which it has about the eyes, gives it a striking appearance, though it does
not add much to its beauty.
Whether from the alarm of the cholera or a distaste for soldiering, I am
unable to say, but desertion at this time was rapidly increasing.  Four
men ran off last night, taking a complete outfit with them.  This was
not very unexpected to us, when we considered the material of which the
regiment was composed, who merely enlisted, it is well known, for the
purpose of getting comfortably transported to California at the expense of
the government, and not from any partiality for the profession of a soldier..zune 7.-The command got under way quarter before seven o'clock
this morning.  The rain of last evening made it very muddy, and the
hauling along the valley very heavy.  The day was quite warm; the
thermometer, at six a. m., stood at 520, and at twelve m. it ranged as
high as S0~.
To-day buffalo were seen for the first time, which created no little excitement.  We had been hoping for several days to be gratified with a
sight of them, for the road was entirely destitute of interest, and we were
much pleased on hearing the news that game was so near us.  We were
now getting into a section of country where it is generally found abundantly in the spring, and looked forward to something in the way of sport
to divert us from  our monotonous life for a time; for a journey over a
prairie affords no pleasure except that of hunting, and, when that cannot
be found, any other scenery is by far more preferable.
After arriving in camp, which we reached early in the day, having
travelled but twelve miles, Mr. Wilcox and myself ascended the bluffs,
and continued for a short distance back into the country, where the prairie was ver nmuch broken, forming deep ravines, that appeared to continue for along distance, and rising at the same time quite high.  The
ground was so much broken as to make it difficult to travel on horseback
on these ridges.  Nothing could be seen but large buffalo trails; the: deep
ravines were much trodden and torn up, forming what are generally call



Doc. No. 1.                            145,ed buffalo wallows, which; are resorted to by them when these place are
partially filled with water.  We expected to have been successful in finding game beyond the blufis, but were compelled to return after sundown.
without seeing one buffalo.  A large hatwk was the only thing killed,
which measured four feet ten inches from the tip of one wing to the other,
and was quite remarkable in other respects.
To-day the contractor arrived; who had been looked for'With so much
~anxiety, as it would eaible us in a few days to increase our daily marches.
The grazing at this encampment was much the same as had been met
with for the last few days.
June S.-We left our encampment at seven this morning, and travelled.about three hours. making about six miles, when we halted for the day.
The road was extremely heavy from constant rains.  It was very pleas-,ant; the thermometer at seven o'clock in the evening was ranging at 7T.
To-day a buffalo was killed by Mr. Leach, one of the train agents, and
it was the first time I had ever tasted the meat of one.  The hump is
considered a great delicacy, but, for my part, I did not consider it anything to compare to beef.  It was unfortunately an old bull; the young
cows are doubtless much finer, but we had just been feasting on fine Missouri beef, and were therefore ready by comparison to condemn the wild
beef of the prairie.  I think, if we had been pinched by hunger, it would
have been unanimously pronounlced to be the best of the two.
The command stood. greatly in need of wood, for we had reached a
~region of country entirely destitute of it, where a tree might be looked onl
as a curiosity: we were therefore compelled to resort to the vache de bois,
which is a fine substitute when you get used to it, and is always used by
hunters, who never think of the scarcity of wood when this can be ob-:tained.
Grazing along the river banks was becoming very indifferent, which.made it necessary to encamp nearer the bluffs, which often made it difficult
to procure water; but it probably -was better in some respects, as the Platte
water was thought to have greatly increased the cholera symptoms since'we first commenced to use it.,Jne 9.-It rained a little last night, and had much the appearance of it
this morning; the thermometer at six o'clock was at 64-.
We got under way at half-past six o'clock this morning.  The day
-being fine, it enabled us to make a long march, and at half-past two o'clock
we arrived in camp, having travelled nineteen miles.  Here we pitched
-our tents on a small branch about half a mile from the Platte, and made
ourselves as comfortable as circumstances would permit for the night.  It
~continued cloudy during the day, and became quite cool in the evening;
the thermometer at sundown stood. at 550, making a difference of 90 since
the morning.
The blufis about this point begin to approach the river very near; they
have varied heretofore from two to four miles from the banks of the Platte.
Our encampment was made within five miles of the junction of the North
and South Forks of the Platte, and sixteen miles from where the emigrants
maake their first crossing on the South Fork, commonly called the lower
crossing, which, I believe. is generally considered the best.  Mr. Wilcox.(the guide) went over the bluffs last evening on a hunting excursion,
being a fine section of country for buffalo and antelope, but returned,
after travelling twenty miles on the prairie, without being successft. —a
Part ii-10




146                          Doe. No. 1.
disappointment seldom known to a hunter along the Platte before this
spring.
This valley has been heretofore a great range for game of all kinds.
Herds of buffalo, consisting of thousands,, have been seen grazing at one
time, a few  years since; but such has been the effect produced on them
by the immense emigration this spring, that it has driven the game far beyond the bluffs; and the buffalo seldom  Teturn to the river except when
forced to do so for the want of water, and then in sm all numbers. Their
range is now on the headwaters of the Blue and Kansas, and from thence
to the Arkansas.  I have no doubt, if the emigration continues a few years
more, as large as it is this year, not one will be found along the borders of
the Platte, or near Fort Kearny, where they have been known to approach
the out-buildings, apparently for shelter in the winter.
We had the unpleasant duty to-day to perform, as once before, of passing along the road many graves of the unfortunate emigrants; among
them was the grave of a man who had died at the age of sixty-four years,
from general debility.  One would suppose, with a man who had arrived
nearly at ihe age of three score and ten, that his thoughts would have
been on anything else than the treasures of this earth; but  such is the
charm in wealth, that, on this route, it was not unusual to overtake men,
and women who were scarcely able to walk from age, all destined for the
gold diggings.
I had not proceeded very far beyond this place, before I came to the
resting-spot of Captain P. S. Gray, of Texas, who had served in the Mexican war.  I could not help thinking, as I passed, that he had travelled
far to find a solitary grave, so distant from relatives, and in a spot where
the prints of the white man's footstep were never seen until within the
last few  years. His comrades, however, had performed the last act of
kindness, by decently interring him in this lonely spot, and placing at the
head of his grave a well-cut slab, with the date of his death, name, age,
and the disease with which lie died, being cholera.
On the right of the road, and not far distant, we passed the encanmp"
ment of a. party of Cherokees, who had broken up their party, which had:
become very general among the emigrants since leaving Fort Kearny.
It consisted, a few days ago, of fourteen persons; since yesterday six had
died with the cholera.  One was dying at the time they were visited, and
the remainder were too ill to assist in burying the dead.'Among the whole
of this party there was but one man who really AJas able to render tny assistance to the others.  This was a sad spectacle to behold.  These people had left homes where many of them were no doubt comfortable and.
happy, and never perhaps had been required to labor for their daily bread
half as hard as they had on this march.  The gold mania had, however,
spread far and near; and, being seized with it, they had abandoned com.
fortable homes, blinded with the belief that fortunes wvere soon to be realized, wh.ich in a great degree was imaginary, and they have; like -many
others similarly situated, found their graves in this wild and lonely region.
IMuch fear was entertained that the cholera would increase; we certainly had every reason to suppose'so, from the many deaths among the
emigranlts along the road, and their present helpless condition.
-Within the last four days the command had lost several men by the
cholera, and it had every indication of increasing among them.  On the
fourth two men died, and one on the seventh; and Doctors Moses and.




Dpc. No. 1L                             147
Smith were seriously attacked by it, -who were the only two physicians
along with us to attend the three divisions that were required to travel
some distance apart.
I had seen so much of it between Forts Leavenworth and Kearny, that
I did hope the command would, before our reaching it, be entirely clear;
but it seemed to move as the emigrants did, and we were destined to keep
it among us in spite of every precaution, until our arrival probably in Oregon.
I think it was about this place that a man was found near the bluffs
who had entirely lost his reason, and had been abandoned by the company to which he belonged, either to starve or to be picked up by some
emigrating party who might possess more humanity fbr him  than was
shown by them.  He was taken to Fort Laramie by the troops, and there
left under the care of the physician of that post.
The road to-day was much cut up by gullies, which are the natural drains
from the highlands to the river, and in many places were so broken as
to render it necessary to cut down the banks and make other improvements before we could pass them, without which it would hate made it
very fatiguing to the teams.  The road thus far along the valley of the
Platte was good, and., with the exception of the mud, which made it very
heavy, it could hardly be surpassed by any I have ever travelled over.  It
reminded me very much of the roads in the Mississippi bottom, which are
always fine in good weather, but are the reverse whenever the rainy season
sets in.
The valley of the Platte is very level and uninteresting, and but little
better beyond the bluffs: there you find a little under-growth in the ra.
vines, of dwarf-oak and elder; where you get the wild gooseberry and currant, which are the only fruits to be met with about here, and are very inferior in taste when compared with those cultivated.  They can be made
palatable when properly served up, and afford a little variety to those who
are compelled to resort to salt food, which is so very deleterious to health
when constantly used on a long march like this.
June 10.-To-day being the Sabbath, it was a day of general rest among
the emigrants.  As the command had been considerably delayed since
leaving Fort Kearney, it became necessary to make up for lost time, and
we therefore did not follow the good example set by our fellow-travellers,
deeming it more prudent to rest towards the end of our journey, if time
would permit us, than at the commrencement of it.  I think, however,.
one day in the week should be taken for that purpose; it relieves the:
teams, and prepares them anew for their labor.  The morning was cloudy
and disagreeable.  The thermometer at 5 o'clock was at 58S. Each division marched off about the hour of six, the third division having fallen
some four or five miles in rear of the second, which was some distance
behind the first.:
I ascended the bluffs this morning, and could easily discover where the
two forks of' the Platte river came together.  It is not immediately below
the lower crossing of the South Fork, but at least sixteen miles, and a
short distance above where our encampment was made last night.
To-day five buffalo were seen.  When first discovered they were running from the river across our road, and making towards the bluffs.  It
created, as might have been expected. a very great excitement; from the




148                          Doe. No. 1
highest to the lowest all seemed to be desirous of joining in the chase,
and it was with some difficulty that they were prevented.
Several of the officers, with some of the men, gave chase, and soon
came up with them, when the firing commenced.  One of the buffalo was
singled out, and, taking a circuitous route, received an additional fire as he
passed towards the rear, and before being brought to bay there was a
small troop in pursuit of him.  He at last came to a stand, and, although
writhing with pain, he would now and then make at the nearest horseman who was disposed to approach him.  One of the soldiers, it may
truly be said, attacked him  sword in hand, giving him a blow over the
head, as if he really thought any impression could be made upon him.
I think I counted sixteen mounted men after this poor animal, who,
with revolvers, kept up a regular fire. All seemed to be eager to have the
satisfaction of saying that they had shot at a buffalo, if they were not successful enough to kill one.  Lieutenant Lindsay at last brought him to
the ground, and had the credit of being the victor.  The other four were
all disposed of.  Lieutenant Frost killed one; but the most successful of
the hunters was Captain Rhett, who being mounted upon a fine swift animal and extremely active, was well prepared for a good chase, and singling
out an old bull, was determined to kill him without the assistance of any
one.  His horse being very fleet, soon brought him  alongside of the
buffalo; he had not run very far before he was able, with his six-shooter,,to place a ball in a vital part of the animal.  The horse appeared to enter
as much into the spirit of it as the rider, and being very manageable, could.
be placed wherever required.
Having amused himself by riding sometimes alongside. and then
chased for a short distance by the animal, he at last put an end to his suf-.ferings; and, in the true hunter style, taking such portions as are con-.sidered the most delicate, left the rest to be devoured by the wolves,
which are found in numbers prowling about the prairie, and particularly
in a buffalo range.  Mr. Leach was not last in the hunt; he killed another,
making his second since wTe left Fort Kearny.
We met this morning a man from the Salt lake, who informed us that
he had been robbed by a party of Crow Indians, who took from him  his
horse.  He also gave us the unpleasant information that grass was extremely scarce beyond Fort  laramie, caused, by the immense emigration
which had already passed the fort, having started early in the season.
By him we were able to send off letters; for such opportunities were very
seldom met with, and we were glad to seize upon any, and particularly,one so favorable as this.
We soon came to the lower crossing of the South Fork, where we found
a number of wagons on both sides of the river.  Some had crossed, not
without much difficulty; others were then crossing, but with mluch
trouble, for the rains had greatly swollen the river, so as to endanger their
stores, as well as running the risk of losing their wagons; while many were
on this side waiting for a more favorable opportunity to get across.
The banks of the South Platte seemed to be lined with large trains,
moving on both sides of the river, and over the divide which separates the
North and South Forks.  They could be seen as far as the eye extended.
To look at them, it would seem  impossible that grazing could be found
for such an immense number of cattle that must necessarily be thrown together when it sometimes becomes necessary to stop for water.  As the




Doc. No. 1.                             149
emigrants passed Fort Kearny this spring, the wagons were counted by
the guard daily, and on the first of.June better than 4,000 had passed,
not reckoning those that were on the left bank of the river, which could
not be seen fiom the fort.  While on the journey to Oregon, I had a good
opportunity of ascertaining the number of persons with each wagon, and
it was a small average to estimate four to each one; which would make,
at this time, nearly 20,000 persons ahead of us. The number of oxen
were very seldom  less than ten to each wagon, and more frequently
twelve.  With this number, together with the many outriders, as well as
cattle which were driven along, the number of animals in advance of the
regiment could not have been less than 50,000.
From this statement it will not be difficult to calculate the number of
emigrants who wrent to California, as but fevw, comparatively speakitng,
were destined for Oregon.  To this number add those who took the Santa
Fe route, also those that were still in rear of us, and it will not fall short
of 35,000 souls.  I feel confident in saying, that on this trail there were
not less than from eight to ten thousand wagons passed during the season,
with animals in proportion.
There were with the command about 1,200 mules; the horses belonging
to the whole regiment amounted in all to about 700: a pretty round number, altogether, to provide for daily for a period of five months.  On a prai.
rie, where one million of buffalo have been seen scattered over the hills and
valleys, it may be thought that the animals ahead of us were of but little
importance; but when you think of this number stopping on the borders
of some convenient stream, to be adjacent to water, and required to
be kept within a short distance of camp, it will strike one with surprise how we ever got through the country beyond this, where grazing
is always bad, wiithout some great disaster; and when I now reflect upon
the past, it often seems astonishing to me how we ever reached the Columbia river without losing half of our teams.
Colonel Loring concluded to ascend the river from this camp, hoping
to find a better crossing, and we continued our march a few miles further,
where the second division encamped among the hills, and their horses
were taken to an island to graze for the night.  The first division stopped
about five miles ahead of us; and the third in the bottom near the lower crossing, which we had passed during the evening. The distance travelled to-day
was twenty-five miles: the road being excellent, and the day pleasant, our
teams came into camp much less fatigued than usual.
Jeune 1.-We did not get off before six this morning; the storm of last
night having scattered our mules, much time was lost in hunting them.
The wind blew a perfect hurricane, knocking down our tents and blowing
off the wagon covers.  The rain fell in torrents, as if it would deluge the
valley below us, and it was very fortunate that we had encamped among
the hills.
I do not know when I have ever experienced such vivid lightning; so
great was the glare, that the whole camp was at moments perfectly visible.
The braying of mules, lowving of cattle, and the racing of horses through
the camp, gave an additional excitement to the scene, and very little rest
was enjoyed by any one through the night.  The storm  caused a stampede anong the horses and mules of the third division; four belonging to the
travelling oirge ran off, but were overtaken and brought back, except one,
after having been followed nearly fifteen miles.




15 0                         1 4Doc. No. 1.
There was much firing among the hills during the niglIt by the emigrants, lwho were guarding their cattle; the storm having caused a starrpede among them.  The guard in following them became separated, and
were only able to find their camps by this means.
On a march of this kind many amusing scenes take place, and seldom
occur without being seen or heard of by the whole command.  Thrown
together as they are while in camp, and travelling during the dlay, every
little occurrence that takes place is treasured up for the'want of any better,
for those who are always ready to amuse themselves at the expense of
others.  One of our men wandered, out of camp last night in pursuit of
his horse, and getting a little confused, his whole mind filled with Indians and the thought of losing his scalp, he lost his self-possession, and
doubtless thinking that he had been out longer and had gone much further than was really the case, set up a yelling, with the hope of bringing
some one to his rescue, and made as much noise as if he had been attacked by a band of Indians.  The guard found him in this condition, running about the hills, with but little knowledge of what he was doing, and
much less as to where' he was going, and relieved him, no doubt much to
his satisfaction, and greatly to. his surprise to find himself within a few
hundred yards of camp.  It was soon known this morning, and the poor
Dutchman, who had never dreamed of a prairie or an Indian until he
came on the march, had but little rest the balance of the journey.
The day was clear.  The road lay over a rolling prairie, which soon
became dry and firmL  and we travelled fifteen miles, reaching camp about
five o'clock this evening, without any difficulty.  We had now been several days in the valley of the Platte, on a road not the least rolling, and
it was a relief to the troops, as it was to the teams, to get among the hills
again.  It is less severe in hauling than on a level road, such. as we had
travelled ever since leaving the fort.
A short time before stopping for the evening, we sawv  on the opposite:side of the river an encament of Sioux, who immediately struck their
lodges, proceeded up the river, and stopped nearly opposite to us. A deputation, consisting of the old chief and about eighty of his party, came over
to see us.  This old savage had tried to make himself look as respectable
as possible, and had given a coloring, with a little vermillion, to his gray
locks, which hung profusely around his shoulders. His only article of
dress was a green frockcoat, not of the latest cut, thatreached to his ankles,
a. onil his shoulders were an old pair of epaulets, that looked as if they
had seen some service.  His leggins, which were of gray cloth, were a
substitute for pantaloons. To complete his costume, his cap was made
of grizzly bear-slin, with a long red feather, supported by a. large brass
plate in fiont; and a medal suspended from his neck, made in 1809, with
the likeness of President Madison on one side.  To take the whole group
together, with him at the head, would have been a scene for any painter;
for of all attempts at -dress, this exceeded  any  I have ever seen
among Indians.  He felt, no doubt, that he was dressed for the occasion;
and we should have felt ourselves highly honored, although it did afford
us a little amusement.  This was the celebrated. Queue de B3euf, one of
the Sioux chiefs from the plains.
These Indians were very anxious to let us know  their great fiiendship
for the whites, and expressed much pleasure.at seeing so many white
warriors.  They were very inquisitive, in wishing to know how far we




Doc, No. 1.                             15I
hiad come, wher e we re going and how long  e  ould be travelling,
and ended their visit, as is usual among them,  by asking for provisions
~and a few presents, which the Colonel gave them.  This was a warar-party,
who had been in pursuit of the Pawnees, and were then returning from
below,
We were unfortunate not to havei an interpreter along \vho could speak
the langunage, as it would have been well to have explained to them our
*object.  I believe I was the only person in camp who could understand anything they said, and my kno-wledge was very limited of their
language, having forgotten much since being stationed among themn, many
years since.
Having obtained for them such things as they seemed to desire, I returned to the second division, which had encamped two miles in rear of
thIe first.  I found at my tent two young warriors, one of whom presented
mie with a piece of buffalo meat, whi;ch, like all Indian gifis, cost me in
presents double its value.  He commenced by begging for bread;, meat,
and whiskey; and indeed he wanted something of everything he saw, and
finally concluded that he wot-ld like a Mexican blanket I had on my bed,,wrhich I declined giving himn, and at the same time mlaing him fully understand that it was time to be off. He very soon left, but not without
getting a little whiskey, which he coolly put into the tripe of a buffalo which
he had killed that day, and appeared to be as well satisfied as if it had
been placed in a cut-glass decanter.  What the taste of it could have been
by the time he drank it, will not be very difficult to imagine.
Shortly after leaving the Indians at the encampment of the first division,
quite an excitement occurred amaong them.  It proceeded from  a horse
being ridden into camp by one of their young warriors, which was recognised and taken by the command.  It appeared that the animal had been
carried off by a deserter, and, as they said, sold to the IndiaH, who believing himself justly entitled to it, could not be made to understand why
it should be taken from him, as he had come honestly by it.  When the
mark of'U. S." was pointed out to him, and they endeavored to make
himn comrpriehend by signs that the horse was the property of the command, it seemed impossible to do so; a shake of the head was all that
-could be got- from him-he either did not or would not understand anythhing that was said to him. It was, however, made veryr plain to him,
when he saw his horse led off to one of the companies, that there was
mcore than one owner.  The deputation moved off quite incensed at the
wrong which they conceived had been done one of their party, being too
much offended to carry off the provisions that had been given to them.
Upon refleetion, it was thought to be the better plan to send back the
horse to their encampment, as the Indian had obtained him in good faith,,although the animal was stolen property; at which they became quite
pleased, and expressed much satisJfaction, and soon sent for the provisions
that. they had left.  it was very well thal this course was adopted, for
they woni0  have given us during the night much trouble to secure our
horses, havirng it in their power to have annoyed us considerably without,the least fear of being punished.
Our encampm.ennt was made near the bluffs this evening, thle bottom
bei)ng too wet and low to approach the river any nearer.
The mosquitoes were very numerous here, and had annoyed us very.,much throughout the day: our horses were frequently covered with them,




152                          Doc. No. 1.
which made them  very restless, and had greatly troubled them  since
leaving the fort.
June 12. —The night was cloudy, and the morning quite chilly.  The
comimand left at six o'clock, and travelled about twelve miles to another
ford, which we found, upon examination, to be too deep.  The bottom
was very uneven and filled with ouicksand.  One squadron crosse., after
much difficulty.  It was thought to be too deep to venture the train, and,
as the trail led further up the river, the Colonel, with the two guides'
Lieutenant Frost and myself, followed it about thirteen miles to where
it crossed, leaving the command at the middle ford, where they made
their encampmeint for the night.  Finding the bottom  of the upper ford
much more even, and less quicksand, we determined to cross at this
place, and returned again to camp, which we reached at 7 o'clock p. m.,.
in time to get clear of a very severe thunder storm that was fast gathering.
About a'mile from the upper crossing an Indian lodge was seen, standing alone in the prairie, which we took for a medicine lodge, or where
some chief had probably been buried.  It was too late for us to visit it,
as the evening was drawing to a close, and w   we were necessarily compelled to postpone it until to-morrow.
For the last two days, antelopes in great numbers were seen on the
prairie, but very few deer.  This evening. as verlr rainy and disagreeable.  Grazing for the animals at this eicampment was very indifferent;
the spring being backward in this section of the country, it had impeded
the growth of the grass very much.
June 13.-Our tents were left to dry, which prevented us from getting
off early this morning.  The divisions left at'7, 8 and 9 o'clock, maing
an hour between each.  We proceeded to the upper crossing, where we
found that the river had risen a few inches during the night.  This was
much against us, being already too high to risk the trains.  The Colonel's
carriage was first sent over, and reached the opposite side without much
difficulty.  We next tried a loaded wagon, drawn by six good mules,
which was nearly one hour getting over.  The river here is 1,090 yardswide, and I began to think at one time that it would not reach thie opposite bank in safety. After this, I had ten mules attached to each
wagon; and half the supply train driven in at one time; and as long as
the leading wagon kept moving, the rest followed very well, and got
across much better than any one supposed.  The mules frequently got
into the quicksand; but the extra-duty men being stationed in the river
at the worst places, were ready to give immediate assistance.  Such was
the course adopted, and the trains were all passed over in safety.  Out of'
160 teams we lost but two mules, which were drowned in reciossing
the river: being compelled to return against the current, they often became entangled in their harness.
It was the astonishment of all that more accidents did not take place'.
for it was not uncommon to see teamsters down in. the water at the sametime with the mules andc so entangled wi th the harness that it appeared impossible to extricate them.  To make it more disagreeable, it rained.
throughout the evening; but the command all got across in safety, and
encam-ed on the left bank of the South Fork this evening, much to the
gratification of every one-for we dreaded the crossing of this stream
more than the balance of the journey.
We had with us four famities, who remained'in their carriages while




Doe. No. 1.                             103
passing over, and deserved great credit for the firmness and presence of
mind they evinced; for therea was not only great danger, but the looks of
the muddy water, the great width, and the rapid current of the river, were
enough to deter the stoutest hearts.  On examining the train, 1 was
pleased to find the stores all safe, having suffered but very little damage,
although the river was deep enough in places for the water to enter the
wagon-bodies.  The mules, after the labors of the evening, were much
the worse for wear, and a day's rest would be of gleat advantage to them;
as the grazing was very good at this place.  Having reported their condition, an order was issued for the 2d and 3d squadrons to move on the
15th, and the 1st at 12 o'clock ]to-morrow.
I examined this morning the lodge referred to yesterday.  It was of a
conical form, made of dressed buffalo skins, nicely stretched over sixteein
cotton-wood poles. There were inside, the remains of an Indian lying on
the ground, and covered with a buffalo skin pinned to the ground with
small wooden stakes.  A small scafibod was erected over the body, supporting what appeared to be a pack, and several small trinkets, that were
formerly worn by the deceased.  On the outer side of the lodge, and out
of our reach, there were several strands of hair, indicating the number
of scalps taken by him; and, from  the great care in which everything
was arranged, I inferred he was some great chief.
The dirt was carefully thrown up around the lodge, and, strange as it
may seem, the wolves had not in the least disturbed it.  An old United
States flag was suspended from  the top of the lodge, much torn, by the
effects of the wind, against the points of the poles.  Some emigrant had
cut a small hole about two inches long in the lodge, to gratify, no doubt,
his prying curiosity, which we found to be very convenient for the same
purpose.
It is a curious fact, that in no instance will one nation disturb the dead.
of another, or anything that may be about them, not even when at war.
The Indians deserve great credit for the respect they shoxv their dead.
Each tribe has its own peculiar mode of burial, and in many respects they
are very similar.
An order was given that the lodge should not be disturbed, which was
very proper, as there might have been some thoughtless persons who
would not have considered it a very heinous offence to have taken a
beautiful pipe, for a curiosity, which was lying on the scaffold inside the
lodge.
June 14.-The second and third squadrons remained here all day, the
first leaving at 12 m.  To-day was passed in unloading, drying, and preparing everything for to-morrow.  We had now been out thirty-five days
from Fort Leavenworth, and much longer than it should have taken; but
the mules were poor, and several days were lost in waiting for the beef
cattle.'We now began to feel as if the journey had really commenced; having
crossed the South Fork of the Platte, we had no more obstacles to pass
between here and Fort Lararie.
Junze 15.-We left our encampment this morning at 5 o'clock; crossing
thie "divide" between the forks.  This is a high level prairie, until you.
approach near the Platte, where you strike Ash Hollow, a deep ravine that
runs to the river, and is about two miles long.  The country about it is
very broken, and we were compelled to let the wagons down into it by




04                   BDoe-.No. I,
ropes.  In this hollow there are a fw- ash trees and dwarf cedars.  The
bluffs are very broken, and composed of rotten limestone and sand,
which are generally the cornposition of those along the river.
It rained last night very hard, making the roads heavy, until the middle of the day, when it cleared off and became very pleasant.  We encamped on the North Platte this evening at 5 o'clock, having marched.
twenty-two miles, and accomplishing the distance without any difficulty,
losing not more than three hours in letting down the wagons.  We found
thie ravine very sandy, as well as the bank of the river equally so.
I saw, while crossing the prairie, a large herd of buffalo; but valuing
nmy horse much more than the pleasure of the chase, I passed without
disturbing them.  They were the last met with  until arriving at Deer
creek.
The country in the vicinity of the INorth Fork is entirely destitute of
wood, but in this respect it does not differ from that already passed over.
The river is much narrower than the South Fork, but less muddy, and
differs materially in the formation of its bluffs, which, in many instances,
become rugged, steep, and frequently approach near the bank of the river,
maaking the valley in places very narrow.
The grass was very scarce this evenin-g, compared with that at the crossing of the South Fork.
Ju.ne 16.-The day was very windy and clear, making it a fine day for
travelling.  The road was extremely sandy; which made the hauling'ery heavy.  We colmmenced our mnarch at 6 o'clock in the morning,
and stopped in the afternoon at 5 o'cloci, having travelled only eighteen
miles.
I was called on to-day to assist an emigrating party, consisting of a woman, her son, daughter; and son-in-law, all of whomn  were too sick to attend to their wagon.  I placed one of the extra-duty men. with them  for
the day, to drive until they were able to hire some one, or take charge
themselves.
WVe passed miany emigrants to-day, who were very  1much d iscouraged
at their condition; for,while the greater portion were sick, others began to
consider it a hopeless undertaking, and many were turning, back, who
brought, as might have been expected, discouraging news of the country
ahead.
It was very evident that out of the immense emigration that had left the
MVlissouri, ther erer  a great number who rmust suffer before they could
possibly reach their place of destination, or where assistance m-ight be
given then.  As to the little they received from the troops, it was merely
temporary; for large numlbers required thie same, and it was impossible to
render them all. any material aid: besides, it would have haza'rded the ac~complishing of our own journey to have attended to their wants.
I will not here attempt to give any descriptionl of the suferingfs of these
people, as I should be compelled to diverge too much from  the narrative
which I am required to give of what appertain.ed simply to the command.
The public prints, in different parts of the country, have loing since given
a detailed account of their sufferings, and I can only say that theyi were
not at all exaggerated.  Our encampmrent this eveni-ng was nmade between the river and the bluffs, and the grazing along here was very indif
ferent.
Jitne 1 7.-We started at six o'clock this morning.  iThe road lay along



Doc. No. 1.                            155
the river, and passed over a mnuch higher and more rolling country than
yesterday.  After a march of twenty miles, we came in sight of the Lone
Tower and Chimney Rock: the former is about six miles from our encampment, and to the left of our road; the latter could just be seen, and
was still one day's march from us, although, from the state of the atmosphere, it appeared but a very short distance.
Our road to-day led by a hill where the Indiana company had interred
three men — ussell, Judson. and Phillips-who died with the cholera,
on the 14th, 15th, and 17th inst., while encamping at this place.  As
this hill is somewhat prominent, it will be a landmark hereafter for future
travellers who pass this way.
The grass fosl our animals this evening was very good at our encampment, which was on the banks of the Platte.  The evening was delightful, with. every prospect of a fine day to-morrow.
JunTe 18.-The morniIng was calm, and warm. We started at 9 o'clock,
and I visited the Lone Tower on the route; it is about two hundred feet
high, and stands alone on the prairie.  It has much the appearance of a
tower or old ruin, as you approach it, and no doubt was once connected
with the high range of bluffs that pass the Chimney Rock, twenty miles
from here; but at present it stands entirely alone, the range of bluffs not
being within two miles of it. A small stream passes its base, which, after
winding through a valley about three miles wide, empties into the Platte,
near where we encamped last night.
We encamped this evening three miles from  Chimney Rock, on the
banks of the Platte, after a day's march of twenty miles, where we found
very good grazing.
Junte 19. —. visited Chimney Rock this mlorning, as the commnand wend.
ed its way along the river.  The column did not appear to be more than
fifty feet high, and is composed of light clay, which I found to be extremely
soft, and the same composition as that of the bluffs near it and the Lone
Tower.  From the base of the hill on which it stands, it is probably over
two hundred feet high.
There is no reason to doubt that this columnon of earth once belonged to
the bluffs which are very near it, and by time, and the assistance of the
~elements, has been worn. into its present form.  When approaching it, it
takes a variety of forms-sometimes that of an old ruin, then a very sharp
cone; but, after all, more the shape of a chimney than anything I can compare it to.   The variety of forms which are seen proceed from  the
winding of the road, and the position of the bluffs about it.
We left the river soon after passing it; and reached a valley near Scott's
Bluf'fs, where we made our encampment for the night, having travelled
twenty-three miles.
The scenery for the last two days has been very picturesque.  The
hills are much higher and more broken than any we have seen on tho
march, and begin to change the monotony which we have had so coastantly since leaving Fort Kearny.
This evening we suffered for water, having only a small spring for two
squadrons, and the water used for the horses camze from mud-holes which
we foutnd near the camp.  Wood, as usual, was very scarce, but we obtained enough in the valley for our use, that had been swept from the hills
by the heavy irains which fiequently fall during the summer.  What was
found, principally consisted of dwarf cedar and pine.  We had but very




156                         Doc. No. 1.
little for our horses at this encampment, and the grass began to change as
rapidly as the face of the country.
June 20.-Previous to reaching our encampment last evening, we had
a heavy shower of rain, accompanied by hail, which made it very cool
this morning.  We got under way at 6 o'clock, and after passing up the
valley about five miles, ascended the first high hill since leaving Fort Leavenworth.  This is partly covered with cedar, which was the first we had
mnet with on the march.  There is also a spring of delightful cold water
wThich we should have reached last evening, but, from the want of a proper
knowledge of the country by the guide, we failed to do so.  Here was a
blacksmith's shop and trading-house, built in the true log-cabin style,
which made us all feel as if we were in reality approaching once more a
civilized race.
Shortly after ascending the hill, we came in sight, for the first time, of
Laramie's Peak, which belongs to the range of Black Hills, and was
probably eighty miles from us. The scenery is very beautiful from  the
top of this hill, presenting to the view mountains, hills, and valleys, in
every direction, changing entirely the scenery which we had been so long
accustomed to, and convinced us that we were in reality approaching the
Rocky mountains, so long talked of.  I do not know when I have witnessed a more beautiful sight.  The road from here began gradually to
descend, until towards the close of the evening, when we arrived on the
banks of Horse creek, and made our encampment for the night, accomplishing to-day a distance of nineteen miles.  It remained cool all day,
which made it very pleasant for travelling, and we got on without much
difficulty.
One of our teamsters ran off this morning, taking with him a public
mule. A party was despatched in pursuit of him, but finding that he was
closely followed, he took to the hills, and succeeded in escaping. Another
mutinied to-day, and threatened to shoot one of the agents: he was placed
in close confinement, and taken to Fort Laramie, where he was left, to
be sent back to Fort Leavenworth by the first conveyance.  This was
the commencement of difficulties with the teamsters, who began to shovt
signs of insubordination, and it was fbarecl, as w\e approached the Southl
Pass and Salt lake, that many of them would leave us.  For my part, I
placed but very little dependence in any of them, and would not have
been surprised to have seen them leave at any moment.
June 21.-Before arriving in camp last evening, we crossed a very miry
creek, that gave us a great deal of trouble.  We were frequently required
to haul the mules out of the mud, besides breaking several of the wagons.
It weakened the teams more in crossing this stream, than the distance
travelled since crossing the South Platte.  We got off at 6 o'clock; the
morning was fine, but bid fair to be very warm through the day.  The
bluffs were very broken, and the road sandy.  This proved to be the
warmest day experienced since commencing our march.  It had rained
but very little since crossing the South Fork, which made it very dusty.
Our road to-day passed close along under the bluffs, which intercepted
the breeze, and made it almost suffocating.  In addition to this, the
musquitoes and buffalo gnats were very annoying to the animals and
men; we had been much troubled with them  ever since leaving Fort
Kearny.  We encamped on the Platte this evening, at 3 o'clock, having




Doe. No.  1                             157
travelled nineteen miles, which was a good day's journey, against the
heavy, dusty road passed over, and the heat we were compelled to support.
It was at this place that we got wood for the first time since the 9th
instant, and the men seemed eager to gather it for fear of a scarcity the
next day.  Our animals fared very badly at this encampment, as they
had for the last three days; and it was fortunate we were so near Fort
Laramie, where it was in contemplation to rest, for our mules were fast
giving out and the cavcyard was daily increasing.
Julze 22.-The morning was fine.  Having prepared for the march, we
left our encampment at 6 o'clock, and arrived at Laramie's creek at 2
o'clock p. m., where the trading-house is located.  It was excessively
warm  and dusty; although we had a light shower during the night, it
had but little effect in laying the dust.
Fort Laramie is situated on Laramie's creek, arapid stream, about sixty
yards wide, with a firm, pebbly bottom.  This stream  rises among the
Black Hills to the west, and falls into the North Platte, about half a mile
below the fort.
This fort is built in the form of a quadrangular figure, and of unbaked
clay, or adobes; the wall is about twenty feet high, with. a small palisading on a part of it. There are two block-houses at the corners, diagonally
from each other.  Over the main entrance, which faces the river, there is
also another small block-house.  The buildings are made inside, the wall
forming a part of them. They are very small, and have but few comforts
to reconmmend them.
There are no trees about the fort to protect it from  the rays of the sun,
which are reflected from  the surrounding hills.  It is by no means a
handsome location, the scenery of the adjacent country being entirely
intercepted by small barren hills, which form  the valley of Laramie's
creek.  The hunting at this place has generally been very good, and its
only attraction; but even this has greatly diminished since the emigrants
have made it the greatt hloroughfare to Oregon and California.
There is fine grazing on Laramie's creek, where hay may be gathered
in the fall.  Wood is scarce immediately in the vicinity of the fort, but
pine and cedar may be procured on the hills across the Platte, about eight
miles above here.
We had now  arrived at Fort Laramie, 639 miles from  Fort Leavenworth, a point where the government has established a military post
where two companies of the rifle regiment were stationed, which was to
be a resting-place for us for a few days.  Our train could now be overhauled and repaired, leaving such wagons as might be dispensed withl
and mules that were broken down and unfit to continue the journey.
There was still plenty of time for them  to be recruited and sent back to
Fort Leavenworth before the fall.
Since leaving Fort Kearny, we had travelled 327 miles, over a bad
road, which in dry weather does not present one obstacle, but in the rainy.season, it is extremely heavy and very severe upon teams; in such
weather, I think it worse than the road from  Fort Leavenworth to Fort
Kearny.  There are many deep gullies which require repairing, but a.smiall party can always render them  passable by being a little ahead.
Water is generally to be had through the day, as the river is frequently
touched, and is always in striking distance, except at Scott's Bluffs
where you leave it, and do not strike it again for forty miles.




158                         Doc. No. 1.
From the 1st of June, our time was made very unpleasant by constant
rains; it made the roads very heavy and the hauling extremely hard.
Wood is not to be procured from the time you leave Fort Kearney until
you arrive at this place, and nothing is to be seen but the naked valley
and boundless prairies, in whatever direction the eye is turned.
There is a little more variety after arriving on the North Platte, as I
have stated in my daily marches; the high bluffs on the banks of the
river, as well as the several broken ranges in the vicinity of Chimney
Rock and Scott's Bluffs, are a little relief after the great monotony which
we have so long looked upon.
CHAPTER III.
lilarch from Fort Laramie to Indepe.dence Rock, on Sweet Water river,.
184 miles.
June 23.-The day was fine, and every possible arrangement was being
made for a speedy departure.  The whole train was overhauled to-day;
the clerks were kept busily engaged until 11 o'clock at night arranging
papers, so as to be ready for the march.
I regret to say that the dissatisfaction on the part of the teamsters was,
becoming more manifest, making it necessary to place another in irons
who had openly resisted the authority of those placed over him. Indifferent as I found them, I do not know what we should have done without
them, for the soldiers were raw recruits-some, not speaking the English
language, were not capable of taking care of one horse, much less a team
of six mules.  Although their threats were regarded as of no importance,.
still we were in a country where there was neither law nor order.  I
therefore left him at Fort Laramie to be sent back, thinking it by far the
better plan to get clear of such disaffected men, as the example which
they set did not tend to benefit the others, who, in malny instances, were
disposed to do their duty.
The commanding officer of this post released thenm a few days after we
left, considering, I presume, he had no authority to keep them in confinement, and they followed the command and the emigrating parties, stealing
whenever an opportunity offered.  They stole several mules from  the,
command. One of the thieves was taken twice; but the guard not being
viila'C t enough to secure him, he was allowed to escape.
My labors with the command were daily increasing; both the agents and.
myself were required constantly to be on the alert. This was done until
we were completely worn down, although I was fortunate enough to be
blessed with health, which kept me in the saddle from the time I commenced my journey until I arrived at the Dalles, on the Columbia
river..June 24.-I was agreeably surprised to find that the ox-teams that had.
started from Fort Kearny with subsistence stores on the third of June, had.
arrived in verygood order. It was not my intention, when they first started, to take them any further; but their condition was so much better, coinpared with the mules, that I determined to push them on to Fort Hall. They
crossed Laramie's creek this evening, having given the wagon-masters




Doe. No., I                              59
orders to move with such emigrants as are regular in their daily marches,
and not to be governed by us.
This was a very fine day, although much warmler than heretofore.  The
clerks worked hard throughout the day, and very late to-night, to get
everything in readiness by the morning, soas to leave. All the stores were
overhauled, and inventories taken of them; besides the papers connected
with the property left at this place, as well as the report of our march made
to the head of the Quartermaster's department.  I turned over to the
acting assistant quartermaster at Fort Laramie twenty wagons and one
hundred and tswenty mules; also other property for the use of the post, and
reported the train in readiness to move in the morning. Having completed
the labors of the day, and the writing which was necessary to bedone, by
eleven o'clock at night we retired to rest, pretty well fatigued..Jun.e 25.-The squadrons left at six, half-past six, and seven o'clock this
morning, all being ready before the first squadron crossed Laramie's
creek.  This stream was very high, and up to the wagon bodies, which
damaged a little some of the stores.
Having all got across without any accident, it may be said that we had
now fairly started again, not to stop before reaching Fort Hall, a distance
nearly equal to that which we had travelled, and by far worse; for we were
to pass over spurs of mountains, and through a broken, hilly country,
almost destitute of grass; and without overcoming all this, our journey
could hardly be expected to be accomplished.
We had now commenced a journey over an entire new country, filled
with hills and valleys, and in many places broken and. rugged, which
was to cause us much labor and fatigue.  Our road was a very rough one
to-day; mnountains were to be seen at a distance rearing their heads far
among the clouds, presenting a scene which was beautiful to look upon,
and admonished us that what we had still to contend with would not be
accomplished without much toil and suffering not only to ourselves, but
more particularly our animals.
We continued our journey amlong the barren hills until we came to a
deep sandy ravine, through which the heavy railns from among them pass
into the North Platte, probably eight miles from  the fort.  On the
right side of the road, and about three hundred yards below where it
crosses the ravine, there is a fine spring Ihat breaks from the side of the
hill and affords an abundance of water.  The men made an excavation
that collected a sufficient quantity in a few minutes for the whole command.  It was very refreshing, being the first we had met with since the
morning, and by no means warmn  although not as cold as springs generally are among the hills.
The road turns a little to the left, and leads through a deep gorge, as-,ending a high steep hill, covered with cedar and dwarf pine.  After
reaching the top you again strike the prairie; and about three miles from
here we took a road to the right, commonly known as the MIormon trail.
It had been but little travelled this year, and there was every prospect of
meeting with better grazing for our animals for the next two days, than'
by following the road which leads towards the mountain range, although
it was much more rugged than the old trail.
We made our encampment on a small stream  in a very broken part of
the country, having on its banks a little cotton-wood.  Before reaching
it we had a very heavy rain, accompanied by hail, which certainly fell




tOO1.60                      Doe. No. 1.
faster than I have experienced for some timle, making a hill which we had
to descerd very difficult for the train.  I doubt if this rain will ever be forgotten by those who were exposed to it, as it was among the last of any
importance until we arrived at Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia river. It
lasted but a short time, and was very partial, as the rear division got none
of it.
The water came in torrents from the hills.  While crossing the bottom
beyond the creek we met it rolling on, half-leg deep, to the stream below.
The ravines, which'a few minutes before were dry. soon became filled, and
the dry bed of the creek which we had just passed was made suddenly
a large stream.
The evening cleared off, and the night was very pleasant.  The distance marched to-day was twenty-one miles.  The mules and horses were
very much fatigued, as the road throughout the day passed over hills and
valleys that were very rough, and entirely different from any day's march
since the commencement of the journey.
iJuy 26. —The road this morning passed along a narrow ridge; and after getting under way at the usual hour, Captain Tucker and myself descended a deep valley, being entirely surrounded by perpendicular rocks.
There is a small canon which led to the river, which is the outlet to the
water which we found in this small valley, and accumulates principally
from a spring at the head of it.
There was very fine grazing in it, sufficient for two thousand horses,
with fine water running  entirely through it, which came from the spring..As the view  of this place, from the road, was intercepted by other small
hills and ravines, there are but feiw  who ever notice it.  Here. got possession of a fine pair of elk horns, which, from the size, induced me to
carry them to the Columbia river, and thence to Washliugton, as they are
)probably the largest ever brought from the mountains.
This day's march brought us to Horseshoe creek, near Heber's spring,
aufter a march of fifteen miles, where we procured wood, water, and grass
in the greatest plenty.  This surpassed any encamping ground we had.
met with since starting on the march.  The grazing at Fort Laramie was
certainly very excellent, but nothing to compare to this.  The country, although uneven, was not very hard to travel'over to-day, and we completed our journey by two o'clock p. m.
I received orders this evening, fromr  the commanding officer, to fit out
Colonel Porter with materials to prepare a raft at the Mormon ferry, on
the North Platte, now eighty-seven miles fiom us. Although late at night,
it was complied with, and he left the next morning early for that place.
June 27.-This morning was very pleasant, after a slight shower of
yesterday evening.  We proceeded along a level road to-day, until we
again struck the river, at a grove of cotton-wood trees, about twelve
miles from where we encamped last night.  Since leaving Fort Laramie
we had travelled but lirtle on the Platte, being separated from it by high:aockv cliffs and brokent ground along its banks.
Trees were lying in every direction at the cotton-wood grove, having
been cut down by the emigrants, the few years previous, for food for their
animals.  It may be thought a poor substitute, but the bark as well as
the small limbs are very nutritious, and have ofien been resorted to in
this region to sustain animal life for mlonths.
We continued up the valley a few miles, when we left the river, not to




Doc. No. 1.                             161
strike it again until we came near Deer creek, where we might be required to cross.  Our march was now through narrow gorges, winding
around hills the whole evening, until it brought us on a ridge, where
the country could be seen in different directions for a long distance.
Here we made our encampment for the night, although a very poor one.
as the grass was very indifferent.  Since leaving Fort Laramie, we had
passed over a fine range of country for game; elk and antelope abound in
great numbers, and if time had permitted us to hunt them, they couli
have been killed without any difficulty.
The scenery from  the top of the ridge was very picturesque.  Laramie's peak and the range of Black Hills could be very distinctly seen,.
and frequently reminded me of some of the mountain scenery I had met
with in Mexico.  I ascended several high hills, and had a fine view of the
country as I travelled along to-day, but there is nothing to recommend it
except the beauty of the scenery, as the land is very poor and barren, being of very light soil, and covered principally with wild sage.
June 28.- _The morning was clear and mild.  We did not commence.
our march until 7 o'clock. The road led along the ridge for some distance, then passing into deep ravines and over high hills, where our route
could be seen twenty miles ahead.  At such places it was very distinctly
marked, as the soil is of a reddish cast, being a mixture of red marl and.
sand.
About the middle of the day we arrived at a rapid stream, called the
Bitter Cotton —wood, which is about thirty feet wide, and, the water very
fine.  Previous to reaching it, the road became very sandy and difficult
to get over.  There is a fine cold spring to the right as you enter it which
is seldom seen. After crossing the stream  the road ran along the left
bank for several miles, when it again turned in among the hills and
ravines, and, at the end of our day's journey, we arrived at the base of
a range of high hills, which might be more properly called a mountain.
spur, where water could only be obtained by digging for it.  This is commonly known as the Spring branch.  Here we made our encampment,.
having travelled twventy-one miles.
After crossing the Bitter Cotton-wood,  and  before stopping for the
night, we came to the base of a hill/'where we found a large quantity of
gypsum, which is very near a stream, where the water was lying in holes
and of a very inferior quality.
There is much bitter cotton-wood on the stream  we first passed to-dayj,
from which it takes its name.'With the exception of t.his, we have met.
with no wTood of any importance; the hills and valleys being entirely
destitute of anything like vegetation, except artemisia.
June 29.-Our road to-day passed over a dreary and uninteresting
route-more so than any since leaving Fort Laramie.  The hills are jot
so high as you approach the Platte, but entirely barren.  Nothing was to
be seen but the artemisia, or wild sage, which is extremely uninteresting,
having neither beauty nor usefulness to recommend it, and its odor by
no means pleasant.  We were now destined to travel a very long distance
where this shrub was constantly to be seen, and in greater quantity than
had already been met with, for it may be said that we had just entered
it, as it was not very plenty or large, compared with what we afterwards,
met with on the route.
There must be something in the composition of the earth particularly
Part ii-I' 




1`62                         2Dec. No. 1.
adapted to its growth, for, whenever grass was scarce, we invariably found
i  t in great quantities.  I have travelled for days, before reaching the Colurnmbia river, where nothing could be seen on the highlands and plains
but the artemisia, which for miles looked as if the whole country had been
cleared of all other vegetation to make room for it.
The morning was clear, and the day throughout very warm.  The
comnmand was detained by the hunting of horses and mules, which was
usually the case, but more so this morning. With all this, wse accomplished
twenty-six miles.  As it was necessary to reach the ri-ver, we were told to
get grass for our horses, but we encamped at the mouth of Deer creek,
~where grazing was even worse than might have been found at some of the
-streams which we crossed to-day, having crossed several; one of which
-was the Bonte, a fine, clear, rapid little stream, which came from the
Slaclk Hills, and falls into the Platte about ten miles from wxhere our trail
crosses it.
The route to-day was very well watered by these streams, which was
the only recoommendation it had, as the soil and face of the country have
been the same since leaving the fort.  We got in very late this evening;
tewenty-one miles was a long march, as well as a warm one, and the indifferent grazing for the last two days and the heavy hauling over this
un;even country had weakened our animals very much, and jaded them
considerably.  Seven of our teams gave out to-day, which was very discouraging; but our consolation was, that while we were crossing the
Vriver it would enable them  to become sufficiently rested to pass over the
hbarren region which lies between the Platte and the Sweet Water, where
better grass would be obtained, as the valley of the Sweet Water had been
]ieretofbre noted for it, as well as for its good wrater.
It was too late in the evening, after arriving at camp, to examine the
country around us; the horses and mules were therefbre staked out, to
dof as well as they could for the night, intending to take them to the base
of the mountains in the morning, which was seven miles distant.  This,will, no doubt, appear a long distance to drive animals to obtain grazing;
but such was the state of the country this season, that it, became neces-:sary to do it to prevent starvation, and it will give some idea of what we
~were frequently compelled to resort to on this march for the preservation
of our horses and mules.
June 30.-Although the morning was very pleasant, we did not leave
ciamp until half-past seven, as the horses and mules had scattered in
every direction among the hills, having got but very little last night,;after a long day's march.  It was our intention to go but a few  miles today, where we would be nearer the base of the mountains.  Lieutenants;Frost and Palmer left camp early to examine the range, and did not overtake us until we arrived at Crooked Muddy creel, a distance of ten miles:fi'-om our encampment this morning.
We encamped on this creek, and sent the mules and horses to where
there was very good pasturage,' about seven miles off, and had them
guarded by the teamsters while there.  The river presented a very busy
-scene; emigrants were crossing in several places, while others were engaged in constructing rude rafts of dry logs, which are attached together
rand pieces pinned across to confine them.  By placing at the end two,o ars, which are used as sweeps, they are propelled to the opposite side,
descending at the same time partly with the current  After reaching the




Doc. No. 1                              1i3
opposite side, a yoke of oxen are attached to it, and it is carried up the''stream sufficiently far, so that, when let loose, it reaches the point where
it originally started from by the force and effects of the current and. the
aid of the oars.  The wagons are taken apart, and it generally takes about
three trips to carry over one wagon and its load.  This you will perceive
is very slow work, and would be still more so with a train as large as the
one with us.
Jrly 1.-The command remnained here to-day, it being extremely warm,'and at the same time would give us.an opportunity of resting, being the
first day we had stopped since leaving Fort Laramie.  I went to the base'of the mountains, accompanied by 5r. Dudley, and had a very unpleasant ride, as the ground between the river and mountains is very rough.
We saw  antelope in great numbers, and one or two buffalo, which we
-chased for two or three miles, but being better able to clear the gullies'
~and difficult places than we were, they soon left us out of sight, for
although large and apparently unwieldy, they are extremely active.  it
-was in this chase that I sawv Miller, one of my wagon-masters, for the.ast time, as he was seized with the cholera after returning to his camp,
where the mules were grazing, and died in a few hours.  He was a very,efficient man, and a great loss to me.  In the'morning be was as well as
-any belonging to the train, and had been sent out to take charge of the
party whvo were guarding the mules; but before the sun went down, he
was no longer among the living, but resting quietly in his grave.  This'was the last case of cholera, I believe, which occurred in the command,.-nuch to the gratification of every one, for it was by no means a pleasing
-reflection to think we were surrounded by a disease which carried off the
-strongest without a moment's warning.
This range of mountains was thickly covered with cedar and pine,'where lumber for public purposes could be easily, obtained.  There is,coal on Deer creek, and along the valley.  In one of the hills, near the
Crooked M'luddy creek, I discovered it myself; and I have no doubt it
may be found in great quantities.  Having returned to camp, orders were
given for the third division to cross at this place, while the first and second
should move up the river to the Mortmon felry, where we might attempt
to cross on rafts, or use the ferry.  It was not fal, as the distance was
-only eleven miles from here.
The Colonel and myself left camp about six o'clock p. in., for the purpose of reaching Colonel Porter's encampment, and having travelled
about eight miles, diverged from the road towards the base of the mount~ains, when, after riding some time, we came to the place which he hlad
left that morning.  Where to find him we did not know, as the guide to:
the camp was completely lost.  Having wandered about for some hours''we again reached the river, and arrived at the Mormon ferry about twelve
o'clock at night.  At this place we learned that the party we were in
search of was up the river about fbur miles; we pursued our journey,
and, after winding among the cotton-wood trees and the bends of the'rivers, found them at half-past one o'clock in the mornling.  It was a
bright moonlight night, and with the exception of being lost, and the fear
of not finding the party before the next morning, the ride was by no
~means unpleasant.
July 2.-The morning was clear and quite cool before sunrise.  The
Taft was hastily put together, and every preparation made for crossing the




164                          Doc. No. 1.
river; but it was soon foulnd that the length of time, and the injury Whichthe property would sustain by exposure, would not justify it, when the
Mormon ferry could be hired for $4 per wagon, and the same guarantied
to be delivered, with its load, on the other side of the river in safety.
The raft was therefore abandoned, and the ferry hired.
July 3.-This evening several wagons of the first division were crossed
and instructions given by me to have the mules of the first division trail
swam across early in the morning, which was accordingly done.  The
day, though warm, was very pleasant, but the mornings and nights were
getting quite cool.
July 4.-Previous to leaving our encampment, which was about five
miles from  tthe ferry, a partial stampede took place among our horses,
created by a general stampede of those from the first division.  They had
been turned loose to cross the river, but evinced no disposition to do so;:
and, after making several efforts to get them over, they broke through thecomnmand, running at full speed in different directions-some towards the
base of the mountains; and others up the river, passing by our encampment, and taking with them a number of our horses.
It was in this stampede that one of my riding horses played a conspicuous part.  He was hobbled by his fore-legs, s p as to range about camp,
believing him  perfectly secure; but I was soon convinced that this mode
of hobbling horses was no preventive against their running off for he ran
with them several miles, and was not very far behind the gang.  Theywere, however, turned and brought baclk after having run for several
hours.
This stampede was very injurious to the horses, and they showed thebad effects of it a few days after.  My horse was brought back with his
legs much cut by the hobbles, and was more injured by it than by the
march from Fort Leavenworth  and did not recover throughout the journrey
From the time the troops conmmenced the march the horses and mules
had never been allowed to run loose, but were staked out at the termination of each day's march, and now finding themselves free, were extremely difficult to manage.  The proper course would have been to have,
supplied side-hobbles for the horses of each company; and by allowingthem to range around camp on the prairies, where grazing was not difficult
to procure; they would very soon have become used to them, and could
at any time have been turned out without the fear of their running off 
but I am compelled here to remark, in connexion with this subject, that
there was not one hobble along, nor could I find in the whole train a
bell, which is frequently required in herding animals, when it becomes
necessary, from the scarcity of grass, to turn them loose.
The hills, or, more properly speaking, the range of mountains, which
are a continuation of the Black Hills, approach the river at this placewithin four miles, and are thickly covered,vith very fine pine and cedar,
and the hilts and valleys beyond are also covered with timber of the same
kind. This is a great place for buffalo and game of every description.
It is said that grizzly bears are found here quite numerous; they were
seen and shot at by the emigrants, but none of our command were so
fortunate as to come across them  here, or on any part of the journey.
Large herds of buffalo were seen towards the head of Deer creek; but.as our time did not justify any delay, or that we should waste.the strength.




Doc. No. 1.                            165
of our horses, which were already in a poor condition, we had to forego
the pleasure of chasing them.
This morning a fine elk came within gunshot of our camp.  He was
chased by a party of us into the mountains, without being successful in
killing him, although he was shot at.  The black-tailed deer are quite
numerous about here, but it was difficult to find them  without crossing
the range, which would have occupied much more time than we could
conveniently lose.
The grazing on Deer creek, and along the base of the mountains
towards the head of Little Mluddy creek, is extremely good, and there is
everything here to recommend it as a pleasant location for a post, should
the station be changed from  Fort Laramie.  It brings the troops nearer
to the South Pass, where the Indians on war parties often frequent, and
probably would be more disposed to commit depredations here than at
-any other point between Fort Laramie and Bear river.  An excursion'could be taken by the troops, during the summer, along the Sweet Water,
twhere their horses would have fine grazing, and would give them an opportunity of scouring the base of the Wind River mountains, where they
Avould'most probably meet with the Crow Indians.  About the mouth of
Deer creek, and along the river for fifteen miles, the emigrants commence,crossing; and by establishing a good ferry here by the troops, it would
pay for the erection of a post, if the emigration should continue for a few
years longer as large as it was this year; for the price of crossing the.Mormon ferry varies from $3 to $4 a wagon.
The morning was fine, but very cold at five o'clock. The temperature
"of the nights and mornings at this place was sufficiently cold to make it,necessary to resort to fires to keep ourselves comfortable, although in the
middle of the day it is generally very warm.  The first division succeed-,ed in crossing to-day, and the second moved down to the ferry, towards
the close of the evening, and commenced to cross.  This was the manner in which the Fourth of July was spent by the command, while
throughout the country, in every city and hamlet, it was kept as a day
of rejoicing.  We had tried to reach Independence Rock in time to spend
it there; but owing to our great detention immediately after leaving Fort
Kearny, we were unfortunately prevented from  doing so, by three days.
July 5.-The second division crossed over five of their wagons last
evening.  This morning, at quarter after four'.o'clock, we commenced to
ferry the remainder, and finished at two' o'clock p. m., and made our
encampment on the hill irmmediately above the landing, where we.remained for the day.
An order was issued this morning for the divisions to' travel one day
apart.  The scarcity of grass through the country which we were aboaut
to travel over, rendered it necessary to adopt some plan of this kind.
The face of the country having entirely changed since leaving Fort
Laramie, it was only at certain points in our day's marches hereafler
that grass could be procured, and even then in limited quantities.
The first division commenced its march this morning-.  Our mules
were driven out about three miles from camp, being by far better than on
the banks of the river, where they were guarded during the day, and
kept until the morning.
In crossing the river yesterday we were so unfortunate as to have two
men drowned; one of whom, wishing to get something from the opposite




426T                         IbDoc. N1o. 1.
side, rode his horse into the river, and being fully equipped for the march,
no sooner reached deep water than both man and horse went down. In
the other case, one of the rafts was loaded with saddles and men. When
reaching the middle of the stream  an accident occurred, by the breaking.
of an oar, and, being carried down by the current, produced -a panic
among those on board, who, rushing to one side, careened it, so as to
induce themi to tQhink it was sinking; when every ma.n, losing his presence.
of mind, jumped overboard, and made for the opposite side, which they
all reached in safety but one.  it was astonishing what little forethought
and presence of mind the men evinced in many instances on the march;
and they reminded me more of children than persons who had arrived at
the age of maturity.
The river is not over four hundred yards wide at this point, and has a
very rapid current.  To have attempted to cross the whole command oni
rafts would have caused much delay, as well as the loss of property and
lives; for no emigrants crossed without losing a portion of their stores.
and wagons, while others lost their lives; besides, the state of the country which we were to pass over rendered it necessary to lose no time ingetting ahead of the great mass of emigrants who were making every
effort to push forxard to get to better grazing.
There is but little timber along the Platte; the river is almost as
destitute as the upper part of the South Fork.  What there is consists in
cotton wood, found scattered along onits banks for about fifteen miles.
To-day was extremely warm, the atmosphere dry and sultry.  Rains:
had become less frequent of late, which made the nights cold and the
middle of the day suffocating.  We are now  fast leaving the country forgame, and a few nmore days' marches would carry us to the South Pass,.
where buffalo and deer are seldom seen now in large numbers; the country between the mountains being almost too barren to support them, and
the imlmense emigration driving them  from  the Sweet Water valley,.
where they frequent early in the spring, in large herds.  WTe were soon to
see no more of thenm after leaving here.  Captain Granger informed methat there must have been on Deer creek one herd of at least five thousand. This has always been considered a great range for them, as they
were seen in gangs, at the time General Kearny returned fiomu  California,.
in 1847; to the number of a million.
We observed, this evening, lights in the mountains, supposed to be
m.ade by deserters, as signal fires; for many had left the command, and..
we had every reason to think that there was a constant communicatior.,
between them and those who contemplated leaving, and who were doubtless supplied of nights, in many instances, oy provisions fromn the colmanci.
July 6.  The second division conmenced the march at half past six.
this morning, passing up the river, and over a very sandy road or about
eight miles, nmaking the hauling this distance very fatiguing.  It became
better during  the day; as the road leaves the river at this point, and does.
not touch it again; but passes over a rolling country filled with  alkali
ponds an<d artemisia.  The ponds are covered with an incrustation of salaratus, and much of it is deposited at the bottom.
Our lmaich to-day brourght us in sight of the Red Hills,where we  madeour encampment for the evening, about a mile from  the road, below an:
alkali swamp and mineral spring.  The water at this spring is very cold,




Doc. No. 1.                              1?
and its taste that of stone-coal.  There were other springs also passed, andi'
were considered very deleterious, the taste being extremely disagreeable..
This was the first day we had observed that the cattle of the emigrautts
were dying, and it was a lamentable sight to see these fine animals l!ing.
along the road, at distances of not more than a few hundred yards apart..
and in one instance I saw where ani entire team  had been stricken down.v
where they stood linked, together to cornmmence their daily work.  Fromn
the Platte they were constantly met with along the road, in large numa
bers, until we arrived at the valley of Bear river, a distance of 200 miles'
when they began to diminish, much to the gratification of the emigrants,
The death or these animals was attributed, by many, to the drinkin. of alkaline wxater.    There were several causes, doubtless, combined, to whicl
it might be ascribed; the change of atmosphere, which had become dry'
and sultry since leaving Fort Laramie; the drinking of impure wcater wh.en
much heated, after a hard day's drive over a dusty road, filled with alkali. 
As emigrants alongt this route commence to increase their marches, boeinQ
often compelled to do so to arrive at a place where grass and water may
be'obtained, and for fear of not arriving at the end of their journey before
the fall, they travel with much more rapidity than the condition of theirteams should justify.
Our horses fared very badly this evening for grass, as there was nonee
of any inmportance, and what little they did get was trampled doxwn by the;
horses of the first division and cattle belonging to emigrants who were still.
ahead of us.'While on the prairie, between Forts Leavenworth and.
Kearny, there was no portion of the route but what grazing could be htad.
at any mo tment, though much better in some. places than at others but.
such is the formation of the soil, and its extreme sterility, that you are
compelled to travel sometimes a whole day before getting to a spot where:
you can find the least quantity, and these places this spring have been soe
frequented that the grass has been entirely consumed.  Our march waseighteen miles over a very dusty road, but we were compelled to stop
here, or go further and fare even worse.  The camp was pretty well supplied with wood, as we procured as much as we required for the night.
July 7.-The command left at seven o'clock, and struck the main road.
two miles from our encamrrpment of last night.  We continued our journey
over a rolling country, entirely barren, having no scenery to interest one-.
in the least, until we arrived at the Willow Spring, where we found, fowr
the first time to-day, a small stream of fine, pure, cold water, which came
froml the head of a small ravine formed by several hills. The spring takes
its name from the number of small willows about it, and along the gorge
where the water passes.  A  number of emigrants had collected at this
place, where some of them had been four several days.
This water was, by far, better than any the emigrants had met with sincecommencing their journey, and they seemed disposed to make the most of
it before moving forward.  We found a large inmber who had encamnped
and taken their cattle over the hills about four miles to graze, where they
represented it to be better than at the last encampment, or any since crossing the North Platte.  This is not to be taken as any proof of good grazing>
for that was not to be found among these hills; but being in the vicinity
of good spring water, which seems to be valued so highly by these people, the grass that was found was better than nothing: and, in their estimation, the uant of quantity was made up by the quality of the fine, cold




I 6(8                        Doc. No. 1.
stream which gushed from  the base of the hills, and, increasing as it
passed through the gorge, finds its way along the hitis and through these
dry plains, until it reaches the Platte, to which we had now bid adieu for
the last time; our course leading to the northwest, while the Platte soon
turns to the south.
After winding up the gorge and ascending a very long hill, a newv scene
broke upon our view.  We could easily see the spurs of the mountains
that formed the Sweet Water valley, while others ranged to the northeast,
forming, with the Wind River mountains, still further to the north, a large
-and extensive valley.  We had a very fine view from this peak of the ad-,
jacent country in every direction.
The Sweet Water valley was beautifully marked out by hills until it
reached the Platte.  The country to the north was interspersed with
mountains and valleys, while that to the east presented a broken and uneven country, entirely sterile, the whole destitute of wood, which to,scenery is so indispensable.
It was too early in the evening to stop at the spring, and we continued.
on to Greasewood creek, which comes frem the Wind River valley, and
encamped for the night.  Several places were passed in the evening, but
the wvater was too impure to encamp: they were nothing more than alkaline bogs.  Our horses were taken about three miles from  our encampment to graze for the night, and carefully guarded by the teamsters, who
were responsible for their loss.  From among them  a guard was formed,
xvhose duty it was to keep watch all night, under the direction of the
wagon-masters and agents.  The extra-duty men were also required to
perform  the same duty, which, after walking, and frequently working
pretty hard during the day, to be required to stand watch was sometimes
found to be severe duty, and a little more than they had contracted to
perform.
I found in a range of hills a fine specimen of coal, which I was unfortunate in losing before arrivitng at Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia river.
The country fronm Deer creek to the Sweet Water river, I have no doubt,.abounds in coal in great quantities.  It is found on the left bank of the
Platte at the Mormon ferry, and up to this place the hills bear every sign
of it.  The specimen I obtained to-day showed a very fair quality, and I
think it might be obtained in great quantity here.  The distance of coun-try travelled over, where coal may be seen in places, is about forty miles,
a.nd no doubt continues entirely across to the Wild River mountains.
Trhe train came in this evening in very bad order; many of the teams
completely worn down, and several of the mules had given out.
In this day's march of twenty-two miles there were not less than fifty
dead oxen passed on the road.  The grass in every ravine was eaten to
the ground, and the earth presented a frosted appearance from the deposites of alkali; nothing but wild sage and the greasewood shrub were
-to be seen all over the country.
The wind through the day blew very hard, and the dust was so thick.at times as to hide the whole division; both men and animals suffered
very much, particularly the teamsters, who were unable to avoid it.  I
required the wagons to be kept some distance apart, so as to escape as
much as possible the -heavy clouds of dust that were constantly kept up
through the whole day.  It was very cold during the day, and, the wind,sweeping over the snow-capped peaks of the Wind River mountains,




Doe. No. 1.                           169
which were not far off, made it as unpleasant as if it had been the middle
of October. No wood was to be had on this stream but the astemisia and
greasewood, which were used, and answered as a very good substitute.
July 8.-Last night was very cold, and a good fire of oak wood would
have been very acceptable.  The morning was clear, and it continued
cold. We got off at 8 o'clock, and after passing along a level but sandy
plain for eleven miles, arrived at Independence Rock, which had been
the theme of conversation with us since leaving Fort Laramie. It was a
spot often spoken of by those who had passed before us, and known as a
great resting-place, and made somewhat noted by emigrants who had
been fortunate enough to be there on the 4th of July.'We expected to
have reached it this year by the 4th instant, but, from unforeseen circumstances, were prevented from doing so.
It is immediately on the Sweet Water river, leaving only sufficient room
for the road to pass.  It is of granite, and about five hundred yards long,
one hundred and fifty wide, and forty yards high.  It stands entirely
isolated, at the east end of a small valley, formed by it and the adjacent
hills and mountains.  This rock bears the name of almost every one who
can take time to carve or write his name on it. There is nothing very
remarkable about it, except that it is not frequently the case you meet
with so Iong a mass of rockl without the least vegetation on it of any
kind, as you find in this case; and then its position makes it somewhat
remarkable, looking, as it were, like some huge monster rising from  the:ground.
Our encampment was made about a mile above the rock, on the bank
of the river, where we overtook the first division, which was much exhausted by the very fatiguing march of the last three days.  Many of the
mules had broken down, and were compelled to travel so slow, that the
second division had gained one day, since leaving the Platte, on it. This
division encamped above us, at the Devil's Gap, until the 10th instant,
when we all moved about five miles up the river, and beyond the mountain that makes across the valley.
The grazing was pretty good along the base of the mountains.  There
were several alkaline ponds in this vicinity, which by evaporation had become dry, leaving their beds well covered with alkali, which had very
much the appearance of snow.  I procured several specimens, which I
carried through the whole journey, and brought them safely home.
This day's journey was extremely disagreeable. The wind seemed
to collect between the openings in the mountains, and came upon us with
all its fury, blowing the dust and sand, mixed with with alkali, into our
faces and eyes, until it became insupportable.  Several persons had their
eyes very much affected by it; my own suffered very severely, and have
never recovered from it to this time.
The scenery about the valley of Independence Rock is very beautiful;
the mountains, though not high, are very picturesque and pleasing to the
eye. The valley is about four miles long; made by small ranges of mountains to the north, and high hills to the south, covered with a few dwarf
cedar and pine.  It has to the west a spur of the mountain, through
which the river passes, and small disconnected hills to the left, which
give a distant view of the scenery beyond.
The Sweet Water can be seen quietly running towards the mountain,
throlgh which it passes with a great deal of violence, between. perpen



1 T                          Doc. iNo.,
dicular rockss which are several hundred feet high, and, resuming again
its natural current, quietly flows through the valley, until it mingles its
crystal waters with the muddy stream of the Nebraska.
Tulty 9.-The day was very pleasant, except the wind, which, blowing
as usual, created a great deal of dust.  As we remained here to-day, the
ist division train was placed in a condition to continue its march; repairs
and alterations were also made to the 2cd division, so as to enable it to
move with as much ease as possible. The condition of both trains greatly
required it, as our march to Fort Hall was to be a long and tedious one,
being 400 miles distant, and the teams becoming weaker every day.
In this vicinity game is generally abundant; one of the clerks killed an
antelope near our camp this morning, and I found the meat extremelyfine;
though much like venison. in iflavor, I  hink it even better.  This range
has been very good fir buffalo, but the valley along the Sweet Water
being very narrow, they have been driven off by the emigrants, and
could not be seen without going too long a distance after them.
The mountains about here abound in mountain sheep, which are ofteh
seen among the high rocky cliffs, but, being extremely shy, are hard to
shoot.  Several of our party, who were acquainted with their habits;
went into the mountains in pursuit of them; and though unsuccessful,
they brought into camp several antelopes.
The camps of the emigrants now began to bear evident signs of their
condition.  Provisions of every description were lying about in piles; all
surplus baggage, which had impeded their march, and assisted in breaking down their teams, was now thrown away; their wagons were broken
u.p to mend others, while some were left along the road; their loss of cattle
was daily increasing, and it seemed very doubtful vwhether many of thenr
would ever reach Oregon or California.
These people were very fortunate in having got rid of. the cholera so
earl y; wve had seen no cases since crossing the North Platte, as the last
one which occurred among us was at Crooked Miuddy creek, elevea
miles froml the Mormon ferry.
CHAPTER- IV.
Our'macrch/ continZlued with tihe third division zzntil arriving at the last
crossing of the zcSeet -E'ater river, 62 mites.
July 10. —The tvwo divisions were ordered to move at 12 m.  Havingmade preparationsl, we crossed the river, and took the road which leads
over the rising ground and passes between the hills and the terminus of the'mountain which forms the Devil's Gap.  This gap is truly wonderful,
being a space not over twenty yards wvide, and about five hundred feet
high; having very much the appearance  of being chiselled out by the hand
of man; rateir than a work of nature.   It seemed very extraordinary,
upon examination, that there should be so near this great opening, a fine
wagon-road, as the distance from the gap to the terminus of the mountain
is not half a mile; but such are the singular freaks of nature that we so
often meet with.
We encamped this evening about six niles above the Devil's Gap.




Doc. No. 1.                            17 l
through which we had a fine view  of the valley just left.  Our mules
were put out to graze, and were well guarded by such teamsters and
extra-duty men as I could place confidence in.
We saw lights.this evening in the mountain, not more than two miles
from us, which were evidently made by deserters, who kept the disaffected
portion of the command aware of their movements.  Desertion had become so frequent of late, and the repeated threats of what they intended
to do, which we were kept advised of, that it became very necessary some
course should be adopted to put a stop to their running off; for we had
ample proof that many of these men had enlisted for no other purpose
than to get the means of reaching California.  There was no portion of
this regiment -now with it who had served with so much honor to themselves while iln Mexico, as they had been disbanded immediately after
the termination of the war; and the regiment at this time was composed
of raw recruits-many of them foreigners, who scarcely knew enough of'
the English language to understand an order when given to them.
The Colonel issued a proclamation at Independence Rock, offering a
reward of two hundred dollars for every deserter that might be broughtback.  On reaching Fort Bridger, five of these men were turned over to
the command, having been caught by the trhappers in the mountains near
that place.  Although it did not entirely stop desertion, it had a tendency
to decrease the number, as we lost but few at the South Pass and Soda
Springs, where the trails for California leave the Oregon trail.  The idea
with these men was to attach themselves to emigrating parties, after
passing the South Pass and Soda Springs, as a guard, simply for their
subsistence, after getting clear of the comnmand.  But by the time th.e
enigrants arrived there, it was as much as they could do to subsist themselves until they reached California,  without being encumbered by men
who, having violated a sacred oath by deserting the service, could hardly
be expected to keep a promise made them.  The emigrants, generally,
gave no protection to them; on the contrary, they were ready to assist us
in apprehending them, and frequently gave us information which was of
great importance.
July 1I.-The 1st and 2d divisions left camp at 7 o'clock this imorn —
ing.  The 3d having been required to overtake us, did not arrive until
very late last niglht: after a fatiguing day's march of nearly twentyeight miles-by far too great for the condition of the animals, and the
country through which they were marching.  As several of the wagons
did not arrive until after 9 o'clock this morning, it was deemed necessary
to permit this division to remain here one day to rest their teams, and
overhaul the train, as they had had no rest since crossing the river, and
the length of time which they were occupied there having thrown them.
entirely in the rear and out of position.
Provisions being required by the command that left this morning, which.
were in the train of the 3d, I forwarded tltem  on in compliance with
instructions given; but, broken down as the whole train was, it wJould
not have,been a loss of time to have remnained for one day longer.  I,
however, despatched them  as soon as they were prepared, and reported
the condition of the teams to the Colonel, remaining behind myself to
superintend the alterations that were necessary to be made to enable this
division to leave in the morning.
The day was taken up in overhauling the stores and carefully exam



'7T2 1                       Doc. No, 1,
~unilg them, which I found in a very deranged state, as the loads h.ad.
been taken out while crossing the river, and very munch scattered among
the train.  Having completed the necessary prepaations, we were again:ready to resume the march in th!e mornling.
The night w7as quite cold, but calm, which was very different from
rwhat we had experienced'before arriving at Independence Rock, for the
-wind had blown night and day incessantly. We procured as much wood,as was necessary for our use from the base of the mountains, where it
was collected in small quantities.  The greater part of our journey hav-:ing been over a country entirely destitute of wood, I observed that the
troops seemed to adapt their wants very much to circumstances, and seldom
made any talk about the scarcity of fuel.
Since leaving the Platte we had again passed through a. dreary, hilly
country, in many instances very sandy, meeting with nothing in the
least interesting to the traveller, being destitute of vegetation, except the
artemisia, which was seen from the highest hill to the lowest valley, now
~and then interspersed with alkaline ponds, which were greatly dreaded
by the emigrants.  This unpleasant sight, as well as dusty roads, windy
weather, bad water, and nothing for our animals to feed on, made us
hail the sight of the Sweet Water with feelings of pleasure and gratification.  This stream, though small, is very beautiful.  It rises among the'Wind River mountains, and, after running over 150 miles, empties into
~the Platte about thirty miles below this place.  We were now to travel
along its banks for a hundred miles, never leaving it far enough to prevent
us from making our encampments on it ilm the evening, until we arrived:in the vicinity of the South Pass, where the road crosses the river, and
leaves it for the last tine.
I look on this river as the salvation of the traveller who is fortunate
-enough to reach it.  The water is clear, and fine in' taste, and runs quite
rapid over a firm, sandy bottom.  Its banks are very low, and generally
well covered with good grass,' but this season it had been consumed by
the animals of the emigrants who were still ahead of us.  The road winds.along the river, crossing and recrossing it in many places during the day,.aid affording us an opportunity to make pleasant encampments on its
banks in the evening.
July 12.-The morning ras pleasant, and we got off at half-past six'o'clock, and shortly after left the river, where our road passed over a very
heavy sandy trail throughout the day.  It was towards the close of the
-evening that we came in sight of the high  peaks of the Wind River
mountains, where they were barely seen to the northwest, and, being
~capped with snow, looked like white clouds rising above the distant hills.
We were now getting among tthe mountains which border the Sweet
Water; and although detached from  each other, they form  a complete
range when viewed at a distance.  The scenery to-day was very beautiful, although our road passed over a very sandy and poor country..High cliffs were to be seen, with a variety of forms and colors, giving to
the eye something pleasing to rest on, instead of fields of artemisia,
regaled by its unpleasant odor, which is thought by some to resemble
-that of camphor and turpentine-a scent by no means agreeable at any
-time, still less when we reflected that we were to have but very little else
^:until we arrived at the Cascade mountains, on the Columbia river.
In our march to-day we saw a large number of cattle which had per



Dtoe.. o.             1               7''
ished since striking the Sweet Water.  I saw one emigrant who had lost
four yoke of oxen, and was, wijth many others, going ahead with their
packs on their backs, trusting to chance to reach California.  They had
dreamed of the gold region too long to be discouraged by the l(iss of a
few animals, and seemed  to'be satisfied that they would be able to
reach the " diggings' in a very seasonable time.  This I very much
doubted, for they had then nearly a thousand miles to travel, and no
means of carrying their provisions longer than a day or two, and were
compelled to keep in the vicinity of trains to get a supply.
We travelled to day eighteen miles, making our encampment again oi
the banks of the Sweet Water, where the grass was extremely scarce.
Juzl1 13.-It was cairn, and every sign of a warm day.  We got off at;
six o'clock, and passed aloilg the side of a high cliff, which intercepted.
every particle of breeze, giving us the full benefit of the rays of a July
sun.  This day's march was through a country which in soil was very
much the same as the one of yesterday.  We were partly hemmed in to.
day at times by rocks wthich seemed to be piled one above the other until
they reached a height which would justify their being called mountains.
These high peaks are of granite formation, a.ind  having but little soil, are
covered with a small quantity of dwarf' cedar and a few scattering pine.
They are seen on the distant plains and valleys, forming a landscape
which is very pleasing to the eye.  Here, the river winds around the
base of these high cliffs, frequently changing its direction at right-angles,
and leaving scarcely space enough for wTagons to pass.
After'passing one of these gorges throtlgh which the river runs, the
road leaves it for a few miles, and crosses between two ranges of cliffss
~whose sides were much broken and. made rugged by the effects of time'
I came to a place -where mountain sheep were seen leaping from rock to.
rock with as much ease as if they had been on the plain below.  Discovering the party which approached them, they soon bounded out of
sight, running over the rocks with the greatest ease.  It would be but a
few minutes before they would return again, apparently with an additional number, and, after looking over the precipice, would again disap.
pear, seemingly amused at the labor of those in pursuit of them, who
wvere struggling among the rocks to reach the top of the cliff.
From the top of these peakls the -view of the surrun         counding  try was.
very beautiful.  Many parts appeared rolling, other portions presented.
plains extending for miles, while in other directions it presented wide
valleys and deep ravines.  It was from the top of one of these cliffs that
the range of the'Wind River mountains could be seen in all its beauty.
and the vwhole scene was one of grandeur, which is seldonm met with oa
this route, for the scenery generally is not very prepossessing.
Throughout the day it has been' very iwarm  and dusty, and the road
very sandy in places, causing nmucch fatigue amlong our mules and horses.
We witnessed the same unpleasant sight to-day in the loss of animals as'
we had heretofore, and the emigrants were in great danger of being lefl
on the route without the means of travelling.
About five o'clock p. mr  we arrived again on the banks of the Sweet'Water, and encamped about two miles above where the trail crosses the
river, and near a point where the river breaks through a high ridge,
forming in its passage a steep bluff which prevents the wagons from pass
ing; atnd the road here leaves the river again, and does not strike it for




174                          Doc, No. 1,
nearly a day's march. The grazing was very indifferent, though better
than where we crossed the river.
Zuly 14. —The mules were getting very much jaded, and every day's
march seemed to affect them very much.  At the commencement of our
journey this morning we travelled along a ridge about three miles, which
was extremely sandy, and the artemisia rocked our wagons from side to
side until the strength of the wheels was well tested. IWe struck the
Toad at the head of a low, alkaline marsh, which may be looked upon as
a natural curiosity.  It was at this place that, by digging into the ground
about twelve inches, we came to a bed of excellent ice, which was very
acceptable to us.
There is nothing very peculiar in the appearance of this place.  The
ground is low and boggy, with a number of cold springs oozing from its
sides, and spreading their waters over the marsh, which soon absorbs it;
as there is no outlet, except in very heavy rains.  I saw on the borders
of the marsh a great quantity of this never-ending alkali, and pretty good
grass mixed among large patches of the rush; but being thought to have
a deleterious effect on the animals, and being in many places very miry,
it was avoided.  The ice lies in a bed or strata but a short distance from
the surface, which is easily procured, and is probably one and a half
inch in thickness.
The bog is in a plain or small sandy valley, very much exposed to the
rays of the sun, and one of the mwarmest places found near the Sweet
Wtater river.
The road two-thirds of the day passed through a low, sandy plain, and
Ilot a tree to give us the least shade, and we found it extremely sultry
and warm.  Every one, therefore, who could stop at the ice-bed, did so,
~and furnished himself with as much as he could conveniently carry.
WIe arrived at the Sweet Water again about two o'clock; and halted for a
few  hours until the train should come up. I crossed over a high ridge
during the morning, which broulght me on a very elevated plain, and af.
ter travelling about five miles I came again to the Sweet Water, and followed up its banks until I overtook the division.
To the north the table-land seemed to be very extensive, until the
view  was intercepted by a high range of bluffs, which was broken in
m-any places, giving a view of the valley beyond, which extended to the
base of the mountains far to the northeast.
It was our intention to have stopped when the trail crossed the river,
but there was nothing to be found for our animals to eat.  We continued
our march over a range of hills about six miles further, where we struck
the river, and overtook the other two divisions.  The place where we
stopped, at 2 o'clock, had been made a general resting place for the emigrants.  Here were wagons lying in every direction, old clothes-from.
an old hat to a pair of boots-cooking utensils of every description, and
a variety of articles too numerous to mention, scattered about; as if there
had been a general break-up in camp.  It was high time, for many of
them  had started with an idea that two thousand pounds could be carried
"without the least difficulty, nor could they be made to believe to the contrary until,it was found almost too late.  I had seen the conmmencement
of it some distance back, but along here gave full proof of the general
feeling among them.  In the afternoon I ascended a hill, which gave me
a much better view  of the country than I had witnessed to-day.  We




Doc. No. 1.                           175
had been fast approaching, for the last few  days, the high hills to the
west, and from this position it seemed to be the principal range, the rest
disappearing into uneven tableland.  The view  to the north and east
was very fine, as the outline of the plains and valleys was very distinct,
while the Wind River mountains to the north, which we were rapidly
approaching, presented a very picturesque appearance. The distance
travelled to-day was about twenty-two miles.  The weather for the last
few days was dry, although warm in the middle of the day.  This morn.
ing was beautiful, and, although chilly, was very different from that
which I had felt in Mexico when approaching mountains covered with
snow.  There we have the mornings very cold, and the middle of the
day extremely warm..Auy 13.-The two divisions left this morning at 7 o'clock, leaving the'3d to continue its march after resting one day.  It was at this encampment I commenced to break up wagons fir the first time, to repair others,
as all our timber had long since been used up.  The day was occupied
in shosing horses, mending harness, and making such alterations. as
might be necessary and proper to facilitate our movements.
Since the rains ceased, and we had reached a dusty, uneven country,
the wheels of our wagons were very much affected by it, and in many
instances rendered almost useless, as the tires were constantly falling off.
Having  no wood to re-set them, I resorted to the plan of calking, and
-found the lwheel to be much better than those which had been re-set; and
I would advise any one who may be required to travel over a prairie country, where wood is scant., to provide themselves with the proper materials, and they never will be at a loss to repair their wagon-wheels for
the road in a few minutes.  On this march we have frequently been comnpelled to stop a wagon in the train, and resort to this mode, awhich was:soon accomplished and the wagon off again; whereas, without it, we
should have been compelled to have abandoned the same.
The country along the river about here had become very hilly, and approached the banks of the river so close as to force us among the hiills,'which was very fatiguing.  The country was entirely barren; not a tree
was to be seen of any importance, and but very few willows on the banks
of the river.  It was at this encampment that we found a very cold
spring; and from the formation of the ground, compared with that where
ice had been procured, I have no doubt but what the same couldt have
been obtained here, as the water had the taste of ice-water instead of
clear spring water.
July 15.-The division, after passing up the river this morning about'two miles, turned into a narrow gorge, which, gradually ascending for
several miles, brought us to the top of avery high, level country.'-he
river passed through a narrow, deep chasm a short distance above, where
the road diverged from it, and was not touched again until the end of the
day's march.  About the middle of the day we passed a rapid stream'from  the Wind River mountains, a tributary to the Sweet'Water. Here
-we found snow on its banks, which had drifted in a large pile in the
winter, and was at this time at least six feet thick; forming a solid mass
of ice.
It was cloudy through the. day and drizzled a little, which made it better for travelling, although somewhat cold and disagreeable.'We were
-now quite near the Wind River mountains, as we could see the snow




176                          Doce. No. 1.
falling from  the clouds which hung around their peaks.  In the afternoon our road lay over a level country, having the mountains to our right,
and the high lable-lands to our left. In the fore part of the day we passed
two small valleys, which were very sterile, there being but a very scant
covering of vegetation about them.  We met with many springs in this
day's march, which gave us delightful water, and are always acceptable
to those who travel and often become much fatigued from the effects of
the dust and sun. We arrived again this evening on the Sweet Water,
after a march of twenty-five miles, where I made my encampment on its
banks for the last time.  As I considered the train in good condition to
travel with those in advance, I determined to go forward early in the
morning and join the 2d division again.
July 17. Having obtained an escort of four men, under the command
of Lieutenant Russell, we left at 3 o'clock in the morning, to overtake
the 2d division, which was now one day in advance of us.  We were detained some time in crossing the river, as the morning was dark, and did
not get over before 4 o'clock, where the road diverges from it to touch it
no more, and we soon reached the plains which form the South Pass.
There were none of the party but who seemed to regret leaving the banks
of this little stream, where we had passed since the 8th instant many
pleasant nights.
We soon came to the South Pass, Awhich had nothing to mark it except
the Pacific spring, near a range of high hills on the left of the road, with
an alkaline marsh to the right, where the water collects into a small stream
which runs to the west and unites with the Pacific ocean through Green
river, the Colorado of the west, which falls into the Gulf of California.
We passed through a barren, sandy waste, slightly rolling in places,
and extensive plains in other parts of it, until we were compelled to stop
on the banks of the Dry Sandy, in consequence of several of the mules
giving out.  We had made a march of twenty-two miles, and were still
some distance fiom  the second division.  At this place water and grass
were very scarce, and both men and animals fared badly.  We found it
very warm  throughout the day, which made it very disagreeable and
fatiguing to all of us.
July 18.-'We commenced our journey this morning at 5 o'clock; it was
pleasant, but every indication of a warm  day.  We had now passed the
Snow mountains, whiich made the temperature very different from that
experienced a few days since.  There was much less wind, and it seemed
to be moderating very fast.
The road passed over precisely the same sandy country that it did yesterday, and we arrived at the Little Sandy in the fore part of the day,
where we found many emigrants  some wiere lying by, while others were
looking for their lost cattle, which had left them  during the night and
returned on the road many miles.  These people could give no correct
information of the advance; and it was not until we reached the Big
Sandy that we learned that the two divisions had taken the. Fort Bridger
route, and that we were on Green Wood or Subblet's Cut-off.  As it was
impossible now to return and overtake them, and this being a much shorter
route, I determined to follow this trail and intercept the command on Bear
river.  We therefore passed down the Big Sandy about three miles, where
we made our encampment, having travelled eighteen miles to-day.
The grazing at this place, although indifferent, was considerably better




Doc. No. 1.                             177
than for the last few days, being a little out of the direct route either way,
and, therefore, less frequented. Our horses and mules fared finely for both
water and grass, compared with the scanty allowance which they got last
night; for what few sprigs of grass they could collect along the borders
of the dry bed of the Sandy were pretty well filled with alkali, which lay
ulpon the ground like a white frost in a cold fall morning. The little water
which they got, also, at the same place, indifferent as they found it, was
drunk for the want of better, and to allay a burning thirst created by the
warn march of that day over a very uninteresting country. The-contrast
was great, and we could not but enjoy our present condition this evening;
for even the sound of the waters of the Big Sandy, as it ran rapidly by
us over its pebbly bottom; seemed to have a charm.in it, as it tended to
lull us quietly to sleep, as we lay close upon its banks, brooding over our
present and future condition until we should meet the regiment again, which
mnight not be for a week or fortnight.  About 9 o'clock at night we were
awakened from our sleep by the hailing of a person on the opposite side
of the river, who proved to be Lieutenant Howland, who had been as far
as Green river in pursuit of deserters, and gave us the intelligence of the
arrival of an express fromr Fort Vancouver to the colonel.  The expressman was left at Green river and despatched to the lower crossing, on our
arrival at that place, by Lieutenant Howland, his horse having given out,
which prevented him from following the coinmand with the letters.
July 19.-We left this morning at 4 o'clock, and struck across the plains,
taking thl trail to Green river.  There was nothing of any importance observed-the whiole country from the South Pass to Green river being one
vast plain.  It is bounded by the Wind River mountains to the north, and
to the west and southwest by the Green River mountains,
We stopped to-day at 1 o'clock to rest our animals.  As to grass, there
was none to be obtained.  The middle of the day being very sultry, we
did not commence our journey until 7 o'clock p. m., when, after travelling
all night, we came to the ferry on Green river about sunrise in the morning, and encamped on the opposite side.
The night's march carried us over a very sandy plain and through several deep hollows, which gave us some trouble to ascend.  Immediately in
the vicinity of the river, the trail passes down a very steep hill into a deep,
sandy gorge, which runs to the Morrmon ferry, and was very severe for
several miles on the mules.  The moon shone nearly all night, making it
pleasant and much better for travelling than in the day.
From the time we left the Big Sandy until we arrived on Green river,
we met with no water, having marched, through the day and night, a
distance of fifty miles without it.  This route is generally known as the
desert-a very appropriate name, if I may judge fromn its sterility and
dryness, for a more barren region cannot be found between here and the
Columbia river.  The South'Pass, being surrounded by mountains and
high ranges of hills, may be looked upon as the great plain or dividing
ridge which separates the waters of the Atlantic from those of the Pacific,
for it is at this place that the waters are seen flowing in opposite directions.
The soil is extremely sandy, poor, and barren, and has not one favorable
feature to recommend it.
July 20.-The wagons were ferried across, and, after making our encampment, the whole of the animals were taken about six miles back of
Part ii-12




178                         Doc. No. 1.
the hillsdto graze en a small stream which empties into Green river above.
us, where the grass was pretty good.
There are two ferries here,-which are only temporary.  The Mormonr
ferry is about five miles above where we crossed the river, and at the foot
of a range of high clay bluffs, which we passed to reach this ferry.  The
country on the right bank of the river is very hilly. On the opposite side.
there is a range of bluffs, very much washed and broken into gullies.
The banks of the river are low and thinly covered with cotton-wood, but
about the same quantity that I found upon the North Platte.
July 21.-We remained until two o'clock p. m., before leaving for Fontanel's Fork, about six miles distant. In the forepart of the day we were
engaged in getting across the six ox teams, which, it will be rcmembered,.
started from Fort Laramie at the same time with the command.  They
were directed to continue their march to the same place where we contemplated stopping, and there encamp.
A slight shower to-day made it pleasant, although hardly sufficient to
lay the dust.  This was the first shower we had seen since the 25th of
June; and, as the country through which we had been travelling since
leaving Fort Laramie was of a very light clay soil, it may naturally be
supposed that we had suffered very much with dust for the last four
weeks.
After getting under way, our road passed down Green river for a few
miles, where it turned into the hills and ascended the top of a high range,
where we had a beautiful view of the adjacent scenery.  On theeopposite
side of the river the country was high, but level.  To the north of us,
and in the direction through which our road lay, it was extremely hilly
and mountainous.  From  the top of this ridge we descended into deep
ravines, which wound around hills, crossing other ridges, until it arrived
on the banks of Fontanel's Fork, where we found good water and better
grazing than we had met with since leaving Horseshoe creek, on the
26th of June.  We made our encampment here for the night-not alone,
however, as the banks of the creek were lined with emigrants, who were
recruiting their cattle after marching across the desert without grass or
water.  We now seemed to be getting out of the alkaline country, as
there was less on this stream  than any I had met with before: certainly
much less than on the Sweet Water.  The country around us being entirely destitute of wood, we were compelled to resort to the artemisia.
which may answer as a substitute in warm weather, but a very poor one
in winter, as it burns out rapidly, without leaving any coals or embers.
We were now getting out of the range for game, as buffalo are seldom
seen now in great numbers this side of the South Pass, although I was
told to-day by an old hunter that he had seen the hills over which we
were travelling covered with them a few years since; but since then they
had begun to diminish, until scarcely any were to be met with this side of
the South Pass.
The emigration to Oregon, since 1845, had tended to drive them from
this section of the country, as it has done throughout the route.  I saw
but very few buffalo signs while passing through the plains in the vicinity of the South Pass; but, during the three days while travelling across.
to Green river, antelope were seen in large numbers.  Deer have been
very scarce since leaving the South Fork of the Platte; and although we
are now in the far west, where we might expect to meet with game in




Doe. No. 1.                          179
great quantities, I have seen more deer in one day's travel ih western
Texas than I have met with in the whole of niy journey. I have recently
met with many antelope, but, where they are found in great numbers, I
have seldom come across many deer.
July 22.-The emigrants were early in starting this morning, having
been here some time; besides, they were required to travel a long distance
to-day before reaching a good encampment.  I did not get to water before
12 o'cldck, which I found among the hills in a small gorge, where I saw
a grove of hemlock for the first time, also the aspen tree, neither of which
were in great quantities.  The water was very fine, being near the snow,
which had drifted on the sides of the hills over which we had to travel,
We stopped here until the arrival of our wagons, that were yet some distance behind. Having got in rear of a long train this morning, they were
necessarily detained.
While here I passed over the hills and among the valleys, which were
quite extensive, for the purpose of looking for game; while returning, I
came upori a fine elk, but, from a want of a proper knowledge of hunting
them, and not being a very expert huntsman, he soon got wind of me.
Frightened at my sudden appearance, he stopped for a moment, when,
raising himself in all his mountain dignity, he bounded off over the hills,
and was soon out of sight.
Our wagons having arrived, we continued our march /over spurs of
mountains during the evening, which made a greatcoat very comfortable,
so great was the change of the temperature.  We soon began to descend,
until we reached the valley, and continued our way until the close of the
evening. It was very unpleasant this evening, as the wind blew hard,
and was accompanied by hail, which lasted but a few minutes when it
cleared off as the sun went down, and became very cold through the
night, making a fire very comfortable.  Having provided ourselves with
a good supply of wood from  the mountains, it enabled us to pass the
night very pleasantly. This day's march brought us over a very hilly
country, particularly in the afternoon. In the forepart of the day it was
on a ridge, where the light clay produced a dust which was almost insupportable.  We were fortunate in reaching a place where good water and
grass could be procured, as we had travelled twenty miles, and our mules
had become very much fatigued, so much so as to compel me to leave one
on the road.  Our encampment, was very well selected, being at the base
of a range of mountains, where we were able to get as much dry cedar
and pine as we required.
July 23.-After travelling over a number of spurs of the Green River
mountains yesterday evening, which run parallel to each other, forming
small valleys, it was not done without giving us much fatigue, but, although feeling it very sensibly, we were ready to renew the journey this'
morning.  We started at 5 o'clock, keeping a high range on our right:
until we arrived at Thomas's Fork, where we passed around it, and
came into the road which crossed the mountain near our encampment
this morning.  We passed up the valley for a short distance, when we
crossed it about 12 o'clock, aynd ascended a high hilly country, that was
very much broken by deep ravines, Seen in every direction, having in
them, and on the sides of the hills, small groves of cedar, hemlock, and
aspen, where we had an abundance of wood, water, and grass, and.




10O                         Doc. No. 1.
made our encampment at 5 o'clock p. m. for the night, after a fatiguing
day's journey of eighteen miles.
July 24.-We started at 6 o'clock this morning for Bear river, over
mountains and valleys; and probably the most hilly or mountainous part
of the route we had travelled.  We arrived on its banks at 2 o'clock in
the afternoon, much to our gratification, for we discovered that the troops
had not yet passed, and, in all probability, would not for several days,
which would give us an opportunity to rest, for we almost stood aA much
in need of it as our animals.
The road from the South Pass to Bear river was to us a very fatiguing
march, having crossed the desert without grass or water, and for the last
four days had been travelling over the most mountainous country which
we met with throughout the whole distance. The greater portion of the
route between Green river and Bear river is but one series of mountains
and valleys, where you are constantly rising and descending throughout
the day, but it is well watered, and good grazing is frequently met with.'Wood is found along in small quantities, scattered about on the distant
mountains, while small groves of the aspen and hemlock are seen in
the ravines. The whole distance since leaving our encampment this
-morning has been over mountains, and well watered by fine springs, running from  the hills and ravines. This range continues until you arrive
at the valley of Bear river, and the nearer you approach it the more
broken the country becomes.  Our encampment was made for the night
immediately on the banks of this river, and, fortunately for our horses,
the grass was better than any we had seen since leaving the prairies.
CHAPTER V..March from  where we struck Bear river to Fort Hall, o74 Snake river,
78 miles.
July 25.-We had now fairly arrived in the great valley of Bear river,
which had been so much talked of by us; and it is a fine valley, in some
places three miles wide, and well watered by B'ear river, which empties
into the Great Salt lake, after having passed through a mountainous region for many miles.  We were now to travel along its banks until we
arrived at Soda springs, where the Oregon trail turns to the north, and
the river makes a bend to the south, more abruptly than where the trail
leaves the North Platte.
The valley of Bear river varies in width from  three to five miles; in
many places, however, where the river passes tlhrough the hills, it becomes
very narrow.  Grass is found in great abundance on the river where the
bottoms are wide; but this year it is nearly all destroyed by the emigrants,
who are scattered along the river as far as the eye can see.  We changed
our encampment-ground to-day, and travelled down the river about eight
-miles, crossing Smith's Fork, a small mountain brook, which falls into
Bear river, probably a mile from where it enters the valley; here it passes
between two high bluffs, about 400 yards apart, having taken its rise to
the eastward among the mountains.
We encamped about 12 o'clock, and remained through the day, hoping




Doe. No. 1.                           181
to hear from the command, who were ahead of us one day's':march, at
the Big Sandy; since then we had stopped two days at Green river, and
our days' marches between the two rivers were of a medium length, the
country being too hilly to justify long marches.
The mountains in this vicinity are entirely destitute of wood; small
quantities of cottonwood and willow are now and then seen on the river;
the willow seldom  grows over two or three inches in diameter before it
decays; and on Smith's Fork, as well as other small streams which fall into
the river in this vicinity, there is also cottonwood and willow, but in no
great quantity or size.
There is no tree in the forest which grows more luxuriantly in the
South than the cottonwood tree. Every island in the Mississippi and
Missouri rivers is covered with it, and it is the same with the ravines and
streams in a northern latitude.  If cottonwood is not to be found on
them, you may expect to see no wood of any kind except in the mountains.
July 26.-The morning was clear and cold; ice was seen one-quarter
of an inch thick. Since arriving on Bear river the nights have been very
cold, as I have found them since leaving Green river; for, while crossing
to the two rivers, ice was formed about our tents every morning. I regret
that I was unable to keep the exact temperature through the twenty-four
hours, having been so unfortunate as to break my thermometer some
distance back,,and could not procure one from the command.
We commenced our march at eight o'clock for Smith's trading-house,
which is about thirteen miles distant.  I crossed Thomas's Fork and left
the river shortly after-travelling over high hills and through deep ravinesvery similar to the couniry which we had- passed over two days previous
to arriving on Bear river.  We arrived at the trading-house about 2
o'clock, after a very warm, dusty, and fatiguing march.  I here learned
that the difference between the route which I had taken and tke one by
Fort Bridger was not less than ninety miles, which would make a difference of at least one week; I therefore determined to await their arrival in
this vicinity, and let our horses and mules take a long rest, as they had
performed good service, and stood greatly in need of it.
It was to be regretted the command did not cross Green river where
we did, as it would have given the horses and mules one week's rest on
this river; which they had been standing in great need of since arriving at
Independence Rock; the other route was probably less mountainous, but
the grazing was not better, and the distance saved by crossing Subblet's
Cut-off would have justified their taking it.  Being provided with kegs,
water could have been carried across the desert; and it is frequently the
case you can get it by digging at a place which is about twenty-five miles
from the Big Sandy and the half-way point between the two rivers, which
is easily known from the little valleys that are seen about there, and the:
deep hollows but a short distance beyond.
July 27.-I remained here during the day; the mules were sent some
distance among the hills to graze.  Mr. Smith, the trader, visited us,
and was extremely kind to our party, having a fine beef killed expressly for our use.
Since arriving at Green river, I observed a great change in the soil'
among the mountains and ravines. We were now getting to where a fine,.
short grass was to be found on the sides of the hills and ravines; although




IS2                         Doc. No. L
not very thick, it was considered very nutritious, which I presume must
be the case, as our animals would leave the bottoms and climb to the top
of the highest hills to hunt for it.
July 2S.-The morning was clear and cold. I left this place at S o'clock,
and made my encampment three miles down the river. Our animals
were taken to the opposite side, and guarded with Smith's horses, beimg
nuch safer with them than by themselves.
We were now among the Snake Indians, and were visited by a chief
to-day, with a party who accompanied him.  They expressed much
friendship for us, and great pleasure in meeting with white people who
had come a long way, not to make war upon them, but to protect them
also from any aggression from those who were passing in great numbers
through their country, and whom they pretended to stand much in fear of.
It was, like all Indian speeches, made more for the purpose of exciting
sympathy and extracting presents than from the existence of any real
fear upon their part.  I learned, however, from  Smith, who has been a
trapper for twenty years in the mountains, and much of the time with
them, that they have evinced every disposition to be friendly with the
emigrants while travelling through their country, and will continue to remain so if not molested. They are a quiet race of people, who seem.to
have no desire to make war, but ready to redress wrongs when any are
inflicted on them.  They were once a powerful nation, but, like many
others, have been broken up and much reduced by still more powerful
tribes further north.
It was here I met with Rocky-motntain horses for the first time. They
are stout, well-made animals, not so large as our horses, but very muscu.
lar, and formed to endure great hardship. Nearly all the young men were
out hunting, and those who seemed to be intrusted with the care of the
horses could not be persuaded to dispose of one of them  at any price.
They were in excellent condition, having the full range of the mountains,
where they were guarded by small boys who are learned to handle a horse
and throw a lasso with as much skill as a Mexican.
The chief appeared to be very much pleased at our arrival, and came
daily to visit us, accompanied sometimes by all his family.  This generally took place about the hour of dining, when they all appeared to have
good appetites, judging from the quantity of meat that was consumed.
The young boys, who were not over seven years old, brought us great
quantities of fish for a few trifling presents; they consisted of the brook
and salmon trout, which are found very abundantly in this river, as well
as all the mountain streams between here and the Columbia river.  They
were extremely fine, and the first I had seen since coming-into the mountains.  Having but little to do while remaining here, we resorted to fishing, and were very successful, keeping our mess very abundantly supplied with the finest kind.
Game in this section of the country is scarce, compared with the ranges
passed over on the route. We had now gone nearly through the whole
buffalo range, a' but few are now met with on Bear river. Fifteen years
ago they were to be seen in great numbers here, but have been diminishing greatly since that time. Antelope are found, though not very numerous. Elk and the grizzly bear are more abundant, and increase on the
range between here and California.  Both are found in great numbers in
California, where the grizzly bear grows to a very large size. It would




Doc. No. 1.                            183
-seem that the climate is much better adapted to them  there than further
north, as they are not very plenty about the Columbia river.  I had two
pair of elk horns with me-one procured this side of Fort Lararie, and'the other at Smith's Fork, which were considered pretty fair specimens,
but not near so large as some seen in the range of the Salt lake.
July 29. —The weather continued very pleasant.  The mornings were
cool and clear; the middle of the days I found very warms but not oppressive.  As rain seldom falls here during the sumlmer, the evenings are'pleasant till after sundown, when, like the early part of the morning, they
become coid.
There was nothing passed worthy of note to day.  The six ox teams
that we left near Green river arrived to-day, with a loss of one wagon; the
oxen had been distributed among the other teams, which had aided them
considerably in their-march.  They appeared to be in tolerably fair colndition, and I was satisfied they were able to reach Fort Hall before the
command; as they now had several days the start.
I left at 4 o'clock p. m., and, after travelling about eight miles, encamped for the evening on a small stream  which is formed by several
springs coming from the base of the mountains.
July 30.-'We changed our en camping-ground this morning by travelling down the river six miles, where we stopped for the day.
I despatched a man to ascertain if any information could be. obtained of
the troops, and was mlucll gratified to learn that they had arrived in the
vicinity of Brown's trading-house, on Bear river, and would reach methe
next day.  This was very agreeable news to all of us, for we had been
quite long enough absent, and my anxiety had become very great, for I
was aNware that the movements of the command depended entirely on the
train, which could only be kept in order by great care from all connected
with it; but I was consoled by knowing that in my absence Lieutenant
Frost and the agents would leave nothing unturned to keep everything in;good order, which would tend to facilitate the movements of the command.
The day was passed in wandering over the mountains in pursuit of.game, and, although scarce, we succeeded in bringing in a fine antelope,
-which came very apropos, as our stores were nearly exhausted, being entirely out of sugar and coffee, and very nearly out of meat. The coinmand, therefore, came up in good time to prevent us from  proceeding on
to Fort Hall, as we should have found it necessary to renew our supply of
provisions.
July 312-Last night was extremely cold for the time of year; ice and
-frost were to be seen this morning, which chilled our horses and mules,
and prevented them from improving as rapidly as they would have done
if the nights had been more mild, as we had now got to where, grazing
was very good and clear of alkali.
The whole of this valley is well watered by small streams from the
mountains, which are made by springs that are found in numbers along
their base.
The land in many placed along the valley is sufficiently level for irrigation, and would doubtless produce very well, as it is of a dark clay soil,
lies very  light, and could be cultivated without much trouble.  The,springs are, however, very backward here, ard winters set in early, when
snow generally falls very deep.  This may tend to impede the growth of




184                           Doe. No. 1l
vegetation, and,,as the summers are very dry, without irrigating thelands they might not produce' well.  Those who have attempted to culti~vate this soil, not being successful, believe that it will not produce; butt:
this is by no means a proper test., I am fully convinced that, by carefully irrigating the soil, it will yield as well as any I have travelled over.
Augutst 1.-The mules, being loose last night, were very hard to catch
this morning. This is generally the case with these animals; and where,
the trains are large and grass scarce, it is all-important that they should
be hobbled, as much time is lost in the morning in preparing the teams for
the march, when it is sometimes all-important that every moment should
be saved.
We conmmenced our march at half-past seven o'clock, and soon left the
river, and passed over some small hills and across a few bad places made
by the little streams from the mountains, and did not strike it again until
one o'clock, when we reached the Soda springs, which had been made the.
theme of conversation among us for many days.  The road which we
had been travelling had scarcely produced any variety, and we were very
desirous of reaching a place which had become so noted among all who.
have passed here as the springs.
Here is the commencement of volcanic signs, which the surrounding
country so plainly presents, and the river for the first time begins to draw
within high banks of basaltic rock.   The springs are but a few  miles
from where the river sweeps around a very high peak, which on that side
seems to be the terminus of a mountain range, and, after winding along
the south among mountains and hills, it finds its way to the Great Salt
lake, about forty miles from here.
There are quite a nulmber of springs hele, which are certainly a great
curiosity; they occupy altogether a space of about a mile and a half, and
are bounded by the river on the left side, and a high range of mountains.
immediately in rear of them, which is partly covered by cedar.  When
you come il sight of the place, two mounds are first seen, which are
probably twenty-five feet high; they are of a whitish cast, resem-bling decomposed limie mingled with the oxide of iron.   On the top of one of'
these mounds, and along its side, the water rises in a small natural basin,
and seems to be stationary, and through which gas slowly escapes.  The
taste of the water is somewhat metallic, and by no means pleasant, compared with the springs in the bottom and immediately in the vicinity of
this place.  One of them is perfectly dry, and both have a hollow  sound
as you walk or ride over them.   There is a beautiful stream  of water
which comes from the mountains, and, passing through a fine, rich little
valley, sweeps round the base of one of these mounds, and,'after running
through a cedar grove near them, falls into Bear river about half" a lmile
below.  On the side of this stream several springs are met with, which
are not only cool, but so strongly impregnated with gas that the taste is
very much like that of soda water.   I procured several bottles of it, and
kept it some time, and found it very refreshing to drink; it was also used
in making bread, and was a very good substitute in the place of saleratus.
Previous to arriving at the mounds, we passed a large spring of clear
cold water, which bursts from the ground and forms quite a stream  in a
very short distance; it is very pure, and not in the least impregnated with
gas.  Not over a hundred yards from this spring thlere is another, the water of which has a metallic taste, and gas is constantly escaping from the




Doc. No. 1.                            185
bottom, and differs yery much from the spring found in the stream a short
distance off.
After leaving the mound and descending the river about half a mile,
you cross the stream already referred to, and come to several springs and
small ponds, where the water emits a very disagreeable odor.  As you
pass on there are several small mounds seen, some of an oval form, while
others are conical, which are composed of the sediment that doubtless came
from the springs when in existence.  On the left side of the road and the
bank of the river there is another spring, where a little stream puts in,
which is very strongly impregnated, and the gas effervesces in great quantities, that cal easily be heard as you approach it.
Having continued my journey for a short distance to a point where the
road passes over a' small hill, my attention was drawn towards the river,
where many of these small cones are standing, and differing materially in
colors; some are white, and others mixed with the oxide of iron. I saw
some of a beautiful chrome color, of which I procured several specimens.
It was at the side of the river, and at this place, that I saw the celebrated spring generally known as the Steamboat spring. The water seems
to rise from out of the river through a tube of cylindrical form of the carbonate of lime, which is about three feet high, where you hear a rattling
noise, not unlike the escaping of steam from a steam-pipe.  It is not loud,
but such is the similarity of the sound that it has received the name of the
Steamboat spring.  The water here appears to be forced up by the pressure of the gas below, which,  escaping at intervals, creates this peculiar
sound.  The taste of the water is said to be much the same as the other
springs in the bottom, but to my taste it was more metallic, warmer, and
not so highly impregnated with gas.
Many of the mounds that are now dry have been broken to pieces by
emigrants, prompted more by idle curiosity than any desire to obtain in.
formation as to the cause which produced them.
Having gathered several specimens, which I carried throughout the
journey in safety, I continued my march towards camp; which was made
about two miles beyond the spring, and a short distance from where the
river turns to the south.  At this place we were near the mountains,
where we procured as much wood as the command stood in need of for
the night.  Water from the river was obtained from the only spot where
the banks in this vicinity were low enough to adimit our horses to water;
here the river sinks between perpendicular banks of basaltic rock, which
are at least a hundred feet high.
The valley about here is finely watered, not only by the river, but by
the little stream which passes the springs that have already been mentioned.  Lumber can be easily obtained from the mountains on the opposite side of the river in great quantities, which would answer very well
for building purposes should it be required, and is the only place on the
route where it is found so convenient, except that in the neighborhood of
Deer creek.  Wood for fuel, immediately in the rear of the springs, on
the mountains, can also be procured without, much trouble; and this
neighborhood probably produces the best pilie and cedar which are met
with between the Missouri and the Blue mountains. Grazing about here
is generally very fine, particularly in the small valley through which the
stream flows, and hay could be procured from it in great quantities for
winter purposes.




186                         Doe. No. 1.
This place is immediateiy at the point where the two trails turn off for
California and Oregon, and within a very short distance of the Salt lake.
It is also but eight days' march to the Sweet Water, beyond the South
Pass, where, on the whole route, early in the spring, mounted troops
would be abundantly supplied with fine grass if it became necessary for
them  to take a summer's campaign.  Besides all this, it is, no doubt, a
very healthy place, and I know of no two places better calculated for the
establishing of military posts than Deer creek and Soda springs; but as
two sites have already been located, it is hardly possible they will ever
be changed, as neither, probably, will be required to be kept up any
length of time, as the Indians between here and the Dalles are an inoffensive race, who will never be disposed to molest any party as long as
troops are on the. Columbia river.
I regret that we were prevented from remaining longer at the springs,
as it would have given us an opportunity of examining them more closely, it being impossible to learn much of them in so short a time.  I can
say, however, it well deserves the name of "l ature's great laboratory,"
where the earth beneath us is but one great furnace, in which so many
gases are engendered, and come forth through the fissures of the earth
(that has been rent asunder) to mingle with the pure atmosphere of the.,
surrounding mountains.
August 2.-The morning was cold, and, although not cloudy, the atmosphere began to resemble an Indian summer, which always gives to
the sun a yellowish, sickly hue; but we had every indication of a fine
travelling day.  It was here we were called upon to part with many'of
our travelling companions, who had accompanied us over the greater portion of the route, and with whom we. had passed many pleasant hours;
but they were now about to take the road which leads to California,
while our trail turned to the north.  Dr. White. from  St. Louis, who
had been employed as surgeon to one of the divisions, and who now
holds the distinguished position of speaker of the House of Representatives in California, left us, with his amiable and accomplished family, at
this place.  Colonel Keuen, the present attorney general of California,
also left us here.  It was, therefore, like commencing a new journey to
part with so many pleasant companions; but, after giving each other a
hearty shake of the hand, expressing a hope that we might meet under
more favorable auspices, we parted, and soon found ourselves turning to
the north, and winding our way up a wide valley, which brought us at
the close of the evening to the Port iTeuf, a stream which rises in the
mountains a short distance from  where we encamped, and falls into
Snake river about fifteen miles below Fort Hall.  The road to-day lay
along a valley which comes from the north.  We met with no impediments, except one or two swampy places, which often cause much detention to large trains.
At the commencement of our journey this morning, I passed across a
valley towards three high hills, situated some distance apart, and entirely
isolated.  They bore evident signs of having once been volcanoes, but
now entirely extinct.  The inner side of the crater showed the effect of
recent heat, and the lava, or cinder, lay in great quantities about the valley; and although I had no time to devote to procuring specimens, being
constantly required with the train, I gathered some of the cinders; and
brought them safely with me, intending them, with the specimens gathered




Doc. No. 1,                           187
at the Soda springs, the American falls, on Snake river, and the Hot springs,
at aalhenm river, for the National Institute; also with other specimens obtained from  the inner side of the crater of Popocatapetl, near Puebla, in
the republic of Mexico.  That about the bend of the river reminded me
of the country near Contreras, in Mexico.  In this valley there are many
fissures, differing in width and depth-some of them are narrow enough
to step across, while others are much wider-at the same time making
the surface so rough and uneven that it was very difficult to force my
horse through it.  In other parts of the valley, the earth is extremely
spongy and light, and easily beaten into dust when travelled on.  This,
however, is very much the case with the whole route from Fort Laramie.
The great mass of emigrants ahead of us had now turned off on the
road to California, as our trail bore no great evidence of having been
much travelled this season; and we began to feel as if we were getting
towards Oregon.  It was fortunate for us it had been so little travelled,
for we were soon to enter a country, on Snake river, that was entirely
destitute of grass to the Cascade mountains, a distance of 700 miles.
Several large ponds were passed to day which were very similar to
those at Soda springs.  I observed one or two places which emitted gas,
and the water tasted very much like the springs heretofore mentioned.
In this day's journey we made twenty-three miles, encamping where
both grass and water were extremely fine.  The hills now began to get,scarce of wood, but the small dry willows always found on the banks of
these little streams answered as a very good substitute, in place of better.
August 3.-The command left this morning at 6 o'clock.  This day's
march was entirely among the hills, as our road, after crossing a very
miry swamp, passed along some distance the side of a hill, and entered a
gorge, which, after winding around the base of the hills for some time,
began to ascend, until the animals were completely broken down, as well
as ourselves.  The day being warm, it was felt still more so among the
surrounding hills, which seemed only to admit a slight breeze to create a
dust that became almost insupportable-being often so thick as to hide
teams and wagons, as the drivers at times scarcely knew in what direction they were travelling, and left it more to the instinct of the animals
than to their own judgment. Our encampment was made about 6 o'clock
this evening, in a small ravine among the mountains, and on a small
brook coming from a fine spring near by, which gave us delightful water,
that was extremely refreshing after so dusty a ride. The hills were covered with small groves of aspen, and the tops of the mountains were in
many places interspersed with cedar and sugar-loaf pine.
The second division overtook us, having travelled yesterday about
thirty miles, and twenty-five to-day.  This had the effect of breaking
down many of the mules, which must always be the case when persons
not connected with the department have the entire control of regulating
the days' marches.  On long journeys like this, where we travel over a
country unknown to any excepting the guides, it is often the case that
too much latitude is given them  to regulate the distance to be travelled.
If they feel a desire to travel twenty-five miles to reach a place where
grass and water can be had, the command is generally required to travel
it, when, by a little trouble on their part, it might be procured by shorter
marches.  On the route to the South Pass, I would have wanted no better guide than the Mormon Guide Book, which I found to be very exact




188                         Doc. No. 1.
throughout that distance.  It has noted down every hill, valley, and
stream  you meet with, stating. with great precision the several points
where good encampments could be reached, and the distances between
each place. We had but few along, and it is hoped, for the benefit of
emigrants, they may become more freely circulated.
August 4.-We commenced our journey to day for Fort Hall, which
was not more than an ordinary day's march; but the fatigue of the teams
of yesterday, and the heavy, sandy road that we were to pass over between
this and Fort Hall, made it very doubtful if we accomplished the distance
to-day, being twenty-two miles.
The first division left the encampment at 6 a. m. The morning was
cold, and as clear as you generally find in this country; but being calm,
it indicated heat in -the middle of the day. We descended a long hill,
which brought us into a sandy plain, which extends to Fort Hall, and on
the banks of the Port Neuf, which, after taking a circuitous route through
the hills, strikes again the road at the base of the hills which we had just
descended, making it eighteen miles from  our encampment of the 2d.
We continued along its banks for some distance, when it diverges from
the road, and, passing through the plain, reaches the Snake River valley,
where it falls into that river, about fifteen miles below Fort Hall.
Throughout the day the sand was very heavy, and the middle of the
day extremely warm.  The train during the day became, in many
instances, completely exhausted, and at sundown we were just entering
the valley of Snake river, Lewis's Fork of the Columbia river-being compelled, from necessity, to leave some of the wagons on the plain until the
next morning, the mules having become too much exhausted to get them
along.
As you cross the valley to approach the river, there are many small
streams to pass over, where the banks are miry and dangerous, and
rendered still more so in proportion to the number of wagons that had
passed over them. It was, therefore, very late in the evening before the
regimental train got into camp, and the supply train also-so much so as
to compel me to park the latter on the banks of a very miry pool until'the
next morning; for to have attempted to pass it in the night would have
endangered the wagons. This was in sight of the command, which had
nothing to do but to ride forward in the morning, and rest quietly until
the arrival of the two trains in the evening. It was a very severe day's
march, and, though not a long distance, was felt by the whole command,
even by those who had but very little to do, and were therefore very little
exposed.
August 5.-The morning was pleasant, and presented, as usual, a smoky
atmosphere.  I gave orders to commence crossing at daylight, so as to
reach camp as early as possible.  Several wagons were still on the road,
but were brought in during the morning.
We had now arrived at Fort Hall, our last resting-place; and such was
the condition of the trains, which were destined to carry us a distance of
seven hundred miles further, before any aid cduld be obtained after leaving here.  These were the same teams which, from  their condition at
Fort Kearny, induced me, to call for a board of survey, being fully satisfied that their condition did not justify the hope of our arriving with thei
at our place of destination without great trouble and loss of property.
It was now important to reorganize the whole train, by leaving such ani-.




Doc..o.  1,                         1189
mals as were unfit for present use and unserviceable wagons at Fort Hall,
which was to be occupied by two companies of the rile regiment that
had recently arrived.
The regimental train was the most injured by the march. The drivers,
being enlisted men, were entirely ignorant of such duty, and took no in.
terest in learning, or even improving the condition of their teams. Having found among the train that had recently come up a number of very
fine mlles, it enabled me to refit once more the whole train, together
with what I had, and place them in a condition to, commence the long
journey which we still had before us.  The best drivers were taken from
Fort Hall, and substituted in place of the soldiers for the regimental train.
The most indifferent teamsters of the supply train were paid off, and
others left at Fort Hall, to be discharged as. soon as they received their
pay. We were therefore kept busily engaged through the day in making
preparations to renew the march.
August 6 —The morning was calm and pleasant, and, although cloud.
less, was, as usual, smoky. We had now entered a country entirely different from that we had recently travelled.  We were approaching the Blue
mountains and the Cascade range, which are constantly on fire during
the summer and fall, as well as other mountains that are thickly wooded;
and the sky in this vicinity presents a hazy appearance, caused entirely
by the smoke from the burning mountains, which increases to such an
extent as to hide the neighboring hills as we advance. This gives to the
sun a yellow hue, and the day the appearance of an Indian summer.
The weather was fast changing, and felt more like autumn in latitude
37~ than that which should have been experienced in latitude 45~.
We were busily engaged to-day ir, making such alterations and improvement~ as remainedunfinished yesterday, and succeeded in preparing the first division, so as to leave on the 7th.  We entirely overhauled
the public stores, and made a report of their condition, leaving such as
were unnecessary for the march at this post.'This day was a very busy one, and my clerks, as well as myself, were
extremely fatigued when we retired to rest at eleven o'clock at night.
All resting days for the troops are generally the reverse for staff officers;
and there was none of us but what were glad always to commence the
march again.
It has often presented itself to my mind very forcibly how little is
known of the fatigue which is felt by the members of that portion of the
command who are always looked to for the success of the daily marches,
or the accomplishment of a journey; and it is to be regretted that the
labors of the day, as well as the responsibilities, could not be more
equally divided and felt by all.
While laboring during the day in superintending the movements of
large trains, particularly through mountainous passes and broken countries, I have come into camp completely overcome by heat, covered with
dust, and exhausted by mental as well as bodily labor, and I have heard
those around me, whose duty was but little more than to go forward and
luxuriate on the banks of some pleasant brook until the arrival of the
train, speak of their fatigue as if they had in reality been called on to
perform some laborious task.'Who is it on a march like this experiences
trouble but the one'who is always looked to for the preservation of the
means which is to insure success, who must always be diligent and




190                         Doc. No.  1.
watchful over all around, be the trouble what it may, trusting but little to
any one, but on his own untiring zeal and industry for the safety of all.
August 7.-All necessary arrangements being made for the first division,
the march was renewed at 12 o'clock.  The day was passed in completing all unfinished business, and preparing the second division to follow in
the morning. Reports were made to the chief of the department, as well
as to Colonel Mackay, at St. Louis, suggesting the propriety of furnishing the acting assistant quartermaster at this post with such instructions
as might be deemed necessary for his future guidance; for when I left St.
Louis, I received no orders relative to the several posts that were to be located, neither were any instructions given me while on the march.'What orders the colonel had previous to starting I know not, and I therefore could not give any definite instructions which might be proper to
regulate the officer in charge of the department while building quarters
for the companies left, either here or at Fort Laramie; I, however, gave
such instructions as I though the most proper, presuming that, on the receipt of my report at St. Louis, Colonel Mackay would give such orders
as he might deem advisable.  We retired this evening to rest at half-past
eleven o'clock, after riding, walking, and writing throughout the day and
much of the night, having again completed a new train, which was to
last us to the end of our journey, there being now but two divisions
instead of three.  One of the companies was left, but another was taken
fiom here, which still made the number of companies the same; but the
decrease of provisions and stores had greatly diminished the supply train,
and it was thought advisable toa concentrate the troops the remainder of
the journey.
CHAPTER VI.
March of the two divisions fromn  Fort Hall to Fort Boisse, 303 miles.
August 8.-The morning was pleasant, and the second division commenced their march at 10 a. m'., and encamped on the Port Neuf, about eight
miles from  here.  I left at two p. nm., and passed Fort Hall, a trading
establishment of the Hudson's Bay Company. This place is about three
miles below where two companies of the rifle regiment have chosen for
the site of their new post.  It is built of clay, and much in the form  of
Fort Laramie, having a large sally port, which fronts the Port Neuf, with
its walls extending back towards the banks of Snake river. There is a
blockhouse at one of the angles, and the buildings inside are built against
the side of the wall, and of the same materials. The main building is
occupied by the proprietor, while the others are intended for store-rooms
and places for the hands who are employed in the service of the company.  The rooms are all small, and by no means comfortable; being generally intended for one person; they are contracted and dark, having but' a
small window and one door.
This place is occupied by Captain Grant, who has been here about fourteen years. He informed me that he had endeavored to cultivate the soil,
but to no success.  As they seldom  have rain during the summer, the
ground becomes very hard and baked, transpiration water from the river




Doc. No. 1.                           191
not being sufficient to keep it moist. The ground presented to me a fine,
dark, alluvial soil, and by proper cultivation would produce well. I have
seldom met with any of the traders, however, either on the Upper Mississippi or this route, who have turned their attention to agriculture
enough to speak with any experience or certainty on the subject.
There are along the river small quantities of cottonwood, particularly
in the vicinity of where the two companies are located.  With the exception of this advantage, I do not admire theirlocation for the post; I presume the troops, however, will not be required to occupy this post very
long, as it seems to be out of position, not being able to draw properly the
necessary supplies for it from either Fort Leavenworth or Vaniouver; for,
while the former is 1,400 miles land transportation, the latter is upwards of
700 miles, having the Cascade and Blue mountains to pass over, which
are very formidable barriers; and the whole country is a dreary and barren
waste, where there is but little or no vegetation.
There is very good grazing on the prairie or bottom-land about here,
and around in the vicinity of where the post is to be established, which is
four miles above, and the same point where our command struck the river.
Here the troops are able to procure as much hay as may be required by
them; but in this country it is expected that the horses will be hardy
enough to endure the winters by running at large and grazing on the
bottom-lands.
The two drawings of the outer and inner side of Fort Hall, or the
trading-post of the Hudson's Bay Company, will give you a correct idea of
their rude construction, and I find but little difference in any of them  on
the route to the Columbia  river.
Having left Fort Hall, I joined the second division about five o'clock,
and divided the train into sections, and assigned the several wagonmasters to their respective places, and was again prepared to commence
the journey for Oregon City, or the Dalles on the Columbia river.
August 9.-The morning was quite cold. The command left at half-past
six o'clock, and, crossing the Port Neuf, soon ascended a steep bluff which
borders on the plain, that is about five miles wide, where the road runs
along the bluff, giving us a fine view of Snake River valley below, which
is wide and much cut up with smiall streams, either rising from springs on
the side of the bluffs, or from springs which are found boiling up in the
valley, sending forth water in such quantities as to soon form large streams;
and the valley, from the top of the bluff, presented a beautiful view, as the
road wound along, compared with the surrounding country.
We had now fairly commenced the remainder of our journey to Oregon
City, with the best outfit we could procure from the materials obtained at
Fort Hall, and were to pass through a more dreary and barren country
than heretofore, a small specimen of which had been before us during the
day.
From the bluffs to the range of hills which runs parallel to the left bank
of the river, about five miles off, the land is a poor, light, barren soil,
covered with artemisia, neither the hills nor the plains producing one stick
of wood.
On the opposite side of the river the country is a vast plain, and, with
the exception of the Three Butes, which are high peaks standing alone on
the plains, but give a little variety to the scenery, there is nothing to be
seen in the distant view but artemisia, which is always present to the




192                          Doc. No. L.
sight, let the eye turn in any direction it may.  The picture, on the whole,
was anything but a pleasing one; and when we reflected that we were to
travelseveral hundred miles through a country presenting nothing more
pleasing than barren hills and sterile plains, having artemisia to burn, as
well as food probably for the animals, it was certainly very discouraging.
A journey of seven hundred miles at, any time, where everything is
plenty, is no small undertaking; and still greater must it seem to be to us
when we had travelled constantly for three months, and had only accomplished fourteen hundred miles, two-thirds of our journey, over probably
the most uninteresting route which can be found on the northern continent.
But stout hearts and willing dispositions to brave difficulties were able to
accomplish many hardships, and to make impossibilities possible; and,
when I reflected on the fatigue which had been endured, and likely to
be renewed again, I began to think that, if we reached our destination
safely, nothing in the way of travelling hereafter can be looked on as
impossible. We continued the march during theday through dust half-leg
deep, for we had now struck a soil that was so light and spongy as to make
it dangerous sometimes when riding over it.  The mornings and evenings
are exceedingly leen, while the middle of the day is very warm.  We
suffered severely from the heat to-day, and find that rwe experience the
two extremes of heat and cold during-the twenty-four hours.
We made our encampment at the close of the evening in the valley
of Snake river, having entered it for the first time, and, I may say with
truth, the last tine where grass is to be found on its banks in any great
quantity.
August 10. —The morning being pleasant, the march was resumed at
the usual hour.  Our encampment last evening seemted to be the terminus of Snake River valley, as the appearance of the river entirely changed
after a march of about five miles, which brought us to the American falls.
The sound of the falls was heard sonme time before reaching them, as the
wind came from the southwest, directly from  them.
The scene was truly magnificent. Here was an entire change in the face
of the country, as well as the river. But a few miles back, we had looked
on it running quietly through a wide, fertile valley, and winding around
islands studded with trees; while it now became contracted to a space of
not more than 400 yards, and in a short distance was precipitated over
huge rocks, to resume its course through a deep canon, the perpendicular
walls of which were formed of basaltic rock.
In the centre of the falls there is a ledge of rocks, dividing the river
into two parts, which has a few scattering dwarf cedars on it, that. seem
to spring from the crevices of the rocks, and are nourished by what little
earth is found upon them.  Between the right bank and this ledge, the
column of water, after being whirled among the rocks, has a perpendicular fall of about eight feet; that on the left is much less, and finds its
way below, by passing round and over large masses of rock that lie in
its way, until it reaches nearly the base, where there is a small  ll of a few
feet high. While the right bank commences to rise quite high and perpendicular, the left bank is somewhat broken with shelving rocks, projecting
over the water, as well as presenting many places which appear as if they
had been intended as caldrons or reservoirs for molten lava, which, by
some convulsion of nature, had been thrown out and scattered about the
falls in small fragments, which could be seen everywhere   The inner




Doc. No. 1.                                 93
sid's of these ba3sin;s are entirety glazed, as if subnitted to the acton of
very strong heat, while others resemble very much the appearance of a
surface polished by water.  MjAany small pieces of stone were lyi il a:
different directions, which were evidently volcanic productions.  I obtained several specimens of the rock, and some large pieces of obsidianthe latter seemed to be scattered in small fragments for miles around on
thle plain, as it could be picked up wherever you went.  I here had
a drawing takenl, which gives a very correct idea of the falls, beintg cosidered b1  all who have seen it as a fine representation.
h e road passed along the bluff, bending to the right, which soon
caused us to lose sight of the falls.  In this day's march wne crosse
many gorges' or deep ravines, that were very jmuch broken, and very
difficult to travel over; they are the outlets to streams from the hills, and,
are often very niry, and the hills which we ascend very sandy and difficult to get over.
The river to-day h:as been much broken up by the rapids.  Since leavlg the fals they are frequently met with, one of which I observed is very
beautifuil, where there is an island in the middle of the river abtout a
quarter of' a mile long, which seemed to be one mass of rock; its top was
covered thickly with scrub oak and small stunted cedar.  The rapids
com1menced about half a mile above it, ald, forming a series of small
fills, passing on both sides of the island with much rapidity and force of
uelrrent, and continuing in this way for about half a mile belpw it. What
with the growth on the island, (which in this vicinity is a very rare sight,)
the beauty of the rapids, the deep canon tlrough which the river passes'.
a.Id the surrounding scenery, so different from  any passed before, mnade
the whole landscape here one of beauty atnd interest.  Towards the close
of the evening we passed many ledges of rocks, which  formed a complete valley, having ar. outlet so narrow that but one wagon could pass
at a time, and seemed to be the effect of some volcanic aotirn. The
right bank of the river along here rises to the height of at least fi-fteen
hun-dred feet, entirely of basaltic rock, and resembles very muclh the.
pxa.isUdes on the Hudson river, a short distance above New  York.  OiO
the left bank the ground, although much broken, is not so rough, aindt
thete are somte places where you are able to drive your train or take yourhorses to water.
It had  been very fatilguing throuTgh the day; as there is no w.ay o
bheadillg the  avines, they were obliged to be cmrssed, and we did. but
tlite during  the day, exc. pt to cross one ravine to come soon to another,,
r< that evening had p:asse c  away before we rea ched our encampmentr.
A.fl-er st'undowrn, we  ca-re to what is called Fall creek, a rapid  little
streamn, having, il the vicinity of the road, many cascades, where the
water rusihes fiio  one to the other with great force) forming a vrery
pleasing little pictur.  The side of the hill around which we had to
pass; before crossing  the stream, was very broken and sandy.  On the
oi-ppsiite side of Atis little brook the hill was so steep as to reqni'e somea
time-s sixtCeeCn mules to a. wagon), and as manry mnen-    o as could \well gex  ho-dld
o  a rope, to get it t t the top: this will give yVTu some faint idea of th
very olreat detention ofteon met wiith onG  tnhi.s route, and tihow  If.^ the de-.ay Vwould be in crcssing 166 wagons.  It was, however, ac co lpl,:eihed,
alid we reached camp after 9 o'clock at night, twhere we had neitlhe'' wood
to m a:ke files nor grazing for our animals,
Part'i -13




94                         Doc. No. I,
August I.I.-The morning was cold, and the mules, for want of solmething to eat, had wandered over the hills and among the ravines to picvk
ip, what they could find, as it was impossible to keep them'- confined to
any particular spot.  This. prevented us from starting early, and we did
not commence our march until about half-past seven, passing throu.h a
rough gorge, and afterwards over level plains through th e day.  We
crossed Ogden's river about 12 o'clock.  The road turns ofi to the south
for California, which was taken by the Californians who were still alo g;
and, after passing over a plain about five miles wide, we ascended a steep
hill, by the assistance of soldiers, which was the only obstacle met with
during the day.  Our road, take it altogether, was a good one, and our
march was not so severe as yesterday; but for the dust, we should have
travelled very well.
The scenery to-day -was not very interesting, as the road led a short
distance from the river, which intercepted the view we otherwise wvvouldd
have had of its singularly formed banks, which sometimes vary lfromi tvwo
to five hundred feet high.
The mountains to the left began to show the unevenness of tlhe country
to the south and west.  A range of mountains to the'northl  a long distance off, seeming like distant clouds rising above the horizon, began to
indicate -that we might realize some change for the better in the scenery
before many days.  This range was probably seventy miles off.  A little
after sundown, and after having had the teams in harness for fburteen
hours, and accomplishing a march of twenty-five miles, we arrived at a
reed swamp, where the mules and horses fared well, compared with that
of last night.
Aulz..t 12. The morning was calm and the day pleasant.  The cormand got off at the usual lhour and, after passing around  the swamp;somrne distance, and over a plain for about tea miles, we came to Snake
-iver again, and made our encampment for the day.  The grazing was
very indifferent, but the march would have been too great to have coninued it to a better place; the distance which we would have been cornpelled to travel for water leing twenty-three miles, and no intermediate.point between; where we could have fared better than here.
From Bear river to this place every stream abounds in fish of the finest
kind.  The speckled as well as the salmon-trout can be caught in great
quantities; every one who could find time resorted to his hook and line,
a,,d we fared sumptuously when we were fortunate enough to procure
fueq to cook them.
Augst 13. —It was at this encampment that I met with a family in
great distress, consisting of a man, his wife, and two little children, who
had, by great labor, reached this far on their route to Oregon; their oxen
~had entirely given out, and they were now left alone to starve.  They
-might have returned to Fort Hall, being only five days' journey back;
"but their condition was one that could not but excite sympathy, and I
accordingly made arrangements to take them  along. It was about six
o'clock in the morning when we got under way; the Dutchman and his:amily were called for, who, from  their movements, seemed to think that
time was of little value, as they were much longer in getting themselves
ready than we were willing to lose.  They were ordered to abandon
wagon, oxen, and baggag, taking only such articles, with their clothing, as
were idispe.sablv necessary. The woman seemed to be disposed to haang




Doc. ANo..                             195
onto her wagon as her' only wealth, and when brought from  it by her
husband, her lamentations of grief, with those of the children, were really
distressing'. T'he Dutchman took it more philosophically, although at
first be was somewihat loth to leave his all, brt smoked his pipe with as
much comrposure as if he were still wandering in dreamls to that golden
region  where his imagination had so often led kim, to rear fortunes
wlhich twere soon to v anish again.
We marclhed about twelve miles, ad  ncad nca e  for the day, having
lea.ried fromn the first division, ahead of us, that the distance would be too
great to reach grass and good w-ater; we therefore remained on the banks
of Slake river again for another night, although it was desolate to look
atrounld and see what the horses were to get for their subsistence.
The seneerry for the. last two days was much the sarle the picture being
made  p of distantw hills, barren waste;s, and wild sage, with not a tree to'inttOr,(eri)t thle view.
mt~,~!sti  1 4. —As the first division was not far in the advance of us, I;left the second at five o'clock; in the morning to go forward.  The road
r.y al ong the bank of Snake river nearly all day, which still continued to
pass through a deep canion of' perpendicular rock, which appeared to have
beeni made by some convulsion of nature, apparently to give room simply
for, the waters of Snake river, for the country on the opposite side was as
~dry  ind sterile as on. the side we were travelling.
We passed several islands during the morning, similar to those already
described, which, with the rapids about theml, presented quite a picturesi:ie appearance.  We here stopped for a siort time, when Major Crittenden, being very expert with the hook and line, caught from among
the  Tocks;, wvhich ifomned small eddies' a fine -mess of fish, principally.speckled  salmon.  Our march  was then contiinued  until about fcur
o'clock in the evening, when we arrived at iock creek, and continued
downl its banlks to a bend, where the road. diverges, making our encanp-::.ent for the evening on its banks.  Our march to-day brought us about
twenty-three miles over a drear y sancd   plain, crossing the dry bed of a
creek;, where the water lay in holes.  The bottom of this creek, as well
as its banks','as of volcanic form-ation  and a solid miass of basalt..Rock creek is a small stream which comes fromn the neighboring hills and:.fai.s into Snake rivei having for an outlet a very deep callon, fromt where
we uiade our encampment to the river.  The stream  itself is not more
~than fifteen fbet wide; the cation through which it passes is in rany [laces!from fifty to one hundred feet high, varying in width from ore hun lied to
two hunldred yards. In some parts of the caron we met with a lit le wvil].ow
"growinrg mimlediately on the borders of the stream; but in other places
it becomes so narrow as to exclude everything in the way of vegetation.
In the vicinity of our encamprmient the banks are low, forming a handsome
Ibottotn, studded here and there.with willows, and with better grass than:a3v we had met with since leaving Fort Hall.
The,,l evening was very pleasant, although the day had been very warm
-and dusty.  The fishermen, towards the close of the evening, sallied forth
with their hooks and lines, and soon returned, laden with as fine Rocky,mountain tIrout as I had met with.  After leaving made oar supper of them,
which w e had served up in fine style by a very excellent cook that was
ralong, we all turned in for rest, to be the better prepared for an early starti n
h, ocE mIt.Am.g.  As I ha  once b fore got in rear a day, and found it vely




196                          lDoc. No.  1.
difficult to overtake the command, I determined not to get in the same  rit —
pleasant predicament again.
August, 15.-We commenced preparing for a start this morning 7at 3o'clock, but did not get off *intil some time after 4 o'clock, as the morning was dark and smoky.  We travelled, however, rapidly for about eight
miles after commencing the journey, until we arrived at the creek. agn'an1o
At this place we waited for our wagons, which soon came up; and, laving
assisted them out of the canon, which was no easy work, we continued on.
until the middle of the day, when we cane agaia to the baanks of the
river, which were at least two or three hutndred feet in height. I atte: p>ted
to descend into the valley through which the river ran, for the pu rpl: e of
procuring water, but it was so fatiguing, both for myself and horse, t.iat I
returned without being able to accomplish it.
It was at this place we could easily hear the sound of a waterfall, wc'',ich',
from the noise, we at first supposed might have been the I itte fails of
Snake river; but, as we were still twenty miles from  that point, we- wrere
soon satisfied that it did not proceed fromu there, or the small cascade  oil
the. opposite bank, which is mentioned by Colonel Fremont as the Subterranean river; and we were much surprised to learn, the next day,  hat
within ten miles of this place there is a cascade-, which, in height, is not
surpassed by the Niagara Falls.  The guide who was with the coomand;c,.
having travelled this route very often, was shown the place by an I ndia:m
and took Mr. Gibbs, of New York, and Lieritenant Lindsay to the iE:,e.
who pronounced it one of nature's great wonders.  The river here becomes a little contracted, and passes througth a chasm  of solid roc; it:
commences to fall about a quarter of a mile above the last litchi  and, ate:ir
forcing itself among the loose rocks which lay in its way, takes a periendicular pitch of at least 160 feet, and it is even thought to be a gl:reater
height.  They descended to the foot of the falls, after much difficulty ann
sbme length of time, where they were better able to judge more a.ccur:a-ely
of its great height; and there seems t~ be but one opinion, that it equa,,ellue
in grandeur, in proportion to the column of water, the iinagara. a. lsa.
Having been the first who had ever taken the trouble to examine''et.
-arefully, and wishing to change the name said to have been givell biy a
priest many years since, they decided on that of the Great Shosnolie i i. ls.
instead of Canadian, as being the most appropriate.
I'he road does not pass there, and probably its nearest point is lji't!ess.
than eight or ten miles, which is probably the reason why it is so little:
known, for I have never seen it mentioned by those who have trapp};e  in
this country for years; for their time is generally occupied, and they taLke:
no interest in riding, much less walking, twenty miles out of their  ayto:.
see a river tumble over rocks of any height; anLd besides, they are gewitally
ignorant Canadians, who have but very little curiosity to notioce h:ud.
things.
WVe continued our journey until sundown, when iwe cacme to the f'^li, of
the little falls on Snake river, commonly called the Little  S a illhoi }I' 1ls4
and encamped for the night immediately on the banks of the river.
Our teams came in quite late, and very nmuch exhausted, not haviigi h-ad
any water since leaving Rock creek, and had travelled twenty miles;i ln e
leaving that creek.  This place gave the mules but very litle to sul.sist
no, being principally long, coarse, sour grass, which has but little iiouish~
-mamt in i t at any ttime, andi much less towaid's tie dloe, of the suumun7^i.




Doc, No, 1.                             i.T
The river here presented a very beautiful view; our encampment was on
its banks, and immediately at the foot of the falls, which could be seen
from the bend above, and until it again changed its direction below. The
fall passes over several ledges of rock, which' extend across the river, and
somew-hat parallel to each other, giving it in its fa.11  when viewed at a
distance, the appearance of heavy waves.
Tlhe scenery is very different from what we have witnessed since leaving the American Falls.  T'he banks on both sides, at this place, become
entirely changed.  On the opposite side, they take the form of small hills,
which gradually rise one above the other, bringing you again to a vast
plain beyond them, while  e e right bank presents broken bluffs, wkichformn quite a valley between them and the river; having two small brooks
th:at pass ont of the ravine, one at our encamrpment, and the other three
a-iies below, called Little Salmon creek, which runs with mrach. rapidity,
falling over rocks, and forming cascades in its way.
I t'i s wus one of the severest day's marches I have ever experienced.
It was excessively warm, without the least air; the hiils on each side
seerled, as it were, to reflect the rays of the sun so as to strike us vwith
double force, until it became almost insupportable.  Previous to reaching
the bank ofthe river, about the middle of the day, we resorted to making
a shade with our blankets, by hanging them  over the artemisia shrubs,
whlic:h afforded us for the time considerable relief.  The dust appeared today to be greater than I had experienced since leavitng Folt Hall; the road.
was so pulverized that, by every revoltion of the wheels, it would fall off
-in perfect clouds.
August 16.-The morning was pleasant for travelling; the atrmosphere
was filled with smoke, which still continued to increase as we gradually
approached the Blue mountains.  We commenced our journey at an early
hour, and, after travelling a few miles, came to where the first division.
had encamped the previous evening; they having got under way previous
to our arrival there, leaving a few men to collect together and take charge
of the straggling horses and mules, which had strayed off among the
hills, and those broken down, which were so reduced in flesh that they
~were constantly giving out and increasing the cavayard daily, which was
anything but a pleasing sight to look on; for, by the additional increase,
it rendered us less able to facilitate our journey.
The bank on the opposite side of the river had again resumed its rockyr
appearance, and looked in many places as if it were a solid mass of' masonry.'We had not proceeded far before we- came to where the water
burst forth from the rocks in many places, while a pretty little stream  of
several feet in width tumlbled from the top of the rocks, and formed a very
beautifl cascade in its descent to the river; making the whole a scene of
beauty seldom to be met with.  For several miles water in large columns
was constantly bursting from  the banks of the river; which must have
proceeded from the volcanic formation of the ground on the opposite side,
creating fissur s which received the waters collected from the neighboring
hills and valleys, and, by its porous formation, finds its way in this manner through the earth until it reaches the river.
I regret that we were prevented, from the want of time and the little
grazing which could be had about here for our horses, from remaining for
a few days, so that we might have carefully examined the country on the




1,8                          Doe. No. 1.
opposite side, so as to have become better infbrned of the causes whicl.
produced this singular freak of nature.
I have annexed a drawing of the formation of the banks of the river below this, and the appearance which the river presents at this place, and.
almost throughout the whole distance which it passes, from  the time it
leaves the American  Falls until it unites with  the Columbia river.
Through nearly the entire route this is its appearance, seldom  becoming
in any place low enough to allow the wagons to pass; and whenever it did
occur, the distance was not longer than from five to ten miles, and oftei
much less.  The river here is seen running through a deep cahon or
opening in the earth; its.banks inmany places are of solid rock, arid when
it does not take that appearance, it generally proceeded from the mouldering of the rocks from the sides, and the earth from  the plains being deposited on its banks, which, covering up the detached rocks, gives it the
appearance of an embankment; but I have often come on the banks of
this dreaiy, barren, sterile river, in nmy daily marches, and invariably
found it the same uniform canal, a spot which could not have been -more
uniformly defined if it had been cut out by the haind of man.
We soon came to the Big Salmon Falls, having travelled about eight
miles this morning.  These falls are somewhat similar to. those already
described, except that large rocks are seen projecting above the- surfce of
the watter, against which it dashes in parts of tie falls with great violelice%
and forms in one place a  epependicular fall of six or eight feet.  It was at:
these falls that w-e met a few Indians, for the first time since leavilng Fort
Hall, who had assembled he re to lay in their supply of salmon for the
winter, as well as to subsist on them during the fall.  There were twelve
lodges, if they may be so termed —some of an oval fo-rn, and others of a
semicircular shelter-opening towards or fromi the sui, as might be required.  These lodges were made of green willow  brush, their tops bent
over and fastened together.  When fresh they look not unlike a willow
grove; but when the leaves become withered they resemble, at a distance,
bunches of dry weeds, ard might easily have been passed without being
noticed.  The men are good-looking and well formed, and appeal stouter
than the generality of Indians I have met with further north.  They are
thick-set and well built; there is nothing sullen about then, that you. meet
with among the northern tribes on the Mississippi; on the contrary, they
appear pleasant and fond of talking, and, from what little I saw of them,
are a harmless and inoffensive race of people.  The woren whaom  I
found at the lodges were in appearance inferior to the men —I  saw none
who possessed the least beauty; but all that were there are principally the
Root Diggers, who live in abject poverty compared with the balance of
their nation: they are in ffct nothing more than the degenerate portion of
the Snake nation, Bonarks and Nez Perees, who prefer living amongl- the
neighboring hills and subsist by digging roots, (fron  whence they take
their name,) than following a more noble occupation of catching beaver
and hunting big game.  It was amusing to see them  watching for fish,
as they throw a spear with as much precision as an arrow; and no sooner
caught, than they Would plunge into the rapids, and make for our side to
dispose of it.  They appeared to have but little idea of the value of ioney,
as they sold for an old tin cup, partly without a bottom, ten times its value.
I purchased as much for two cartridges as they lhad asked me for a blanket.
Their way of estimating the value of articles is, not what its real worth




Doe. No. 1,
would be to them in the way of war, but simply to gratify their fancy.  I
presume the tin cup would have made them  many trinkets. compared
with a piece of money ten times its value, which shows they go a good
deal for quantity, and at the same time still more to gratify their taste~
These people were almost in a state of nudity; the men having a covering
about their hips made of rabbit skins, w-hile the women had for petticoats
dressed skins, and for robes either undressed rabbit or squirrel skins,
which were a substitute for blankets.
In Colonel Bonneville's adventures, by Washington Irving, he says:
Some of these people, more provident and industrious than the rest, lay
p a stock of dried salmon, and other fish, for winter: with these, they
were ready to traffic with the travellers for any objects of utility in Indian
ife; giving a large quantity in exchange for an awl, a knife, or a fish-hook.' Others were in the most abject state of want and starvation; and would
even gather up the fish-bones which the travellers threw away after a repast, waarm them over again at the fire, and pick them  with the greatest
avidity.
"The farther Captain Bonneville advanced into the country of these
Root Diggers, the more evidence he perceived of their rude and forlorn
condition.   They were destitute,' says he,'of the necessary covering to
protect them from the weather, and seem-ed to be in the most unsophisticated ignorance of any other propriety or advantage in the use of clothing.  One old dame had. absolutely nothing on her person but a thread
arolind her neck, from which was pendant a solitary bead.'
" What stage of human destitutionD however, is too destitute for vanity!
Though these naked and. forlorn looking beings had neither toilet to
carange,  nor beauty to contemplate, their greatest passion was for a mirror.
it was a I great'medicine' in their eyes.  The sight of one was sufficient,.
at any time, to tihrow them into a paroxysm of eagerness and delight; and
they were, ready to give anything they had for the smallest fragment in
which they might behold their squalid features."
The road leaves the river at the falls, and ascends a long hill for about
th}xree miles, where, after four hours' labor, the wThole train succeeded in
reach.ting the top.  Here the country to the left presents a series of plains,
risilng one above the other, causing the ground between them to be somewhat u;neven and broken.  To the north you have a fine view of the
nountains which we had been approaching for several days.  These
were the Salmon River mountains.  We arrived at the close of the eveniig on the top of the bluff, which was, as usual, high, steep, and rockyy;
so much so as almost to deprive us of getting our mules into the cafion,
rThe rear of the train arrived about 8 o'clock p. m.  The night being
dark, we were prevented  romn  getting the remainder of them  down to
water; they were therefore turned out to graze among the sand-hills and
artemis;ia  there being scarcely a particle.of grass either on the bluff
or in the canon.  The whole day's march, after passing the falls in the
morning, was over dry, barren plains, entirely destitute of water, and in
places extremely heavy, and dust, as usual, half-leg deep.  The musqtlitoes at our encampments were very annoying to ourselves, as well as
our animals, and we had been troubled with them since striking Snake
river. The teams came in very much broken down, and it was as nmench as
we could do to make daily alterations among them, so as to prevent them.
from impeding the n-ovements of the command and entirely giving out.




200                           Ate. No. 1.
A,.g-st  (17. —Every day's journey brought:  into a worse country, if
not for ourselves, certainly for our teams.  MIa y of our mules had been
carried into the cation last night; the balance were driven down early this
Jmorning, after much trouble, to get water.  As, we had to travel sixteen
miles to day before either grass or water could be obtained, over an uneven
country, or encamp where we would have to fare worse than last nigh7t
our march was commenced as early as the state of things would per1mit
but the whole train did not get off until 10 o'clock, as we haad nch
trouble in collecting the mules this morning, and still greater to get theoult of the cafon, many of them  being unable to ascend the bluff; an.'
therefore were abandoned.
The morning was calm  and clear; the road lay over a very broken
cou-try, having to ascend high  hills, and then cross dep Travines, al
day; although, to look at it at a distance, it did not seem  to present any
of these obstacles.   These ravines were frequently dlificult to pass
throughi, being the outlet of the water from the hills and plains, anad ba y
the m.elting of the snows, were sometimes very much br.oken; and our
road necessarily carrying us along near the rivern made it often very difficult to cross the gullies, which were frequently met with in this day's
march, ibr this light, spongy earth is easily washed into a very un-even
surfa:e along this river.
Afier sundown the trainr arrived at a very steep 7hil or bluff) where the
road. descends to the river, and wras too much so to attempt to descend it
at that time of the evrening, Mnd I therefore remained on the plain all
nigt, as the greater portion of the train did not arrive until 9 o'clock at.aioh.  The march had been throughout the day over a country entirely
destitute of water: for although the river was not far off; the steepness of
its -bans would have prevented us from getting at it; and, besides, the
blufi's about here were very much broken.  The command hiad succeeded
in rjea.'nina the river at the termination of the day's imarch, and the irain
sufricienily near it to drive the mules into the bottom, Awhere they could
-remaitr in safety until the morning; for they were betweena the river and
higl bl uffs, which were very good barriers to their getting oi.: utust 18.-it continued pleasant last night until midnight, but the wind
shitiingt to the north gave us a norther in all its fury.  Those on the top of
-the hlill got the full benefit of it; wagon-covers were torn to pieces, and our
tents blown down over us, and in the morning we were completely buried
alive in sand, which had drifted on the tents as they lay over us.  The
rnorning continued very windy, raising clouds of dust so thick that the
wagons, in. descenditg the hills, were completely eniveloped; for the bluffs
about here have very much the appearane of chalk banks, and are
equally as: light.  It was very difficult to descend, and, in spile of all
efforts to the contrary, the wagons would get such headway as to render
it dangerous to hold on to the ropes attached to them. I here witnessed
the capsizing of several, throwing the boxes and barrels in all directions;
one of' thema turning entirely over, injurin'g nothing, however, but the
breaktina of a few wagon-bows.
H:avitlg arrived at camp this morning, the train w-as too much broken
down to continue our march to-day, and in  consequence of it we
remained here and arranged the loads, and broke up such wagous and.'ea)mas as impeded the movements of the train, and turned out the mules




Doc.  No, 1.                              20.1
and horsesot   to roam   over the hills and-in the bottoms to get what couldT be
fouL nL'd,,:....ust 9. —It was th ough-lt advisablle to ulnd.ert.e  to cross tthe river
hleriTe as grass was getting scarcer:.   I examined tlhe river opposite two:small w\ilow is-la:ns, and thougrht it practicable, as the wtater in deptl
would not comne up to the wagon-beds.  The river banks were immediatel-y cutt down fiom one island to the other; but oni goi ng wil tie party
to tle ri ghit bank, the current was discovered to be so istr-ng a  to force nte of
the -e      r imrperceptibly down into the deep water before getting across, wfTre
he vwas soon carried beyond his depth by thi  fbrce of th1e curren- t, and
drowned before any aid could be given himn.  Th:is created a panic arong
som0e of the others, and I did not get them ii  back to te islad with..out
considerable d.ifliculty, and great apprehension for their safety.
Havinig completed cutting down the banks, one of the wagons w as tien
tried, which, after much labor-against the current, succeeded in reaching
the rilght bank in safety  but fearing that more property would be lost
than thte necessity of the case wsold justify, the idea was abandoned, and.
we remnained on the left bank, trusting to  our luckl while travelling  over
wh at migiiht truly be called a desert, an  about as bad as generally falls to
the lot of tny one to be found on.
Tie second division had arrived in worse condition than the first, and.
was directed to encamp here for a couple of days, to rest, at leas, the ani
muals, and let them get what little grass might be obtained in the ravines
and go-rges among the hills in this vicinity.
1' h  banks of the river now began to change their appearance, and the
steep, rocky clifs, so long met with, were in places rapidly disappearing.
Thi. part of the river was the first we had met with, since our departure
fronm'ort Hall, where the banks would enable us to pass, if the stage of
water had permitted, altholugh we had travelled a distance of 180 miles.
Au:1 u. st 20.~ We continued our march, at 8 o'clock this morninlg, along
the river, where the bank is somewhat sloping, until we arrived  or
a small streant which ran from  among the hills; and we found better'rZzing than could possibly have been expected.  The road was
level  idtl not very  heavy  to-day, although somewhat rockty; an-  as
the diistance iwas not as far as we usually travelled, the trains camne in
but little jaded, and, from what little grass they will be able to pick lIp fro'to
atmolong the willows to-night, will be better prepared to renew the journey
in the nmorning than recently.
A.ug, st 21.-rThe road continiued along the slope of the hills for some
holrs, where the rocks lay so thick that we were greatly impldedd in o0ur
ma rch; still the balance of the road was not very dificullt to travel over,
meetig only, in some few places, with heavy sa.nd.
We got in to-day nmuch better than I anticipated, for such was generally
the stale of the teams when we left in the morning, that there.ras 1no
great certainty of our reaching camp at night.  We arrived about 5 o'ciock
in camp, after travelling twelve miles, and, to the agreeable surprise
of all, we had plenty of long, coarse, sour grass, which resembles very
much in appearance broom-sedge, which induced the commanding officer to
lay by one day.  The day was extremely warm.  Being sometimes among
the hills, we were deprived of the breeze, and got the full benefit of the
$un, alUlough it was very pleasant in the mnorning and bid fair to be so
throughout the day.
A.,ugust 22. —Having remained here during the day, the horses aad




202                           Doc. No. 1.
mules were taken to an island where very good grass for this country was
found, but not such as we would expect to travel horses on hundreds of
miles. Such arrangements were made to-day to facilitate our movements
in the mzorning, as are generally required after a few days' travel.
The second division came up, and remained one day after our departure.
The day was extremely warm, although the evenings and mornings continued to be pleasant.
~August 23.-Our march was commenced this morning at the usual hour.
Leaving the banks of the river about three miles from  our encampments,
we passed into a deep, narrow gorge, which brought us upon a plain that:
gave a beautiful view  of the surrounding country: to the north there
seemed to be a series of plains rising gradually above each other, where a
range of mountains might be seen at a very longdistance; the country to
the southwest was much the same as that which we had recently passed
over, being a light, sandy soil. In the whole of this view not a tree could
be seen, but artemisia was everywhere presented to the eye. In our march
to-day we passed a small streamn of good water, and? after crossing it, soon
entered a deep canon, and continued down it, until we arrived once more:
at the river, after which our road diverged from  it, and brought us into
camp towards sundown, when our animals were taklen to the opposite side
of the river to gaze for the nlight.  The day, with the exception of the
dust, was very pleasant, and by no means severe upon the teanms, and we,
mnarched to-day twenty-one miles, wilthout any serious difficulty.
The view which is here attached is the btlu ffs immrediately in rear of the
encampment, and they are frequently met with throaghout this part of
the country.  As I have heretofore stated  the country sometimes for miles
is very level; then again you come to places which, fioom the nature of the
scil, become wasted,  as you see in the drawing: it is nothing but clay,
and easily yields to the weather.
Aug:ust 24." —The m.orning was cloudy and. extrermely smoky.  It became very warm and sultry in the night; and begau to rain at 3 o'clock.
in the morning, but not enough to lay the dust.  This was a very novel
sight to us, as a shower of rain  of any imizportancee  had not been seen
since the 25th of June.  Our guide, having been in the country mlany
years, and being well acquainted with  every stream  and watering place
along this route; informed us that the distance to-day must not exceed
twelve or fifteen m-iles; that our imarch the next day would. have to be
increased to twenty, to reach even a place where grass and water could be
obtained in small quantities; that our third day's march would be nearly
twenty-eight miles, as the country was entirely destitute of both grass and
water; after that, we should soon reach Fort Boisse, and there would be
but little difficulty afterwards until we arrived at the Blue mountains.
This was cheering news, for we greatly required a change for our teams,
which were fast on the decline, and the horses of the command were no
better.
We conmmenced the march at half-past 6 o'clock this morning, passing
along the borders of Snake river for somne distance beetre leaving it, and
arrived at Bruno creek early in the evening, where we encamped for the
night, as the distance being short to-day, and the road not uneven, it
enabled us to pass over it without any trouble.  The character of the
scenery in this short march was such as had been met with for several
days.  The bluffs along the river were much broken, and, rising one




Dec. Noo 1.                                0'
above the other, appeared, at a distance, like high hills or mount-ains,
w-hen in reality they are only the ter:m-ination of a series of plains vwhen
you approach them.
Augast25.-Last evening the wind shifted to the northwest and brought
over a dark cloud, accompanied by heavy wind, as well as a little rain and
hail.  It lasted but a few minutes, and made the balance of the evening
very pleasant; but, as it continued to blow, it was cold in the night, and
not less so this morning,,.  With the -wind, which threatened our tents,
and the stumbling of the mules over our tent-cords all night, sleep was.
out of the question; and there were but very few who commenced their
journey this  morning any better p arpared for it than they were yesterday.
It was two months to-day since we left Fort Laramie; and when we reflected on the condition of' the teams at that time, the many clhanges
which the trains had undergone, and the distance wee had travelled over,
as well as the great variety of country through whtvch we had come, it all
seemed to be a dreamn and could hardly be realized.  The journev was
not yet accomplished by several hundred miles; and that portion of the
route through which the road passed was considered by mountaineers
equally as bad, in many places, as the route from Fort Hall to this place;
and of all countries folr barrenness I have ever seen, it certainly exceeds
any, and I doublt if it can be equalled in any part of this continent.'We had now to mnarch twenty-eight miles before meeting with water of
any importance; and as to grass, there was none to be seen, besides passing over some,ecry fatiguiung places fbr the teams.  We comnnenced the
march as early as t.he arranging of the trains would permit, and our road
soon brought us to a steep descent; andl then into a valley, where we  met
with the only water for the cay. Having crossed this little streamn, we
passed into a deep gorge which brought us to a very long, steep ascent,
that gave us great difficulty.  It required nine yoke of oxen to take up
the first wagoon, and the other wagons required ten mules and as many
soldiers as could well get hold of a rope to bring them to the top of the
hill'  which they succeeded in doing after about three hours' work.  I
mention these facts to show the many obstacles that were daily met with.
about this time, when it was impossible to make any calculation zfr more
than ifom one lay to another how long the teams, or even the horses of the,commlrand, would last, unless we succeeded in reaching a place where we
would be able to make shorter marches and procure food for themo  and
nothing up to this time had saved us since leaving Fort Hall but the decreasing of the loads, which took place every three or four days, and
the breaking up of wagons; turning into  the drove the most in:SHlerent of the mules, and taking the best and replacing others.  It. may be
said that the condition  of, our mules did not justify such long marches,
but we were driven to it from com pulsion, as neither water nor grass was
to be had at any intermediate point; and when we were compelled to stop
at night, the grazing was poor enough too create starvation amoing them.
Weee were perfectly aware that the marches were much too long, but we
were to travel them   or be inx a mYuchl worse condition; and there iwas iot
an evening ever passed but wvhat the agents were made to give in a detailed account of the state of the teans, and what ch anges might be made
in order to mnove to any advantage the next day.
If the mules had been in good condition wihen the march was first co mmenced, and with light loads, there would' not have been on the whole




204                             Doec. No. 1.
route aJy touble; but this w as not the case.  Their condition did not
iustif?7 their even starting 1'or Fort.alla: and by thei time they ar'rited
therc, with l1l th -ce "ae t3aken of te them l ty were 1i  no0 condition to contiu-e a journy of over seven hundred tmiles through a desert waste tike
that fio(Lund onif tlhe banlks of Snale river.
Tlil, road fi'om.-re contintued1 in many places to rise graduallr iy,  l'irgthe hault!ingo so sve-ce 0on th'e amnimals that at sunset they were comipletely
broken down, \ L  pwhicoh comnpelledr  me to stop them on a barren waste, where
neither water nor a sprig- of grass awas to be obtained.  Here they were
kept steveratl houi's  when tlhey were again put in motion, and reached
camp abrc  t o-ne o'clock in the morning.  The regimen tal train was compelled a lways to reaclh c.amp as son as possible; but, although possessing
by'far the lbes o1 the mules, it did not arlive to-night unltil very late, andt
01soe 11  t u ti.1. t1   1  next (d.v
l -i           j       ts i    journe  toere was nothing of the least interest.  The hi ls
to our left; were gradually incleasing; and those to the north intercepted
parti1' our1 view of the  ange of mountains in that direction.  The country,'. throlulh.the evenilolng, was some'what rolling, but for, several hours beifoe a:ig]., i.n'  ciamp it commenced gradually descending.
I I:tave ini maniy places spoken of the formation of the bluffs along the
borders of rthe riverl as well. as those among the ravines throughl  whic!-h
we  ihave passed,  as being broken and rugged.  The plate which is here
attace',  is oh0c boo:dering on  -nake river, wh er e  we encamped, and around
wrhico we T had travelled last night until near one o'clock this imoini-ugth. roi ot a siall vahller made i a plain; of whichl this was its ternmination,
on I' e, rirver and t.he hine hiills to otur leftf tlhat were now but a short distance f'o: us- S,e soilS is extre-ely ight, being composed  principally
of cl:1 a- i.Xd sa.nd, which is easily washed by the 1mteiting snows in the
spriing  and   eavy rains early in the season, and not ulfiequently takes a
va ietyi o f1 frmsnS? whichni if the imagination is allowed free scope, would
soon bring fbrth buildingss in every shape> old towers, fallen castles, and old
bfortresses, broken cand tumbling aails,,Ahich seem to have the appearance:of havingi long since been undelrmined  by time, and only wanted the ivy
to complete the toucht.    T s bluff had stood imany a blast and pelting.stor;m  until it haid be-gun to show the effects of it by the many rude.shtarp peakls, and rut.,;ed  oreaks, which were easily perceptible, and towards the top had been so changed that its formation was not unlike a
human figure, which, friom its peculiar position, attracted the attention of
us sali..i
On a.pproaching these bluffs'0one would suppose that it would be impolssibe evr to   tover them; but, on the contrarvy we find that there are
ravines and gorges which, after winding about thenm tor some time, bring'us t tile top, where the bitfls disappear, anid we finI ourselves travelling
over apparently a, level country; and thus it has been ever since leavixng
Port -lallt but much more so along here than the commenceme nt of our
jour;ney from that post.
A..u".st s26.-The camp this lorning wore a gloomy aspect; there was
not one among  us but felt that  many more days like that of' yesterday would bring us all on foot, and probably be the destruction of tibe
trains.  The Colonel therefore determined to change only tihe encamping:ground to-day,,nd stop at the first convenient place.  We left at tea
o'clock, and found a fair encamping ground about six miles below, on a




I,   No. 1. eL
small creek, where  water was found in holes, and' the gra-zing tolrably
fiir.  Thiis gave us anl op tit ot    of' coaitecting, the wagons which did. not
Wreach camp last n-i  t
AugFust 2" ~ —   e commenced the journey at the usual holur tera vcling
dc-own the river.    Troughl the day we passed several Elodges o  Indi ans
who were fisling.  as soon as they saw  uVS they were  ready for triadin.-,
acnd appelred not to he very particular as, to what they got i  exchlange
T.hey are, like all Indians, fond of t.inketsl,.nd care Dut  iery utl as to
quality.  The Inicra ru2bber boat w7hich  ieuLten -ant Jones had dlescenred
the river in fjb several days excited greatly their curiosity, bein)g  1'i, first: 
they had et er seen, and they appeared m-uch   uzzled ho;  it coul.  -e so,
ea.1ily n,:ade.
In tiren mac..   t- day I visited tw:o lho sprins, ha sort distance Eo n the
left of tihe road, whicih have not been menltion ed by any one befibre.; t!ey
are about h alf way between the river and tihe hills.    The'water wi:s ex
tiemeliy hot —too,much s o to imm erse the finigers; t'he ta,.st. w-a  a lii e  e."talHc, but it gave no unpleasant smell.  0Fro   the appLeaane of iot^, -
pre-sueme th ey come froml the sam e fountain-heiadi as the one below se m ed.
in its direction to diverge from the same point.  The ground aro'u.id the
sprngs was extremely dry and light; in many places my rho'  e s&wouild
sink half-leg deep.  There was no vegetation,  exceit ta            Iev rIl.  es tliat.
grew on the banks of the little brooks wh.ichi  ma.de ftom-n thele    a ni nd tl0ey
were, in appearance and temperEature very much like th0ose on0'Malhleur
Our ciamp was made this evein.g on the ba-nks of Snake river sgain,..
and about as good as those we generally n.e t with; the distance travelled
wags foiurteen miles, and performed mulch better than could possibly h1avebelen expected.
August 2S8.-I-Having made necessary arrangemecnts last nigh-t for our
march in the morning, I retired for the night, muich worn down iUn mind
a  well as body.  The wind began to blow, and the sky was over-cast:
withl thlick clouds,' lwlichl indicated a violent stormn.  Atbout 2 o'cilc  the
bugle gave us the signal to commence preparing for a start, ad,. the
animals were pretty well scattered; and, it being a w indy mornir N, we Jha
iunch difficulty to collect and catch them. As the s'an camse oe'er the
nigged cliff, the clouds dispersed, a.nd the day -iwas fine, excen-t the
heavy wrirfd, which continued to blow directly 1frnom the northwest iotor our
faces, much to the annoyance of the Twhol1e comnmand, but st1i. mIl're to
the teamrsters; for so great were the clouds of' dust, that the tralin.s were
etcurely enveloped, and it was utterly impossible for themn to see w  ich
way they were driving, and eould therefore only allow  their tea;-is to
ibllow those in the advance, for it was too severe to expose the eyes to it
bfr any length of time.
The road to-day was quite sandy   d heavy, wivpch mnade it, as, smjh
roads generally did, hard to get over, but, after a tishlion, wve  Ort:til t
canp towards the close of the evening, all much gratified that a slhort
msnrch to-norrow would bring us to Fort Boisse, -wheree better pre> pects.
ihr ouir fulture march lmight be reasonably expected.
A./U.-gst i2t9.'The.comrnmand conmmel n "cd mrovinag at c' o9r-iOlc  a.,,.
which  was eenerally as earry as we cotid. at present nrmae  ia.lo-.r    e tn
t lmove..ihe wind conttitnued to blow all day, giving us tdhye ITful b nefit.
0f dust.  Shoon aft.er leaving  camp the riverend     trn    t   he northeast..




2-03                           Doc. No. 1.
nmaking a large bend; the road diverged to the left, throl1gh a dry, sandy
country.  Throughout the day several mules as wrel.l as. horses died, and.
some became so exhausted as to compel us to leave thlem behind..'This
was certainly not to be wonldered at, when,we bea1r Jn mind the state of
the. country through which a comn.anud as.larg  as this had been travel.
ling, entirely destitute, I may say, of th-e least subisistence for our mules:and horses.  As to what grazing  thegy ot since  earving tte  bottoms at
Fort -all, or since they passed the American Falls: where the entire face
of the country commences to chan ge it was of'but little importance, and
barely kept them  alive; sometimes doing thiem  mucil  tnoie LInjulry) than
good..   t is true that on our march each encamlpnicnt woulcd present some
little difference,  but in not m)ore than one or t1io instances did we ever,arrive at an eacampment wlhere w e supposed they could be the least
benefited; and I have merely spoe'l   of' tahe advanfa-rtaes   f eacch     pnernt, by coamparison withr each oth'er si'nce 1eaving  orlt i -Tal.1,W.e arrived at Fort Boisse  about 5 p. mn^ and enncarmpe; on a smlall
~creek called the Owyhee; about three-luarters of a lile fiom the tradingpost of  ort Boiss,;'which is on tihe opposite side  of Sakze riye r, an(
immediately on its baniks.  This is another tradaing:-post established by
the IHudson's Bay Company, for the scamte  llurt.ose as tht of Fort Hall.
The walls and block-houses are placed at the corners, so as to protect the
meveral sides; the sallyport or main entrance opens on Sniake liver, andt
inside of the walls the buildings are arranged around the tur sides, one
story high, and similar in fbortation inl every  r espect.  The material of
which they are formied is of clay, and in dry clinates makies a, vely excellent building, and is found to be very durable.  Some of these buildings are used as storehouses, together with the block-houses, to keep thei
peltry; they are contracted, and bys no means  intended for any one to
occupy who is used to the coinfirts of life.  The engages., howevere, nevrer
having been aocustomed to better, are perfetly reconciled, and, so long
as they. get their daily fod, are perifctly hlappy to breathe out their lives
in this manner among the Indians  wvho' to them  ai'e soiimer     at. luie what
the peons are to the Mexicans.
We had been three days travelling on the'ban ks of Snaket river; the
bottoms had become somewhat extensive, changing entirely their appearance, as the hills began to slope giadually until Snake river was found
once rmore passing through low ground; ulniincumbered with basaltic roc.e,
A gentleman by the name of Craige is tihe superintende nt of this tradingpost, and has been here for a period of thirteien years, who informed rme
that he had cultivated the soil a little, thou-,h not very successfully; but.
thought corn mighit be raised by p-lanting it early in April,.as the rainy
season generally sets in about that time on this river.  His cultivation
had been principally confined to raising vegetables, and had succeeded
toler ibly well, except in light seeds, which required moist ground.
The view which we had to-day of the Salmon river mlountains, a.s well
-as the hills towards the Blue mountains, was very beautiful; and the
-s. nery in this neighborhood i.s bold and picturesque, although destittte
&of Irees, to give it that filnish whlich is so indisl eusabi)  necessary.




Doe. No  1.I                             207
CHAPTEiR  VII.
M1arc/th from0   Fartl Boi3si t o the Griad Ront e, at the base of th e BhIe
m2.ougzntaiins 130'nltes.
4Augo'ust 30.-~Pr.eparations were mad.e last night to send to Fort VanCosvcr, orn the Columbia river, ftr traansportation to meet us at the Dalles,
as it -woould be impossible to get the stores and troops over the Cascade
mrounttains with the present means of transportation.  One of the guides
was thlerefore sent by me, in comrpliance with the orders of the commanding officer with inistructions to return witthout delay, after he should receive an arnswer  from the ofhficer in charge of the quartermaster's departnent at tthat place.
The colmmand started for Mallheur river, albout fifteen miles from here,
whier   e we  ere to enter a hilty counrtry, and get better grazing than we
hadd had heretofore w\hicl was now so necessary to prevent our animals
from  starviing.  The!  move  wras made about 8 o'clock a. nm., after which
I visited the fo t for a short time, wrhere I saw about two hundred Indians,
~who ha.td kept up all night a great noise until day-break; some were dancingL while others were playing a game, on which they would sometimes
stake all they possessed, even to their leggins and blankets.
Thei rc-ad led up through the hills by a narrow gorge for about four or
five miles, whenl it brought us to the top of them, and into a similar'orge,  which looked as if it had really been intended for a public highway. (fbr it could not have been more regular in its descent,) which
brotug1't us down to Malheur rive-r, without the least fatigue to our animals, early in the day, where we made our encampment, intending to:Lake every preparation before renewirg our mrrarch to the Dalles.
Augrst 31.  The nmorning was pleasant after sunrise, but cold. before
day broke, as ice was remaining in our buckets of water quite thick until
half-past seven o'clock; though the day was calm and warm at noon.
An order was issued to leave the principal portion of the train behind,
with all the broken down horses and mules, to be escorted by one conmpanv left fbr that purpose.. These preparations being required to be made,
rendered it necessary to overhaul all the stores and distribute them, so
that they could be carried without impeding the movements of the first
division, or incumbering that portion. which was to follow on after us.
All necessary instructions were given by me to prepare the stores for distributionl, so son as a proper examination and alteration were made with
dle wagons to receive them.
Tihe Malheur is about twenty yards wide, and comes from a lake that
is found among the hills of the Blue mountains, about forty mil.es from
here.  The range of hills through which it passes is not very high, and
fotrms a small valley, which is abundantly supplied with very good grass,;particularly near the Snake river.  Our horses, by ranging arnong the
hills and valleys, were able to get very good grazing, which they so greatly
stood in need of, as they were now on the verge of starvation.  The river
not only abounds in fish of every kind, which were caught is the greatest
quantities, but ducks and geese were constantly flying from- the river to
lh.e lake, while the bottoms were filled with them.
A very seerious accident occurred in camp this evening, by hte wutnd



208                              eIDoe. No. 1.
ing of a corporal, in the accidental discharge of a carbine by one of ihe
waigoin'-masters, which had been carelessly thrown into one of tie Vwu.-s
to be transporteind'  altho:ugh against orders; but with men. who seee,.Od to
have but very little forethoulg:t, as was the case with m.any of toheli;:, we
might congratulate ourselves on having no more acci-dents lthan  reall y    did
Gcc, IT.
8epte? bet l. —' he morning  was canl  and   very pleasant..rvilg
comnmenced the urfinished business of yesterday, tie stores vere l wei.ed
and  arranged in the two trains, by placing ab.cmt 700 to 1lit0, pouil. in
each  wagon, in proportion  to the strecngh  of the teams.   The co.m1 issary stores were daily decreasing, which would greatFy relieve  suc   f the,
teams as wvere weak; and the probability o'being more so bef0re a- ring
at the Dalles.
At sundown every chaange had been made thalt the trains could nr t;deo.
r. neo regimental trailn was in charte of Lieultenant.FrostI and I rleft it: l wieth
him  to make such changes as migoht suit tth  coilTmanlCi g ofi     i c,,' alld
with such alterations as i tnougt i'ndispensalbi  neoessary.
Thle companies I. leaving   ort Laven    worth lhad been pv irov  e t with
good0 teams, butt many of thetem we.re allowed   to be to e to  un    ovi  a(ed
lbr so great a distance; and as it had. bteen done  under the i nspi;::.        of
officers of the   epartiment, as well a's t.hose imnuediately interestedc   i l the
success of the journey, I c.uld malke but  c.Try little changre aflr  overtaking them  on the prairies; the consequrence was, they Iad becot e mruc
broken down by being overladen.
Having completed the alterations necessary to facilitate our cnwai-rd.
movement, I made my report at 8 o'clock p. m., fin i shing two of ti} e'i ast.
laborious days' work that had been done while on the journey.
A;s nearly all the horses of l.he six companies had partly given cut, and
many of them.  comnpletely broken down, they were left to be bro              t on,
with the 2d division train; the men who were oC  foot were piaced,!1  rlIder'
the command of Lieutenant L   dsay  wiho comlmenced the marchi.  quite
early this morning, in adviatnce of the train. and those wlho  iere mlrtcltc:ed.
S'eptelmber 2. -The lmo1rning( was very smoky, which prevented u   ro.      m
catching our mules and  leaving bcfo're 8 o'clock.  The second di ision
wsras directed to chaane itas encarmpitg ground. and remain one da-r,c-)ore
it renewed its -Ptarch inid Lieiu:telant n nrost waS l -eflt ell  charge of iit-,ublic property to coiduct rt to the Dalles.
The  {road helDre cros.sed Malheur river r   anrd ran along a vahley fbr some
distance; from  thence it gradualv't   asses over'sml hi lls, a.ndm fi,aily
desconds by a gorgre to Birch c'reek, where we made our encampr-i-,:nt at
sundown.  IThis day's march broughta us twenty miles ancd v:ar - \}'prformled  in shorter time, and \with  m uch less difficulty; tlhan an y''a.v s
journey sinc  we iwe lft Fot Ha al.'Th'i'e ritd was good, as thie rise a;, ( descent among the hills aere',ery gra'tinal throughout the day; besidess the
rnumberb of wagonls  roken up lhad u    i ve-i    us ant additional lnumler  t' To ood
mules, and the'rost indifferent I  ad been tiarned out to it: dcr en, I  wrhich
gave us an opportun ity to travel rapidlv, as we  eie Ci  ilgier tie, icu- red
by them.
D r. A.Moses ac1nd my self visited this mioruning the o1,-,t p.r.in- s Cat   C'iseur
river and i  uind the water  at -    t;     This sp'ing is on the iight ba. i  of
the rivery and about 2S00 y ards from  vwhere the road crosses, and at the
en d of a nang e of hills  k a-  rsu nprarlll  to', Sn,, e r      iv r   froi  Fort - oiss 




.Doec. No. 1.                          209
The ground about this spring was extremely warm, as the heat could
plainly be felt through the boot by standing on it for a short time. I could
detect no peculiarity in the taste of the water, although muriate of soda
was incrusted on the pebbles about the spring.  There was nothing very
peculiar in the formation of the several springs, which were at a short distance from each other at this place; the water was very shallow, and came
from  the baRnk with but very little force, showing that the fountain-head
of the spring was very little higher than where it came from the earth.
The soil in the bottom, through which we travelled in the morning, is
dark, and resembles that on Bear river.'Wood is not to be obtained on
the hills or in the ravines in this vicinity, and is as scarce here as at Fort
Boiss6.  A little willow is found on Malheur river, which never fails to
be seen on all the streams in Oregon.
I was not aware that the water of this spring had ever been analyzed,
and, being somewhat anxious to know its qualities, I procured a small.
quantity, and carried it with me through the whole journey, but have sinceascertained that it was examined by Colonel Fr6mont, while on his ex-,
ploring expedition through this country in 1843 and t844.  If I had
taken the same trouble with the water at the hot springs visited before
arriving at Fort Boisse, it might have been to some purpose, as I am induced to believe it has never been analyzed; but I presume the two
springs are much the same, as they are nearly of the same temperature,
and resemble very much in other respects.
September 3.-We made an early start this morning, and a few miles
brought us again alongside of Snake river, where we were now to leave it
for the last time; and no river has been passed on this march with more
heartfelt joy.  it here turned to the north, forming a large bend, passing
through a range of high hills, making a deep canon in its way through
them.  We soon passed out of sight, as the road gradually crosses a
ridge and descends to Burntwood creek, which, turning to the northeast,
breaks through the same range of hills, leaving also a deep canon in
its passage, and falls into Snake river, not far fromn where we left it.
These openings in the mountain hills are very striking, and worthy of
the notice of those who travel this way.
Our road ran along the stream  throughout the day, leaving it but once
until we made our encampment, at 4 o'clock p. in., where we stopped
again on its banks, completely hemmed in by the mountain hills, that form:
a ravine, througltwhich this little stream passes.
Since leaving Fort Boisse, the country began to change rapidly from
plains and broken clay banks to that which is more hilly, and, although
the hills are not very high, were gradually increasing, and continued to
rise rapidly until we arrived at the foot of the Blue mountains. These
hills were well covered with bunch-grass, which was very strengthening
and much sought after by the mules, and we were fortunate iri getting it
for them through to the Grand Ronde.
September 4.-We commenced the march at half-past 6 o'clock this
morning up the ravine, which became so narrow that the road passed
along the bed of the river for some distance, when it again turned to the
right, and, winding around the base of the hills through avery narrow
gorge, brought us once more on level ground, where the face of the coudrtry was entirely changed.  Mountains were to be seen all around, and it
appeared a mystery how we had extricated ourselves from those left bePart ii-14




210                         Doc. No. 1.
hind us with so little difficulty, or how we were to pass those ahead of
us. This brought us again on Burntwood creek-,vhere we encamped
for the night.
In this day's journey the road lay much of the time on the creek, seldom leaving it except when it became too much encumbered by rocks to
allow us to pass.  There is much cotton, birch, and willow wood on this
creek, and in many places it is quite large; we also met with wild-cherry
and hawthorn here, and, although filled with fruit, the trees grow to a very
limited size.
The ravine through which the Burntwood passes is too narrow to be
cultivated, but the soil is rich and ought to yield very well. The evening
was spent in reaching the tops of some of the highest mountain hills,
where the view of the adjacent country well rewarded us for our trouble;
a few scattering hemlocls were seen in the ravine where we made our
encanmpment, and the distant hills and ravines beyond were interspersed
with several groves of cedar and pine.  Our encampment lay in a fork
formed by Burntwood creek and a little brook which falls into it; having
crossed the credk thirteen times, and travelled about fifteen miles, and
although the road was altogether quite rough, we accomplished the day's
march without any trouble.
September 5.-Our location last night was a very good one, as we had
wood, water, and grass in abundance.  The night was quite cold, but
clearer than usual; for such is the density of the smoke sometimes, as we
approach the Blue mountains, that it frequently intercepts the view of''the adjacent country.
We commenced our march at 7 o'clock a. m., turning immediately up
the side of the little creek which ran by our encampment, and, after passing around the base of these hills, which are entirely detached, again
reached a part somewhat more level.  We had not travelled long before'we began to descend gradually through a valley, until towards the close
of the evening, when we came to a small mountain brook where birch
and cottonwood were found on its banks, and scattering pine on the sides
of the hills.
We had travelled about sixteen miles to-day, the greater portion of the
road leading through much more open grounds, although we were still
surrounded by ranges of mountain hills, but not so much confined to
narrow gorges as our march of the third and fourth. There was nothing,
however, very striking in this day's march; the gorge and ravines are
very similar, and very little difference in the ranges of mountains which
completely surrounded us. We were, however, daily approaching the
Blue mountains, where the pine and hemlock would take the place of the
artemisia, which was gradually decreasing.
September 6.-After passing this morning through the valley in which
we encamped last evening, the road brought us to the top of a high ridge,
giving us a beautiful view of the mountains, running east and west, and
parallel to the ridge over which we were passing. The sight was very
Aine, as these mountains were the first we had seen covered with pine
ince leaving Soda springs.  This range is high and rugged, with its
base well wooded; those to the left were equally as much so, while the
Blue mountains to the northwest reared their peaks in dark blue masses
high above the rest, and are covered with a growth of as beautiful timber as can be found between here and the Pacific ocean.




Doe. No. 1,                           211 t
The valley btetween these two ranges is probably six miles wide.  The
soil appeared light, spongy, and of a quality very similar to that on Snake
river.
About five o'clock in the afternoon we came to the valley of Powder
river, and encamped for the night on what was once the bed of the river,
which now runs near the base of the mountains, and about two miles
distant.  This valley has many advantages over those I have passed on
the march, besides having a fine stream running through it; the mountains in the vicinity are covered with pine and hemlock, which is easy
to procure; the soil is light, and sufficiently level to be irrigated and will
no doubt yield well when properly cultivated.
Septemnber 7.-Last night was very pleasant, compared with many we
had felt since coming among the mountains.  In the early part of the
morning the view of' the mountains on the east was destroyed by a dense
smokle and fog, which we have frequently met with since leaving Fort
Hall, but it soon began to disperse, which gave us a fine view before the
middle of the day. The morning was pleasant, and tle day warm.'We continued down the valley for eight miles, where we crossed the:iver and made our encampment on its bank, but a short distance fromn
where it turns to the right, and, ruining through a range of nmountainhills, over which we passed this morning, it flows into Snake river.
We remained here to-night, having fine water and a plenty of wood
for ourselves, and good grazing for our mules and horses.  This strea-m is
about thirty feet widce; it is clear, and runs quietly over a gravelly bottom, where brook trout and salmon are found in great numbers, but,
being late in the season, the salmon become very poor in these streams,
and'many of them die.  It is said by mountaineers that they get weak
and sickly, and never return to the Columbia river from this stream.
Be that as it may, there is certainly a great difference in the taste of the salmon fish caught near the Pacific and in this stream, and there is very
little doubt but what numbers of them  perish here, for we saw much
sign of it about the banks of the creek, and those that were caught had
a whitish appearance, very different from  the healthy salmon found in
the Columbia river, and were not fit to eat.  From all the information I
can obtain, gold can be found on the head-waters of Powder river, but
the Indians are unwilling to risk themselves in that vicinity, as they
would come in contact with hostile Indians who reside in the mountains
and immediately itl that neighbourhood.  I have no further knowledge
of this fact myself than what I obtained from  the. guide and others
who have resided among them.
September 8.-The morning was so smoky as to prevent us from
seeing much of the country through which we were to travel to-day.
The road, after leaving Powder River valley, turned again amongst
the hills, which were interspersed by small groves of hemlock.  The view
which we had of the Blue mountains was very beautiful, and we were
soon to reach themn  and' again have the pleasure of entering a thick, dense
forest, of the beauty of which we had so long been deprived.
We travelled until about 2 o'clock p. mn. over an uneven country, then
descended a mountain for a mile and a half,,which br]ought us into the
~Grand Ronde, a beautiful-valley, or more properly a basin, for it is entirely surounded by the Blue mountains on the north and northwest,
and spurs of mountains to the east, one of which we had travelled over




21z                           Doc. No. 1.
during the day.  At the base of the mountain we crossed a small brook;,
which came from the deep gorge to our left, and, after running along at
the base of one we had just ascended, passes through the Grand Ronde
valley, and falls into the Grand Ronde river, which is a delightful, cold
stream, that comes immediately from among the mountains.  We continued our march through the valley until we reached a small stream  near
the head of the valley, where the road ascends.  Here we stopped for the
day, intending to remain a day or two, before attempting to cross the.
Blue mountains.
This valley is a fine, dark soil, very level; and as water issues from
the base of the mountains which completely surround it, it may be
easily irrigated, and is, for a settlement, the prettiest place I have passed
on the route.  The range among the hills and in the valley is very fune
for grazing, while it is well protected by the mountains against thenorthern winds in winter.  The thick wood would give  shelter to
cattle and all other stock, while the valley and mountains would supply
them abundantly with:grass to subsist on du.ring the winter.  The only
objection, therefore, which can be made to this section of country is the,
great difficulty of getting produce to the Columbia river; but this could;
be easily remedied, and the day is not far distant, no doubt, when a railroad will overcome these objections, as the distance between here and
the Dalles is but 205 miles, as the road now'runs, passing through the
Eumatilla valley, which would avoid the high hills, and present not the
least obstruction, while there is timber enough to be found here and at
the Dalles to build a railroad to the Atlantic ocean.
&September 9.-The morning was much clearer than when we entered
the valley; and it gave us a fine view of the range of the mountains to
the north and west, as well as the extent of this beautifiul valley, which
surpassed any we had seen on1 the marclh
A number of Indians came to ourL ca-mp last everninc and this morning,.
bringing some of their most inferior horses with them, to exchange for
blankets, tobacco, and trinkets.  These animals were very wild, and
equally vicious, as they could scarcely be approached without our running
the risk of being bitten or kicked by them.  They are generally rode
with a lariat, fastened simply round the lower jaw, while a small pad,
with wooden stirrups, constitutes the saddle. The Indians never mount
their horses on the left side, and the bridle is of but little use to them in
guiding, as it is principally done by pressing' the legs lose to the side of
the animal, and the least touch of the bridle is sufficient to guide in any
direction.
Having been directed to proceed to the Dalles to make necessary arrangements for transporting the troops by -water to Fort Vancouver on
their arrival, I hired a guide, and also several horses, which wrould enable
me to travel the distance without any delay, and made every arrangement
for an early start in the morning.




Doc. No, 1,                             2m1
CHAPTER VIII.
Journey with an escort, Lieutenant Lindsey and  twlo men, to the Dalles,.
three and hail/ days, 205 mniles.
S'eptemn er 10.-Having made all necessary preparations last evening,
I started this morning at half-past six o'clock, in company with Lieutenant Lindsey and two soldiers, as an escort.
The road lay up the valley for three miles, when we commenced to
ascend a very long, steep mountain, which, after considerable work,;we
got to the top of the ridge, nid in five miles further descended to its
base, which was as difficult as the ascent; this brought us to a beautiful
mountain stream, called the Grand Ronde river, that passes between the
ridge which we had just come over and those on the other side. which
we were about to travel over.  This stream runs into the Grand Ronde
valley, and, being met by other small brooks, gives an abundance of
water to it.
Our route lay along the side of the mountain, wNhich, after'riding for
about two hours, brought us to the top of what seemed to be a wide
ridge; and the whole distance travelled, until we crossed the mountains,
was over slight rolliilg ground, except from ascents which were made by
small valleys or ravines in the mountains.
Our horses were soon put into a canter, in the true Californian style of
riding, and kept so until the close- of the evening, when we again came
to clear ground, on the opposite side of the mountain, and, after travelling
along on the ridge, and winding for som-e timne down its side, which is
entirely destitute of timber;, we reached the Eumatilla river, which has
its rise in the Blue mountains, and flows into the ColumSia river, ninety
mniles above the Dales.
The soil on the mountains is of a dark vegetable mould, and thickly
covered with timber, consisting of hemlock and fir, hardly surpassed by
any in the United States.  The timber is not generally as large as that
on the banks of the Willamette,  but equally as tall and abundant.'While on the mountains we came to water several times during the
evening's ride, and, althoughl the command had to encamp twice before
crossing, they found enough to ansvwer their purpose.
The distance travelled to-day was nearly fify miles; and we were all
tired enough to make our encalmpment for the night, which was easily
done, having nothing but our blankets.  We all lay down under a wide-.spreading cottonwood, byr a fine fire, on the banks of the river, for the
night, after each man lhad cooked his own dinner and supperi in the true:mountain style.  It is merely necessary to remark here that, for better
than four moths; our dinner and supper were generally served up at the
rsame hour, and it depentded generally upon the time of encamping, and
the means of cookino itt whether ee wet er e   fortunate not to go without
either.
in enteting  the Eumatilla valley, I was struck with the fine range for
stock which presented itself to nm.y view, as the counity, though high..and rolling, is not "broken, but covered from the base to the top of every
hiil rwith fine bunch grass,  which is so much. sought after by the stock in;this valley.




214                           Doe. No. 1.
Septembe' r 11.-Last night was very cold, and the morning calm and
very smoky.  Our horses had strayed off, which prevented us from starting before seven o''dock, when we passed along the Eumatilla valley,
until near the close of the day, crossing and recrossing it several times
in our ride.
At nine o'clock in the morning we came to where the Cayusos Indians
were located; their town, which is temporary, consisted of a number of
lodges made of mats and bushes, much larger than those made of bufialo
skins. As they expected us, they were all on the qui vive; some were out
to meet us, while others gratified their curiosity by gazing at us; old women and children were to be seen in numbers, while the smaller boys
Aere out attending to the droves of horses which belong to the band.
I have seldom seen a more beautiful sight than I witnessed in examining these large droves of horses, that could be seen. throughout the valley
and among the hills; they are stout, well-built, and very muscular, but
not tall, and look to me as formed for great durability and strength.
Having remained with the Indians a short time, I again continued my
journey until twelve o'clock, when we came to a burial-ground near the
road, and aot far from the banks of the Eumatilla, where the dead were
deposited of those vwho had been killed by the Oregonians in the campaign against them  after the death of Dr. Whitman.  The ground was
nicely staked in, and at the head of the graves a long pole was planted,
probably to designate the person who was interred. There were several
places of the same kind which I observed, all of which were very handsomely fenced in, so as to protect them'from the wolves, and keep the remains of their fiiends secure from being harmed or molested.  I saw, for
the first time since leaving Fort Leavenworth, signs of agriculture.
These people had been taught by the first missionaries established amongthem  the use of implements for husbandry, and had begun to cultivate
the soil, as the remains of the old fences, enclosing fields that had been
cultivated, bore ample proof of their progress towards civilization; but
the death of Dr. WV hitman and the chastisement received from the whites
for it put an end to tilling the soil, and they have done but little since.
We stopped about noon for a short time, having come near forty miles,,
and then continued our journey, leaving the Eumnatilla and striking the
Columbia river as the sun was setting.  The last fifteen miles of our road
was over a barren, sandy plain, giving a view  of the country for miles'
beyond the Columbia both up and down the river, even more barren than
that of Snake river: for there the wild sage could be seen in a flourishing'
condition; here the ground seemed too sandy to produce it, although it
avas still to be seen.
There is some good land on the Eumatilla river, but generally it is too
sandy.  The river is narrow, and at this time the water lay in holes where
we crossed it for the last time, but a short distance from where it empties:
into the Columbia river; its bed and banks give ample sign of volcanic
action.  Some time before arriving at the Columbia river, 1 saw at a distance a deep canion through vwhich it passed, but could not well distinguish it until I nearly reached its banks'. I was at first somewhat disappointed in its appearance, expecting to see something more magnificent.
rThe river is about 600 yards wide where we struck it, and the banks are
not more than six feet high, with a gentle sandy slope to the water's edge,
which quietly rolled along with but very little current.  The whole'




Doe. No. 1.                           215
country presented a scene of barrenness seldom met with, for not a tree
was $o be seen far or near.  It was a delightful eveuing, quite calm and
warmn though a little smloky; so that it prevented us from viewing still
further the sterility of a country where so much has been said in its
praise and against it.
Our horses were hobbled and turned out to graze on what little grass
could be found among a few small willows which were growing in detached places where we encamped for the night.  We had travelled today at least sixty miles, and, as the day was warm, and not being accustomed to such violent exercise, were very nmTc.h fatigued.
The day's ride had brought me to the banks of the Columbia river, after four months and eleven days since leaving Washington city. We had
gone through much fatigue and many perplexities; we had escaped the
cholera and surmounted many difficulties; and when we reflected that we
had at last reached the Columbia river, though not at the end of our journey, it filled each one's breast with feelings which cannot be easily described.  We now began to think, by a little more perseverance, that our
journey would soon be brought to an end, and the fatigue endured would
only render the trip more interesting when we look back on it'hereafter;;
it would be a source of pleasure to reflect on the hardships endured, and
what we had encountered during a period of five months..Sept'eember 12. —We set out early this morning, as it bid fair to be a
pleasant day, although the air was sharp and keen; but the slight breeze
made us feel it the more sensibly.  Our trail lay along the banks of the
river, and we had not travelled far before we passed, on the right bankl
some thirty lodges of the Wallawalla tribe, who had come down to fish,
and their lodges in small numbers could be seen during the day. We
continued along the bank until 12 o'clock, when we stopped on Riviere
de Canal to graze and rest our horses, having come twenty-five miles.
Here the road leaves the river and strikes it twelve miles below; from.
thence we continued along the bank of the river until near sundown,
when we again encamped on its banks, or rather between the perpendicular cliffs and the water's edge.
The plate here annexed is a scene on. the Columbia river, where we
descended to the river, after travelling twelve miles, and fully explains
the formation of the columnar basalt which you meet with from this
point along the banks of the river to its mouth, although much higher.
They are frequently found standing alone, and some of the pieces of
rock, of an octagonal form, are from eight to ten feet long, piled one on
the other for hundreds of feet high, until it forms the side of the river in
places from  five hundred to one thousand feet high, and in other
places much like that on Snake river.
Having remained here for the night, our horses were again let loose to
graze on what could be fpund; and the scarcity of grass justifies me in
saying that none but a Rocky-mountain horse could have stood such rides
and so little food.
September 13.-The day was calm, and the whole country seemed to
be shut out from view; last evening and this morning you could not see
across the river at some of the bends. The rapids at our encampment
looked very beautiful, and the water ran in other parts of the river with
a very rapid current; and from here to the Dalles, about twenty miles,
we passed rapids constantly.  Our ride this morning soon brought us to



2163'0c6=Doc. No. 1I
John  Day's river, a small stream "about thirty yards' wide where we
crossed it, at its junction with the Columbia river.  The road passed
over the plain and among the hills about this river, which are extremely
rugged and high, giving great trouble to get over them.  Our path still
remained on the banks of the river, which was only an Indian trail, that
was nearer and still ipore convenient for water;  At 12 o'clock we arrived at Shute's river, or more properly Fall river, which contracts here
arid forms a very pretty fall before it reaches the Columbia, which is not
more than two hundred yards from it.  This stream is probably one hundred yards wide, and is very difficult to cross when the water is high.
When this is the case, the animals have to be swam across, to an island
below  thle falls, and the loads and wagons taken over in canoes, which
are entirely managed by Indians.
At this place, the country between here and the Dalles becomes very
hilly, and not very unlike that crossed on Burntwood creek, as well as
the gorges which take you to the river at the foot of the Dalles, or the
Old Mission) established several years since by the AMethodist missionaries.  We remained but a short time at this place, and renewed our
journey to the Dalles. The road from here leads up a long hill, and, after
passing along the bluffs at least two miles, turns to the left, and, passing
over the ridge, strikes a small stream  at its base, which unites with
another called the Wallawalla Fork, which empties into the Columbia
river at the Dalles.  This stream  waters a very fine valley, about halfway to the Old Mission; and all the ravines you meet with have good
water and plenty of bunch grass.
While passing down the ridge, we had a fine view of the commencement of the falls before reaching the Dalles; and when near them we
again left the river and passed over the ridge, which brought us in full.sight of where we had a fine view of what is called the Dailes of the
Columbia, which is a series of falls that present a very imposing sight.
When it is first seen it is but little more than a rapid, where the whole
river, passing over a ledge of rock, that extends across the river, causes an
interruption in the current of the rirer, and makes a very small fall; after
this the water is seen passing rapidly between flat table-rocks, whose,
surfaces have been worn smooth by the friction of the water in higher
stages of the river; the next seen is where the water*falls into a contracted part of the river, the middle of which is interrupted by large masses
lof basaltic rock, Which are perfectly level and smooth on their surfaces,
and finally the river beomes still more contracted, and passes through a
deep canon of the same formation, with a rapid current which forms in
its way large eddies, and renders it, at this stage of the river, extremely
difficult to get a boat above them.
From  the top of this hill we had a fine view of the valley, which is
made by the hills recedina a little, and curving with the river, forming a
valley, which is probably ten miles long, though in no part is it more
than a half mile wide.  We continued our journey to the Old Mission,
where I met with Lieutenant Fry, wTho had at that momlent arrived with
the boats for our transportation to the Great falls of the Columbia river,
forty miles below.  It was about 2 o'clock when we arrived, and we
were all greatly pleased, not only in reaching a point which really seemed
to be the termination of the journey, although there was still much to do,
but we had the pleasure of meeting vwith those who could give us some




Doe. No. 1.                           217
intelligence, in the, way of late news from  the States, of which we had
so long been deprived.
September 14.-This morning was very pleasant, but we were prevented from  seeing any distance, in consequence of the constant clouds
of smoke which fill the atmosphere, so that it beomes impossible to see.
Yesterday evening our view did not extend a mile from the mission.
The wind had been prevailing from  the southwest so long that the sky
was entirely overcast.
Lieutenant Fry left this morning, accompanied by Lieutenant Lindsey,
for Fort Vancouver. I wrote to the quartermaster to send more boats, if
they could be obtained, and also wrote to Colonel Loring, giving him
my views relative to the disposition to be made of the whole command,
which are here attached to the appendix.
The Old Mission has gone greatly to ruin.  It is composed of a dwelling-house, which we now  occupied; also three more buildings, one of
which had been used as a school-house, opposite the one fronting the
river.  These buildings would all have made good quarters for a detachment of troops, (which was suggested in my letter to the colonel,) who
could have remained here and taken charge of the stores and public
property this fall.  The buildings rest on the side of the picket-work,
which ig made of heavy pine logs, brought- from the neighboring mountains, wVhere wood for luel and timber can be procured in great abundance.  The outbuildings have all been destroyed, and the whole has
been going to decay since the w,#ar with the Cayuse nation, at which time
it was abandoned.  There is a fine spring but a short distance from the
house; and the whole valley, which lies between the mission and the
river, is finely watered. The soil is very sandy, but, as the valley shows
signs of volcanic action, I presume the soil would produce fine grain, particularly oats; for it is not unlike the soil which you meet with at the base,of volcanic mountains in Mexico, which yields admirably well.
One of the views here annexed is a small ravine between the mission
and the river, where the sides are lined with volcanic rock, and from
whence you have a beautiful view of Mount Hood.
The hills on the other side of the river are entirely destitute of wood,
which begins to show itself at the bend of the river, below the Old Mis-.sion; those immediately in rear have a little scrub oak and pine, but
neither is found in great quantities, as much of it has been destroyed.
The mountains immediately in the vicinity, however, are abundantly supplied with pine, which is accessible, and can, at any time, be obtained for
building purposes in the greatest abundance.
The country between here and the base of the Cascade range affords
mountain bunch grass in great quantities.  On the Wallawalla Fork, and,over the whole range of country between here and Fall creek, there is
fine grazing.  The small valleys on the streams afford an abundance of
grass for a large number of horses, cattle, or' sheep; and, from  my own
personal observation, I know of no place that possesses more advantages for a post than this.
Troops are able to move from here at all times, in any direction, either
up the river, towards the head. waters of Fall creek, or even towards Puget
sound, as there is fine grazing, and no very great obstruction direct from
Fort Waallawalla, by Mount St. Helen.  As regards the trouble of getting
supplies, this would not be attended with half the difficulty in the springy




218                          Doc. No.e  o
when boats can come over the falls, as the great trouble would be for
mounted troops to move froms  Vancouver in this direction.
September 15. -There was very little wind to-day, which made it wrar
in the middle of the day, and very smoky, which prevented us from seeing the beauties of the surrounding scenery. When the weather is clear,
the view of Mount Hood to the west, about- thirty miles, and Mount St.
Helen to the north, is very beautifil.  The former appears quite near,
compared with the latter, as you have merely a sight of the top of the
latter, which, about this time, is generally covered with snow. As our
journey had given us much fatigue, having rode, in little more than three
days, 205 miles, and been on the road better than five months, we made
this a resting day, and began to feel as if we -had nearly completed our
journey; at any rate, we could now take our time, as we were in striking
distance of our place of destination, where aid could be obtained at any
moment, if required.
eptelber 16. -Being desirous of examining the country before the
arrival of the troops, to see where our horses and mules could be kept, I
left this morning, in company with Mr. Switzler, who had come in charge
of the'Indians, and travelled down the river about fifteen miles, where
the river takes a bend and forms a valley entirely surrounded by high
mountains, whrere there was but one place through which you coul1 pass,
giving room merely for a wagon.  At this place grazing is very fine, and
any number of animals could be kept there entirely secire.
It was also the place where the emigrants had crossed their horses and
cattle in 1845.  I returned to the old mission about four p. il., after a
fatiguing day's ride, not so much in distance as from a bad horse and the
effects of the three days' ride from the Grande Ronde, from which I had
not recovered.
September 17.  The day set in cloudy, with a. warm  wind from the
southwest.  I was prevented from going to the Big falls this morning ilr
consequence of sickness prevailing among the Indians, who had come up
with the transportation, who were afficted with fevers, by constant exposure and severe labor in ascending the river over the falls.
As the Mackinaw boats had become leaky by the rough usage received
among the rocks in ascending the river, I had them  pulled out and repitched.  The Indians were getting very impatient, as they are a restless
set of people, and cannot be confined long in one place.
Seeptember  18.-The boats were this morning again placed in the river
ready for use.  The weather still continued smoky, the wind from the
southwest being stronger to-day than any since our arrival, as it brought
over thick clouds of smoke, which still kept hidden from us the beauties
sf the adjacent mountains.  As evening came on, however, it was calmand pleasant, and the troubled waters seemed to become more quiet, and
glided along with their usual tranquillity.
September 19.-This morning an Indian came from the first divisionl
bringing a letter from  the headquarters of the regiment, which was answered by the same express.  The miorning is cloudy, and cool enoughl
for a fire.
Several persons arrived from Fall river to make necessary preparations
for descending the river, if it were found more advantageous to do so
than to attempt to cross the Cascade mountains.
Having learned from these men that the stage of the water would cause.




Doc. No. 1                             219
a detention of the command at the river, I determined to undertake to
carry one of our boats to that place, if it were possible to get it through
the Dalles; for, with this assistance, the stores could be easily ferried,
but to bring across the whole in canoes would be an endless job.
Necessary instructions were given to make the attempt in the morning
with one boat; and as the start was to be an early one, we turned in
early, to be the better able to commence our journey at the proper hour.
September 20.-Th1e morning was quite calm, after a very windy day
yesterday.
The Mackinaw boat went off early this morning, much to the delight
of the Indians, who weri very anxious to visit the Indians above, who
had assembled in large numbers to fish for salmon, and to see the soldiers,'wJho had attracted much curiosity amonrg them.  It was very anxious for
the conimand to arrive, for w-e were here without one comfort, or any
means of making us so. I had now been from the first division nearly two
weeks, without a tent or the means of cooking; the only thing we could
really boast of was a coffee-pot and a bowie-knife; as to a plate of any kind,
all had been left behind, and a common pine board was used as a substitute.  This mode of livinog will do sometimes, and can be endured for a
time;'but it:t -as a mode of living  I begant to grow weary of the nearer I
approached civilization.  Each man had his blanket and overcoat for a
bed, which, on a platkir floor; was not the most agreeable way of lying,
and a poor substitute for a good soft bed, made of grass.  The boat was
well mnanned, having a fine boat's crew of twelve Indians, who made it
glide though'the water litke a "'thing of life.'
The interpreter was taken sick with chills and fevers, and there was
but little change among the Indians, who had increased to five patients,
and no medicine to give them.  I began to feel that my pleasure of seeing
the command would only be equalled by the sight of reaching our resting-place a few days since,
An emigrating party came. in this morning from  Fall river, who were
compelled to take their wagons apart, but thought in a, few days that the
river would be low enolugh to drive across; I therefore determined to go up
in the morning, where I hoped to find my boat safely landed, which was
sent yesterday to.their assistance.
Septlember 21. --  left at seven o'clock this morning for Fall river, with
the expectation of meeting with the troops, but was informed by some emigrants whomn I met on the road that they left them yesterday, and it would
take th em until [ate this evening before they could possibly arrive at Fall
creek.  These people were in advance of their party, going to the Dalles,
which seemed to be the general rendezvous for such as feared to undertake, at tiis time, the crossing of the Great Cascade range, particularly
with weak teams.
I learned, on reaching the crossing, that the troops would not be there
probably until the next day; and I regretted that my boat had not arrived,
nior could it be got over the last fall.  The Indians had labored all day to
succeed, but, becoming disheartened, had finally abandoned all further attempts, and were enjoying the hospitality of their friends, when I assemblled them  together to return to the Old Mission, through the same
deep cuts among the rocks where they had yesterday toiled almost in
vain to overcome.
This ride gave me a fine opportunity of again carefully examining the




220O                         Doce No. 1.
aIls, as well as the Dailes, which can be better understood by examiningg
t-he series of plates annexed than by any words I can fild.  The whole
distance, since we struck the river on the 11th, has been through a deep
-ca-non of dark colu(mns of basaltic rock, in many places five hundred feet
high, with a column of water, which in places was six hundred yards
Twide, now contracting to fifty yards, and passing troug.h a small ceanal,
where the water could hardly be seen without close examination, below
-tke common bed of the river of twenty-five feet.  From the top of the cliff,
<where we could pass, the rocks lay side by side, apparently so near that it
gwould be but little trouble to pass entirely across the streaam, as if they
-were stepping stones.  Having carefully examined them, and the great
expertness of the Indians in catching salmon, I again passed over the
oad, which, lay among the little ravines and gorges, and arrived at the.
-Dalles just as the sun'went down, soon followed by the boat, which the
indians were successful enough to bring in safety through the Dalles.
My horse was not the best I had seen, and went as long as I applied the
whip to him. After a ride of thirty miles, in which I had labored much
more than the animal, I reached the missionr, mvucah more worsted than the
horse, and was very glad to return him to his owner, who never troubled
himself as to the fleet-ness of his pony, so long as he could reach hisp point'of destination without much bodily labor or trouble to himself.
Septemsber 22.-The day was extremely pleasant, the morning was
clear, and we were gratified with a viewr of Mount, ood, which lay in a
-westerly direction; it appeared quite near, although thirty miles from us.
-IThe -weather had not been cold enough to cover it with snow, and only
left but a little trace of it.
Although this mountain is seen partly from  the Old Mission, still the
prettiest view is from a ledge of rocks on the side of the valley which is between the mission and near the point Twhere the troops embarked.  The
several views that are here placed in order firom the Fall creek will give
the river through to the'bend below the Dalles, and is probably froma
fifteen to twenty-five miles in length. That of the Old Mission, the valley, and the point where the troops embarked, will give a far better idea
of that country than any description I can write of it; and I will here take
occasion to say it is the case with all the drawings annexed, and my principal object in having thile sletches taken was that the whole country should
be delineated more perfectly in the description by them.
Lieutenant Lindsey arrived to-day, bringing one whale-boat and a
lship's boat, which made an addition to our little fleet; he also brougiht
along a fine party of Indians, all good oarsmen, Awho were greatly required.
These Indians had been so much under the good discipline of the Hudson's Bay Company tehat they -had only to be commanded to obey promptlyo
The crew who had been left here were nearly all sick, and but little use
to us at this time.
The command arrived here late this evening, and encamped about three'niles froml us, and all preparations were now made for a speedy departure.
As I was well aware that se had much more freight than could be talen
down for some tilne, I prepared a raft, by taking a portion of the pickets
from the Old Mission, vwhich being sanctioned by the colonel, and having.giveln orders to commence early in the morning, it vwas soon conmpleted.
Sepltenmber 23.-The morning was clear arnd pleasant, but indicated
wFind.  lMount Hood was again seen to-day, as the atmosphere was very




Doc. No. 1,                             221
clear, which sometimes it is not for a week; and you arie better able to
judge of the clearness of the atmosphere by the distinct outlines of that
mountain than the hills immediately around here.
An order was issued reguatting the departure of the troops ii the follow-.
ing manner: Brevet Major RuiT was to accompany the boats, with as-many
persons as could conveniently (',  as they had become barefooted andt
unable to walkl; the remuainder were to march down by land twenty miles
below,  on the left bank of the river,  with such horses as could well gc
this route, and there to cross, when they would proceed to Fort Vancouver by land.  I despatched a wvagon in one of tie boats, and a tean
with two teamsters to transport the stores at the half-mile portage, whirle
the boats were to be taken over the falls by the Indians, and from the foot
of what is called the Upper flls; th.e open boats were then to proceed tothe foot of the Lower rapids, a distance of three miles, and there emnbark
on a schooner employed to transport themn to Oregon City. y MIajor Ruff
was to send back the boats to transport the remainder, and, in the mean
time, to improve the portage, so as to admit a wagon to pass.
This evening we commenced to load, but the company stores came so.
slow that very little was done, and it was postponed until the morning..
I was taken with a violent cold, which partly deprived me of miy voiceb
but it did not prevent me from  continuing, the labor of getting off the
troops and loading the boats, under my own special superintendenece as
all were very anxious to reaca thne. place of destination.
Septembeor 24.-M3ount St. Helen was very plainly seen, for the first time,
this morning, to the north, though much hidden by mountains.in that direction.  Since my arrival the smoke has been so dense as to exclude
the scenery in the immediate vicinity; but the top of this mountain, risin
over the neighbouring mountains, couldc now be plainly seen, capped with
snowl.  This view, with that of Mount Hood to the west, the mountains
covered with pine around us, and the hills to the east destitute of woody.
gave us a new picture, much more agreeable than the monotonous scenes
so constantly presented to our view on our marclh.  The whole landscape
reminded me very often of the scenery in M-exico,' though not near so picturesque; yet there is a boldness about the rugead clifs in that country
which these do not possess.
The boats were all loaded and off at half-past 9 o'clocik   M1ajor Ru'
and family and fifty men-also, a large quantity of company and private
baggage-were transported in three Mackinaw  boats, one yawl, four
canoes, and one whale-boat.  The party of foot, mounted men, and
eleven pack mules, left at 11 o'clock to cross the river about twenty miles
below, at an Indian village, w.here the guide was directed to hire Indians
to cress them to the right bank of the river.  This made our camp lookvery deserted, as the second division had not yet arrived, and, if the march
was made properly, could not arrive for several days, as the broken-down;.
condition of the animals would not possibly justify long marches.
September 25.-The day was calm  and warm, and nothing to prevent
the boats from reaching the Cascades early to-day. Having learned that.
the second division was at Fall creek, much to my surprise, and in a ve-ry
bad condition, I despatched fifteen teams to assist them  to this place.
The raft was completed, and, from all appearances, it was thought that at
least four or five tons could easily be carried.  The Indians were coning
down constantly with their canoes to hire, but the greater portion were




222                         IDc. No. 1.
small and but very little calculated to carry freight, although there are
canoes among them which are large enough to carry twenty persons.
Septeenber 26.-The day was extremely pleasant, and everything favorable for the party who had embarked, as well as for those who were still
left behind.  Lieutenant Frost and Doctor Mobses arrived to-day at It
o'clock, and the division late this evening.  I learned to-day from Lieutenant Frost the manner in which the march of the second division had
been conducted, which convinced me that the state of the train left by me
at Malheur river must be deplorable; and I do not hesitate to say, if a different course had been taken, that this train could not possibly have become
so disordered as it was represented.  It arrived, and. showed that myy predictions were not far from what had actually occurred; and it was fortunate that preparations had been made, for our relief, to go from. here by
water, for the whole train I found, on its arrival, completely broken down,
and could not possibly have gone any further.  I beg leave to call your
attention to Lieutenant Frost's report in the appendix.  Mr. Reymond,
the guide, returned to-day, having crossed the party of men and horses
without any trouble by the Indians, who are generally a very hard-working race of people when they are made acquainted with the work recquired
to be performed.
Septelzber 27. —I now co-immenced to prepare the train to cross the
Cascade mountains with such stores as could be conveniently carried.
All the wagons were examined and thirty left here, together with one
hundred and ninety mules, which, from weakness, were unable to leave
here before they were rested. Good grazing was to be found, and I therefore placed them  in charge of our guide; who intended to remain here;
and, with Indians to guard them, they would become sufficiently recruited
to drive down by land to Fort Vancouver this fall.  The wagons could
be of nouse below, and were as well here as to have had them shipped
to Fort Vancouver; besides, this could not be done, as thestage of water
did not admit of it, and, even if carried to Oregon City, they could not
be used.
The boats having all arrived, the Indians returned without the headman-a Canadian, who had entire control of them-he having been
detained at the falls to act as interpreter to Major Ruff. This embarrassed
me very much, and I therefore was compelled to hire one to assist mle
while here.
September 28.-Captain Van Buren's company left last evening for
Oregon City. Lieutenant M'Lane took his departure with the brokendown horses of the command this morning, which, in my opinion, should
have been left here; but, having no control over them, they were driven
across to Oregon City, losing nearly two-thirds while crossing the Cascade
mountains.  The teams having been all properly examined, the marcl
was commenced by them this evening.
Septemeber 29. —Nothing of any importance was done to-day; the
weather continued pleasant, but every appearance of heavy winds. Lieutenant Denman and family were still here; also, a guard of nine men and
a large quantity of company and private baggage, to go to the Cascades.
I therefore wrote to the commanding office' to return the boats, which
would enable me, with the assistance of the raft, to finish the duties at
this place-which was done, and they arrived in due time.
Septemzber 30.-The raft was loaded to-day with old harness and heavy




Do,. No. 1.                            223
private boxes that were too large to be placed in a Mackinaw boat, and
all necessary arrangements made for its departure in the morning.  Eight
trusty men were placed on board, sufficient to manage it and relieve each
other from here to the falls.
Octpber 1.-The party designated to go with the raft left at 6 o'clock
this morning. The day was calm, and it moved off quite manageable; and
I heard early the next morning that it was progressing finely.
CHAPTER IX.
Our journey to Fort Vaneouver by vwater, 90 miles.
October 2. —The balance of the stores were all placed in the boats,
with the assistance of an increased number of canoes, and we left the
Old Mission with delight, as to the hope of soon arriving at the end of our
journey.  The day remained quite calm  and warmn  until the afternoon,
when a light breeze sprang up, which continued to increase as the sun
went down.
The bold mountain scenery soon commenced on both sides of the
river, rising gradually in some places from the water's edge, covered with
pine, and capped with scrub oak, only fit for fuel, while other parts of
the.mountains presented steep rugged cliffs, sometimes rising perpen-'dicularly from  the water, and in many places broken into rugged and
steep cliffs. About thirteen miles below the Old Mission we passed several rocks standing in the river, which had once been a burying ground
for the Indians; their object doubtless was more to secure their dead fromn
the prowling beasts of prey, than any romantic feeling on their part.
There were many places for the deposite of tie dead, which reminded me
very much of old tombs in a dilapidated state, but, on a closer examination, were found to be made of bark and supported by sticks and boards
driven in the ground.
The main channel of the river here passes between these rocks and the,projecting rocks from  the shore, through,which there is a large arch,
that can be seen in low water, and presents a singular appearance.  The
ravines or deep gorges run far back in the mountains, and are covered
with pine and oak.  The scenery altogether, thus far, was very. picturesque.
Seven miles from here we came to an Indian village, on the right bank
of the river, in a small valley, where the troops under Major Tucker
crossed, and, passing back over the mountains, they followed a trail which
leads to the falls, and thence to Fort Vancouver; it is a small bridle-path,
but entirely impracticable for a wagon-road..  The river takes a bend here,
showing high mountains on the right bank of the river; those of the left
form something of a valley, with but little timber, compared to the opposite
side: and I may remark here that, since starting from  the Dalles, the
timber on both sides of the river has appeared very small, with but few
exceptions.
The evening was fast drawing to a close, when we met with Mr. Prew
returning with one boat for me, who had been all day making 22 miles.
As we had a fine breeze, which was increasing, from the northeast, I left




224                           Doe. No. 1.
the canoe and took the barge, leaving it to follow, and was soon out of
sight.  The river began to approach the high mountain range, and in
many places it reminded ime as the moon shone upon the scenery, of the
highlands of the Hudson river.  I continued down the river with increased rapidity, as the wind began to blow a gale from the northeast.
Prew  had given me very unpleasant tidings, that, since the evening
of the 1st, nothing had been heard or seen of the raft. since it passed
down, with a sail hoisted, going rapidly, and was then only fifteen miles
f.om the head of the falls.  There appeared no disposition on their part to
stop, and, as he would have seen tlhem  while ascending the river, I was
satisfied they had violated my orders, and perished on the falls.  This
sad information, the dim, hazy appearance of the heavens, and the roar of
the Great falls, as we approached them, made it anything but agreeable;
and, in addition to this, it was near ten o'clock at night, and the wind began to blow very hard, as we approached the falls, which made it very
dangerous.
We were now near the rapids, when we were struck by a squall, and, before the Indians could lower the sail, we found ourselves on the flat rocks,
but soon became righted, and, taking to our oars once more, we passed
down the right bank of the river, as if we were on the wings of the gale,
and rounded to between the shore and the island, where one of the clerks
and agent had landed, and were out on the rocks with a signal-light for
those coming down the river.
From this point up the river the scenery is very beautiful, and the
drawing of it is a fair representation of the country along the banks of
the river to its mouth.
I made my bed among the wiilows) each contributing his all, in the
way of' blankets; and, by the assistance of the thickets and a fire which
our Indians kept up, the night was passed much more comfortably than
could have been anticipated, as it was after ten o'clock p. m., and the
night. much colder than any we had experienced since coming on the
Columbia river.  We had made forty miles to-day, since eight o'clockd
and were within a quarter of a mile of the head of the portage.
October 3. —Th'e morning began to moderate; still the wind continued
to blow- from the northeast, which comes down the river, and has the same
effect in the change of temperature as the northers have in Texas and
Mexico.
As the head of the portage was but a short distance from our encampmnent of last night, I reached it at an early hour this morning; the boats,
which had become a little scattered in the gale of last evening, soon followed; and we were all ready at an early hour this morning for a final debarcation.  Each one had his story to tell in what manner he was saved
from going over the falls in the fury of the gale; and others were the worse
for a hat; and silk handkerchiefs were called readily into requisition by
those who had been so unfortunate as to lose their hats in the bustle and
confusion of the blow,
To those who knew nothing as to where the portage was to be made at
that hour of the night, and in the midst of the blow, which was strong
enough to silence the sound of the angry waters as they whirled and boiled
anong the rocks with deafening sound, it was not an easy task, to make
themselves safe; and I was glad to s6e them all arrive without any greater
accident.




Dc. No. I,                             22 5
About a mile from the head of the fails,,the river changes its directions
and madkes a sweep to the right, forming a bend, at the head of which there
are three rocky islands, with a few scattering fir trees, where the ehannel passes between them and the right bank) and which is the commeneement of the strong current; the other two are opposite the first small fall
The boats all pass between the shore and islands; descending rapidlyi
they cross a small chute or fall; and, by the dexterity of the helmsman, they
swing into an eddy, where the landing is made, whichi is the head of the
portage, and half-way to the foot of the falls.  From  this point the portage is made either in a wagon or by hand, for about half a mile over avery rugged road that brings you to the foot of the Great Falls, and the
head of what is called the Lower Rapids.  From thence to the foot of the
Lower Rapids it is about three miles, which is passed in boat.s with some
difficulty, but in  safety when managed by a skilful helmsman who
kncows where the different points are to guide his boat.
The cascade or Great Falls of the Columbia river are not more than
three-quarters of a mile in length, and there is no part where the water
hlas a perpendicular fall  At tlhe commencement of the rapid the rocks project from the left bafik, and fbrnm a reef partly under water, until it nearly'
crosses to the upper island.  T'his is the first ripple where the water receives an increased velocity, and glides swiftly down for about a quarter of a
mile, when it passes a high rock, and, in a short distance, meets with some
half dozen more, where it commences to boil and foam with all its fury.
The river between the island and left bank contracts considerably, and:
the whole columnl of water of the Columbia river passes down over masse
of rock, forming in its way whirlpools through the whole distance, which
cause, the water to roll up as if there were some immense pressure belowo
It makes a mtagnificent scene; the sublimity of it can hardly be described
or surpassed. A continuation to the toot of the rapids will make a distance
of four miles; and there are several pitches, which are made by the several
ledges of rock extending across the river, which make it dangerous, particularly when the river is low, as was the case at this time; but in high
water not only the lower rapids are passed in ascending, but the big falls
also, and, in fact, all the obstructions whiCh are not only met with here
and the Dalles, but other places of less importance.
On arriving at the portage this morning, I learned that parts of harness
and pieces of boxes had been found in the eddies below the falls, which
fully confirmed my'fears concerning the raft.
The sun had scarcely risen above the mountains when I discovered
two men on the opposite side among the rocks, and from  their destitute
condition I was satisfied they were somne of the men I had sent with the
raft.  A canoe was despatched, and returned with them, from wlhom   I
learned that those in charge of the raft had continued to descend the river
during the night of the 2d, instead of  in  by, as I had directed, which
brought them to the falls about two o'clock in the morning, and mutch
sooner than they had anticipated.  Finding themselves in danger, they
tried to cross to the right bank, but, being unsuccessful,  were carried on^
to thefirst rapid; and so great was their surprise that they were not consciols of theirreal danger until in the heaviest of the water, wheln in an,
instant, all went down, and six rmen were buried within the whirlpools.
These two lmen who were saved, having but little clothing on, were bettear prepared to extricate themselves than the others, who bad.. naf.die -
Part ii-15




226                          Doc. No, 1
preparation to meet this awful catastrophe; aid, n.ot coming in contact
with the massive rocks, were carried by the heavy Columns of water to the
eddies below, where they were thrown by the counter-currents into shoal
water among the rocks, without being injured, except a little bruised.
While passing over the rapids they were kept under the water; sonietimes thrown to the top by the pressure beneath, which enabled thetm  to
breathe for a moment, but were soon drawn under again. They were
much exhausted, and remained until day-light among the rocks, when one
of them  passed down the river, and did not meet the other till near the
close of the day, not being aware that any person but himself was savedo
Thus ended the lives of six valuable men, as well as the destruction of
the raft and the stores: on it, which was of 1no importance com'pared with
the loss of the men.:The boats were immediately unloaded, and Mr. Prew, the (Canadian
who had charge of the Indians, deeming it too dangerous at this stage
of the water to attempt to pass the boats over the falls, assembled the indians, and with about bfrty of them  transported three Mackinaw boats,
one yawl, and a whale-boat, half a mile over one of the most rugged roads
that I have ever travelled, filled with rocks, and through a thick pinle forest.
The:stores were carried in a wagon, and every preparation made by sundown to leave.  This was performing the work with more rapidity than
any movement that had been made when the boats had been heretofore
taken down by water, and it may never be equalled again, much less
surpassed.  Having no further use for the canoes, which had been employed at the Dalles to assist in transporting the stores to the f.llsy they
were all discharged, and a fine large hMackinaw boat substituted, w}hictl
was too large to bring over the falls when the first were brought to tohb
Dalles.
The banks of the river about here are extremreiy rocky; the mountains
are high and steep, and thickly covered from  their base to the top with
pine, fir, and hemlock.  The timber on the right bank of the river is
much better than that on the left, as the mountains are not so high, and
the land more rolling., Much of the timber has been destroyed by fire
along this part of the river, as it is through the Pacific.
October 4 —At sunrise the loading was renewed, and finished at halfpast eight a. m., when the boats were taken by 1Mr. Prew to the foot
of the rapids.
The detachment under Captain Claiborne were marched down; Lieul.tenant Denman and his family also walked to the foot of the rapids, as they
were at this time considered dangerous to venture even a boat, ard it
was thought better to let the stores go, and the men could walk.
I had heard much of the petrified forest, and went in search of it, but
found nothing of any importance.  The small pieces of petrified wood
which.  found were of an inferior quality; but the specimen which Il procured and brought with me is' probably six inches in diamleter.  I was,,
however, much gratified'and well paid by the walk, as I was en.abled to
examine a burial-ground of the Dalles Indians, which was on the high
banks of the Columbia river, in sight of the rapids, and one of the most
secluded' and romantic spots Nature could have formed. It was in a large,
dense grove of hemlock and fir trees, whose limbs spread a shade over
the whole spot, ahmost excluding the light of 4heaven from  pen.etratin.g




TDhlc. No. 1.                            2  Oj
which seemed, in defiance of te foliage, to shed its rays, now and th.en,
upon the tombs of the dead.
There were several repositories, rudely made of boards placed.upright,
and covered with the same material. and the bark of trees.  Many had.
crumbled away by the effects of dampness and the hand of time.  From
their dilapidated state, heaps of bones of all sizes and ages were lying
about, and, I may add with propriety, all shapes, as far as, the head was
considered; for these people have a singular fancy, peculiar to themselves,
ef flattening the forehead to correspond with a line to the crown of the
head, and the back of the head is made perfectly flat.  Many of these
skulls had been removed and scattered through the woods by persons,
whose curiosity being satisfied, had dropped them  where the wagon.
wheels had pounded them into dust.
Towards the lower part of the rapids there is quite a clearing,  made
a.t what was once an Indian encampment, where the timber is very fine
and easy of access.
Having all arrived, we soon got under way-each boat unfurling what'
little sail the Indians could raise on board; for they are never backward in
spreading their blankets whenever a fair wind offers, which sometimes
does not occur for weeks.  The wind was fair. and as we strung out we
produced quite a fleet-the whole number being five Mackinaw boats,
~,one barge, and one whale boat.
The scenery continued to present a bold appearance until we descended;about half-way to Vancouver, at a point called Cape Horn.  From  this
parLt of the river the mountains begin to fall off gradually, until it shows:on the left bank a fiat country, its banks and islands studded with sycamore, while the hills on the right are covered with pine.  Ten miles
below Cape Horn the islands are large, and being filled with sycamore,,resemble very much the Mississippi valley.  About six miles above Fort
Vancouver we passed. a saw and flour mill, the property of the Hudson's
Bay Company.
From  here the rnLuntai.ns recede until the country on the left bank,
becomes quite low, and forms a beautiful country for agricultural purposes between Vancouver and Oregon City, which is twenty miles frorn
the fort.  The whole of the boats arrived at Fort Vancouver at 5 o'clock
in the evening, having ran forty-five miles, and accomlplished the distance'from the Dalles in three days, being ninety miles, and were detained one
day at the falls-.    ere we met with that portion of the command which
had left several days before us; some of the parties had only arrived one
day before, having been detained by heavy head winds.
October 5.-The fogs and smoke had become so thick that it was with
great difficulty that we could cross the river, and the schooner was necessarily detained here.  The troops, so soon as they could get over, took
up the line of march to Oregon City, which is about twenty miles by
land from  Fort Vancouver, where they were glad to reach, so as to say
once more that they had again arrived at the long looked for place of rest,
which all were delighted to see.
The city of Oregon is not a very prepossessing place in its appearance,
for, like all new places in the western country, the stumps and half-burnt
trees lie about in every direction.  It is immediately at. the Willam.ette
Falls, hemmed in by the river in front, and a ledge of rocks immediately
in Tear and very close to the city.




?28                           Doe. D. i. 
To get from Fort Vancouver to Oregon,City, which is the capital of the
Territory, it takes one to be a good woodsman, as there is nothing but a
crooked bridle-path through as dense a forest as ca.n be found in any
country.  In going to and coming from  Oregon City, Captain Engalls
and myself lost ourselves repeatedly, and that, too, within a mile oft he
city.
Fort Vancouver, which is the headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Com-n
pany, is on the right bank of the river.  It is situated on a beautifuil plai.n,
about five miles long, and probably is three quarters of a mile wide. Th e
country gradually rises, and runs back for ten or fifteen miles, passing'
through several plains, some of which are cultivated.  On one of these
plains there is an excellent seminary, where the children from  the fort:
and the neighborhood are educated.
Immluediately in rear of the fort, and on the rising ground, the conmpanry of
artilleir  under Brevet Major Hatheway have put up te.nporary quarters,
and lave made themselves very comfortable.  T'his place would be a fine
location for troops, and indeed it is the only spot between here and the
Imouth of the river where the mountains will admit of it.  As to.storia.
its location is on the side of a mountain, and about seventeen miles from.
Cape Disappointmient, which is at the entrance fiiom the Pacific. Astoria
has eleven houses, or huts, for there are not more than two or three that
are -fit to live in.  There is no regularity in the place, and no streets, arnd
the hemlock and fir-trees grow within three steps of their doors.
The site of Fort Vancouver and that of the Dalles are the onl)y tvvwo;
points -where a' proper location might be made for a post.
There is not one feat-ure it. the country east of the Blue niouintain-s to
i;eommnend it.  The plains lwhich we passed over for days and wveeks
through dust and heat, and sometimes t}irst, are enoughl to appal th.e
stoutest hearts, and Twith the exception of the country about the Grand
Ionde and B lue mountains, wihich are covered. with verdure, with tall fir
and sprae  pine of the finest description, the eye never sees a tree, and
seldom a mountain, except in the distane.  The Blue mountains harve"
their chams, for they dispel the unvaried siht so long looked upon, a:od.
present to view  something  that gives new life and vigor to all wh.o pass
them.  I cadnot say that of the country which you pass after crossing
that range of mountains to thle   olumbia river.  The soil is of a lightclay, in many places very sandy, particularly on the Columbia river; for
eighty miles down it, and up to Fort Walla-walla, is entirely barren andsterile, as much so as is found on the borders of Snakle river.  Fronm tle
point where you strike the Columbia river to the Dalles, and particularly
about John Day's river, it is extremely broken and uneven.  The sufferings of the animals were along here mluch greater, and many more wer- e
lost than on any other portion of thle route.
This route is very destitute of timber.  This side of Fort Laramrie, pin
in small quantities is found in the distant mountains.  In the vcinity of
Deer creek, and up to the Maormon tferry, cedar and pine can be obtained
from  the mountains in great abundance.  At Soda Springs we find it
equally as plenty: from  there to the Blue mountains it is not to be mnet'with.  These mountains are thickly covered with as fine fir and sprulce
pine as you will meet with from the Dalles to the Pacific ocean.  At these
points, however, timber could be procuied, but at a considerable expense,,:.erecl a railroad from the Missouri.  th te mou th of the Colulmbia ri.ver.




yDoeN. No. 1                               9
-whenever it may bec.zome practicable.  I look on it as the best natural
higghwav on the North Amnerican continent.  The worst place to encoun-.ter is the Cascade mountains —not from their height, but because travellers
arrive late in the season, when their animals are exhausted; at any other
time they could pass without difficulty.
Frot  the North Platte to the Dalles the trail passes over a sterile waste,
-which can scarcely ever be inhabited, unless there are more facilities in
getti ng to and along the route than exist at present, or will probably for
uan-y years. Bear River valley is the best, except that portion in the
vs:initr of Fort Hall, which is extremely limited.  The climate is severe,
antd snow falls generally very deep, and ice is found in the summer.
I made inquiries relative to the cultivation of the soil at Forts Hall and
-Boiss,'andlearned that it would be attended with much difficulty, great
iuncertainty, and no profit.
The country on the Columbia river, I think, has been much exaggerated, and that portion of it from  the Dalles to the Pacific ocean does not
core up to my expectations. The mountains approach the river so near that
it leaves neither valleys nor plains of any importance, except in the vicinity
~of Fort Vancouver, wh-ich is extremely beautifll.  The country between
this point and Oregon City is of a light rich soil, rolling enough to make
it fine for cultivation, and is covered with timber of the largest kind,
which extends from  the Columbia to the Willamette; and the land from.
the base of the Cascade mountains to the junction of the two rivers will
bear comparison with any in the States.  Grain is raised in this country
in great abundance, consisting of oats, barley, and wheat; corn cannot be
raised.  The wheat oIn  lamiet river, near the seacoast, is, I think, of an.
inferiior  quality, as the sample which I procured will show.  Vegetables
of the finest kind grow  without the least trouble on the Columbia,
although the season during the summer is extremely dry; but from the
nature of the soil, there is much transpiration water which keeps the
ground   moist, and only dries as the river gradually falls.
On arriving at Fort Vancouver, finding the senior quartermaster of the
LPacific station there, I gave no instructions nor made any changes in the
Te-rritory relative to the department, except so far as related to the want,of thle command to whichl:  I belonged.  During this march I have studied
thte interests of the department, but, separated as the command was, in
t-re:e divisions, you can readily see under what disadvantages I was
conopelled to labor;' besides, the condition of the train when it left Fort
Leaven worth' was not such as should have been furnished a command
d.estined to cross the Rocky m:ounitains.
Your attention is particularly called to the report of Lieutenant Frost,
in the appendix.
M1y duties had now nearly come to a close, and from this time to tihe
11th of November I was employed in paying off the teamsters and col-!!ecting; money; which I was enabled to do, through the kindness of Mr.
P. S. Ogden, the chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company, who advanced money enough at par to finish my duties, besides turning over. to
Captain Engalls a few  thousand dollars for the use of the department.
T h1e kindness of Mr. Ogden, in many instances, in accommodating the
officers of the department, places it under many obligations to him.
I do not know that I can make any better suggestions relative to the
establishing of posts than have alreadcy been made by those more corn



ISO                  ~        Doz. No, lo
petent than myself.  The route has alrea y been occupied by troops 1:a
Fort LLararmie and Fort Hall; the latter, I have already remarked, is en-'tirely too far to be properly supplied from  Fort Leavenworth or Forti
Vancouver, and probably one at the Dalles would answer every purpose.
It has also been thoughlt that one at the head of the Willamette valley wol..id.
be a proper place, as the Indians in that direction e are very hostile afnd.
troublesome to travellers going to and from,California. As to Puget sou nd,
I have no great information;  but; from  the number of Indians in that
vicinity, 11 should think it the proper place for the principal depot and for
a large garrison; besides, the navigation from  the Pacific through the
skund, which is about 150 miles, is entirely free and uninterrupted.  I'
see no reason why a route cannot be established between Nisquallly and
Fort Walla-walla; then they could move during the year through this part
of the country, and even as far as Fort Boiss a which  vould supersede
the necessity of keeping up Fort Hall unless it can be supplied from the
Mormon settlement.  It is scarcely necessary for mie to say that mounted
troops are indispensably necessary for these remote posts, for this 3hhas
long since been known to the department.
My duty having ended, I left Fort Vancouver on the 11th of Noverm -
ber, and, owing to the great fogs which prevail during tlhe fall and winter
on the river, did not arrive at the mnouth of the river until the close of themonth, which prevented me from reaching San Francisco in time for the
steamer of the first of December; but I left that place on the first of Janlary, passing  by Monterey, San  Diego, Santa  Barbara, Mazatlan,'Acapulco, and. Chagres, by the way of Panam-a and the isthmus, touching at Kingston, and arrived at New York on the Sth of February; having travelled over two thousand miles by land,. and five thousand by
water, between the 10th day of MAay  18l49, and the 8th day  of February, 1850.
I[ have been much in the field with troops for the last six years: thelabor as well as the anxiety of mind which I hyave experienced while on.
this march, have been enough to wear down the stoutest, frame.  Theinfbrmation, however, which I have obtained is herewith laid before t-hedepartment.
It affords me pleasure to speak of tAhe assistance given to me by Lieutenant Frost, whomn I found indefatigable in the performance of his duty as
acting assistant quarttermase.  He had charge of the regimental trains.
and conducted it across the Cascade mountains.  The loss which was
sustained on the march was wholly unavoidable,. and can only be attributed to the weakness of the animals fbr the want of grass.  The sevel'al
wxagons which we left on the Cascade omountains will be brought on dturing the fall; if not, next spring.  [ also received great assistance' fiorn
Messrs. Leech, Bishop, and William  F'rost; the latter was attached to
the regimental train.  These agents used every exertion for the preservation of public property throughout the march.
In making out this report, I have endeavored  to c~ondense it as miuh.
as possible-so much. so, that  1 have not given that description of thecountIy which may probably be expected, but I hope that while the
drawin;gs will partly make up the deficieney, the few remarks I have mrade
without any'omment will be found together fuly explicit to give the departm.ent some idea of what we passed over anld. met with on the march,.




Doc. No. 1.                               A2
to Oregon City; and if it will give the least satisfaction to you, as the
chief of the Quartermaster's department, I shall feel myself rewarded for
the no little trouble I have taken to arrange this journal for your inspec-,
tion.
Ali of which is respectfully submitted for your consideration.
Eespectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
OSBORNE CROSS,
Miaujor and Quar termaster.
To. Major General Trx  S.  JEaSUvP
Qtua rtermaster General Uo.    A. Army, Warskinxgon City, D.'C




0'm2                        DoDc  No. t.
A P E N D I X
FORT SKEA:~2v,  June 1,.S49,
CoLONE'L: I heave to request a board of survey on the transportation
lurnished (at Fort Leavenworth) the troops under your command, destined for Oregon.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
0. CROSS,
Major and Quartermaster.
1To Colonel LoInrc,
Commanding Rifle Regwimezt.
[Orders No. 105.]
HEADQUARTERS MOUNTE D RIFLE RE  GIMENT,
Camp on Bear river,.uly 27, 1849..
A sufficient stable guard will be detailed each day from the teamsters of,each division, and placed in charge of a wagon-master, as a. guard for the.mules of the regimental and supply trains.  The wagon-master will report to the officer of the day for orders; he will be expected to remain up
during the whole night, and will be held responsible that his guard..is
T igilant.
By order of Colonel Loring:
J. P. HATCH,
A djt ant 3ounted Rffle Reg'iment
ADJUTrANT'S OFICE, MOUNPTED RIlFLE REGEIM1ENT
Canm) at Grand Roncle, September 9, 1849.
MAJOR: The Colonel commanding directs that you proceed without delay to the Dalles of the Columbia, or to such point as you find necessary,
to make arrangements for the transportation of this command to Oregon
City,and forwarding to meet us the provisions already ordered to be sent.
Should'it be found impossible to get transportation for the conmmand, you
will cause ferry-boats to be in readiness to cross the troops and animals at
the two ferries.  You will also make such arrangements as you judge:necessary for facilitating the passage of the wagons over the Cascade,,mountains.
Should you meet the bearer of despatches (Mr. Brisbo) returning with
-others, ycu are authorized to open them  for your information and guidance.
Lieutenant Lindsay, with two men, will accompany you to the Dales.as an escort.  Should information be received as to the state of preparation for forwarding the provisions and transporting the command., he




Doe. N     1.133
has been directed to return from that place; but should there be no such:
information, he will accompany you to Fort Vancouver or until he meets
such information, and return from  there without delay.  You will hire
horses for the escort going and returning.
If you deem it necessary that Lieutenant Lindsay with the escort should
proceed. to Fort Vancouver or Oregon City, you will forward by express
such information as you judge to be of importaice, and Lieutenant Lindsay will return to the command from such point as you can dispense with
his services.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. P. HATCH,
Adjutaznt Mlmnted Rfle Reg'iment.
Major 0. CROSS,
Quarternmatsteri US.   Armvy.
DALL.ES, September 1 3, 1849
CAPTAIN: I arrived here yesterday, in three and a half days from the
Grand Ronde, a distance of two hundred and five miles. Judging from
the state of the road which the troops will travel, I am induced to believe
that it will take them until the 26th to arrive here-a portion may come
sooner.
I was much pleased to meet Lieutenant Fry, with the three boats to
transport the command across the river, as well as to carry such stores as
the command may deem  proper to take, for the present, with them  to
Oregon City, but it is important that every boat should be sent that can
come to this place.
I have not heard from you, having passed the express without meeting
him.  You have, no doubt, given me all the information relative to procuring transportation; but I again repeat, if whale-boats or any more
Mackinaw boats can be procured, I shall be glad if you will forward them
immrediately, as they will, no doubt, arrive in time.  If it is possible to
send Indians to work the two large boats now with the vessel, I desire
they will be sent.  The two whale boats which I understand are at Fort
Vancouver will be of great service in facilitating the transporting of troops
arid stores.
It is all-important that oats or corn should be sent here; if you cannot
send more than one hundred bushels, it will do for the animals that are
kept to transport the stores at the mile portage.
I am extremely gratified to find that you have been so prompt in ar-:ranging the only transportation available for the troops.  If boats can be
procured, Lieutenant Lindsay will take charge of them.
Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
0. CROSS,
Ml aor and Quartermcster
Captain R. ENGALLS,
Assistan  Quarstermaster, fVacouver, Oregon.
N. B.~I am. entirely destitute of funds.  Money must be raised by
-drawing-drafts on the Quartermaster General.  I am surprised that fhnd.
"before this have not been sent from San Francisco.  Please notify the




C.oe     Wo,. I
quartermaster at San Francisco, without delay, that all the teamsters wi-ll.have to be kept in the empicymen:t of the government until fuinds are
raised to pay tlhem.
0. CROSS,
7f.jo;,7 a~nd Q uataternsasers.
Ds L\L  s, Septo/ember 14, 1849,.
CAPT.AIN:l  I have the honor to inform  you, for the information of thecomnmanding officer that I reached the Dalles yesterday, in three days
from  the Grand Ronde,  distance two hundred and five miles.
I regret that I missed the express, as the mail contained all the infbrnation which was required.  I was lmuch pleased to meet with Lieutenant
Fry, who had that momnent arrived,  as I reached the Dalles, with the
tramnspo Iratjon furnished for our use.  It consists of three NMalkimarw
boats, each carrying about two tons.  There is a vessel below  the Cascades, which Lieutenant Fry tells me will carry about fifty tons.  I shall.
leave here to morrow to examine her capacity.
I have written to Captain Engalls to send up,  if possible, more boat.s
for our use, of any kind, to operate between here and the half-mile port-.
age, and have despatched lieutenant Lindsay to take charge of them,
and to return with the least possible delay.
The stores have arrived which were written for by tihe commissary, anad.
rmore on the vessel, if he requires them.  MNy plan is this: cross such.
an imals as can travel to the ferry opposite Fort Vancouvetr about twelve'miles below here; send wagons to transport the stores at the portage; se;nd
such portion of the command by land as cannot be transported in the
vessels.
Place on her merely the stores actually necessary for the troops at their
place of destination; and while that is transported,and the vessel returnsn
the three boats can carry down such stores as may be required this fall.
leaving the balance of the stores, wagons, broken-down mules, &c., under the charge of a detachment and acting assistant quartermaster, until it
may be deemed necessary for them to be forwarded to such place as may
hereafter be designated.  The gentleman who owns the ferry opposite Fort
Vancouver is here, and will take over the animals for two dollars per head,
carging naothing for the comimand, if there are many.  He inform.s rme
that grass is found in great abundance all the way down to his ferry,
where they are now engaged in cutting hay for the command.  There is
no other ferry, and we shall be compelled to cross ourselves below here,
with the assistance of Indians whom  I have employed, if they can be
depended upon.
I am sorry to say that the Indians who came up with the boats are all
getting sick with the ague and fever; whether they will remain depends;
upon circumstances.
I hope to return from the Cascades in time to meet you here.  I cannoet
miake any arrangements, for the present, relative to crossing the Cascade
mnountains, for I do not know  what animals will be able to go, or how'
many you contemplate starting; that cavn be done hereafter in time tomeet thei-i.
I have received no forage, but haave again uirged the necessity of at east



Do,. NNo. IL.                           5m
a small quantity for the use of the animals that will be kept engaged
while transporting the property.
There is fine grazing within five miles of this place, where brokend) v  animals could be well taken care of.
TIhere are here buildings enough, at the Old lission, to meet the wants
of a large detachlment, or even a company, which they will not more thanx.
find at Oregon Jity.
]I would be glad if Brisbo can be sent to me with the letters and public
documents which have been sent me, after the same have been opened.
for the information of your office.
Respectfally, sir, your obedient servant,
0. CROSS,
Adajor ~ and Quartermaster.
Brevet Captami J. P. HATCH,
Adiutant R. A. _R.
DALLES, September 23, 1849.
CGag^:  I shall be at Fort Vancouver, 1 presume, in less than one
week.  Should the rifle regiment arrive, and require any assistance in
the way of land transportation, you will furnish it on the requisition of
the commanding officer.
You will also proceed with them  to Oregon City, and point out the
quarters rented for their use, and make such arrangements to meet their
wants as may be necessary and proper.
I desire you will make preparations to send forward some four to six
hundred bushels of oats, or as much as you can procure, to meet the
teams that will cross the Cascade mountains about the 6th of October.
They will leave here about the 1st of October, and are extremely thin, and
will require forage on the route.
I have dispensed with Mr. Switzler's services.
I] need not call your attention to the necessity of looking with a careful
eye to economy, for you are aware that in all cases it becomes indispensably necessary. I have this day drawn on you for $292 96, in favor of
Nathan A. M. Dadley, which you will please pay at sight.
Respectfully, &c.,
O. -CROSS,
Major and Quartermaster.
To Captain R. ENGALLS,
Assistant Quarternaster, Fort Va'ncouver, Oregon.
DALLES, September 27, 1849.
D,,EA   SIR: The teams will be examined, as well as the wagons, this
morning, and all the.mules and wagons that are not fit to undertake the
journey across the Cascade mountains will be left at this place, subject
to my instructions hereafter.
I desire that the teams which you.take with you may carry the quartermaster's stores which I am responsible for, as well as those under your
own charge, not placing in each wagon more than two hundred and fifty
poundls




'236                          Doc. No  I.
On arriving at Oregon City all transportation will be turned over to
Capain Engalls, assistant quartermaster, reserving out of the best sufficient to meet the wants of the command at Oregon City.
As this property is entirely placed under your charge  as the acting as-:sistant quartermaster, much of it you are responsible for, as well as what has:been placed under your directions belonging to me. I wish no interference
~n any manner, directly or indirectly, by any offcer who may accompany.the train.  As the acting assistant quartermaster, you alone are responsible for its safety.  I feel assured that your good judgment will, in all
cases, point out the course you should take for the protection and preservation of the public property.
Messrs. Leech and Kitchen will accompany you, as well as Mr. Willia-m
Frost.  I have written to Captain Engalls to send,forward forage if it is
ia his power, which he will no doubt do.
You will inform me of the number of extra-duty men you may requiree
Ao accompany you on the route.
Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
0. CROSS,.
~Major a'lnd Quartecthastgero
To Lieutenant D..  FROST,
Acting' Assistant Quartle-master R. i.R PR
DALLES, Septlember' 29, IS49.
C(.APTAI.N: After you left here, the wagons loaded, and the quantity of
freights collected from  all parts of the camp, I find much more thani
coild possibly have been anticipated yesterday: so much so, that I am
compelled to inform you that one of the boats now below the rapids, together with the one at the lalf-mile portage, will be required to take alli
that will be sent on the raft, and the boats that will return.  The nmules
have all been turned over to Mr. Raymond, and sent to graze.  I have
authorized Mr. Raymond to employ Indians to go back to the Blue
mountains and collect all horses and mules that may be left behind, or
may be found in the possession of Indians, as I have learned of several
in their possession, on the Eumatilla river, which will be kept there, they
isform me, until some one is sent to receive them.
Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
O. CROSS,
oMajor and Quarterinaster.:
To Brevet Captain J. P. HATCH,
Adjutant R  M.  R.
DALLES, October 1, 1849.
DEA.a  Sin:        -'    I have also to request, for the information of the
Quartermaster General, that you will report to me in writing the substanco
of your verbal report at the Dalles, of the state of the train; the repeated
interference of officers entirely disconnected with the departrmemnt, on the




"oc. N.e 1                              237
Toute fiomX the "Grand Ronde;" what number of wagons were broken up,
and by whose order; also, if in your opinion it became necessary to do so.
Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
0. CROSS,
Mfajor and Quartermaster.
To lieutenant D. M. FROST,
ACtinr Assistangt Quarstat  Ql e aster R. R'L R., Oregon City.
FORT VANCOUVERn  October 11, 1849.
C'A1-PN: Your letter of this day's date, to Captain Engalls, assistant
quartermaster at this post, has just been laid before me. I regret that the
quarters which were hired are found to be insufficient in quantity, as I presumed ample quarters, under the existing state of things in Oregon, had
been obtained to meet the wants of the command, reduced as many of the
companies are.
It is incumbent on me, before I relinquish my duties in this Territory,
to see that every provision is made for the comfort of the regiment which
I have been serving with; and I hoped, froml what was said the other day,
that I had done so.
As regards the quality, you must be aware that it is entirely beyond the
ucolntrol of this departimenit to regulate it.
Captain Engalls has been directed to proceed to Oregon City, and endeavor to remedy the complaint stated, if possible.  There are many
changes which the buildings can undergo, which were mentioned by me;
by breaking down partitions, will give more room, but it must be done by
the command, unless otherwise directed.  In a place like the city you are
now in, you readily see the impossibility of being governed by the quality
of the buildings;: and where there is a scarcity, the troops have to conform
to the exigencies of the existing state of things.
If iiL the opinion of Colonel Loring and Major Vinton, the senior quarmaster on the Pacific station, there are not sufficient quarters already
rented, more must be had.
With Captain Engalls, I was ready the'other day to assign the troops;
but, scattered as the buildings are, I thought it more prudent for the cornmand to be regulated  in their assignment as the Colonel might deem
proper.  I felt assured, by causing the families to take the quarters intended  for them, without enterilng, the bachelor's building, and single
officers assigned two to a room, there will be found enough.
There has never been a call made on me as to the precise number of
officers and troops required to be quartered, and when I arrived here I gaye
1no instruction to Captain Engalls what number to provide for; when it is
done, he may find it necessary to procure more.
When I learn that the troops are settled in quarters, then my dutiow
cease, in conformity with my instructions, and I shall accordingly inform.
your office.
I shall amyself visit your city previous to my departure.
Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
0. CROSS,
1aJ/or and Qua.rte'rmaStler.
To Brevet (aptain J. P. HATCH.Acting Assistaid Adjutant General?
-egAiment  i/lounted Reifemn,   Oregon City), Oregon.




~S38                         Doc. No. LI
FORT VANCOUVER    REGON CR eLg TORTIr
October 20 1849.
C.PTAIN.: in riry letter of the 12th instant I requested a siitabie person
to be detailed from  the command, to take charge of the public property
now at the Dailes.  In answer, you say tat "at present the commanding officer does not know of a suitable person, capable of guiding the animnals over the mountains.'  I think you have nisunderstood my letter;
it is to take charge and receipt for the same.  If you have no person who
can enter on such duties until the arrival of the troops from Fort Hail,
"which I learn will probably be at the Dalles this winter, please inform
D:ie by the bearer, as it is the only unfinished business which keeps me in
this vicinity.
There are thiIrty wagons and about one hundred and ninety head of
animals still remaining there.  Mr. Raymond has been placed on oth1er
duty by the Colonel, which causes him to forfeit his contract with  this departmnent.
Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
0. CROSS,
Quarjerster notei U. t,. A.
To Brevet Captain J. P. HATCH,
Actin/v  Assistant Acjutant General,
Eleventh Mil'y Dep't, Oregon City, Oregon  Territory.
NOTE.-These mules were brought down to Fort Vancouver before my
departure froml that post.
O. CROSS,
Maj,,or,a.nd Q vi.artermvaster.
PH ILADELPA-E IA a May 20, 1850.
OR.EGON~ CITY, October 26, 1849.
MAJOR: In reply to your communication of the 24th inst., asking me
(from  my knowledge and experience, whilst in Mexico and elsewhere,
relative to trains) to state the condition in which the entire train started.
from  Fort Leavenworth to travel to Oregon City, and also as to the capacity of the teamsters employed in said train, I have the honor to state,
that the train started from  Fort Leavenworth in a condition wholty incompetent to perform  the service required of it.  The teams were very
poor, feeble, and small, having just passed a winter in which hundreds
had perished.  As an evidence of the condition of the mules, I would
merely state that I was obliged to call in the aid of men to assist teams
in starting off the camp ground, on a level road, and these. teams were to
perform  a journey of two thousand miles, overloaded, and without the
nid of a siingle extra mnile!  The wagons were so insufficienltly supplied with extra tongues, hounds, &c., that we were obliged to send
back for an additional supply before we had travelled fifty miles, having
exhausted those with which we started.  The harness was bad, many of
the hames being made of cotton-wood.
Many of the teamsters had formerly driven in Mexico, and were good.
drivers; but by far the largest number were totally unacquainted with,their duties, having hired oa small wages for the purpose of goin.g to




Doe No. 1.                                2
Gaiifornia; and other teams, again, were driven by soldiers, who, in ad-.
dition to total ignora.nce,  awre averse to drivin g, and of course took.  noT
interest in their teans.
I am, sir, very respectfulrdy, your obedient servant,
D. M. FROST,,'t;eut, M~oun,, ted Rifles,  Re ginental Quarterma,;we'..iajirso0  0 Si 0, C a ROSS,
Q uartierrmastr2..-ited  States A'rm/y,  Port  Vantcouver.
OnEGco- CIT'Y, October 26, [8429
]i~MAJOR: In answe r to the second paragraph of your letter, I have th.e
honor to state that, although you left the trail n  my charge as acting,assistant quartermasster, yet the commanding officer of the escort, Brevet
sieutentant Colonel J. B%. Backenstos, having in the first place assumed.
conmmand of "' the entire train, and all connected with it, 9 in written or-d.ers, proceeded to give orders to the quartermaster's agents, without imy
knowledge or consent, and to enforce obedience, and, in the exercise of
this assumed authority, abandoned twagons and property, without consuiting me, and without my consent, and against my remlonstrance, so,that 1 was deprived of all power to protect the public property let by you
ii- my charge, as well as that in my own possession.
Very respectfilly, your obedient servant,
ID -. MX,  ROSE
Lieau..Iount7ed,Rifes, RegiF eal    Quar'termaster.
Major OsBnoiBoRE, CRoss,
QuartemTaster or" Lried'States Artnm, F; ort Ynmeoutver.
I lave here attached a list of prices of a. few articles, which will give:some idea of the state of the marke.t on. o'ur arrival at Fort Vancouver'Oats, per bushel                        -       -       -                1 50
Wheat, per bush1el..2 000
Beef, per hundred                                 -                     10 00
Fresli pork, per b.                                                        25
Mutton, per thead                   -                                     4  I00
Lumber, per thousand. -                  60 to 100 00
O4nions, per bushel    -        -        -       -                        6 00
~Cabbage, per head    --                         -                           50'Turnips, per bushel.            -.-  -    -.2 00
Potatoes, per bushel  -         "                                         2 00
Eggs, per dozen         "       -                              50 cts.to 2 00
Blankets, per pair    -         -        -                               18 00
Linen -         -       -       -          -     -                        1 25
Common cotton           -       -.                                  2
Box of blacking...       -          75
C0ommon shoes           -.-.     -                     t-  3 to 4 00}
Fine shoes             "   -            -       -                        5 00
~Common red baize    -          -                -. -                     100
S8ocks, woollen.                                                 1 -    00




2`40                          Doe. Noo 1.
Cotton socks, per dozern       -                                     $    
Black silk cravats    -       -'                                     I 7Madras         -       -       -                                         5 - 
Fine blue cloth, per yard      -                      -               8 0(
Powder, per lb.        -                                        
Shot, per lb. - l...16
Common wooden chairs, per piece                        - G            6 90




Report of means of trausportation  received, issued),  j'c., en  route to Oregon: by Jaijor Osborne  Cross) quartermaster
United Slartes arm"'y,
Articles.
Remarks,
Ambulances.  Horses.    Mules.          Oxen.    Wa.-ons.
Whlere received. &c.@3At Fort Leaven worth.................         2           28           972..........       160
Fort Kearny...................................e...... 1'             8        60            9
Fort Lara'mie.........................................  14....................
Fort  fHall..............................................     217......... 
Purchased en route and received.............         13            12..........           I.... ______._.-_._,
Total received..,..........           2            41        1,233         60          171
Issued, &c.At Fort Kearny.......................................               1..........           I 
Fort Laramie................................              3           121....           20 
Fort Hall.......,.......................                   230        4932
The Dalles..................................................      Issued to Mr. Glendy by order of the commanding
On rout e Dalles..........................................    1893..........       30er
On hand at tle Dalles.-.. -.....19.....>                                                         30
Orefgonr City...I.......              IZ    1 18.82.........    43    Animals stolen, died, or left on the road. Broken
Expended'en route..........                      1           30            295        11           45       down wagons-10 left at thle Cascade mountains;
the balance vere broken up to repair others en route.
Total issued, expended, &.....           2           41         1,233         60          171
FORT VANCOUVEI, October 22, 1849.
0. CROSS, Majior ajid (Quartermnater-.
~rF-iL
la^?




'242                                     Doc. No. 1.
March of the regiment of mounted rflemen from Fort Leavenworth, to
Oregon  City, showing  the  distance  travelled  each  day, with  remarks,
commencing May 10, 1849, and ending October 13, 1849.
Date.                             Camps.                                 Miles.        Amounts.
1849.
May 10   Marched from camp Sumner to first camp...........                  8.000......
12   Thence to camp on a small stream................                 9.000           17.000
13      Do.......on a creek...................,                  15.000           32.000
14      Do.........on a small stream...................              15.000            47. 000
15       Do,.........do.......................... 000          59.000
17       Do........ (water one-quarter of a mile distant)...          15.000            74.000
18       Do.........near a creek.......................            20.000            94.000
19       Do.........four miles beyond the Nemahaw......              20.000           114.000
20      Do.......beyond Big Yermilion.....,.....                24.000          138.000
21       Do.........on branch of Blue...................  16.500           154.500
22      Do.............do.....................              8.000           162.500
23      Do.............do.......................                24.000           186.500
24      Do.........on Big Sandy.......................                 1.000         207.500
25       Do.........Dry Branch, (water scarce)..........             13.000          220.500
26       Do........Little Blue..........................           15.000           235.500
"I       Do.............do.....................        20.000           255.500
28       Do.........beyond the Blue.....................             20.000          275.500
29       Do................do.........................              16.500           292.000
30      Do.........near Fort Kearny, (six miles).........           12.000           304.000
31       Do........beyond Fort Kearny, (two miles).....               8.000          312.000
[Making to Fort Kearny, 310 miles.]
To camp beyond Fort Kearny from Fort Leavenworth.............                 312.000
June  I   To camp.........................................                   2.210          314.210
2   Do........9.760    323.970
3      Do...........................................       12.420          336.390
4      Do.............................................  14.640         351.038
5      Do........................................                   11.980          363.010
6      Do.........................................           10.870          373.880
7      Do......................................                       12.860         386.740
8      Do...on junction of north fork of Platte river......          6.210          392.950
9      Do...on abranch...                                            19.080          412.038
10       Do...six miles above lower crossing, South Fork.            25.070           437.100
11      Do........do................do........      15.750          452.850
12       Do................do................ do.........            11.810           464.660
13      Do...on crossing at south fork of Platte, (upper
crossing,) 3,271 feet wide................          1).310          477.970
14       Do...beyond the crossing......................                6.650           484.620
15       Do...on north fork of Platte, through Ash hollow.          16. 860          501.480
16       Do...on Platte river............................            17.750          519.230
17       Do...,.....do..................................              20.850           540.080
18       Do...three miles east of Chimney rock............           21.300          561. 380
19       Do...near Scott's bluffs.........................          23.510          584.890
20       Do...on Horse creek.........................                19.280           604. 170
21       Do...on north fork of the Platte.................          19.330           623.500.22      Do...one and one-half mile beyond Fort Laramie..              15.500          639.000
[Distance from Fort Kearny to Fort Laramie, 327.500
miles.]
"25  To camp beyond Bitter Cotton-wood creek...........               21.740           660.741
26       Do...on Horseshoe creek, near Heber's spring.....         14.200          674.940
27      Do...among the hills,..................        19.520          694.460
28    Do...on spring branch...                         21.080           715.540
29      Do...on Deer creek............................              26.620          742, 161
30       Do...on Crooked-Muddy creek...................    10.000          752.160
July  2        Do..on crossing north. fork of Platte, (Mormon
ferry)..........................               11.750           763.910
5      Do..,near a marsh and mineral spring......*~  18.630  782. 540




Doe. No, 1,                                             243
STATEMENT-Continued.
Date.                              Camps.                                   Miles.       Amounts.
1849.
~July   6   To camp near Willow  spring, (on spring three miles
beyond)...............................               18.850          801.390
7      Do...on Sweet Water, (two mile from  Independence rock)............................              15.080          816.470
8       Do...on Sweet Water.......................       7.320          823.790
10       Do..........do.............     10.050          t34.290
11       Do...on branch of Sweet Water..............                  18.750           853.040
12       Do...on a morass, where ice was found at twelve
inches in depth..................       16.050           869.540
13       Do...on Sweet Water............................250          885.790
15       Do...on a stream nine miles from South pass ~....             25.000           910.790
16       Do...on spring branch, nine miles beyond Sublette's
or Greenwood's cut-off..................      16.250           92.7.040
17       Do...on Little Sandy, thirteen miles back of Sublette's or Greenwood's cut-off.............        20.750           947.790
18       Do...on Big Sandy.........................         11.250          959.040
19       Do...on Green River ferry...................... 23.000                        982 040
21       Do...on Biack's fork............................               20.500         1,002.510
22       Do...on Muddy........................       18.966        1, 021.506
23       Do...on Black's fork, two miles from Fort Bridger.             15.070        1,036.576
24       Do...on Big Muddy....,....................                     18.695        1, 055.271
25       Do......do.................................         16.948        1,070.219
26       Do...on Bear river..........................        25.527        1,097.746
29       Do..,on spring branch...........................          23.447        1,11.193
30       Do...on fort of Big hills, two miles from  Smith's
station...................   -..~......         I7.090         1, 138.'23
station...             17.090   1.133.2S3
31       Do...on Camp spring............................       18.220        1,156.503
Aug. 1         Do...on Bear river, two miles beyond Soda spring..              21.923        1, 178.426
[The California trail, by way of the Great Salt lake,
four miles beyond, turns off to the left.]
2   To camp on Port Neuf creek........................    23.351         1,01.777
3      Do...on Rock branch...............         15.000         1,216.777
4       Do.-.four miles from Fort Hall...............                 22. 846       1, 239. 623
7      Do...beyond crossing of Port Neuf............                   12.789         1, 252.412
8       Do...on Snake River bottom, near a spring........            13.750         1, 96.162
9       Do...on Snake river.......................    14.200         1, 280.362
10       Do. -on Raft river.....................  15.000       1,295.362
11       Do...on Snake river............................      25 440        1,320.802
12       Do........do........................     1.3.817       1, 334.619
13       Do...on Rock creek............................                 16.116        1,350.735
14       Do...on Rock creek, whete it runs in a deep canion.             14.424        1,365.159
15       Do...on Chute or Salmon Fall creek..............               23.000        1,388.159
16       Do...on Snake river, (on the bluff)...............            19.500        1,407.659
17       Do...on first crossing of Snake river........       13.292        1,420.951
20       Do...on dry branch.............................                6.816        1,427.767
21       Do...on Snake river...........................                1'2.205       1,439.972
23       Do..........do............I.........           20.194        1,460.166
24       Do...on Catharine creek...........                             11.715       1, 471.881
25       Do...on Snake river......................... 21.946           1,493.827
26       Do... on a small creek.....................             6.461        1,500. 28827       Do...on Snake river..........................                13.920        1,514. 208
28       Do.......do................................      14.400         1,528.608
29       Do...near Fort Boisse, second crossing of Snake river          14.244        1,542.862
30       Do...on Malheur river..........................              15.515        1,558.367
Sept. 3        Do..-on Birch creek.......a........2.             2.308        1,580.675
4       Do..on Burnt river................                            9.192        1, 589. 867"
5       Do..........do..........................      11.355         1,601.022
6       Do.,.on Spring branch of Burntriver.............            13.515        1,614.737
7       Do...in a mountain gorge......................     10. 373        1, 625.110
8       Do...on slough of Powder river..................  17.590         1,642.700
9       Do...on second fork of Powder river.......                   13.660         1,656.360




244                                       Doc. No.,1
STATEMENT-Continuedo
Date.                               Camps.                                   Mviles.       Amncunts.
Ib49.
Sept. 10   To camp In Grand Ronde...................          16.500       1, 672.8s60
11       Do...on branch of Grand Roind  river.... v......e                 7. 250       1, 680.  110
13       Do...on Blue mountains........................                  12.000         1,692.110
14       Do... at L.ee's encampment, near springs.....,,.                16.647         1, 708.757
15       Do...at baise of Blue mountains, on the branch of
the Eumatila..........................                14.0 4       1, 72'. 361
16       Do...at crossing  of the Eumatilla..................3.948                   1, 737.309
17       Do...on a plain, (water one-half mile distant).....            12.710         1, 750.01
18       Do...on Eurnatilla...........,,..............  16.000        1, 766.019
19       Do...on Columbia...............................                  13.         453 1 1,779.542
20       Do........do,..............................           16.213         1, 95.755
21       Do.. on creek one-quarter mile forn river.........               12.50          1, 808.257
22       Do....on Columbla..........................                     4. 871, 823. 1.28
23       Do..... do.1..20 F   *......................... 121.000 l835. 25
24       Do...on John Da's rive.......................                    5.373         1,840.501
25       Do.   n C..olumbi.............................          17.265         1,857.766
26       Do..at the Dalles of the Columbia..............                19.646         1,877.412
29       Do...on spring branch of Dalles creek, due north.east from Mount Hood................         6.750        1, 884.162
30       Do.. on first branch of Chute river..............,              9.210         1,893.372
[Here the other road, which turned off Septermber 22,
comes in.]
Oct.   I   To camp near Indian village, on large branch of Chutte
river.............................                    15.410        1,908. 78
2       Do...on brook branch of Chute river............                12, 060        1,920.842
4       Do... four or ive miles fiom foot of FRavymond's hill,
on a stream. [The odometer ga e 14t  iles4
one mile allowed for double lockaces]..l.        15,000 
5   To first camp on Sandy, passing  the dividing ridge between the waters of Chute and Sandy...........          8. 750       1, 944.59'
6   To camp on second prairie; odomieter displaced, and
gave only 4.25 miles.............................          7.000        1,951.592:
7   No grass; remained here, the men cutting grass....................,........
8   To camp beyond the fcurth crossing of M'ain Sandy
odometer gave 12.63 —disalow ed..........           13.750         1, 95.342
9       Do...on Heru Prairie; water in springs sixty rods
to right of road; odoe:ter displaced......          14.000         1, 979.34210       Do...atthe opening in thewoods; no water; odometer gave 12.69: sixth crossing of Sandy..            13.500         1, 992.842
11       Do.. at Foster's; odoimeter dcisplad ain........                 4.000         1,996.84
13   To headquarters of the regiment of mnounted rifles at
Oregon City.........................             20.000         9, 016.842
Total distance from  Fort Leavenworth to Oregon City.......o......    2, 016.84



Doe. NoS  1.                            245
B.
WASHINGTON CITY, D. C,
Miarch 29, 1850.
GENERAL: I have the honor to report that, in compliance with your
orders of the 5th of April, 1849, to proceed to California, and there take'in charge the direction of the affairs of the quartermaster's department of
the Pacific division of the army, I embarked at New York on the 17th of
April, 1849, (with $150,000 in specie under my care,) and arrived at Panama on the 2d of May.  At that place 1 was detained twenty-four days:by untoward circumstances, and re-embarked on  the Pacific the 23d of
May, for San Francisco.
On the voyage our steamer touched at Acapulco on the 30th May; at
San Blas on the 1st June; San Diego on the 10th; l[onterey on the 12th;
and arrived at San Francisco on the 13th June.  At the last mentioned
place I reported to Major General Smith, commlanding the Pacific division,
and at once entered upon the duties of my office.  Previous to my arrival it had been decided to abandon San Francisco as a place for a
depot of supplies, and preparations were being mnade for the removal of
the public property to Benicia, about thirty-five miles from San Francisco.
On the 27th June I repaired to that place to await the arrival of Major
General Smith from  Sonoma, (which place he had selected as his head-;quarters,) with the purpose of accompanying him  through the country
coimmonly called the gold regions.
On the 4th of July the General, with his staff, Commodore Jones,
Honorable T. Butler King, of Georgia, and a few other gentlemen, commeliced his excursion, taking a northeasterly direction u:ltil \we reached
the Sacramento river at its junction with Feather river.
Crossing the ferry at that place, we passed onward until we struck
the Yuba river, about forty-six miles distant.  HIere we had the first view
of the''gold diggings,'' an;d, after having gratified our curiosity and dismiissed our wagons, afier two days' detention we proceeded up the Yuba
eighteen miles, and there making a detour in a southeasterly direction
until we intersected Bear creek, we traversed an interesting country down
to the north, middle, and south.forks of the Amnerican river to Sacramento City.  After a few days' rest near the latter p\,~e, we pursued our
march to the plains of the San Joachin country, crossing the several af-;
-fluences of that river, viz: the Cosumnes, Mocolumny, Calaveras, and
Stanislaus; and leaving the Taualumna a few miles on our left, we journeyed southwesterly to the San Joachin, which we reached at the ferry
about eleven miles from the town of Stockton.  Crossing the valley towards the junction of the Sacramento and San Joachin rivers, our route
led us round d the south bank of  Suisun bay, to the small village of Mar-tinez, opposite Benicia, at whbich place e   e arrived on- the 6th of August,
having occupied twenty-eight layTs in almost constant journeying, passing
over a route (difficult in several places, but full of interest throughout)
nearly five hundred miles in length.
I have thus summl arily presented. a sketch of this reconnaissance with
a view to an exposition of the occupation of my time while on duty in
California, as well as to show the opportunities I possessed for forming
the opinions which may be expressed in this report.  Should it ever be
-deemed necessary to enter into a more detailed relation of the events and




21i6                        0Doe. No. 1.
observations incident to this agreeable examination of the "gold regions," I may be prepared to submit it for your information; but supposing it to be incompatible with a report strictly official, and devoted
singly to departmental matters, 1 prefer to confine myself to such subjects:
as affect the interests of the military service alone.
The Presidio.
The nearest military post to San Francisco is the " Presidio," so called.
by the Mexican authorities. It is situated near the entrance of the harbor, on tile south shore, and where buildings of adobe (now much dilapidated) have been erected in a position to screen the occupants from the
prevalent westerly winds.
The accommodations thus afforded to the garrison (which at present
consists of one company of artillery and one of infantry) are not of a character fitting or sufficient.  The design of the major general commanding
the Pacific division is to hold this place with one company of artillery,
for which barracks and quarters should be provided from  the Atlantic
section of the United States.  One of the buildings sent recently from
Maine to California, prepared for barracks, and another for a storehouse,
should be erected at this post, and I doubt not will be so appropriated.
Supplies from the United States, destined for this post, should be landed
on the beach opposite the Presidio, whence, by a little labor on the part
of the garrison to improve the causeway to be found there, they can easily
be carried to the proper place of deposite, and thereby save the high charges
to which they would be subjected at San Francisco.  Fuel for consumption by the troops is obtained from the adjacent lands reserved for public
purposes.  Other supplies are derived from the principal depot at Benicia.
&Sanl Francisco.
It is difficult to speak accurately of this town, so rapid has been its expansion and so ever-changing its growth under the potent influences of
the great gold discoveries in California; nor can the merits of its locality
be spoken of without the risk of contradiction, so various have been the
reports of letter-writers for the public journals of the United States., The natural obstacles, however, to its successful enlargement and permanency in a commercial view, may be pointed out as consisting in its
climate, the want of prominent points for the landing of cargoes, the
absence of fuel, and the lack of a plentiful supply of wholesome water.
The reports alluded to above are calculated to create false impressions respecting the climate of California generally, which has been represented
as equable and temperate in its character.  The hilly country, holding
the tributaries of the Sacramento and. San Joachin, as well as the valleys
through which those two rivers run, and the southern part of tie country
embraced in the 33d and 36th parallels of latitude, may be set down as
having a most delightful climate; but to apply such commendation to the
climate in the vicinity of the coast, and especially to the bay and town of
San Francisco, would be widely at variance with truth.
From May to October strong northwiesterly winds prevail, commencing
in the forenoon and lasting through the greater part of the succeeding
night, accompanied by chilling fogs.  To emigrants from  the northern




Doe. No. 1.                          247
and eastern States, accustomed as they have been to the regular rotatioi
of the seasons, the effect of such a climate is very trying, and nothing
but the strong allurements of profitable trade would at any time render a
residence at San Francisco tolerable.  The harbor, per se, is, as it has
very justly been represented, excellent in many respects, but it is not a
safe one during the prevalence of the southeast gales which sometimes
sweep with great violence through its whole length; and the communication from the anchorage to the shore is so much obstructed by mud flats
that it is only at high tides that commodities from the shipping can be
landed.
This obstacle has, in a measure, been recently obviated by the construction of imperfect and insufficient piers.. An incredible waste of property has been the consequence; vessels freighted with most valuable
cargoes have been deserted!at their anchorage; to unload which, and deposite their contents on the open beach, at the high prices of labor, has
cost more than the amount of their freight money.
The quartermlaster's department, with all its resources, has not been
able to escape the evils resulting from  such a state of the times; and
although other places, as yet; have not been found to be more favorable,
in some respects, than San Francisco, there is no good reason for making
that town the site of our principal depot.
Much of the land on which the town is built is held by very questionable titles; and the public reservations, made by our military governors,
are liable to be disputed at any time.
To erect expensive storehouses and quarters on these lands while the
dificulty of communicating with the shipping is such as has been described, would incur risks and expenses that the good of the service would
not warrant; and the opportunities for so doing which existed a few
months ago have since been destroyed by the act of some person, with
or without sufficient authority, (about which I am not fully advised,) extending permission to certain citizens to build upon and occupy, for business purposes, some of the best points on the public reserve.
Rents are exorbitantly high-beyond a parallel in any country.  Fuel
cannot be obtained at retail prices for less than.50 per cord, and men are
unwilling to contract for any large supplies of it prospectively, lest the
extravagant prices of labor may throw them out of all calculable profit.
The wood now consumed by the officers of the army and troops at and in
the vicinity of San Francisco is obtained in small quantities by our public teams from the land near the Presidio.  Water is at present obtained
with difficulty in most parts of the town; but as improvements in respect
to this important item of man's subsistence have not kept pace with the
buildings which have rapidly and almost magically sprung up to meet the
pressing derriands of all mercantile and commercial pursuits, it cannot be
seen with what success efforts for the procurement of a plentiful supply
of good water may be attended. The difficulties attending, at present,
the sending of supplies from the United States, are mostly found in the
transhipment of commodities into vessels bound to Benicia.  This would
seem to superinduce the necessity of a resident agent at San Francisco,
and (when our schooners are otherwise employed) the expense of hiring
lighters or small vessels.  To obviate this, Benicia should be made a port
of entry, or else by making it obligatory on freighters in the United
States, through their bills of lading, to deliver articles shipped at Benicia;,




0248                          Doc, No. 1.
or to specify in the bills of lading a grant of 15 or 20 days for the delivery
of the stores., after notice has been given of the arrival of the vessel in
port; by which means the officer at the depot may be enabled to provide
a way for receiving the articles without undue expense.  It is the wish
and inlention of Maijo General Smith that no officer of the army shall be
stationed permanently at San Francisco.
Our vessels obtain water from the Sacramento and San Joachin rivers,
when the service of the department calls them  to that quarter; or, when
bound seaward, they resort to Sansolita, a safe harbor about twelve miles
west-northwest from  San Francisco, where a supply is obtained easily
and of most excellent quality.
On the north side of the bay of San Francisco, at the head of a narrow
inlet called Cote Madeira, about eighteen miles from San Francisco, we
have established a small circular saw -mill.  When I visited it, the arrangements, as made by the agent employed, were most excellent, and
promised a more abundant supply of lumber than has heretofore been received from  that place.  A small house, occupied as quarters for the
agent and laborers, an excellent stable fo rthe mill horses ari  working
cattle, shed for hay, &c., had been provided in a manner creditable to
the department.
Timber for the mill is very accessible, and near at hand.  It is principally of the fir species  ommlonly called 1* red wood," and the lumber
made from it is easily worked at the bench.  The supply from this source
is, of course, inadequate for building purposes, and consequently it is
used only for the contingent demands of the service, and for such purposes as the Oregon and coast lumber are unfit.  When an abatement
of prices shall take place, I would recommend an abandonment of this
mill, asit caunot be profitably worked while labor and forage are to be
provided by means independent of the service of our troops.  In other
words, it will be cheaper to buy lumber in the open market, than to conduct the business of a saw-mill through the agents of the quartermaster's
department.  Circular saw-mnills, worked by horse-power, can only be
used economically and advantageously when lumber is required at points
remote from market, and when forage is obtained at a low price.  During
my absence in Oregon, Major Allen, assistant quartermaster, purchased a
small steam"nengine, which was intended to supersede the use of horsepower.  The utility and economy of maintaining such an establishment
remain to be tested.
Benicia.
By the united judgment of Major General Smith  and Commodore
Jones, a place situated on the north bank of the straits of Rarquinez,
called Benicia, has been selected as the most favorable locality for our
military and naval depots.  It is with great reluctance, therefore, that I
venture to describe this position, believing, as I do, that most of its important features are objectionable, or rather, that it is lacking in many
attributes which are requisite in a site designed for the purposes that this
has been.  Geographi)fally it has but fbw defects, being in a direct'line
of communication with the ocean, having good anchorage, deep water,
and free approaches to its shore for the unlading of the largest class of
ships. Here its advantages cease, and they relate more to the inte'ests




Doc, No, 1.                               249
of commerce than to the peculiar fitness of the place for a military station
and a deppt of supplies.  Topographically, it is uninviting in the extreme,
possessing an aspect neither of beauty nor of usefulness.  Hills, barren of
trees or any other vegetation but the wild oats, rise abruptly from  the
water, and, swelling onward  to the interior for six miles, are utterly
destitute of wood; but beyond that region the scrubby oak makes its appearance in single trees, or ir  small clusters, affording but a scanty supply for present consumption.  Fresh water is only found in one small
spring, about a mile westward from  the depot.  This has to be shared
with the citizens of the town of  enicia.
Having in view, then, that these two great elements which invariably
form the first principles in making a ckoice for the residence of a community are wanting at this place, I thinkt the defects of the position are made
manifest.  Still, it is noteasy to designate any other point which is free
fiom similar objections, and I allude to the faults of this one to show  the
difficulties and consequent expenditure to be encountere4din the establishment of the depots.
It has been supposed that the water of the straits, at certain seasons of
the year, may be relied on for the use of the troops; but I think this erroneous.  It is only at a certain stage of the tides, combined with very high
water'n the Sacramento and San Joachin rivers, that the water of the
straits is palatable, and then it is deemed by some to be unwholesome.
A well fifty feet in depth was diag by Lieutenant Colonel Casey's company, but the water proved brackish and unsuitable for use.
The rocks forming the base of the hills seem to have been, by some convulsion of nature, thrown upwards from a horizontal position, giving a dip
towards the straits, by which the water cannot be retained below the surface.  Artesian wells may, by persevering probing, remedy this great evil,
and it is the only reliance we now have.  No expense should be spared
to procure scientific as well as practical men to push, vigorously, the search
for water by such means; and I must earnestly urge the subject to your
notice as an enterprise upon which the welfare of the depot.and its inhabitants are to depend.
Previous to my departure for Oregon I caused to be purchased an instrument for boring, and placed it under the management of Mr. Bomford,
whose report will be found in the appendix.  Although he has not met
with full success, I feel confident that, with more perfect apparatus, water
ofa good quality may yet be obtained convenient to the depot.  But to
guard against a failure through such means, the commanding general is
desirous of providing in another manner for a supply of water for the use
of the post. 
He proposes that, at a point adjacent to some of the larger buildings, a
cistern to contain from  200,000 to 300,000 gallons of water be constructed; the bricks and cement, of which it is to be formed, to be brought from
the UTnited States.  But as expensive as artesian wells are, they would
cost far less than such an undertaking.'ater. remains to be provided,
and the choice of means is left for your decision.   Small wooden cisterns
have been constructed near the storehouse alreadv erected; but the supply
from them is only adequate in the rainy season.
Wood can be obtained on'Suisun bay and on the Sacramento river;
but if procured by contract, under the present rate of wages for labor, it
would form an item of expenditure surpassing the belief of the most cred



2500                        sDoe. No. 1.
ulous; and if attempted by the labor of our troops, desertion would inevi.
tably follow, to the annihilation of the military force so employed. Coal,
when once discovered-and I do not despair of its being so-may overcome
this difficulty; but failing in our researches, there is no other alternative but
the resource above mentioned.
Provision for sheltering the troops at this point was made during the administration of departmental affairs by Captain Folsom, to a certain extent,
by contracts, directly and indirectly, forlumber, at Santa Cruz and Oregon;
with the means proceeding from which Lieutenant Colonel Casey began
the construction of quarters for the officers attached to his command.  But
the burden of the establishment of the depot, and the completion of the work
of Colonel Casey's, besides the erection of barracks and other buildings
for the accommodation of the troops, has devolved on Major Allen, ably
assisted by Mr. Bomford, whom I appointed as superintendent of the buildings soon after his arrival in the country.  In the procurement of lumber
(under the contrtact ofCaptain Folsom) such of our vessels.as were fit for
the purpose have been busily and uninterruptedly employed; yet it was
with difficulty that lumber was received at the depot in quantities large
enough to make any rapid progress.
Added to this, laborers and mechanics, to be sent for at San Franciso,
could only be engaged from newly arrived and needy, adventurers, who
remained long enough at work to accumulate a sufficient sum, by their
wages, to go to the gold regions'in the hope of greater gain.  These had
to be replaced, by a similar process, from  other arrivals; thus breaking
monthly, and sometimes oftener, into the arrangement and organization
of an economical system of work; increasing, vexatiously, the laborof the
officers in charge, and seriously retarding the operations of the service.
Nevertheless, three comfortable buildings for the residence of the officers
of the second infantry, 40 feet by 30 feet, have been completed.  A storehouse 1(0 feet by 48 feet; temporary barracks for one company, 80 feet by
32 feet, one story high; one house two stories high with kitchen, 44 feet
by 32 feet; to be. occupied by officers of the depot as quarters and offices;
a carpenter's shop one story high with attic for carpenter's dormitory;
blacksmith's shop, 30 by 20 feet, and a temporary shed-stable, 63 feet by
14 feet, have been erected; so that the rainy season did not come upon all
the inhabitants of the post unprovided for, though many of the mechanics
and laborers have necessarily been exposed in tents through the winter.
Accompanying this report I have the honor to submit -drawings exhibiting plans of the buildings erected at the principal depot atBenicia.  Notwithstanding the expense at which the houses at the depot have been
erected, they are to be considered in the light of temporary shelters for the
troops and military stores.  So soon as practicable, new  and permanent
structures should be provided capable of accommodating, in all respects,
four full companies of troops and their officers; the commanding officer of
second infantry and his staff; the officers of the depot, and the hired mechanics and laborers employed there.
The two blocks of officers' quarters recently sent from the eastern States.
will be appropriated to the general of division and his staff.
The climate of Benicia ishealthy, owing to the prevalence of the violent westerly winds coming in from the sea; but it partakes of the characteristics of the climate of San Francisco in its disagreeble temperature,.
which is so cold at night that, in the summer months, I found a covering.




Doe. No. 1.                            25H
of four blankets, while sleeping in a tent, not uncomfortable.  These
winds, in the dry season, are more mischi.evous from the clouds of dust
which they raise in the vi.cinity of the districts of the depot, where active
employment most prevails.
The resources of the country for materials for building purposes are
by no means promising.  Lumber, lime, and bricks are to be sought ior
at places remote from the depot.  Through the Columbia and Willanette
rivers of Oregon, and Santa Cruz on the coast of California, we are supplied with the first article.  The second is rarely used except in small
quantities prepared from  shells on the coast; and the third are obtainable at no nearer point than San Francisco.
Lime, in very thin veins, has been discovered a few miles north of
Benicia, but in such meagre quantities as would not pay for burning it.
Good clay for bricks is found on the public reserve near the "Presidio," a
short distance from San Francisco.  Mud, from the tenacious earth of the
country adjacent to the depot, has served as a tolerable substitute for better materials by converting it into adobes and mortar.
The few bricks used at Benicia have been brought into the country as
ballast, as has been the coral from which lime is obtained in California
and Oregon.
An examination of the country by scientific men may hereafter develop
resources, in respect to lime, which will set aside the objections here alleged; and when industrial pursuits shall be brought back to their legitimate channels, other difficulties attending the establishment of a depot at
Benicia may be diminished in extent, if not entirely dissipated.
Since writing the foregoing, lime has been discovered on the south side
of the straits of Karquinez by Mr. Bomford, which, after the usual tests,
has proved to be of good quality.  It lies about ten miles from Benicia,
on the Monte Diablo, about one thousand feet up the mountain.
To facilitate the landing of cargoes at the depot, the natural features of
the locality must be modified in such a manner as to form a firm foundation at the water's edge for a wharf and a storehouse.  This must be
effected, by cutting down the hills at two projecting points near the proper
site, and filling out with the stone material obtained thereby to a sufficient
depth of water for large vessels to float at low  tide.  This is feasible,
anid in ordinary times, with proper skill and judgment, would not be very
expensive.
Whenever it shall have been prepared, an iron storehouse of large capacity should be established on the quay or landing; and a road, suitably
graded for easy ascent of the hill, and all other appliances necessary to a
free communication with the workshops and barracks, be provided. This
accords with the views of Major General Smith, with whom I examined
and conversed upon the designs relating to it.
Next in importance to the maintenance of our troops in a country like
California, is to provide the means of subsistence for the working aninials
at our depots and posts in the supply train, and the horses used for cavalry service.  It may seem strange that in such a country, capable as it is
of easy culture, there should be any scarcity of forage; but in agriculture,
as in every other pursuit depending upon labor for its support, the neglect
consequent upon the evils of gold hunting is manifest.  With a fertile
soil, a genial climate for the rapid growth of vegetation, and short periods




1^2                           Doe. No. 1.
-of labor, the products of the cereal crops is inadequate to the necessities,of one-fourth the population of the country.
The enterprise and industrious habits of' the eastern people have not
yet rooted out the sloth and carelessness of the old inhabitants of Califoritia.  Wheat has not been extensively cultivated for the want of a market,
and mills to convert it into flour.  Oats and barley have met with little
demand where the open arable land afforded pasturage for numerous herds
of horses.  When I arrived at San Francisco I found but about twelve
hundred bushels of barley in the possession of the assistant quartermaster.  I took immiediate measures to insure a supply for the ensuing autumn.and winter by sending to Valparaiso and San Bias for barley and corn.
From the fbrmer place I obtained eight thousand bushels of barley, but
from  San Bias, through the absence of our consul, with Wvhom  I had
nmade arrangements, fifteen hundred bushels of corn only could be procured.
A  quantity of hay was purchased in the field, about eighteen miles
from Benicia, by Captain Folsom, but for the want of men and means of
transportation, a small quantity only could be' brought in.  The wild oat,
in which the whole country abounds, affords, at certain seasons, sufficient
nourishment for animals which may require to be recruited in health and
strength; but that kind of forage is frequently lost to us in the autumn in
consequence of its destruction by fire over many miles of country in the
vicinity of the depot.
The next military point to Benicia, in the order of my report, is Sono.
man.  It is about twenty-eight miles in a northwvesterly direction from the
depot, in a pleasant valley, and is accessible both by land and water.
Here General Yallejo made his headquarters for the northern district of
California after the revolution of the province.
The advantage of the position consists in being at the entrance of a
valley which leads to passes through the mountains to the northward: in
the healthfulness of its equable climate, (it being screened by the hills
which surround it from  the strong winds of the ocean,) and the means
which it affords for the subsistence of a small cavalry force.
Availing himself of this, the commanding general has established his
headquarters at this place, and also a company of the first dragoons.  A
house for the residence of the General has been hired at a rent of 140o0
per monlth, and a building, once used by the soldiers under General
Vallejo, has been repaired, and is now occupied as barracks for our troops.
Four rooms in a building adjacent have been hired for the company officers;
but comfortable and sufficient quarters cannot be procured at present among
the few houses of that small village.  But it is probable that the place
wNill soon be abandoned, as Major General Smith contemplates removing:his headquarters to the principal depot at Benicia, and the dragoons to be
advanced further north, where they will be able to quarter themselves,
and defend more eflectually the settlers from  the neighboring tribes of
Indians, which have recently been very troublesome.
The valleys of Sonoma and Nappa, the latter about eight miles from
Sonoma in the direction of Benicia, afford fine pasturage, good natural
crops of hay, and even at this time a sufficient quantity of barley for the
wants of our troops at Sonoma.'
Sonoma creek, which rises in the coast-range of hills adjacent and empties into the bay of San Pablo, twenty-five miles from San Francisco, is




Doe. No. 1.                            25
deep enough at high water to admit the approach-of small vessels havinglight draught within a short distance of the village, by which suppliesfrom the depot may be sent sometimes more favorably than by land; and
thence may be sent to Clear lake, fifty miles to the northeast, the probatile
point to be occupied by mounted troops.
The posts before described comprehend the permanent military stations
at present occupied by our troops in the northern portion of California.
As the ensuing spring approaches, orders will doubtless be given for ad-.
vancing the troops more into the interior, to prevent, hostilities from the
savage tribes occupying the hilly country adjacent to the Sierra Nevada,
to afford relief to emigrating parties fromr the United States, and for the
protection of the inhabitants at the gold placers.
During the past sumnmer and autumn, four companies of the second infantry Twere encamped on the San Joachin and Sacramento rivers, and.
their tributaries.  T wo conipanies under comma-nd of Major A. S. Miller
occupied a healthy and convenient spot in one of the bends of the Stanislaus,l near the main crossing on the route from. the Sonoranian camp to
Stockton.
The other battalion, under the command of Major Kingsbury, had taken
a position within a few miles of Sacramento city.  Instructions, howevere
had been given by the commanding general to throw forward this command to a point on Bear creek, about forty miles from  Sacramento city.
on a road leading to the great emigrants' trail, and at a point out of the
influences of spring freshets, and favorable for the acquisition of building
materials, fuel, and good water.
An opportunity fbr carrying these instructions into effect had beea
afforded by the quartermaster's department; through one of our schooners%
at a favorable stage of the vwrater on the Sacramento  and Feather rivers;,
but for some reasons unexplained to me, the season for the movement bywater was permitted to elapse without an attempt to establish the postr
notvwithstanding the detention of the schooner for anundue period, to the.
inconvenieInce of the service at the depot.  As no efforts had been made
by the troops to cover themselves before the arrival of the rainy season,
they have been withdrawn from the interior and posted at Monterey fr
the winter.  This involves the expense of another forward movement in,
the ensuing spring.
It may not be inappropriate to remark that this subject is introduced in:
this report withl the view of warding off'aany fears on your part, lest the
resources and energies of the department have been wanting, or that, by
any fault of its agents, a failure of the commanding general's views has
been produced. No requisition upon the quartermaster's department has
ever been made, so far as I a  iLnfirmed; for means of any description, toc
accomplish the objects in question.
In connexion with this subject, I would respectfully add a suggestion
made by Major General Smith, that it would be desirable to have a number of snall iron houses prepared and sent to the Pacific, to be occupied
as barracks and quarters at temporary posts in the vicinity of the Sierra.
iTevada range.  These could, from  the usual manner of constructingihem, be made portable, and capable of being enlarged or diminished in
size, as circumstances may render it necessary.  By such means, a tost.
the locality of which being. unfavorable to the procurement of buildingmaterials, and which could not be held during the rainy seasons, would




254                           Doco No. 1.
be made eligible; and it is believed that the improvements in the construction of iron houses have been such as not only to render this design feasible, but to afford also, expeditiously, comfortable habitations for our
troops in the newly acquired territories, and on all the frontier portions of
our country.  That description of buildings, however, require the test of
use in a warm country before any large. expenditures should be made for
their purchase.  The small number already sent out to, California by your
order will enable us to decide upon the expediency of substituting that
kind of buildings for wooden ones.
To communicate freely with the contemplated posts of the interior, as
well as those on the coast and in Oregon, the vessels now in our possession must be set aside for others better adapted for river navigation and
expeditious movements along the coast.  For the first of these objects
two centre-board schooners, of very light draught, to ply on the Sacramento
and San Joachin, and in Oregon, at all seasons of the year, for carrying
freight, and two small, light-draught steamboats, with high-pressure engines of great power, to be used for express service and for towing sail
vessels or the transportation of troops, are much needed.  One of the
latter would be of invaluable service on the Columbia river as a steamtug, or in crossing our vessels over the bar, and towing them to the depot
at Fort Vancouver when wind-bound; and a schooner could be constantly
employed as a lighter, or in carrying lumber, stores, &c., to the upper
posts or to Puget's sound.  Besides these, two low-pressure steamers of
great power-one to be used exclusively for sea-service along the coast,
and, if necessary, to communicate occasionally with the Sandwich Islands; and the other of lesser size, but so constructed as to be employed
on river or coast service-are indispensable to the well-being and completeness of our military establishment on the Pacific.  A description of
these vessels will be furnished me by Major General Smith, which I shall
take pleasure in submitting so soon as it may be received.  It is from his
views, as expressed to me, that I derive the infprmation herein expressed
in regard to the wants of the service on the frontier.
The transfer of the I' Massachusetts " and " Edith' from  the quartermaster's department has, from  the many consequent evils proceeding
from  the act, taught us the manifest impolicy of relying upon any
resource foreign to the command and authority of the military branch of
our service.
With the small number of troops in California and Oregon, no expeditions requiring quick movement can be perfected without greater means
of transportation than lwe now possess in that quarter. The portion of
our small army in the Atlantic States is made effective by the facilities
which abound there for the congregation of its various fragments, scattered over a vast extent of territory.  There, too, the co-operation of the
volunteers and militia of the country can at all times be depended upon
in times of emergency; but in the thinly settled region on the Pacific,
where men can hardly be expected to forego the golden opportunities which
exist for the dangers and privations incident to a soldier's life, we must depend upon the regular troops for our defence. To be assured of their efficiency, therefore, we must have all the necessary means within our ovwn
power, and not cast ourselves upon the mercy, judgment, or caprice of naval
officers for assistance; and it is for this reason I would recommend that
a0t only the steam vessels we have lost be replaced by better ones, but




Doe. No. 1.                            255
that the number be increased to meet all the wants of the service, so as
to render.it efficient and useful to the public.
It may be asked, why the necessity of so many vessels for the service
of so small a portion of the army as is now stationed on the Pacific?  My
answer to which would be, that the facilities of commerce through the
agency of the transportation companies have no existence there; that, al
though there is a very large number of vessels lying in the harbor of San
Francisco, they exist only as floating monuments of the deplorable condition of the times, incapable of service for want of sailors to navigate
then; or if, peradventure, brought into use, they are not of the class
adapted to the navigation of the bays and rivers through which we must
send our supplies.
Our military operations on the Pacific must at present, from the nature
of circumstances, be carried on as in times of war, depending on our own
resources for the want of the assistance to be derived from mercantile establishments, as conducted on the Atlantic.
Another benefit may be conferred upon the inhabitants of California
and Oregon (especially the latter) by the free and open communication to
be established through the agency of steam  navigation in the conveyance
of the mails.  The postal arrangements between these two sections
have been culpably neglected by the contractors and post office agents.
Although it is required, by existing contracts, that the mail shall be carried
once a month between San Francisco and Oregon, it has been frequently
neglected, and I am  informed by the chief justice of Oregon that one
important mail has been lost, and nearly all have been intrusted to irresponsible persons, travelling by the uncertain and often tardy conveyance
of sail-vessels.  This is a matter about which the people of Oregon, as
well as the officers of the army, loudly and very justly complain.
So long as the prices of commodities, especially forage and lumber,
remain at the present high rates in the vicinity of the depot, resort
must be had to foreign nmarkets, and hence our means of transportation
should be increased.  If the foregoing recommendations be acquiesced in,
and the necessary vessels purchased, provisions will have been made for
that branch of our wants. -But means of a subordinate character are also
required for the navigation of the inlets and small branches of rivers, and
for the local duties near and at the depots in California and Oregon. For
crossing the mountain streams, small India rubber boats, to accompany
detachments, (having pack-mules for the transportation of their baggage
and provisions) will be very useful, and I reconmmend that a small number
be sent out with the steamers.  On the tour of examination through the
gold regions, made last autumn by Majoy General Smith and staff, the
cost of ferrying our party over a narrow but deep branch of the American
river, by means of one of these boats, was as great as the original cost of
it in New York.
Another needful adjunct in land transportation is General Stanton's
wagon float.  In some parts of the country it may be used at all seasons,
but in this it will always be of great service with the supply train in the
interior. There is no part of our domain where it can be so often applied
beneficially as in the country west of the Rocky mountains.  Land transportation, also, to be effective, will necessarily involve heavy expenditure
of money while operations are to be carried on in the country contiguous
to the mountains.  Wagon teams must be arranged in conjunction with




254,06                        lDoe. No. 1.
our river transports; and, as the uncertain supplies of grass cannot be
depended on as proper food for working animals; grain from the main
depot will become the only source for the maintenance of our cavalry
horses, the mules of the supply trains' and at the subordinate depots.
Horses, though abundant  in the wild state, are not fit for our purposes
generally.  From  the manner in which they are broken to the saddle by
the Californialns, we cannot make them suitable for dragoon service, and
very few have been trained for woTrking in harness,
What are commonly called I',A-merican horses" are such as have been
brought into the country in the course of emigration from  some of the
western States, and, from the privations and fatigue of such a journey)
are lacking in the requisite quaities to?eriortm  further efficient services,
and very few of them  can be obtained.   Working oxen, broke to the'American yoke,'' have been introduced in like manner, but they are
rarely obtainable in numbers large enough to form of them a competent
train.. They are exceedingly valuable for service in the plains, or where
forage is scanty.
Mi~ules, like everything else, command a' high price; and are obtained,
chiefly  in the manner described above, and with the same objection
attached to them.  From the Merican State of Sonora large supplies will)
doubtlessly, be carried into California, and sold at reasonable prices when
the people of that country cdiscover that they will no longer be tolerated at
the mines as gold diggers, xwhich occupation has had its fifluence over
them as well as witth our ov3i citizens.
in some of my reports, mace while stationed in California, I had occasion to call your attention:o the fiscal concerns of the quartermaster's
department under my charg'e. g    The large sums carried to that country by
Major Fitzgerald lan.i myself wvere speedily expended.  Indeed, I found
that on my arrival there the debts contracted by my predecessors were so
large as to leave no other resort for means to carry on the current duties of
the department than the "civil fund' of California, so called, which
had been raisedi in part, by military contributions during the Mexican
war, and otherwise by the collection of duties at the custom-house.
This fund, being under the control of the governor of the Territory,
was placed for salrekeeping in the custody of some one of the disbursing
officers of the quartenraster's depa.rtment.  As it had accumulated to a
cumbrous amount, and, from the character of the buildings at San Francisco, no good place of security could. be found in which to deposite it,
it was deemed expedient and safe to lend such sums as were needful for
the urgent wants of the army, to be replaced at a subsequent and convenient period by remittances from the-Unitend Stafes. But for this resource
the operations of the quartermasier's department would have been much
impaired if not entirely stopped for want of, funds.  And such hadbeern
the extravagant wants of the departm-ent, by the unforeseen increase of the
demands upon it-extendilng beyond any, even the wildest conjectural
estimates that could have been formed —that the drafts upon this fund
had at one time become alarming, and I was apprehensive that the sums
so expended might exceed the appropriations for that division of the army.
Being assured, however, by the general commanding, that any excess of
expenditures would be provided for by future appropriations by Congress,
the   civil fund " continued to be our reliance.  In relation to this subject
I have written extensively enough before to render further remarks un



Doe. iNo  1.                            257
necessary; yet, as it may not be well understood how the civil fund has;
been created, I will remark that in its accumulation it may be classed
under three distinct heads, viz:
1st. The money received from  military contributions during the war
with Mexico;
2d. The amount derived from the collection of duties on imports under
the administration of Colonel Mason, without the authority of law, and
-subsequent to the treaty of peace with Mexico, and prior to the arrival of
Major General Smith; and
3d. The amount which accrued from the collection of customs after the
1st of March,  1849, under the circular letter of General Smith, which
made the duties collected subject to the future action of Congress-the
sums being voluntarily deposited by the importers in the hands of the
agents of the government.
All draughts upon these deposites by the disbursing officers of the army
have been considered as loans; to be, replaced after the action of Congress
shall have been had in relation to the fund.
The necessity for using the civil fund grew out of the sudden influx of'
troops and supplies, the payment of large contracts for lumber and other
building materials, the establishment of new posts, the purchase of horses,
mules, &c., the hire of laborers, mechanics, and teamsters, but especially
the enormous price of wages consequent upon the foregoing. These had
not been anticipated seasonably enough to be prepared for them.
The original cause of the singular condition of affairs in California, in
respect to high prices for the ordinary necessaries of life, may be traced to
the diversion of labor from  its legitimate channels to be absorbed in a
single pursuit, (gold digging,) from  which no social benefits are to be
derived, inasmuch as there is no commlunity of interests in a multitude
of* adventurers, each acting for himself, in a search requiring manual
efforts alone for its success,  Hence, the mechanic and day-laborer must
receive as wages an equivalent to the daily gains to be acquired at the,
gold placers.  And thS will be applicable to every variety of operatives in
the mechanical arts, trades, agriculture, and commerce.
In our expenditures we have no greater return for our money than we
received in times before the discovery of gold.  We have no set-off nor
equivalent for the high prices we have been paying during the.past year;
and I can perceive no wayopen to escape from  the evil but to withdraw
the troops from  the Pacific country.  As this, however, is hardly to be
thought of, we should study to ameliorate the severity of the times by
sending from the United States all the articles needed for the use of the
army, which may require manual labor for their fabrication or construction)
previously prepared in a mlanner to avoid expense in their adaptation to
the purposes designed after they shall have been landed in California.
Especially is this to be recommended for barracks and quarters, should it
be. determined to erect them in that country, in lieu of the temporary buildings which have recently been constructed.
Ahn expedition was fitted out in the early part of September last, by'
orders of Major General Smith, for the relief of a large number of emigrants from the United States, who had been reported to be in a very deplorably suffering state from  the want of food and means of transportation.
Subsistence stores, beef cattle, wagons, &c., were promptly provided
by Major Rucker, assistant quartermaster, aided by able assistants, and.
Part ii-17




258                           Doc. No. 1L
carried to the mountains in season to succor many awho would ihave perished but for this generous and humane undertaking.
To quote the language of Major Rucker in his report to Major General
Smith, "' a more pitiable sight than those wearied, diseased, and starving;
emigrants,   had never before beheld.  There were cripples from scurvy
and other diseases, women prostrated by weakness, and children who
could not move a limb.  In advance of wagons were men, mounted on
mules, who had to be lifted on and off their animals, so entirely disabled
had they become from  the effects of scurvy.  No one could view  this:
scene of helplessness without commnending the foresight that dictated the
relief, without which some of the recipients would have inevitably perished in the snows.  It would have been difficult for the most healthy to
have worked their way in through the storm  without assistance, much
less those who had been deprived of the use of their limbs."
This expedition cost about $100,000, after selling off the property purchased for it; and the money was drawn from the " civil fund."
Another expedition, under the late Captain Warner, topographical engineer, for the exploration of the Sierra Nevada, was attended by an expense of $50,000, (derived from,the same fund also,) and the loss of
that most valuable officer's life, att a moment when he had accomplished,
most successfully, the object of h.is search.
From the views of Mtajor General Smith, as expressed to me, I am. enabled to state that, when the countryshall have become settled by a fixed
population, devoted to the usual employments of agriculture and trade, by
which the most favorable lpcalities will have been discovered and occupied, permanent posts for their protection will be established; but, in the
mean time, two interior depots should be provided for-one to be situated
at a favorable point on the emigrants' trail leading into California from the
Oregon route, and the other in the southern part of the Territory, where
it can be niost useful to the bodies of troops operating for the defence of
the new settlements.
At present no well-defined plans for. military occupation can be formed.
Prjeects for towns and cities are as various and undetermined as are the
points on the bays and rivers which, in the dry seasons, are above highwater mark.  Time and the good sense of our citizens will soon cause a
development of the most eligible localities, and the ascertainment of military positions must immediately follow. Nevertheless, for the two depots
above mentioned; two officers of the department will be required in California in addition to the number already there; and I respectfully reconm
mend that they be ordered to that country accordingly.  At present there
are but three assistant quartermasters on duty in California.  IThat nu.mber is too small for the growing necessities of the service: and the'want
of an officer for iicidental and itinerary duties, to take the place of less
experienced agents, has been felt in more than one instance.  There
should be at least five assistant quartermasters and a quartermaster in
California, with one of the higher grades of field officers as chief director,
to reside at division headquarters-the quartermaster to be stationed at the
principal depot; one assistant quartermaster to aid him; one at Monterey;
one at each of the depots in the interior; and one to be employed for general purposes, such as purchasing forage in South America, superintending the steamers and sail vessels in their arrangement, repairs, &c.  To
carry the last-named object into complete effect, and to insure any degree




Dec. No. 1.                            259
of regularity in the government of our marine service, a code of regula.
tions, having the authority of the Quarternaster General for their support,
should be prepared and issued without delay.  This branch of our service has been at all times a very important one, and yet there is no unibfrm system for its government.  it can, if properly conducted, be productive of incalculable benefit to the military service, and not unfrequently
to the community at large; but if it be permitted to run on without any'
settled principles for its guidance, or else resting alone on the varying
judgment of individual officers of the department, misrule, peculation,
private traffic, and a waste of the public property, must inevitably follow.
The rigorous control and vigilant scrutiny of one officer may be neutralized by the indulgent disposition or reclless indifference of his successor,
or perhaps be overruled by some captious or jealous superior.  That the:
management of our vessels has been conducted loosely, and a strict accountability of public property on the part of the captains hasbeen wanting, there is no doubt; and I most urgently request that the regulations
above suggested be published at once.  I have the approbation of  Major'
General Smith of the views I have expressed on this subject.
n' the event of appropriations being made for the building of the
steamers, according to the design of the major general commanding on the
Pacific, he deems it worthy of consideration whether coal could not be
profitably procured from New South Wfales —placing a portion of it in depot
at the Sandvich islands, and using our schooners for its removal to California.  The only reason why the Sandwich Islands are here recommended as a depot for coal is, that the high' freights charged for a voyage to San Francisco will be avoided.  In fact, from tthe desertion of t3e-:
crews of vessels arrivitng at that port, it is questio'-nable if any contract.
could he fulfilled; while owners of vessels could readily engage for the,
former place, as they could take in a return cargo of guano or freight
from Manilla, &c.
A similar depot could also be established somewhere in Oregon, (or.
Puget's sound, or near the mouth of the Columbia)-the coal to be obtained of the Hudson's Bay Company, from  their mine on Vancouver's
island; and I deem this, after all, the most available point for the procurement of coal.  Th'e price asked by the company is  12 per ton delivered
at the mines, which lie on the northeast side of Vancouver's island. Coal
yet may be. discovered on our side of the Straits of Fuca; but thus far all.
researches for that mineral have proved fruitless, although it has been supposed that it exists on the Columbia, the Cowlitz, and some of the moirlrr
southern streams; but, from the specimens in my possession, which were
obtained from those sections of the country, and which will be submitted
to vou,  I feel confident that nothing but lignite is found there..
When the shiptment of the requisite supplies to Caliibrnia shall have
been determined upon, I vould respectfully recommend that a large quan.tity of kiln-dried barley and oats be included among the stores.  Foragewill be much needed during the next two years both in California and:
Oregon; and, as a measure of economy, I think its transportation fromi
thlis country will not prove amiss.
In order to keep the quartermnaster's department supplied with funds, I
woulld suggest the expediency of some arrangement by which the risk.
expense, and delay attendant upon remittances from the Atlantic side mayf
be avoided.  The prospective wants of the military establishment in Catli



-260                         Doc. No. 1.
fomia cannot be seasonably and accurately anticipated, so as to enable the
officers of the department to render reliable estimates.  If authority could
be delegated to the commanding general or the senior quartermaster on
the Pacific to draw upon the collector at San Francisco, at certain periods,
for specific sunis, to meet approximate estimates for current expenses, it
would benefit the service.  Requirements for extraordinary disbursements might then undergo the examination of the authorities at Washington for approval, and money for such purposes only would be exposed to the dangers of transportation.
For a more detailed account of the operations at the Benicia depot, I
would call your attention'to the annexed report of Major Allen, which
was received on the eve of my departure, and after most of the foregoing
remarks had been prepared.  It will be perceived that that excellent of:
ficer has had many difficulties in his way, but, through the exercise of
his accustomed diligence and ability, he has creditably overcome them all.
With his report will be found a statement of the "civil fund," in which
are exhibited the sums appropriated to military purposes, and especially
the amount due to the fund by the quartermaster's department on the31st
December, 1849, viz: $555,000.  Most of the balance remaining on hand
($100,000) has been similarly applied for expenditures during the month
of January, which will swell the amount of our indebtedness to about
$650;000.  Besides the amount above mentioned, Major Fitzgerald had
expended $70,000 prior to the assumption of the responsibility of the fund
by Major Allen.
lWhether Major Allen, as treasurer, has introduced that sum into the
amount expended by the quartermaster's department, I'am not advised.; but
I think it probable it has been omitted.  A summary statement of the expenditure of the above amount accompanies Major Allen's report.  The
department in California is destitute of funds, and much remains to be
done there and in Oregon, which will involve very large expenditures; and
I cannot too urgently represent the necessity of liberal appropriations for
the service of that country, the estimates for wlhich should bear the ratio of
ten to one, compared with those for similar objects in' the Atlantic States.
Remittances should be timely and sufficient; otherwise, little can be done
for the comfort of a portion of the army now the most exposed and the
least able to provide the common necessaries of life, with the narrow and
utterly inadequate means afforded by their government.
The post at San Diego should be supplied at once with all the requisite buildings usually pertaining to a military post.  The garrison at that
p'!ace will probably consist of two companies of infantry, for which soldiers':bar-racks, officers''quarters, guard-house, hospital, storehouse, and apDpendages, should be provided in the Atlantic States. At present the troops,are quartered in miserable shanties on the beach north of the harbor. On
-my way homeward I had an opportunity of observing the needy condition of the troops, and conversing with Mnlor Hiatzelman respecting the
wants of his command.  I hope that the next shipment of buildings and
other supplies may include the necessary quarters for the troops at San
Diego.
I regret exceedingly that I had no opportunity of visiting the southerim
legion of California.  Our protracted absence in Oregon, and the setting
in of the rainy season, forbade the attempt to do so, while the necessity
existed of repo.rting seasonably to you at this place.




Doc, No. 1.                           2~]!i
Oregon,.
On the 29th of August I embarked on one of the schooners belongingto the quartermaster's department, with the design of examining suchi
parts of Oregon Territory as should be deemed interesting for military purposes-Major General Smith (who was also apassenger, and with whon
1. had the honor of being associated, as on a similar enterprise in California) purposing that our route homeward should be through a district of
country traversed heretofore only by a few adventurers, trappers, and
gold-hunters. But, for reasons to be assigned hereafter, this plan was unhappily thwarted.
After a somewhat tedious and stormy voyage of twenty days, having
run as far westward as 131~ of longitude, we made the land a few  miles.
north of Cape Disappointment.  We were detained by adverse winds and
foggy weather three days off the bar of the Columbia river; but, on the
22d of September, we were enabled to run as far as the channel between
the north and south sands, when we became suddenly enveloped in so
dense a fog as to render it imminently dangerous,; to go further.  Our only
safety was in our anchors, as'we were surrounded by breakers, and to
them we resorted; but, the strong current and westerly winds setting in at
night, at about 1 o'clock a. m. on the 23d, our best chain cable parted,
and we were drifted close upon the north sands before the vessel could be
checked by the remaining anchor.  The next morning we ran in behind
the cape, and came to anchor in Baker's bay-a harbor resorted to invariably by vessels bound inward or seaward.
I have been more minute in this account of the passage of the Columbia
bar, that your attention may be drawn to the difficult entrance of that riveran obstacle which is destined to seriously affect the interests of the best
portions of the Territory of Oregon.
On the 24th, in the afternoon, we arrived at Astoria; and, having examined the country in the vicinity of that place, we again set sail on the 26th7
and, with favoring breezes, we were enabled to reach Fort Vancouver on
the morning of the 28th September. At this place, as Major General
Smith was about to step on shore from the boat of the schooner, he received an injury on his leg, which became so much aggravated as to confine him to his roomn until the 6th of November.  MIeanwhile, I examined the country in the vicinity of Fort Vancouver.
On the 20th and 21st of November, we ascended the Columnbia to the
Cascades, and returned to Fort Vancouver on the 22d.
Arrangements having been made for our return to California, on the
27th of November we embarked in batteaus, ran down the Columbia to
the mouth of the Cowlitz, ascended that river to within 2~ miles of the
Cowlitz farm, at which place we took horses for Nesqually.  We reached
Puget's sound on the 4th of December, where we found our schooner,
which had previously been sent round from  the Columbia to await our
arrival.
On the 9th of December we again embarked, and, after a tedious passage, arrived at San Francisco on the 27th, and at Benicia depot on the
29th.
It may no be inappropriate to remark, at this point, that the passage
fron San Francisco to the Columbia river can seldom  exceed three or




I262                          D       bDoe. No, 1.
four days by steam-vessels, which will rarely be 1prevented crossing the
dangerous bar of that river.
My remarks in  the foregoing pages with respect to the sources of supply of forage, means of transportation, high prices of labor, and articles
of subsistence, as they are found in California, will apply' with equal
force to the condition of things in Oregon.  The unfavorable influences
of the gold placers have been felt there, as well as in other parts of the
world, to the injury of the interests of society and the settlement of the
country.
Having received no report from Captain Ingalls-the only officer of th:e
quartermaster's department in Oregon-I was unprepared to find that
there existed so many obstacles to the furtherance of operations necessary to the establishment of our troops in quarters as were encountered
by that officer and the troops of Major Hatheway's command.  Laborers
and mechanics from  the citizens of the country could not be found.
Lumber, in that region' of illimitable pine forests, commanded' prices that
had never been imagined before; and the only working animals to be had
were the small Indian horses, unused to harness, and a very few oxer,.
Notwithstanding these difficulties, by the timely arrival of the ship Walpole from New York, which had been freighted with all the needful quartermaster's stores for building purposes, (lumber, bricks, and lime excepted,) with the' efforts of two companies of artillery under Major Hatheway, comfortable quarters had been provided and occupied previous to
my arrival at Fort Vancouver.
But I must not neglect to add that, without the assistance which had
been received from  the resources of the Hudson's Bay Company, tlhe
difficulties met with would have been almost insurmountable.'That wellorganized and admirably-conducted corporation has, in all times of necessity, afforded, through its gentlemanly, hospitable, and efficient agents,
every means of relief in their possession, not only to the officers of the
army, but especially to the newly-arrived and suffering emigrants.
The administration of their affairs at Fort Vancouver is at present confined to chief factor Peter Skeen Ogden, to whose kind disposition, energetic rule, and helping hand, much of the success which has attended
the efforts of Captain Ingalls to place our troops in comfortable winter
quarters is attributable.  Through his aid and counsel, Indian labor has,
in a measure, been made available for many of our purposes.  Horses,
sail-vessels, batteals,  &c., have been freely placed at our disposal at a
moderate compensation, when, not unfrequently, it has been inconvenient to the company to do so. This meagre award' of commendation and
acknowledgment of favors conferred I cannot suppress, even in a report
of the character which this is; and I only regret that I have no better
opportunity of making more extensively known the manifold acts of usefulness and hospitality which have respectively been conferred upon the
quartermaster's department and the officers of the army by the representatives of the Hudson's Bay Company in Oregon.
Of the buildings occupied by the troops, two are the property of the
Hudson's Bay Company, which, with somne alterations and repair, were
converted into barracks for one company, and a store for subsistence supplies.
The buildings constructed consist of one house of eleven rooms, occupied as officers' quarters, and a mess-room, a kitchen for- officers, a




Doc. No. 1.                                3
bakery, and a soldiers' mess-room  anld kitchen-all built of logs, and of
the most temporary character.
A few  small tenements pertaining to Fort Vancouver are hired for,offices and for the occupation of hired men attached to the quartermaster's department.
The arrival of the rifle regiment (in September and October) induced
the necessity of hiring quarters for it before the rainy season set in; and
these were only to be procured in number and extent sufficient at Oregon City, on the Willamette river, about twenty miles from  Fort Vancouver, where they were readily found by Captain Ingalls, deserted by
their former occupants, who had gone to the mines of California.  A list
of the number of houses so rented will be found annexed to this report.
On the expiration of the rainy seasons measures lmust be taken to provide quarters for that regiment, and contracts for lumber and other materials should be made for that purpose at an early period in the spring,
unless Fort Vancouver and its appendages shall pass into our possession
in the mean time; and, even then, the number of buildings thus obtained
of a permanent description will be insufficient for the wants of the service.'I'hose wants callnot be definitively ascertained or reported until the
designs of the'War Department shall be more fully developed and disclosed.
I have already written upon the advantages to be derived from. the acquisition of the Hudson's Bay Company's possessions lying within our
boundaries; but it is peculiarly desirable that we should become the owners
of their property at Fort Vancouver, for the many eminent advantages it
possesses, besides the convenience of the buildings and fine improvemnents to be found thereon.
As it is the central point of the business transactions of the company
west of the Rocky mountains, so is it destined to become the point front
which all our supplies to the several military posts are to radiate.  It is
the only place where a mounted regiment can be sustained advantageously, affording as it does fair pasture-ranges and open fields for cavalry
evolutions.  It is accessible for supplies by water in three directions, viz:through the Columbia, the Willamette, and Cowlitz rivers-all communicating with the most fertile portions of Oregon, from  which, when the
absentee population and new-comers shall have developed the capability
of the soil, the supplies of forage and other vegetable products are to be
derived.
On the local advantages of Fort Vancouver, the description of the
property, buildings, &c., 1 beg leave to refer you to the 1" Narrative of the
Exploring Expedition by Captain Wilkes, United States navy," the
minuteness of which cannot be imitated in the narrow limits of this report.
In regard to the other possessions of the Hudson's Bay Company, I have
heretofore said but little-perhaps not sufficient.  I will therefore briefly
advert particularly to one or two points not embraced in any previous remarks of mine.
Forts Colville, Okanaquan, and Walaallall have been so elaborately
described by Captain -Willes in his " Narrative," before alluded to, that,
had I been permitted to extend my journey for their examination, I should
probably deem it unnecessary to add a single word to his, especially as I
view all and each of those places as important only for trading posts with




S64                            Doe. No.   1.
the Indian -tribes adjacent to them, and as affording no prominent advan.
tages in a military point of view.
Fort Wfallawalla, being about fifteen miles distant from  the old emigrant trail from the United States, may, at some future day, when the emi-.
gration tends towards the northern section of Oregon, via the Cascade
range, north of Mount Ranier, be made useful as a depot for provisions,
from which relief may be afforded to suffering emigrants.  But it lies at
too great a distance from  the habitable country, requiring  protection.
through the agency of a military force, and is too difficult of communication for the requisite supply of subsistence stores, ever to be profitably
maintained for a longer period than the season of emigration. At present,
the line of emigration, being towards the Willamette valley, diverges
southwardly before it reaches the influences to be derived from Wallawalla; and therefore the advantages, if any there be) of that position, are:
remotely prospective.
The most piominent point on the Columbia, north of Fort Vancouver,.
for military occupation, is the D)alles.  It is equidistant (computing by the
time occupied in travelling) from  Fort Wallawalla, Fort Vancouver, and.
Oregon City., or the populous part of the Willamette valley.
Hitherto it has been occupied as a missionary station, and is, from  its.
accessibility, salubrity of climate, and eligible position, destined to become a military station, and perhaps to supersede Fort Hall.  The soil in
its immediate neighborhood may, by careful cultivation, be made to yield.
all the esculent vegetables, wheat, oats, &c., for the use of a garrison of
two companies.  The pasturage is said to be good and plentiful; springs,.
and small streams, and good timber, are found in the table-lands adjacent;
and the salmon fishery is the best on the river.  The lateness of the season was, probably, the only obstacle to its being occupied by a portion of
the rifle regiment.
The operations of the department in the Columbia river district of Oregon, since the arrival of troops there, are given in a detailed report of
Captain Ingalls, which is hereto annexed.
The price of oats had advanced to two dollars per bushel previous to
my departure, and the hay obtained for winter use was procured by men
employed to cut it in some of the low  grounds on the south side of the
Columbia.
The shipment of stores to the c' month of the Columbia" or to Astoria,
as in the case of the ship Walpole, adverted to by Captain Ingalls, has
been productive of much expense and inconvenience, without any perceptible reason for so doing.  The Columbia is navigable for any class of'vessels to Fort Vancouver, where there is to be found twenty-two feet of
water in the channel at dry seasons of the year.  The only obstacle to
the navigation of the river, under good pilotage, is at Tongue Point, a few
miles above Astoria; and this, at high tides, is not of difficult passage.
Astoria contains about fourteen small houses, is situated on a narrow stripof land at the base of a high hill, and possesses no facilities for the storage
of commodities, and never should have been selected as a terminus of the.
supplies from the United States destined for Oregon.  Many uninhabited
parts of the river possess far greater advantages for such a purpose.
The cost of river pilotage is too insignificant to deter owners from sending their vessels to Fort Vancouver; and, as this is the only objection tot
such a course that I am able to discover, I have to urge, most respectful



lv, that, in all future contracts for shipments of suipplies to Oregon]) the:
vessels destined for the Columbia be required to land their cargoes at themain depot at Fort Vancouver, especially as a pilot in tllhe employment of'
the department resides at the mouth of the river; or, if the supplies be-'destined for Puget's sound or the Straits of Fuca, that they be sent theredirect, as the navigation in that quarter is free from  any obstruction whatever.
The post on Puget's sound is near its head, about a,mile and a hali'
from the mouth of a small river called Steilicoom, and about seven miles
from Fort Nesqually, one of the posts of the Hudson's Bay Company,.
It possesses no peculiar advantages of position, and will probably be abandoned in the course of a few months.  Some point lower down on the..
straits, perhaps near New Dunganess roads, nearly opposite  tictoria, o.,
Yancouver's island, will be selected.
Most of the country in this region remains to be occupied.  A few settiers have opened small farms, which have yet produced but a small quanatity of grain, and, in consequence, the acting assistant quartermaster at.
Steilicoom  will be dependent on the principal depot at Benicia for a supply.  The high prices of oats at present wTill, induce the few farmers near'
Nesqually to devote their grounds to that kind of grain next year, and it
is to be hoped that enough will be raised to meet our moderate wants in:
that section.
Fine timber of many varieties of pine is found on all the navigables
streams of Oregon; but none of it affords such good lumber as the whitepine of the eastern, or the yellow pine of the southern States.
Between the Cowlitz river and Puget's sound-a distance of aboul'
sixty miles-the country is an alternation of plains (some of which are
only fit for sheep-pastures) and belts of timber, which are frequently inter-.
sected by streams subject to overflow, and opposing the transit of sup -
plies between our military posts on the Columbia and Puget's soiund
Yet some of these plains in the vicinity of the Cowlitz farm  are wells
adapted for tillage.  The whole face of the country, however, may fairly
be set down as beingfertile, bearing excellent timber, and possessing good:
water-power.
The climate is genial, and on the northern extremity are many eligiblesites for seaports, easy of communication with several inviting and advantageous markets.
Good clay for bricks is found near the Cowlitz farm, and abandoneSdi
brick-kilns, with very good bricks lying near them, were observed on,
my route.
The current of the Cowlitz is very rapid, and in high water dangerous.
The difficulties of its navigation by batteaus is always, however, overcome by the skill and perseverance of the Indians of the country.  Yet.
the transportation of supplies cannot be made safely over that route,
It is said that a favorable passage overland may yet be found from.
Puget's sound to the Columbia, and I presume that, in the course of'theensuing summer, the country will be examined with that design.
The Willamette is navigable by small vessels as high as the Klackamus
river, which enters into it a few miles below  Oregon City.  But squarerigged vessels generally anchor opposite Portland, (sixteen miles from theColumbia,) where they receive their cargoes of lumber, which have been,,
rafted from the mills above.




~^66                         BDoc. No. 1.
The foot. of the rapids, below the Cascades, on the Columbia, may, at
some future day, become an important point for a small depot.
Our examinations resulted in the discovery of a favorable point for that
purpose, where good water.power was convenient, as well. as fine timber
for:}lumber and.fuel.
One of the specimens of coal to which I have called your attention
in one of the preceding pages of this report was found by Lieutenant
Talbot, of Major Hatheway's command, on the Seletz river, one hundred
and twenty miles south of Fort Vancouver.  Its position was about thirty:feet below the surface of the ground, at the verge of the river, appearing
in small quantities-the vein being only four inches in thickness, and
dipping at a considerable angle from the river.  The exploration of Lieutenant Talbot extended as far as the Alsea river, which empties into the
bay of the same  name  on the coast.   That bay is reported to be
an excellent harbor, having a sufficient depth of water for large vessels,
extending some distance up the river.
It is again to be regretted that we had not a. steam-vessel at our commnand, by which we could have examined the coast south of the Colunmbia..That a harbor, such as Alsea bay is said to be, should exist without more information respecting it, is an evidence that much of exploration remains to be made, and that a fine field is open for the investigation
of the scientific engineer, as well as the enterprising merchanrt and agri-:ulturist.  The difficulty of navigating the coast in sail-vessels prevented
many excellent objects premeditated by us in our excursion, which, with
the aid of steamers, might have easily been accomplished, and perhaps
with many valuable results.' Lieutenant Tallmadge's brief report will point out to you whence the
supplies of forage are derived, as well as the number of buildings constmcted by Captain Hill's command.
These last are of the most frail character, but sufficiently secure to
shelter the troops comfortably through the winter.
Whenever a site for a permanent post shall have been selected, new
uarracks and quarters must be provided.
Two more officers of the department are required in Oregon-one to
be placed in charge of the depot at Fort Vancouver, as principal quarterinaster of the 11th military district; and the other on Puget's sound.
I subjoin to this an estimate of the buildings and quartermaster's stores
required for the service of the Pacific division of the army.
It is difficult to anticipate the wants of our department, multifarious as
they are, and embracing almost every article called for in a community
devoted to every branch of trade and the arts.  Large as my estimate is,
it cannot fail to be insufficient in respect to many articles.  It should be
remembered that some descriptions of commodities cost 1,000 per cent.
more in California than in the United States, and that nothing should be
omitted that can possibly be thought of. I therefore respectfully request
your assistance in rectifying the omissions and. errors committed in the es-;timate attached to this report.
All of which I have the honor to submit.
1 am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
D. H. VINTON,
Major and Quarternaster.
Uajor General T. S. JESUP,
Quartermaster General U. S. A., Washington, D. C.




Doc. No. 1.                            267
t.,S:e of buildinzs required for the troops,,,composing the Pacific
di'simo. United States arny, at the several military posts in California
a d Oregon.
SAN DIEGO.
2 barracks, one company each, of infantry.
2 blocks for company officers' quarters.
I barrack for one company of dragoons.
1 block for dragoon company officers' quarters.
I block for commanding officer's quarters field officer's allowrance.
I guard-house.
I hospital.
PRESIDIJO NEAR SAN FRANCISCO.
One company of artillery.
I block for officers' quarters.
BENICIA.
Two companies of infantry.
I barrack for one company.
2 blocks, one story, quarters for hired men in quartermaster's department.
4 cottage-houses, four rooms each, one story high, quarters for officers
of the general staff.
SAN JOACHIN STATION, TULARE LAKE,
Two companies of infantry.
Iron houses for barracks and quarters, if timber cannot be found in
that quarter.
SACRAMENTO; POST ON BEAR CREEK.
Two companies of infantry.'To cover themselves by their own labor, with materials to be found
in their vicinity.
POST ON CLEAR LAKE, SEVENTY MILES NORTH OF SONOMA.
Two companies of infantry aud one of dragoons.
To cover themselves.
S^marks.-The iron houses already shipped from the United States are
intended to be exposed to a trial of their fitness before others of that materal be introduced into the service.
At Beiicia the barracks, two houses for officers' quarters, and a guard



20 8                          Doc. No. I.
house, now  on their way to California, are to be erected on the sites selected by Major General Smith.
The above-mentioned posts are all that are intended to be established
in California, unless the army be increased during the present session of
Congress; and any other estimate for objects similar to the above proceeding from any other quarter of the Pacific division, I am authorized t
say, by the commanding general, does not meet with his approbation.
Estimate of quartermaster's stores required Jor the service of the Paci~
division, United States army, for the year commencing July 1 1850,
by Major D. H. Vinton, principal quartermaster, headquarters of Major
General Persifor PF. Smith, commanding.
1 sea steamer.
I river steamer of low pressure, to be used outside, if necessary
1 river steamer for Oregon.
2 schooners, centre board.
Canvass, duck, various descriptions, for vessels.
Cordage, various descriptions, for vessels.
Naval stores, various descriptions, for vessels.
Copper for three schooners.
6 india-rubber boats.
10 one-horse carts.
15 one-horse cart harness.
12 wagon-floats.
20 two-horse wagons, light.
200 pack-saddles, France's modified.
10 ambulances, and harness for two horses.
1, 000 iron bedsteads, single.
Brick and water cement for cisterns 50X40X 15 feet.
50 wall tents and flies, with poles and pins.
150 common tents, with poles and pins.
6 whale-boats, with oars.
4 anchors, two large and two medium.
10 grindstones.
4 fire-engine*; 30 feet, of hose for two; two engines for sapply.
200 Grimley's riding saddles and bridles, for issue.
2 apparatuses for boring artesian wells.
100 pickaxes.
50 crowbars.
1, 000 blasting-tubes.
3 patent windlasses, for schooners.
75 close stoves, various sizes; (absence of brick and lime render
these necessary.)
50 cooking-stoves, for officers.
20 cooking-stoves, for companies.
Stove-pipe for the above.
10 hand carts..
100 wheelbarrows.




Doc. No. 1,                            269
2 steam saw-mills, planing-machine attached; one for California
and one for Oregon.
200 saw-files, for saw-mills, assorted.
50 common andirons.
50 common shovels and tongs.
Stationery.
150 reams letter paper.
50 reams cap paper.'20 reams envelope paper.
20 reams folio post paper.
100 bla4k books, eight quires.
100 blank books, six quires,
50 blank books, four quires.
200 blank books, memorand.um.
5,000 quills.
50 dozen steel pens
15 pounds wafers.
20 pounds sealing-wax.
50 dozen pieces of tape.
50 dozen ink-powder..
300 bottles of black ink.
20 dozen lead pencils.
100 inkstands.
20 copies quartermaster9s regulations,
15 quires blank bills of exchange.
Quartermaster's blanks6 reams No. 11.
2  do  No. 12,
10  d.o  No. 13.
10  do  No. 24',
2  do' No. 25.
10  do  No. 26.
2  do  No. 27.
10 iron safes; three large, five medium? and. two small.
n 000 grain-sacks, strong bagging.
8, 000 horse-shoes.
Ik 000 mule-shoes.
50 grass-scythes.
60 scythe-snaths.
80 scythe-stones.
500 wagon-whips.
300 sets of six-mule harness, with fifth-chains and. lines.
50 canvass covers.
100 tarpaulins.
100 shovels.
150 spades.
60 coils of Manilla rope, 1-inch.
10 coils picket rope, 1-inch.
12 coils small hemp cord.
20 barrels rosin.




27O0                          Do3. No. 1.
20 dozen horse-shoe rasps.
5 dozen wvood-rasps; half round.
24 two-horse harness, light.
50 dozen blacksmith's files, assorted.
12  do   crosscut saw-files, assorted, eight-inch.
8  do  whip-saw files, assorted, five and six-inch.
50  do  handsaw files, assorted, four-and-a-half and five-ineh
12 horse phlemes.
50 boxes window glass 1Ox1 2.
50. do      do    do       >x10.
6 glazier's diamonds.
3 000 pounds white lead, ground in oil.
100   do   lampblack.
100   do   paints; assorted, ground, and in canisters.
5 paint-stones.
5 mortars and pestles.
5 mullars.
2, 500 pounds horse-shoe nails.
24 tin lanterns.
24 glass lanterns.
200 sides harness-leather.
100 sides bridle-leather.
100 papers saddler's needles.
50 papers sail-needles.
40 barrels linseed oil.
15  do   sperm oil.
10  do   neatsfoot oil.
50 pounds yellow ochre.
15 dozen padlocks, assorted.
12 dozen door-locks, assorted.
50 stock-locks.
300 hames, iron, for horse-harness.
509 hamnes, iron, for mule-harness.
5 sets saddler's tools, complete, in chests.
12 sets carpenter's tools, complete, in chests.
12 blacksmith's vices, bench, iron.
12     do         do   hand,  do
12     do        screw-wrenches.
500 leather halters, with head stalls.
100 wagon-hammrers.
20.1) wagon-covers, extra.
200 mule-collars, extra.
300 pounds white chalk.
50 pounds red chalk.
5 blacksmith's stocks and dies, r to 1}-inch.
30 fifth-chains, extra.
100 breast-chains, extra.
75 bearing chains, extra.
50 log-chains.
500 halter-chains.
500 trace-chains.
600 horse-brushes.




Doe. No..                               27
600 curry-combs.
600 kegs cut nails, assorted.
75 kegs wrought nails, assorted.
5, 000 pounds spikes,'wrought,  principally large, for wharves ain&
bridges.
50 kegs cut spikes, assorted.
500 quarter-augers, assorted.
50 pouinds alum.
500 saddle-bla-nkets.
500 water-buckets.
25 well-buckets.
20 covw-bells.
100 whitewash brushes.
100 painter's brushes, assorted.
200 single-trees.
100 dou )le.trees.
10 blu)shels clover seed.
20 boxes garden seeds.
100 wasgons, complete, with iron axletrees.  (These will not be requpired if' the commission for the settlement of the boundar y
line be dissolved,  as is expected.)
300 felling' axes.
50 broad-axes.
5O0 hand-axes.
20 foot-adzes.
6 cooper's adzes.
10 blackssmirth's anvils.
50 papers saddler's awls.
100 saddler's awl-handles
15 pounds asafcetida.
20 blacksmtith's buttresses.
10 gross iron roller-buckles.
2 gross brass roller-buckles.
200 nose-bag's.
10 pounds blue stone.
10 dozen iron door-bolts, assorted sizes.
20 pounds beeswax.
24 braces and bits.
50 pound.s borax.
12 smith's bellows.
10 dozen socket-chisels, assorted sizes.
7 dozen framer's chisels) assorted sizes.
3 dozen mortice-chisels, assorted sizes.
12 carpenter's compasses.
l@ lbs. calornel.
10 lbs. camphor.
10 lbs. copperas.
5 lbs. lunar caustic.
15 cooper's frees, assorted sizes.
300 nail-ginlets, best quality, assorted sizes.
i0 spike-ginmlets; best quality, assorted sizes.
100 carpenter's gouges; best cuality, assorted sizes




4,? >7Doc. No  1.
200 saddle-girthis webbing.
200 carpenter's hatchetso
20 blacksmith's sledge-hammers.
50 blacksmith's hand-hainmers
50 blacksmith's shoeing-hammers.e
50 blac.smith's piviting-hammers.
30 saddler's hammers.
20 blacksmith's set-hammiers,
100 carpenter's claw-hammers.
50 carpenter's gauges.
200 file-handles, assorted.
300 axe-handles, hickory.
50 dozen pairs butt hinges, assorted..
300 pairs strap hinges,,
100 field or garden hoes.
25 tons bar iron, best quality, round, flat, and. square.
15 bundles hoop iron, assorted sizeso
30 bundles nail rod iron, assorted sizes,
12 soldering-irons.
50 drawing-knives.
50 blacksmith's pairing-knives.
24 saddler's knives.
24 shoe-knives.
18 glazier's knives.
50 chalk-lines.
10 ibs. sugar of lead.
6 dozen bottles castor oil.
6 dozen bottles olive oil.
6 dozen' bottles British oil.
6 dozen bottles opodeldoce
5 dozen bottles oil of spike.
5 ibs. opium.,
100 lbs. castile soap,
6 bushels flaxseed..
100 1bs. su lphur.
100 lbs. Glauber's salts,
50 lbs. saltpetre.
15 lbs. sponge,
50 lbs. hemp bagging-twine.
24 carpenter's pincers.
36 saddler's punches.
6 saddler's spring-punches,
50 jack- planes.'20 fore-planes.
40 smoothing-planes.
12 screw-plates and taps,
36 carpenter's two-foot rules.
1 gross martingal rings.'24 iron two-foot squares.
24 trying squares.
12 Turkey oil-stones.
12 wagon jack-screws,




Doce No. 1.                              273
12 carpenters' bench serews, (wood.)
200 surcingles, webbing.
1, 500 lbs. cast steel.
500 lbs. American blistered steel.
500 lbs. English blistered steel.
5(0 lbs. Gertan blistered steel.
200 lbs. solder.
4 dozen saw sets.
100 handsaws, assorted) cross-cut and rip.
24 tenon saws.
12 whip saws.
50 screw drivers.
20 reams sand paper, assorted.
100 gross wood screws, assorted.
36 spoke shaves.
100 M. cut iron tacks, assorted sizes, above 6 to 10.
50 M. copper tacks, assorted sizes, above 6 to 10.
50 lbs. saddlers' thread.
50 barrels tar.
50 boxes tin.
5 barrels spirits of turpentine.
20 bolts of webbing.
24 monkey screw wrenches.
100 masons' trowels.
50 plastering trowels.
2, 000 lbs. sheet zinc.
500 pairs dragoon spurs.
20 ploughs.
10 scrapers.
50 wood rakes.
20 iron rakes.
I pile driver and apparatus.
3 large launches, with sails, one to be half decked,
100 Ibs. glue.
10 glue pots.
6 ox carts.
12 chopping axes.
2 sets pump augers.
5 dozen sash tools.
160 double window sashes, 8 X 10.
100 double window sashes, 10 X 12.
5 rolls sheet lead.
5 gross papers of brads.
2 dozen hay forks.
2 dozen stable forks.
20 dozen corn brooms.
3 turning lathes.
3 sets turners' tools.
1 shingle machine.
4 timber wheels.
12 cant hooks.
3 dozen iron wedges.
Part ii -18




274                         Doe. No. 1.
12 sets dry measures.
5 dozen office chairs.
6 steelyards.
50 kegs litharge, in small kegs.
20 bladders putty.
12 spatulas.
15 kegs blasting powder.
3 sets blasting tools.
20 ox yokes and bows.
5 drags.
5 sets harness for 2 dray horses.
20 pieces domestic cotton shirting.
20 well pumps.
1 forcing pump.
100 boat oars, 30 of 20 feet, 20 of 18 feet, and 40 of 16 feet long.
6 chain cables, 1 inch in diameter, 90 fathoms long.
4 chain cables, 21 inches in circumference, 90 fathoms long.
300 feet lead pipe.
6 sets of charts of the California and Oregon coasts.
6 sets Wilkes's charts of Puget's sound and Columbia river.
6 odometers.
50 window sashes, glazed, 10 X 12.
1 suit of sails for schooner Invincible;
1 suit of sails for the schooners General Patterson and Captain
Lincoln; should steamers not be sent supplied for the Quartermaster's department.  If they should be, I would recommend
that the last two schooners be sold, they being ill adapted for
tlie service. The sails can be made at New  York, where
patterns are preserved.
D, H.  VINTON,
Major and Quartermaster~
DIVISION DEPOT, NEAR BENICIA,
January 10, 1850.
MAJOR: Agreeably to your instructions, the report which follows is respectfully submitted:
I entered upon duty and took charge of the property pertaining to the
Quartermaster's department on the 1st day of July, 1849. The position for
a depot "near Benicia," destined to supply the Pacific division, had, as
you are aware, been chosen, and the stores transferred to that place, before I had taken charge, and in advance of the erection of any storehouse.
I found, accordingly, the property for which I had become responsible
deposited upon the ground, under canvass covers, in charge of an agent,
and without the security of a guard. Nominally, two companies of the
2d infantry were tented at this point, and the officers of these companies
quartered on board of a storeship moored to the shore.
I repeat that the men were soldiers only in name, and were companies
by designation, not by number. They were without discipline, subordi



Doc. No. 1.                            275
nation, or control, and depredated upon rather than protected the public
property.
I found two houses, intended for officers' quarters, in the course of construction, under the direction of the commanding officer of the troops, and
a tempQrary wharf or a staging erected connecting  the store-ship with
the shore.
I began and have continued business with a t, n  for my office and
quarters; and having charge of the revenue funds, as well as the regular
funds of the department, I have been encumbered with masses of silver
money in wooden boxes, piled up within these confined limits and insecure walls.
-My attention was at first directed to the completion of the buildings
commenced, but which were but little advanced, and to the erection of a
third houseand a barrack.  I proceeded to San Francisco and employed a
large number of mechanics, and, having transported them to this place, or.
ganized thenl into parties, and so commenced my operations.  The lowest
rate of pay for which the services of any mechanic could be obtained, was
eleven dollars per day; that of a laborer five; the current wages at San
Francisco and neighboring places exceeding very considerably this standard.  High wages and constant occupation, however, were insufficient to
incite to industry, or promote contentment. The mechanic, by virtue of
his superior emolument, became superior, in self-estimation, to his enaployer; his rations were too meagre, his tent too uncomfortable, his liberty too much restricted. A  miner would occasionally call in passing,
and report great success in gold hunting; and the spirit of independence:thus excited broke out from time to time in demands for increase of pay,
better eating, and more approved accommodations.  I adopted the rule of
discharging, promptly, all malcontents; but the necessity of supplying
their places from  a distance, of organizing new parties, to become in a
short time as unreasonable and disaffected as the old, has been one of
the labors and one of the vexations-to which I have been subjected.
The buildings for the officers of the garrison were constructed on plans
approved before I had taken charge.  The plan of the barracks was, I believe, of your own suggestion.  The last of these buildings was completed about the 25th of October, 1849.
A storehouse for the depot, a plan of which had been submitted and
>approved prior to your leaving for Oregon, was the next undertaking:
It was completed about the 1st of November, 1849.  Two cisterns, of capacity to contain ten thousand gallons of water each, were connected with
this storehouse.  A building for offices, and quarters for the officers of
the depot, a capacious carpenter's shop, a blacksmith's shop, and stable,
were the next improvements commenced; and being now finished, the
principal constructions at this post are enumerated.  Plans of the buildings, descriptive of their respective capacities, accompany this.
The first rain fell on the 9th of October. This was entirely unexpected,
as the rainy season does not usually commence until a month later.
At this period the storehouse had not progressed to its roof, but, by
concentrating the whole mechanical force upon it, I was enabled to roof it
and to get all the public stores, exposed, under cover before the succeec
ing fall of rain.  This property has consequently sustained no materi
~damage.
The lumber expended in the buildings I have named has been o




276                            Doc. No. 1.
tained from Oregon, from  Santa Crz, and from  Costa Medeira.  The
Oregon lumber has proven very difficult of reduction to building use-it:
is hard, coarse, knotty, and flawy, and is subject to enormous waste in
the hands of the carpenters.  It being impracticable, for the lack of lime,
to plaster, the rooms destined for officers' quarters have been ceiled, and
the boards have been dressed by the hand-plane.  The interior finish of
these quarters has been accomplished at a great expenditure of mechanical
labor.
At Costa Aledeira, where the saw-mill of the department is located,
commodious stables have been built to shelter and secure the animals:
worked in and about the mill.  This mill has accomplished but little; it
has required repeated repairs, and the saws, after three months' use, have
become entirely unserviceable.  Whether the fault is in the circular form
of the saws, in the metal, or in the malagemnent) I am unable to say;  but:
the mill is a failure,  and I regret to say an expensive one.  The least
profitable mill for this country is that driven or propelled by horse power,.
as the cost of feeding the animals is greater than the expense of keeping
in operation a steam-engine, and the form of saw best adapted to the timber is the " up-and-down" one.  Taking this view of the matter, after
the failure of the horse-mill, I procured at once a steam-engine, fifteen
horse-power, and a new mill is now in progress of erection.   I understand
you to say that I have in this matter transcended my authority.  Having
exercised my best judgment, and believing, in fact knowing, that the interest of the service is, or will be subserved by the measure, and there
being no authority short of Oregon to refer to, I shall abide the responsibility of the act.
Not the least difficult duty of the depot relates to transportation.  It is
the most expensive branch of the service, and is embarrassed by the manner in which shipments are made from  the Atlantic side.  Public stores
destined for San Diego, an intermediate point, have been shipped to San:
Francisco, with instructions to tranship them to the former place.  It is
time that it should be known in the States that the backward transportation will add two hundred per cent. to the original freight bill.
The transports belonging to the department have not been sufficient to
meet all its wants.  The " Anita" has been employed in transporting
lumber from Oregon.  The " General Patterson," after her release from
the cotmand of MIajor Kingsbury, was despatched to Oregon with General Smith and party, and has been absent to thsent  t e    ent time on that
duty.  The " Captain Lincoln" was sent by your orders to San Blas fbr
forage and mules.  She was absent three months, accomiplishing but partially the object of her errand.'The " Mary Jane" has made a trip to
Monterey with General Riley and party, two trips to Santa Cruz for lumber, and is now absent on a trip to San Pedro with commissary's stores.
The "Invincible" has been employed actively, in running between this:
port and San Francisco, and in transporting supplies to the upper Sacramento; besides which, she has made two trips to Santa Cruz fbr lumber.
I had difficulty in furnishing transportation for the exploring party, of
W7hich the late Captain Warner had direction, and for the escort that ac-:mpanied it, winder Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Casey.  It was confidently
edicted that the departmentl would fail, in this instance, in meeting the
quirements of General Smith; but I succeeded in procuring pack-mules
the Sonoranian camp, on the river Stanislaus, and had them driven di



Doc. No  1.                            277,rect over the barren mountainous region that separates the valley of the
San Joachin from that of the Sacramento, a distance of one hundred miles.
and assembled and equipped at the place of rendezvous before the explordng parties had completed their personal arrangements for the maroh.
A large number of mules and horses, wretchedly poor and way-worn,
have come into my possession within the last three months, being the survivors of the overland pack trains of Lieutenant Pleasanton and Captain
Morris, and the return trains of tie exploring expedition.  About three
hundred in all have thus been " tinled in," as the vouchers have it, but.turned out in fact, as I have no enclosure of capacity to contain one-fourth
of that number, and only forage enough for the animals in actual service.
To have fed this stock, would have cost two dollars each animal per day,.barley being worth eight dollars per bushel; to have sold them at auction.here, would have been to sacrifice them wholly.  To drive and herd them
in the remote valleys, where a subsistence could be gathered by the ani-.mals themselves, was to expose my accountability to the risks of losses by
theft and straying.  I have adopted, however, the latter alternative, it bering the least objectionable of the three.
I have been enabled to procure a few  thousand bushels of corn and
barley in Nappa valley, transporting it, in our own wagons, a distance of,twenty miles.  The lowest rate at which I have purchased has been $2 50
per bushel; the highest $4.
The cargo of barley contracted for by yourself, with the firm of Cross,
Hobson, & Co., arrived in the harbor of San Francisco a few days since.
It came in an opportune time.  A  quantity of oats, destined for the
~supply of the escort and trains of the boundary survey, has since arrived,at the same place, per ship Warwick.
After being advised that the posts of Oregon were destitute of forage,,and dependent upon this depot for supply, and that the quantity on
board the Warwick was greater thala would be required at 8an Diego,
I caused three thousand bushels to be taken from  the vessel; fifteen
hundred of which I shipped to Oregon in the transport " Anita, " add-.ing to it fifteen hundred bushels of barley taken fiom  this depot.
Present appearances le?.d to the conclusion that the department in
-California and Oregon must derive, for some years, its supply of grain.from  foreign ports, or from  the Atlantic side.  It can be procured at
Valparaiso, and will cost, when delivered here in merchant vessels, about
f$2 per bushel.  Abundance of hay, however, can be obtained by cutting and curing the wild oats and grass that grow luxuriantly in the-eighboring valleys and on the borders of the water-courses. It may
have to be transported fifteen or twenty miles, but can be reached by'water.'Wood in abundance can be obtained from the banks of the Sacra-.
mento, from  Costa Medeira, and in sufficient quantity to supply the p~st
ffrom Diablo valley, opposite this place.
Costa Medeira, distant from  this point twenty miles, is the best locality, probably, in California, from  whence to derive lumber.  From  five
to ten millions of feet may be cut at that place fiom  the " red wood ",that growVs upon the hill-side within a mile of the "embarcadero,'' where
it can with facility  be transported in large flats down into the bay of
San Pablo, three miles distant, and taken upon vessels of every class.
The department has an indefinite lease on this timber, which empowers the quartermaster to cut to any amountl the consideration being
five dollars per thousand feet,




~278                          sDoc. No,  1.
In addition to the duties which I have hastily and very imperfectly'
enumerated, as having devolved upon me as assistant quartermaster'.at the division depot, I have been charged with all the payments made
on account of the civil government of California.  This civil duty has.
been arduous, responsible, and exceedingly vexatious.
The counting and re-counting of a million of money of every foreigni
variety, in fractional shape, has not been a simple task; but the revision
of the collector's accounts has been eyen more complex and laborious.
My attention has been so much required out of my office that I have,
not had time to review my quartermaster's papers for settlement.  I have:
transmitted regular summary statements of purchases and expenditures,
which will show the amount of money received from the quartermasters'
furnd, and also the amount transferred to the department expenditures
frio- the revenue funds of California.  1 subjoin in a separate paper (A) a
consolidated account, which will exhibit the same statements in one view.
The accounts arising under the civil government of California have
not all been presented for payment.  These accounts having no connexion with disbursements made in my capacity as quartermaster, I shall'
transmit them  through the appropriate channel when completed. I annex, however, a summary statement of this fund, (B,) from  which it
will be seen that not more than $100,000 will be available for military
service after the demands of tle civil service shall have been satisfied.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ROBERT ALLEN,
Brevet Major, a:nd Assistant Quartermaster.
IMajor D. H. YINTON,
C/ief lQuarterrtaster, Pacifc Division.
DEPOT NEAR BENICIA, CALIFORNIA
January 5, 150.
MAJOR: In conformity with your instructions directing that the boringof an artesian well should be commenced at this point, I have to report;
that the work was commenced on the 3d of September last, and has
been steadily pursued up to this date-employing one mechanic and two
laborers.  The spot selected has an elevation of about ninety feet above
tide-water in the straits.  The actual number of days worked has been
ninety-three, and the number of feet passed through one hundred and
sixteen-giving a depth of twenty-six feet below tide for the bottom of
the bore, which has a uniform diameter of five inches.
The earth, passed through in this time has presented but one decided
change in its general appearance and character-that is, from a yellowish clay, mixed with a small proportion of sand and occasional intrusivesandstone rocks, to a blue clay, containing, also, a number of incidental rocks, varying from one to two feet in thickness, of very compact
texture-the composition being an impure carbonate, probably of lime.
The yellow clay is met with about fivefeet below the surface, and ceases
at a depth of thirty-six feet and ten inches, where the blue clay begins,
and in which latter the boring continues at this date.
Throughout the whole depth of the well, the borings exhibit the presence of calcareous matter-evident only, however, by the test of an acid.




Doc. No.  1.                            271
In addition to this, minute crystals of mica and small nodular masses of
iron pyrites are frequently met with. Water has been found at three different points: First between the yellow and blue clays, at a depth of
thirty-six feet and. ten inches.  This supply, however, was exceedingly
small, and has since almost entirely ceased.  Next at a depth of sixtyfour and a half feet, immediately after passing through a limestone rock
one and a half foot in thickness.  This supply, although totally inadequate for any useful purpose, was, much greater than the first.  The
third occurs at a depth of seventy-niine feet, and affords a much greater
quantity than the others, though still too slight to be available, as, by
experiment, the water rose fifteen feet during the first three hours after
emptying the bore, and but eight feet during the next fourteen hours.
After some days, it rises to within forty-two feet of the orifice of the bore,
where it rests.
Since the commencement of the rainy season, there has been no perceptible increase in the supply of water from that cause; neither has it
ever risen higher than within forty-two feet of the orifice, as before stated,
It is proper to state in this place that, by experiment just tried at the
present depth of one hundred and sixteen feet, the water is found to rise
with greater rapidity than before, though not to a greater height than
before stated.
The boring has now reached a depth of twenty six feet below tide, is
of course below the level of all the valleys, and affords a chance of intersecting some vein of water having a distant source, as, for instance, large
springs and sources of water on both sides of Monte Diablo, which are
known to exist, and that, too, at an elevation of several hundred feet
above this point.  In opposition to this, however, is the fact that all the
strata in this section of the country are highly inclined, often nearly vertical-a condition extremely unfavorable to the passage of water from distant points.  The quality of the water, so far as obtained, appears to be
good: it settles clear, and has no saline taste whatever.
In conclusion, I have to remark that the imperfect nature and construction of the implement used has greatly retarded the progress of the work,
rendering it difficult to preserve the vertical direction of the bore-any
considerable departure from which is very detrimental; especially where
rocks occur and the use of a drill becomes necessary.  With proper implements, greater progress and less expense would, of course, attend the
prosecution of the work.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE C. BOMFORDo
Major D. H. VINTON,
Principal Quartermaster, Pacific Division, U. S. A.




A. 
Statemsnt of receipts and expenditures in  the Quartermaster's Department, at post near Benicia, Calfornia, from  July
1, 1849, to January 10, 1850.
1849.                                                                        1849.
July    1  To cash received from Brevet Major E. H. Fitz-                     July  31  Expenditures and advances to officers.....,$..       $180,048 91
gerald, assistant quartermaster...............   $145,000 00   Aug. 31  Do..........d       do...................   86,674 70
July   31  To cash received from officers......                  1,500 00   Sept. 30   Do........do.......do...........      40,679 15
August31   Do......     do.         do.........                  21,799 00   Oct.  31  Do..........do...................       95,597 14
Sept.  30   Do........do........do..................              764 66   Nov. 30  Do..........do................    117,807 51
October31  Do........do....        do....................         2,268 50   Dec. 1,'
Drafts on Quartermaster General.............    20,000 00   1849, to..........                  2 979 47
Dec.  31  Draftson QuartermasterGeneral..............            5,750 51   Jan 10,..........
Received from officers.......................    21,704 06   1850  
From                                                                                                                                                          0
July 1,1 
1849, to i  Received from civil fund.......    555,000 00
Jan. 10, j
1850   J 
773,786 88                                                                     773,786 88 
AsSISTANT QUARTERMASTER'S OFFICE,
Post near Benicia, California, January 10, 1850.
ROBERT ALLEN, Brevet Major and sssistant Quartermaster.




Doc. No. 1.                           281
B.
Memorandum  of Revenue Funds.
Total amount received by me, including amount turned.
over to me by Brevet Major Fitzgerald, assistant quartermaster   -.                     -      -         1$1,004,058 55
Transferred from  the foregoing to quartermaster's department from. July 1, 1849, to
January 10, 1850-total                  - $555,000 00
Transferred to Pay Department             -   46,886 00
Turned over to Major Ruckers for emigrants'
relief    -                      -      -  100,000 00
Expended for civil purposes        -       -  152193 00
Supposed liabilities of civil fund.  -         49,979 55
904,058 55
Balance available for department of military service         100,000 00
ROBERT ALLEN,
Brevet Mlajor and Assistant Quartermaster.
PosT NEAR BENICIA, CALIFORNIA, January, 180, 8.
Report of amount of civil  fund used for Quartermaster's Department by
Brevet Major E. H. Fitzgerald, assistant quartermaster U. S. A., in
the 2d quarter of 1849, (Major F. drew none in any other quarter,) viz:
Seventy thousand dollars, ($70,000.)
EDWARD H. FITZGERALD,
Brevet Major and Assistant Quartermaster, U. S. A.
To Major VINTON, Q  M.. U. A.,
Benicia, GEalifornia
STATE DEPARTMENT,
Territory of California, Monterey, MIay 15, 1849.
SIR: I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th
instant; and to inform you that you have permission to turn over from
the civil funds to the Quartermaster's department the sum of one hundred
thousand dollars, taking the proper receipt for the same.
This transfer is to be regarded as a loan, and is to be restored to the
4ivil fund as soon as the  Quartermaster's department may have the
means available for doing so.
By order of Governor Riley:
H. W. HALLECK,
Brevet Captain and Secretary of State.
To Brevet Major FITZGERALD,
Asst. Quarterteraster, San Prazcisco, Calif/ortia.
Official:
EDWARD H. FITZGERALD,
Brevet Mkajor and Assistant Qzate-craster,
To Major D. H. VINTON,
Quartermaster Ur. #S. Army.




282                          Doe. No. 1,
QUARTERiMASTER S OFFICE,
Monterey, California, June 22, 1849.
MAJOR: In reply to your communication in regard to the resources of
this district of country, I have the honor to state:
1st. In regard to building materials, any amount of pine logs may be
had on the spot, of an excellent quality to erect log buildings; lumber
may be obtained by making arrangements beforehand, at Santa Cruz,
twenty-four miles across the bay; large forests of red-wood trees grow
within nine miles of the place, from  which shingles can he obtained
of the best quality.  Around the town are extensive quarries of a species
of limestone, or more properly called claystone, which is quarried with
little or no labor, and makes a very good building material for this climate.
The clay of this country, from its containing a large amount of lime, answers every purpose of mortar.  There is also here good brick-clay. For
fuel, the country is well supplied with wood on the spot.  For forage,
the grazing about four miles from here, where most of the public animals
are now kept, is pretty good the year round. Last month I cut fifteen or
sixteen tons of excellent hay. It was my intention to have cut more, but I.
was obliged to desist for want of hands. Barley I have not yet been able to
obtain here, all my supply being drawn for firom San Francisco; but I
have lately understood that a Californian, residing about thirty miles fiom
this place, has a large quantity planted, and the department might possibly
obtain from him six or seven hundred bushels, if engaged soon.
I would beg leave to suggest the propriety, if possible, of adopting some
other means of sending the public mail to San Diego.  From  July till
March little or nothing can be obtained on the road for an animal to live
on.  I have had two fine animals ruined from  the journey; and in the
United States corral I should think there are fifteen unserviceable, which I
understand were broken down last winter by the express south. It will be
necessary before the winter is through to purchase more animals, if this
express is kept up.  T4e mail leaves here once a month.  There is no
military post or station between here and San Diego.  The steamer also
leaves San Francisco once a month, and i believe stops at San Diego;.
both going andsreturning.
With much respect, your obedient servant,
ALFRED SULLY,
1st Lieutenant 2dc Ifantry, R. Q. M. and A. A. Q. M.
To Major VINTON,
Quartermaster U. S. A., San Francisco.
Remarks.-The mails from San Francisco are now  conveyed to San
Diego and Monterey by the steamers.
D. H. VINTON, Quarttermaster.
QUARTERMASTER'S OFFICE,
Fort Vancouver, Oregon Territory, August 27, 1849.
MAJOR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your commua
nications of June 17th and 22d. They came to hand only a few days since.
In reply, I have to state that a copy of my monthly summary statement,




Doc. No. 1.                            283
and report of persons and articles hired and employed during the month
of July, 1849, had already been forwarded to you.
I have to ask that you wvill excuse my not forwarding a copy of my
property return and estimate (in proper form) for funds.  I have' but a
very few articles of' public property on hand, that I have actually receipted
for.  I do not include the stores received by the transport Walpole-they
are still unexamined; but early in October I shall transmit to your
office, copies of my returns, & c., with information relative to the military
resources of this Territory.
I do not know the number of troops (riflemen) destined for Oregon this
winter, nor the probable amount of stores, funds, &c.; consequently I
cannot mnake out my estimate with any correctness.  I presume you are
in possession of the Quartermaster General's views with regard to military establishments in this Territory.  Up to this time we have heard
nothin g regulating the creation of posts, &c.
By direction of Major Hatheway, I am now making this point the depot.  It is certainly the most eligible of any that I have seen in the
country.  Major IHatheway's company will take quarters here for the
winter.  I have them all in readiness now, and have rented a sufficient
number of buildings in Oregon City, I think, to accommodate all the rifle
regiment that may arrive.
I have purchased from six to eight thousand bushels of oats, all that
are raised this year, and some one hundred tons of hay.  Nothing more
can be relied on; and, as it will not be enough to forage all the animals
until another harvest, most of them must be grazed during the winter.  I
have selected a good place in the interior for a grazing camp.
The expenses of the department in this Territory will necessarily be
great for the next year.  I am  now nearly out offunds, and hope those
ordered here by you will soon arrive.  My returns will show the manner
of my disbursements.  The charter party, made by General Whiting,
wvith the transport "'Walpole," has proved an expensive one. He chartered her for Astoria, where there are no troops, no storehouse, nor the
slightest convenience for discharging.  I am  at great expense and embarrassment in trying to discharge her.  Much time and money would
have been saved had there been a public vessel in the river.  Major Hatheway is now absent on a trip to Puget's sound and Nisqually.  Lieut.
Talbot is also absent, exploring south for coal, &c.  On their return I
shall be able to forward you some information in detail, which may throw
some light on the resources of the Territory; at presentbut little is known
with any accuracy.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
RUFUS INGALLS,
Captain and Assistant Quartermaster.
Major D  H. VINTON,
Chitef Quartermaster, Benicia, U. California..




284                         Doco No. 1.
CHIEF QUARTE>RMASTER S OFFICE,
Eleventh Military Departnent, Fort Vancouver,
Oregon Territory, October 17, 1849.
MAJOR: I have the honor herewith to enclose you copies of my
monthly summary statement, and report of persons and articles employed
and hired, for the month of September, 1849. I also enclose a memorandum of my disbursements for labor during the time I have been on duty
in Oregon.
I take this opportunity to comply, so far as I may be able, with your
circular of June 17, and yur letter to me of October  I, 1849. This will
give you the information required, taken in connexion with my letter to
you of August 27.
I arrived at this point from California, and reported to Major Hatheway,
then commanding this department, on the 25th of May last.  I came in
the United States barque Anita, and found the Massachusetts here, ready
to take in cargo. Both of these vessels I took to Portland, (a place 12
miles up the Willamette from its mouth, and near 100 from Astoria,) and
caused them to be loaded with assorted lumber for use of government in
California.  It was not then until the 12th of June that I was able to
~commence duty at this place.  Major Hatheway's command was in tents,
and winter quarters were required to be prepared for it.  The rifle regiment was looked for near the beginning of the rainy season, and it became
necessary to provide winter shelter for it, by renting, if possible, buildings
in Oregon City, as this place is the only one in the Territory where a
sufficient number could be obtained; and, as it will be seen, no laborers
could be employed to erect temporary buildings. In addition, I had to
send forward a large quantity of supplies, to meet the wants of the rifle
regiment, to Fort Hall; to purchase what forage I could, for use the coming winter; to discharge the transport ship'Walpole, and to provide storehouses; and to make some tours of observation to various points of the
Territory, in order to report on the resources of the coitlntry.  The manner
in which these duties have been performed, you can understand from
actual inspection on your part, where the following details may prove deficient.
During the month of June I employed soldiers on extra duty to prepare timber from the woods, and raft down lumber from  the mills ( 6
miles above here,) for buildings to accommodate Major Hatheway's command this winter. The expense incurred amounted to $31 05. So little
was done, however, and desertions and dissatisfaction happening, that
from the 1st July I promised to each soldier $1 per day, authorized by
orders from division headquarters. On the 15th September following I
had completed all the necessary buildings, and since then have paid no
extra allowance.  The whole amount paid extra-duty men is $1,390 22.
I could not employ any citizen mechanics, and all the work has been performed by the labor of enlisted men.
From my observation, added to all reliable information I could obtain,
it was easy to see that this point was much the most eligible in the Territory for the depot, and probably for the headquarters of this department,
the only objection being that the Hudson's Bay Company, south of 49~
north latitude, have their principal establishment at this place. I have
made a contract with this company that all betterments and improvements
made here by the United States government shall always remain subject




Doc. No. 1.                             285
to the orders o   ysf yselor my successor.  On the arrival of the transport
ship  Walpole" at Astoria, with a cargo of over 12,000 barrels of army
stores, I deemed it expedient to collect them here and make this the depot.
It has caused the charter party made by General Whiting to be an expensive one, but there was no alternative.  At Astoria there were neither
troops nor any means of discharging, storing, or protecting the stores.
This vessel could have sailed here easily, but for the terms of the charter
party.  This point may be considered as the head of ship navigation,
(except for light craft,) and is about 99 miles inland from Astoria.  It is,
besides, a point to which all supplies canbe accumulated, and from which
they can be easily, and at all times, transported to the important parts of
the Territory.  This is a point, ir fact, which combines more resources, in
a military point of view, than any other yet known to us.  In this vicin.
ity there is a sufficiency of timber for all building purposes, with saw and
grist-mills within six miles.  There is an abundance of good arable land,
with pasturage for any number of animals.  The communication between
this and the interior is always easily effected by the waters of the Columbia and Willamette rivers.
I have erected at this place one building, 90 feet long and 25 feet wide,
containing eleven rooms, occupied as quarters for the officers of Major
Hatheway's conmmand; one building 24 feet by 12, containing two rooms
occupied as officers' kitchen and servants' room; two buildings 40 by 20
each; containing 4 rooms, occupied as company mess-room and kitchen,
hospital kitchen, and bake-house.  These buildings are, of course, made
of rough material, but are considered suficiently comfortable for our purposes this winter.  In addition, I have finished two large two-story buildings, 50 by 40 each; that is, have laid the floors, put in the windows,
made partitions; &c.  They are occupied as quarters for company "L,"
1st artillery, company laundresses and hospital matron, company storeroom and commissary depot.
In doing all this work I have consumed about 60,000 feet of lumber,
which has cost near $3,600.
All other timber, &c., has been furnished by my working parties.  The
thole expense; then, including lumber, pay of soldiers, &c., will not
vary much from  5,:000.  I have some small buildings, say ten, under
rent from the Hudson's Bay Company, as shown by my report of articles
hired, used as quartermaster's office, clerks' quarters, commissary's storeroom, stables for public animals, guard-house, quartermaster's store-room,
&c., at a cost of about.225 per month.  It was reqdered necessary to
incur this expense, as lumber was very high, and labor could not be obtained to erect the buildings required.
The rear of the rifle regiment arrived at Oregon City, a place situated on
the Willamette river, 24 miles from its upper mouth, on the 11th or 12th
instant.
There are six companies of the rifles now in Oregon City, comprising
three hundred men and twenty- two officers.
I have rented a sufficient number of buildings to place this force in
comfortable quarters during the winter.  The buildings rented are the
best in Oregon, and will be at the disposal of this regiment until next
May; when it is presumed it will be required to create its own quarters.
The expense of rent will amount to about $700 per month.  My report
for October will give you all of the amounts accurately, the designations




286                         Doce  No.,1
of the houses, &c. I am unable to state it now, inasmuch as the houses
are not yet assigned.
On the 1st of July I sent Lieutenant G. W. Hawkins forward with a
train of some fifteen wagons, loaded with supplies for Fort Hall, to meet
the rifle regiment.  It is supposed Lieutenant Hawkins is now at Fort
Hall, as he left with all that was necessary to insure his success.
By the transport ship "Walpole" stores of all kinds, and enough, for
two years, were received.. I have a large assortment of quartermaster's
property yet unexamined, but apparently agreeing nearly with the list
sent me by you from California.  In a few days they will be examined,
and my receipts forwarded to General Whiting.  I cannot now inform
you if any other stores may be wanted.  I think none will be required
within the next twelve months; but as you may know better than myself
what is proposed to be done here, and as you know what stores are here;
I must leave it to you to suggest what is proper. Before you return to
California I will place in your hands a copy of my property return.
I have made provision to winter all the public animals that came with
the rifle regiment, and can take charge of them as soon as the proper
officers turn them  over to me. So far as my observation goes, there will
be some four hundred mules and one hundred and fifty horses to be
taken care of by my agents.
As I stated to Major Cross, I can forage fifty animals in Oregon City,
and thirty at this place-all others must necessarily be grazed in the interior at points already selected by me. There has been very little forage
to be obtained this year in Oregon, and I have experienced much embarrassment in collecting some three thousand' bushels of oats, and about
one hundred tons of hay. It has been gathered in small quantities from
the farmers in the interior, and at an average price of say $1 75 per
bushel, and $30 per ton.  I have requested Major Allen to forward me
what forage he may be able to spare, provided he can obtain any on the
South American coast.
It is understood that most of the animals have arrived in a very worn
down condition, and will require constant and tender care during the
winter.
My means of transportation are ample enough, situated as the troops
now are. I can easily supply the portion of the regiment now at Oregon
City by means of river boats-the distance by water being thirty miles.
There can be no supplies sent by land (the distance being twenty-five
miles) until roads aie opened.  A rough horse-trail is the only one now
open between this and Oregon City.  It is cheaper always to forward
supplies in this country by water than by land, and it is probable that the
disposition of the troops will be such as to render it practicable by water.
Captain Hill's company was sent to Nisqually, on Puget's sound, near
the middle of July last, by water, with supplies for one year.  He is now
situated at a point seven miles from Nisqually; and is in comfortable quarters for the winter.  Should he require stores they can be sent by this
river thirty miles, then up the Cowlitz river forty miles, and from that
point must be packed fifty miles to reach him.  It is believed that a wagon
road can be opened from this point to Nisqually, and that by so doing
would shorten the distance and facilitate the means of communication;
but as yet there are but two ways of reaching Nisqually-one by sea, and
the other by the Cowlitz river.




Doc. No. 1.                            287
I have visited the valley of the Willamette, lying south from here, and
found good roads and a fertile district of country. Probably the YatmHill
country is the most productive in Oregon.  It is certain that the main
portion of the inhabitants (farmers) live in this valley. Most of them,
however, were absent in the mines of California, leaving their farms in a
state of utter neglect.  I have found it almost impossible to employ any
citizen laborers at any price, for the reason that all of thein have gone or
are going to California; and when employed they ask from  five to ten
dollars per day.  This state of things (similar to what exists in California)
has embarrassed me much, and has forbidden my making many arrangements that were required for our comfort and the good of the service.  It
has greatly affected Indian labor, which cannot now be relied on, except
as boatmen.  I give them from  one to three dollars per day, but dmploy
them only occasionally on the water.  The rifle regiment must depend
upon its own labor for its improvements next year.
With regard to the military resources of this Territory I cannot say much
from actual observation.  There is an abundance of building material (fir
timber) in all parts of Oregon.  There are but few places where stone can
be used, and then it is of an inferior quality, not used in building  it is
an indifferent basalt.  I have seen no limestone, and I believe there is
none; what I have used has been lime made from coral; brought in vessels as ballast from the islands of the Pacific.  Good brick for ordinary
purposes can be made either on this river or the Willamette, but I am told
that they do not answer well for fire-brick.  I have made a chimney of
them, but have not had time to test them properly.  In most cases lime
mixed with the soil and straw, well prepared, has been found to make a
good "adobe" or brick for chimneys.  Coal has been discovered on the
upper Cowlitz, on  the Columbia near the Cascades, and near the
river Alce, or bay of that name; but good samples have not yet been produced-it has always been surface coal of inferior quality.  Many are of
opinion that large and productive coal-beds exist in this country.
Major Hatheway has made a tour to Puget's sound, and Lieutenant
Talbot made a trip of exploration south; but I have never seen their reports.  It is probable that General Smith will receive them before his departure for California.
Nothing of importance can be reported with accuracy now; it is a new
country, and must be explored by scientific officers. Those who have been
here the longest time can give no authentic information of the country beyond the large water-courses, although there can be little doubt but that
the Territory is rich in mineral and other resources.
I must call your attention to the price paid my chief clerk, Mir. L.
Brooke, ($250 per month,) and request that I be permitted to retain him
at any reasonable cost.  He is of most excellent character-has always
been connected with the army as clerk-is intelligent, trusty, and invaluable to me here.  No other person, as you know, can supply his place
with me; and should he refuse to serve, if his salary be reduced, I am left
here crippled in my operations.  I make this statement for the reason of
his faithfulness to me, and his great desire to be useful to the service.
With regard to funds, I have to inform  you that mine are entirely
exhausted.  I had expected $30,000 from  California long since.  No
proper estimate has been made out, because, up to this time, I have not
possessed the necessary data to base an estimate upon.  But as you now




288                          Doc. No. 1.
can understand the wants of the department here, and my situation, as
seen from my accounts, I would respectfully request that you may order
Major Allen to turn me over whatever you deem proper.  In the absence
of an estimate I could say that $50,000 will be wanted, and a partof it as
soon as possible.  With your concurrence, I would like to send Mr. L.
Brooke, by the'Anita," for the funds.
Whatever directions you may choose to give mne for. my guidance here,
I shall be pleased to receive in writing, and followv out.
To meet contingencies in this Territory, I desire you to authorize me to
draw on the Quartermaster General to the amount of $15,000.  Should
the funds arrive in timie I shall not make use of your permission.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
RUFUS INGALLS,
Captain and Assistant Quartermaster.
Major D. H. VINTON,
Chief Quartermaster Pacific Division,
Fort Vancouver, Oregon Territory.




Doc. No. 1.                                             289
List of bnilcdtins hired at Oreg-on  City, occupied as barracks and quarters
by the rcgtiwnot of qwmounted rilemten, as subnitted by Capitain Rufus
7galls, assistauit quartermt aster, Port  Tancouver.
Numbce  and description of houses.    Rent per                         How occupied.
month.
2 houses of I room each, and 1 house of    $125 00  CQ-iarters for rifle regiment in. Oregon
4 rooms.                                                      City.
I house of II rooms; 4 houses, 1 room              75 00  LQuarter-s for rifle regiment, adjutantP
each; l house of 3 roolis, and stable                        coffi e, guanrd-holuse, anid bake-house:
and a lot.                                                    for the rifle regiment in Oregon.
I h(ouse oF 12 rooms.................                  Offi..er' Q  artes.
I houise of 2 room...............   r  u....  uartermasters9 office.
2 hoses of I roomn each..............    166                    u  t.'  arra. c-fouse.
-2 stables a d a I-lt,t.................              For p, ublic animals.
House of 4 rooms; house of 2 rooms..               50 00   Oi.ceris'  larters..Houlse of 2 rooms.............                  25 00              Do.
House of 2 rooms...................       15 00   Hospital.
House of 3 rioms r............       40 00   (tufices' qurarters.
House of three rooms and kitchen, store-           25 00   Officers' quaitels, conmissary-s  store,
house, and mule lot.                                          quartermaster's store, and enclosure
for public anirmals.
House of 2 rooms and kitcher.....                 25 00   Officers' Quarters.'House of 5 rooms....0.........0 00                             Do.
House of 8 rooms.................              75 00   Soldiers' barracks.
House of 2 rooms...................               30 00   Officers' quarteis.
Total nuamber of houses-26.......    711 661
List of  buildi ngs hired at PF.,rt Vancouver for the use  of t/e  quartermaster's depot,,'c.,for one comipaney of artillery, as subnitted by  CaptaiC.
RuJus   tgwalis, assistant qutartermaster.
Number and description of houses.           Rent per                   Hl owoccupied.
tmonth.
House of 2 rooms.......o...e o. c.  30 00   Gluartermastlel:'s anld. com issary's storehouse.
1louse of 10 rooms..............   4000   Quarters for comrpany L, 1st artillery.
Two houses, 1 room each.............              24 00       aarterss for MA/-ijor Croes arid party,
House of 3 rooms...o........        30  u0 Quartermaster';s office and clerk's qarters.
Two stables and a shed...0............ 00  for rlulic animats.
House of I room............                     10 00   Guard-house.
House of 3 rooms..................     20 00   (,arterlmaLsers quarters,
House of I room....,,....   e.......             12 i      Q~uartermaster's store-house.
Part of a store-house................     20 (1(   Commissary's store-house.
House of I room...................    12 00   Officers' quarters.
Total number of houses-13.....             18 00
Part ii-19




290                          Doc. No. 1.
STEILICOOMi, December 6, 1849.
SIR: I have the honor to submit a slight sketch of what has been performed by the quartermaster's department at this post since our arrivali
and an estimate of the expense incurred, together with a few remarks for
your consideration upon the resources of the country and the extent of
the reliance which may be placed upon them  in procuring the necessary
supplies.
We reached this place on the 27th of August, and commenced diemn
barking on the next day. The necessary teams were engaged for hauling
the stores up the hill, at the rate @f one dollar and a half per day-all
coming from a distance of twenty-five miles, and working more for accorm
rmodation than profit. Whilst the necessary number of men were employed
in looking after the discharge of the stores and their transportation up the
hill two parties immediately colnmenceA chopping logs for the constranc
tion of quarters. More teams were procured as soon as a sufficient nuinmbe
of logs had been cut to make a beginning.  One party was relieved from
daty in the woods and ordered to commence building.  Three (lays was
the average length of time required to complete the body of the house.
When the work was advanced thus far, another party took charge of the
Pr.fing, another of the building of the chimneys, and still another getting
out the materials for doors and windows.  Thus, all the different parties
followed each other in such a manner as to be all employed at once. The
building went on without delay until the four rooms now occupied as.
officers' quarters and the building used for a hospital were completed and&
ready for occupation-the first week in October.  The commissary storehouse was finished the next week.  In the mean time, the forge was set
up and a party sent into the woods'burning charcoal, so that in ample
time the necessary hinges and latches were ready.  A party also was sent
to make alterations and repairs about the building now used as company
quarters.  It was formerly a barn, and, when we arrived, in a dilapidated.
condition. The work on this was completed, and it received the coirpa.ny,
about the 20th of September.  The commissary storehouse was the first
building finished; only three days were consumed upon it.
All the expenditures up to this time (the last of October) amount to,
about $2,000. The value of the nails and iron, and twenty-two thousand
feet of lumber-a large portion of which was raftersand three-inch plank:
which we brought with us —is not included in the above amount.  I think
that the cost of the building and repairs which have taken p}lace hee he aybe safely estimated at 3,0(00.
The resources of the country are but few.'he soil is fir ifomn being
productive.  The country is but thinly settled, and the ccmmuni3caion
between this place and the settlements is obstructed some fbur months of'
the year by the Nesqually river, which is only passable at intervals. A
sufficient amount  of borage undoubtedly would have been produced here,
had the settlers known that troops were to have been sent.  Nexw year
there will be an abundant supply.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GXRIETR TALLtMADGE,
Aci?,g A.ssistant (^aermactr.
Major DAVIrD H. VINTON,
4Qua,,etermanslter U. NS AirmUy,




Boc. No. I. i91
P. S.  The following are the dimensions of the various buildins erected
by the command:
2 buildings used as office-rs quarters  -  40 X  20 feet.
Ibuilding used as hospital.    -           -        -  40) X  20 do.
I building used as company storelholse -            -  60 X  20 do.
I building used as guardhouse -            -        -  30 X  20 do.
I building used as commissary storehouse            -  6t1 X  21 do.
I bunilding 7used a  baie:aehousee   -    -        -  14 X  24   o.
0C.
WsnSHWNGoiN; 1..aC. October 9p 1850.
_CR:.v L::  In obedience to dire-tions firon  you'l have the hve  t  onor to
mnake, for your iiniorumation, the following  report:
I entered New Mlexico in September 1R848 by the way of Chihuahua,
havcing been ordered by Brevet Major Generasl Wool to accompany the
comm-and of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Washington~, a portion of which
was destined for California, and the reimainder, consisting of one company
of horse artillery and one of 2d dragoons ordered to form the garrison of
Fort Mfarcy at Santa Fe.
On mv arrival at Santa Fe, I fouand the lowest bid whiche had been
put in for tihe delivery of corn, to be delivered at that point, and-others,
wvhere it was supposed that the troops might be stationed, in the 9th military departmenlt to be $1 90 per bushel.   I determined to procure it by
purchase firo   the inhabitants, and, by purchasing in small quanttites,
succeeded in obtailing it at Santa Fe at about $1 60 per bushel; at some
-oints in the Territory it was obtained as low as $1 25 per bushel, but
the transportationl, by whatever means may be chose, to the difibreat
poirtts where it is consumed, will make'ke average price at least $1 60
per bushel; nor do I think that, lw it any number of animals over one
thousaTnd  the price of corn  can ever be less, with  the system  now followied bfor s1uplying the troops.    J wiil alltude again to this subje-t, and
suggeast a yplan whi, in SOne degreed at iast may diuinish the expense
and -remcvi  e tie dif icuity now experaienced in su1pplying  frage  in   e New
Mexico.
t0f lon03  forage, th)e (only kinid'tht-could ibe o   p1rc:e L- w,'as'thae cornstiidk
eutl domwn after the ear hiad been plced.         f  i. 0e   a   anty s  pply
cunld be obta ined  at e notr<ous cos t. ib  i         e31a   to rhatul:it over
~ isera:l- e m-riadt   a d istanc   of Ifrom n  o 3i. c     i t    e ery exei' on
it was p'racti.cable to obtamin  out a s.canty Ostptiay tir t.1he hortses- of th e
ouned l fr e and the n e.ssary..   In connexi iOXR                      t 
t:i.ut'bj3ect,  I wiU mlention that the late Genierai    a it,,ry taking:- p.. —s
siok C 1 S ana 1F.  f ound i t utterly    po                 t a  e azl-    ^  i'as
C( i.ald at that point.  r-he hlrses of tShe o'tlffie:;:   evi,-, e' were e'I  (.,tit
to graz-iig c1, iamps f5 rom  4 30 t  to 4,  es i s ta',, i 4   1.h1:,'   of: th e su'm'u a-d
itng nountails. i    e m orders o     tf the:ieretay      L W    i owever,  io, do, t.tt
itnletl- ced t;Iuilon   i oe Ya.shiln.tO-  ii keepin, lehe iot i  ted troops at tha-t
po) 1 t.
D  ri.ng the winter of that yeatnr tie m v.os..:t inleerit  anid prf otraclted evr
known:n New'.'1-exici o exlpedi tons were uandetake   n by the troops against




292                          DC. No. 1
bands of hostile Indians which infested the northern portion of the Territory.  Heavy expenses were necessarily entailed thereby on the quartermaster's department, in transporting the necessary supplies  for the
troops engaged in them; and in March, 1849, Lieutenant Colonel Washington deemed it necessary to call into service four corimpaies of' volunteers, two of which were mounted. The cost of this force hias been estimated by me in detail, being an unexpected. and unusual. cause of
expense.
In the winter of that year, also, two parties were fitted out. for California, the escort of the governor of Oregon, Generai  Lane, and a party in
charge of Passed AMidshipman E. Beale, of the navy, bearer of despatches
to Oregon and California.  In June, 1849, the force in New Mexico was
increased by our companies of the 3d infantry and two companies of the
2d artillery, and Colonel Washington determined to attack the Navajo and
Eutaw Indians in- their own country.  To carry out this object, a large
pack-train of, mules became necessary for the transportation of the stores
and supplies required for the troops, as no reliance could be plaeed on the
resources of the country for which the expedition was destined; at the:same time, I was ordered to equip an escort for, and fitrnish transportation
to, the party of Colonel Collier, the collector for California, who had been
directed to take the route via New YMexico to his destination.  The large
expense thereby incurred by the quartermaster's department has been
made the subject of a previous communication.
The arrival of a party from  Fort Smith, under the conmmand of Captain Marcy, 5th infantry, acting as a protection to the emigrants to California by that route, and the refitting required by him  for his return to
that post, must also be considered.  Add to all causes the large number of
emigrants which entered the Territory at different points, nearly all requiring a complete change of outfit for the continuance of their long overland journey to California by the route of the Gila, and it will sufficiently
explain the difficulty of obtaining supplies of every description in. New
Mexico  a country which heretofbre has produced barely sufficient for its
own population.
I beg to refer you, for further information on the subject of the expeditions against the Indians, to the reports of the officers in command; fron
these some idea can be obtained of the services of the quartermaster's
department in supplying the troops.
T'he valley of the Rio Grande, or that part of it which may be considered as available in supplying the wants of the troops in New Mexico,
extends from Taos, a point 75 miles north of Santa Fe, to a point about 50
miles south of El Paso.  The distance between these two points may be;safely estimated at about 500 miles.  The width of the valley varies from
300 yards to two miles; I allude to the cultivable portion of it.  Throughout the whole extent of the valley, irrigation is indispensable for the production of crops of any kind of grain; and from Taos to Socorro, (a point
on the Rio Grande about 150 miles south of Santa F'e,) little or no addition
to the irrigible land can be made. The supply of forage., therefore, is at its
maximum, unless some increase may be obtained by improved agricultural methods.  Below Socori-o, on both sides of the river, (with the exception of about 80 miles, where the river runs through a deep fissure or
canon,) the bottoms afford a considerable quantity of irne land, which can
be subjected to cultivation, particularly fiom  Dlona Ana to within six




o. No.  1 t     O293
miles of El Paso, a distance of about 60 miles.. Should a post ever be;
established on the Gila this region must be of importance, as it will, in
all probability, lie near, or immediately on, the road which must lead from
the valley of the Rio {Grande to the head-waters of the first-named river.
Nearly all of this land, however, is so imuch exposed to the Indians, that,
until means have beeni takento protect the settler; little can be hoped for
in the way of an inlcreased supply.
Should it then be determined to increase the mounted force in New
Miexico7 or even to retain it at its present strength, the limited supply
must ever cause great expense in supplying the troops with forage.
The remedy fbr this will, I think, be the establishment of posts in the.
heart of the inudian ceuntry, at such points that supplies can be raised in
the vicinity (o  government farms-a plan which has already been tried.
at Coulncil Bliffs and at Fort  Leavenworth.  Settlers would doubtless
soon fillow \the troops, and thus, after a few years, the supply would be
equal to the demand.  I beg leave to refer you to my communlication on.
this subject of the 31st of J]anuary last, a copy of which is hereto annexed.
(marked A.)
There is little doubt that such points exist where posts might be advantageously established for the control of the Indians, and where, at the
same time, timber (a matter of primary importance) could be obtained
for building.  On this subject, I beg to refer you to the report of Captain Bowman, regimental quartermaster, third infantry, hereto annexed,
(marked B.)
Long forage could no doubt also be obtained from  the river bottoms;
and, the opportunities for grazing the animals being much greater than
on the river, I have no doubt but that the expense would be reduced.  I
fully concur with Captain Bowman in the suggestion of arming the now
defenceless inhabitants of New Mexico, and have no doubt that, with the
means above indicated, New M exico could be protected from the savages
who have laid it waste, and whose incursionls have been carried on for
bne hundred and fifty years, as shown by official records in the office of
the secretary of state at Santa Fe.
The method here proposed will also assist in restraining the Indians of
our territory from  their incursions into the territory of Mexico-a matter
which, no doubt, will soon attract the attention of those in authority, and
which will necessarily involve a heavy expense.
In regard to the general resources of New Mexico, little can be said
with certainty.  The country was once celebrated for its flocks of sheep
and herds of cattle.  These have nearly all disappeared, from the constant
forays of the Indians.  Mules and horses, once a considerable production
of this country, are now scarce, few or none being bred, from the same
cause. Were adequate protection afforded, their production would revive.
From Albuquerque south, the country is highly adapted to the cultivation of grain, fruit, and vegetables. Coal and iron abound in some parts
i& New Mexico; also, copper, tin, silver, and gold.  The country must
ever be of importance, from  the vicinity to the tribes of Indians which
surround it, and whose incursions into Mexico will have to be restrained.
Shut in as these tribes are by our boundaries on the east and west, as
well as by the boundaries of Mexico-surrounding entirely a country,
with whose inhabitants they have been so long at teud, and whose protection has been guarantied by our late treaty stipulations with Mexico



294                            Doc  No..
tlis Territory must ever be regarded. with a degree of interest lrhi. woutld.:rever have been inspired by its capacities alone.
I amn sir. very respectfully, your obedient servant,
TH. L. BRENT,
Captainr and Assistantt QQuarter   asir   ".. A,
Brevet 1lMajor General Tr  S. JESAPi,
(Quartearmaster Glenral, Wasiagton,,, D. C.
(A.
0CF'FICE OF TEi.E ClHJiEF   ABSSISTANT RUARTtlE BMASTE.,
Ninth Aill. Dep.; D Snta Fe, N. MJ e,, J2a.  31, i  850
GiEsNiRAL: Should it be deemed necessary for th e MiWar Department to
send out more troops to the Territory of New Mexico, I arm  induced to
beliere,.fiorn a conversation with  Colonel Munroe, commanditang the
ninth  ilitary department, that at leastfour points will be selected beyond the settlements on the east and west of the rvalley of the Rio del
Norte, and on the edge or in lhe heart of th'e ranges of the tribes of
haostile Indians who surround this country.
The expedition made to the Na.vajo country during the past summer
by Lieutenant Colonel Washington, then commanding in this departmeant, has established the existence of ruch fertile (soil) ia.nd west of
the chain of mountains which separate the waters of the Del Norte fromr
those of the Colorado of the'West; and- posts estabished arwest of' the
mountain chain, on somee of the  tributries of  he Colotrado  will most
effectually keep in check the Navajos and Eutaws. It is my opinion that
mounted troops could be foraged tmuch more readily and cheaply tha n in
the valley of the Rio Grande, after the first year by establtishiog posts in
thie Ild.iaa counntry. rThe Navajo I-ndiai.s raise large quantities of corn
and whieat. and the country on the western slope of the mountains is
well timbered, and resembles, in all its features and productions; our
middle States.  Almost the same features char acteaize the country on the
eastern slope of the mountains wI'hich1 separate the Rio del. Norte fiom its
tributary, the Pecos.  The Pecos rises in the mountain, chain  east of
Taos and Santa Fe; and drains the eastern slope of a range of mnounta.in
at least five hundred miles long.  The southern and middle portions of
this country are finely timbered with pine, oak, black and rwhite walnut,
and locust.  The gmss is abundantd the col3utrv well xx atered, an d the
soil is represented as remarkably fertile.  This region is inhabited by the
eastern  Apaches, (generally called the W1hite Mountain Apaches,) and
also bounds the northern and western li-nits of the Comanches.  This
infoTrnation is obtained fronm Major Steenl and Lieutenant F. J. Thotmas,
third artillery, who made an excursion against the Apaches who in[habit
this country duriang the last summer,
Should Colonel Munroe be enabied. to carry out -is present views, it
will be necessary to provide buildings for the troops, stables for the
horses, and storehouses for the supplies at these points.  For this purpose, a complete supply of tools and materials should be sent out as early
as. possible this spring.  Nothing can be obtained here, and it will be
-tecessary that the sup'plies should be as complete as possibletdepending,




Doe. No.  o                             291
of course, in quantity and quality, on the kind of post to be established.
My  own opinion is, that, should these posts be established, they will be
stations at least twenty or thirty years, and probably much longer.  I
have not included above the posts which must be established on the Gila
aud in the vicinity of El Paso, as it is supposed, from information received
-from Captain A. W. Bowman, acting assistant quartermaster at El Paso,
that sufficient supplies are in depot at that point for those posts.
I arm, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOS. L. BRENT,
Cfatain and Assistant Quartlermaster^o
Major General TH. S. JESUP,
Quarten naster General U. S. A.) TVTshington city, 9. C'
(B.)
REGIMIlIENTALQ-JUAIRTERMASTE'.S OFFICE,  THIRD ]i NFANTRiY,
Paso cel.Norlte, Tex as, April 21, 1850.
OAPrTA^N: The subjects mentioned in your letter of March 12 have received my serious consideration.
Owing to the entire ignorance of the views of my superiors on these
points, I feel a great delicacy in advancing my opinions. Believing them
to be well founded, I trust them for your consideration.
First, as to the location of posts, we well know  the points which am
habitually occupied by the families and herds of the Indians who infest
this portion of the Territory. We also know by experience that it is almost,
if not entirely, impossible to pursue successfully their marauding parties;
instances of failure could be menuoned, but it is unnecessary, as you
are doubtless well aware of the facts.  Our easiest and most practicable
node of reducing, is to establish ourselves within reach of their haunts,
which. are in the neighborhood of the copper mines and in the Sacramento
and Guadalupe ranges of mountains.  The copper mines are about two
hundred miles from this point, in a northwesterly direction, and easy of
access with wagons, two commands having visited themn since our airrival here-one from  this post, under Major Richardson, third infantry,
and the otihr under Major Steen, first dragoons, commanding at DoFia
Ana.  The Sacramento rangeor rather that point occupied by the Indians, is about two lundred miles north of east from  this place, and is
also accessible with wagons as far as the mounstains. At both these points,
abundance of lumber can be obtained with but little labor.  With those
two posts, and one in this vicinity, and the post at Dona Ana, all well
garrisoned with troops, mounted, I would consider the Indians as entirely within our control, so far as protecting our own settlements is'oncerned; but when we undertake to protect our neighbors from their incursions, the matter becomes more difficult.  They have, for the past
twenty years or more, almost entirely depended on their depredations in
lMexico for their supply of meat, as their hunting-grounds do not yield.
a sufficient supply.  From  swhence can they obtain it? As they say them-n
selves, "We must steal from somebody; and if you (meaning the wvitos)
will: not permit us to rob the Mexicans, we must steal from you, or fight
you."  It then becomes a question whether we shall exterminate them




296                          Doe. No. 1.
or supply them  with beef and corn until they can be taught to supply
themselves. Extermination would be the easiest accomplished, but the
latter is more ini accordance with the philanthropical notions of the public. As to the hum ianitv of the two modes, there'is in my mind no doubt.
We are, in either event, bound to have hostilities with them, which will
of course involve loss of life. As their nature is such that they will not
cease, as long as they possess the ability, to murder and commit depredations on travellers, and in the territory of Mexico, the quickest mode
of reducing them to a powerless state is, in nmy opinion, the most humane.
To do this will require a much stronger force than is now in the Territory.  The posts on the Gila (copper mines) and in the Sacramento
should, not be garrisoned with less than five or six filll companies. At this
post and Doha Ana, three companies each will be sufficient for local protection and escorts. A post at any point in this pass, which is about
six miles long, will have the effect of closing it against the Indians.  As
to the particular point for its location; I prefer not to express an opinion.
From  the b'est information I have been able to obtain, the Apaches
number frorm 2,200 to 2,600 warriors. Of these, about 1,100 live in the
copper-mine country; the remainder in the Sacramento range, and scattered through the mountains  down as far as Presido del Norte: (the latterincludes the Mescaleros.)  To render the road safe between this and San
Antonio wilt require the establishment of at least three posts.  As that.
is in the eighth department, I say nothing further in reference to them.
I have written to Chihuahua to obtain from  the Secretary of War's
office official information relative to the Indians on this frontier.  You
are doubtless aware that the Spanish as well as the Mexican government
were in the habit of issuing rations to all the Indians on this frontier, and
by that means obtained a very exact census of their numbers.  I will
forward to the Quartermaster General whatever information of value I may
obtain on the subject.  Before I drop the subject of defences, I will advance an idea which, if it can be carried into effect, must be of great
benefit to the Territory, and consequently to government: that is, the
issue of arms to' the inhabitants.  There must be now  in the arsenals.:
thousands of standsof flint-lock muskets and rifies, which, in all probability, will never be required for the use of our troops. The great majority of the population of this country are too poor to provide themselves
with even the cheapest kind of gun, and are consequently unarmed, and
entirely atthe mercy of the Indians, whenever they venture beyond the
protection of their enclosures.
Should our government adopt the policy of arming all settlers in this
Territory, it would in a few years have the effect of filling up, to a large
extent, that portion of the country which is now, and otherwise will remain, unoccupied, and, in the event of more open hostilities, will be of
great service for their protection.
The resources of this country are at present very limited, and consequently expensive.  The amount of corn produced in this valley is very
little more than is: necessary for the supply of its population.  In fact, in
previous years, notwithstanding the fertility of the soil, they have beenm
forced to send to Carizal and Chihuahua for breadstuffs, and will no
doubt have to do so this year before the crop is ready for harvest.
Hay is an article not produced; but I feel confident I will be able to cut
wild grass in the river bottoms sufficient for the use of my stables at much.




Doc. No. 1.                             291
less than the price paid for grama grass, which is the only substitute I
have been able to obtain.  Every effort has been made on my part to increase the amount of the corn crop at the next harvest; and, unless my
expectations are deceived, the quartermaster at this post will be able to
obtain all he will require for the ensuing year at perhaps less than half
the prevent price.
On my arrival here, I -was obliged to let outa contract for fuel. Only one
bid swas made, and that at $12 per cord. That has expired;,and Lam now
supplying myse lf without any expense other than the wear and tear of
wagons, and harnless: and axes.  I haul twvelve miles.
Of transportatiol n, only suficient has been retained for the use of this
and the post of San Elizario, and a number of extra wagons-it being, in.ay opinion, much more economical to employ the transportation of the
country, even at the enormous rates charged, when the removal of a large
anount of stores is necessary, than to keep up a large train for this purpose.  At this point, carts and wagons can be hired in sufficient number
fir any purpose that may be rcquired.
A contract has been made, and forwarded to the commanding officer of
the department for his approval, for the supply of this post, San Elizario,
and iDona.Ana, with flour for one year.  The price, although high compared with that of the States, is less than half the cost of transportation
from New Orleans here; the price is eleven cents per pound. I have made
a report on the subject of commissary's supplies to the depot commissary
at San Antonio, a copy of which, I presume, has been forwarded to the
Commissary Geineral's office.
Wheat is an article little cultivated; and, although the amount sown
last fall was much greater than formerly, I have but little expectation of
any important increase in the amount produced, judging by the appearance of the fields I have seen.  Should the grain fail, there will still be
an advantage gained, as the straw will make an excellent substitute for
hay.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. W. BOWMAN,
Brevet Capftain 3d Ifnfatry,  R. Q..l
Captain T. L. BRENT,
Assistant Quarte4rmaster U. S. A.
TAos, NEW  MExico, September 10, 1849.
CAPTAIN: In obedience to your instructions of the 8th instant, I have
the honor to submit the following report upon the state of the quartermaster's department in this valley.  1 would request that this may accompany your general report, as it will explain some circumstances relating to
my duties during the past year which I am  desirous of bringing to the
knowledge of the department.
1. Taos is. a valley lying on the east side of the Del Norte, about thirty
miles in length, and from three to ten in breadth.  Along its whole length,
the river runs through a deep "canlon," or fissure of perpendicular rock,
impracticable even tbr horses and mules, except in two or three places,
where the passage is effected with great difficulty and danger.  On the
other side, this valley is bounded by lofty mountains, which, at theArroyo




1298                           Doe, No. 1..,:ondo on thie north, and at the Sieneguila on the south, close in u'po.n
e river, and nearly isolate it from  the other posts of New  Mexico,
crnom these mountains numerous creeks pit out, carrying their waters to'the Del Norte; and on these streams, along the base of the hills, all the
iEroducts of the country are raised by artificial irrigation.  A.I1, or nearly:all, the water being expended already for this purpose, it will seem  that
the- agriculture of the valley is capable of but little extensiotn   The
growth of every species of grain is stuntsd by the cold of the climate;
~caused by the elevation and locality; and frequently the entire crop of corn
is cut off by the early frosts.
2. The productions of the valley are principally wheat and corn. Also,:pea, beans, onions, and cabbages are raised in small quantities.  The
amounlt of wheat sold a-nd manufactured into whiskey of a most delete-:rious nature is about 10,000 bushels, in favorable years. This amount being drawn from the necessities of consumptionl  seems to me to call for
egcislative action to stop the pernicious traffic.  The quantity of corn anrually produced for sale, when the crop is good, may be estimated at
1:0,00 bushels.  This anmount is required for the supply of one company
of dragoons, with its necessary transportation.  There is no grazing worthy of the name, and hay is unknown.  The necessary food for animals is
eked out wlthl corn fodder, wvheat straw, &c.; and, fron  the targeness of
Stle demand in proportion to the'upply, the price must iecessarily be
Sligh.
3. The roads in this i mmsediate val le are cut up with a royos and ditches,
and, although I am obliged to use wagons in hauling forage and wrood
get the wear and breakage are very great.  The roads to and from this place
oSTer the mountains may be described as follows: The direct road to Santa
Pe, seventy fiv e miles, runs north and south along the  el Ntorte, or within
-a few miles of t   A,  fifteen  miles from  Taos begins the ascent of the.lountain,  whidli rises precipitously to a. great elevation and is crossed
in. a distance of ten miles.  It is altogether impracticable at present for,carriages, although, with  iimmense labor and  considerable breakages,
Captain Judd, 3d artillery, succeeded in forcing over its rugged sides some
~pieces of artillery.  From La Joya to Santa Fe, the road, although bad, is
~practicable for wagons,. At La Joya conmes in the wagon-road fromn Taos,
-which, to accomplish a distance of thirty-five miles, makes a circuit of
i~3earlv one hundred,  and is exceedingly difficult, not mL ore than half loads
toeeing  carried when transportation is attempted by this road.  A small aptropriation would. enable the department to blast a good and direct road
along the face of the imountain where it abuts OR the river, and seriously"
advantage the interests of the country.
The roads to Las Vegas, El Moro, El Rayado, &.c., on the other side
csf the mountains, are mere bridle-trails along the beds of mountain torrents.' A road leads from this place to the Ocate just practicable for empty
"wagons, and there joins the Bent's Fortroead to the States.  Another trail
runs to the north, crossing the spurs between the Arroyo Hondo and. the.io Colorado, (a small village, twenty-five miles from Taos, and the most
niortherly settlement in the valley of the Del Norte,) and along the valley.of the river to the pass o-f thle mountains called   La Iarga de Vista,.  to
Bent's Fort.
From this explanation, it will appear that, from whatever point you ap.,,oach Taos, you find the transportation laaborious and dh EnLuit.




Doc. N4No. 1                            299
4. The Indian tribes which infest the varlle;r are a branch of the main
Eurtaw tribe numbering about two hundred and fifty warriors, and a band
of Apaches about equal in number.  Both these predatory bands are frequently reinforced by large war parties from  the main tribes, whenever
they are engaged in hostilities with the inhabitants, which are almost continual.  These Indians, during the summer, live in the mountains by
which we are surrounded, falling upon the valley by night, and driving
off stock, almost with impunity, and by their superior knowledge of the
passes generally eluding-pursuit.  If at peace, they winter in the upper
valley or the Del Norte and in the country about Albiquin; and in this
season they may be easily overtaken and chastised, if pursued.  During
the past winter, several expeditions were made.  In such forays, it becomes necessary to carry forage upon pack mules; and a heavy expense,
both in money and the loss of animals, is imposed upon the department.
HIavig presented, in the foregoing remarks, a general view of the valley,
I will now give a succict account of the transaction of the department
during the past, and its prospects for the coming year.  I came to this
post i  October, 1848, in command of company C, 1st dragoons-perforrming also the duties of acting assistant quartermaster, having' no other
officer with me.  I was at once plunged into arduous service with my
company. IMy means of transportation were limited.  A large portion of
tie forage of tlae valler had been destroyed by the fall rains.  The volunteers had left such a reputation for dishonesty that I could scarcely hire
even a house for the public service, without the security of some American resident for the payment of the rent; and afterwards, during the winter,
distant expeditions were started suddenly, requiring guides and large trains
~of pack mules. These circumstances combined to render the expenditures of
tke  department greater duri.ng the past year than would otherwise have
been necessary.
The cost of forage being sb great, I have found it more economical. to,iure most of my pack mules as called for by circumlstances; but, as Lloprivate citizen keeps on hand mules in good enough order for military expeditions, I shall be obliged to organize, this wintei, a sufficiet train tor
this service, notwithstanding the expense.
The rent of houses I was able to reduce as soon as the people foiund I
made punctual payments, and my expenditures under that head are now
quite reasonable.  I have been obliged from necessity, and from my contracts, to expend some lumber and glass.in repairing windows, absolutely
necessary for the health and comfort of the troops; but the expenditure on
tiis account has been trifling.
I have had on hand, during the past year, an average of 5 or 6 (six-nule)
teams, which have been employed in hauling wood and forage for the post,
and have occasionally been packed on expeditions against the Indians.
I shall be obliged to increase this amount a little for the coming winter.
I am in hopes of laying in my supply of forage for the ensuing year at
the price of $1 per bushel for corn, and $1 per 100 lbs. for fodder, which.
is much less than paid during the last year, although I am mot yet certain
of succeeding in the reducion.  A single frost during the present month
will ruin the greater portion of the corn crop, and of course raise the price
of the article.
The importance of this post, as regards the quartermaster's department,
it must be remarked, is and must be greater than that of an ordinary post




300                          Doc. No. 1.
of one or two companies.  Large expeditions rendezvous here for excursions against the Indians.  Parties for California pass here, requiring large
pack-trains, repairs, &c., &c.  This requires the machinery of the department to be on a somewhat larger scale than would be necessary under
other circumstances.  Everything, however, has been retrenched by ime,
as far as compatible with the interest and efficiency of the service.
The amount of quartermaster's stores kept on hand is barely sufficient
for the daily wants of the pott, being drawn from  the main depot at
Santa Fe, from  month to month, as required, and are not worthy of a
special enumeration in a report of this nature.
My provisions are transported from the entrepot at La Joya by private
contract, and at a less expense than would be incurred by the use of public trains.  Also, the provisions required at the different outposts supplied
from this depot have generally been sent in the same manner.
Believing that the views and explanations above presented will give a
clear insight into the state of the department in this valley, I have the.
honor to remain your obedient servant,
J. H. WHITTLESEY,
First Lieutenant st Dragoons,' A  A. Q...,
Captain Trios. L. BRENT,
A. Q,. M. and Chief Q,?.  in New Mexico.
Santa Fe, New.Meico.




Doc. o.                                      01
The probable amount of corn that cani be bought this year, and the distance
of each placefrom Santa Fe.
[E. is east bank of the river, WV  west.]
E,    0
c          A
Names of towrns.,        E?'                     Remarks.
Z -
Don Ana................  E.    300    7, 500   Garrison below Jornada del Muerto.
~.San Pedro..............  E.    ] 65             7'59
Luis!Lopez.................. W.   160             800
Bosquecito.........               E.    160        500
Soc,ro............... W.   150  800   First military post north of Jornada.
Panida.............     E.    140        510Q.Lienleiar..i.................. W       1       1 1,250
$tbin....................  E.. J4 140, 000
Polvidera..........       W.   135    1, 17
La  onyita..................            130       375
La Joya..................          E.    118        500;SazbinaL.....................     105    12550
Bclen........................   100         000'To'jni...................    100    1,2  50.Las Lunass................      90    1,0()0.Peraltas...................     90       875
Ysleta....................... W     85       500:Padilla....................  E.  85     250
Pajariito...................W.    80           250
Alburqrquerq.........           E.      75    5,(00   Garrisoned post.:Sand ilia. ee....*............ E,      60       750
Bern.ll ilila..............,.   E.  55  775
Algodones.........  40    1,250
-San Felipe...................            35        375.Santa Doming.o..............     29        7511
Peia Blanca..............         25    1, 250
Chile.......    25  250
Cuhera................          V..   3(1      500
Canilda...........     E.      15       750   North of Santa, on Taos road.
can Juan.............                      25       500......do..........do.
Plaza de S. Antonio.....,....            25       750
Aliiqui and vicinity.........    W.    60    1, 5i0   Military post, northwest from Santa Fe.
Oj ) Caliente........        60    1,000
Santa Fe, Tezuque Lopez Ran-..........     2,000   Military post, headquarters ninth milicho                                                        tary department.
GSalisteo.....................    25        375   Southeast from Santa Fe..Mansana....................              45       375...... do......do.
San Antonito................               40      250..... do..... do.
San Miguel..................    40    1,250
Puertacitos..................     60       750
La Cuesta.......................    65             751)
Tetalote.......................    65    5,000:Las Vegas....................           75    3, 750   Milit'y post, on road to Ft. Leavenworth.'ecalote Arriba................    65              750
Anion  Chico.............         70       750
La Valles de Gallinas.............    75           5)0
Rio Arriba...........                    35    1,750
Taos and vicinity........         75   15,000   Military post, north from Santa Fe.
Bavoyelta and vicinity.....1.20    1,250   Military post southwest from Santa Fe,
on west side of Rio Grande.
Rayada.                               1...............  15 15     000   On the Bent's Fort road to Leavanworth.
El Po and vicinity............         350    5,000   A  large portion of this corn  will be
-_            brought from Chihuahua,
Total.l..........e.......... 78,425
WASHxIZWTON CITY, October 16, 1850.
atIOS a L  BR 3ENT,
Cpteaint and      M1. q  S,.r




302  Doc, No. 1,
Rep ort of'   pairz S. French, United StalE s army, descriptive of tie
route from  San Antonio to El Paso.
AsSITrANT QUAr STERMASTER'S O FFICE,
Sat Antonio, Te.xas, December 26Q 1849.
GENERAL'L The accompanying is a copy of a report in relation to the
road opened between this place and El Paso del Norte, made in accord"
a.nce with instructions received from the office of the chief assistant quar.
termaster of the 8th military department, dated May 30, 1849.  Those
instructions required ime' to make a sketch of the route over which my
trains passed,  and a:copy of such sketch and report for the office of the
Quartermaster General.)
On leaving San Antonio, I could not procure the necessary instruinmentbs
-t make observations for a topographical sketch with any degree of exact.
ness.  This, and a knowledge of the fact that the engineers were engaged
in making surveys of the country and a map of the route determinec
with great accuracy, will, I hope, te found a sufficient excuse for my no
presenting you with one that could not be otherwise than imperfect an(
inaccurate.
Respectfally, your obedlient servant,
S. G. FRENCH,
(cpetain and Assistant Quartctermaseer,Malor General T. S. JESUP,
(Quartermasters Gen eral Ui. S  A4..,   Vash'igton.
REPORT.
ian Fe3bruary lafst, Lieutenant Whiting, of the Engineers, a-d Uientenar.
W. F. SmithI  Topographical Engineers, left San Antonio for Paso del Norte
to explore the country, and ascertain if it were possible to open a road fc
m-ilitary and coilmercial purposes between the two places.  During thei
absence, the trains to transport the government stores and the property (
a battalion of the 3d infantry to El Paso were got in readiness, and oJ
dered to proceed by the way of' F'edericksburg; but, whea on the eve (
starting, the return of the engilLeels, and their favorable report, induce"
the' general commanding to chaglle the route, and directions were give;
oar tl-e expedition to proceed by way of the military stations on the LeonLate i-l May, the trains were started, and ordered to encarp on. th
Leonla, and. there to await the arrival of the troops, under orders to maov
o'n the Ist of. une. Thehe day fixed for their departure prored ex eedingl
il-atfiav:cralce; the rain ifll in torrents, which, added to those that had I   lle
a few Tdays previous, rerndered the roads extremely bad.  The comrncam
howxever, mroved on, and encamped for the night ofi the Leon creek.
lThe following day, a violent thunder-storm  arose early in thie momrniIi
ani:d tihe command remained in camp.  On the morning of the 3d, the
moved to the San Lucas springs; and, before the tents were pitched, aga:i
the rains began to fa.l.  The prairies were ix)ow inundated —th.e roads s




Doc. No. 1.
bad that it was with difficulty the company teawms, overloaded as ther
were, could move.
On thern.orning of the 4th; I left the troops encamped for the day, a id
moved on to Castroville, 2,542 miles from San Antonio.  The road frol:
San Antonio to Castroville runs through a generally level prairie, covered
wvith a luxuriant growth of grass.  The soil is good; and the country webl
adapted tocutltivation and grazing. The town is situated on the west ba:c:
of the Medina river, and contains about 500 inhabitants, mostly Gornma'i
emigrants.
The place presents but few  signs of improvement, and idleness andi
~xpoverty are more visible than industry and wealth; houses are falling to-,
decay, and the rich lands lie uncultivated.
The Mledina is here a clear, bold, rapid stream, about 30 yards wide,.
flowing between banks that rise near fifty feet in height on either sidei
It empties into the San Antonio  river about 12 miles belowc the town of"
San Antonio.  From   Castroville tte road leads over some gentle hills,
and thence through a tract of land pretty well timbered, until it opens out
into what is here known as a'nhog-wallow" prairie.  We found te road,
owing to the rains, as bad as canr well be imagined.
Beyond this prairie is'a slightly elevated ridge, from the top of -which,
spreadl out before himn, the traveller sees the beautiful valleys of the Quihi
and  the Hondo, pent in by the blue hills in. the distance.  The valley
of, the Qnihi is sparsely covered  with timber, principally mnezquite andi
oak.
The  land is exceedingly rich, and affords at all seasons excellent
grazing.  In midsummer the stream ceases to flow, but the water at intervals collects in never-failing pools.  The village of Quiihi is a Germnan
settle-ment, being a branch of the main one at Castroville, and consists of
only a fiwT miserably rude huts, distance from Castroville, 10 miles.  Six
miles further on the road is the town of Vandenlburg, a third settlement
made by the same colony; it consists of some 21 log huts.  The countryaroncl is beautifiln and productive, and nothing but industry is required
to mnake it teem with all the productions of agriculture.
The nearest water is the Hondo, four miles distant.  On reaching it,
however, we found it but the dry bed of a river, with occasional ponAds of'":water.  Rising fromt tie i-iondo, thne road stretches over a prairie country —
to the Seoe, crossing a "hog-wallow" that we found nearly impassabl e,
The Seco, at this season, like- t.he two previous streams, affordecdi nao
runnning water, notwitlnstandiCng the late rains.  Two miles below  -+
crossing,  oil the left bani t-ei re' s a settlemoit iof Ge:irlmanit at Dennist.
Here, as -     nat  andoenbuS, great lnv nic e ariEses feol  the warn  o)'
vater; and,'-il h1e we were encamiped on the ban-ksi, t": pepl had t di o:
all their cattle two.iles to a  pcnd. obund in t e bed of ct'   e s tream.'i',
has been selected as a site ior a moilitarv post; and on,:i urletuln  we lbnil 1t
stationedJ here two companies-~-oCn3e o' d(-iraooits, and oni o i iatrl:. n1. i  t-:
disialnce 1 from Va-ilenburg 1L2. 78 milesl;    disn.c;A roin Sa ii  0 toil..;.'.
miles.
irrom the Seco th  countr         s  is udlat. n  ap  Ia  nce,r  sev. ati.miles, and then opens out into a level prairie, v wz'i'- c;c' ti    t'o'  *   ~;c'l::
creek;, distance from the Seco, 8.38 miles.  FOU mi.           e r i.s    e Si...
nal, a clear, cool, delightful rinnring  strream) Jw_ it.  ba.,,,!s b.e"     tsN
large trees suitable for buildJi.ng piurposSo




304                          DBoca No. i.
Leaving the Sabinal, the country is more rolling and diversified; the
growth of small mezquite bushes begin to take the place of the open prairies.
With but little change, the road continues its westerly course across the
Comanche creek, and thence to the Rio Frio, 13.87 miles.  We found in
the Rio Frio no running water: its banks are high, presenting in places
a wall of limestone of considerable height; and evidences of its being at
times swollen to a stream of large size were visible.  its bed is covered
with vell-attritioned limestone, and. its edges are bordered in many places
with oaks of large growth.  Thus far the road over Twhich we had traVelled is known as Wool's, or the Presidio road, and' extends to the Rio
Grande.
But at the crossing of the Rio Frio the road to El1 Paso leaves it, and
commences its course over the hitherto untrodden prairie.  Bearing a
more northerly course, it strikes the head-waters of the Leona above the
site of the-mnilitary post.
The Leonta, a clear, cool, and beautiful stream, has its source in this
neighborhood, and forms in tlhe course of a few miles a creek some fifty
feet wide, flowing through a dense forest on either side a quarter of a
mile in width.  rhe lands on this stream will vie in fertility with any
portion of Texas; and the abundance of timber scattered over the whole
extent to the Nueces adds much to its value.'No part of the State offers greater inducements to the agriculturist; and,
as a pastural or grazing country, it is unrivalled. Indeed, the same may
be said of the whole extent of country from San Antonio to the Nueces.
The postis located on the left bankl  above the Presidio crossing, near a
rocky conical hill or mound.  It is a beautiful site for a military station,
shaded as it is from the scorching rays of the summer sun by a dense
foliage, and the forest that renders it cool in summer shielding it from' northers" in winter.
From here Lieutenant Colonel J. E. Johnston and Lieutenant W. F.
Smith, Tolpographical Engineers, and party, with a small train of wagons,
proceeded in advance, to commence their explorations of the country and
the opening of a road.
The recruits having joined the battalion, the whole expedition moved
to the Nueces on the 19th.  At the point where the road strikes the river
it flows through a sandy bottom land, near a half mile in width, covered
with large trees. We found the Nueces at that season a clear streamn, running over a bed of white stones and pebbles, and affording a volume of
water forty feet in width and about one and a half in depth, though it
shows signs of having been at times a large river, forcing in its course
far above its present bed large quantities of rocks, rounded.by the action
of the current.
The grazing on the left bank is good; distance from  the Leona, nine
miles.  Below the crossing a short distance, bituminous coal is said to be
found in great abundance. Passing the Nueces, the general feature of the
country begins to change, and it becomes slightly hilly; at irregular intervals, the hills rise on the left to considerable elevation.  The rich,
loamy soil is found only in the valleys; limestone rocks make tleir appearance on the surface, and the hills are stony and barren.  This continues about ten miles to Turkey creek.  The valley at the head of this
stream is of large extent and fertile, and covered with a large growth of




oc. No. 1.                                 305
meqequi.te t-reers:' tlheb'1.nks of the creek are bordered- with past and live
oak".-';'.The grazirg' is fine and abundant.
At thls"'piace, owingti t he heavy rains. th e command  was stoppLed
nine davs.    The rad  t'hae a  s the  ina  spring from which the creek rises;
tlherti'   ourm return, T    ater flowel d  flrom. a'small lake a little h.igher up.
After leavi:- or t.ee!alley of Ti'urkey creeki, the conitry becones more rolliing  atd.te t'e.ess mtore scarcet  giviing' it thie featuines of a more open
cou;tl nt.  A  macil C o:f about thirteen mliles broug.ht us to the bed  of a
creik,'  with ratil. n -water collected. in  iar. ge  pods.  Three miles further
onz t,!;e r 0oa (cro.s'ses  Eilm' c-ee,.  BrIlo   the crossing, rwhicih in summer
is cT:    t   water ru            sprilnls i1ro    a srin.   r1s a sall cleek  that flows
over a rrco ottom,  1  o            s    deriv es  its ntae  from the trees that
boro:ets sire, tho igh  post oa  anid    t acberv  aire the principal ones
that' a''row   iner itS sourlce.
*T  r^ex t  strpai       io nte i'  te Io30s 1 ot w0 l t)i.    hich t.1. alkes its rise below'te roa          water s  g i shini:t   fi'ro   te srno-;g   il'm  at once a?arge
Ce;e:   res li,,ne its.a is i. S    i.a aS t.Sli.   e ctn rfeah.  To the norith rises
a..c;iVi":  hii l:at ia    e  seen mav i- iS  dis:tat, an.  is known as-' I.r::-m v l'   ti,.;i::i  was -'s   nlT' resor ted to  s -v i t].e.cndians, -and arg e,
co, ue:  of't'lie sane g'.  uei'el al pnearmce.  i b..is. stream,- is about ten feet
" r.irl-      t'wea s     e   deep, and. te  over    a T bed bf linimestone.   The crossing:is [:.,ba f, ti-~e biankis  bein,-g very hog.ev:a -'he.Pedras Pintas o.the co-untr'y is open. with only here and
tcere   ne zqite  rees.'he appor    to the ilo Grande is markedy
t.- ti.'-e'.nce I.      (.i stal t-mo r iai;; o'ni the leit f-o  distintly viTsible
~ iF'ron. e ti..'.ud'', tI  d......
Tet eJia st,  Ca   is lie  Zoque)te; a s'i  all sleam  ta l tan flO s through a'bed o  t-les.'e  r'ou ndl-c:i.i  i's  n open p' ai' e; te soil g ood
ad c       - a.re:i:'th fine grass   At tle point where the road crosses this
Cr-ee.k-t 7i 1t'.-C.1,. o ii: b ran ch   belsarin'g  the name of  averinck's creek.
Thet C.ssitS: ts. nos rt gtoo.d thile soil be)eing mii y. 
Asbou'-   tthe  miles  in advance the reod closses Arreyo Pedro, a creek
~of c'.earW  ate i' court'ing' aione  the. wide; stosny bed of a stream  which
di-ur'i.   the rainy season is swvcllen to the dimensions of a river.  The
crosslu.g  is good     r. Larg   s ae oa   ae found in groves on its shores.
Bevn-id  thlis lArroio  tohe soil becomes s>tony and ba rren  and covered'-ith c'actus  and dwrarf chaparial, a.s far as the San Felipe.  The road
crosses tis  trea.cml  a littl way below its headwaters.
T   til"e n Iortl  f the road, and hal.f a mile distant, there is a beautiful
spav     ot f' wxater,  fifty  feet in diameter at the surface, the sides of which.ticlim.-.e towards a' celnte like an inverted cone, and then sinking in a cylidricucacat'  t tl the depth of twentzyeigbt feet  through:  a soil of hard
clay, affolrd a passage for the Water to rise.
Ti e wateri  comeies to the surface Wnith slight ebullition, and flows off i.
a vo.ut-e that would fill a cylinder two feet in diameter.  This spring is
thle solur.te  of the San  Felile: as it ulowts  on, the volume of its waters is:increased..by other  aitrge springs on either side, until it becomes a' creek,
arwhere i,.t eopties into  the Rio Grande, eight nailes below the crossing,
some  thirty  ieot wide and  several fIget deep.  Near its junction with the
Part ii9u 




306                          Doe. No. 1.
Rio Grande its banks are shaded with large groves of pecan nmaple, -elm
and mulberry trees.  This is the last of these small, clear streams, flow
ing through fertile valleys, with banks admitting easy access to their waters. At this place Major Van Hrne with the commnand started n advance on the 8th of July, leaving the supply trains an escort.'We moved
on the 22d, and thus continued the march to El Paso.
Eleven miles distant is the San Pedro river, beyond which and close
by, on the north, is the great table formation.  These features of the country may tend ere long to point out the San Felipe as a site for a friontier
post.
The banks of the Rio Grande btow the mouth of the creek foT manyt
miles are nearly or quite inaccessible.
From  the San Felipe to the San Pedro the country becomes more elevated, incliningto a high plain, far below which, in adeep, rtgged e caon,
the waters of the latter find an outlet into the Rio Grande.  The descent
to the river is made through crooked ravines that required much labor to
irake them  passable. Viewed. from this point the San Pedro is,a stream
about sixty yards wide, running over a level bed of solid limestone rock.
This is perhaps the only point at which it is possible to gain the opposite
bank for several miles either up or down the.river.
When returning we found that during our absence the autulmnal rains
had caused a great freshet,  and the usually shallow  waters had risen
nearly twenty feet.
From the table-land above, on either side, the country presents adreary
aspect, and no traces of the river can be seen in the depth below. Abhout
two miles beyond, water is found in a ravine, and near by is the only encamping ground in the vicinity.  From  some Indian paintings ont the.
rocks it has been called the "Painted Caves."  From here the road continues up the ravine to the open country, and the first water we found
beyond was at some springs sunk in the open plain at and near Pialos
Blancos.  In July but a scanty supply of water was found here for so
many animals; but.on our return in November we found it a rTurim-,ngstream.  The grazing is good, but no wood whatever can be procured
close by.  From  Pallos Blancos the road gradually ascends or a short
distance, and the n runs apparently parallel to the river, with a succe4ssion
of hills on the left.
About: eight miles further on, the road passes through a gorge of the
mountains, and then stretches outover some.high table-land for several miles, until it commences winding around the base of the irresglar
mountains, ow  rising and then descending as it approaches the river
again.  For five or six miles it is very rocky and rough, and *during
the whole distance the country is aconstant succession of hills on hills, destitute of grass and wood and giving support only to the saw-leaf Palmetto.
It is a miserably rough, broken and barren region, avoided alike by
every,living thing.  By winding around the base of the mountains, a
descent is made to the river.
The San Pedro, from its source to this point, flows down a valley forlmed
by-lmountains on either side, and which ael not unlike, in appearaumce;
those on the banks of the Hudson.
The valley varies from a quarter to one anid a half mile in widthi, up
wlhich the road runs, crossing and re-crossiing the stream  many times'




oe. No.- I                               307
and often following up its bed over a continuous 1mass of rounded and attritioned rock, varying from an inch to two fet in diameter.
In many places the road over which we had passed, we found on our
return, had been at least twenty feet under water.  All the way up the:
valley, at intervals, the road is very Tough, particularly at some of the
crossings.
The grazing is poor until you reach the head of the valley, w here it is
excellent, the gentle slopes of the mountain-sides being covered  with
grarura grass.  It-is a place resorted to by the Indians, and numerous
lodges are found by the water's edge.
At the point where the road leaves this stream the valley is divided;
following the most westerly one, a distance ofnine miles brings us to the
table-lands that extend between the waters of the SaTn_  Peidro and P-cos-.
rivers.
It'is oflimestone formation, with horizontal strata, and the general appearance is that of one vast, level and unbroken plain.  But stuch is not
the case; valleys extend out from the streaums. fronm  these others bratch
off from the right and left, ramnifyving. the country in every direction, and
near t'he Pecos these valleys head in innumerable chasms and ca-oIns
traversing the plain  in every course, with rocky  sides so high and
steep as to form impassable barriers.  in many places, and particularly
about Howard's springs, the valleys' with all these ramifications, seemr
to have quietly sunk down from the general level, the same strata of stone
marking a precise level on the different hill-sides for miles.  But these
apparent hills are but the natural slopes of earth from  the valleys to the
generally level lands above.
The nearest water after leaving the San Pedro is found at Howard's
springs, forty-one and a quarter miles distant.  The road is good, and the
grass in the valleys very fine  consistin g of grammia and fine mezquite..
The springs, from the large basin they forn, afford a small stream of running water in summer, which, after flowing a short distance, sinks into
the ground.  Wood in sufficient quantities for fiel is found near the
springs.  it is a place much resorted to Tby the Indians.
From these springs to Live Oak creek, the next reliable water, is ajourney of thirty-two miles; though  perhaps, after rains, water may be
found in pools in the rocky bottoms of ravin.es near the road.  When approaching the Pecos, the road leads down a steep 1jill into a valley, along
which it continues several niles to the valley of Live Oak creek.  After
crossing this stream  the route is down-ri its right bank  to the valley of
the Pecos, and thence up it to the. crosstin  or ierry.
For the distanlce of near forty miles:tie rJ,,ut-~ lies up the east side or
bank of the river.  A few  miles below  thle tfrry trle valley of the Pecos
disappears, and the mountains on either side approach each other very
closely.  Proceeding up they gradually widen out, forming a level valley
from one to three mites in width, and a little above where the rc-ad leaves
the,valley they stretch to the left over the plain in a broken irregular line.
Thle Pecos is a remarkable stream —narrow and deep, extremely crooked
n its course, and rapid in its current.  Its waters are turbid and bitter,
and carry, in both mechanical mixture and chemical solution, more imptirities than, perhaps, any other river in the south.  Its banks -are steep,
amd in a course of two hundred and forty miles there are but few places
where an animal can approach them in safety fbr water.  Not a tree ox a




308                           Doc. No. 1.
bush marks its course, and one may stand on its banks and not know t1:a.t
the stream  is near.  The ofly inhabitants of its waters are catfish; ani1
the antelope and wolf alone visit its dreary, silent, and desolate shores; it
is avoided even by the Indians.
The grass on thel lower part of the stream is good, but further up thed
salt marshes begin, and it becomes coarse.  The average width of the
river is about sixty feet, and its depth eight feet.  A  few  miles abolve
where the road leaves the river there is an Indian ford.  Near thirtvy miles
still flrther up is the'Horselhead" crossing, on the  6Fredericksbur    g
route.  Below this is the ford where the great Comanchle warT trails pass:
from the north down. to the great bend of the Rio Grande. and thence into
Mexico.  Below  this is Conneily's crossing.   The road up the Pecos is
good.  The greatest difficulty is in watering the animals, Tendl.eiing i a
choice whether tb do it by means of buckets or. by cuttiro. aray t ".e
banks, if the water b'e hi, gh  and letting it into the salt lakes near t-e
shore.
Leaving the Pecos the road turns directly to the west up a wide val,- r
or plai, with hills in  brokel  ridges on both sides.  As the distance
increases the soil becomes -more and miore sterile, w ith;out,f'gass, and
yieidin-g support to nothing but dwarf bushes, "Spansh  ay.nlets.^
stunted cactus and artemisia.  Continuing over a gently sYweiiin.g   ll~C
another valley is entered, following which about six miles water is tolud
-in ponds, some of them quite deep, surrounded by a tail growth of rushes
and cane.  The water rises from a rocky bottoml, and as it imperce ptibly
-glides away, gives life and freshness to the coarse grass and ci. e i This
waiver is distant- from t1he Pecos about cighteen miles, and has been  alted.
Escoidido crelk.  The grazing is not good, and wood for fiel is scarc.e.
Eight miles further on are the Escondido springs.  The water gus e  ses
out from  beneath-  a shelf of rocks, and  flows sone dista  ce dowrn ttIe
crfeek. rThe country around is rocky and barren, covered with chapatrra
and priclkly -pear. Th e giazingis limited, and wood by io means plentyr
From  Escondido to the Comanche springs the road is good:e the Iliils
now gradcually disappear., and the country becomes open.  The soil r
light, and on being trodden upt by our animals, was wafted by theo strontg
wind over the prairie, covering. the bushes and grass for miles.  By the
volumes of dust that arose, the trains could be descried at a great distance;
and thus viewed, the clouds of dust that filled the air appeared like simoke
firm  the prairies on fire.  Fortunately, the wind blew directiv across the
road, otherwise the animals would have suffered very much.
The. Comanche springs, situated as they are in the open plain, have
long been a celebrated encamping place for the Indians. Here four roads
may be said to cross at the same point: First, the "great" GComanclhe
war paths leading into Mexico, marked by the bones of animals; secoind,
Connelly's trail to Presidio del Norte; the route of emigrants from Fredericksburg to the Presidio, and the road fiom  San Antonio to El Paso.
The.water rises from a number of springs' and forms a stream of excellent
-Water, perhaps twenty feet wide, and two feet deep, which, after flowing
some ten miles, disappears in a salt plain.    The grazing is pretty good.
The only wood for culinary purposes consists of dead chaparrl and s mal
miezquite bushes in the vicinity.  T'he place is noted for the number of;bones of horses and mules scattered around its waters.
From these springs to Presidio del'N;orte, the distance is estmia.ted at




Doe. No. I.                           309
160 miles; thence to Chihuahua 150 miles. From  here to EI Paso del
Norte it measures 279 miles.  From El Paso to Chihuahua, the distance
is estimated to be between 240 miles and 280 miles.  These distances
show the advantage of the road from here to Chihuahua, and large trains
with emigrants have already passed over it: and as commerce is usually
forced by enterprise and competition into the nearest and cheapest channels of communication, this may, in time, divert it from those over which
it is now carried.
The next watering place on the route is the "Ojo de Leon."  The
water rises from out some springs thirty or forty feet in diameter, that sink
to a great depth like large wells.  The water rising to the surface flows.
from one spring to another, and finally, in the course of halfa mile, sinks
into the earth.  Near the springs the ground is bare and covered with a
finely crystallized salt, which, seen at adistance, appearslike snow. The
odor of sulphur is perceptible about the springs.  The grass is coarse;
and no wood for fuel, except from  the dead bushes, can be procured.
From the Comanche springs to this place the country is sterile.  Quittmig
"Ojo de Leon,' the road still continues over a dreary and miserably barren
country, without timber or grass, until it enters the valley of the Sierra
Diablo. The aspect of the country now suddenly changes-mountains
rise on the right and on the left-the limestone formation has generally
disappeared, and the hills wear a sombre appearance, from the dark rocks
of the primitive formations.  The distance froim.the "Ojo de Leon" to
the Limpia is near forty miles, and no water ihtervening can be relied on,.
tlhough at certain seasons it may be found. At the point where the road
strikes the Limpia it is a small stream, rising from its rocky bed, and after'
flowing a short distance disappears.  The hills were here, in August,
clothed in verdure as green as that of early spring, and the grass covering'
the mountains to their very summits gave them  a pleasing appearance,,
rendering the country most beautiful -to the eye.  Wood at the encampment was very scarce.
Leaving thisvalleysthe road enters.' Wild Rose Pass."  But few places
can present a more lovely view than this little valley, surrounded, as it.
appears to be, by a wall of vertical rocks, rising a thousand feet in altitude, and which form  the sides of mountains, that rise still higher and
overlook the deep valley from every point.
From here the road passes over a spur of the mountain and descends
on the other side, and, continuing up the bed of the stream several miles:
through a deep narrow canon, leads to a more elevated plain, in which
this little stream takes its rise.  This canon, in some places, is not.more
than two hundred yards in width.  Columnar basaltic rocks that rise
one behind the other, many feet ii altitude, form its sides, and present
a singular appearance.
Th-e mountains of the Sierra Diablo do not form  a single contimlous.
ridge, but rise in irregular order, mountain on mountain and peak oi
peak, covering an immense extent of country, forming, innumerably,
smsall shaded valleys, deep canons, and ravines that wind in circuitous.
courses around their base.
The country viewed from  the top of one of the highest mountains
presents to the eye of the beholder, in every direction, hills in their pristine grandeur, as countless as the billows of the ocean. Far and wide these:
ten thousand single conical mountains rise, intersecting each other at the:




':'3:;1Boc,'s$o L
3X.     D.e. Jo. 1o
base, or high-er up their sides, forming an insurmountable barrier that
would have precluded the possibility of a passage beyond, had not some
convulsion of nature occurred to have partly opened the pass and canon
through which the road runs.
The first: encampment on the plain is called the "Painted Camp."
Granmma grass is abundant, and wood plenty for fuel.
The Limpia here, though near its source, affords more water than where
it was, first met, thirty miles below.  A little distance up the stream there
-was growing a small field of corn, planted by the Indians, and on its
banks were. some "lodges'9 constructed of willow sticks, beilt in the form
of an a.rc, aud:interlaced at the top.  From  " Painted Camp" the road
continues over:the plain, and is remarkably good for a few miles.
For several leagues it runs through an almost continuous prairie-dog
toiwn; and over the whole country they inhabit, the herbage is kept closely
cropped by those little animals, and the fresh or new grass springing up,
gives it the appearance of a bright lawn.
By the road-side  fourteen miles distant, beneath a large boulder of
gTanite,, water may,be found, but it was unfit for use when we passed it,
having. been completely trodden up with mud by the animals of the advalnce trains.  The first reliable water is Smith's run, twenty-six miles
from  the Limpia.  The last six miles of the road is over ground covered
with small angular fragments of rocks, rendering it very rough.
This creek is found in a ravine at the base of a high range of mount.
ains on the right; and-to reach it, the road turns off the direct course
near two miles.  The grazing is good, and wood is found in abundance.
These mountains on the right form a lofty and continuous ridge, presenLting an extremely jagged and serrated crest.  They are formed principally oT rocks of igneous origin: aear their tops, forests of pine are visible,
and some logs, borne down by the mountain torrents, were discovered in
the ravines.
Continuing along the base of these mountains, water is found again in.sone springs ten miiles distant.
But from there to Eagle springs, a space of.sixty miles, no certain or living water is:found, although there are intermediate ponds;.and Rainwater
creek, twenty miles distant, is sometimes swollen to a stream of considerable
size.  Between these points the country is mostly an elevated plain. The
road leaving the mountains on the right, passes over to the range on the
eft.  From  the plain other chains of mountains rise, and, running
towards the north in a parallel direction, terminate in the vast plain east
of El Paso.'Eagle springs are found in a ravine, formed by the spurs of
the mountains.  Although the precaution was taken to march the train in
fourdivisions, each on consecutive days, yet water was not found suffi~ient for one-third of the animals; consequently they had to travel seventy
miles without water.  The water did not run, but merely oozed out of
the ground, and was collected in numerous holes dug fbr that purpose..During most of the year, perhaps more water might be found; and now,:at;'l.seasons there will be found, in the pits that were sunk, enough for
ordinary trains.
r:! i;xuBagle springs the road continues near the mountains on the left,?.i:::.it.l  crosses over to the plain beyond, and. runs towards a chain of
-nOutains.a'that rise: near the Rio Grande.  Continuing near their base, it
QnteS: I.Adeep: rugged caron) aind after winding down its course a few




Doc. No. 1.                             11'ml6es, the. spurs of the mountains diminishing in height, the canion opens
in'to tie plain beyond, and the waters of the Rio Grande are visible about
aleague and a half distant.
The bottom lands of the Rio Grande valley on the American side, to
ithe lower end of the island, a distance of fifty-five miles, are in many
places very fertile.  Timber is thinly scattered over the whole extent,
The road up the lower part of the valley leads over a sandy soil, and is
Bot good; the grass is coarse, and the grazing but ordinary.
The road crosses over a shallow ford to the island, and passing through
the -vilages of San Elizario, Socorro and Isleta, re-crosses to tile main
land at the upper ford, and continues thence to the intersection of the
Santa Fe road at the rancho opposite E  Paso, making the distance from
Salt Antonio six hundred and seventy-three miles. The worst portions
of the route are found on the San Pedro, and up the valley of the Rio
Grande.  The amount of labor required to open the read and render it'
fit hereafter for military and commercial purposes, gave constant employment to a large working party during -all the time we were on the march.
The long distance in advance that tie engineers were obliged to make
reconnoissances before determining the route from  one point to another,
rendered their duties arduous.
It wias not enough to know that a road could be made up one valley, or
that a range of mountains could be passed, but it became necessary to explore the country further beyond to definitive points, before the opening
of the route.  When the nature of the country shall be seen by those
who may hereafter pass over the road- it may excite surprise; but it will
not be that so practicable a route has been found, but rather that any
ras found at all.
The town of El Paso is wholly situated in Mexico, there being, excepting the villages on the island, but three houses on the American side.
Beginning at a point on the Rio Grande ten miles above the town, and
ollowiug d0dovi the Santa Fe road on the left bank of the river, the continuous chain of high mountains on the left approach close to the river, and,
rising on the opposite side, stretch off to the south.  Through the spurs
of these mountains the Rio Grande forces its way, and this is "E1 Paso"'
(the pass) of the river. A few miles below  this point, and nearer the
town, the river has a fall of some twelve'feet: the water from this elevation is conveyed in large " zequias" or ditches for the purpose of irrigation.
Below the pass and beyond the mountains, (approaching by the Santa
Fe road) the country opens into a broad plain, in which the valley of El
Paso lies. The valley on the American side is narrow, if the island be
excluded; the greater portion being on the opposite or Mexican side, in
which. the town is situated.
The Plaza and main buildings of El Paso are in the upper end, but the
dwelihgs extend down the valley, forming a continuous village for about
twelve miles.:  The houses are universally built of " adobes," and, with
-few ex:eptions, are but little better than mud hovels.
A garrison of two hundred men is stationed in the town, and thle sentinels placed on the banks of the river are, to a certain extent, the guardians
of the fbrd and the revenue.
The people, for years, have lived under the constant fear of the Indians; and not without cause, for the Apaches have committed repeated




312E~ H~f~ioe~Dc. No. 1.
depredations in open day-light, in sight of the town.  From this catrse,
and the miserable system  of "peonage"   that prevails, the prodiicts of
aoriculture are barely sufficient to support the inhabitantls a-d grain to
supply the wants of enigrants, anud for other purposes, lias to be brotugxht
from Chtihuahuaa.
The grape is extensively cuitivated on  the irrigable lands, and  n size
and flavor, is, perhaps, uneqiualed.  The wine it yields, however, o wint
perhaps to the mode of ranuna ture or rak'ing, is rather indiffereat.
Some of the old wine is said to possess a fine flavori  but the tMPxias
seldom permit it to attain any age.'Peaches, pears acd apricnts are orod
the apples are small and interior it quality.   Vegetatnon attains an enornmous growth; and cactus were teoiutid that rmeasured six and a half.feet J
cireunt ference.
Excellent stone for building is found in the hilis close by.  Saw-mills
are now being erected in the Sacramelntlto mointa. ins ei1ghty milles dis'tanti
where timber is said to be folnd ii. abundance.
Oin the plains near these a-oantals are extensive salt lakes, from which
the State of Chihuahua draws its supply.   Th.e restiuonyis concu ret
in relation to the richness of the silver mines in the neis-ihborhoode  bet
the Indians have always prevelnted their being worked to any advantage.  The country around El Pa-so, excepIting,   the  bttomon. lanlds o'f the
Rio Grande, is sandy, and covered wird a dwarf gr-vth OW of bus hes. e  The
large plains towards the east w onld aAord a place oir grazing, were the
herds secure from the Indians; but to wha exet  itt t   ay becom.  a pastoral country, depeuds in som         s e measr n e  o  te  disovery of watZer
The island is low. and liat, the soil rich and po-c-ive, ant a s-ste-n
of irrigation is extenrled as fai  as t -e, setteme:ints.  its popaulation -s emti.
mIated at two thousand.
The valley of the Rio Grandfe, in properi hIads', is capabtie of suitpotingg
a large populationi; and   eloi trhe  sla   th  la g    poirio    iS,   o   t1he
Amnerican side.
El Paso, from its geographical positioun preiaenls  i-self as a resting — aceon one of the great   overland ) routes between th e sealorts of the  At ant:ic
on one side and those of the Pacilic on tihe othler. Fouitr teeen   iles abotve,
and our territory crosses to the opposie  side of -thle Rio Grande; a little.
further noyrth and west arc the headwaters of the Gil a; andl sholnld the
route froim El Paso to the seaboard on the west preselnt o m-or e diffiti'l  ti'es
than that from the east, there can easily be estca.lished between the Alt antic States and those that have so suddenly sprang into existence it the
west —-and which are destined to chanlge, pierhaps, the political  i.stitutions and commercial relations of half the world  a colnnexio  that will
strengthen the bonds of union by a fiee and constant intercourse.  The
government has here beein a pionieer n1 the'enterprise, and the  ttle itte laborbestowed may not be lost to the public weal.
The distances given in the annexed table             a e aceurate mueasuremenuts
made by the engineers, iand generatlly indicate,e etncamnpimn  grolds
and places where water may be   unrid.




Doe. No. 1.                             Oi
From San Antonio-                        c        2
i.Miles.'Jk';r.h%
To Castroville             -       -       -25.42!                 5:4:
(Qihi                          -  -    -100'I- 1;  4t
Vandenburg   -         -       -                    7.17         2.
Arroyo Hondo...            3. -0 s o   489;
Rio Seco       -               -       -  8.98                  55.'
Ranchero's creek       -       -       -             8.38       L/'j5
Sabinal       3-               -                      3i.94       l
Comanche creek                 - -            -     5.37          Wtj. 6
Rio Frio       -.             -.     8.50       8 6
Head of the Leona    -.       -      -      Ti.06 
Nueces         -  -            -          -         9.04        9T.66
Turkey creek..       -      -   10.37       108 03
Elm creek      -       -       -              -   15.23        13 2-;
Los Moros      -       -       -7.13                           I 30.
PiedraPinta   -.*             -.            7.46      1 7.85
Zoquete        -.,.        9.02        146, i          7
Arroyo Pedro               -       -     3.81                  1 30 68
San Felipe. -    8.98  1 59-,6 
San Pedro      -       -                           10.70       170. 
Painted caves -                        -       -    2.54    117 2.'9)
Pallos Blancos-        -       -       -       -   16. 48      t9.'
Camp 2d on San Pedro          8-       -           18.64      28
Head of run ning water in summer   -                 8.63       - 16.6
Camp, head of valley -e                       -   13.88 S      X    3
Howard's springs       -       -           -    41 21          27. 24
Live Oak creek -.-.  40  304 14
Ferry of Pecos         -                    -  -     7.88      31.02
Camp above ferry           -  -       -            12.59      324. 6.
Second camp above ferry        -       -           16.23      340. 84
T'hird camp, leave the Pecos  -        -.74  1348.8
Escondido creek        -       -                   18. 24    a36, 8
Escondido springs    -         -  8.58                          7. 40
Comalnche springs.-                 -      -  19.47        394.8
Leon springs  -.               -      -    9.57       404.44
Limpia                                -       -   37.00     441 44
Entrance to W. R. pass         -              -    6.97       448.41
Camp in small valley  -       -                     4.50      452.91
Painted camp           -       -                   14.08      466.99
Smith's run   -.   26.33       493.32
Springs        -       - -  ~                 -      9.00     502.32
Rainwater or Providence creek         1-           17.82      520.14
Water-holes, (dry)    -        -       -      -   18.77       538,91
Eagle springs         -        -      -       -   21 57       560.48
Entrance to canron     -.     -   22.6     583,09




Doc. No. 1
^^       o
o,  C | 
j3les.    M Ji.es.'To   io Grande  ".                        -       -     8.81      591.90
Lower ford                     -       -       -     4.80S    646.74
Sai Elizario z                 -          -          5.00      651.T7
Socorro.         -.-                               4.45      656.15
Isieta         -       -                       -  3.10         659.5
Upper ford..-                    -' 7.05o    666.30
Coon's hacienda                -       -       -    7.09       673.39
It mig-ht be' ell to remiarnk that in all the streams between the San Antonio and San Pedro rivers fish are abundant, and that in. their vicinity
-deer an.td turkevs are found.
rThe headwraters of the San Pedro are inhlabited by beaver.  Bear and.
peccrary are also found in the same nighborhood, and antelope on the
plains west of the Pecos.
Four different species of quails were killed-the common quail; the
tufted quail, slightly ash-colored; the California quail, with a long plume
fiom the top of the head; and another variety with dark breast and black
belly, the feathers on the breast having white round spots on them, and
those on the back black spots; tihe last mentioned were found principally
on the rocky sides of the mountains.
Tnhis side of the lPeos there is but little dificulty in procuring gamefor su.bsistence if good hunters are with the parties.
In returning to San Antonio we came by the Fredericksburg or upper
route, to the point  wher it crosses the Pecos.
Leaving El Paso, this road bears an easterly course for thirty miles,
to the Waco tanks, running over a level, sandy plain. rThe supply
of water in the tanksds depends on  the rains.  We did not find sufficient water ia them for a train of 300 animals.
The passage of the Waco mou-ntain is steep and difficult, though it
should be stated that erroneous information induced us to take the road by
the left of the mountain.  Thie next.water of note is found at "Ojo de
los Alamos," in smiall holes dug on the side of a granite mountain, of
rather difficult access.  They do not contain water enough for a large
train, but others could be easily sunk.  Distance from the Waco tanks,
twenty-five miles.  The grazing is good, but there is no wood to be found,
except small bushes.  At Thorn's spring, about nine miles further on the
road, water is found in abundance, but it had to be taken in buckets from
a natural well in a cave vaulted over with rocks.
From the Waco mountain to the "Ojo del Cuerbo," the road is excellent.  Here water in abund.      fnce is foundtthe grass is fine, but there is no
wood. Numerous saline lakes are found on the plain. From here.the road
runs over several small spurs of hills, and then enters a large ravine, in



Doe. Noo 1.                             31
tersected by nunmerous small ones, which renders the travelling rough
nd' difficult.
At the head of the large ravine, the long ascent of the Guadalupe
mornmtain comrmences. The road winds along its side for near half a mile
befoie:the plain above is reached.  The ascent is so steep, that the maximum o- oad that can be drawn up may safely be stated not to exceed onehalf t-!hat which can be transported on ordinary roads.  Water was found
at the head of the. ravine, and in a forest of pines six niles beyord, anct
again a few miles in advance.
Thie  tuadalupe'mnountains rise abruptly from the plain near this point
to their highest elevation, and in an unbroken chain stretch over the tableland in a northeasterly direction, until their tops sink bN.eath the horizon'i'n the distance.  From1 these mountains one vast, irregular, and slightly
broken. plain or mesa extends to the Pecos river, and thence buyond view
towards the headwaters of the Colorado and Brazos rivers.
After striking the Pecos below Delaware creek, the route lies down the.
river to the "'iorsehead' crossing, a distance of over one hlundred and seventy-five miles. But few places can be found more lonely, or that i:'resent a
more dreary appearance, than all this region of the Pecos.  Noiugt that is
pleasing meets the eve-no sound falls on the ear. Here solitude reigns supremre, wrapt in the eternal silence of all ages past-a silence, p erch.ce,  u nbrokenl from the beginning, save by the caclkle of the wild fowl or the midlnight
howl of the wolf. Civilization in its strength has not been here, aid the
only signs of life or moving thing is now aid then a single deer, a few antlelopes, a flock of duckscircling over the lagoons, or a solitary crane winging
his -way up the course of the stream.  Not a tree can be found under
which the traveller can rest protected from the intense rays of th1e sun in
surmmer, nor can wood be found to warm him in winter.  The cold winds
of autumn sweep with violence over the plain, and we encoiontered here
in the middle of October, snow five inches deep.
Tfle numnerous salt-nlarshes through which the road runs were very
smiry, and the animals would sink down in. the quick-sand, unable to rise.'The streams that carry to the river the surcharged water firom  the saltlakes on the plain were with nuch difficulty passed; and it is fiom them
that the water of the Pecos derives sotme of its saline and bitter properties.
The grass is coarse and salt, and wood, even for culinary purposes, is
wtitlh difficulty obtained-.  The country on the left bank of the river is a
little more elevated than that down which we camle, and appears more fiee
from marshes.
We found the country about the "Horsehead" crossing extremelyboggy;
-so muchl so that the animals could not be driven within a mile of the
stream.  From here, striking out from the river to avoid the impassable
salt-marshes, the return route joins the one over which we went to El
Paso, near the point where it turns off from  the Pecos for Escondido
creek.  Thence, by our own road, we returned to San Antonio, after an
-absenrce of nearly six months. The time occupied in returning, wxith a
small train of thirty-five wagons, was forty one days.
The upper route, from the "Horsehead" crossing on the Pecos, continues
by the Concho and San Saha rivers &c., to Fredericksblug, and thence
to the gulf, either by San Antonio or Austin; and has been examined and;surveyed by Lieut. F. T. Bryan, topographical engineer.
Such are.the routes over which we passed, and in this brief description




%.16                           Doc.  O.  1I
I have confined myself to such imatters as may be useful to gude oficers
of the department when sending trains over the road hereafter.
In conclusion it minht be observed, that a road following up the level'
country that obtains between the Pecos and the Sierra Diablo and other
ranges, to the point where those mlountains terminate in the plains o the
north, and thence striking over towards the Rio Gralnde, leaving tthe tuadahlpe mountains to the right, would avoid the passes of the fornIer and
the heights of the latter, and run throughout its whole extent over a comparatively level country, favorable to transit by stearn  buti the difficutl;ty
of procuring running water at proper intervals would seem to render intercoimmunication imprtactic able by t.e orldinary means of tr avelling  with'
wa gon  trlains.
S,. G. I1 FENH,
Cbaptain iand A5ssistanet QduMWQtral s.
WA/-r, SuIiNGTON C ITY y
Octobe.  r., I  S...
-SNEER.L':   In ci'wepi.iance vaith your oriers of yesterday, I have thiehonor to submit to you a brief' eport on the subjects to which yotu:0. 
fer, anld patrticularly to the expedilion to E1 Paso del sorte.
According to lmy instructionas, afier embarkilnlg the division of the army
encamped  at Pascagoula, I         esaied,for Galveston, Texas, and  then:-jce
proceeded to.ltlstini to make arrangements for transporting  the tiroops; to
the frontier stations on the wate3rs of the Trinityrz, iBraz>     i Coalorado
rivers, anid for f'Urnishing themn  with supplies.'I his was durin-g tl:he incleiment winter of ilS 49-49, the troops marching:fomn  lounston to Ai0 stin,..
and tience to theii respectire sations,  dstances varying from -, 2    to 31>)
miles.  They had mnany ditnclffities to encolrnteT inc(ident to- such a c~Lntry, and suf-eered not a little from  tie Sleets and snoiws, from wic. 1h thleywere protected only by catvass  rThis  duty  beitng acconipltisihed, I  asordered by the late Generatl Wouorth to repair to San Antoni o to fit ou i, nd
accompany an expedition to  l Paso.
On arriving there, (in March,) I wa: infr) mied bty thne chief as-.ist ant
quar termaster in the departlment, Major Babbitt, that estimates tbr the supplies, for that service had been made, an  a contract entered infto i'or some
600 unbroken mules; also, that n a agent had been sent into the cotuntry
fbr the purpose of purchasing' oxen.  These papers were turned over tome on my commencing the duties: and here, out of justice to the off-iers'
of the department, and to myself, you will pardon the alluding to thedifculities that were necessarily encountered.  It was esuimated that 2.50
additional wagons would be wanted; and these, with all the appointmilents,.
harness, and supplies, had to be shipped from New Orleans, or to be drawn.
from Brazos island, and were landed at Port Lavaca, some 140 miles from
the-point whence the expedition was to start.
For this train some 800 mules and horses, and over 1,100 oxen, wetre
required,  and more than 300 teamsters and mechanics had to be engaged.
As fast as the animals were purchased and received at. San Antonio, they.
were sent to Lavaca to bring up the wagons and supplies; but it vwas not
lutil A'pril that the wiltd M2exican mules were received.  Wild as they




cc.
we,-ih ihe  retr part of them weren   C    i-inmediatel  driven  to -the seaboard
" la.ssoed,:a 3.id forced into   arriess to aebri.n;  up the wa'gons;  and the s i d
d.ei chane -  oim ierss to. grain:, on xwhic  they'ad tne-ver bee  lfed befire,
UOWwa ~tt  1.                   [.~. mali  ito   G L t    mi a...
tm.r.iued with. lab,-o>r: rece  some of them very' much.
Thi:'e maiionty  of thewago *ns, on. eing  brg',h  to San Antonio, h          to
be  i.t: ed-    hJe use of' oxe         byt st: titutin, ne, 1ew  or 0  tongues,;.and
new-   k-~olts ii:h joints; and ot their being  expnosed during the dry'
eiat':i to the sn  it iiwas  tilond   eeesarV  ~ ct a    iian1 reset nearly over- v
A ~is per~ioed ~ t jroul~e.s seemnedK ~to! i t~iply.    The', ntecessary  artiJ. es
cou.do;t bei- pir:.:ocure-d;  ti  chole'a brke out   it:         ad ii m rnortajity —the
dets   u,beri,    erlhaims oone-fifth, f the  i. abi-a t.  TIhe people forBsooki,- th',e town:,-? rmenr   n nservice swere  d'yvi!t  and  des.ert..ing;' nro ]plhyt.1sician"
b';','_r c'::c_ coul0di b-e- Ioemuplioyed to'ii.      -nbers sick.o ori resto.c....nf.idence to,.the  panic s~-.r:-str]icken.  Th:e cort. Irv wvIas dtelu-g)ed with rains,:-',.an  aild, with,  a sudden rise",  over.ftowd.the camp of the   troo        th. at
~w e.r. r'crs for t- ie expedition,  and dam:,ed  or' swept awa ay their
stoe', com anta  hi    ners cman.. eing   iat th is p'er-io:I),om Niew.!rlean.s: his sudden death, if possible, added, to the universal
o... MC   e  ia       e  p3 -"lov,n when with trains   died by the road-side-  or
wnere lefit rick; b:,' their. more. f''ort:unate' lcom.ni..ilos.  t the ne arest  hlabsitations
by'q t   way.                                                       t ~ab'
Th[:,e epidemeic. con~tinu,,d; du'ring theo m'nth.1s of April and Ma; upr to
A.ci   send::-I' to Au'ti n,    I scceedd  in  gotti-ig a phyvsician, nwo rOe-:ma'p    h th t   wOh]ich i''f some mnieasu'-re culeteoa their fears,
~i',. thi.'.   season'....  of ala rm  it was, ith difi.culti    men, could  be engaged
inLthe ('ep-'a'rqeiT  and o-, nl-1   thle'itsh not to to rfe t what was dclue hIemI kept
Cotrs:i "'n emlo;'. Fir sral weeis'hut few, i  amny  peruons  Jisited ithe
~n;~:town.   Still,' i my c_,uamp, t e'-i.ht r mi tes'fr om t he tO n!l n10  exertionS   were.spae..,,e   meni. were kept herdin  a tirniilals on the prairies or with t'.e
~tras, o.r in.  break in,'ii   in-' wild mu'les for ha:rn:ess.   For ges were erected,...the sto    mad   the -nuies s:hod,  and. the numerous  irons made fir the
-? cutting: ajndd,  esettin'  o' the tires was tedious and laborious woar     k
ftr a. the wood. had- to be,e cnt, and near a thousand bushels of coal burnt;
but., b y the teamsters,ssisting the mechanics, I was able to report the
trai   I ra sdioness to nmov  biv the latter part of May.
Uh L. first orders were to proceed by the way o.f Fredericksburg, and
somre'ippies  of fOrl e wre'e put in depot on the road; but on the return
-of-the e ngineeris  who  had explored the country to El Paso, that route was
abalndo-,ed, and the one by the Leona taken as preferable.  As no forage
coiuld be procur'ed immediately on this route, arrangements wereX  made for
-a'sma  suippir to be purchased in Mexico, and to be delivered at the Leona,
wNhTr-ere te gener3al trains were to concentrate and aNvait the arrival of the
troops -
The regimental qtuartermaster was furnished with  the requisite num.'be  of \Vagons  for the troops, and twenty ox teams for his stores.  I cont-iued.   the  loading  of the wagons until all the commissary stores  and
-qu.. arteri miaster's property were taken in, and caused them. to move forward
~to0 th e   rendez8vous at the Leona, where the last;,rived otn th7- 7r'  t'
June,.  Tihe troops under Major Van Horne, with the regimental train,
stated on the first of the month; but; owinag to the frequent rains and bad




318                            Doe. No. 1.
roads, did not reach the Leona until five or six days after the supply
trains.
At this place Colonel Johnstone was furnished with a sufficient inum ber
of wagons  obr his party, with working tools, &c. and.he took the advance, making explorations of this almost unknown and pathles coslmtry,.
and opening a road over which we passed.
We remained in camp getting a supply of coal, cutting  the tire as the
wheels shrunl, and making-final preparations for departure.  On the 1,8th,
of Juane the trains moved a few miles, and on the ioilowino day jociaed
with the troops, and all encamped on. the banks of the Nyeces river
The -whole tnumber o wagons was near two hundred and seventy five..
an,.- the lunluber of atlimals along, including the beef cattle and tile few'
with the emnigrants, was about two thousa-nd five hundrexd.  While;t the
-Leona the comnmanding. otficeer directed that- aents should be seont into
Mexico to procure some additional mules for the regimental train) and-: a
supply of grain, if possible, to meet us on the Los Mioros, none having
been rereived ait tIthe  Leona.
WVe encai:tped otn T'urkey creek   on the 20th, and  ow1in  to the rins:
that fell, renldering t:e roads boggy,, weo could not rmove iTuntil the 29th
Even tOhen they were so bad that the first wagons were in camp tf:ih'eel:
miles distant beIfore the last could move.  The trains were thus exsrIt(ede
all that distane; the rear moving at 12 m.  and not getting-ito ca:mp u-3.ti
sul nset.
Finding that the animals m1st perish, subsisting as they  were o.n girass
if they remained so long in harness, I again represented to the cotniullander the necessity of furnishing me with an escort and permittingi - nl e to
march alone, free fromn the baggage-wago)ns of the troops and regim'etlal
train, or else to subdivide the whole into divisions with escorts, to.:::-r(h
on consecutive days, but the order of march was not changed.
On the 2d:of July, while encamped on the Zoquiete,   M.   in;ter
returned irort San'erlan Fn dez with 30 mO ules.  He had marchecd itoiem
Eagle Pass to reaIch us in thirty hojurs.-. In the morning he started. a.g)ainr
for Mexico to buring the balance of th.e animals purchased inotr towns..
On the 6th we reached the San Felipe, where we were overtrakel   by
Mr. Camprbell1, who had ag'ree-sl to furnis   me with  rain on thle Leon(a.
Followiny  subsequent directions, he left Eagle Pass and en deaoier. e    to
intercept olur trains ait the Los I.( oros; but owinr. to the rains he hatd },ee
wanderinl   over tlhe wet and unknown-   prairies om   r ta  lroad son0i. si:eet
days; andi1 i nention this to sihowV th'( almost imnpossibility of trlvtel l    o.
tle wet pirairies, where th.ere is not a ivell-heaten road.
On. tie mornling of  th   th Mi ajor Van Horm n,  witith anl the troonps, excepting o(ie company; left for an escort to my trainst moved oi.l ii the
advance withl their wa-s gons and a supply of cpioi7 isioS.       eai l.em-   in 
cai p thlere fificet  days.  The advance we-re e.c amped d ring ti-t:.same
time two cdays:  march alhead  having overtaken the engineer party.
On the 7th Mr. Thompsoun, thle express ridner, returned flom  MWn.exico
in charige of torL carts loadeid vrit corn.  Ie reported that tl.e tc.exic.ans.
wouldl. 11ot conie on anjy iarther than the Los MoAr.os, andt  that e htad left
themrl there..  As this wras a violation of their contract,  fI.t obli.ge  toselnd an armed party to bring the carts into camp; but on an explanration.
being made by the interpreter whom I sent back, they willingly camel oa
and joined us.  The agenIt sent iato Mlexico rettulmed on' tlhe I. t  and




Doe. No. 1. 
brought with him  the remainder of the rmules purchased.  They were:much wanted; for experience had taugrlt us that every herdsman must.
have two animals, one to ride by day, and theo otler at night f r herding.
I have never seen any service harder for ania als than that ofherding a
large drove of cattle; and so severe was it on te sadcdle-horses, tha:t many
of them died before we could get mules to relieve themn
By the 20th of July the troops were oblliced to movre tie animals halviag drank all the water that coulld be fliuldL-,  n.) al;;iihi'rom thirst they reached the second crossing of the Sar f Pedr?.
Whilst we were encamped at San Feiipe, ani  for  s'm1 d"rsaftr the
lhermometer would indicate a temperature during the day varying tfoin
103~ to 1060, and this in the shade of trees or beneath doube awni's.
Veegetation became parched and withered utl,, alnd ite \Twind felt as wtar.to the face as though it came fromn a fuinac. e.
On the morning of the 22d we left our cap  c'rossed  the S an Pedro,
aid the day following, after a tedious march, reached thce Palos Bla-cos,
S'inding but little water there for the mules a-nd *oite   r toie or e t1on,  one of'
the ox trains moved on at sunset, an  arrived at the sec, oill cros.sing Io.f the-,San Pedro after much sulferingL a.-i1d 1, S, of.,,lr;,llo,>   itr the heat wRas
oppressive.
The march now was up the va'lley of the river to its source, w.ih l we
e-ached on the 29th, overtaking,Major -Van Horne.  The next. (ay he
moved on.: leaving me an additional company wit t vw ms llntain hjowitzers under the command of Brevet J'ajor ic  hardo, whic  added to
the comlipany under lBrevet Maijor Shepherdi:    formed the escot. SWe did
nlot overalke the commanding officer again until the 24th of Aug ust.
From  the headwaters of the S3an Pedro to Live Oak creek, a distance
of some seventy miles, but one spring of water is iolind, and the oxen
snufered very much, and some wele left on the road. nable to traT.et  by
reason. of swollen and tender feet.  We reachSed tIhe P'5es.river on the
9th, and crossed it by taking one wagon over at a time in a flat-boat that
vwe had brought with us from San Antonio.  We were so unfortunate as to
lose one wagon, by the end of the. boat being dc rawii    wn by the current
md throwing the wagon into the stream.  In returnineg, the'baggage and
stores were crossed on a raft, made by securing twenlty.seven keg's to
three spare wagon poles' on which'vas I}plac(; a. waonl body.  The'wagons being empty, were drawn over lby ha.   d vwfli  rotres.   With the
flat boat twenty-five loaded wagons colld be  crossed per h0o.r.
The march was now  continued wvitihout tmuch interruption or delay
-ntil the-'whole force again joined at the   Pai nted Cam np.'   From  there
the trains marched separately.  We liad thel  passed out of the limestone
bormation of country, and entered the mourntaimnos region, 1     ith m1rocs of
tie primitive formation, and the sharp anigular fragnments thiat coveredt the
ground everywvhere made  many of the cattle itener-tltooted ant  lame,'while the mountain passes and deep, darkl  rugge'd caions' with iroclky'tebttoms extending for miles, added to their suiteling.  From. Providence.
c.beek to the Rio Grande, a distance of over sixty miles, there was buti one:
slall spring of water, and it was therefore directed by t-he comainandin,- offi
3er that one train should leave on each of foLur conselitiv   ciays, to allow'
itle spring to fill during the intervals; but tEle water almost entirely failed,,
ay. some of the cattle before the river was reai, le  appe ared mad, digging



~3~::,V                DSo. No. 1.
moe? i: te, sand with their feet, and thrusting  their noses into them  to.et the pa-rched lips meet the moist earth.
ORa the 3d of September we reached the Rio Grande, and on the 8th
v;n'ved.  ait iEl Paso  having been one hundred days on  the road.
fu1mi.g the march from the rendlezvous I sent, fromr time to time, fiom the
al train  ai: the spare wagons I had to the assistance and relief of the com.-'?,s,.: teaQms  and the regimental train   Forty-nine wagons in all were sent;.and  ths, added to what they originally had, increased their ox-train to be-,ntweeIr sixta adu  seventy teams,   This train mnoved a.lwavs under the direcin of the commanding officer: ad avdem   s bei           n                 roB:is marchin:,  a dierent  hours, and more generally in the day-time, susai,ed the greatest loss of animals  amounting  in all to one hundred and
U'-;',.: ox'x:.  tremn   the rendezvous to the place of destination.  The loss
ir:  the t'ain.s uder  mv own immediate    c harge ir the sanme   {ritod
eigt..   h''    is is proportionally not a    much greater loss tha ilarge
t.     ep ne  onr the r e,,"   well-known SaLnta te wroute.As twains increase.1  size, tie dang'er of aniomals straying and all other cusess of  ioss  ncrea:s:e., wh:ile tle imeans of sos is'otence diminnish.
TFh}e severes loss was caused by their feet bemir. made  tender by the
a-.. " cs "',,-. - This wo  ld   ifiam.ne andc swell their legs to scoa. egee
t coU   1 no t nowalk. andti such were necessarily left by then  wa,'un.-;o.g   nhe    iith    we t were in c. ami   I caused the snaths to  evote  a  ther
sp'.: ti'm' to ma i king  shoes for th e  oxent and  aboutIT5 were forged  and:e: 40n oxen shod..  These animals travelled'  it m. ore   eae  over the
t,:a  p:la:ins.  More. would hae oi   baee   shod durim g;he marh:  only that.:      t......... v,-tere caiely eangaged with the mules or tihe wagon-tir' as the'becate loose. The drivers were o:made somei: mes t'o incasethe. - et of th4eir
lca. ttl in. the.r:een hide oftthose Kileda from the beef herd; makinoa k ind
ra.,-hide boot; but theyc did not ainswer much  the pLurpose,                 e:::h.~s f';:r:om: th':e lchaparral penetrat:inthi'r I, feet,  iured ianyv...he:. l,-oss iul oifi: mules from  my trains  1om  the Leona ito  Li Paso, fromI
eL1, stiavui,x dCrin.l:.,, including tlose stolen'en   o..te,  1   those
b:.? Pea.suilpposed ton                        pty o' "  iCitrO fi        otherwise~ wasV,':ei-   onIv fi, reen.. I his s i  eoxch-usive of-some six or seven brokevi
-.  an.nid sent back fromr  the San      elipe,  and a few  lost fiom. the
trai:t: with the eng'ineer party.  I have not ty oflicial papers here with
ime.  bt I believe only three  mules were lost fromt  tie trin of' twentvle.C wagoans  the iroue  returning:,   and' tIo of tlhem escaped over the' Da< s; -It might not be out o' la:-e h'ere to miention hbow' far so xme
ft_'::ese animals travelled during  iie s 0eason.  Tihe mules, being puac iha:sed in Mexico,  Iere dri vei near 600 riles to Sa   Anrlonio  f'roI
the: e to Lavaca and back, by the upper route;, 300 miles to El Paso and!.cl. 1,360 miles; and thence.to Eagle pass and  eturn, 350 miles —being. aSli 2;0)00 n.miles.  Many of the oxen were driven fiom i   astrop snad La
ra-r ge to    n Antonio; thence to Port Lavaca and retuirn  and from  San..AQvt:i o to Ei Paso, a distance of over 1 0;00  miles.   A question her',.:,es-s'nts itselIf as to which is the   lost serviceable aninal for such ex.?-'     2-:i'-,'  the ox oi the mule.  Both possess  alic, thoogh, in diietret de-,,,,; c  tain qualities while in others tcey are dissiilar.  The natur
U.me con,Lt-ry mu. st be considered ill the qeuestiofn of' econov.  1e  it:.:Uf be supposed that the animn als subsisted entirely  by  razing.   The
mnileo w,:ilEl travel with a loada fiaction: over two and a hailf ies per hiouri.




Doe. No. 1o                            321
-and in that lime gain on the ox 900 yards —the ox travelling two miles
per hour.  I have known an ox-train to travel forty miles in twenty-two
consecutive hours.
Mules are more gregarious than oxen, and more easily herded at night,
though more liable to be "cstampededo'    I have seen a drove of 300
"stampeded" in the daytime from such a slight cause as one of their number, with a saddle on; joining the herd at a run.  At night, an Indian, a
wolf, or a horse running by is sufficient cause for the loss of a herd; and;
hence arises the great risk i  an nIndian country.  Mules, too, when
once in the possession of Indians, cannot often be overtaken by the pursuing party, whereas oxen can; but oxen will stray off singly from the
herds, and lie down in the bushes, and thus often are lost. Mules willt
subsist where oxen cannot; and, in mountainous countries, they can always feed on the hill-sides.  Their powxers of enduring fatigue, hunger,
and thirst are greater; and more particulary so when the marches are
made during the day.  They require only one-fourth as much water.
The ox has the advantage in strength; arnd particularly is this serviceable
in wet, boggy soils, or on level plains, but in a less degree is it exerted in
steep ascents.  The mule is much the more tractable animal, and for
general service with troops is much preferable. The average cost in Texas
for a good yoke of gentle oxen, delivered,was near $40; for good mules,.
from $50 to $60.  Six mules or four yoke of oxe-i constituted a team.
Oxen, in very warm weather, when the march is long, should be drivenl
at night, but should always be stopped and permitted to graze while the
dew is on the grass.  Our mules being wild when we started, at first
grass was cut for them; next they were hoppled while grazing; but soon.
both these methods were abandoned from necessity, and the animals turned
loose, day and. night, under charge of a strong guard of armed teamsters
and herdsmen, to prevent the approach of Indians and loss by'stampede9"
During a stampede, when the mules are being led away by a horse,-their
flight may be arrested by shooting the horse.  Horses should not be permitted to run loose with a herd of mules, for the mules will follow them
almost invariably: such attachment have they for a horse, that they wilt
follow one wherever he may be led, being governed either by sight of him
or the sound of a bell attached to his neck.
Notwithstanding  that the animals belonging to these trains subsist
chiefly  y grazin-g, they are hazardous and expensive, as land transportaton generally is; and were these expeditions not to assume a military character, thereby overawing the Indians frequenting the section of country through which they pass, it would be well to inquire what articles of
supply could be procured from M5exico, to diminish their size,
More difficulty was experienced in subsisting the animals at El Paso
than when on t:he march. The mules had to be placed on the island at
a point near twenty miles from where we were encamped, and the oxen
driven some fifteen miles up the valley in the opposite direction to graze
on the bottoms, where the chaparral was so thick that it was nearly impossible to kee)ep them from. being lost, exposiung themn to the Indians, and
where they were liable to be driven off steaitily by emigrants or Mexicans.  Bat these were not all; for on the opposite side of the river, and in
the employ of the State of Chihuahua, w as a lawless band under the notorious Glanton, and men wishing to join his party sought every opportunity,,
day and night, to steal our horses and muleso The animals, thus, to forage,.
Part ii;-21




had to be scattered up and down the valley a distance of near forty miles,
-with no other immlediate protection than the armed teamsters:and herds"
men; for I could not procure a sentlinel, much less a military guard.  On
the march, I was always allowed one sentinel to guard the property an&d
the different herds of animals.  The same annoyances surrounded Captain Bowman with his animals, and his duties as commissary and' quar —
termaster became very laborious.
Persons unacquainted with that section of country can form  no' just'
appreciation of these difficulties; perhaps at no time during the Mtexican
war were men or troops so beset with trials.  The term  of service for the
teamsters had expired, and, as they wished to continue on to California,
they had to be discharged, notwithstanding that the regimental quartermaster was under orders to send a return train of one hundred and twenty
wagons to the Pecos, to meet one then on the road.  Houses were not to
be had for storage; and forage could not be procured for the few teams iin
daily use, except by purchasing grass pulled up by' the roots from the gardens in the town opposite, and which was brought into camp by the4'peons" in small quantities.  The alcaldes were visited, and I believe
they did all they could to aid in furnishing the most necessary wants.
The truth'was, the whole population, men and beasts, were in  a state
bordering on starvation; and, before I left on my return, I learned that
orders had been given by the alcaldes to forbid any grain being given to
beasts of burden.  Grass pulled up by the roots was worth $40 per ton.
and wood $12 per cord, corn $3 per bushel, and hams 50 cents per poundo
Two causes may be assigned for the scarcity of subsistence and forage.
Up to the period of our arrival, the Indians possessed the country even
to the walls of the town, driving off the live stock, and limiting agriculture chiefly to the gardens adjoining the dwellings.  Butlittle had been:
sown, and less reaped, and much of this had been carried off by the tide,
of emigration.  The length'of time passed on the road'admonished me
tihat the funds that had been furnished ime were entirely inadequate to the
1discharge of half the men; and to meet such contingency, and to. prevent
theemn from being a burden on the department after our arrival, I despatched
an agent from the Coman6he springs, (on the great IndianL trail,) by the
way of Presidio del Norte, to Chihuahua, at much risk of life, to secure
the necessary funds, to meet me at El Paso.  The party accomplished the
cject for which they were sent, and reached El Paso beore we dido
From the agent I learned that grain could be had in (hihluahua, and a
contract was made for a small supply to enable us to return.
For the protection of the settlements at El Paso, troops will probably be
required for many years, leaving out its consideration as a post of military
importance; and an inquiry into the most economrical and certain mode
of supplying them with subsistence and forage, &c., was enjoined upon
me by my instructions.
Certainly, ere a few years shall have passed, a considerable portion of the
valley of the Rio Grande, in the immediate vicinity, will be under cultivation, protected against the Indian depredations as it is by a military force,
and yield in abundance forage and some articles of subsistence.. In the
mean tine, flour, corn, corn meal, sugar, and soap might be procured
from Chihuahua at less cost than when transported front the seaboardo
Individuals offered to contract for the delivery of flour fromn Chihuahna
for 12.- cents per pound.  Corn can be delivered at an average cost of




Doc, -p   No. 1.
$2 80 per bushel, by timnely arrangements; the freightl from  Chilluah'   a
was 1our cents per pound-the variable function being the olriginal cost of
the grain there. r  Wine, undeigooinr the acetic falrmentationt  will alfford
good vinegar. Soap is abundant; and salt abounds in the lakes, though I
am not certain but that  it tmay contain some impurities.  Coffee, candles,
bacon, clothing, quartermaster's stores, &c., will have to be drawn from
th~e coast.  Antiscorbutics will not be wanted, as vegetabl;es can be raised
in abuindan ce.
Beef cattle can be driven fronm  western Texas, where they are nurmerous, or be purchased in Chihuahua.  I have alluded to these matters as you desire, though they properly belong to the subsistence branch
of the service.
In relation to lumber for building purposes, I have gathered but:little
inforniatilon; for really the whole country may b           t be aid to be yet unexplored,
even nea r the post, because of the Indians.  Parties had gone out with
mills to saw lumber, but I have heard nothing from them since.  It was
reported that timber was found forty miles distant, and also in the Sacramnento mountains, eighty  miles from the post.  Considerable forests are
found in the valley below the island, but they are of limited extent.
To those familiar with travelling in Texas, positive distance fromn point
to point is not of so mluch consideration as good roads through a fie
region of country; hence transportation sometim             es more indirect
routes. It can be said with safety that any new  military post on the
frontier will for its supplies involve one-third more expense, all else being
equal, than at a period of a fewv years after its establishment.  The multiplication of new depots involves expense, and is often a fruitf:l source of
delays, unless they embiace most of the stores required, or are arranged
with system; and, in  all military operations, certainty of execution is
all-important, while delays are equally dangerous.  A few large depots,
well arranged, at points judiciously selected, and abundantly supplied for
fronrtier service, where all trains have to be escorted, appear, fiom  my experience, most advantageous..  Trains cannlot well be sent to as many
points as there are articles required, are less safei and incur more expense;
hence depots of commissary, ordnance, and quartermaster's stores should
be at the same point.
The best route to the stations on the Brazos and Trinity I cannot determine from actual observation, though Galveston has been named in answer to my inquiries.  From Houston a line has been established on the
dividing ridge between those rivers, and supplies can be forwarded.
For a more particular description of the road to El Paso, and the nature
of the country through which it passes, you are respectfully referred to
my former report, forwarded to your office from San Antonio; in December, 1849.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. G.'FRENCH,
OCr~pa'in and Assistant ( ua~rterfnaster.\
Major Genera:  T. S. JEsuP,
Q.uarlerncaster iGei:nrzal U.,. A.




o34                          Doe. No. L.
E.
ASSISTANT    -ARTERMA STERNS. OFFICE,
Brazos Santiagfo,'Texas, )September 5, 1850.
GENERAL: I have the honor to report that Captain Love has returned
-from his explorations of the Rio Grande.
He left Ringgold barracks, Texas, (nearly opposite Camrargo, MVexico,)
with the keel-boat " Major Babbitt,"  and a crew of twelve men, on the
11th of March, 1850.  The "' Major Babbitt" Was fifty feet long, sixteen
wide, and drew v  with her crew, provisions, arnms, &c. on board, eighteen
inches of water.  Captain Love was instructed to carry her to the highest
attainable point on the Rio Grande; and I am satisfied he faithfully cornplied with the orders received.  He found this point at a distance of 9~7
mniles from Ringgold barracks, where his furlther progress in the keel-boat
was stopped by impassable fbals, which he named' Brooke's falls."  On
arriving at-this point, Captain Love carried the skiff which accompanied
his boat around these falls, launched her, and rowed her forty-seven
miles to other falls, which he named " Babbitt's falls."  These are 1,014
miles above Ringgold barracks, about 150 by land below El Paso, 25 by
land below  the mouth of the Concho, and 291 by water above the
mouth of the Puerco, sometimes called the Pecos.
Beyond this point he found it impossible to proceed with the skiff
either by land or water, and left it, the 15th of July, on his return.  He.^.v;'r,t R.inggold barracks on the 11th of August, where he turned
over hi bolat to the quartermaster, and reported to me at this post on the'25th of August.
From Captain Love's rough notes, and from frequent conversations with
him, I am  enabled to present the following report of his expedition.  I
would here observe that his distances were not taken with mathematical
precision, yet I believe them  to be sufficiently accurate for all practical
purposes.  All the dislances given are by the river, unless specially mentioned as being by land.  On the accompanying map, (the skeleton of'which was taken from Emory's, published ia 1844,) I have put down the
towns on both sides of the river, the rivers and creeks emptying into the,..io Grande, coal mines, &c., and the distance of every important point
rom Rin ggold barracks.
Navigation of the river.
It would here be proper to remark that Captain Love imade his expedi-, an at a time when the water was lower in the Rio Grande than had been
known for sevo q. Y ears, and therefore it was a most favorable season to
ascertain the practicability of t5s navigation at all times.
From. Ringgold barracks to Kingsbury's falls, which are 169 miles
above Fort Mcintosh,.(near Loredo,) and eleven below  Presidio Rio:
~Grande, (where General Wool's column crossed into 3Mexico in. 1846,)
there are obstructions in the river, which would prevent its 1navigation
about seven months of each year by steamboats of the class which now
run between its mouth and Ringgold barracks. During the other five
months-from June to November-rwhen the river is generally high, steamboats of the largest class now running on the lower Rio Grande could go
without digiculty to Kingsbury's falls.  During bte sno la months of low~




Doc No.L 1I
or rather ord.inary w,,atee, ther ar e three and a half feet of water'r the
channelt whrich is about twenty-two feet wide.  A smaller-class ste-amboat
could be constru ted, (iron would probably be the best,) to navigate the
chaninl. at all seasons of the year.: those adnapted for towingv keel-boats
*woufld perheaps be prefeirable. T.his narrow cha nel only Occurs at; intervals.and CGaptain Love is of opinion that it could be widened to adm ittle
passage of the'arg:est-class steamboats now on the river  say of the size
of thle United States'Corvette" and I"Major Brown,' wvhich are about 1 50Q
feet long, 4 -47ide, andi drawy  loaded, three and a half feet-for $10,000.
As Captain Love is a better sailor and frontiersman  than a civil engineer,
probably a nearer approxiration to the truth would be arrived at by
doubling or trebling his estimate.  Private steanmboats of about the size,
of the above-mentioned government boats run at all seasons as high as
-,ue-crreio, 103 miles above Ringgold barracks.
KTlngsbw3,l's' ftlls..Tl.e isia  enti-rely obstruct the navigation of -the river for steanmboats.'Piwo ikeel-boats, the.' Harry Love"' and   iMajor Babbitt,   have been
hauled over them with much difficulty.  They are about 200 feet long,
with a tell of fur feet; and the rock which forTms them  is argillaceous
limestone, which is easily removed with a crowbar.  Captain'Love is. of
opinion that a chamlel could be cut through the'm, or rather that the
present channel could be wiidened to adnit the passage of the stealmoats; Corvette'" and " Major Brown," for about $3,000.  Captain Kingsburly;
(a practtical engineer,) who made an examination. of' th;em in 1S19, under
rnB   ipnstruetions, (see naty report dated iMay 16, 1849,) assi-red me that a
channel could be cut through them  to allow the passage of the keel-boat
" nHarry Love"  (whichi was T75 feet long, 20 wide, and drew 18 inches of'
water) or less than $500.
Captain Love was informed by an American merchant residing at thetown of Presidio, iVexico, six miles from  the falls, that, during  five
mlonths of last year, when the water was unusually high, a steamboat
drawing 31- feet could have run over them.  This I think doubtful.
Frol Kingsbury's falls up the mouth of the San Pedro or Devil's.
river a distance of 232 miles; there is nothing to obstruct thef navigation
of the river with steamboats of the lasrgest class runnitng on.the lower Rio
Grande. Altho-ughl the river vwas at its lowest known stage when Captain
Love passed up, there vere nearly four feet of water;, withl a wide channel.
The mouth of Devii's river, which is about 100 miles belowr the mouth
of the. Perco and 6i 1  above Ringgold barracks, is the head of steamboat
navigation.  Above this the. Rio Girade runs between high mountains,
is deep, rapid, crooked, and narrow.  it) howeyer, could be navigated with
some difficulty by keel-boats to a point 65 miles above the " Grand Indian crossing,"  or about 283 miles above the mouth of Devil's river.
The garrison at Fort Mcintosh (Loredo) is now supplied by keel-boats
and. a train of from:() to 46 mule-teams; the latter also supplies Fort
Dluncan, (near Eagle Pass,) which is 100 miles by the road above Loredo,
and 65 by the river above Kingsbury's falls.  If the obstructions at
Kingsbury's falls were removed, Fort Duncan could be furnished by
keel or steamboats, thus obviating the necessity of an expensive wagon.train.




326 la                          Doe.'o-   1.
Should the river be rendered navigable, at the trifling e:pense above
mentioned, to the mouth of Devil's river, it would then become ani rlportant.question vwhether it miigiht not be jcudicious economy to establish
a depot at that point, and transport our stores from  thence by land  to JE
Paso, instead of, as at preseat, transporting them by wagons, at an immense
expense; from  Lavaca, on the Gulf of Miexico, to El Paso, a distance of
850 miiles.  Captain Love, who rode from El Paso to San Antonio, about
a year since, with despa thes, believes that a good road could be amade
without mluch labor or expense from  the mouth of Devil's river to El
Paso, and that the distance would not exceed 300 miles.  This estimate
is, of course, in a measure conjectural, but I think the route in.dicated
well wort[h an examinantion; and if Captain Love's opinion should prove
to be correct, the subject of a change in. te manner of supplyinr g 1l Paso,
and perhaps Santa Fe, whichi is 320 mniles above 1El Paso; wouldILa be well
worthyr the attention of the department.
Militar/y posts'  bow2's) 5 soilb products, 5'c.
ftingg'old barracks is the first rilitary station oin the lio Grande above'Fort BrowL,  and is garrisoned_ by tw-o companies of the first infantry,
under the commnand of Miajor LarLntte   T hifs is a depot fro r which are
supplied F' ort  1 ci[nto.sht, F ort Duncan, the I exas rangers' a;id otther
mount.e  troops stationed temporarily in the vicinity  of taos;e posts.  All
the supplies for this depot are transported rom  I Fort B3rown   at present,
by the J'Uited kd States steamboat    c Corvette."
The  nesxt mili.tary post on tlhei io Grande is Fort   citntosh, situated
near the old town of Loredo and is garrisoned by two companies of the
first infantry, under the commanad of Captain Burbank.
Betw.een -Rtnggold barracks and Fort McItEltosh are several towns, viz:
(Cama;'go, situated on the San Jua.n river, three miles from. its junction
witL tie Rio Grande, having  a population of about 2,tO0;  Rio Grande
City, a.  new and flourishing  place on the Amerilcan side, one mile above
Ringgold barracks; RPome, a new  town' on the Texas side, with a population of abo;ut 500, amlong whomr  are several enterprising merchants, wrho
carry on considerable trade with the neighboring iMexican States; Mier,
situated two umiles froln the fio Gra.nde, on the. river Alcantro,  with a population of about',000; Guerrero, six miles fromn the Rio Grande, on the;Salado, with a population of about 4,000.  The soil on both sides of the Rio
Grande, between Ringgold barracks and FortMleintosh, is veryfertile, and
under cultivation.  The principal products are corn, bealns, melon.s &c.
Some tobacco planted this year for the first-time looks well.  Ebony,  willow, mezquite, and hackberry grow  along its banks.  The grazing is excellent, supporting immense flocks of sheep and goats and vast herds of
cattle.  Large droves of wild horses and cattle are seen in every direction.  Game is very abundant.  There are large mines of bituminous
coal near GuOerrero.  The distance between these two points-Ringgold
barracks and Fort McIntosh —is 120l miles by land, and 218 by Water.
The next military post is Fort- Buncan, (near Eagle Pass,) garrisoned
by three companies of the first infantry, under the command of Colonel
Morris.  It'is about 100 miles by land, and 234 by water, above Fort
McIntosh.  The onily town of any size between Forts Mcintosh and
Duncan is Presidio, situated six miles from. the Rio Grande, opposite the




DoBe. Non.l                           832'
fbrd at Presidio IRio Grande; and about 30  iTiles fr-om  For t Durie.anl.  It
contains 2,000 inhabitants, and h.as a garrison of 200 nlmn.
A little town is springing up just below Fort Duncan,  which will prob-ably become one of considerable commercial importance, as it is near that
point where the roads from. Mapirmi  Parras, Monclova, Santa Rosa, Salo
Ferna.ndo,`Nava, Presidio, &c., strike the Rio Grande.
The soil between Fort Melntosh and Fort Duncan is excellent; but, ir.
consequence of the frequent incursions of the Indians, only a simall portion is under cultivation.  The farmers tur n their attention, on a gra.nd
scale, to the raising of sheep and goats-animals which the Indians aever
steal.'Wild horses and game are abundant. Timber the same as below
Fort Mcintoshl witi  the addition of pecan.  There are two inexhaustible rines of bituminous coal, of superior quality, on the Texas side of the
river, specimens of which, brought down by Captain Love,  I hayve
tested.
There are several rich silver mines on the Mexican side, some 40 or 50
miles back from Presidio Rio Grande, which -werle worked to advantage by
the Spaniards, becore their expulsion in 1829, even after paying a handsome per centage of the nett proceeds to the Mexican government aand the
owners of the land.  Nothing prevents their being workted now but th.e
want of capital and perhaps energy.
There are no settlements, either American or Mexican.; above Fort
Duncan; neither will there be any, until settlers are afforded some pro.tection against the Indians.
The country and. soil betwee  FoTlort Dunca. and the nmouth of Devil's
river are represented by Captain Love as beautiful and rich beyond de-.se.ription, and watered by num erous streams flowing into the -i.io Grande
from both sides.  The principal are the Escon dido, or San Fernando,
Elm, Morel, Las I/Moras, Pecan, San Filippi, Bear, and Turkey.  The
whole country is susceptible of irrigation; but, frmn a single visit, it of
course could not be decided whether a scarcity  of rain in tha.t region
would render this- mode of watering thle soil necessary. The lands are
well timbered at intervals with live oak, pecan, u-lberr, y hackberry, ash,
mezquite, &e.  There are many fine mill-sites on the streams, and nearly
all have excellent water-power.  They abouand vwith perch and the regu.lar speckled trout of our northern motuntain streams.  The bear, antelope, deer, jaguar, ocelot, ounce, puma, catamount, wildcat, wolf, turkey, goose, duck, grouse, partridge, pigeon, squirrel, chachalaca, &c., &c-,
were found in great abundance.  Captain -Love says that he frequently
saw  herds of black-tail deer numbering two or three thousand.  life
also saw inmmense droves of wild horses and cattle.  He describes this
country as the finest in the world for grazing, and believes it capable of
sustaining almost any, giver  number' of sheep and goats.  From the mildness of the climate, sheep, in this region, and in fact along the whole valley of the Rio Grande to its mouth, require no sheds during the winter
months; and it is also unnecessary to cut hay for them, as they can graze
the entire year.  The sheep along the valley of the Rio Grande seem to
be free fromr the diseases so common at the north.  From  this fact, the
small expense in taking care of them, and the first cost, (about fifty
cents per head,) this will become a very lucrative business.
There is an extensive mine of bituminous coal, on the Texas side, about
twelve miles above Fort Duncan.




The face oi the country between the mouth of Devil's river and BabiOltt's falls is generally rounta-inous and barren aloneg the river9 though
portions of it back fhom the ioro sGrande, between the Devil's river and the
Puerco, are good for grazi ng oCr cultivation.  A. valiev about ten miles
wide, covered.with fline mezqlle grass, stretches for hundieds of miles
between the Puerco and R1o Grande.
Captain Love saw no Indians during his expedition, but passed many
places where they had recently been with large numbers of horses and.mules' and saw numerous small fires at night in the mountainst; probaly
indicating their presence.
About fifty miles below  the mouth of the Perco, the-re is a large cave
containing several roors, with natural arches overhead, and capable of
holding one thousand men.  A narrow  passage leading from it probably
terminates on the other side of the  oruntamin  as a strong crrent of ai
rushed through the entrance.  A short distance above the cave there are
thirteen natural towers about two thousaund feet high and two hundred in
diameter.
The " Grand Intdian crossing" is one hundred and twenty-one miles
above the mouth of the Puerco.  This is the ford where the Comnanche
and other tribes of indians pass the R io Grande, when making their incursions into Mexico, and is the only crossing-place ior more than four
hund.red miles, as the river fromr the mouth i of Devil's river to Babbitt's.falls (and probably a long distance above) is from twelve to eighteen feet
deep.  There are our fleet of water at the crossing.   The city of Chihuahua is only one hundred and -fifty miles foom this point.  The road leadig to the  c'rossing" runs along the valley between the Rio Grande and.
Puercc, mrentioned. above, is very wide, well beaten, and'resembles a
muuch-travelled thoroughfare.  it runs up this valley, some two hundred.miles, when it crosses the Puerco and goes off into the Indian summer
range.  It can be seen from the mountains ten or fifteen miles, winding
along the valley.
A garrison stationed at this point- would enable us to prevent the passage of the Indians into Mexico, and materially aid in carrying out our
treaty stipulations with that nation relative to this subject.  It.cound be
supplied with some diffiiclty by keel-boats.
The Indian appears to be the natural enemy of the Mexican, for he kills
him  vwhenever he can find him, and frequently for no possible reason.
The Mexicans have such a dread of Indians that they never stand their
f:re, but run at the veri first indication of their presence.  The Indians
have been very troublesome to the Mexicans for the last two years, and
have appeared in large bodies as far south as Durango.  The military
commander of that place, about a year since, hired, at an extravagan`t conpensation, a company of Americans, who were on their way to California,,to fight a party, of some two hundred who were in the neighborhood —
this, at a time vwhen there were a large garrison of regular troops in the
city and several thousand citizens capable of bearing arms.
The establishment of another military post at the mouth of Devil's river,
and one or two between it and Fort Duncan, (Eagle Pass,) would enable
-us not only more fithfully to perfbrm our treaty stipulations with Mexico,
but would cause that fertile country below the Devil's river to be settled




Do. No. 1.                             329
by a peacefiul populatioaon, and tihe riTch prairies whitesned by the flocks of
pioneeer farmers  fi'no the old States.
I have thee'onor to be general, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
~ W. W. CHAPMIAN,
Brevet Mwao and Assistanit QUartermastn er.
IlYjor Genr"'TI     S. JEsur,
fiu-,,',.t......" Gener.al.'Dadsinion. C.'Tavrpa,, October 21, 1S- 0.
(ixENERA:L' I hIave the honor to report the oerations of the quartermastcr's department in FIlorida during the past year,  under my direction,
as follows:
To meet the,coatingen acy of hostile operations against the Seminole Indians; supplies were first accumulated at St. Augustine and'tampa, in
August, 1849. -F jrpoC the former depot supplies were furnished to establish posts on the A.tlalntic coast, to wit: New  Smyrna, Indian river, and
Port Dallas, on the  MYiam ri iver.  The attention of the commanding
general being first directed to the protection of the frontier settlements,
and Pilatka on the St. John's, being a better point fbr sending supplies up
the St. John's and OchIlawaha rivers. Pilatka was substituted as a. depot,
and St. Augustine broken up.  Temporary posts were established at
Ora.ge creek, Okelhumke, thle Withlacooche, Hillsborough,  and Flint
rivers, on the high-road leading from  Tampa to Pilatka, and on Lakes
Hains and Griffin, the head-waters of the Ochlawaha. A depot was established at Savannah for furnishing a depot at Indian river, the magnitude
of which position was increased in consequence of the-location of a line
of posts westerly from that point to the Kissimme river.  The operations
being wholly of a protective character up to this time, and the Indians,
since their murders at Indian river and the trading-house on Pease creek,
retiring to their assigned limits in south Florida, where active operations,
if necessary, would Ctake place, the importance of Tampa as a depot became greatly enhanced, and large supplies were required and received at
this point from Brevet Colonel Hunt, at New Orleans.  From Tampa,
posts on an easterly line, to connect with the posts west from Indian river,
were established, with' a sub-depot on Pease creek.  The line thus advanced caused all the posts to the north of it to be abandoned, and the
troops concentrated on this line and south of it.  A  sub-depot was placed
on the Manatee river to supply the posts on a line to Chokkomicklu,
another point on Pease creek, where the burnt store stood; here, also, a
bridge of 120 feet spaln was constructed, for operating to the south, if necessary.  Two other posts were established at Charlotte harbor-one at
St. Joseph's island, and the other at the Carlosahatchee river. The great
number of posts located, and frequent changes of the stations of the troops,
required a large amount of land and water transportation and material,
all of which was furnished to meet the wants of the service and the wishes
of the commanding general-which, upon retiring from the immediate
command of the troops in Florida, he took occasion to express in a letter to




Docl. No. 1.
rme, herewith transmitted.  An efficient train of 112 wagons and teams
was early organized, and kept in activity, moving with the troops through
the country, and keeping up supplies at the several posts, from  time to
time, of subsistence, forage, and quartermaster's stores.  Before any of the
steamers belonging to the quartermaster's department could be sent to the
Atlantic coast of Florida from the Gulf of Mexico, the services of a chartered steamer were needed to comnmnicate between Savannah and Indian river, until in February, when she was relieved by the iron propeller Ashland and steamer Monmouth; these kept the depot at Indian
river supplied until it became necessary to lay them  up, being unserviceable.  These were old boats when sent to Florida.  The water transportation to Tampa consisted of steamers Fashion, Colonel Clay, and
Derossett.  In February the Derossett became disabled, and the steamer
Planter was purchased by Col. Hunt to supply her place.  The Derossett
was subsequently repaired, with the means in the department at Tampa,
and has since been sold at Newv Orleans.  At eighteen posts established, full
and safe protection was given to the public property, and the troops liberally
supplied with camp equipage. At the permanent posts, storehouses, stables,
hospitals, and quarters for men and officers, have been erected.  In all cuses,
this work has been accomplished by the labor of the troops, with materials
obtained by them in the country-a carpenter in but few cases being hired
to instruct the laborers.
In July, a reduction of the land transportation was ordered, and the
quantity not required in Florida directed  to be sent to Texas.  The
steamer " Fashion" has transported the surplus transportation, and, in
one more trip, will finish that service.  There remain in Florila fftyfive mule-teams, one hundred battery horses, and seventy horses in the
quartermaster's department for express and other purposes; (sixty-four
horses and forty mules remain to go to Texas.)  The depot at Tampa;
at first under the control of Major Haskins, was, on account of his enfeebled condition, assigned as the station of Brevet Major Donaldson.  Of
the efficiency of Major Donaldson I' cannot speak in too high praise, and
the commanding general's notice of his services renders it superfluous for
me to say more.  The depot at Indian river was assigned to Captain Jordan, to whom credit is due for its organization, and for meeting the wants
of the department on the east side of Florida.  To both these officers I
am indebted for a zealous support in the conduct of the department.
I have drawn upon you for ninety-seven thousand nine hundred and
ninety-seven dollars and forty-three cents in the past year, and received
thirty-one thousand five hundred and ten dollars from  the treasury and
other sources, as per statement herewith. This is the amount that has
passed through my hands for the department in Florida.  Of the expenditures, in connexion with this service at Savannah and New  Orleans,
reports from the officers at those places will give information. Details
concerning the depots at Tampa and Indian river will be furnished by
the officers immediately in charge of them.  I take occasion to urge again
the establishment of an " armywagon-yard," connected with the Quartermaster's department.  I imagine no civilived nations at this day would
intrust to contractors the manufacture of gun-carriages, &c.; and no officer of experience will dispute that the transportation of the army should'be as perfect and free from  blemish as the work turned out from  our
arsenals.  I trust; general, that you will make exertions to obtain the




doc. No. iL W.
appropriation from Congress, at its next, ess:1ion.  ask eA for in myt corre-:spondence with you on this subject.
Respectflly.submitted.
A. C. -MYERS,
Brevet Majo' and A. Q,  M.
Mi~ajor 3General JEsurp,
Quartermaaster Geineral, Washin gton.
Sta:texent of,draf.ts on Gf'nral; Jesup
1849...Aug ut   23       -  --.                                   $5, 00 00
September I.          -       -        5,000 00
o3      -....               3, 00  00
S                      -..O. 10000
tOctober    4....      -       - 21,967 39
5              -       -      -       -            1,178 80
6-..     --    8,00000 O
-               -       -       -      -       -      300 00.                      -      -       -..     1,8 0 000
1               -..-....                 -    1,00000
12.         -       -.       -      332 00
29.-                         -.              80000
29       -.-               -.    1,823 52
TNovember 9         -...       -      -                      140 00
0..     -       -      -       -       - 14,310 00
19       -..-.    t5,000 00
A2..          -                   2.1 0 00
tDecember 10        -                     -                    2, 000 00
1 0      -.       -               _       1  00 00
29       -.-                           -      -    1,000 00
1850..Janluary    7                     -                              900 00
12....                                s 83 23
February   7        -      -                                  17, 045 68
12       -              -              "        -     463 56
23              -       -          -                  600 00
March    21         -      -  IO -                               100
June.      -      -                                     450 00
July        2              -                                     500 00
3.. -    -               -    1,403 25
97,997 43
8statcem.ent of aunot tsd  r2eceived.
1849.
November 12..       -     $180 00
Novemiber 20               -       -                      -      500 00




45O A-)o    P. No, 1.
1850.
FeNihary 20         -.,  0000 00
March    3iL.. L                          -       -800
Ap ri      1.                              -.. -I           700 00
15-is..             I 3....                          500
Auitist   I8                                                   I.. -  -0, 000 00
31, 10 00
97, 997 43
Total anount          -  2 12, 507' 43
A., MYERS
Br'ec  eL0'jo: and A.ssistant, Qu.arierrmaCter.
%Noe by ithe QuartermIausierv General.
In a.dition t to the foregoing, the following-named ofiicetrs have expended
the amounts opposite their namres on accounit  of the war in Floridar viz:
Brigadier General l. Whiting, New York:  -                      1 -    1a,297 00
Lieutenaat Colonel D. D1. Tompkins, Boston         -               500 00
Major G. H. Croslman, Philadelphia          -                  25 988 00
Gaptai M. S. Miller, Savannah    -                             5  03,52 00
Colonel T. F. Hunt, New Orleans -          -                  293,000 00
Captain R. E. Clary, New Orleans             -     -           50,492 00
By other offic rs', estihmated at   -       -                  30, 00  00
4-68  329 00
HJEAi.lanAei."RS WiVV'EiST DIVSION,.'aiipa, Jime 10, 1850.
MAJOR: The geneoral of division, in retiring' from  the iimmediate
command of the troops in Florida, desires to express his entire satisfactioini w7ith the admninistration of the.quartermaster's department under
your control during the past year. 
Its complicated duties have been conducted vwith efficiency and great
eeononmy  the wants of service have been fully supplied, the interest
of the government carefully guarded.  The depot officers Major Donaldson and Captain Jordan have given like satisfaction. Be pleased to inform them how entirely they have fulfilled their duties.
To Major Donaldson especially credit is due for the skill and energy
with which he organized and conducted the principal depot.
I have the honor to be, sir very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W, W. MACKALL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Major A. M. MYERs,
Assistant Quartersmaster and Cghief of the Departn' 1et in Plorida.




Woc. No..o                            33
No. 4.
IREPORT OF THE PA.MASTELR GNERALo
PAl YMsASTER GENEsAL' S OFFsICE   October 17, 18S.O
siRX:   have the honor herewith to submit a report of the transactions
of the Pay department- during' the fiscal year terminating on the 30th
June, 1850o
It will be seen by the tabular statement herewith that the balance in the
hands of paymasters on the 30th of June, 1849, applicable to payments
due in the first quarter of the last fiscal year, was       $238, 306'5
In addition to which, paymasters have received from the
treasury and other sources, exclusive of transfers from
~one to another                               -       - 2,9 770 148 18
Making a total to'be accounted for of    -  3,008, 44 93
Expended, as follows:
in paying regular troops                - $2, 277, 512 27
In paying volunteers. -   121, 805 17
Three months' extra pay to regulars   -       75 052 85
Three months' extra pay to volunteers -       81 506 14
In paying Military Academy    -        -      86 216 24
Total. expended                              2 -  2,642,092 67
Leaving a balance of                                  366, 362 26
qThis balance, with the exception of $8,994 40 due from  deceased and
disbanded officers, has been expended, and in all cases, except at the
most remote stations, accounted for, since the commencement of the
present fiscal year.
The accounts of deceased and disbanded officers are, in process of
liquidation in the accounting departments, and will be closed, it is believed; without loss to the United States.
Funds have been furnished to all the paymasters for the payment of
their districts to the 31st of August-to which period, it is believed, from
information received, all the troops have been paido  Paymasters who
have rendered their accounts have been supplied with funds to 31st
October.
The law requires the troops to be paid every two months, when practicable; and to effect this, it is found necessary to send funds in advance
to paymasters located at remote points, in Oregon, California, and New
Mexico. In some cases,funds thus drawn from  the treasury during the
last, did not reach their destination till after the commencement of the
present fiscal year, and will be accounted for in my next report.
Respectfully submitted.
BENJ. F. LARNED,
Acting Paymaster General
Hon. C  M. C. oNlAD, rSecretary of iWar.




tatement.t showintg the amount remaaining, int the hant ds of each of  th7,e disbursitg  officers of the Pay  department and   n- 
accounteed for  oT the 1st July, 1849; the amount remitted  to each fJomt the treasu!ry,   or turned  over by other  agents, 
during  the fiscal year ending 303h  Junze, 1850; the amount accounted for by each  by-accounts and vouchers, of expenditure, or by  transfer to'oth/er agents, or replacements in. the treasury; and the balance unaccounted for, to be  applied to
ipaynenti s in t/hefirst quarter of the next fiscal yearV.
I ~0                                                              0)~               0)0-. _.....',,.,~,.~:...
Paymasterst                            cu o.                                                                        x         
B. F. Lamed, deputy paynmaster general.....          $13,14050           $5,821 39          $65,961 89          $12,329 58             0366 79              $309 00
D. Randall............ do..............  134 36        246,390 54          9246,524 90           1,820 91................
T. J. Leslie..................................,159 45                   21,159 45         134,384 26            7,825 89             3,085 520
D. S. Townsend......................      8,083 23          124,277 75         132,360 98          117,911 97            1946 68              2,625 00
T. P. Andrews....................             2,139 99          153,589 28         155,729 27          139,435 58            2,013 69             1,191 00'A. D.0Stewart...819 48.................               2                  412,166 67         432,986 15           76,705 70            6,955 49             1,659 00
B. Walker.........................                      4,7 54 79        130,589 96         135,344 75           87,791 35            9,565 64             1,582 00
E. Van Ness....................                         7,298 96          602,047 55         609,346 51          295,368 65           18,740 69             2,511 00
S.Denny................................  18, 24  93,104 65  111,353 89           97,051 20            1,551 22             1,935 00. HI-unter.......................        26,667 88          516,474 54         543,142 42          242,538 21           54, 534 99           43,928 35
L.J. Beall...........................          6,053 141          81,121 41           87,174 55          67,752 12               268 25.  405 00
A. J. Coffee..................                          7,01 48            03,53 72          310,645 20           82,42840             8,22681              2,091 00
A. Van B.l..........                   2505.5  05.........................
J. Y. Dashieil......                        5,300 22           57,036 27           62,336 49          44,582 71            1,389 49               657 C0
S. Maclin.....6..........'..........             3,44 44            91,165 45           94,80989           89,638 96            2,17272                591 00
A. W. Gaines............................              16, 974 50         110,020) 90        126,995 40          105, 325 10              773 25            1,989 00
G.. Ringld..........................   5,727 48          102,258 37         107,985 85        I    4,635 92           1,392 20               579 00
A. G. Bennett.'...................   5,673 84        6,458 45          72 13  29          6, 755 2                289 45            1,314 0
H. Leonard...................................         237,539 47         237,539 47          -73,239*55..............                  810 00
R. B. Reynolds...................       51,722 51           15,942 89          67,665 40           55,892 44.                     42 00
enry HJ ill................-.......              4 887 56            4,426 09          89,313 65           46,258 95..                              591 0




F. A. Cmningh-..a....,...174, 410 31                                 174,410 31             135,100 10                  477 73, 655  00
~G   C. I~H~utte   err'.,,.,...^.............1             2,894  2"9          148,812  48           150,906 75             138,735 1.                  454 73               9,694 00
A; J. Srmith-......,.........                         1,000 00             44,660 21              45, 660 21            43,596 83                                        1, 210 00
N. W. Brown..'.......................   118,48   97           11,48   97             41,802  18.............81 00
J. R. Hagner..........................                                         45,600 00              45,600 00.........................................
Christopher Andrews..............               12,353 45             30,738 74              43,092 19             40,244 09                1,330  101'      468 00
Edmund Kirby......................                   3,   9 8             14,046 96              11,328 84                  802 15................
R. S.  Dix......................... Di.......                      1,135 20 1,341 21                        2,476 41;. 4............................
R. A. Fcrsyth+   9..9................                       9 89                                     913 89                 913 89  1...................
P. T. Crutchficldtf                                                80  14                                        870  14,                  870 14
William  Singer.............             5,582 08................                   5,582 08...............
F. G. Bosworth...                               1,648 17............          1,64   17...........................
William  Rich~...............                        398 13                                       398 13                 398 13.................
J. C. Bergh~..                                                         0 2080................                                               80................................
R...Strang e~...............,.                   5 0 07.................527..57.....
R. Strange~.                                                         55207                                                               N. 5207.
Total............................        238,306 75          4,179,666 66          4,517,973 41           2,277,512  27            121,805 171               75,052 85
" This amount ($1,341 21) suspended by accounting officers in the settlement of accounts.
I Resigned                                                 i Died.                                                ~ Disbanded.                                                Z''                                             9~~~~~~~~~~~~~~C
Q1




STATEMENT-Continued,                                                                                     ~.                                                                       i -     -I Io   o~
B. F. Lamed, deputy paymaster general................................ |52,956 52                   $65,961 89........ Randall............do....................................221,000 00        222,820  91       0i99 t
T.J.  Leslie..............................................                    105    00.............       75,78   80         21,159   45................ 
D. S. Townsend..........................................                   7560................0 8 O0                         124,059 65             8, 301.33.
T....................                                      70..97
T.P. P.Andres................................................                                                      253 70        1 42,93 97            12,835 30
A. D. Stewart.............                         0                                i]:..2,2030.............................. 2,203   "  339,742 74  427,265 93  5,720 22
B. Walker...............................................                1,10500                               30,555 09         130,599 08             4,74567 
E. Van Ness.............................................                   454 53          86,216 24         195,156 36          598,4-47 47          10,899 04?
S. Denny...........                                                          153 00...............               284 40         101,04 82            10,32907
D. Hunter                                                                71..........  71,325 61119,540 03                        531,887 19            11,27523 
L. J.  Beall...............................................4........................ i 114   50                  69,539   8           17,634   68
A. J. Coffee........................................  1,730 00................           203,24900           27,725 21             12,919 9
A, Van  Buren................................................................                                     25   05
J. Y. Dashiell.                                                 O,.....,60 s80          50,c260 00          12,076 49
S. Maclin....0............,4................               150 00          9,79 9268            2,017 21
A. W. Gaines............................. 38...............5  1,60 651           18,354 75
G. H. Ringgold....................................................   C37,997 50            84,604 62           23,381 23
A. G. Bennett..e......................................  487 00................................   62,845 7  9,286 58
H. Leonard............... O........................             21 00........           10 8,500 00         182,570 55          54,968 92
R. B. Reynolds.............................             6,00000,934 44           5,730 96
Henry Hilt..............................................          2,416 00.......37,968 00                    87,33 95             2,079 70
F. A. Cunningham........}...............o....              I           72 00........ /........        138, 04 83           36,105 48'G. C. Hutter..,.,,c.........                                                                 143.883 94            9,022 81L
0~. C.  H,,tter...,..........................................................................,883   9,022 81
A. J. S i..............................................................               4,806 83               853 38
~. W. Brown............................................             57,098 01          98,981 19            19,500 78
J. R. Hagner..............................,,,..C.               45;600 00




Christoph r Andrews'................................{..............................                             1,050  00                        43,092   19 
Edmund  Kirby.................................................................                                                                     15,477  73                        16,279   88                              1,046    96
R. S. Dixf.                      47................4................................................................,476    41
R. A. Firsytht........... J.................................                                                         913 89................
P. T. Crutchfieldf....................................................................................7
tW         illiam    Singer+.......................................                                                                       1,100  00                                                1,75922             3,822 86
F. G. Bosworth....*.................................................................................................                                                                       1,648   17
William    R                        i............................................................,....                                                                                     398..13........................:J. C.B              r      ht.......................... ^..I.,.....                                                                                             O................-                         20   80................o4
R. Strang4..52............................07.....................                                                                                                                                                                                       5207.
Total...........................                                             81,50614                            86,216  2                    1,509,518  48                       4,151,611  15                              366,362 26
Resigned.                                                                                      f Died.                                                                                    + Disbanded.
PAMAsr'E. G-NERAL's OFict, October 17, 1850.
BENJ. F. L.RNED, Acting Paymaster General. 
0




338                            3Doc. No. 1.
No. 5.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSARY GENERAL.
OFFICE COMMISSARY GENERAL OF SUBSISTENCE,
Washington, October 19,1850.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations
of this department, and to transmit an estimate for the subsistence of thu
army;, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1852:
During the past year, the old established posts on the Atlantic coast,
lake frontier, and western border of the old States have been supplied
with subsistence by contract; but the unsettled condition of those portions of the army in Texas, Florida, New Mexico, California, and Oregon, taken in connexion with the absence of resources in those portions
of the country to furnish a supply in case of the failure of a contractor,
rendered the contract system inexpedient for them. These troops have,
therefore, been supplied by purchase in the open market of the old States,
and the Quartermaster's department called upon to transport the stores to
the distant points occupied& by them.
Every effort has been made to lessen the immense quantity of transportation required,, by procuring in those countries every part of the
ration they could furnish-so far, however, with but little success. It is
hoped the inducements held out to the inhabitants will, in a few years,
enable them to furnish. largely.
The distance of a large portion of the army from the sources of supply
and the perishable nature of the ration have greatly increased the expense of subsisting the army; nor can it reasonably be expected this
expense will be materially diminished for many years.
The officers of this department have faithfully performed their duty,
and, from. the information which has reached me, all parts of the army
have been amply supplied with good and wholesome provisions.
Great credit is due to the officers of the Quartermaster's department
charged with the transportation of subsistence; and to their indefatigable
exertions in forwarding it, I am greatly indebted for the success which
has crowned my efforts.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
GEO. GIBSON,
Commissary General of Subsistence.
Hon. C. M. OoNRAD,
Secretary of War.




Doe. No. 1.                             339
No  6.
REPORT OF THE SURGEON GENERAL
SURGEON GENERAL'S OFFIS G,
Novelber 5; 1850.
SIR: I have the honor to lay before. you a statement of the fiscal transactions,  a  reprt upon the operations generally of the medical department -of the army, for the year ending on the 30th June, 1850.
The Biamount of the appropriation for the medical and hospital departt remaining on the 30th June, 1849, was:
In the hands of disbursing agents   -         -.$10,817 37
In the treasury of the United States -        -  115,023 23
Add to this the amount appropriated per act
of Congress of 3d March, 1849    -          -   52,000 00
Amount received from  medical officers of the
army for nmedical supplies sold in Mexico  -    2,853 04
Amount received from  auction sales in New
York                    -           -       -        14 25
Amount received from  auction sales in New
Orleans    -        -      -       -                 2  00
Amount received (or refunded) from  other"
officers    -       -       -       -       -       147 6
~ 180,875 55
"Of this sum  there has been expended on account of pay and other claims of private
physicians          -       -       -       -  $3,319 07'Oni account of medical supplies, &c., &c.  -   45,980 54
Leaving in the hands of disbursing agents  -    5,714 85.And in the treasury of.the United States     - 75,861 09
-  180,875 55
Medical supplies of good quality have been regularly provided by the
nmedical purveyors for the troops in the different sections of the country,
and have been distributed to the various military posts with as much
promptitude as practicable, under the present widely dispersed state of the
army.
The returns of public~property, required by the regulations of the army,
from  the officers of the medical staff and private physicians employed in
the service of the United States, have been regularly rendered; and as
these papers exhibited in detail every article of supply received, and satisfactorily accounted for the expenditure of the same, their accounts have,
with very few exceptions, been finally settled-those from-distant sections




340                          Doc. No. 1.
of the country to the 31st March, and those from  nearer stations up to the
30th of September of the present year.
The number of officers and men remaining sick on the 30th Jun e. 18S49,
was 694; and the number of cases of disease which have occurred within
the twelve succeeding months, is 24,079; making an aggregate of 24,7f3
cases of indisposition that have been undermedical treatment during the
year ending the 30th June, 1800.
Of the whole numbeAf sick reported, 23,390 have been restored to duty;
24 are on furlough; 322 have been discharged the service; 39 have deserted,
and 294 have died; leaving on the 30th of June last, 649 still on the sick
report.
The mean strength of the army for the last twelve months being, according to the reports in the Adjutant General's office, 8,970, and the number of'
cases of indisposition reported for the same period being 24,079.it will
be perceived that the proportion of cases of disease to the number of
officers and en'listed men in the service was 2.06 to one, or that, on an
average, each man was sick about twice during the year; that t:-e ratio
of deaths to the number of men was as one to 30.51, or 3.2 7 prcent.; and
the proportion of deaths to the number of cases under treatment was as
one to 84.26, or 1.18 per cent.
At the date of my last annual report, a medical board for the examination of applicants for appointment to the medical staff of the arm y was
sitting in the city of Philadelphia.
Before this board twenty-five candidates were authorized to present
themselves for examination, of whom twenty-one reported to the board.
Of the number who reported, eight withdrew of their own accord;
thirteen underwent the examination; and of these last, seven were approved and recommended for appointment.
All the approved candida'.s having been duly appointed and commissioned, another medical board was convened in the city of New York, on
the 15th May, 1850.
By this board three assistant surgeons were examined, who having
been fully approved, were accordingly recommended for promotion.
Before this board twenty-seven candidates were invited to present
themselves for examination, twenty-two of whom reported to the board.
Of those who presented themselves, two were found physicalty disqualified; one was under the prescribed age; nine withdrew, and ten
-ere examined; and of these last, seven were approved and have been
registered on the files of this office as legally qualified for appointment to
the medical sraff of the army.
In conformity with the will of Congress, the meteorological observations
have been continued at all the military posts occupied by troops during
the last year; and most of the new stations on our western frontier, in
Texas; New Mexico, California, and Oregon, having been supplied with
inAstrumnents, observations are now taken at those points also.
A complete series of observations on the barometer and therrnmometer is
now being taken at various points over our widely extended counzry, and.the meteorological reports will be accompanied with a notice of the varying
clearness of sky, the direction and velocity of clouWls and wind, together
with remarks on the progress of vegetation, the rise and fall of rivers, unusual tides, &c., &c.
As these military stations are fortunately located in the most im portant




Doc. No. 1. 
sections of the country for meteorological purposes, viz: on the shores of
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the great lakes and the Gulf ofMexico,
and on the intermediate ground, the observations taken cannot fail n due
time to afford interesting and valuable results.
The medical staff of the army consists of twenty-two surgeons and
seventy-two assistant surgeons; making, with  the Surgeon  General
ninety-five members in all.
This is seemingly'a large corps of officers; still, it is found not to be
sufficient in numbers to meet the requirements of the serviceunderthe
present very dispersed state of the army.
There are, as shown by the reports in the Adjutant General's and in the
Surgeorn General's offices, one hundred and eight military posts, arsenals
and other stations occupied by troops, each of which reqires one and
some of the'm tw'o physicians; while there are but twenty-two sur eons
and seventy-two assistants, or ninety-four physicians, to see the troops
at these various stations.
It is proper to state, also., that in addition to the number of   ysicians
required at the various stations occupied by troops, private physicis have
to be employed -occasionally to accompany recruits and other troops from
one post to another; while, on the other hand, the availabilityoithemedical staff must frequently be lessened by sickness in its ranks, and attimes
by the necessary relaxation from  duty extended to them, the same as to
officers ofother corps of the army.
From the oregoing statement it will appear that there ae not medical
officers sufficient to supply all the posts occupied by troops, much less to
meet the requirements of the service both at the military stations and on
marches from one point to another.
To enable the medical officers of the army alone to serve all the troops,
the number of posts to be occupied must be reduced; and as this proposition is not likely to be entertained, the question arises whether the medical
staff of the army shall be increased to the wants of the service, or the present practice be continued of employing private physicians to perform the
duties of a military surgeon.
There are at this time twenty-eight private physicians employed at
forts, arsenals, &c., &c.-; and should the troops be still more dispersed; as
is contemplated, additional medical aid will be required.
Having thus stated the facts of the case, shown the inadequacy of the
medical staff in numbers to meet all the requirements of the service, my
duty in this matter ceases; and it remains for other and higher authorities
to determine in what manner the public interest in this particular can be
best subserved.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
TH. LAWSON,
Surgeon General.
Hon. C. M. CONRAD,
secretary of War.
Part ii-22 a




842                            Doe. No. 1.
No. 7e
-REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER.
ENGINEER DEPARTMIENT;
Washington, Noven         30, ber 30,1850
SIR: Th  following report explains the condition of the fortifications
under.onstruction or repair on the seacoast and northern border. It also
gives the condition of the Military Academy, and refers toother matterv
committe'd to this department.
FORTIFICATIONS, AND MILITARY ESTABLISHMENTS CONNECTED
THEREWITH.
There rmay be advantage in referring to the history of the system offortifications upon our seacoast.  Soon after the organization of the gover
iment under the constitution, it became apparent, that though remote
from the old contimlnt, our distance might not avert a participation in the
wars that the French revolution had spread over the rest of Christendom;
aqnd, accordingly, considerable expenditures were  made.on  forts and
batteries  at the principal seaports.  The defences remaining from  our
revolutionary  war (being erections in  earth  for temporary purposes
merely) afforded little or no aid; and as. all the principal harbors had to
ble protected at once, and the means of the treasury were not large, the
works then erected were small, and for the greater part temporary, bothfrom the nature of their materials and the mode of construction. This state
of things answered while we had no more powerful maritime enemy to
contend vith than France, espedially as she had full employment for all
her military means upon her own coasts, or inwaging wars on her own
continent.
Wheh, however, *in consequence of the attack on  the Chesapeake
frigate, and the injuries inflicted on our commaerce by English" cruisers,
there arose a probability thatwe might soon be at issue with Great Britain,
our government became sensible-considering  the inadequacy  of the
above-mentioned provision of defences-of the necessity of an immediate
enlargement of the system. Large appropriations were forthwith made
for defence, and were continued from year to year, and great activity was
given to the labors of construction, so that when the war actually broke
out i m 1812 there was not a town upon the seaboard of any magnitude
that was not supplied with one or more batteries; a portion of these being,
however, works erected under the first system. At that time, the incidents
which may be said to be natural to a state of active warfare were too familiar
to all, to permit any expectation that, with an enemy enjoying the mastery
on the water, a place would find safety in its littleness from the marauding
expeditions of smaller cruisers.
The clamor of l6cal apprehension was not to be disregarded by the
government; and the cAnsequence was, as above stated, that every town,




Doe. No..                                3
small as iwell as great, whether upon the coast, or on  the navigabe estuaries and rivers, was supplied with defences. And there can be no doubt
that to the mere fact of the existence of defences may be ascribed an exeruption from loss of blood and treasure, greater in value  ahundred ties
than the nymoney bestowed o4 their erection.
These defences, which may be said to have constituted the second systern, were, however, so numerous, that, under only modera
tions, (then always granted in a gross sumn,) they could only be, for the
gr~eater part, small; and being built, for the sake of present economy, of
cheap materials and workmanship, were perishable as well as weak.  So
well did the government understand this weakness, however thatthey
alled out to the support of all the most important posts large bodies of
troops, at enormous expense, causing these troops to be covered  b
additional and extensive lines of field-works.
No soon er was the war over than the government, in. fresh recollection
of the weakness of the system on which they had been obliged to depend,
~and of the great additional expenditures they had been obliged to incur i
large assermblages of troops, and in various temporary devices, determined.to enter promptly upon an adequate permanent system.
To this end experienced naval and engineer officers were directed to
~make close, examination of the whole coast, examining all the existing
works, and selecting points necessary to be occupied by new fortifications,
and such as iwere proper for navy yards and depots.   The board of of-ficers which was soon constituted for this purpose, applied themselves
~several years uninterruptedly to this duty; giving, each year,
ports of their operations, and presenting plans. for such fortifications as
were most immediately necessary.
They divided the wvole system  into classes, according to the relative
importance of the proposed works, in the order of time-;, the works of each
class standing,'moreover, in their own class according to their relative
importance in that respect.
This, being what may be called the third system, has now been under
construction some thirty years; it has met the support of each succeeding
administration, which, in measure as advancement was made therein, has
called for the support of Congress for such new  works as came next in
turn..
These calls have sometimes encountered delay; but, after careful examination by the military committees, have always been acceded to; and the
general result even now, when a good deal required for complete protection is yet untouched, is, that the most important points of the coast are in
comparative security; permanent forts and batteries being already provided,
and nqw entirely ready for upwards of four thousand cannon.
The leading objects of this system are to provide permanent fortifications for the most commatnding and influential positions (n the approaches to the principal cities, towns, or public establishments; preferring.such positions as, while they will exclude an eatemy's squadrons, will,.in case he should resort to a landing, oblige him to make a considerable
detour before reaching his object; and preferring, moreover, when they,can be found, such positions as shall yield incidentally important protection to other objects.
Fort Delaware, now  in progress in Delaware bay, is an il~ustration.
The only defence of Phihadelphia at this moment is Fort Mifflin, a small




6, z                   Jo       NDoe o. 1No.
and weak fort surviving from  the  M'Kud Fort' of the revolutionary war.
it is seven miles belw Philadelphia, and certainly ot{'ht not to be relied
on to cover that great city from  a suddenattackbya squadron ofsteamers
The city itself affords no. means of resistance nor would it have time to pre.
pare any, since the firstintelligence of the arrival of such a squadron on the
coast might be their appearance before the wharves.  But Fort Dela
iorty miles below; and being made, as  it          ny   ayo close te river
against further progress, no enemy could hope toreach the city by landing
and marching thither with the popuation of New Jersey and even of New
York, falling on his flank  on one  side,ofDela  are and Maryland on the other.  And XWThile this fort will thus efectlally cover thecity of Philadelphia, it will cover also the Chesapeakeand Delaware canal;.
the railroad from Baltimore to Philadelphia; the great powder manufactories
on the Brandywine; the towns of New Cstle W             inon and Chester
and other places.
The fortifications at Hampton Roads (Forts.             and  Oalhoun) afford an illustration of another kind.  They cover primarily the great
southern nlaval establishment near Norfolk, the city of No k itself and
the towns, &c., on James river, from attackl  by water.  Theycoveralso
the anchorage of Hampton Roads, which  illbea harbor of refuge to the
commerce of that prt of he coast as well as to that of James river and
Chesapeake bay.  Should an enemy attept to approach the navy-yardat
Norfolk from a landing in Lyninhaven ba   they moreover allow the succor that will flow  down James river to be landed in his rear cutting off"
retreat to his ships.  They permit a light squadron of our oWn, anchored
in Hamptonl Roads, to cover the whole of Chesapeake bae  and its tributary rivers from the predatory enterprises of any smaller squadron,
6Some towns of lesser note, as regards population,. becoime objects of importance, from their connexion with commerce, or with governnment estabEishments, or as being in peculiar geographical positions.  Aobile is not
a large city, and it is almost out of an enemy's reach, owming to the shallowness of its bay; but hundreds of ships lying every Winter close to the'
ocean, awaiting their cargoes of cotton, can find no protection except in
forts at the mnouth of the'bay.  Nor can the commerce a'd communication
between Mobile and New Orleans have any other sure prolection at this
inlet.: Pensacola has little of its own to excite the cupidity of an enemy;.
but its bay is the best harbor, and within this bay.is the only navy-yardin the Gulf.
Considerations of this, or analogous nature, bring within the defensivesystem quite a number of places and- positions.  There' will still remain,
however, a larger number of places which will be entitled to protection
only on account of the degree to which they are likely, of themselves, to
invite predatory attacks.  When the more important parts of the system
a     eprovided for, it willbe for'Co'ngres, to decide whether these also shall
receive, a portion of its favor.  These are regarded by the board as constitutilng the last class.
It thus appears that the object of the present system of defence is to
cover important and valuable points on the maritime frontier from  an
enemy's attacks; to do this gradually, in measure as the state-of the
treasury will permit, and in an order corresponding with their importance
and value respectively-each  new undertaking being separately and expressly  sanctioned by Congress.  That the whole line of coast was to




Doc. No. 1,                               345!be occupied by forts and batteries at all points where an enemy could.
klnd, as some have supposed, has been no part of the system. The enemy will prefer to reach his object without landing at all, and might be
willing to risk a good deal to attain a great object in that way; but it
would be only an object of the very highest importance, undertaken with
corresponding means-, that could tempt him to go far from  his ships on
any part of the coast, or to be absent more than a few hours in the populous portions.
I ought here to state, in connexion with this history of the system of
defence, that the labors thereon of the board of engineers have not yet,terminated.  It has only been within a few months that their other occu-'pations permitted an examination of the coast of East Florida, nor has it'yet been possible lor them to present projects for any of the harbors of the
Texas coast.
I ought to state here  also that the new  system of defence embraces
-very many of the old works-all, indeed, that were well situated, occu-'pied the ground in a proper manner, and possessed requisite strength.
These, however, almost universally, had been constructed in so imperfect
-a manner, and had been so long neglected-often entirely abandonedthat repairs, amounting sometimes nearly or quite to reconstruction, have
been indispensable.
Pending tihe incompleteness of the new system, it has been necessary,
several times within the last few  years, to press forward repairs of this
nature, in order to be the better prepared for the war that seemed impenddug.  Much of the present efficiency of the system is the result of these
l4abors of modification and repair.
I come now to certain objections that are urged against fortifications as
a means of defence.  One class of objections is founded on the notion
that defence by naval means would be more effectual; that, instead of
fortifications, it should consist of ships-of-war, war steamers, floating batteries, and the like. This point has already heretofore been. so fully discussed, that, in a report which ought to be brief, I maybe allowed to refer
to the document containing it, namely: House document No. 206, 1st
~session 26th Congress.  That document, moreover, contains a general
discussion and explanation of the whole subject. It was prepared by
order of the Secretary of War, by a board of officers from several corps,
and was presented in answer to resolutions of inquiry fromt both houses of
Congress. It affords a clear and accurate summary, and is as applicable
now, so far as regards principles, as when written.
More common objections, however, now-a-days are, that fortifications
have become I obsolete"-meaning, I suppose, that the means of attack
have been so changed in their nature, or improved, that fortifications,
though they may once have been adequate, are no longer so.  This
mere assertion; and we are left to conjecture to what, in particular, the.-assertion alludes.  Is it meant that the introduction of steam vessels into
naval service has lessened the ivalue'of fortifications? The suddenness
with which such a vessel may present herself on the coast, and the
rapidity with which she may pass from  one port to another, make'it
necessary, undoubtedly, that there should be great vigilance and constant
readiness to receive her. Her shallow draught, moreover, makes it necessary that channels and inlets should be fortided, or closed in some other
way, that, before, were protected by their shallowness. The small steamer
Part ii-22 1b




346                           Doc. No. 1.
Nemesis was one of the most useful and effective of the British fleet
before Canton, because, drawing but six feet water, she could navigate,
channels deemed to be impracticable to ships-of-war, and therefore left
unguarded.  But a steamer is much more vulnerable than a sailing vessel; she has twenty mortal parts to one; and, while she has so many of
these, and presents so large a surface, her armament is small.  A war
steamer, with an exposed surface (every inch of which is permeable to
shot) as large as that of a line-of-battle ship, can reply to the batteries
with a fire of some eight or ten. guns only, instead of the forty or fifty of
the latter.  Had she an equal armament, and an equal surface exposed
to the batteries, still she would suffer most, because so much of her surface covers matters to which the least injury is destruction. If these fortfications have not become useless because of the introduction of steamers
into war service, I can imagine no other reason that can be assigned for
believing them to be useless than the supposed effects upon them of what
are called Paixhan guns.  This gun is certainly, in many uses, a very
destructive instrument; but not against fortifications. The shells they
throw against the stone or brick walls of a fort break thereon like egg:
shells.  This fact, well known abroad, we have proved by our own ex
periments. Seriotus injury can be done to these walls by no such missileand only by many solid shot, fired with great velocity, and striking near each
other.  On  the other hand, the Paixhan shell fired by the fort against the
ship first penetrates the wood-work with all the effects of a solid shot, and
then bursts, either amongst the people and guns on the decks, or in the,
side of the vessel, rending and tearing a large surface. A want of knowledge and consideration of the facts as they really are has led to false.
generalization in these matters, but only amongst persons not required by
their studies or duties to make particular and careful investigation.  If
we are willing to find authority for proceedings of this nature in the practice of old nations with whom war is often a necessity, sometimes a resort,
and always a science, we may be glad to know that fortifications, as means
of security against maritime attacks as well as against military operations.
on shore, are.the constant and present reliance even of the most powerful
nations.  Great Britain and France have steadily maintained their defensive systems; they have augmented and improved them., and they are
now engaged in the erection of new seacoast fortifications.
I am not able to report any great progress in the fortifications now in
hand, since my last annual communication.  The late day at'which theappropriations for the fiscal year were made, and the rule (always strictly
enjoined on the officers of the department) never to make expenditures or
engagements in anticipation of appropriations, caused a suspension of
labors at almost all the works for the greater part of the summer and the
early part of autumn.
The winter is the best season for work at the south; where, consequently, the works will be pressed forward; and at the north' the arrangements will allow a like vigorous prosecution at the opening of spring; go
that we may hope for material progress everywhere by the end of the
fiscal year.
I cannot better conclude this part of my report thar by quoting fromn
that of November 9, 1849-substituting the amount of reduction of estimates applicable to the present year:
The superintending engineer officers, in preparing estimates for the




Doc. No. 1.                                347
next fiscal year, have considered, severally, what was required by the
(general system of defence, and what by the economical interests of their
particular works; in other words, they have studied how best to advance
the system, and at the same time lessen the final cost of the portion in
their hands. It would be greatly to the advantage of the country, on the
score of ultimate cost-to say nothing of an earlier state of security-to
grant the full amount of these estimates.  But, on the supposition that the.,government would desire to conform more nearly to the average expenditures of former years, I have greatly moderated the demands of the officers.  The estimate handed in by the engineer department is by  722,127
less than the sum of those furnished by the officers.  Should any political
urgency arise before the action thereoirby Congress, it may be necessar
to ask for a considerable increase in the amounts of the estimates.
"In presenting a true statement of the condition and wants of this portion of the public service, I acquit myself of my merely official duty.
Bul, in the full knowledge of our weakness at many points, and under
a deep conviction of the grave consequences likely to flow from delay or
tardiness in the prosecution of the system of defence, the duty of patriotism requires that I should urge for it, with all admissible emphasis,'te
liberal support of the Executive and Congress.
"Within the last few years, the indemnity question with France, the
McLeod question, the northeastern boundary question, the Oregon question, have each in turn excited public alarm, rousing the people from a
state of indifference, if not security, to look anxiously into the preparations
made by the, government for their protection.  And, in each instance,
there has been no little clamor, because so much still remained to do.'This brief portion of our history is very instructive, as showing how sud-denly and unexpectedly, from a state of profound peace, and in relations
of amity apparently well settled with all the world, the nation may be
brought into a condition where a want of those military preparations,'which are necessarily the work of time, is felt to be a great fault as well
as a great misfortune. In reference to this duty of preparation, I dare not
-assume that the present period is one not liable to any such surprise.
"Besides the works finished, those in progress, and those uVIder repairof which more particular mention will now be made-it is of the first
-necessity that certain new forts should be authorized by Congress, at the,earliest day practicable.  These will be specified in their respective geographic positions. They have been heretofore recommended by commit-,tees of Congress, as well as by the Executive and by this department."
P'rt Wayne, Detroit, Michigan.-This fort has been completed for.some time, and is in a condition of strength and efficiency; it perfectly
commands the passage between Lake Erie and the upper lakes, and is
intended to afford barracks, quarters and storehouses for the troops, which
it has always been found advisable to keep at this point of the frontier,
and which have for many years occupied on the rear of the town inconvenient and uncomfortable wooden buildings on hired ground; the quar-ters for officers being all hired, as also offices and stables, upwards of
^1 200 per annum being now paid for rents.
The available means of the year have been applied to the construction,of barracks, and also to the completioifof a portion of the N. ER quarters.




3483 Doe. No. 1.
A recent nmisfortune, the burning of these quarters, has determined the
department to render both these barracks and the quarters fi-proof.
The barracks have been roofed and covered with tin, and require now
only the laying of brick floors, the cormpletion of the interior finish  and
the addition of the necessary out-buildings.
The quarters intended for officers  part of which had been completed,.
and the rest under construction-were, during the absence of the officer
in charge destroyed by an accidental fire.  It is proposed in th
struction to render these fire-proof to a certain extent.
The fort itself requires no additional expenditures except a very small'amount for preservation.
With the available and estimated means it is intended to complete the
barracks, the quarters and hospital, the storehouse, bakery  guard-house
&c.; all to be plain and substantial buildings, permanent and fire-prof.
Bala~nce in th reasury on the 30th September, 185000 00
Probable amount to be expended 30th June, 1851                -   15000 00
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1852                -       -       -   15,0000
Fort Porter, near Bufalo, Ne-to York.-Operations have been confined
to a little work on the bridges, and to some repairs on the dwelling-hous
to, making fences, drains, &c., and applying pointing to some of the
masonry of the tower.  The work is in good condition and requires no
additional appropriation.
Balance in the treasury on the 30th September, 1850           -  $20,350 00
tProbable amount to be expended by 30th June 1851             -   10 000 00
Fort Niag ara, New York.-Operations for the year were directed to
the construction of barracks and hospital for the troops.  These when
nearly completed. were destroyed by fire, originating in another part of the
work: besides these buildings, the fire destroyed also the palisades along
a considerable extent of the lake front, and also the block house commanding the lake shore.
The work is now  quite defective in regard to the accommodation of
troops, and will require additional appropriations to provide it in a suitable
manner.  The available means might suffice to replace the palisades and
block-house and make some small repairs needed; but as this is likely, to
be maintained as a military post, it seems necessary that the aiccommodations recently destroyed should be replaced by plain fire-proof buildings;
for which purpose, and in order to introduce stone pintle-centres and
traverse-circles for the guns instead of the present wooden ones, now much
AIecayed, I have to ask an appropriation of $10,000. The old storehouses
will soon have to be rebuilt, but they may be kept up for a year or two
longer.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850              -       -   $1,600 69
Probable amount to be expended'by 30th June, 1851             -     1,600 69
Estimate of amount to be appxopriated for fiscal year ending
30th June, 1852            -       -       -        ~      -   10,000 00
Fort Ontario, Oswego, New  York.-An examination of this work the
past year showed that thoughk -enerally in excellent condition of strength




Doc. No. 1.                              349
ad efficiency, there was a necessity for certain  small repairs.  The
wooden  revetmenet at several points requires replacing; the parapet requires regrading, ill places; the quarters partial pointing, and the face of
the bank, where there have been small slides, requires rearranging. There
being no meanes available for these repairs' I have to ask a small appropriation for this purpose'.
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
year ending 30th June, 185         -       -        -       -         0 0000
Fort Montgomery, Riouse's Point, New York.-IR consequence of the
small balance of appropriation remaining on the 1st October, 1849, and
he lateness of the appropriation for the present year, means were wanting
for operating on an extended scale.  About ~5,000 have been applied to
the fbllowing-named work, viz: 179 cubic yards of masonlry, 7,962 cubic
yards of earthen embankment, preparation of timber for draw-bridges and
gun platforms, and some minor work.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850              -       -  $16,500 00
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 851              -     8,500 00
cl.stimate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1852    -           -       -        -   15,000 00Port K'wo, Ncnarrows of the Penobscot, Miaine.-An  amniount of less.
than $6,000 was left on the 1st October, 1849, for the service of the last.
fiscal year.  This has been all applied to blasting the rock from the parade
and. the ditch of one of the fronts; 950 cubic yards have been remnoved, essentially completing these excavations and absorbing the small
balance of funds.  it is expected, with means now  applicable, to complete the rock and earth excavation of the west and south ditches and
for the traverses of the batteries to lay a considerable amount of concrete
foundations, to apply sodding to certain embankments, to build a small
wharf, and to grade and cope the road from the wharf.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850 -            -       - $20, 200 00'
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851             -   20, 200 00
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for ftscal
year ending 30th June, 1852        -       -       -        -   20,000 00
Fort Preble, Portland, Maine.-Since the 30th September, 1849, machinery for raising the port-cullis has been set up, and some slight repairs made upon the roofs of the officers' quarters and soldiers' barrack
within the fort.'Phis fort is in excellent condition, and needs no further appropriation at present.  It is very desirable, however, to enlargethe public ground at that site; and it may be my duty to ask, at the approaching session, a small appropriation to meet a favorable opportunity
to purchase.
Balance in tke treasury on the 30th September, 1850           -      $800 00
Probable amount to be expended by the 30th June, 18^1  -              80  00
Fort Scammel, Portland harbor, Maine.-Operations at this fort'consumed the appropriation, and were discontinued on the 27th Novemberj
1849..'          S.'                p          wit"
Since the 30th Sep~tember, 1849, the arch of the main postern, with




0  Doc. No. 1.
its face walls, has been built, the revetment walls of the passage way
finished, and the contiguous rampart, banquette, and parapet, with it
corresponding breast-height wall and clapboard roofing, completed. A
narrow  stone arch continues the banquette across the entrance way.'Two sets of traverse and pintle stones,'and twenty-one sets of iro
traverse rails have been put down; the terreplein' of east, south  and
west fronts graded; the slopes of mound around the block-house sodded,,and steps arranged at the entrance of the building.
TW/wfrf.-A crane strong enough to raise the heaviest guns required for
the work has been set up near the end of the wharf, and the masonry of
the structure itself finished. A dry stone wall supports the shore-bank
below, and 1.nearly parallel to the road.
The labor upon the road from wharf to interior of fort includes some
blasting and excavation near wharf; building under ground  cross-drains
and inside surface drain; sodding the hill-side and embankment slopes,
and paving the main entrance with block stone.
on tle 30th September, 1850  -
Balance in treasury on the 30th September, 1850  -           -   $5 000 00
Probable amount to be expended to 30th June, 1~51                  5,000 00
No appropriation is now asked for next year.
Port C~onstitutiona, Ports,mouth harbor, New  Han?pshire.No repairs
have been found necessary during the year, and no appropriation is required.
Fort'Me Clary, Portsmouth harbor, New Hampshire.-No expenditure,
has been' deemed necessary at this work during the past year.
Balance in the treasury on the 30th September, 1850          -   $1, 000 00
Probable amount required to be expended by 3.0th June,
1851      -       -       -       -       -       -       -    17000 00
No further appropriation is asked.
Sea-wall of Deer island, Boston harbor, Massachusetts.-This work
was completed in 1834, and although well, fulfilling its object, and genorally well executed, yet, owing to the omission of certain precautions,
which experience has since shown to be necessary, i ihas required, and
still requires, some attention. Several stones that have been started from
the face of the wall require replacing, and a portion of the pavement in
rear must be taken up and reset.  I have to ask, therefore, for a small appropriation to accomplish these objects.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850 -           -       -  $
Estimate of amount for year ending 30th June, 1852           -    1, 500 00
Protection of Loveli's island, Boston harbor, Mass.~-This work, ineluding wall and appendages, is in good condition.
No appropriation is required.
Sea-wall of Great Brewster island, Boston harbor, M.ass.-Since the date
of my last report, operations have been carried on vigorously on this wall
to the extent of available means.' The amount of work of the past year
has been as follows: 1,095 cubic yards of stone masonry in mortar; 2,0




Doc. No. 1.                             351
cubic yards of dry stone wall;. 1,800 cubic yards of concrete foundations:
and hacking; 5,670 cubic yards of earth embankment and excavation.
Thesea-wall for the south head is now  nearly completed, and considerable progress has been made on that for the northeast head-in all over
800 running feet of wall have been laid.
The officer in charge reports that the work executed gives protection
to about one-half the island at the most exposed situations.
It is much to be desired that sufficient funds be appropriated to finish
without delay the protective parts already determined upon.  This, according to the estimate of the officer, will require $35,000.  The estimate
of the department for the year is, however, but $15,000.
It should be understood that this sea-wall is needed to preserve an
island now fast washing away, on which is the position for an important
advanced battery. In addition to the preservation of a site valuable for
defence, this wall seems absolutely necessary to preserve the main entrance of the harbor from  being obstructed-all the earthy and gravelly
matter washing from the island being transported by the waves and tides
and deposited in'the channel, which has already suffered a material
diminution of depth.
Balance in the treasury 30th September, 1850           -  *      7, 000 00
To be applied before the 30th June, 1851  -        -       -'  7,000 00
Estimate of amount required fer the fiscal year ending 30th
June, 1852        -      -       -       -       -      -   15, 00 00.
PErt Winthrop, Boston harbor, Massachusetts.-The policy pursued at
this work has been to secure a considerable amount of material, and prepare it properly before commencing the actual construction. In consequence, it was not deemed expedient to break ground this year. Materials
to a sufficient extentl have now been collected, and the recent appropriation
will authorize the application of it during next working season to the erection of the walls of the fort.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850 -         -       - $23, 600 00
To be applied by the 30th June, 1851       -       -       -   17, 600 00
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for the year
ending 30th June, 1852 -                 -       -       - 10, 000 00
Port Independence, Boston harbor, Massachusetts.-The small amount
available for this work for the past year has all been expended upon the
fitting up of the casemates for officers' and soldiers' quarters, and some
miscellaneous work. The casernates are nearly completed, and ready
for the painters.
The means now available are to be applied to magazines, pavements,
gates, and port-cullis; pointing of parade and scarp vail;, extension of
sea-wall, and other improvements outside the fort.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850 -         -      -   $5,000 00
TPo be expended by the 30th June, 1851            -       -    4, 300  00
Estimate of amount required for the year ending 30th Junre
1852.-          -                   -      - - -       -   10,00  00
Fort Warren, Bosteot harbor~,  iassachusetts.-Owi ng to the want of
ifviuds, this fort remiains almost precisely in the same tate an.condition as




352                          Doc. No. 
reported last year; only about $4,000 remaiing applicable after the close
of operations at the last working season. This has been applied to pointing, sodding, dressing stone, and the interior finish of quarter
The operations to be undertaken next will consist in completing area
wall, breast-height wall; laying pintle centres for upwards of 200 barbette
guns, and traverse circles for flanking guns; building sustainingwalls, cuiverts, and drains; laying flagging, fitishing the interior of barracks and
quarters, &c.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850                    -   3000000
To be expended. by 30th June, 1851                              29,000 00
Estimate of amount required for the year ending 30th June,
1852      -       -       -       -       -       -      -   30,00000
Port Adams, ArNeuport, Rhode Island.-Duri.    g the year the north permanent wharf was completed; stone cut and set for well-hole and drain
covers, and chimney caps; 4,200 square yards of the scarp-wall pointed
70 pintle holes drilled for carronade guns, grass slopes renovated; several magazines lined; the exterior permanent quarters commenced and
the works accessory thereto completed.
With means now applicable, and now asked for, it is intended to complete exterior permanent quarters; the redoubt; the south permanent
wharves, and the embrasures of the fort; to continue the blocking course
of granite on the walls; and to accomplish other matters necessary to
strength and permanency.
Balance in the treasury on the 30th September, 150          -   35,000 00
Probable amountito be expended by 30th June, 1851           -   32,500 00
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1852       -       -       -       -   35,000 00
Pier, dike, and light-house Goat island, Newport, Rhode Island.-The
small balance of funds remaining in the agent's hands has sufficed hitherto
to keep this work in repair. During the year it has been found necessary
tore-point the entire masonry. Durimg this operation it was discovered
that the dike had settled considerably, while the pier at the end remains
firm. This security the engineer officer in charge attributes to the protection derived from the enrockment around the pier, and proposes a similar one along the dike. The cost of this enrbckment will. be $3,000, for
which amount an appropriation is asked.
Balance in the treasury on the 30th September, 1850         -  $ -
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1852       -              -       -    3,000 00
Fort Trumbull, New London, Connectic-ut.-This work is essentially'finished. Some of the minor details, such as port-cullis, gates, interior
finish of quarters, &c., remain to be executed.
It is expected, however, that this will be accomplished with existing
means.
No further appropriation is asked.
Balance in the treasury on the 30th September, 1850        - $10,000 00
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851          -    3,200 00




Doc. No. 1.
ort Scihuyler, East 7r eer, New  Yor k.-The past year has in a great
measure been lost in the progress of this fort for the want of funds; rather
less than $6, 000 remaining available.
This has been applied to the laying of stone pavements, a gallery of
communication, coping scarp-walls, laying about 100 cubic yards of masonry, cutting stone, and excavating about 1,000 cubic yards of earth.
The next operations will be coping the sea-wall, constructing a guardhouse, providing storehouse and hospital, and executing other finishing:
works.
Balance in the treasury on 30th September, 1850  -        - $15, 000 00
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851         -   15, 000 00
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
year ending 30th June 1852    -                  -.        15,000 00
Fort Wood, and sea-wall on Bedlow's island, New  York harbor.-A
small sum (a little over $5,000) remaining on hand for this work has,
during the year, been applied to laying a small amount of masonry, laying stone pavement, cutting stone, covering exposed masonry with mastic, pointing sea-wall, and excavating over 1,000 cubic yards of earth
from the ditch to apply to the extension of the glacis. Some improvements have also been made in the buildings for the accommodation of
troops, and the finished portions turned over to them.
The next operations will consist in the construction of a permanent
wharf, in the erection of a sea-wall on the west side and north end of the
island, filling behind this wall, and building hospital, storehouse, &c.
These constitute essential accommodations for this military post. If
this island is to be a permanent depot for recruits, other structures will
be necessary for that peculiar purpose.  The engineer officer present will
willingly undertake the execution of these; but the amount needed for
them cannot properly be taken from sums granted for' fortifications.
Balance in the treasury on the 30th September, 1850       - $25,000 00
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851         -   25,000 00
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1SS52                    -       -   20, 00  00
ort Hamilton:, New Yobrk harbor.-During the year the airangements
for mounting twenty additional barbette guns have been completed; two
casemates fitted for non-commissioned officers' quarters; other casemates
floored; nearly two hundred feet in length of iron piazza roof executed;
a drain laid in the parade, and cunette formed in the ditch; and about
one hundred feet of parapet embanked and sodded.
It is designed next to fit other casenmates for occupation, to improve
the ventilation of the storerooms' to complete the piazza, roof, to enter
lupon the construction of the permanent wharf, and to accomplish some
other smaller matters.
Balance in the treasury on 30th September, 1850  -        - $20,000 00
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June) 1851         -   19 500 00
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1852    -         -      -       -   10,000 00
Fort Lafayette, New York harbor.-Little has been done at this, work
Pq-rt ii-23




Doc.. Noo 1.
during the year.  Two new  shot-furnaces have been completed; the
entrance to two magazines covered with bomb-proof protections, the
cisterns repaired, permaneht drain laid, and the stone pavement infront
of barracks repaired.
No further appropriation is asked for this work at present.
F ort R'ichmnond, Staten Island, New York harbor.-The masonry of
this work. was continued as long as the available funds warranted resulting in the laying of about 450 cubic yards.  The remaining work
consisted principally of the excavation of the ditch, commencement of a
magazine, -continuation of the permanent wharf, and the cutting of stone
preparatory to a resumption of the masonry. A large supply of stone is
now ready for 1laying. The walls of the fort have been raised ever
to about the level of the parade, and part of the gorge-scarp carried three
or four feet higher, and the interior space, including the parade has been
filled with earth to the -full height.  The money on hand  and tat included in this year's estimate will be applied to raising the walls and piers,
and turning casemate arches.
Balance in the treasury on 30th September, 1850  -60,000 00
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851                60,000 00
Estirmate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1852       -       -        -           60 0 00
Governor's island, New York harbor.-The iron work of he gun-platforms, shot-furnace, stairs, platforms, and railings, and manouvring apparatus of the draw-bridge of Port Columbus, Castle Williamns and south
battery, were covered with a coat of lacker, to protect it from  injury by
rust. The coping of the counterscarp and parts of thle scarp of Fort
Columbus were pointed with bituminous mastic. The-floors of the ba-semrent of this fort and south battery were repaired, and all the exposed
wood-work of Castle Williams and about the sally-port of Fort Columbus
was painted (and sanded) with two coats of mineral paint.
These repairs were made in October and November of 1849, at a total
~cost of $728 761- drawn from the appropriation4for contingencies of fortifications.
ft is found to be necessary to extend the sea-wall of Castle Williams
both to the east and south, where there is considerable injury done by
the wash of the waves; and for this purpose an appropriation is asked.
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1852       -        -4-             -    4,500 00
Fort Delaware, Delaware river.-The Pea Patch island, on which this
work stands, is formed of a very soft mud; in consequence the foundation
of the entire work is to rest on an extensive system  of piling, driven
deep into the soil. The extreme care and attention necessary to secure a
foundation for a heavy structure, under these circumstances, has restrict.
ed the labors of the year to the putting down and careful testing of these
piles.  By the latter end of November it is supposed they will be reAdy
for the grillage; and with the opening of the next fxrorking season, for the
superincumbent masonry, which it is designed to press forward as fast as
the grants of Congress will permit.




Doc No. 155
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850'           -        -       
To-be applied by 30th June, 1851            -        -                 0,00  00
Estimate-for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1852,         000 00
Port oln Solers' Poiat Plats, Baltimore harbor. —Since the date of the
-last annual report, the constructing wharves on two fronts of thework
-and a third of another, have been coompleted; the piles for those of a fourth
front, and the greater part of those on a fifth, have also been driven;
mnaking a total of 822 piles driven, and 1,217 lineal feet of wharves conA steam  pile-driving machine for driving the foundation piles
of the sea-wall has been put in operation, and 64 foundation piles and
221 sheet piles driven on one front. A machine for sawing off the piles
when driven; at a unifobrm level under water, close to the surface of the
sioal, has beeII constructed; also a dredge machine for levellig the surface of the shoal; both worked by the engine of the pile-driver.  A divingbell, for examining the foundation and working under water, has been
Umilt. A crane for receiving materials, and a storehouse have been erected
~at the sit le of the frt.  At the opening of the ensuing spring the masonry
will be commenced and prosecuted with vigor.
Balance in treasury on the 30th September, 1850            -        100 00
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851                68 100 00
IEistimate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
ear endin  30th. June, 1852       -       -       -       -   50,00000
obrt Madison., Annqapolis harbor, Maryiand.-~No officer being avail-,able for the superintendence of this work, the existing appropriation remains unexpended.
No appropriation asked.
halance in treasury 30th September, 1850             -       -    5,000 00
Fort Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Virgnia.-The work of the year
hlas been- applied to the completion'of one of the tide-locks; to a. cornRienicement of the masonry of the redoubt; the preparation of materialstfor-the same; and to the means of draining and keeping dry the ditch of
-the redoubt. At the artesian well the operations have been confined to the
purchase of materials, and to preparations for lowering smaller pipes to'their position, downthrough the 8-inch pipes nowsn-unk.
The principal operations of this and the ensuing year will be upon the
-scarp of the redoubt, and in providiig a good system  of ventilation for
the large magazines in the flank of front No. 6.
These magazines are required as a place of deposite for a large quantity
-of igunpowder, arid have been proved to be very defective as to ventilation^
requiring very considerable moaification.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850                        A - 20,000 00'To be expended by 30th June, 1851           -     -    -           000000
Estimate of amount required for year ending 30th June,
1852      -       -       -       -2- --    00  00
i^-rt- Cal/to -tn, 11w-inpton Road^,  Virg-binia.-The diminution of the
-subsidence of the foundation of this work, though progressive, has not
yet reached a satisfactory point. The.settlement cannot be considerewd




3- 5Q6                        Doc. No. 1e
without further and more careful examinations than have yet been rported, sufficiently uniform and sufficiently reduced to warrant the removal o
the present load, and the construction of the work thereon.  Idonot,.
therefore, at this time ask for further appropriation.
Balane in the treasury on the 30th September, 1850           -   18596 00
Probable' amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851             -    1,0
FPort Macon, andpre er ation of its site, Beautfort arbor, N.         The
repairs needed at Fort Macon embrace the stopping of leaks in the casemate valleys, pointing of masonry, embanking and grading glaces and
crests; and slight repairs of iron and wood-work, which it is designed to
execute as soon as the small appropriation asked for shall be ganted.
Preservation of the site.  The inner portion of the site has expe
some injury from the gales of the past summer; the outer part continues
in good condition. The work of the present year will consist of repairs.
of the existing jettees, the construction of some slight additional catchsand and dike-work on the sea side of the fort, and the building of a
peirmanent wharf; for which purposes the funds now available are suffiBalance in treasury, for preservation of site, on the 30th September,    0      -        -       -       -       -                451 90
Probable armount required for expenditure to 30th June, 1851        2451 90
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for Fort
Macon for the year ending 30th June, 1852           -          -  1,800 00
Repairs of Fo't Caswell and' preservation of its site, Smithville, North
Carolina.~Repairs of Fort Caswell -The repairs in progress some years
since were suspended by the exhaustion of the means available therefor,.
Since then, the decay of the flooring of the citadel has proceeded so far
as to render its renewal necessary, and it is designed to effect this, and.
to.complete the suspended work of pointing, grading, and minor repairs..Preservation of the site.-The operations of the past year consist in theconstruction of a jettee of 420 feet length, and the commencement of -a perimnanent wharf.  The jettee has fully answered the purpose for which it,
was designed, having caused an addition to the shore of its vicinity of
210 feet in width, and rendered the adjacent portion of the fort quite
secure.  The abutment of the wharf has been completed; and being
c3omposed of granite, carefully adjusted on a grillage, it gives protection tothe beach at an important point.  Piles for sustaining the pillars of the.wharf have been driven, and it is advancing to completion.  Slight repairs to the dike, on the sea side of the fort, and to the other works for
the preservation of the site, are needed, which, with the construction of
the wharf, will be effected the present year, and -with the means now
available.
Balance in treasury on the 30th September, 1850   -             - $5,100 17
Probable amount to be expended to 30th June, 1851               -   5,100 I7.Estimate of amou-nt required to be appropriated for repairs of
the fort for the year ending 30th June, 1852         -        -   2 9t) 00



Doc. No. 1.','Protection of the site of Port fMoultrie, Charleston harbor), Suth Corobreakwater has been completed as far as the l4iited means
~applicable toits construction would go, and it continues to answer the
end proposed.  The island in advance of the finished   orkis rapidly
Nwearingy away, but it is hoped the application of the meanslately granted.
by Congress will suffice to arrest this action and. afford permanent security.
No further appropriation is now asked.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850  -                    -   3500 00
To be expended by the 30th June, 1851    -             -50000
Dike to Drunkea Dick shoal  Charleston  Southr Carolina.-Little
progress has been made in this work, owing to the limited amount'~of means-.  The available funds have all been applied to the extension
of the dike), which continues to produce  the rost satsfactory reslts.'The superintending engineer proposes an appropriation of $100,000 for
The next year; and   have no doubt that true economy would be consulted in the immediate application of that sum, but' the wants of the
servce elsewhere constrain me greatly to reduce that estimate.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850 -            -       - 1000000
To be applied by 30th June, 185   -            -       -       -    9,500 00
Estimate of amnount required for the year endi ng 30th  June,
1852      -       -        -       -       -       -        -   10,000 00
Fort Surmter, Charleston harbor, South  Carolina.-During  he year
the scarp-wall of this work has nearly been completed.  The foundation.
of this'part now sustains the whole weight of the scarp without materia,Subsidence, and in the opinion of the officer in charge, there is reason to
believe that the casemate foundations will prove equally capable of bearing
-their loads without settling sufficiently to cause any injury to the efficiency or appearance of the work.
TPhe engineer's estimate for the next year is $120,000.  The work, he.'states, could with ease be finished during the next year if sufficient means
-could be provided; but for reasons already mentioned, I cannot assk the
amount of his estimate.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850.                    - $49,000 00
Probable amount to be expended by June 30, 1851 -                  45,000 04
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
year ending June 30, 1852            -       -       -       -  40,000 00
Fort Pulaski, Savannah river, Georgia.-No appropriation was made
for this work for the fiscal year which ended on the 30th June last; the
operations have consequently been limited since the date of the last report.
The labor of the year has been applied to enlarging the dikes along the
northeast shore of Cockspur island, mowing the grass surfaces of the,island and fort, attending to the general police of the post, and making
some minor repairs.  During the present year it is proposed, to adjust the
draw-bridges of the fort, restore all defective pointing of the masonry,
b1ild a small wall on top of the breast-height wall of the demilune, remove
the mud from the ditch of the fort, complete the dikes for protecting the
island from overflow, repair the exterior quarters, and make some smaller
modifications and repairs. For the execution of this work, and for comwencing the construction of a permanent wharf and the advanced battery
on the northeast front of Fort Pulaski, an appropriation of $20,000 is re



Doc. No. i.
quested by the engineer officer in charge, but reduced by th
to $15,000.
Balance in treasury 30th' September, 1850   -              -    -     000.Probable a~mount to be expended by 30th June 185l1            -  14000
Estimate of atmount required to be appropriated fobr fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1852         -        -       -                   00
Repairs of Fort Jackson,, Savannah  river, Georgia.-The labor up on.
this work was resumed early in Novermber,, 1849, and continued until the
t of, June;last, when, for the want of fuinds, operations were closed.'The expenditures of the year were applied to t.he following objects, viz
establishing foundations for the counterscarp walls of all the land-front
and part of the river-fronts; raising the scarp-walls of the land-fronts
about eight feet; embanking earth within the fort to bring the level of the
parade to its proper reference; purchasing bricks, lime, cernntlumber
and other materials, and making the necessary machinery.  During the
present year it is proposed to complete the foundations of the sub-scarp,
and countersc-arp walls;: to build the greater part of the counterscarp walls,.
a part of the sub-scarp, and complete the scarp on the land-fronts.
To construct suitable officers' quarters and barracks withi      e fort,the
sum  of $25,000 will be required, which being added tohe
amount.required for completing the work itself, will make the sunof
$40,000.  This sum the engineer officer in charge asks in a single appropriation.  The department, however, is obliged. materially to reduce ths
estimate.
13alance in the treasury 30th September, 1850        -       -   $20, 500 00Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851            -    19, 000 00
Estimate of the amount required to be a-Dpropriated  for,
fiscal year ending 30th June, 1852    -           -        -    20, 000 00Fort Clinch, Amelia island, mouth of Cumberland sound, Florida..ThIe opinion of the Attorney General having been obtained as to thevalidity of the title of the United States to the site selected for this work, an
engineer officer is now under orders to proceed thither and enter upon the
construction of tie fort; and it wvill be pressed as rapidly as the meanc,
will justify.
Balance in treasury 30lth September, 1850   -          -'$16, 174 97'
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, IS5               -, 174 97
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1852         -       -       -        -   5,700 00Repairs. of sea-wall of St. Augustine, Florida.-The labor at this work
for the year ending 30tl September last was applied to extending the
sea-wall north' of Fort Marion, to secure the embankments and walls of,that work from the encroachments of the sea; to constructing banquettes
of. masonry in the battery; to repairing a large breach made in the sea-wall
near its centre; placing an enrockment for the protection of the foundations of the wall; embanking earth behind the wall; constructing sluices
for the escape of the rain-water; pointing the masonry of the battery and
sea-wall, and to executing all necessary minor, repairs.
The work is now in good conditioni   No further appropriation is asked,




Doe. No. 1.                            359
the amount available being sufficient to preserve the work, by giving the
required supervision and making smaller repairs.
Balaance in the treasury 30th September, 1850            -        $500 00
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851    -            500 00
Fbrt McRee, Pensacola harbor, Plorida.-Operations at this work
have been directed during the year to strengthening the works designed
to protect the site, and to the commencement of one of the exterior batteries. The foundations of the latter have been excavated and part of the
concrete laid, and materials for its construction have been collected.Damages to the wharf and machinery, resulting from  a recent violent
storm, have been repaired.
No fuirther appropriation now asked.
Balance in the treasury 30th September, 1850              - $16,043 98
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851         -   16, 043 98
Port Pieckens Pensacola harbor, Florida.-Out of the contingent fund
for fortifications some small operations have been carried on at this work
duiring the year, but nothing is now required to call for an additional appropriation.
Poirt Barrancas, and barracks thereat, Pensacola harbor, Florida.Four divisions of the barracks have been completed with the exception
of the iron stairways; these will be immediately provided from the appropriation for the present year.  Considerable progress has also been made
upon the remaining divisions of the barracks and upon the kitchens.
At the redoubt a drain has been laid, the ditch excavated and planted
with grass, and the embankinent of the two caponnieres completed and
covered'with grass.  The amounts now available and now asked for are
to be applied towards the completion of the redoubt, the barracks, and
quarters for officers; the latter not having been yet commenced.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850                 -    35,000 00
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851    -    35,000 00'
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1852         -           -      -    35,000 00
Port Morgan, Mobile Point, Alabama.-With the small amount of
means available, little has been done at this work. Since the 1st January,
1850, these funds have been devoted exclusively to the collection of materials required, not being sufficient to warrant an attempt at their application. The work first to be prosecuted will be' the enlargement of the
accommodations for the garrison, for which there is as yet a supply altogether inadequate.  By raising the citadel a second story, quite convenient and healthy quarters will be supplied to men and officers,. and also
a small hospital for the sick; at the same time that all necessary storerooms will be provided in the casemates.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850          -      -  $15, 000 00
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851    -    13, 000 00
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1852   -  -.                    15,000 00




3,0                         Doc. No. 1.
Fort Pike, Rigolels, Louisianma. At this work a substantial wharf has'
been built; a bridge constructed across the outer ditch, and the scarpwall raised anid coped; arrangements made for mounting the flanking
casemate guns; pavements of terreplein arranged for the greater security
against leaks; a second story added to the citadel and the lower rooms of
citadel paved and repaired.
As at Fort Morgan, there is here a great want of barrack room, and ac-,cordingly a second story has been put on the citadel.  This is now to be
made ready for the occupation of troops.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850  -        -      -  $6,193 97
Probable amount to be expended by the 30th June, 1851  -    6,193 97
Estimate of amount required fbr the year ending 30th June,
1852.      -      -                      -       -           4,000 00
Fort WFood, Chef  lJenteur, Louisiana.-The scarp-wall has been
raised and coped; material collected for constructing a bridge across the
outer ditch, and for adding another story to the citadel; and arrangements
made for mounting the flank casemate guns.'We have here also to enlarge the barracks, and it will be done, as at
Forts Pike and Morgan, by raising the citadel. This operation is to be
undertaken as soon as practicable, and urged with all despatch.
The bayou in front of the fort is cutting the shore in a very injurious
manner, and measures must ere long be taken to arrest the evil, and to
this end we shall have to ask an appropriation.  It is considered best,
however, to first complete the accommodation for the garrison.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850          -       -  $12,345 36
To be expended by the 30th of June, 1851          -       -   12,345 36
Estimate of amount required for the year ending 30th June,
1852      -       -      -       -       -      -       -   10,000 00
Battery Bienvenue, Bayou Bienvenue, Louisiana.-This battery has
been in charge of a fort-keeper during the past year, and no work has
been done by the'engineer department.  Some modifications are necessary for the efficiency of the work, and the comfort of the garrison.
Balance in treasury 30th September, 1850  -        -       -  $5,552 66
To be expended by 30th June, 1851           -      -       -   5,552 66
Tower Dupre, Bayou Dupre, Louisiana. —This tower has also been in
charge of a fort-keeper during the year, and no work has been done
thereon.  The decayed gun platforms of wood require replacing with
permanent material, but this we hope to accomplish with present means.
Balance in treasury:30th September, 1850 -                - -    2,000 00
To be expended by 30th June, 1851         -       -       -    2,000 00
Fort Jackson, Mississippi river, Louisiana. —The inundations of the site,of this work by the unusually high water of the early part of the year 1849,
demonstrated the necessity of additional levees.; accordingly about a mile
of new levee has been made, and about two miles of the old thoroughly
repaired or rebuilt. Part of the covert-way has been converted into a
water-battery for thirty guns, and only a small amount of labor is required
to finish- it. Some other small moaifications have been also executed.




Doe. No -                             361
The appropriation for the year ending 33til June, 1851, will probably
be exhausted in the construction of the exterior water-battery.  The officer in charge estimlates for the operations of the next fiscal year $40,000,
but the department cannot ask so large a grant.
A very great increase in the number of guns at this fort requires increased accommodations for the garrison, and accordingly it is intended
to raise this citadel also by a second story. Further buildings must be
provided for officers also, and to these objects it is designed to apply the
further appropriation included in the estimate.
Balance in treasury on 30th'September, 1850        -      -  20,000 00
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851.        -   19),00 00
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for the fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1852.       -.  20,000 00
Fort St. Philip, Mssissispti river, Louisiana.-The labor of the year
has been applied as follows: A. crevasse having occurred during the high
water of July, 1.849, a revetment of sheet piling 1;,500 feet in length was
driven, to be backed with earth, to prevent similar injuries in future; the
wharf has been thoroughly repaired; the ditches of the fort and exterior
battery have been revetted with two-inch plank, and excavated to the
proper depth; the foundation piles for the increased thickness of scarpwall driven; quarters for mechanics enlarged and repaired; a lime-house
constructed, and a considerable extent of levees made for protection:against inundation from the river.  The officer in charge asks for an appropriation of $60,000 for the next fiscal year,. but a due regard to the;-ecessities of other works will not allow so large an estimate for this one.
The available means it is intended to apply to raising, repairing, and in-,creasing the thickness of the scarp-wall, which is in a state of great dilapidation and weakness; to completing the interior arrangements for accommodation, &c., and towards the construction of the advanced redoubts.
Balance in treasury on the 30th of September, 1850        -  $35,000 00
Probable amount to be expended by-30th June, 1851         -   34,000 00
-Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for the fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1852      -       -       -       -  35,000 00
Fort Livingston, Grand Terre island, Louisiana. -This work remains
id the same state as at the date of the last annual report.  The settlement
"continues too great to authorize the completion of the work now, and it is
deemed better to delay further operations until a considerable abatement
is apparent. No injury is, however, apprehended to the work itself, arnd
dt could on very short notice be rendered efficient.
No further appropriation asked.
Balance in treasury on 30th September, 150              -    $17,914 46
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851    -'2,000 00
Fortifications at Key Wtest, Florida.-During the past year the foundation of the work has been completed all around on the four fronts, except an opening fifty feet wide in the gorge, or front facing the shore, for
the passage of lighters into the interior; and the superstructure on the
three channel fronts has been raised five feet above the level of high
water, while the cut-stone is in hand for raising these three fronts two




362                          Doe. No. 1.
courses higher, or to the level of the first tier of embrasures; the work:
being now in a condition of security against any: storm that may hereafter occur. 26,000 clubic feet of cut granite, 2,650 cubic yards of concrete, 2,450 cubic feet of island stone, and 40,000 bricks, have been consolidated in the work during the past season, and about 3,000 cubic yards:
of sand deposited in the interior, in commencement of the filling of the
work.
An estimate of  l100,000 for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1852, is
submitted by the engineer officer in charge, to cover the cost of completing all the masonry to the first tier of embrasures, the filling up the
Nvork to the level of the parade, the purchase of a stock of materials, and'
the construction of the permanent cisterns and foundation of the casemate piers; and although the department is aware of the importance of
hastening the execution of this work, it is constrained t1. bring the estimate nore in accordance with those of other important fortifications.
Balance in treasury on the 30th September, 1850       -       75,500 001
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851         -   60,000 00
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated for fiscal
year ending 30th June, 182    -.. 75,00 00;
Garden Keyg, Tortugas island, Florida.-Since the 30th Septemnber
1849, the officers' quarters have been finished;, the coffer-dam for the portion of the counterscarp-wall, situated on the shoal and not constructed
ai that date, amounting to 1,759 running feet, has been finished, and a
portion of the foundation and superstructure of the walls, 1,307 feet in
length, comprising 4,356 cubic yards of brick and concrete masonry, has
been completed, with the exception of the coping,
The excavation fbr the foundation has amounted to 2,080 cubic yards,
and was made to an average depth of 64 feet below the water-level.  The
square piles have been driven and the plates put en for the outer side of
coffer-dam  of scarp, on three bastions, and the two connecting curtai;ns
It is wished by the engineer officer to lay, during the ensuing year, the
foundation of the scarp on fronts Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5, and raise the superstruature on these fronts to the level of low water, or five feet above
the bottom of the foundation; and for this purpose the sum of $100,000 is
asked.  This estimate has, however, been reduced by the department
one-half.
Balance in the treasury on the 30th September, 1850       -  $50,600 00
Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1851         -   49,600( 00
Estimate of amount required to be appropriated ifr fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1852    -                -           50,000 00
I have again to call the attention of the War Department to the necessity of commencing new  fortifications at the following points, enumnerating them in geographical order, namely:
At New Bedford, Massachusetts; at Sand/y Hook, New York harbor,.
and at Proctor's Lanring, Louisiana; for each of which there should be
an appropriation of $25,000.
I will not now consume time in again pressing the argluments for those
works.  They are by far the most important of the nnoc.cupied points in.
the defensive system, and demand immnediate attention.




Doe. No. I:304
The projected fort on the east end of Dauphin island, at, the mouth of
Mobile bay, has not yet been begun, owing to delay in obtaining the Attorney General's opinion on the validity of the title to the ground. Proceedings are now in train in. the chancery court of Alabama, from whlich
we hope soon to have conclusive action.
iMILITARY STATIONS ON THE ROUTE TO OREGON AND CALIFORNIA.
Fort Kearny. A two-story single building for officers' quarters, containing four rooms 17"X 19', two halls, a piazza front and rear, and an attic
room, and a guard-house about 1' x 25', are the only permanent buildings that have been put up during, the year.  They are nearly finished.
The three framed buildings erected last year are now  also nearly
finished.
Preparations were made for the erection of another building, but the
Platte river continued so high during the spring and summer that the
timber necessary for the frame could not be obtained.
The roof of the adobe storehouse has been covered with sheet lead.
Fort Laranmie.-A  two-story building for soldiers'" quarters-for a
cormpany of 100 men-is now under way, and will probably be prepared
for occupation, but not finished, this fall.
Apowder magazine 1l7' 27' inside, of which the stone walls are now
up, will doubtless be finished before winter.
The frame building erected last year, containing four sets  fof ficers'
quarters-3 rooms in each set-has been floored, lathed and plastered,
and is now nearly finished. 200,000 bricks have been burnt, of which
about 150,000 will remain for the operations of next year.
The results of the year at both posts have been decidedly less than those.
anticipated a year ago. At both places the horse-power saw mills,which
are mainly relied upon for the production of lumber, were broken, and
continued idle many months, until the machinery necessary for their
repair could be obtained from St. Louis.  The difficulty of obtaining and
retaining efficient workmen goes on increasing.
Many of those hired leave for California, and all become tired of the
deprivations necessarily experienced so far from the settlements.
During the season of emigration the mounted troops are to be kept hereafter more upon the road, and less assistance will be obtained from them.
The officers of engineers hitherto in charge of these works have been
ordered to other duties, and the works themselves turned over to the
quarterlmaster's department.
BA.RRACKS,  UARTERS,  AND HOSPITALS.
I have again to urge upon the favorable consideration of the Executive
and Congress the propriety of providing buildings at several points for
the above purposes.  They are essential to the comfort, discipline and
health of the troops.  A separate estimate will accordingly be presented
for the commencement of permanent barracks on Governor's island,
Boston harbor, and on Governor's island, New York harbor; for a hospital
at Fort AdamsS Newport harbor, and for a hospital at Fort Washington.
Maryland.




364                          Doc. No. 1.
MILT TARY ACADEMY, 
From personal observation during the last annual examination, and from
the favorable report of the boad of visiters assembled at West Point, under
direction of the War Department, I am gratified in being able to state that
the academy, under its present organization, continues to support the
high character it hlas already established, which is perhaps as high praise
as could well be awarded.
The accompanying  report of the board, with the documents appended,
will exhibit in detail the stateof the institution, and afford a gratifying
confirmation, by impartial and intelligent civilians, of the general conviction of the usefulness and importance of the institution.
I submit the recommendations of the board to the careful attention of
the authorities.
An important change has been made during the past year with a view
to a more economical supply to the cadets of small necessaries.  The system heretofore applied to the procurement of food and of clothing has been
extended to other articles, and so far with success.  So that at present all
articles of consumption intended for cadets are purchased at wholesale
with their money, and delivered to them at their actual cost-thus saving
to them the profit otherwise received by an intermediate agent.
This at present must be considered only an experiment, promising to be
eventually successful, but not yet decisive.  It is one of the measures into
which the authorities of the academy have been forced in the endeavor to
restrict the expenses of cadets within the limits of their pay; this, however, is a difficult, if not an impracticable task, the proof of which lies in
the fact that applications are repeatedly made to the Secretary of W ar to
permit remittances from the parents of cadets to pay their debts and provide necessaries.
The estimate of the expenses of the Military Academy for the next fiscal year, handed in by the superintendent, is as follows:.
For current and ordinary expenses  --           $27,135 00
-Gradual increase and expenses of library     -    1,000 00
Expenses of the board of visiters    -       -    3800 00'To which the department has added for expenses of instruction in practical engineering    500 00
- 32,435 00'For riding hall for cadets    -                  12000 00
Apparatus for warming academic and other
buildings with heated air  -       -       -    2,500 00
To which the department adds for erecting
quarters for engineer troops at West Point      5,000 00
19,500 00
Total asked for academy and accessories  -                      51,935 00
The following is a list of the officers, professors, and teachers of the
academy, con stituting the academic and military staff on the 30th of September last:




Doc. No. 1.                               365
Captain Henry Brewerton, engineers,,S'tcrintezdent and Commandanto
Dennis H. Mahan, A. M., ProJessor of Civil and AMilitary Engineering.
Assistant Professors.-Brevet Captain G. W. Smith              l 2d lieut. engineers.
Second Lieutenant C. S. Stewart, engineers.
William H. C. Bartlett, LL. D., Professor of Natural andz  Expnerimentat
Philosophy.
Assistant Professors.-First Lieutenant J. J. Reynolds, third artillery.
Brevet First Lieutenant'W. B. Franklin, 2d lieut..
topographical engineers.
Second Lieutenant iM. Cogswell, eighth infantry.
Second Lieutenant W... Trowbridge, engineerson duty in observatory.
Albert E. Church, A. M., Professor of IAathemnatics.
Assistant Professors of:.athewmatics. —First Lieutenant Samuel Jones;
first artillery.
Brevet Captailn 1-. F. Clarke, 1st
lieut. second artillery.
Brevet Captain E. K. Smith, 2d
lieut. seventh infantry.
Seconid Lieutenant W. G. Peck,,
topographical engineers.
Second Lieutenant J. C. Clark,
fourth artillery.
Second Lieutenant D. D. Perkins.
fourth artillery.
Jacob W. Bailey, A. 3I., Professor of Chemtisitry, Minterdalogy and Geology.
Assistant Professors. —First Lieutenant F. N. Clarke, fourth artillery.
Brevet CaptainE. C.Boynton,lst lieut. 1st artillery.
Rev. W. T. Sprole, Chaplain, and Profess.r of Ethics.
Assistant Professors.-Brevet Captain H. Coppee, 1st lieut. first artillery..
First Lieutenant C. C. Gilbert, first infantry.
Second Lieutenant B. Du Barry, third artillery.
Robert W. Weir, N. A., Professor of Drawingr.
First Lieutenant R. S. Smith, fourth artillery, Assistant Professor, acting:
assistant quartermaster, and assistant commissary of subsistence.
Brevet Captain T. Seymour, 1st lieut. first artillery, Assistant Professor...
Captain George W. Cullum,  engineers, Instructor of Practical Engi.
neering.
Captain B. R. Alden, fourth infantry, Commandant of Cadets, and In.structor of Infantry Tactics.
Assistant Instructors.-First Lieutenant J. M. Jones, seventh infantry.
Second Lieutenant C. T. Baker, sixth infantry.
Brevet First Lieutenant N. B. Clitz, 2d lieut..
third infantry.
Brevet First Lieutenant D. H. Maury, 2d lieut
mounted riflemen.
H. R. Agnel, Professor of the Pr'ench Language.
Assis:ant Professors.-First Lieutenant T. d'Oremieulx, first infantry.
First Lieutenant J. H. Grelaud, fourth artillery.
Brevet Major G. H. Thomas, 1st lieut. third artillery, Instructor of Arti: —4
lery and Cavalry.




856)                  BeXDo. lNo  1.
Brevet Major T: J. Por ter, 1st lieut. fourth artillery, Asstsanct Instructor
of Artillery.
First Lieutenant J. M.'H aws, second dragoons, Assistant Instructor of
Cavalry.
P. de Janon, Instructor of the Swo7rd Exercise.
Military Stcff. Brevet Captain S. Willia.ms, 1st lieut. first art., Adjutant.
Second Lieutenant B. S. Alexander, engineers, Treasurer.
John    Cu. Cuyler, M. D., Surgeon.
J. Simons, M.  D., Assistandt Surgeon.
i have again to urge that the adjutant of the Military Ac<ademy be placed
upon the same footing, with respect to allowances, as an adjutant of a
regiment of dragoons; and respectfully rffer again to a letter from  the
superintendent to General Haralson, president of the board of visiters,
dated June 12, 1847 —see page 613 of papers accompanying the Secretary of War's report, December, 1847.
Cadet barracks and vmess-hall for cadets.-These buildin:gs bid fair
soon to be completed.  The western portion of the barracks wa.s completed at the date of my last report.  The masonry of the eastern portion
of this building was pressed forward duri-ng the last fall'as late as the
weather permitted, was resumed early in the spring, and is now so far
advanced that the building will be under cover befire the close of the
present month.
1Th-e mess-hall was begun in the month of May last; the foundations
are nearly in place, and the walls of the basement story nearly cotnpleted.
it is expected that the barracks will be comrpleted by the 1st of September of next year, and the mess hall ready for occupation before the following winter.
No additional appropriations are asked.
Balance in the treasury on the 30th September, 1850:
On account of cadets' barracks                  -       -   - 40,500 00
On) account of mess-hall   -                                    25,000 00
65,500 00
Probable amount to be expended by the 30th June, 1851:
On account of cadets' barracks    -                 -       -   40,000 00
On account of mess-hall             -                           25,000 00
OFFICERS OF THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND THE COMPANY OF ENGINEER
SOLDIERS.
An increase of the number of officers of the corps of engineers is absolutely essential to the proper performance of the present and prospective
duties imposed upon them. The principal considerations to show this
necessity were presented in my last annulal report; and I hope to be excused for offering them again in the shape of the following extract fron
that report:
" In speaking, at the opening of this report, of tl-e progress of the system of defence during the year, and praising, as i could not do too highly,
the devotion and ability of the oficers, I alluded to a deficiency in the
number of officers for the proper execution of the labors committed to the
corps; and to this point it is my duty now to revert more in detail.  This
deficiency.has been the more sensibly felt from the late extension of our




Doe. No. L30 
geograplncal 1inlits; and it must be more and more so as population and the
business and enterprise of the country shall spread themrselves out towards thle.new borders.' There has been. an addition of about four hundred miles to our coast.upon the Gulf of Miexico within a few years, including a number of ports,
to the defence of which Congress must soon be called to assign a fair
portion of the public treasullre.
p' Upon the Pacific we hav;e, within a still more recept period, acquired
an extent of seaboard equal to the whole seacoast of the old thirteen.States; comnprising several harbors which demand protection at the earliest
~day practicable.  Their distance fromn the seat of population and strength,
exposing them in a particular manner to become the objects of an eneray's enterprises wxill require that they should possess within themselves
the meals of protracted resistance.  To our commerce in that sea, likely
to be vastly expatnded within a brief period, there can be no other reflge,
at the breaking out of a war, than these harbors properly fortified.  Our
military posts upon these shores, nevrer likely to be kept during peace
upon a strong fbotimng, must have the means of maintaining thlemselves,
and affording something like protection to the settlements till reinforcements can reach them; and the naval forces that may be cruising in that:sea at the'opening of a war will not probably be of strength adequate to
protect the depots aind other establishments that the necessities and,economy of that service shall have planted there; but, on the contrary,
nmay be so comparatively weak as to be themselves, or some of them, in.:need of shelter. Even the completion. of the great railway, by which
some persons hope at an earlyy day to open a quick communication with
that coast, will augment the importance and necessity of such defences.
How completely would all'the speculations that rest on this becoming the
channel of a great trade with the East be frustrated by the harbors of
that coast being occupied by an enemny's squadrons! The contemplated.
railroad would be an important auxiliary to such defences, greatly increa-sing their strength and their utility; but without the safe use of these
harbors, it could maiintain no connexion with the commerce of that sea
in time of war.  This is n ot the place, however, to discuss this, subject
generally; and the preceding remarks on the defences needed on the
Pacific have been made merely to show that it will soon be necessary to
detach a considerable numiber of engineer officers to be employed. theie
as a board of enigineers and as constructing officers.
Of the officers of engineers (about thirty) now engaged. in constructions, five, being officers of rank, have, as before stated, additional duties
to perform as memibers of the board of engineers; nineteen of the superiutending engineers have no officers serving with them as assistants; and
it has not been possible, for some time past, to give to any of the remaining superintende-nti, no matter how large and important th.eir works, more
than one assistant each.  This deficiency     of ficers is a great detriment
to the public interest, because the quality and the quantity ot work performed will always depend on the constancy of supervision.  The superintendent engieer officer is, by law, the disbursing agent also, and is
hleld accountable for the nature and extent of the expenditures, and for
the safety of the public funds.  This heavy pecuniary responsibility eri.
croaches sensibly on -his time, leaving less of his personal attention applicable to the labors of supervision, and constraining a greater reliance on
tired persons  over whom  from  the.nature of things, ho caan lave no




368                          DDoe. No. 1.
control that may not be shaken off by the employ6 at any moment of
pique or caprice.  Whenever character and qualifications j.stify in a
degree the trust the superintendent is obliged to repose in such subordinates, a high compensation has to be paid, often much greater than the
public allowances to such grades of officers as would be employed as
assistants; so that, besides the chances of incompetency, and the want of
guarantees as to fidelity, a real extravagance must attend this kind of'
aid, compared with the expense of maintaining the same number of officers.  Many of the superintending engineer officers, to whom it has been.
impossible to assign any assistants; have charge, each, of several inde —
pendent works, in some cases several miles apart-in some cases sepa —
rated by hundreds of miles.  In all these, it is unavoidable that important public interests are left in the hands of persons without official'
accountability, and who can be subjected to occasional visits and inspections only.  It cannot be necessary to insist on the disadvantages of such,
a practice.
"'It seems to be indispensable to a good and responsible supervision that,.
at each work where the expenditures -are more than very moderate, there'
should be constantly one officer of engineers at least; if there be any exception to this rule, it would be only where two or three works are in.
close proximity, so that all may be seen to during the day.  In every'
work of magnitude, or where the daily expenditure has been considerable,..
experience has shown it to be indispensable to an effective supervision,
that there should be, besides the superintending officer, not less than one
assistant.
"Reckoning on these rules, taken at their minimum, and withou.t supposing any works added to those now actually under way, I find twenty
additional officers necessary at this moment to their proper and economical execution.  it is true that sqine  of these works will pass, ere long, out:.
efour hands, but only to be replaced by others; two or three new  ones
are even now  authorized, for which no officer can yet be spared, and
there is good reason-to suppose that the approaching session will authorize
some others of great importance to the security of the coast, as has been
before represented.  In making this calculation, moreover, I refer only to
the portions of the coast of the United States heretofore included in the
system of defence.  All that shall be added to the duties of the corps of
eigineers, in consequence of the new acquisitions of territory, will increase the necessities of the corps in respect to an accession to its numbers.
"It is an important remark to make here, that this deficiency involves
inevitably the employment, as superintendents of important and expensive operations, officers who, however proficient in the studies of their profession, have not had the experience in constructions and in out-door business that should precede such responsibilities.
"1 could add many forcible considerations to those above presented, if I
thought they could be necessary.  There is one point, however, not yet
touched, which is important, aad the force of which makes an immediate
commencement of the plan of increase requisite; it is this: that. an increase
of the corps will not be attended with the desired advantages, unless it be
mlade gradually and by annual additions of a limited number of officers of
the lowest grade from graduates of the Military Academy.
~'The law should do three things.  It should insist on all the additions
being )made to the toot of the corps from  graduates of the Academy.  It




Doc No. L                                269
should restrict the nlumber of additions to be made annuaully, and it should
restrict the promotions within the corps in a corresponding degree.  A
good selection of officers would thus be secured, and a proper experience
wculd precede advancemnent to the higher grades.  By this process, and.
at a very small annual cost, since all the additions would be made from
officers who would otherwise be appointed as brevet second lieutenants to
some other corps, it would requ.ire from  fur to six years to fill up the
Corps of Eingineers to the extent demandided by the wants of the service.'
In relation to the peculiar duties of the company of engineer soldiers, I
have respectfully to refer to the remarks of mry last annual report.
I have now  only to observe that the company has been assiduously
employed during the year in acquiring the istrunction, both theoretical
and practical, necessary to the proper performance  of their duties, and,.
while thus employed, has afforded the meafis  of giving to the cadets most
important aid in practical field engineerin.  Tlhe saps, trenches, field'batteries, and magazines, actually constructed before the eyes of the cadets, offer now the long-desired addition to the course of engineerin~g.
I should not do justice'to my own feelings were I to withhold an expression of my extreme satisfaction at the mrnanner in which the various
duties of this company were performed during mry recent visit to West.
Point, and the pleasure afforded by the thoroiugh soldier-like deportment
of officers non conimissioned officers, and men.
Board of Eng'rieers.
Since the date of the last annual report, the board of engineers has completed and submitted the project of a work intended for the occupation of
Sandy Hook, New York harbor; project of a work for the occupation of
Clark's Point, New Bedford harbor; project of a work for the occupation of
Egg Island', New Bedford harbor; and report on a system of permanent quarters for troops at Fort Adams, Newport harbor.  The special duties of the
different members of the board have engaged all their attention for several
months past; but they arelto reassemble in December'next to take up the
subject of the defence of Portsmouth harbbr, NNew Hampshire.
From the board of naval and engineer officers appointed to examine the
Pacific coast of the United States, only preliminary reports have as yet
been received. In these reports they were enabled to designate certain
detailed surveys that would be necessary before projects fo'r naval depots,
fortifications, &c., could be presented.  These surveys, in the want of
officers and funds within the control of the War Department, it is hoped,
may be effected through the aid of the Coast Survey.  The accomplished.Superintendent of that survey, actuated by an intelligent zeal for the whole
public service; has most obligingly offired all the aid in his power, corning
within the legitimate scope of his duties, in furtherance of the important
object of attaining the information desired; and the department gladly
offers its acknowledgment of tle value of this immediate result of that
important survey.
It is supposed that, by this time, the labors of the Pacific board must
have been completed, and that they are ready for a return to the Atlantic
with the result of their investigations.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
JOS. G. TOTTEN,
Brevet Brigadier General and Ohiy' Engineer.
Hon. C. M. CONRAD,  Seretary of War.
Part ii —24




^7TO6~ ~              eDoc. No. 1.
REPORT OF THE VISITERS OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY.
WEST POINT, JunZe 18, 1850.
SIR: The board of visiters, consisting of members from fifteen of the
States of the Union, invited by you to attend the general examination of
the corps of cadets, assembled at this place on the first instant, and were
-eceived by the Superintendent of the academy, together with the academic and military staff, with the distinguished courtesies practised at miliary posts, and, during their stay, have had every facility afforded themr
for the most thorough and searching examination into the affairs and
conduct of the institution.
The board have regularly attended the examination of the classes for
fifteen successive days, (Sundays excepted,) front the hours of nine a. mo.
to one p. im., and from, three to five p. m., and the various military exhi1bitions, which were usually after five p. m., and, from time to time, havebeen conducted through all the building, and shown all the apparatus and.
materials belonging to the institution; but, in order to a more thorough
investigation of the subjects to which the attention of the board was directed by your letter of invitation, committees, consisting each of three
members of the board, were appointed, and directed to inquire into all
that appertains to instruction, discipline, police, administration, and fiscal affairs, whose reports here follow:
Report of the Committee on Instruction.
The course of instruction prescribed by the government covers so wide
a field, and goes so minutely and thoroughly into the subjects embraced
in it, that the committee feel some diffidence in speaking of the conduct.
of the numerous departments of study, and of the success of the cadets.
in the pursuit of them; and yet the examinations to which we have been
invited have been so full and so fair as to leave upon our minds no doubt;:
either of the ability of the teachers or of the propriety of their methods.
of education.  Indeed, it has beeni apparent to us, throughout, that the
gentlemen employed to carry out the designs of the government in the.
support of this institution, in addition to eminent scientific and literaryattainments, and remarkable simplicity of manners; and purity of character, possess, also, in an equal degree, that aptness to teach, that professional
enthusiasm, without which the highest talents and the largest acquisitiens are impotent and v.lueless in an institution of learning.
In the mathenmatics-the basis of the whole system of education hereand in the diversified application of its principles to civil and military'
engineering, the committee see nothing to be regretted or to be desired.
We find it difficult to imagine anything in the presentstate ofscience
more perfect or more efficient in academic discipline.
I. the various kindred branches of geography, geog iO; m uieralogy,
chenmistry, and astronomy, as much appears to be accomplished as thetime allowed to these numerous subjects can well be supposed to admit.
In logic, grammar, rhetoric, emorls, and international law, fr all of
which  very little time is set apart, the attainments of the cadets are highly
creditable to themselves an(l their very efficient teachers.
TIhe French langluage is here taught with a success, we thinkl  ei



DOe. No. 1.
tirely unequalled within the extent of our experience.  The method
adopted by the accomplished instructor in this department seems, in a
degree, original, and certainly commends itself; by its results, as singularly philosophical and happy.
It appears to us worthy of remark, that, in the branches most remote
fromn the demonstrative sciences which occupy the earlier part of the
course-for example, in morals and law   there was an evident distinctness and precision of statement, and an unusual' severity of logic, to be
ascribed chiefly to the intellectual habits formed by the mathematical
studies of the course; and we cannot but think, that, with proper advantages for pursuing these subjects to an extent more becoming their importance in the education of a civil engineer, a soldier, and a gentleman,
it would be found that the severe sciences, so exactly andl thoroughly
taughtl here, are a most important preparation for general intelligence and
a manly character.
The specimens of drawing submitted to the examination of the com-:mittee, all executed under the direction and instruction of the eminent
artist at the head of that department, were extremely neat, and many of
them of a high order of merit.  It was particularly gratifying to witness
such proficiency in an art which, while it is necessary to the civil and
military engineer, is so intimately connected also with the cultivation of
the eye and the enjoyment of nature in every sphere of life. 
It has occurred to us to suggest to the board one or two somewhat important changes in the course of instruction, in the hope that, even if no
immediate improvement of the kind should be thought wise by the Department of War, the hints we have to offer might contribute, in connexion with similar recommendations by other boards, gradually to elevate
the standard of attainment and perfect the mental and moral discipline of
the academy.
We recommend, in the first place, the introduction of the study of the
Spanish language.  Now that we have within our own borders a large
population speaking this language in some of its dialects, and are brought
into national relations with various countries adjacent to us where the
same tongue is used, it needs no argument to show that) if any foreign
language should be taught to the civil engineers and soldiers of the
country; the language of many thousands of our now  citizens and of
the nearest nations deserves attention first of all.
We recommend, in the second place, the study of the evidences of
natural and revealed religion.  The character of a citizen, the character
of a gentleman, is not complete without the klnowledge of the grounds
af a religious faith-the spiritual principles which give dignity to the
present life by connecting it witih a life to come.  Of all men, the soldier
is the last to be left to meet the crisis of our earthly Dbeng without t.e.ight atnd supports of an intelligent established religious belief. 
country should not calli hm to the hazalrds of war il her udeence wi tiout
taking all panis to assure his heart in'the day of danc'ger and death; adi
a Cis tian people  houtlsd onot bIe guilty of t he absurdit  of t raini:  is
youthto nee tthe Ch.  tis i an relgion.   V.th the cdeepeSi  sens d, t- iU
vailue o'f the services of thLe chapiain  and of the ethidcal st ies of the aadili,,c course, we are clear. that there is yet a great defic-ielny in this depatmvent.   It is not enough that Christianity is preached on the Scabbath
clay: its great argulmnt, and the reasons on which all religious fiith,




f2f72                 09Doe No. o
rests, irn an enlightene'd age, should be made as familiar to the youthfitd
mind as the doctrines of natural science and  the rules of social life.
T'1hey are the natural, necessary alirent of all high character, as they are
the sole confidence of the friends of civil liberty and public happiness
throughout the world.
We also recommend an increased attention  to the study of international and constitutional law, and the introduction of history and the
rules of evidence.  So muchs has been said by former boards on these
subjects, that we content ourselves with saying that what is not taught
in a national institution for training men for the public service will very
certainly be regarded by the cadet as unimportant, and that it cannot be
creditable or safe for the leader of an army to be ignorant of the duties of
a judge or a citizen.  He may be called to sit in a court of justice for the
trial of men for their lives; he is always bound to regulate his private
and his public life by the laws of the land, of which the law of nations is
a part.
English composition and elocution have almost no place in the academy,
But scholar-like writing, and a clear, full voice, are hardly mere onaments
of a soldier; they are, in our times, essential to him.  Crude, inaccurate,
indefinite, vulgar despatches are a positive disgrace to a great captain,
and ought to unfit a man for an honorable post in the service. An imperfect articulation-an indistinct, hurried, insignificant utterance —disqualifies a man for command.  We earnestly recommend particular attention to this subject.  A proper master of elocution would in six months'
time so transform these young men that we should not know their voices.
It is obvious that such changes cannot be introduced without involving
the addition of a year to the course of study, and perhaps an additional
professorship-at any rate, an increase of the corps of instructors.
We therefore suggest, finally, that it be recommended to add a year to
the academic course, and to provide the requisite additional instructors.
The education of a professional man requires at least ten years of study.
Our only national institution can certainly afford to carry the conductors of our public works, and the defenders of our liberties and honor,
through at least a course of five years' discipline  less by two years than
the apprenticeship still thought necessary in most of the European States
to prepare a man to practise the handicraft arts-to make a gentleman's
coat, or turn a potter's vessel.  The addition of expense, indeed, would
be trifling-mainly that of a new professorship, if one be thought necessary; for the cadets who have gone through their four years, and are
ready for the army, might be as cheaply maintained here as with their regiments, and might pursue important studies, under the direction of acconmplished teachers, instead of reposing at other posts less favorable to professional improvement.
A year added to the four would enable the institution, without diminishing the attention now given to exact science and the art of war, so to extend what is called the ethical course, and to introduce suteh new studies'
as to secure that completeness and finish of education which seem to us
to be alone wanting in order to render the academy a perfect school for
the army, and. a model of ins'ruction for the country.
CHARLES B. HADDOCK,
GEORGE R. GRANT,
JAMES S. ROLLINS,'Commnittec on Instrutiono




Report of ik C::,  o.  Discipline. 
H:!tvicg' caremaily examined in detail the rules prdesc ribed for the governen t o  cad a ets, based upon t h  articles of war and the reg ulations of  the
arm'N,  aids also    system  of rwards and pnishments,  we beliieve  them
to be), el a.dapted to the object  in view, and calculated to maintain and
enhance th e high!  character of the intstitutioen
10he inanutry  (cavaiah y, anld igih-artillery drills, and  lhe artillery  practice, were all p erfrmed in the most satisfactory  lanne:r.
The or.ail izatqionri of the corps for istruction in intant  tactics into a
battalion of four companies  the compani-es being o.fcerecd'by cadets, who
were seiectedt to fill these situations of trust obr their soldiership and good
co nduct, the commiissioned officers being taken froi   the first class, the
sergeants from the seccone    and the corporals p from  thet thiid-appears to be
toe best that could b(3 devised.  The instruction of the cadets il the
school of' the soldier in company and battalion drills and in artillery practice is thorough, and reflects great credit on the oficers in charge of
these  departmOents 
Thi clean and soldier-li   appe ppearance and correct deportment of the
cadets on drill and parade excited ouT admiration; an'd we are of opinion
that the system  of discipline is such as combines firmness and proper
restrainat with kindaness and solicitude for the -welfare and success of the
cadets.
rjThe cavalry drill andl the riding-school exhibit calreful instruction and
great proficiency, considering the serious disadvantages arising from the
limited supply of horses and their defective character.  The light-artillery
drill was remarkable for the rapidity as well as the regularity and precision
of the novemients, and manifested thorough and careful training.
In this arm, as well as in tile cavalry drill, the want of horses is a great
drawbackl to the progress of instruction.  In order to place these departments on a proper basis, and in justice to the very able officers intrusted
wAith tihe instruction in them, it is absolutely necessary that a full supply
of sound anid well-broken horses should be provided, and that they should
be furnished for each service, as, by the use of the same horses for the
cavalry and artillery drills, they become unfit for either.  About one hundred horses are required for the above services.
The necessity of a new riding-hall is obvious.  The exercise is conducive to the health and physical development of the cadets, and should
be continued without regard to season or weather.  The riding-hall in
present use is wholly unsuited to the purpose, and i. fact dangerous. We
recommend an appropriation for a new one, and that care should be taken
to avoid the use of vicious or kicking horses.
Upon  a full investigation of the systelm of punlishment and the causes
of dismissal, we are satisfied that resort is only had to the latter when
imperatively demanded, and. that when, in conformity to the laws,  such
sentences are pronounced, they should not be reversed.
The internal police ard general management of the academy meet our
hearty approval; and the hig'h state of discipline of the corps of cadets is




~21'4                        Doc. No. 1.
the proof of the able and faithful discharge of their duties by the o icers
of the acadeny.
J. B. 3M. POTTER,
T. CADWALLADER,
HENRY DU PONT,
ommnitee on Discipline,
Report of the Comniittee on Police.
The subjects of inquiry which have engaged the attention of this colmittee relate to the physical wants, the health, and the moral condition of
the cadets. The object of all police regulations is to secure these important
results.'We have carefully examined into the condition and management of the barracks, the hospital; and the commons.
1st. In relation to the barracks nowr in process of construction,  the
committee have great satisfaction in being able to say that these permanent structures, the plans of which are the result of great experience and
judiciouls observation, are all that could be desired.  The location'of the
buildings is admirable, and the removal of the old ones will greatly enlarge the plain for military exercises.  The arrangement and size of the
rooms, their flurniture, the ventilation, and the sleeping apartmnents, ae a
combination of conveniences admirable and judicious.,
-In connexion vwith the barracks, we observed the bathing-rooms, where
the cadets, at a. very slight expense, can bathe once a week o or oftener, if
desired.  This is a great luxury, the enjoyment of which also promotes
health and physical development.  It is recommended, to insure the sup-:.ply of water in the dry season, when it is most required for bathing, that
additional pipes be laid, to collect the waters of all the unappropriated
fountains in the immediate vicinity, by which' not only a constant aind
fill supply of water would be insured, but water could be afforded for a
splendid fountain in thecenue of the parade-ground.
2d. The committee examined the hospital with the closest scrutiny.
Every facility for inspecting the details of this establishment was afforded
us by the surgeons in charge of it.  From  careful inquiries and inspection, the committee became satisfied that the hospital is under the direction of professional gentlemen who are able and faithful guardians of the
health of the cadets and all other persons at this post, and who also possess those high moral and mental qualifications that are essential to the
medical profession.
The committee recommend that the public road passing close by the
hospital, which annoys its inmates by dust and noise, be removed to a
greater distance; and that the recommendations of the surgeon in a communication, marked D, herewith transmitted, in regard to enlisting competent men and matrons especially for the service of the hospital, be complied with.
3d. For the accommodation of the cadets, a new mess-hall is now in
process of erection, which will be finished this autumn.
The present mess-hall exhibits the appearance of neatness and. order.
The food is good and abundant, and the cooking judicious.  The.person
who has charge of this diflicult department is experienced in the busi



Doc. No, 1.                            275
ness, receives a fixed salary for his services, derives no perquisites from
his position, and appears to manage the concern so as to promote the comfort as w4ell as the pecuniary interests of the cadets.
In conclusion, the committee desire to express their unqualified approbation of the system of police at this institution.
JAMES D. COBB,
JOHN N. POMEROY,
JAMES S. STROTHIER,
Commtzittee on Police.
Report of the Committee on Admninistration.
After a careful examiination of the organization of the Military Academy
and the actual administration of its different departments, the committee are
of the opinion that, both in its plan and its practical operation, the institution is eminently fulfilling its high national purposes. The range of scientific and literary studies is extensive, and the instruction faithful and accurate; the moral character manifested in the conduct and deportment of
the cadets is elevated and conspicuous; the discipline is exact and ad-.mirable; and the military knowledge imparted is at once practical and profound.  Every department is as thoroughly organized as the means provided for its support will allow; and the whole academic and military staff
is comtposed of professors and officers of very superior attainments anid.
qualifications.
In view of the additional academic year deemed necessary, the committee would suggest the propriety of increasing the number of cadets to
which each State is respectively entitled, so as to enable the institution to
xeceive and graduate annually as many as it does at present; otherwise,
the number of cadets remaining the same, the extension of the course to
five years would divide the corps into Jive instead of four classes, arid
thus proportionally decrease the size of each class.
By the act of Congress establishing and organizing the Military Academy, no special provision is made for the salary of the Superintendent, and
he thus simply receives compensation according to his rank in the corps of
engineers, and as the commandant of a military post.  If he be a colonel,
he will receive the pay of a colonel; if lieutenant colonel, major, or captain, he will receive the pay attached to those grades respectively; as
superintendent, he receives no compensation whatever: and thus the sat-.ary fluctuates with the rank of the incumbent.
It is otherwise with the professors of the different departments, all
of whom  receive fixed salaries.  The professor of philosophy receives
the pay of a lieutenant colonel of engineers, amounting to $1,944 per
annum; the professors of engineering, mathematics, etlics, chemistry,
and infantry tactics, and the surgeon of the post, receive each the pay of
a major of engineers, being $1,692 per annum; and the instructor of artillery:eceives the pay of a major of cavalry, and $10 per month extra
allowance for commanding a detachment of artillery and  cavalry —
amounting to $1,668 per annum.
The present able and accomplished Superintendent of the academy is
a captain of engineers, and consequently receives the pay of that grade,




^276                          Doc. No. 1.
which, with extra allowances as connmandant of the post, amounts to the
sum of $1.,470 pert anrnum- -being less than thte salary of either of the
professors, and less tan tha  tat of te surgeon of the post or the instructor
of artillery.
This state of t'l-,iinos  so aniomalous and inconsistelnt^ should not, in the
opinion of the comiltee  nig    exist.  The dtlies and respnosibilities
of the Supeinntelndeant of the  ss'ilitary.Aadcmy are m-ost arduous and
weighty. Tobe eq t.al to t. iej le must be endowed with   high capacitity
character, a.n   cqu irementl.    c',Io di rect and regulatet the academic depart'ment, he must be a schols.c; to superintend the militay.instruction,
an acccomcplishledl soldier; anid to manage successfully the other and various branches of tPhe service h-e must be possesseed of sound judgment
and enlarged experieance. West Point is one of the most important posts
of the army; and the officer who commtands it should be invested with a
rank at least as high as that of colonel, and, to sustain the dignity of.his rank and responsibilities, should receive atleast the pay of that grade.
The acadermy is one of the noblest institutions of this or any other
country, and one of. whitch the nation is justly proud.  It is a national
institution, and should be sustained by no parsimonious or stinted economy,
but should be cherished iwith a wise and liberal policy.
The conmmittee, therefbre, earnestly recommend that the salary of the
Superintendent of the Military Academy should be fixed and invariable,
and that his pay and local rankt be that of a colonel of the corps of engi-.
neers.
The committee have also inquired into the duties of the adjutant of the
post, which are usually performed by a second lieutenant of one of the,
regiments, and recommend that the salary attached to this office be the
same as that of the adjutant of a regiment of dragoons.
H. WALLER,
J. P. MlI. LLIKEN,
SAMUEL A. ROBERTS,
Committee on Administra'tion.
Re or t of the Committee on Fiscal Aairs.
We have made diligent inquiry into tle expenditures of the enginwer,
quartermaster, and treasurer's departments at this post, and have had the
ireest access to their accounts.
The engineer department has charge of the disbursements for the new'
cadet barracks.  It has disbursed, since the 30th of June, 1849, the sumn
of $35,641 69, (as per paper marked A, herewith transmitted,) leaving a
balance unexpended of $4,973 90, which, with the amount of appropriation now before Congress, is considered sufficient for the completion
of the building; and the committee earnestly recommend the passage of"
the same.
The new barracks is a noble structure of hewn granite.  The r3oms
already finished and occupied are airy, well lighted and ventilated, and
furnish convenient and comfortable quarters for the cadets.
The accompanying paper marked B exhibits a statement of the accounts of the quartermaster's department, from  which it will be seen




Boc. No. IT
that the aggrtgate amount of available funds for the fiscalyear ending
June 30, 1850, is'46,434 70; of which there has been expended
$27,21.8 43 —leaving an unexpended balance of $19,216 27. We be liev
that the disbursemenlts have been made with prudence and a due regard'
to the interests of the public service.
The treasurer.-s department disburses for the cadets and each cadet is
furnished with a pass-book^ wherein are charged all authorized articles of
clothi ng, equipments, stationery, text-book, &c., on the order of the Superintendent, on the presentation of which he receives the articles from the
commissary; and on each muster (once every twTo mon-ths) the pass-books
are returned to the treasurers office for settlement.  The pay-rolls are
signed by the cadets and sent to the paymaster, who pays the treasurer,
and he disburses for the cadets.
The pay of the cadet is now $24 per month, without rations; and the
disbursemrents made for his account by the treasurer are for board, clothing,.
and expenses of all kinds.
In order more tflly to illustrate the mode of disbursement of the dadet's
pay, statement C is herewith communicated, which explains the constitution of the different funds and the amount of disbursements in each,.
which is entirely satisfactory to the committee.'We approve the method of keeping the accounts of the cadets, which.
is simple and admirably conducted.  The examination of their accounts
has satisfied us that the pay of the cadet is not sufficient for his expenses;:
for, notwithstanding the system of rigid economy, many cadets are in
debt at the close of their academic career, and many cannot avail themselves of the regulation granting a furlough at the end of the second
year's course.
We would therefore recommend that the pay be restored to the original
amount of $28 per month.
GEORGE H. HAZLETON,
GEORGE R. GRANT,
H. DU PONT,
Comm3ittee on Fiscal Affairs.
The board ulnanimouasly concur in all the views and recommendations
contained in the above reports and also in the belief that the Military
Academy is one of the most useful and highly creditable institutions in
our country, that it has been mainly instrumental. in forming the high
character which our army now sustains before the civilized world, and
that it is entitled to the confidence and fostering care of the government..
We have the honor to be, very respectfully,
MBT.A.   J.'WILLIAMS, of South Carolina,
President of the Boar.
CHARLES B. HADDOCK;  of New Hampshire.
JOHN  N. POMEROY, of Verampnt.
J. B. M. POTTER, of Rhode  mamdl.
T.G CAD)WALLADER, of New Jersey.
HENRY  DU PONT, of Delaware.
JAMES F. STROTHER, of Virginia.
HENRY  WALLER, of Kentucky.
GEORGE R. GRANT, of Tennessee.




:S?                         Doc  No. 1..
JAMES P. MILL[KEN, of Indiana.
GEORGE H. HAZLETON, of Michigan.
JAMES S. ROLLINS, of Missouri.
JAMES D. COBB, of Arkansas.
SAMUEL,  A. ROBERTS, of Texas.
N. B. BUFORD, of Illinois,
Secretary of the Board.
To the Hion. GEORGcE'W. CRAWFORD,
Secretary of TWar.
A.
WEST PONlT, NEW YOR'K
June 10, 1850.
SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of
this morning, requestinl- a "statement of the amount disbursed on the
new cadet barrac'ks since June, 1849; and also what balance, if any,
remains unexpended,"   and to annex hereto the statement requested, as
)follows viz:
Amount disbursed on cadet barracks since June, 1849   - $35,641 69
Amount on hand at date   -        -                          4,93 90
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. S. ALEXANDER,
Lieutenant Engineers.
HIENIY fDu PONTr Esq.,
Secretary CGommiittee of Finance, Board of Visiters.




]..SRtatement of funds a ailable and  disbursements Tmade  by  Captain  Henry  Brewerton,                                     C(orps of Elngneers, and
Superintendent Unzited States Military Academny,for the fiscal year endiing  June 30, 1850.
4- 7to                                                  000
Heads of appropriations.                            t   S   R emarks.
_...,.  -   _  _   _..
^0^^        pg~ "-.S                       ~^ h          c, ^
Repairs and improvementsa.............   $4,630 87      9,000 00   $13,630 87   $13,174 97          $455 90
Fueland apparatus...............           121 51      7,000 00      7,121 51      6,478 91         642 60
Forag......................09 00                               1,760 00      1,869 00      1,452 27         416 73
P.stage.......................      22  83         50 00         72 83          20 86         51 97
Stationery..............................            85 59        300 00        385 59        259 26         126 33
Transportation..............             1,300 00      i, 300 00        463 68        836 32 
Printing..........................          375 75        500 00        875 75         143 13        732 62                                                 e
Clerks..................               40 00      1,730 00      1,770 00      1,502 49         267 51
Miscellaneous and incidental expenses......          75 75      2,140 00.2, 215 75        1, 127 48     1,088 27 
Iepartment of engineering............................            500 00        500 00           3 00        497 00
Do.....philosophy................            51 19        150 00        S01. 19        i89 25         11 94
Do... mathematih cs................   370 00        215 00         585 00        345 75        239 25
D1).....chemistry, mineralogy, and
geology...............              1,000 00      1,000 00        230 79         769 21  There is about 400 of this balance due
repairs and improvements, for workDo...of ethics..................   70 00                          00. 7 0  00                           manship and materials.
Do...  of drawing................            94 47        165 00         259,47         20  0        238 77
Do.....of artillery and cavalry...... 1, 183 86            250 00      1,43:3 86        774 07        659 79
Do....of fencing...................         97 28        15000 (       247 28          49 07        198 21
Do.,...of infantry tactics...........        461 47        250 00         711 47        119 25        592 22
General increase and expenses of library....    1, 685 13       1,000 00      2, 685 13        828 85      1,856 28
Hospital for enlisted men...........................   2,500 00    2,500 00          34 65      2, 465 35  Now under const)uction, and will be ex~
pended the present season.
Nev mess-hall for corps of cadets...................   5,000 00       5, 000 00......., 000 00....do........d..
Riding-hall.......................2...                       2,000 00      2, 000 00...........   2, 000 00   W          ill be expended the present season.
9,474 70  36,960 00  46,434 70  27,218 43  19,'16 27__
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADElY,                                                                              HENRY  BREWERTON, 
West Point, Jew York, June 8, 1850,                                                  Capftarn Corps Enaieers, Superintendent Military Alcademy,      ~




C. —Statement of authorized amounts paid on account of cadets, U. S.. ilitary Academy, by Lieutenant Pi. S. Alexander, 
of the Corps of Engineers; and treasurer of the U. S. Military Academy, from May 1, 1849, to  ay 1, 1, S5 0.
No.               On what paid.                May and June, July and Aug., Sept. and Oct., Nov. and Dec., Jan. and Feb., [Mar. and April, ITotal amounit.
1849.            1849.             1849.            1819.             1850.             1850,
I   Board fund.......................               108 25            118 50          $121 00           $118 15          $112 68           $111 50             6 90 08
2   Boardatmes  commons...........           3,716 63           4,005 39         3,983 59         4,209 58          3, 649 96         3,755 04           3,20 79
3   Washing........................                 858 64            899 57           968 23            94  50            89  73           889 19           5,456 86
4   Storekeeper.1............,269 68                             2,421 02          1,654 92          1,175 35         1,319 99          1,595 05           9, 436 01
5   Commissary of clothing...........             1, 484 59        4,347 18          2, 539 41         1,418 16         1, 764 93         1, 054 44         12808 71
6   Shoemaker...................                    395 73            832 96           612 03            541 65            475 43              9 53          3, 057 33
7   Postmaster....                                 194 48            186 31           235 11            224 94            394 49           239 88           1, 75 21
8   Barber..........................                177 35            269 46           281 26            237 22!27 45           199 29           1,392 03
9   Baths...........................          93 79             34 52            48 11            100 50            108 38           113 32             498 62,
10   Iron bedstead and table fund........            22 80             3240              35 200             4 20'    29 72             29 20            183 5'
II   Rules and triangle fund............               70 61............................... 7....................                   6 
12   Lithographic fund...............               81 55...............                                                                                     81 55.
13   Dialectic Socity fund                           37 00............................                                                                           00 
14   Cap-plates and plumes.............               28 36................................................,2  3C 
15   Damages quartrmaaster's departrnent                6 39....................,.         16 39
16   Damages odnance department......                  15 15'07               61             7 66               1h.   2.,....                s4, 10'
17   Damages mess comons..........                      1 65...........                 31 46.......496...........                                       82 47
18   Policing  barrachks and distributg fuel.        100 78             66 08           125 3- 1          267 87             5            76  265 37,077 18
19   Dentist...........'...............             137 50            182 74             44 51........                     8                 58            524 15
20   Dancing master.................................                   500 00.......................................................                           5000
21   Cotillon parties...........................          200 89........................................................                   0 89
22   Subscription to monuet.......................                     20000.............               21  0..............               211 09              70  0
23   Subscription for organist..........              70 00...............................................  
24   Mattress fund...................                                       182 9                        15-00 
25   India-rubber cloak fund........................
26   Cash on account.................               42840              84 14             7242               070 1               19            4
27   Balance in cash paid cadets,........          8, 419 28            14 75            2i1  84          12962             453 27'            38 21          9, 7t 9
1    }7,718 61 1      14, 396 38        10,988 97          9,80400            9,757 49        8,8 E5e 03,     3r 4 
T'EASL-RER^ OFr ce     WEi-ST POINT MILITARAY ACADEMS   June 7, 1850.
B. ALEXA LNDER  Liei~. Enginesrs e.1 Tree-sr ar.50 er4




Dio,No. 1.                                         38I
C-Continued.
REMARKS.
No. i. F. fontry sucbscrtptio'n3 by ctdets for the support of a hand of musicians.
2. The amount oharged each cadet being pro rata and fixed by a board of officers who examine
and audit the accounts of the purveyor of the cadets' commons.
3. The ataourntl of 82 per umonth wiIter and summer.
4. $torekceper.-Books, stationery, uader garments, equipments, room  furniture, oil,
candles, &Cc. These articles were furnished by the storekeeper prior to the 1st of
Mi ay, 1850, since which time they have been supplied by the commissary of
clothn rg.
5.  oi'll'nissrer'y of clothi'hn furnishes uniform clothing and military frock coats, and citizens'
clothing for cadets when going a furlough.
6. Shoes and repairs done by contract, under the inspection of the commissary of clothing.
7. Posta.gefi'o letters and newspapers-one paper being allowed to each cadet, provided he
makes application to the Superintendent for permission.
8. This embraces shoe-blacking, hair-cutting, varnishing accoutrements, &c.
9. J sma!l charge for each bath, to pay the necessary expenses of the bathing establishment.
10. iron bedsteadfiand.This is only charged to the 4th class, for their use, at 20 cents per
month for one year; which amount is applied to keep them in repair.
11. Rides and riangles.-A small charge being necessary to keep the articles in repair for
their use.
12. LithogrepFict works charged for the use of the " lithographic notes" written by the ofcers and professors of the United States Military Academy, to aid the course of
instruction in the several departments.
13. Diafectic SecieIy.-This amount is made up of initiation fees and fines for non-attendance-the proceedings of which are laid before the Superintendent for his approval previous to the amount being charged.
14. Cap-plates and plumes.-An annual charge for cap-plates and plumes furnished. for the
use of cadets.
15. Damages quartermaster's department, which embrace damages of barracks, breaking
window-glass, &c.:16. Damages ordniavce department, which embrace damages to arms and accoutrements,
which revert to the United States.
17. Mess-hall dnnages embrace tumblers, plates, knives, &c., which are signed by the cadet
when the damage is done, agreeably to the regulations of the mess commons.
18. Policiing barracks, &8c.-The amount is averaged at each settlement, according to the
number of cadets at muster.
19. Dentist.-For professional services, when recommended by the army surgeon of the
United States Military Academy.:20. Dancing master.-Ambunt subscribed by the cadets of the United States Military
Academy for their instruction in dancing.
21. Cotillon parties given by the cadets during the months July and August. This is a
voluntary subscription.
22. Mionumenlts to deceased cadets subscribed by their class-mates.
23. Organist. —Voluntary subscription to pay the services of an organist to the chapel at
West Point.
24. Jlattressfend.-For the use of the mattresses furnished for the use of the cadets.
25. India-rubber cloth.-For the use of the same during the season.
26. CAsh on account.-For the subscription to newspapers and other minor necessities,
which are authorized by the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy.
27. Balance paid cadets.-When graduating, they receive the balance due them, including
their equipment fund; and the furlough class receive the balance that may be due
them to the 1st of Julyr




Tabbular st cm.S cxhibiting htc conadition in life of the cadets at the Military Academy, West Point, for the last nine   ^
years, fr-on  1842 to 1850, inclusive.                                  _
1842.    1843.    1844.    1845.    1846.6    1847.            1848.        1849.        1850.
Parents arc oi' were fiarers or planters......................             59        61         61        68        72         67           69           75           70
P:rtent aC  r  wee mechanicg...............  1.............              14        12         15        22        22         25           22           21              6
Fathers are or were lawyers or judges.....................                27        25         30        35        33         30           29           23           34
1rcnts are ori xeremerchants.............................                 18        15         23        27        29         29           31           38           36
Parents are or were boarding-house or hotel keepers..........              5         2          4         3          7         6            4            2            2
Fathers are or were iphys;ciatns.............................             12        15         15        13        21         19           21           21           J8
l  thers are or v:ere of the army, navy, or marine corps.........    14             16         16        13         11        13           17           17           18
iFahers are or were clergynen............................                 4         6          6         6          5         3            3            4            4
PFaIhcrs are or wcre in the civil employment of the general or
State government........................                   15        16          9         5          2            3            7            7
i~selaleus,   as hank oflikers, editors, professors, engineers,.
masterL  ofvessels, &c....                                              15         11        15         23        35        3             41           24           3
Occupations nit stated, or no occupation................                48        34         23        17          1         2            2            8            7
Total................        221       212        224        236       241        232          242          240          244        Z
Of thcFe nurmbers, there are wilthout fathers living............           26        57         44        48         42        41           54           48           40 4
Of these numrbeirs, there are without- either father or mother
living.,,........................................         23        16         18         5        21         20'       18           16           26
22        16         18                   2          0                                     26
Total orphans......7.48                 7-        62         63        63         61           72           64           66
Of thesc numbers, the parents are stated to be in moderate cir-                  F
cuMstan~es,of.....................................l..l 156          150        164       132        182          193         203          215
01 t'ncfs-3 numnber"-1, tlhe parents are stated to be in reduced  cir-                                    36 
cun.stances, of............                    2        26        37         36  35              38            40           29           25
Of' these numbers, thie pa}ciites, are,stated to be in indigent oir'- 
cumstances, of..............................                                        6          8                   8         -8            4            4            2
Of these numbers, the parents are stated to be independent in
life, of....,,,..,...................................,.   5                                                                                                       2
Of these nunIbera, the sarents are stated to be in unknown cir-                       6         1
Gumstanoes, of....,........................          39         18        19         16.....................-........  ^-,,,.
221       212  J 224           236       241        23           242  I       240          244




Doc. No. 1.                              38
D.
HOSPITAL DEPARTIMENT,
VWest Point,  N. Y.  June  13, 185Q.
SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note, and
hasten to answer the questions propounded to me.  The population of
West Point, according to the census taken in December last, is between
nine hundred and one thousand, viz: professors, officers, and their families, including servants, one hundred and sixty-nine; cadets, two hundred
and thirty-four; enlisted men and their families, three hundred and sixtynine; citizens, mostly employed in the public service, and their families.
two hundred.  The number of cases treated since the 1st January, 1850,
as exhibited by the hospital register, is about three hundred.  This, however, falls short of the actual number, as no record is kept of the diseases
of women and children.  Their complaints constitute no inconsiderable
portion of the medical officer's duty.  It should be borne in mind that
any disease or ailment for which a cadet or soldier is excused from duty
is recorded; and hence it is that so many cases appear on the hospital
books at a post so proverbially healthy.  The diseases that occur at
West Point are generally of a mild type, and, since the disappearance of
the cholera of last summer, our community has had to contend with no
very serious form of disease.  The complaints mostprevalent are diarrhoea.
catarrh, and headache.  This hospital, being used exclusively for the
accommodation of the cadets, should be most liberally provided with every
comfort and convenience.  In the first place, the building is too small,
and the wards are badly arranged and imperfectly ventilated; and secondly, there are very few  of the necessary conveniences that should
beJong to such an establishment.  As much of the comfort of the sick
depends upon the nurses attached to the hospital, I must earnestly recommend a change in the manner of selecting the attendants.  It has always been the custom  to take them from among the enlisted men at the
post. So far as my observation extends, they are in almost every instance
rough, inexperienced, and too often unwilling to perform a duty requiring
so much diligence, patience, and confinement.  The male, attendants
should be enlisted especially for the duty, and, in order to secure the
services of good and faithful men, an additional compensation will have
to be allowed.  At least one elderly and experienced female nurs, should
be employed; and, if a salary of fifteen or twenty dollars per month be
allowed, a competent one can. doubtless be obtained.  One of the matrons
now engaged, at six dollars per month, iig'ht, if necessary be discharged,
so that the additional expense would be but trifinng.  Great annoyance
is experienced by the patients in hospital by tlhe public road running directly in front of it; and I trust it will soon be changed so as to pass below
the hill. A faithful observance of such regulations of the  academy as
are designed mainly to peserve and promote health mu.st, in a great
measure, depend upon the goood sense, and, I may add.? honor, of t
cadets themselves.
I am, sir, very- respec'tiuly  your o   1edient servant
~Chezar(i nrman CommttfS~ ec 0-"*ee on   oieJ;-A,'o Pofi  ees]> P:,-t..  
Captain [ 0o~.~3E n 








Doc. No. 1.                           385
No. 8.
S:EPORT OF THE COLONEL OF THE CORPS OF TOPOGRAPHII
ICAL ENGINEERS.
BUREAU OF TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGINEERS,.
Washington, November 14, 1850.
SIm: I have the honor to submit the annual report of the operations of'thie Corps of Topographical Engineers for the year 1850, and an estimate of:,amounts required for the ensuing year, or rather for the fiscal year ending.30tlt June, 1852.
FIRST OF SURVEYS 
Survey of the lakes. —The extreme lateness at which the appropriation
was obtained for the fiscal year terminating 30th June, 1851, of necessity
limited the operations of the last season; and as these could not be resumed with advantage this fall or before May next, the officer in charge
~of that work, and who was holding himself in readiness,for field duty at
a moment's notice, was furnished with money to pay such debts as had
*accumrulated, and was directed to reduce all causes of expenditure not
immediately connected with office duties and necessary to them.
He was subsequently directed to make the survey of Sandusky river to
the harbor of Fr6mont, in the State of Ohio, and also to survey the harbor
of Port Clinton, in the State of Ohio, with necessary plans and estimates
for the improvement of the same, as it was supposed there was time to
-finish these surveys during the present season.
An exploring expedition left Santa Fe during last season with a milit;iary command-Lieutenant Simpson, of the corps, being field and topographical engineer of the command. It moved in a direction northwest to
~the river Chelly, then passed south to the Pueblo de Zuii, from thence it
moved east to the Rio Grande near Albuquerque, from which place it reiturned to Santa Fe-embracing in its circuit about seven and a half degrees of longitude and about three and a half degrees of latitude, over a
region hitherto comparatively unexplored. The report, map, and sketches
of this expedition have been received, and have been submitted to Congress, upon a resolution of the Senate, and are now being printed, under
an order of the Senate.
Numerous and similar surveys, or rather reconnaissances, have been
made within the State of Texas, under the direction of Brevet Colonel.Johnston, of the corps, who is stationed in Texas, namely:
1st. The reconnaissance of a route for a road from San Antonio to Et
Paso.
2d. The reconnaissance of the country between Corpus Christi and the
military posts on the Leona, with reference to the practicability of opening
a road between these two places.
Part l —25




38'6                         Doc. No. L1
3d. A recolnraissance of the Sacramento mountains, to ascertain if t-ereexisted a pass througlh them practicable for wagons.
4th. A reconnaissance of a route from San Antonio, via PFredericksburg,
to El Paso, in reference to a military road from the Gulf of Mlexico to El
Paso.
5th. A description of the country f om San Anltonio to El Paso.
6th. A reconnaissance from  the Red river, near old Fort'Washita, - tothe Rio Pecos, connected. with a reconnaissance from thence to the Ric
Grande, in reference to the establishment of a road.
7th. An examination of the river Colqrado of Texas in reference to tle'
improvement of its navigation.
The several reports in relation to t:hese subjects were duly submitted,
on calls of the Senate, duyria g its last session; and, under an o-der of thel:e
Senate, a map was. prepared exhibiting the whole of these surveys on one
shdeet.  To this map was added Captain Marcy's retrn T route from Diofna
Ana, on the Rio Grande, to Prestonl, on the Red river, and from thence to
Fort Gibson, on the Arkansas.  To the same map was also' added the
reconnaissance of the route connecting the military posts on the frontier
of Texas, by Lieutenant Whiting, Engineer Corps. All these reports, and.'
the map described, have been ordered to be printed by the Senate.
There has also been a survey in reference to the positions of military
depots on Matagorda bay, and to the navigation of the river San A.ntonio,
a copy of which was transmitted, on application for the same, to the Coiamittee, on Comrmerce of the House of Representatives.
There has been a party ergaged on the survey of a route fhr a road from;.
St. Louis, Missouri, to the great bend of the Red river. This party is yet:
in the field.
Another party las been engaged on the survey of a route for a road.
from the great bend of the Red river direct to the Vlississippi. This party
has completed the field-work, and is now employed at the bureau in thepreparation of the report and maps.
Two officers of the corps are on duty in Qalifbrnia; but the prices for
labor are so extremely high there, that it was considered advisable to limit
their operations to such reconnaissances as could be made whien associated.
with exploring military commands.
The map which the bureau has been engaged in compiling (under
a resolution of the Senate) of the United States and their Territories between the Mississippi and the Pacific, with such parts of Mexico as came
within the geographical limits of the map, was completed in time to besent in to the Senate during the latter part of its last session.  Although..
the compilation was made on the same scale as that of Calvin Smith's.
map of the United States east of the Mississippi, it yet occupied a sheet ofabout eight feet square.  The Senate, by resolution, directed it to be reduced, preparatory to its being printed.  It was returned to the office for
that purpose, and we are now engaged in reducing it. The scale adopted
for the reduced map will be about fifty statute miles to the inch.
The survey of the impediments to the navigation of the river near Sa —
vannah, Georgia, was duly completed, and the report, map, and estimatefurnished, on a resolution of the Senate.  This has been printed, by
order of the Senate.
The last report stated that three officers of the corps were engaged as.:
assistant instructors in various branches at the MAilitary Academy. Therre



Doe. N, t 
are now uDi  two thereo —ne being relieved. at his request, on thle I.st of
September.
There are four officers of the corps upon the survey of the boundary
between the United States and Mexico, and one in making the survey of
certain Indian boundaries west of the Mississippi, on an application, approved by the War Department, from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
Two officers of the corps are engaged on the restoration of the maps of the,
northeast boundary.  Until very lately, three were on that duty; but it
was found necessary to withdraw one for the more direct duties of the department to which he belonged.  Having lately inspected this work, (thie
restoration of the maps of the northeast boundary,) I am enabled to give
the following account of it:
Brevet lieutenant Colonel Graham being at the head of the scientifici
corps for that boundary, the maps exhibiting the same had been cmnpleted under his superintendence; and the maps of the British commission.
were completed under their commissioner and engineer, Colonel Estcourt
of the' British army.'These last, being duly authenticated, were takee
to Great Britain; but the maps on our side (those to which I have referred_
as completed by Colonel Graham) were left in the office in-which the
drawings were made.'Under this state of things, and during 1848. the
services of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) Graham being wanted
with the armies in Mexico, he was ordered thither; and, during his
absence, the house in which the maps were left, and the maps, weredestroyed by fire.  The object now is to restore them.  Merely to have
replotted the boundary line would lave been a work of neither time nor
difficulty; but as Colonel Graham, in his survey of this line, had collected
(as is always done in United States surveys) the topography on each side.
to some extent; and as this topography was of great importance in a frontier line, exhibiting the military features of that line, and as Colonel Graham had exhibited this topography in his original maps, it was consid
ered extremely desirable to depict it on the restored maps.  This was a,
work of time and difficulty.  Fortunately, (from a long-established rule
of this bureau, as a measure of precaution, to place field-books in a different repository from  the finished maps, when a. work is completed,) all of
the surveyors' field-books, in which the topography was noted,.escaped the.
colnfagration, and also the book containing the whole of what related to
the simple line of boundary.  The work of restoration was therefore a.
work of reconstruction of all the maps of the boundary from the original
notes.  The maps now being reconstructed consist ofIst. A general map of the whole extent, exhibiting adjoining.States, on
a scale of one inch to 10 miles.
2d. Thirty maps of the boundary line, on a scale of 2. inches to thlie
mile, each map or sheet being 46 inches by 261-.  Of these, 19 sheets maybe considered as finiahed; leaving 11 sheets, in which the work is chiefly.in lead-pencil.
3d. rTlen maps of parts, on as large a scale as 12 inches to the mile~..
These are maps of parts involving controversy or discussionin referetlce.
to islands, &c.
4th. There are also 4 sheets of maps which may be called explanatory,
or side maps, showing the sources of the St. John's and other. importantstreams, not included in the maps above enumerated.
The whole extent of boundary line; fronm  the source of thel river. t.




388                         Doc. No. 1.
Croix to St. Regis, on the Sto Lawrence, is 658 miles 3,145 feet, bounding several States, nanlely: Maine, 447 miles 3,753 feet; New Hampshire,
56 miles 1,503 feet; Vermont, 90 miles 2,853 feet; New York, 64 miles
316 feet.
On all these boundaries, the surveys of Colonel Graham have collected
their topography, to a distance generally of several miles on each side,
throughout the entire line.  They are, therefore, of great interest in
any study of the military peculiarities of that long line of frontier, and, in
this respect, of great importance, as well as in their more limited aspect of
a mere frontier line.  I feel confident that they will soon be completed,
and without any further appropriation, if left undisturbed in advised arragements in reference to the work.
In addition to the labor of reconstructing the maps, all the astronomical observations have been recomputed.
Two officers of the corps have been employed on the survey of the
coast, but it has been found necessary to withdraw one of these from that
duty.
Application has been made from the Department of the Interior, and.
from the superintendent of the survey of the coast, for additional officers
of the corps, which, however, could not be complied with.  The corps
is not sufficiently large to admit of such detachments and to execute the duties of the department to which it is attached.  Its organization was in reference to the wants of that department alone; and
these demands, in addition to what was contemplated at the time the
organization  was made, are greater than its numbers can gratify.  The
War Department cannot divest itself of its allowed means to perform
its own duties, in order that these means may be employed on the duties.ofother departmentts  The wants of these other departments are not denied;
but if the War Department has to supply them  from  a corps specially organized in reference to its own duties, it would seem to be a necessary consequence that the corps should be proportionally enlarged.  The duties
of the War Department itself require an enlargement.  Giving to this
subject the most careful consideration, it is respectfully recommended that
an addition should be made to the corps of six captains and of ten first
and ten second lieutenants, to be made by regular promotion in the corps,
and by appointments in lowest vacancies of graduates from the Military
Academy.  At the same time, should even this enlargement be authorized,
it is not recommended that a course of detaching officers under other departments should be adopted as a system. In some cases it may be proper
or necessary-as on the survey of the coast, for instance; but, as a general rule, I am thoroughly satisfied that the coursewould be better, whenever any other department has a service which it desires to have done
by officers of the corps, for the department to apply to the War Department to have that service done.  Then, the War Department directing,
through the appropriate bureau, the service, on being done, would be reported through the appropriate channel to the department desiring the
service. I feel satisfied, as a general rule, the service under such a system would be better done, in less time, more economically, and with fewer
discontents, as the officer would be kept under his accustomed discipline and laws and regulations in relation thereto, and under his accustomed responsibilities and superintendence, and under those in the habit
-of directing him, and who have some knowledge of what he should do
and of how it should be done.




Doe. No. 1.                           389
It should not be forgotten that the reputation of the staff corps of the
army for intelligence in their duties, exactness, punctuality, rigid accountability, and vigorous execution of work, arises from their military education, and from the discipline which military laws and regulations impose
Remove them from these, or take those with whom a sufficiently long
service has not yet implanted the necessary habits, and there is great
danger that this reputation will be lost, and duties be imperfectly and
loosely performed.  Discipline is but another name for order; and order,
being a species of restraint, cannot be preserved without authority.  The
authority of the War Department over its officers is complete; but
this authority, and the habit of exercising it, cannot be transferred to another department.  Authority is government: that of the War Department is a military government, with that moral and penal force and consequence of orders which' other departments do not possess, and from
which, as a general rule, it is pernicious to relieve the sbordinates of the
War Department.  Therefore, these detachments, as a general rule; will
be found in violation of sound reasoning, and pregnant with unpleasant
consequences.
In addition to their other duties, the bureau hlas been engaged in the
construction of certain marine hospitals; but as the bureau, in the execution of these duties, acts as a bureau of the Treasury Department,
(in accordance with the principles just laid down,) the aunual report in
relation to those hospitals will be directed to that department.
A provision in a law of last session, (30th September,) directed investigations in relation to a supply of water for the city.  The duty was attended to without delay, and a party organized, under the immediate direction of Brevet Colonel Hughes, of the corps.  The lateness of the
season did not admit of much time for field operations, and the smallness
of the appropriation did not admit of extensive arrangements, such as
would remedy the want of time.  But the city of Washington has, with
great promptness, to some extent, relieved the bureau of this last difficulty
by an appropriation of $1,000 in favor of the survey.
The party engaged on the survey of the Salt lake has not yet got in.
It is daily expected.  The last report from Captain Stansbury, who commands the party, dated the Flst July, states that the survey is completed,
" with the exception of a small portion of the triangulation, and some astronomical observations yet to be made on the base line, which will in all
probability occupy the greater-part of the month of August, so that I expect to be able to start for home by the beginning of September.
" The labor bestowed upon the survey this year has been unusually
arduous, arising from the great scarcity of water, which frequently costs a
journey of fifty miles for a few days' supply.
" A connected line has been run entirely around the lake, both by angles
and the needle.  The islands have been surveyed, in like manner, and
connected by a triangulation. Lines of soundings have also been taken,
although no exact idea can yet be entertained of the practicability of
using the lake for purposes of navigation.Captain Stansbury further states that it is his intention to take the most
practicable route for wagons:from the lake to the Mississippi, with a view
to the better accommodatiotfof the vast travel through the country, by
opening a new route, which shall afford grass and water, and thereby fur



1~?':00                        B :Doc>. No. 14
m.isTh additional icilisies to the flood of emigration n-row crow ding almost
-:o suffocation thle accus.tomn-ed overland road to Califbornia.
A  law  of tlwe 18th July, 1850) directed the construction of certain
roads in the Territory of Minnesota —" the said roads to be constructed
lander the direction of tyhe Secretary of War, pursuant to contracts to be
made by himn.'  As contracts could not be made without a knowledge of
what was to be contracted for, it became a necessary preliminary operation,to havre surveys nmade of these several routes, before the number and kind
of bridges required could be known, the extent of ground to be grubbed
anmd  cleared of its timber, and the extent of causeway-work or other
Ineans of making mnarshy ground passable, should such ground be encountered in the routes, and of the extent of level which would nreely:equire ditching.  For these purposes, it was necessary to have the sur"t.ev nlade by some one of knodwledge in road-making, in order to collect
the data upon which the-contracts were to be made.
Having no officer of the corps to spare for the duty, it became necessary to procure some unemployed and adequately-informed civil engineer.  I was not successful in this respect until some time in September,
-when the services of 3. S. Potter, esq., were obtained, who is now  tihere.and engaged upon the duty.  He was directed, in the first instance, to
survey the route from Mendota to Wabashaw, as the most which could
probably be done this season, and to report results, so that contracts could
3e m:ade and data be had for the necessary additional estimates for this
and for the other roads.
The following are the several roads referred to in the law:
1st. A road from Point Douglass, on the Mississippi, via Cottage Grove,
Still water, Marine Mills, and Falls of St. Anthony, to the Ialls or rapids
of th-e St. Louis river of Lake Superior.  This road will be, by Nicolmet's map, about 150 miles long, and the appropriation in the law is
$115,000.
2d. A road from  Point Douglass, via Cottage Grove, Red Rock, St.
Paul, and Falls of St. Anthony, to Fort Gaines.  This road is about 150
-miles long, and the appropriation in the law is $10,000.
3d. A road fiom the mouth of Swan river, or the most available point
between it and the Sank rapids, to the Winnebago agency at the Long
prairie.  This road is about 70 miles long, and the appropriation in the
law is $5,000.
4th. A road from Wabashaw to Mlendota.  The lengtlh of this road is
apou7t 75 miles, and the appropriation is $5,000.
These several appropriations can, of course, have contemplated only the
necessary preliminary operations and a limited portion of work.  The,
law does not designate the kind of road, but it is supposed to contemplate
-what is usually understood as a county road; that bridges are to be built
where bridges are required; swamps or marshes to be made passable
"where either are encountered; trees to be felled and undergrowth removed
"where these are encountered; and ditching on the sides of the road over
flat land.  T'he surveys will be directed to determine these peculiarities
of the routes, as it is from  a knowledge of these that the required contracts will have to be made.
No report of the survey directed has yet Leon received.   The bureau
as, therefore, without anticipated data for additional estimates.
The desire was to present a probable estimate for the completion of




Doc, No   i.                             89I
each Troad, and then to submit a partial estimate for as muchi as would
pprobably be required during the ensuing fiscal year.
Under these circumstances, and as the amounts appropriated are totally
inadequate for operations during the ensuing season, and  as estimates
have to be made for the consideration of Congress in reference to the
rnecessary future appropriations, estimates will be nade uion the best information now in the possession of the office-tat is, from estimates for
sim-ilar roads in the adjoining Territory.
These estimates are based upon the following data: la 1839, roads h'ad
to be made, under United States laws, in the Territory of WVisconsin.
Captain Crarm, of the corps, superintending the cotstruction of these roads
in that Territory, was directed to make estimates in detail (of the probable
~cost of making the roads.
Tihe general plan of thlese roads is as follows:
The road to be laid out four rods wide.
All shrubs, brush, and trees, of what size soever -that -may be found
standing on a centre strip of two rods wide, to be cut down close to the
soil, and to be removed, on each side of this centre strip, upon the adjoin-ng part of the road, and all impediments to the easy and safe motion of
rwhel-carriages to be removed from said centre strip.
t-n  laces of low wet ground, a good solid high and dry enrbanked road-way to be made eighteen feet wide, top covered with gravel, and to have
-good side ditches.
The abutments and piers of bridge-work to be constructed in substantial dry rubble masonry, where stone can be conven.iently procured; otherwise, they are to be constructed of sound hewn timber, wvell clamped and
tied together.
In all spans over twenty feet, the bridges to be constructed with a.single road-way twelve feet wide, upon the plan in vented and patented
by Lieutenant Colonel S. H. Long, Corps Topographical Engineers, with:-such modifications as circumnstances may call for.  In spans of less than
twenty feet, they are to be constructed with string-piecesi and plank floorin.g well spiked thereon.
In conformit     it ith these general views, estimates were made for two
Wroads, namely:
For a road fiorn Fort Howard, on Green bay, to Milwaukie.  The distance is 158 miles and the average of the estimate $306 the mile.
For a road fiom  iacine, on Lake Michigan, to Sinipee, on the Mississippi, 150 miles, and  the average estimate $218 the  mile.   Much
less bridge-work was required on this road, wi.ich reduced its average
cost.
The views for the roads in Minnesota will differ from these in some
particulars:
1st. The road-way to be opened will be one hundred feet wide.
2d. The centre strip to be thoroughly cleared for a width of fifty feet.
3d. Gravel is not supposed to be abundant or very accessible in that
country.  The low wet places will have generally to be made passable by
log causeways covered with earth, and, where it can be done, to be drained
by suitable ditches leading from the lateral road-ditches into the river. It
is also understood that there are many such places inl these routes for
roads.
It is not supposed that the routes for any of these roads, are heavily




39.2                         Doe. No. LB
timbered, and there may be a scarcity of suitable timber for bridges, Nosis it supposed that facilities for work are as great in Minnesota as they were
in Wisconsin at the time of those estimates.
On these accounts, it is supposed to be the most judicious course to 
take the larger of the two average rates stated as the basis for a conjectural estimate of the Minnesota roads.
1st. Road from Point Douglass to the St. Louis river of Lake
Superior, 150 miles, at $306 the mile        -      - $45,900 0,
Amount appropriated..  15,000 00'i
Amount required.       -                         30,900 00O
2d. Road from Point Douglass to Fort Gaines,
150 miles, at $306 the mile  $-      -    45,900 00
Amount appropriated    -                -    10,000 00
Amount required                        -               -  35,900 00"
3d. Road from Swan river to the Winnebago
agency, 70 miles, at $306 the mile    -    21,420 00
Amount appropriated   -         -              5,000 00
Amount required         -..  -                        ~ 16,420 00:
4th. Road from  Wabashaw  to Mendota, 75
miles, at $306 the mile       -       -    22,950 00
Amount appropriated    -        -              5,000 00
Amount required                                 -      -  17,950 0O
These are presented as conjectural estimates, for the reasons and upos
the data given.
At the ensuing session, a revised estimate, upon facts and prices as col.
lected from the actual survey of the roads, will be submitted.
But these facts will justify me in submitting to your consideration the
items in the subjoined estimate referring to each road for the ensuing fiscal year.
The same law directed the surveying and laying out of a military roadfrom Mendota, on the Mississippi, to the mouth of the Big Sioux, on the
Missouri.  The length of this survey will probably be not less than 2600
miles.  The appropriation for the duty is $5,000.  It will require the organization of one party, consisting of a chief and two assistant engineers,
with the usual compliment of rodmen, chainmen, laborers, &c.; and it
will require one season to enable such a party to survey and mark out theroad-the marking involving no other labor than affixing suitable stakes
at specified distances along the centre line of the road.  The party will be —
itself its own escort, as the Indians are not troublesome in that region.
To make this survey of 260 miles, as indicated, will, on a careful estimate, cost very near $10,000.  The amount appropriated being $5,000,
there will yet be required $5,000 to make this survey.  It is contemplatedthat the survey will exhibit the profile as well as the horizontal line of the
road; and as in these surveys means of transporting the baggage and provisions of the party have to be carried with it, as well as the required provisions, they are more costly than surveys in a settled and populated,
country.




Docl No. 1,                              93L
Too much care cannot be bestowed on these preliminary surveys. The
results always involve a saving of both time and money. In my opinion,,
there is no engineer of intelligence and experience who will not say that.
such surveys save time, lessen unnecessary and costly labor, and enable
him to lay out the work on the ground and direct its construction with
more intelligence and with greater economy in cost. These surveys
have to be made, and,if not made in the firstinstance, are usually made out
of appropriations fbr the construction of the work, at more cost,under such
circumstances, than if made by the surveying parties already in the fields.
RIVERS AND HARBORS.
As the river-and-harbor bill was postponed to the consideration of the
ensuing session, the usual progressive estimates for the further progress
of such works will not in consequence be submitted, but the estimate will
be a mere repetition of the one on these subjects submitted with the annual report of November, 1849, with few exceptions. These exceptions
relate to the works at Milwaukie and Racine, and are in consequence of a
report from the superintending engineer, dated 25th September, 1850, in
which he says:'4 The disastrous effects of a late storm at Milwaukie and
Racine render some addition to the estimates desirable. At both places,
the sea forced a passage through the beach north of the piers, carrying into the harbor large quantities of earth, which will add to the cost of dredging, as well as require some expense to prevent a recurrence of the misfortune." Nor is it necessary that a description of these several works should
form a part of this report, as so full an account of them  was given in a
report from this office within a few days before the close of the last session, and which report is printed as House of Representatives document,
miscellaneous, No. 54, of the last session-ist session 31st Congress.  I
beg leave, therefore, to refer to this document as part of this report.
The plans and estimates in all these cases have been submitted to Congress in customary form, and in great detail, specifying plan, materials,
quantities, and prices, and can be furnished again, in reference to any or
all. if desired.  The document in which these details are printed will be
found referred to in various parts of this report.
There is an item of $50,000 in the estimate for surveys connected with
the military defences of the coast of Oregon and California.
in 1848, a board of engineers and navy officers was organized and sent
to this coast to examine it in reference to the fortifications and defences
required.  T'he reports and recommendations of the board are now coming in, and the surveys recommended are a duty of this office. But, in
consequence of the want of appropriations for these purposes, it has not
been in the power of the office to make the required surveys.  The item
referred to is submitted in order to remedy this defect; and, that confidence
may be entertained of the manner under which expenditures of such ap.
propriations are made, the regulation on the subject is hereto subjoined:
" When surveys are required by the Bureau of the Corps of Engineers
for purposes of fortifications and permanent military defences, application'aill be made by that bureau to the War Department, which application,
if approved, will be referred to the Bureau of Topographical Engineers
to be carried into effect."
There is also in the law of September 30, 185.3, an appropriation of




~394n o.    1.
$50,000 "for the topograp1hical aib  hydrograpi:ical survey of the delta of:the MAississippi, with such investigations as may lead to determine the
most practicable plan for securing it from  inundation, and the best node
of so deepening the passes at the mouth of the river as to allow ships of
twenty feet draught to enter the same.
Parties have been organized under Captain Humphlreys to make' the
surveys and investigation, after due. prelimnary investigations by that
osfcer and Lieutenant Colonel S. IL. Long.
These surveys, by the law  have in view  two extrelmely important
objects:
1st. To secure the adjacent country from inundation; and
2d. So to deepen the passes (or any one pass) at the mouth of the river
that ships of twenty feet draught may enter.
In reference to the first, there have been suggested but two modes which
offer any reasonable prospect of success —one, to make additional outlets
to the river dutling periods of high water, adapted to relieve the river whent
it should rise to a given height, and so made as to avoid erosion  from
the action of the discharging water; the other, a system of judiciously-;arranged dikes or levees, or probably a judicious combination of botht
according to facts and localities.
A third plan has been suggested, by a civil engineer of much enminence,
namely: to straighten the river bed, and thereby occasion a more rapid,discharge of its superfluous waters.  To this plan aiany sound objections
may be alleged.  But"it would be premature to reason upon either plan,.and unfortlnate to bring to the question a mind predisposed or wedded to
either, before adequate information be collected.
Whlatever may be the plan, it should be consequent upon sound general
priciples applied to facts and peculiarities of the river and adjacent
icountry.
The second direction of the law  refers to a deepening of the passage
<over the bar at the mouth of the river.  The greatest low-water depth
~over any of these bars may be stated at from L2 to 13 feet. Not more
-han 15 inches of tide can be generally counted upon at any of these
bars. The law directs attention to the opening of a passage 20 feet deep,
or rather the law  requires a depth of 22 feet, as it must be an opening
~over which a vessel drawing  20 feet water can pass.
The problem  is one of extreme difficulty, and cannot be hastily at-'tempted.  What effects a system of openings and dikes may have upon'the river, has yet to be ascertained; and, until sound reasoning upon the
probable consequences of these structures can be adopted, it would be
premature to hazard either conjectures or operations in reference to the
bars at the, mouth of the river..-The results of the contemplated surveys'have therefore to be waited for; and the first operations of these surveys
will be directed to the question. of defence or protection against inundalion.
There was also an appropriation in the law of September 30, 1.850,'" for military and geographical survey, west of the Mississippi."  This
being the phraseology of all former laws under which exploring expeditions have been authorized, the present law is presumed to refer to similar duties, and the appropriation will be expended accordingly.  A party
las been organized for the duty.  The general route will be as follows:
To;follow the Rio Zuli from its head to its junction witht the Colorado;




then dcown the Colorado to the Gulf of Catifornia,  wh'ich w-il terminate,he expedition.  Such an expedition will furnish the department with
infrm. ation, which is so much desired, of that region, antd particularly
of t'he (.olorado,
LIGHT-l-OUSES 
By a law of Miarch 3, 1847, the constructio-n of certain light-iouses
wa.s placed under the direction of this burea —-at whose instance, is not
in my power to say; certain it is that this office was not called upon
or any opinion upon the subject, or for any plansor estimates in reference
to any of the works.  The only allusion from this bureau to light houses
vill be found in the annual report of 1844, in w hich it is said: "The cribs
added to the piers of the lake harbors, under the light-house department,
(of the treasury,) have been in many cases erected without proper consid-,eration of their positions and of the action of the sea, and have, in consequence, called for serious repairs, (to the cribs,) and have produced injurious effects upon the crib-lines. In all cases, there should be liht-houses
on the ends of the piers, (generally on the one extended farthest into the
lake;) otherwise, the pier itself becomes a dangerous obstacle in making the
harb.:r at night and during foggy weather; but the pier-head, to sustain
them, should be a* part of the pier structure, and be made to harmonize
with its intention and plan."  This quotation certainly justifies the infereuce that, in all our lake harbors where piers are constructed, the lighthouse system should be connected  with the pier system, and the plans
for the piers should imbody a suitable foundation to sustain a light-house
structure. These positions, it appears to me, are too clear to be disputed,.and eminently involve those principles of economy in  which a useful
aind proper expenditure of public funds is considered an object worthy of
attention.  T'he pier light-houses are, properly speaking, harbor lighthouses, and should be planned and constructed accordingly.'hey need
net, therefore, be as high or as costly as those light-houses intended fbr
general navigation and to point out dangerous headlan-ds on a coast,
or to caution the mariner, after a long voyage, of his first approach to land.
The lake navigation, although occasionally, is rarely, out of sight of land,
and is never so with steam-vessels for more than twenty-four hours.
The first work of this kind done by this bureau was the erection of a
beacon on Fair Weather island, Black Rock harbor, Long Island sound.
"iThe law on this subject bears date the 3d March, 1843, and is for "rebuilding the beacon at Black Rock, Connecticut, ten thousand dollars."
When the Hon. Mr. Spencer was Secretary of the Department of W ar,
w-e had frequent conversations in reference to Mitchell's patent screwpiles, and their admirable adaptation for either light-houses or beacons, in
peculiar localities.  Afterwards, when he was Secretary of the Treasury
Department, he used, occasionally, on interviews with him, to turn conversation to the same subject; and, on one of these occasions, he turned the
conversation to the locality of this beacon.  I told him that the screw
~could not be used at that locality, but I had no doubt the iron piles could
with great advantage, in reference both to durability and cost, and also to
rapidity of erection.  The conversation terminated with a desire on his
ipart that I would give him my notions of the cost of erectihg a suitable
beacon at that place-a beacon, not a beacon-light or light-house, but sim



896                       DBoeno. No. 1.
ply a beacon, such as was evidently contemplated'and directed in the law
just before referred to.
Giving to the subject the most careful attention, and making a liberal
allowance for probabilities, I became satisfied that a suitable beacon could
be erected for less than five thousand dollars.  He then remarked to me
that there was an appropriation of ten thousand dollars for the work, and
a proposition had been submitted for his approval which nearly absorbed
that appropriation. I replied that I had no doubt the usual stone structures
for such beacons would absorb the appropriation, but I did not believe such
a work would stand any better than those which had been previously put.
up there, and which had fallen down; that I was well acquainted with
the locality, as our office had been engaged upon the island in repairing the sea-wall, and that I felt confident in the adequacy of the
amount of'cost which I had stated, and also that the plan was the best
for that place; that I would with pleasure have a careful drawing of the
plan made, have the estimate made out in detail, and leave the whole in.
his hands.  No, he replied, this is not what I want; you must build the
work.  I told him 1 would do so, provided the War Department, under
whose orders I acted, would consent.  The subject will probably be better
understood by copies of letters in which the matter is more specifically
treated. These letters are: No. 1, from  the Treasury Department, with
its enclosure; No. 2, from the Fifth Auditor; No. 3, the reply from this
office to the letter No. 1 of the Treasury Department; and No. 4, the report endorsed in that reply.
In the end, the work was assigned to this bureau.  By the bureau it
was placed under the immediate superintendence of Captain Swift, of the
corps, who was then superintending the work under the bureau at the
same place.  The work was completed in October, 1843, as will be perceived by appendices No. 5 and No. 6.
This was the first case of that kind of arrangement which I had frequently recommended to the consideration of the War Department-that,
in all cases, when some other department had a duty for which it wanted
the assistance of the presumed professional and scientific services of any
officers of the War Department, the better course was for the department
desiring those services to state the same to the War Department, and then
the War Department, approving, could assign the duty or services to the
appropriate bureau, and the bureau, as soon as results were accomplished,
would report the same, through the proper channel, for the department for
which the service or duty was performed-the War Department bureau
being, quod hoc, a bureau of the department which required the service or
duty.  Under such a system, all that any department desired was done
under an appropriate professional bureau, and the officers of the bureau
were retained under accustomed discipline, regulations, modes of work,
and of accountability.
The liglt-house works, the construction of which has been made a
duty of this bureau by law, are1. The light-house on Sand key, Florida;
2.  "   "    "   on Carysfort reef, Florida;
3.   "   "    "   near Waugoshance, Michigan;
4.     " "          on Whale's Back,New Hampshire
5.  "   "'    "   on Brandywine shoal, Delaware bay;
6.   "   ";       on Minot's rock, Massachusetts.




Doc. No. 1.                            397
All these were works of great difficulty and hazard; and it was said, at
the time the law was passed; that it was on these accounts the construction of them had been placed under the superintendence of this bureau —.a compliment which the bureau highly appreciated, but which, at the:same time, required great caution and care to show that the compliment
was not undeserved.
I do not know  what ideas others may have formed of these works, in
Teference either to plan or to time of executing the plans; but our knowledge of the localities, and the results of our first investigations of them, satisfied us that, unless great care were infused in the work, the appropriations would be wasted and the engineer character of the corps be seriously injured.
Each of these works will now be separately described:
1. Light-house on Sand key.  The law  directs: "For a screw-pile
light-house on or near Sand key, the light-house at that place having
been destroyed by a tornado, $20,000."  And in the law of 12th August,
1848, there is a further appropriation " for completing the construction of
a light-house on Sand key, Florida, thirty-nine thousand nine hundred
and seventy dollars seventy-four cents"-rnaking a total amount appropriated for this light-house of 859,970 74.
It will be seen that the law in this case prescribes the plan, " a screwpile lighlt"-that is, Mitchell's screw-pile, the only screw-pile ever known
to have been applied to such purposes.  Generally speaking, it may be considered an erroneous course for a law to prescribe a plan.  Its tendency is
to craimp the engineer; and too generally these plans in laws are rather influenced by some projector of a favorite scheme than by any serious and.
professional investigation, and the engineer is blamed because of consequences made necessary by the law.' A striking instance of this may be
found in the Potomac bridge, in reference to which the general plan was
a direction of law.
In the present case, it was doubted if the screw-pile could be made adequately to penetrate the soil at Sand key, and this doubt was somewhat
strengthened by the first examination of that key; and under this doubt
it was recommended to relieve the office from. the necessity of adopting
the screw-pile, which was done in the section of the law of 1848 wlich
made the second appropriation for this work.  It was then supposed that
the better plan would be to adopt a disk-pile, which would retain the advantages anticipated from the pile and avoid the difficulties from the screw.
But positive directions about the work were postponed, in order to await
the experience anticipated from the work at Carysfort reef, for which the
disk-pile had been adopted.
A second survey was made of Sand key in 1850; and the borings, which
were carried to some extent, having satisfied the bureau that the screwpile could be made adequately to penetrate, and preferring the screw-pile
where it could be used to the disk-pile, it was adopted for the Sand key
light, an agent appointed, and directions given for the construction.
The first light-house erected upon this plan in England was upon the
Maplin Sands.
The following is an extract from  a description of it by John Baldey
Redman, esq., Grad. 1nst., C. E. 
"In the year 1837, a survey was made by Mr. Walker, the engineer to
the Trinity House, and by boring it was ascertained that the first six feet




of the san d were close and compact, but below  that for twenty feet the
boring rod went more easily as it descended, and it was found that it be
came mingled with argillaceous earth as the depth increased.
" It was then decided to use for the foundations Mr. Mitchell's screw
moorings; and in 1838, the patentee, under Mr. Walker's directions, coMmenrced fixing nine cast iron screws of fbur feet diameter, so as to firm an
octago-n, with one screw in the centre; attached to each of these screvrs
was a cast-iron pile five inches in diameter and twenty-six feet loneg,
which was inserted into the sand twenty one feet below low-water mark.
On account of the constant shifting of the sand from around the piles, it
was detera:mined to place a raft or grating of timber around and betwee.a,
them; the surface of the raft was covered with faggots of brush wood, wveli[
fastened to the timbers, and upon them were deposited one hundred and
twenty tons of rough Kentish ragstone, by which the raft was secured in
its situation, and after a time no flrther changes occurred in the level of
the surface of the sand. In the summer of 1840, the superstiucture was
commentced. It consisted of nine hollow iron columns or pipes, curved at
the top to a radius of twenty-one feet towards the centre; they were secured upon the piles, and two series of continuous circular horizontal ties
bound them together, while they were connected with the centre cohumxn
by diagonal braces, all of wrought iron.  Upon these columns is bilt a
wooden dwelling for the light-keepers, in the upper part of which is placed
a Frerch dioptric light of the second order, its centre being forty-five fee
above the main level of the sea, and at that elevation can be seen from aa
snip's deck at a distance of nine or ten miles. A bell is fixed on the gallery, which is sounded by machinery at intervals during dark and toggy
nights.' Remarks. —In answer to questions from  the president, Mr. Wilkins
stated that lie had been in the Eddystone and the Maplin Sands lighthouses during severe gales of wind; that, as might be conceived from the,ature of the construction, the latter building was more affected than.the
former by the striking of heavy seas; the motion appeared to be more
like torsion than simple vibration, which he attributed to the waves
striking the ladder and its projecting stage, and thus tending to twist the
ripper part.  Still, the motion was not such as would cause injury to the
building.
The president replied that the main body of the waves seldom  or
never rose so high as the bottom of the house, and that the conical form
allowed the air and spray to rise up and be guided off without alfecting
the building as it would do if the bottom was flat.  With regard to the
torsion, that had only been felt at first, when the ladder extended too low
down, and received a constant succession of blows from  every wave,
which naturally communicated a vibration to the whole structure.  The
ladder was now shortened, and nothing of the kind was felt.  The waves
scarcely, even in the roughest weather, struck the suspension-stage, or the
boat.  He preferred the..continuous horrizontal bracing, which bound all
the piles firmly together like the staves of a barrel, and, from observations
he had made,'he believed the amount of' vibration to be greater in the
Port F[leetwood light-house than in that at the Maplin Sands.
I In answer to a question from Mr. G. H. Palmer, the president said
that at present there was not any indication of a change in-the condition,
of the cast iron from its contact with the salt water.




Doe. No. 1.399
" Professor i3ande w as'unable to give  any  dditional evidence on the
observed facts connected with the change suffered by cast iron exposed
to the action of salt water, or in mines, and in various other positions.
From experiments which he had made, he was led to, believe that manyof the appearances observed in the changes of cast iron arose rather froi;
a peculiar mechanical combination of the molecules than from  a differenre in the chemical constitution of the metal; no difference could be detected by analysis in the metal which had undergone change and that
which had not.  it should be remna-rked that the contact of two metals
was not essential to cause galvanic action. a film of oxide on the surfaceof the body of metal formed a very active galvanic pile:  hence arose thenecessity of preventing oxidation by proper paints or varnish before using:
pieces of cast iron in exposed situations."
The usual form lwhich has been adopted, as well in Eiurope as in this
country, for the pile-assemiblage which constitutes the kmain support of
the building, is octagonal, according to the drawirng No. 1.  A modified
arrangement has been proposed, according to the drawing No. 2; and last,
a square assemblage of the piles, according to the drawing No. 3...
In the assemblages.of No. I and No. 2, it was found that there was a.
tendency or liability to twist, which' is the occasion of the modified forn
No.2.
Bat, after a most careful examination of all these assemlblages and off
their tendencies, the one No. 3 was adoi)ted, as more completely obviating;
the tendency alluded to, and which, on that account, wofild probablyrequire a less expensive or less complicated counter-bracing.
The plan No. 3 had other advantages.  To penetrate the soil of Sandkey, it was found necessary to reduce the screw-filanch to about two feet.:
in diameter, and to affix a cutting bit to its edge. This reduction of the
width of the flanch slightly reduced some of the advantages from  theusual flanch of the screw-pile, and rendered it prudent to increase the.
number of piles.
Plan No. I is an assemblage of 9 piles.
Plan No. 2 is an assemblage of 13 piles.
Plan No. 3 is an assemblage of 16 piles.
The additional number of piles of plan No. 3 covmpensates for the:
reduction  of the flanch. and gives also a better bearing for the superstructure.
The Wyre screw-pile light, in England, is sustained on 7 piles, being:
hexagonal, with centre pile.  The Maplin Sands light-house is octagonal,,
with 9 screw-piles-one in the centre.
Works of this kind are exposed to accidents chiefly from two causes::
Ist. The tendency to upset from lateral pressure.
2d. The.tendency to sink or yield from  perpendicular pressure.
Both of these tendencies have been so completely counteracted in the
light-house  built on the octagonal assemblage No. I in Europe, that
we would have no fear from  the plan No. 2 for our climate, and feel
fully assured from the plan No. 3.
Another cause of deterioration of these structures is in their liability tovibrate, which is, however, thoroughly counteracted by a judiciotus sysem of bracing, and of common attention to the braces.
Another cause of deterioration is in the liability of the iron piles torust.  I know of no kind of structure which is not exposed- to, deteriorat




.400                         fiq Doe.  No1.
tion from some cause, and do not consider this as one of any very serious
account.  But we have experience on  that head which will justify
positive conclusions.
Upon many of the reefs on Long Island sound, it has been the practice for many years to erect wrought-ifon spindles of about 4 inches in
diameter and from 15 to 25 feet in height. Such spindles last from  15 to
20 years, unless carried away by ice.  One spindle has been up about 20
years without being renewed.. The wasting takes place principally between high and low water, and has been found to be about one-tenth. of
an inch in one year.
If, however, (says the officer who made the investigation,) the zincing process, or if a precipitate of copper be resorted to, there is every
reason for believing that iron thus protected would last twice or three
times twenty years.
I have remarked that we have proceeded with great caution in these
works, which will be readily believed from the fact that, as yet, no more
than $12,848 of the appropriation for this work has been drawn from
the treasury.
The principles of the screw-pile are both simple and apparent.  Its
first application was a mooring for vessels in storms. It was found to be so
extremely efficient, that the idea was adopted of erecting piles upon such
screws to sustain light-house structures on sand bars, under water, exposed to the action of the sea, and where the usual structures of masonry
could not be erected, or not without extraordinary cost.''he principle of such foundations has already been well tested,
both on the east and west coast of England-off the shores of which
have been erected screw-pile light houses that have now withstood the
storms of several winters without exhibiting the slightest symptom  of
insecurity or decay.  The stability of such structures depends on two
causes: first, the firm hold which the broad screw takes of the ground,
by being forced far beneath its surface; and secondly, the solid part of
the building being placed above the reach of the highest sea, no broad
surface is opposed to the free passage of the waves-consequently, the
structure is not affected by them.
The first foundation ot this description was fixed in the Maplin Sands
by Mr. Mitchell, in 1838, by order of the Trinity House,, at the recommendation of their engineer, Mr. James Walker, for the Maplin lighthouse; and though it stands upon a bank of loose sand, many miles
from the nearest coast, and exposed to the swell from the German ocean,
yet it is as stable and likely to endure as if based upon a rock.  But the
first light-house of this description was erected by Mr. RMitchell in 1839,
at the entrance of the sea beach leading to the town of Fleetwood-onWyre.
A distinction should not be lost sight of, in reference to the screw.pile
plan, between a work for a light-house and a work merely fbr a beacon;
the latter requires neither dwelling-place, nor lantern, nor lighting apparatus, and, in consequence, will rarely require, in any position, an expenditure exceeding $10,000.
The danger of the sea is from the break of the wave; the pile not presenting a sufficient surface, the wave does not break against it, but passes
harmlessly by.  Structures, therefore, on this principle, experience no
shock front the wave.




Doe. No. 1.                            401
Also, as the wave does not break, and no additional force is produced
in it in passing over the shoal, the shoal is not changed or swept away,
and the holding-ground of the screw-pile is therefore not disturbed.
In building a light-house or any work on sand bars under water, exposed to a sea wave, one of two principles must be'adopted.  Either
the work must be on a plan which shall avoid the concussion of the
wave, or it must be  of sufficient strengh and massiveness to resist that concussion, or, in other words, to resist the blows of a
sea-surf. I have no knowledge that any work on the second plan in
such positions has ever yet succeeded.  I do not say that such works in
such positions cannot be made to stand, but I do say the expense would
be enormous-far exceeding any estimate that any well-informed engineer
would like to make, and utterly beyond any advantages in proportion to
its cost.
Upon the first plan, works have been constructed at a reasonable cost.
Moreover, the application of such a plan, because of its reasonable cost,
is particularly adapted to our coast; and I have no doubt that beacons.and light-houses on this plan can be easily put up, and be made to stand
upon any of the many sand bars and shoals which are the sources of so
many losses on our coast, from Rhode Island to Florida.
This conviction induced me, many years since, to bling the Mitchell
-screw-pile to the notice of government, in several of the annual reports
from this office, and to direct the attention of two officers of the corps,
Captain Swift and Captain Hughes, then in Europe, to examine the English light-houses oi. this plan. Theopinion of both of these officers, after a
thorough personal inspection, as well of the plans as of tke works constructed in accordance with them, was decidedly in favor of their use for
all such and similar localities.
Being, therefore, satisfied that no work of masonry could be put upon
Sand key without "inordinate expense," and being also satisfied that a
durable lightshouse, upon the principle of Mitchell's screw-pile, can be
put up there at a reasonable expense, the plan of the screw-pile has been
adopted for that place, and the work is now being put up.. There is a limit of utility in all things.  This principle limits the use
of the screw-pile for light-house structures to bars and reefs under water,
and exposed to the sea wave.  When a solid and dry foundation can be obtained, masonry can be resorted to without fear of inordinate cost or of
want of stability.
Carysfort reef.-The wording of the law in reference to this work is
as follows:
"For a ligllthouse on Carysfort reef, the sum of thirty thousand dollars, heretofore appropriated, and carried to the surplus fund, is hereby reappropriated."
It appears there had:been in 1837 an appropriation for constructing a
light-house on this reef: of $20,J00. In 1838, there was an additional
appropriation of $40,000-making a total of $60,000.
I do not find any appropriations in favor of that worki fromn 1838 until
1847, when the reappropriation, as above stated, of $30,000, was made.
It is understood that no part of the $60,000 previously appropriated had
been used, as the estimate by the. Treasury Department for the work at
this place was for $100,600, and, it was, in 1838, considered unsafe to
Part ii-26




402                         Doe. No. 1.
commence the building before the amount of the whole estimate was obtained.
Our first effort was to have the reef surveyed.  It is a coral reef, under
water, distant from the shore, and so dangerous to the navigation of that
coast that a floating-lightis maintained to point it out.
The examination of the reef indicated generaily'so hard a surface crust
that it was doubted if the screw could be made adequately to penetrate,
and, in consequence, the plan was so far modified from the original intention as to induce a change from the screw-pile to the disk-pile. A second
examination, in 1848-'49, confirmed these views, and that the iron pile.
instead of being inserted by aid of boring, should be driven home, which
would add to its power of resistance.
The light-house, after being made and framed in Philadelphia, was carried to the locality in December, 1849, and measures were commenced for
its erection.
As these measures will be better understood by using the words of
the superintending engineer, Major T. B. Lennard, the following extracts
from his reports are submitted.
Extract from report of December 26, 1849:
"I had the honor to inform you of my arrival at Indian Key in the
barque Robert Morris; with a part of the light-house to be erected on Carysfort reef. The schooner Captain Williams had arrived the day before.
The schooner Susan was dismasted off Hatteras, and put back to Philadelphia for repairs. She arrived at Indian Key on the 8th of November.
" On the 1st November I began to discharge the Captain Williams at
Indian Key, landed the last of the cargo on the 6th, and the same night
despatched her to Key West to bring forward the lumber stored there.
On the 1st we also put up a forge, and began to build a scow. The labor
of unloading the Captain Williams was performed under great disadvantages.  There is no wharf at Indian Key, and the ship's boats were the
only means of conveyance we possessed to transport the heavy iron to
the shore.  To move it on shore, I laid down a plank road, and built a
truck, with solid oak wheels, banded with iron.
"The scow was launched on the 14th November, and on the 15th I
began to lighten the barque to enable her to get to the anchorage near the
light-ship. This was a work of much labor, as the vessel lay nearly a
mile from the shore, and the scow, which received the iron from the ship,
had to be towed that distance.  On the 17th we had reduced the draught
to ten and a half feet, but, the wind being adverse, we did not get under
way until the 19th; and on the afternoon of that day the three vessels
came to anchor near the light-ship, in the position they now occupy. We
are in a secure harbor, about four miles from  Cayo Largo, the nearest
land.'Immediately after our arrival, Mr. Lewis and myself began a close
examination ot the points supposed to *be eligible for the site of the proposed light-house. The examination of Captain Stansbury was confined,
I believe, to the immediate vicinity of the light-ship-to the eastward, on
the bank marked CG on the accompanying trace; and to the southwest,.
on the shoal D, known as the'basin bank.'  If I am correctly informed,
the latter position was that to which the Captain gave the preference.
Our examination was carried further seaward, and resulted in the selection




Doe. No, 1.                           403
of the position marked A.  This point is on what is termed the outer
reef, and is on the edge of the Gulf-stream. The outer reef is a coral
formation extending from  A north 19~ east, and south 29~ west, and
rising near the surface, at low tides, at points, as at AA. The point A
has the shoalest water. Within a space comprised within a circle of about
150 feet diameter, the solid surface of the reef is about 4- feet below
low water; but above this solid basis there is a rank growth of leaf coral,
which in a few places shows some points above the low tide."
"The advantages of this position for a light-house will be perceived at
a glance, and the only objections that can be urged against it are connected with the difficulty of erecting the building at a point so exposed
ahid so remote from our resources.
" It is extremely doubtful whether a sufficiently solid foundation could
be found on the bank CC. I drove an unshod spruce pile, without ring,
eighteen and a half feet into the bank, and the last three blows gave a
penetration of fifteen, eighteen, and fifteen inches, respectively. Any
position near the light-ship would be liable to the objection of having a
dangerous reef two or three miles seaward from it, and, besides, the useful
range of the light would of course be less at a retired than at an advanced position.
"The erection of a forge on tripods, and a timber platform on piles,
upon the bank at the point F, occupied us until the 29th November.
Everything necessary to commence a platform on the outer reef had been
prepared and secured on the scow, awaiting a favorable day to tow her to
the reef, a distance of about four miles and a half.  The 3d of December
being quite calm, four boats tool the scow in tow and conveyed it safely
to the reef.  On the 4th and 5th we could do nothing on account of the
~unfavorable state of the weather, but on the 6th I drove eight piles, and on
the 7th one, completing a square platform of sixteen feet. A foothold
was thus obtained on the reef, and we secured the means of working
whenever the weather would permit the boats to proceed to the position.
The scow could not have been used to drive piles for the entire platform.
On the shoalest points it could not have been used on account of the coral
points, which would soon have destroyed it; and in deeper water the
swell was ordinarily too great, except on rare days, such as that with
which I was favored in commencing.
" Having secured in a strong manner the small platform, I mounted
upon it two pieces of timber thirteen inches square and forty feet long,.
laid parallel to each other, and firmly united by transoms.  At one end
of these skids I placed the pile-machine, which moved upon a railroad,
and at the other end sufficient weight to counterpoise it when projected
ten feet beyond the side of the platform.  With this arrangement I have
overcome the difficulty of erecting the platform, which at first appeared
very formidable, as it was not practicable to drive from the scow, and the
coral bottom forbade the use of tripods.
" The character of the foundation, as exhibited in our pile-driving, is,
I think, satisfactory. I have penetrated six feet without encountering
cavity or considerable variation consistency in the bottom."
I also submit a copy of his report of July 16, 1850:
"In my letter from the Carysfort reef of December 26, 1849, 1advised
you of the progress that had been made up to that time in the preparatory




404                         Doe. No. 1.
measures for the erection of the iron light-house.  I described the site
selected for the work, and stated the advantages which its salient position
possessed over the basin bank on the Tea Table shoal.' Half the platform had been erected, and its stability tested in several
gales. All the materials which had been stored at Key West had been
brought forward to the depot at Indian Key, or to the anchorage near the
Carysfort light-ship.
" The progress of the work was necessarily slow. The nearest safe
anchorage for the vessels was four and a half miles distant from the site,
and a bank, dotted with coral heads, intervened, over which it was not
possible to carry more than four feet without fetching a wide circuit.  In
the beginning, the materials were towed by the boats from the anchorage;
but this was a slow and laborious process in the most favorable weather,
and imnpracticable at other times.  I therefore engaged a small sloop at
Key West to serve as a lighter.
" The only spot available for a depot was Indian Key,a small island 200
yards across, about thirty miles southwest of the anchorage, where the
difficulty oflanding heavy masses was very great, in consequence of its
shoal approaches. The smaller vessels could not be brought nearer than
200 yards, and they touched bottom in rough weather at the distance of a
mile.  The materials on the schooners had to be unloaded on a scow,
which usually couid only make one trip to the shore in a day, or at most
two, when the tides favored us. To discharge the barque it was necessary to transfer her cargo to a schooner, and thence by means of the scow
to the shore.
"The materials were moved from the water's edge by hand, on a rude
truck, upon plank roads laid down for the purpose.
The transportation of heavy bodies from the island to the platform was
still more laborious; they had to be first placed on a scow, thence taken
on board of a schooner, and carried 30 miles to the anchorage.  T'here
they were transferred to the lighter-sloop, and taken across the basin
bank to the vicinity of the platform, and, as the swell made it unsafe to
lay the sloop alongside of the platform, another transfer to a scow was
necessary before they could be hoisted on the platform.  In describing the
process of removing the materials from Indian Key, I rather state what
will be necessary hereafter than what has cecurred heretofore to any great
extent; for, with few exceptions, the heavy materials that would be
required for the operations of the first season were retained on board the
vessels, and the handling of them was limited to a transfer to the lightersloop, and thence to the scow and platform.
" On'the 9th of January the platform was completed.  It was a square of
66 feet, with an offset 20 feet square at the northwest angle for a forge,
and a smaller one at the diagonal angle for a shed to protect tools and
instruments from the weather.  It had an elevation of eighteen feet above
the shoal, which, it was hoped, would be sufficient for its safety during
hurricanes.
Until the 19th we were engaged in transporting materials to the platform, in preparing the boring apparatus, erecting a derrick for hoisting
heavy bodies on the platform, and laying out on its floor the trace of the
base of the tower.
"  On the 19th sheers were erected over the spot for the central pile, and
the boring apparatus being adjusted, with a head of cutters sweeping'




Doc. No. 1.                           405
circle four feet four inches in diameter, the boring was begun for the central foundation-disk.  It was my intention to establish each disk before
commencing the corresponding hole for the post. The boring for the
latter being made through the disks, they would serve as rims to prevent
the wash of sand into the hole.  The cutters of the boring-shaft were
soon found to be worthless, and it became necessary to forge others of
different form.  This circumstance and bad weather combined delayed
the sinking of the bed for the centre disk to the required depth until the
26th, when we had descended to the plain two feet and one inch below
the surface of the reef, at which I designed the foundatien-disks tQ rest.
But at this depth no stratum of rock had been encountered, and from the
character of the borings my suspicions were aroused that none would be
discovered.  The disk was placed as a guide to the 14-inch cutter, which
was substituted for the larger one, and driven down ten feet six inches,
when the point of the cutter broke in the hole.  The borings indicated
strata of calcareous sand, varying in fineness of grain, interspersed with
madrepores and other fragments of corals, but no stratum  of rock.  It
was found to be impossible to keep the hole free from sand, which caved
in as fast as we could remove it.
" On the 2d of February, I was prostrated by a dangerous attack of illness, became perfectly blind, and lost all consciousness. In this condition I was sent to Key West for medical aid.  I returned to my duties on
the 21st of February, and found that, owing to bad weather and remissness on the part of the mechanic left in charge of the work, (for 1 was
without an assistant,) but little progress had been made during my absence.  Rellctant to believe that no stratum  of rock entered into the
composition of the reef, I hastened to penetrate it at other points.  Two
holes were bored on opposite sides of the platform  to the full depth of
the boring-shaft —14 feet 10 inches on the north side, and 13 feet 10
inches on the south side, the difference being due to the slope of the
bank.  The result established the fact that no stratum of rock existed
at an available depth on the site chosen for the work, and that consequently the erection of the tower, which had been designed to rest upon
a rock foundation, was impracticable without some modification of the
plan. The alternative presented itself of altering the base of the tower
to adapt it to the unexpected character of the foundation, or of finding a
new site which would permit the erection of the tower without change
of the base.  Such a site, I was convinced, could not be found; and
as the required alterations were beyond the means at my disposal, and,
moreover, being admonished by the state of the funds in my possession,
I deemed it my duty to suspend further operations.
"'Having come to this determination, the party was at once employed
in iemoving the materials that had been deposited on the platform.  On
the 25th February everything had been carried to the vessels for transportation to Indian Key. The roofs and the walls of the sheds on the
platform were taken down, in order to oppose as little resistance as possible to gales.  Calm weather detained us until the 27th, on which day the
vessels sailed for Indian Key, where they arrived next morning.
"On the 1st of March we began to land materials and arrange them on
the key.  On the 5th I went to Key West to discharge the sloop and
close my business with the agent there.  I rejoined the command on the
7th. On the 20th everything had been taken ashore and disposed with due




406                         Doc. No. 1.
regard to safety and protection from the weather. Those materials liable
to receive damage by exposure were stored in a building hired for the
purpose.  The large castings and wrought-iron parts were necessarily
left in the open air, but received a coat of paint composed of white and
red lead in boiled oil. The boats were placed in the storehouse, and the
scow hauled up on skids and covered to protect it from the sun.  Ninety
tons of ballast had been carried on board of the barque and one of the
schooners.  The barque, with all the mechanics on board, went to sea on
the 21st, and the schooners on the 22d.  On the 4th of April they had
all arrived at Philadelphia, within a short time of each other, and on the
following day the party was paid and discharged.
Although the last winter was unusually favorable for operations on the
reef, and was represented by the wreckers to have been the least boisterous for many years, yet between the 20th of November' when we anchored near the Carysfort light-ship, and the 25th February, when the
work on the site for the light-house ceased, (which period embraced 84
working days,) 251 days were lost on account of bad weather.
"Before leaving Indian Key, I appointed a person who resides on the
key to take charge of the public property, at a small salary of ten dollars
per month.
" A glance at the south of Florida will show a series of islands extending in a curve from Cape Florida to the Tortugas. Some of these islands
have considerable length, but they are generelly quite narrow. Exterior
to this range of islands, and concentric with it, at a mean distance of 4miles, is the Florida reef, so called, extending from Cape Florida to west
longitude 820 3'. I am induced to believe that a bank not laid down in
the charts exists external to the reef, and bearing the same relation to it
that the latter does to the inner range of islands, but at a less distance.
I have verified its existence in front of the Carysfort, and was informed by one of the most experienced pilots on the coast that it extended the whole length of the reef.
"' My examination of the reef indicates that it has been formed by the
action of currents, greatly assisted by the growth of marine plants and
corals.  In numerous places its prominences approach the surface of the
water, and in a few, as at Loo, Sand, and Sombrero keys, it has a small
relief above the surface.  The order of its formation seems to have been
this: Upon its actual surface, at any period, a vigorous growth of corals
and other marine productions existed, and flourished, until some disturbing cause, such as a hurricane, overwhelmed it with calcareous sand
and killed it. A new surface being thus formed, another marine growth
covered it, until in some new disturbance it shared the fate of its predecessors.: In the earlier stages of its formation, it is probable that its increase was due, entirely todeposites in the eddy of the Gulf-stream.  The
formation of the subaqueous parts of the reef may be thus explained, and
the agency of winds, together with the rise and fall of tides, will acount
satisfactorily for the few mounds of sand which protrude three or four
feet above the water.
" Although there is reason to believe that the islands composing the
inner curve of the series were produced (beneath the water) in the same
manner, and by similar causes, at a more remote time, we cannot refer
their relief of twelve or fifteen feet above high water to the agency of
winds, because their surface consists of rock, more or less covered with




Doc. No. 1,                            407
soil, the result of decomposition of a rank vegetable growth.  The
vegetable mould is mixed with calcareous' particles, whose presence may
be attributed to atmospheric causes.
"The rock which forms the surface of the islands of the Florida coast
is principally composed of finely-comminuted corals and shells, interspersed
with madrepores and other corals.  The same elements compose the
bottom  from  CapeFlorida to Tortugas, varied by patches of growing
coral.  When a portion of this bottom of a certain degree of firmness is
taken from the water and suffered to dry, it hardens, and presents an appearance similar to the rockof the islands.  An upheaving force or other
cause has given a relief of several feet to these islands, and produced the
conditions favorable to the induration of a part of their substance. Thus,
it seems to. me, may be explained the rock formation of the Florida keys,
which, quite hard on the surface, become softer as we descend, until,
*at no great depth, it passes into the calcareous sand of the general bottom.
No cause has yet operated to effect the same result on the reef, and consequently the circumstances necessary to  produce induration do not
obtain.
" If the theory advanced. above be correct, the entire Florida reef, at
equal depths, may be expected to differ but little from  the Carysfort,
and no rock will be found to exist throughout its extent, other than fragments of corals imbedded in its sand, or the usual coral growth on its
surface.  Such is the conclusion to which my examinations at Carysfort, supported by those made at Sand key, led me; and, as the lighthouse tower which I was about to erect was designed for a, rock foundation, and all the preparations had teen made under the impression that,
under a thin covering of sand, the reef would be solid rock, it became
necessary to suspend the prosecution of the work until the base could be
modified and adapted to the actual character of the foundation.
Before treating of the changes that will be required, let me direct your
attention to the bank outside of the reef alluded to above, which has an
important bearing on the subject.
" I noticed the existence of this bank while making the first examinationsof the Carysfbrt reef. Its distance from  the latter is less than one
mile.  The depth of water over it is five fathoms, anid between it and the
Carysfort there is a channel of ten fathoms.
" The outer slope ofthe reef is exceedingly steep, and, situated as it is on
the edge ofthe Gulf-stream, it was only reasonable to expect a most formidablesea to break on itduring strong southeasterly winds. I soon observed,
however, that the surf bore no proportion to the strength of the winds and
the abrupt talus of the reef.  In the most violent gales, the shock of the
sea was not felt on the platform; and this circumstance, so much more favorable than was anticipated, was attributed to the influence of the outer
bank, whose extent I was then led to believe was greater than I had at
first supposed.  This opinion, as I before stated, received corroboration
from an experienced pilot.
If the body of the reef were of any homogeneous structure, there would
be little difficulty in establishing the light-house on a safe foundation.
If it were entirely of sand, the application of screws to the lower piles
could be made without difficulty, and no other modification of the plan
would be required; or if it consisted of rock of any degree of hardness, our,means are ample for penetrating it.  But the formation being calcareous




408                          Doc. No. 1.
sand, covered and interspersed, with masses of coral, forbids the use of the
screw-pile, or the pneumatic method of sinking tubes or piles, and, presenting the most difficult site, confines us within the narrowest limits inthe choice of miodes of making a foundation.
"The iron tower for the light being complete, and the necessity for a
prepared foundation being demonstrated, it will obviously be expedient
to project the latter with a view to the fewest alterations in the tower.
"The method that first suggests itself is an arrangement of piles, filled in,
with beton, supporting a grillage, on which to place the tower.  I-Bt it is
well known that wood con.hot be used in the construction of works in
the waters of the gulf, where permanence is indispensable, unless it be
sheathed or placed entirely beneath the mud or sand of the bottom.
"To make a grillage below the surface of the reef would require a cofferdam; and, although there is no doubt that one could be erected sufficiently stable to resist the waves of ordinary storms, there are objections
to this method, which it is proper to state:
"lst. The position is unfavorable for pile-driving, which can only bedone from a platform, in the manner practised last winter.  Then, under
circumstances of weather unusually favorable, we were only able to drive
eighty-four piles between the 3d of December and the 9th of January —
38 days. Driving by manual labor, with one pile'machine, eight pileswere the greatest number driven in one day: weight of ram, 2,000 poutlds;
average number of blows, 16.3; average penetration of piles, 5.1 feet;.
average penetration per blow, 3.7 inches.
"2d. The reef being composed of sand mixed with masses of coral, sheetpiles could not probably be driven; and the experience gained last winterteaches that great difficulty would be met with in driving squared piles
with sufficient regularity to form tight walls for the dam.
"3d. From the composition of the reef, it is feared that percolation would
be so rapid as to prevent freeing the enclosure from water, and to disturb,
the bottom.
" 4th. T'here is nothing in the neighborhood suitable for puddling.' 5th. If the above objections did not exist, it would be advisable to use
a coffer-danm,unless the foundation could be completed, the lower section of
the towererected, and the entire darn removed in one season-say from the
1st November to the 15th July. A hurricane would destroy it, and involvein its ruin such parts of the work as might have been erected.
"I send a drawing representingthe form of a coffer-dam, and the manner'
in which I would propose to place the towe-rrejecting the prismatic
base of the original plan, and allowing the pyramidal frustrum  to rest by
its inertia upon the platform. 
"That it will be secure against any force that will be exerted by the
waves, is susceptible of proof.  Supposing a hurricane to raise the surfaceof the water ten feet-a greater elevation probably by several feet than
will ever occur on the reef the surface of resistance will be one hundred and eight feet; and, admitting that the wave may break against the`
work with a force of four thousand pounds to the square foot, that it impinges on the nine posts of the tower at the same moment and with equal
force from the surface to the bottom,, and that no deduction be m-ade for
the cylindrical form of the posts-conditions much more.unfavorable to stability than will obtain-the total force exerted to move the tower will be"
one hundred and ninety two tons, about one-half its weight.




Doe. No. 1.                           409
IC It will be perceived by reference to the drawing (plan No. 1) that the
height of the tower will be diminished twelve feet eight inches, lessening
the effective range of the light about eight-tenths of a mile —a loss perhaps
fully compensated by the lowering of the centre of gravity.
" If it should be determined not to permit this sacrifice of altitude, it will
be advisable to prolong the pyramidal frustrum downwards.  If the height
is limited to that originally fixed, the radius of the base will be increased
2.9 feet. The lower-angle sockets must be rejected and straight-sleeve
sockets be substituted for them.  The present foundation-disks must also
be abandoned, and others supplied with inclined sockets and attached
sleeves, to receive a lower system of radial and periphery ties.  The lower
posts of the original plan must be shortened to the proper lengths. These
alterations are shown in figure 2, plan 3, and the drawings of details 1 and 2.
" Another plan which I have to submit, which is represented in the drawing marked plan No. 2, is to make a foundation of stones of three tons and
upwards, on which to place the tower, whose base would be altered in the
simple manner represented in plan 3, figure No. 1, and accompanying details No. 1.
" This plan offers fewer difficulties of construction than the other, and
might safely be left unfinished, if its completion should prove impracticable in one season.  It is true that this plan involves a sacrifice of the prin,
ciple of such light-houses, but, under the circumstances, this sacrifice is
not easily avoided.
"My observation of the surface of the reef, which is covered on its crest
with large masses of coral, leads me to believe that a structure of this
kind would be stable, that it would not be removed piecemeal by the direct force of the waves, nor overthrown by their erosive action upon the
reef at its base.
" The stones could be laid very compactly with cranes, as the water is
perfectly translucent.
"; In the drawing, the top course of stone is represented dressed. There
are in the possession of Major Bache, Topographical Engineers, about four
hundred stones which were dressed for the Brandywine lighthouse, and
which will not now, of course, be required for that work. They might be
transferred to the Carysfort light house.' Estimates in detail are given below for the further prosecution of the
work on each of the above plans.  The transportation of materials will be
expensive on account of the difficulty in obtaining insurance on vessels
crossing the reef, and the want of back freight.  Small vessels must be
employed for the purpose; they are more costly than large ones.
"The limited space to work upon will prevent very rapid progress.
"I propose to construct a pier, about six hundred feet long, from  the
present platform to ten-feet water, on which to receive materals from the,
transports, and to lay down on it two tracks of rails for trucks, to facilitate
their removal to the site of the work.
" It will also be necessary to build a wharf at Indian Key, one hundred
and fifty feet long, to seven feet water. These works, the cost of which
is included in the estimates, will greatly facilitate operations.
"The drawings sent herewith are as follows:
"No. 1, plan No. 1, represents plan and vertical section of a coffer-dam
and grillage.
" No. 2, plan No. 2, represents vertical section of a stone foundation and




410                         Doe. No. I.
the lower part of the tower.  (It'may be well to allow the centre post to
penetrate the mound of stone to the bottom.)
4"No. 3, plan No. 3, figure 1, represents first proposed alteration for the
base of the tower, diminishing its altitude twelve feet eight inches.
"' No. 4, details of above alterations: figure 2, plan 3, vertical section
of second proposed alteration in the base of the tower, retaining the altitude of the original design.' No. 5, details No. I of above alterations.
"No. 6, details No. 2 of above alterations.' No. 7, vertical sections, figure 1, of part of base of the tower, as originally designed; vertical sections, figure 2, of proposed alterations.
"Indian Key, which has been the depot for materials of the Carysfort
light-house, is claimed by individuals, who are represented by an agent
residing on the island; but I believe the United States have never sur.
rendered the title.  It is important to determine this fact;and if it appears
that the claims are unfounded, I would suggest that application be made
to the proper authority requesting that a temporary military reservation be
made of the island, and the command assigned to the officer in charge of
the erection of works on the reef.  T'his course will enable the officer to
protect himself against some serious annoyances and impediments to his
operations which were experienced last winter.  There are buildings on
the island erected by the United States, but now in possession of the
agent above mentioned, which it will be necessary to occupy when oper.
ations are resumed.
Indian Key is required not only in connexion with the operations for
erecting Carysfort light, but, if the government should determine to erect
light-houses on the Alligator reef and Sombrero key, it will be equally
necessary as a depot tor those works.
" Estimate for funds required to complete the Carysfort light-house, the
foundation to be established by means of a coffer damr  (see plan No. 1.)
Coffer-dam800 square piles and caps, 12   12, 25 feet 240,000 feet,
at $30                                 -       -   $7,200 00
300 round piles, 25 feet, at 7 cents  -       -              525 00
35,000 3-inch plank, at $25       -       -              -      875 00
8, 190 cubic feet betoncement, 390 bbls., at $1 90     -      $864 50
sand, 100 tons, at $2           -        200 00
stone, 300 tons, at$3    -      -        900 00
1,964 50
2 steam pile and pumping-engines, at $1700         -    3,400 00
2 iron pumps, 20 inches diameter.-   00 00
3 pile machines, at $150    -       -                      450 00
3, 555 cubic yards puddling (say 1,780 tons, at $4)          7,120 00




Doc. No. 1.                           411
Pier from platform to eleven feet water340 piles, at 7 cents    -     -      -      $595 00
22,000 3-inch plank, at $25       -       -       396 00
34, 000 12"X 12", 25 feet long, at $30    -     1,020 00
23 tons railway iron, at $45   -    -       1,035 00
2 trucks, at $60     -       -      -       120 00
$3,166 00
Freights and storage -              -      -      -    5,     000 
Labor per monthI assistant engineer, at $150, and. 
clerk, at $60    -      -      -        210 00
2 overseers, at $100; 2 machinists, at
$60                                     320 00
2 carpenters, at $60; 2 ditto, at $40 -     200 00
1 smith, at $60; 1 striker, at $40    -     100 00
2 masters of vessels, at $75; 1 ditto,
at $50   -      -                       200 00
3 mates, at $35; 14 seamen, at $20 -        385 00
5 cooks and stewards, at $20       -        100 00
1 head piler, at $60; 12 pilers, at $30     420 00
2 engineers, at $60; 2 firemen, at $30      180 00
6 laborers, at $20; I pilot, at $75    -    195 00
Pay for 1 month   -      -       -      2,310 00
Pay for 9 months                 -                  20,790 00
Subsistence for 61 men 9 months, 273 days, at
50 cents-       -       -         -           -    8,326 50
Wharf at Indian Key80 piles, 20 feet, at 7 cents    -     -     112 00
7,500 6"x 12, 16 feet long, at $25     -        187 50
5,500 12X 12, 32 feet long, at $30     -        165 00,~ — - 464 50
2 cranes, at $150                                         300 00
Hire of lighter 9 months          -                   1,000 00
Repairs and outfit of vessels     -      -       -    2,500 00
Scow, $250; illuminating apparatus, $11,000     -   11,250 00
Arrearages -       -      -                        -    6,062 00
2,000 piles shores, at $1 50    -      -       -      -    3,000 00
First proposed alteration of base of the tower, as
shown in plan 3, figure 1              -      -      500 00
Add 20 per cent. for contingencies-      -      -   16,938 70
Total amount required            -    101 632 20




412                         Doc. No. 1.'Estimate for two proposed alterations of tower, exhibited in plan 3,
figure 2.
Amount taken from first estimate        -      -       -   $84,193 50
50,206 polunds castings and patterns                          2,00(0 00
18,492 pounds wrought iron, at 5 cents  -              -        924 60
87,118 10
Add 20 per cent. for contingencies      -                    17423 62
Amount required                                             104,541 72
"'Estinzate for funds to complete the Caryfort light-house on a stone
foundation, (seeplan No. 2.)
5,060 tons of stone, (delivered at Carysfort,) at $6, say 34
loads for vessels drawing 8 feet      -       -      - $30,360 00
Demurrage, say 11 days per vessel, at $13      -       -    4,420 60
Cost of pier from platform to eleven feet water  -     -    3,166 00
Labor 9 months                                              17,730 00
Subsistence, 54 men, 9 months           -      -       -    7,371 00
Wharf at Indian Key, (see estimate No. 1)      -       -      464 50
Scow, $250; hire of lighters 9 months, $1,000  -       -    1,250 00
4 derricks, at $150.       -       600 00
Repairs and outfit of vessels   -..    2,500 00
Illuminating apparatus  -                              -   11,000  00
Arrearages       -       -      -       -       -      -    6,062 00
Alteration of base of tower, (plan 3, figure 1)   -    -       500 00
85,423 50
Add 20 per cent. for contingencies                      -   17,084 64
Amount required.-                      -                  102,508 14'9
The views of Major Lennard were so far approved as to authorize a
modification of the disks of the piles, and the use of additional piles.
The plan of the work is, therefore, in conformity with the annexed
drawing.
This has been a more costly work than was at first anticipated.  The
reason of it will be found ia the preceding pages.  The whole amount
appropriated and expended in the construction of the work, in the transportation of materials, prior to September, 1850, is -     -   91,561 50
Appropriation of September, 1850  -       -                  36,000 00
And the amount now submitted as a final estimate is      -   17,000 00
In order to bring the account of this work down to the latest period, I
subjoin the following extract of a report from Major Lennard of October, 1850:




Doc. No. 1.                            4113' My-last annual report represented the light-house to be nearly ready for
shipment to its destination. On the 16th of October, 1849, I sailed from'this city with the materials in three vessels, and with men and supplies
sufficient to carry on the work during six months.  The vessels were
ordered to rendezvous at Indian Key, thirty miles southwest of the proposed site for the light-house. This small island was the nearest point at
which a depot for materials could be established. Two of the vessels arrived safely on the 31st of October; the third, having been dismasted soon
after leaving the capes of the Delaware, put back for repairs, and joined
mne on the 8th of November.
"Until the 19th of November we were employed in landing a part of the
material, building a scow, and in other preparatory work.  On that day
we sailed for the Carysfort reef, and arrived there the same evening.
The precise position for the light-house had not been determined upon,
and my attention was immediately given to an examination of the sites
supposed to be eligible.  The previous surveys had been limited to the
immediate vicinity of the Carysfort lightship, and did not embrace the' outer reef," which, lying seaward from the light-ship, and two miles distant at its nearest point, presented obvious advantages as the place for a
light house. Several days were devoted to this examination, atd, after a
carell comparison of the several localities, it was decided to erect the
work upon a shoal bank of the outer reef four and a half miles east-northeast from the Carysfort light-ship.  The difficulty and cost of erection
would,it was true, be greater in this advanced and exposed position than'in one more retired, but the force of this objection was thought to be neutralized by the gain in effective range and superior usefulness of a light
placed on the most salient point of danger.
"In the mean time, a part of the force was engaged in erecting a small
platform upon the shoal near the anchorage, on which to deposite lumber
and set up the forge temporarily. The pile-driving for this purpose exhibited a want of solidity in the bank demonstrative of the unfitness of
that locality to support such a structure as we were about to erect; an unshtod pile driven eighteen feet into the shoal penetrated fifteen inches with
the last blow of the ram.
" Having chosen a site for the work, the next step was to erect a platform
over it.  This was a work of considerable difficulty. Our vessels drawing
too much water to cross the shoal which intervened between the anchorage and the site, it was at first necessary to tow the materials on a scow,
by means of the boats, four and a half miles; and this laborious operation
was continued until I could send to Key West and procure a small vessel
for a lighter.
"On the 9th of January, oplatform sixty-six feet square, upon piles, was
completed.  The transportation of materials, the erection of derrick, sheers,
a forge,&c., and the preparation of the boring apparatus, occupied the party until the 19th, when the boring was begun for the bed of the central
foundation-disk.  In order that the operations may be understood, it will
be proper to insert here a concise description of the base of the tower.
"'Nine cast-iron disks, four and a half feet in diameter, were to be placed
at the centre and angular points of the octagonal base.  These disks were
perfbrated at their centres, and had vertical sleeves, twelve inches high,
around the perforations.  The posts of the tower were intended to pass
through the disks, enter the rock two feet, and rest upon the disks by




414                         Doc. No. 1.
means of collars, distributing the weight of the superstructure over the
disks, whose aggregate bearing surface was one hundred and thirteen feet.
The lower posts were composed of wrought-iron shafts eight inches in diameter, incased in cast-iron tubes, whose external diameter was twelve
inches. The collars.upon the posts being at a uniform distance from the
lower extremities, it was requisite that the disks should be placed upon
the same horizontal plane.
"It will be seen that the erection depended upon our ability to bore nine
holes,into which the foundation posts could be lowered.
"Two kinds of boring apparatus had been provided-one, the jumperdrill, which had been used with success upon the Minot's ledge; the other
consisted of a vertical five-inch shaft, with a moveable capstan-head, and
a socket in the lower end to receive cross-heads, to which cutters of steel
were bolted. The cross-heads were of-two sizes one with six-and-a halfinch arms, to bore the post-holes; the other with twenty-six-inch arms, to
bore the beds of the disks. The jumper-drill was intended to be used
upon any rock which might be found too hard for the other apparatus to
penetrate.
"The trace of the work having been accurately laid out upon the platform, a trammel for the boring-shaft was arranged over the spot for the
centre-post, and, the larger cross-head being attached, the boring was begun
for the bed of the centre disk.  The horizontal plane on which it was
proposed to place the disks passed twenty-five inches below the surface
of the shoal at the centre of the plane. The penetration of this depth
exposed no stratum of rock. The borings indicated a structure of fragmlents of corals and shells, intermixed with loose masses of corals of considerable size.  As these were removed, the sides of the whole washed
down, so that, when the depth of 25 inches had been gained, the cavity
assumed the shape of a bowl about seven feet in diameter.
"Before penetrating the bank two feet, I had begun to suspect that an
erroneous idea had been entertained of the structure of the reef, and that
nao stratum of rock or solid coral formation would' be found.  The result
of some deep pile-driving on a shoal inside of the reef, and observation
of the forms of the growing corals, encouraged this opinion. All uncertainty on this point was soon removed.  The small cutter was applied to
the boring-shaft, and penetrations made into the reef at three points to
the depth of fourteen feet; no rock was encountered at that depth.
"The base of the light-house having been designed for a rock foundation, its execution was not practicable, without important modifications,
on such a basis as the reef was found to present.  The means of making
the alterations were not to be obtained in the neighborhood, and the funds
in my possession were very limited.  I therefore deemed it proper to suspend the work. The material not previously landed was sent ashore at Indian Key, and the best arrangements made for its security. An individual
residing on the key was employed to take charge of it.
rThhe vessels were then ordered to sail for this city, where the party was
paid and discharged early in April.
"Before leaving the reef, anexamination was made of Sand key, whose
structure was found to be similar to that of Carysfort reef.
"A description of the physical peculiarities of the south part of Florida
will not be inappropriate here. A range of islands departs from the southeast-pass part of the peninsula of East Florida, and, extending south and




Doe. No. 1.                            415
west into the Gulf of Mexico, terminates at the Tortugas in west longitude
830.  Exterior to the line of islands, and concentric with it, at a mean
distance of about four miles and a half, is a series of shoals, forming what
is known as the general Florida reef. Particular designations are given
to different parts of the reef, of which one is known as the Carysfort reef.
"The islands are generally less than fifteen feet above high water at their
extreme elevations.  Their surfaces are formed of calcareous rock, more
or less covered with calcareous debris, which supports a vigorous vegetation.  The rock is quite hard where exposed to the atmosphere, but
becomes soft below the surface.
":lThe reef at many points rises near the surface of the water, and at a
few appears a few feet above it.  It is composed of strata of calcareous
sand, of various degrees of firmness, intermingled with masses of corals,
and its surfkce is covered with growing corals of several species.  It is
more compact within two feet of the surface than at greater depths.
"The bottom, throughoutthe whole of this region, consists of calcareous
sand, formed by the breaking up of corals and shells. Patches of growring
corals, called'heads,' are very numerous.
"If some of the bottom is taken up and dried under pressure, it forms a
stone similar in its texture to that which is found on the islands.  It is
probable that the original formation of the islands, beneath the water,
was due to the same causes which subsequently produced the reef —that
an upheaving force gave them their relief above water, and brought about
the state of things favorable to the induration of their surfaces. The
conditions essential to the formation of rock not having obtained in
regard to the reef, which is, with the exception of three or four points,
entirely under water, it may be asserted that no rock will be found in any
part of it.  The three or four small keys that occur in the reef differ in
their structure from the islands of the inner range.  They are composed,
like other parts of the reef, of sand and pieces of corals, and their relief
of three feet above water is due to the agency of the waves and wind.
"When the light-house for the Carysfort reef was designed, the body of
the reef was believed to consist of rock, with a thin covering of sand,
and it was indispensable to the erection of the work that clean holes
should be bored for the reception of. the lower posts.  The operations of
last winter exposed a structure which rendered this impracticable, and a
change of plan became necessary to adapt the work to the actual character of the reef.'
"Several plans have been suggested to accomplish this object, but only
two have received the favorable consideration of the bureau.
"The first proposed to reject the superficial disks, and obtain a foundation bymeans of Mitchell's screw-piles.  Although this mode of making a
foundation has been practised with success on sand shoals, it was objected that the structure of the reef, differing essentially from  that of ordinary sand shoals, was unfavorable to the application of the screw-pile,
being hardest near the surface, and so composed of sand and masses of coral that the sinking of screws would be extremely difficult, and, if not
altogether impracticable, would only be successful with screws of comparatively small diameter of flanch.
"It had been ascertained that tle solidity of this shoal, a short distance
below the surface, was greatly inferior to that of silicious sand shoals,
and it was to be apprehended that the largest screws that could be used




416                         Do.c  No. 1.
twould not give sufficient bearing surface to support the weight of the
structure, which, when complete, will be nearly 378 tons.
"Nine screws of two feet diameter, (one on each post of the tower,)
would give an aggregate bearing surface of only 2S8  square feet; and the
introduction of additional. screw-piles would greatly complicate the work,
and increase the cost of its erection.'The other plan proposed to retain the superficial disks, increasing their
dimensions, and to drive the lower posts through thema by means of the
ordinary pile-engine and ram, until collars upon the posts should rest
upon the disks.
"In favor of this plan, it was submitted that a larger bearing surface
could be obtained by it than was practicable with screws; that the weight
would be borne by the most solid part of the reef; and that the facility of
construction would be greater, while the cost of erection would be less,
than those of any other plan.
"The last plan was deemed best suited to the peculiar locality, and,
having been approved by the bureau, the following estimate for funds to
complete the work in accordance with it was submitted:
Labor, (nine months)       -       -                         $16,335 00
Subsistence                -       -. -           5,450 00
Illuminating apparatus    -       -                      -     1,000 00.Arrearages, $6,062; scow and cranes, $500        -       -    6,562 00
Repairs and outfit of vessels     -                            2,50 00
HIire of lighter    -                                     -    1,000 00
Freights and storage               -              -       -    1,500 00
Cost of alteration in base of the tower   -       -      -    2,000 00
Wharf at Indian Ke         -       -      -                      500 00
Pile-engine, $150; 500 piles, 800                         -      950 00
Quarters for men on the platform  -               -       -      300 00
48,097 00
For contingencies, 10 per cent.    -              -      -    4,809 70
52,906 70
Appropriated during last session of Congress      -      -   36,000 00
Balance required to complete the light-house      -      -   16,906 70
"It is proper to state that this estimate was based on the supposition that
the work could be carried on uninterruptedly during nine months.  As
th;e suspension of operations before its completion will cause a considerable increase of cost, and the sum  now at my disposal will not suffice to
finish the erection, I beg leave to urge the importance of having the sum
required in my estimate ($17,000) made available as early in the year
1851 as practicable."
LIGHT- HOUVSE AT WAUGOSHANCE.
Ti:e first appropriation for this light-house was in 1838.  The work
was then under the direction of the Treasury Department. lThe law is
in the following, words:," For the erection of a light-house onthe ledge
0         of a bobt-house onv~~v   vrthe -ledgegv




Doc. No  1.                              417'
or reef near Waugoshance, straits of Michilimackinac, twenty-five thousand dollars.'
I do not find that anything  was ever done at this place..  The work
was transferred to this office in 1847.  The amIount appropriated in 1838
was re-appropriated.in 1847, as follows: "For a light-house near Wangoshancee, the s-am appropriated by the act of 7th July, 1838, to wit:' twently
JIvel-hoisand dollars, is hereby reappopopriated."
There was another appropriation for this work in 1848, of $385365, for
the ensuing fiscal year; making a total of $63;3615.
Examinations before 1838, by officers of the navy, had resulted  in:recommending the erection of a light-house on this shoal, and the dispensing wvitht th  floating-light usually kept in that vicinity.
Our first efforts on tis   subject were to make an accurate survey, to.select a [loeality on the shoal for the iight-house, and thei to digest a plan':for the necessary building.  The result of this-suvey was reported in the'anucial report frotn this office of November, 1.847, as follows 
Ci The estima-e then furnished for th  fiscal year terminating 30th June,
1849, is the one covered by the last appropriatiot.
\WVaugoshance is a position. south oi the straits of Mlackinaw, where a
lightlt-hip is now maintained,  anrd the object of the light-house is to furn-ish a g.ifide to the lake mariner at this highly important ind dangerous
locality, and to subsitr.te a fixed light for the uncertain and costly aid
now furnished by the light-ship.  After a careful survey of the locality,
and an investigation of all the conditions necessary to be fulfilled by the
light-,house, aiid essential to its usefulness, the W taugoshance shoal was
selected.  This shoal has about four feet water upon it on shoalest parts,
and a firm ioceky bottom. The first operation is to establish an adequately
protecting crib-work, frorm the interior of which the keeper's dwelling and
light-house tower are to be raised.  A  light-house upon the main would
be comparatively of little use, and, from the peculiar circumstances attending the lqcality,  would probably be as costly as a light-house upon the
shoal,  The ou ter shoal, the plate seected, is rather more than a mile and
a hatf northwestwardly from'Waugoshance island, and rather more than
three miles f'omn  Waugoshance- point.;.The island, like the point, is
equally unsuitable as a locality for the light-house.
The -chitel dificulty will be in establishing the protecting- crib-work
ftoundation,  which will call into activity the resources and ability of the
surperintieuding  eCoin eer.  Certain dim nensions were adopted by which
the sut.erimteadineg engineer was directed to gove rn  himself in reference
to his plans an( estimates.  Thles  were, that there should not be a less
space of protecting crib-work than thirty feet between any part of the
dwelling and tower bui.ldigs and the laike, and that a, space of twenty-five
feet by fifty should be!eft within the crib-work for dwelling and tower
fout ndation>s and structures.  These di.imen-ions will cover a space ot not
les: nhaa eig.hty- five feet in one direction andc one hundred and ten feet in
an other.,Less  tar these dimensions wold, in my juldgment, be unsafe
to adopt.'Ihese diimensions will re-qaire the estabilishing of about six
cribs  varying froml forty-tvo to fifty feet long by thirty wid; sizes sufficiently manageable to be established withoutl extraordinary cost.  These
once established, the difficalties of the work are at an endd, and what will
remnain to be don-e will. rci-ire neiher ureat tiie nor great resources.  Ex~
tensiv e contracts hava b1o'n made for Tn.aterials, and it s confidently antiPart ii —27.




418                           Doe. No. 1.
cipated that the end of the next season will see the cribs in place, and probably the foundation work of the keeper's house and tower up to the surface of the crib work, about twelve feet above the surface of the lake."
In the annual report of 1848, it is said: " We have succeeded in establishing the pier work essential to the protection and construction of
this work, and also the concrete foundation within the piers, upon which
the keeper's dwelling and light-house are to be erected.
"All these structures are works of extreme difficulty, in much exposed
positions, requiring great care, great energy, untiring perseverance, and
more than common mechanical resources, in the superintending engineer.
The success which has attended our efforts, as already described, is proof
that these qualifications have not been wanting; is the best compliment
upon the plans which have been pursued, and justifies the anticipation
that the whole of these works will in good time be completed, and will be
permanently established."
And in the annual report of 1849, it.is said: " The pier in this case
has been nearly completed, the keeper's house erected and covered in, and
the tower erected to the lantern floor, so that no doubt exists of the completion of the work, and of its being brought into use by next fal-l."
In this last report an estimate to complete the work is submitted, amnaounting to $20,580.
The original estimate of this office for the work  at this place was
about $80,000.  Amounts appropriated and expended, $63,365; estimate
of 1849, $20,580; total $83,945; which will make  the work cost
about $3,000 more than the original estimate.
The part of the shoal selected for the site of this light-house is always
covered with water, varying from 4 to 12 feet deep.  The bottom of the
shoal is very firm, capable of sustaining any structure.  The method of
building was to eibrace a space of 100 feet square, with a crib work
similar to our ulsual crib piers, leaving at the proper place, (inside the crib)
an open space for the foundations of the keeper's dwelling and the lighthouse towe-r.'he crib-work did not keep that space dry, but it defended it from the wave of the lake, and furnished landing space for materials
and spac e ior te wvorkmen. to live upon while employed.  It also furnishes a landing place for the nses of the light-house, and a necessary and
complete ice-fender for the buildings.  The pier being erected, the interior space fbr tile buildings, in. w-lich the water stood to the level of the
lake, was then filled with concrete up to that level, and upon this the
keeper's dwelling and  ligh-t-horuse tower are erected.  The keeper's
dwelling is of brick, with a slate roof; the light tower is upon a solid
foundation of connected stonre masonry up to about three feet above the
level of the crib platform, and upon this blundation the light-house tower
of brick is -raised.
T'he whole work has now been up one year; that is, the keeper's dwelling is covered in, and the foundation of the light-house tower exposed to
all the weight to whic h it is liable, and the whole has stood without the
least yielding; and if proper attention be given to the crib-Nwork, so as
to make the small repairs it will. requuire after the rubbing of a winter's
ice against it, I see no reason to doubt the durability of this work.
I suljoin irom the last report (kep3emiber, 185(0) of the superintending
engineer, Captain Canfield, the foilowing detailed description of the work
up to the date of his report:




Doc. No. 1.                            419
l"My last annual report of Waugoshance light-house was of necessity
made before the close of the working season.
"In order to get at this time a correct idea of the condition of the work,
it will be necessary to repeat some part of my former reports.
"I will endeavor to give in a few words an account of the whole operations since the work was commenced.
"'On examining the shoal on which the light-house had to be placed, I
found it to be of an irregular, triangular shape, covering about two acres,
composed of a solid limestone rock; the part where the foundation of the
light-house was to be placed being covered with boulders principally of
granite, varying from the smallest size to several tons in weight.  The
least water on the shoal was four and a half feet, and within the space to
be covered by the foundation of th,e pier the depth varied from four and
a half to twelve feet.
"T'lhe shoal is distant only two nmiles from the low rocky point of Waugoshance, but the nearest landing and harbor is fifteen miles off at the
island of St. Helena.
"After fixing the position of the light-house, my next object was to get
with the greatest possible accuracy a minute sounding of that part of the
shoal, so that the bottom ofthe crib could be shaped to fit the rocks.
"Having gotten the form of the shoal with great accuracy, thebottom of
the cribs was shaped to fit on the rocks, so that when they were settled
into their places they varied very little froin a vertical position, although
the cribs were fifty feet square and the shoal very irregular, the water
vary.ing, as before stated, from four and a half to twelve feet in depth.
"The crils were framed and put together at the island of St. Helena,
fifteen miles from  the shoal.  They are built of white and yellow  pine
timber accurately squared, the outside timbers being fourteen inches and
the interior ties twelve inches square.  The ties in every course run
across the crib in each direction at intervals of ten feet.
"The ties are accurately framed in, and the whole fastened by seveneighths inch iron bolts, driven three feet apart all around and runnning
through the third course of tim.ber, the whole forming a structure of
immense strength.'Hollow squares were left in the two first cribs —one for the foundation
of the light-house and one for the keeper's house.
Iln cornioencing the cribs they were set upon ways and the bottoms of
them  fitted to suit the positions they were intended to occupy on the
shoal.  After building them  up four leet high on the ways, they were
laiunched and then built up until their draught of water was nearly equal
to the depth on the shoal.'1o prep'are for securing theli  in a place where a few  hours' calm
weather is a rare occurrence, I first laid out on the shoal four anchors
with hawsers attached to themn   one anchor diagonally opposite to each
corner of the crib.  I had also a temporary capstan on each coner of the:
crib.
"By means of the hawsers and capstans, the crib could be brought accurately into its position.
"To hold the crib in its place before it was loaded, there were iron-shod
strong oak spuds, fixed to slide in vertical ways.'To the top of each oaf
the spuds, and to the crib, was rigged a pair of double blocks and falls;When the crib was brought exactly into its proper position, the spud&




4260                          Doe. No. 1.
were allowed to slide thrlogh their ways until they struck the shoal, the
upper end still projecting ten or twelve feet above the crib; a heavy strain
was then put upon the falls of the spuds, so that a large portion of the
weight of the crib was at once thrown on these three points. The pressure upon the spuds was now  still further increased by casting off two
crane scows, by which the crib had been raised in the water nearly a foot
and a half.  The crib was now so firmly fixed on the spuds, that a large
stone vessel was" immediately hauled alongside and made fast, and unloaded without any perceptible change of its position.' The first crib was fixed on the edge of the shdal, with a sufficient
depth of water on the outside o float any vessel on the lates.
" After the first crib was secured the greatest difficulty was over, as it
afforded a good landing place for materials, &c., and a fixed point by
which the other cribs were brought into their places.
"As before stated, the two first cribs were constructed with vacanIt spaces
of the dimensions of the foundations.  Il the space for the light-house
foundation, the bottom was a mass of large boulders, and the water about
five feet deep.  This space was filNd to the surface of the water with a
Ontcrete, composed of hydraulic lime, sand, and broken stone, which
iwon became as hard as a conmmon rock.' On  this the masonry was commenced of large blocks of hammerdressed Sandusky limestone, awd was built up of heavy rubble masonry,
laid in hydraulic cement, to the height of sixteen feet above water, or four
feet above the deck of the crib.  The part of the foundation above the
crib is of heavy halmmer-dressed stone.'At this point commenced the circular tower, built of the best Milwau.
kie brick.  The outer tiameter of the tower is at the base twenty feet,'and at the top fourteen feet.  On the inside the diameter of the tourer is
ten feet, from the bottom. to the top.  The walls of.the tower are five feet
thick at the base, and as it rises diminish regularly, and are two feet thick
at the top..
" Tie height of the tower is sixty-four feet above the deck of the pier,
and seveatyvsix feet above the water, making the light about eighty feet
high.
" There are'loors in the tower, ten feet apart.  These are of wood.  A
winding stair-case of iron ascends from the bottom to the lantern.  The
stairs are so. supported that they are entirely independent of the floors,
and wouldr stand, and the light not be interrupted, even if the floors were1
burnt or destroyed.  This security is efected by putting a pair of braces
in the uppe-r part of the tower, and suspending the whole of the stairs to
them by three iron rods.
*" The stairs being in separate flights, rnning from  flob to floor, the botorm  of thefirst flight rests, of course, on the pavement of the tower.  At
the head of the flight there is an iron bar lying on or let into the beam at
the head of the stairs. One end of the bar runs into the masonry of the
tower, a.nd is supported by it.  rhe other end of the bar runs to the centre of the floor, and is sustaiued by an iron rod which passes up to the
next floor. To this bar the upper ends of the stringers of the stairs are
secured,
" There is a siamilar bar of iron which also rests on the floor, and is supported by the masonry at one end, and by the same iron rod at the cenIre.; which bar sustains the foot of the second flight of stairs.




Doc. No, 1.                           421
"The iron stringers of the stair-case are, for convenience, made each i n
two pieces.  The outer stringer is supported at the middle by a:t  rt
brace from the towier wall.  The inner stringer is supported at the splice
by a rod ofiron, which runs from floor to floor, until it reaches the braces in
the upper part of the tower.  The outer iron rod runs up, and is secured
in the same manner to the braces. As the flights of stairs,are placed alternating on opposite sides of the tower, three of these rods are necessary
to sustain them.
"Biv this simple arrangement, which costs very little, there is no proba.
bility that the light can ever be interrupted.. Even if the floors should
be burnt, the stairs would "not be danmaged by such an accident.
"The stairs are entirely of iron; the stringers and bannisters ae of
wrought, and the steps of cast iron.  They are all made, and ready for
setting up. The tower is built up to its full height, and requires only
the stairs and the deck and tle lantern to complete it.
"The iron deck and lantern have been ordered, and are so far advanced
that they can be completed in about three weeks' time.
"The dwelling-house is built of the same material as the tower.  The
foundation of stone is carried up as high as the base of the tower; that is
to sixteen feet above the level of the lake; the first floor of the housebeing on a level with the floor of the tower.  The two buildings are separated about two feet, and are connected by a covered way, so that the
entrance to the tower is from the dwelling-house, without going out of
doors.
"This arrangement was necessary in consequence of the sea and spray
which often breaks with great violence over the whole pier.
"The keeper's house is twenty-two by twenty-nine feet, and one story
high, with a cellar, two rooms on the first floor, and an attic centaining
two challbers and a store room.  The house is built in the most durable
manner, with a slate roof and copper gutters.  it is finished, excepting
about twenty days of carpenters' work and painting.'The pier is ninety by a hundred feet in extent; its deck is twelve feet
above the water, with a strong railing two feet high. It is entirely filled
with stone.
"The outsides of the pier are covered with three-inch oak plank, strongly
spiked on, in a vertical position. The plank run down to nearly the bottom, and rise to five feet above the water. The tops of the plank are cut
square, and even with the surface of one of the pier timbers. The next
timber is thrown out three inches, the thickness of the plank, so that the
face of the pier presents a perfectly plain surface.
"On the side of the pier towards the land there is an opening of the size
ef a common door, with a landing-place three feet above the water, with
stairs running up to the deck of the pier.
"On this side the sea can never break with any greater violence, owing
to the proximity of the land and the shoals.
"The work still to be done at Waugoshance is to set up thestairs ofthe
tower; to put on the deck and the lantern, and put in the lighting apparatus; to finish and paint the keeper's house, and put the deck on the pier
to build a boat-house and wood-house; to fix a crane for hoisting boats
from the water, and to hang the fog-bell.
"All this will require, I suppose, the worlk of fifteen mechanics for about
thirty-five days.




422                          Doe. No. 1.
" The appropriation which you have asked for in your last annual report
will, I have not the slightest doubt, entirely finish the work."
The appropriation of September, 1850, being considered suficient to
complete this work, no further estimate in reference to it is submitted.
The superintending engineer, Captain Canfield, of the corps, says in a
letter of the 26tb of October, having just made an inspection of the work,
"; There is not the slightest flaw, crack or fracture in any part of the work;
not the:slightest settling or change in any respect, either in masonry or
wood work. The ceilings and plastering of the dwelling-house are as perfect as the day they were finished. * The roof is perfectly tight.
b At the northwest end and northeast corner of the pier (the crib pier)
about two cubic yards of the stone ballast has worked out under the bottom of the crib.  This is the only change that has taken place.  I also
visited and examined the property left on the island of St. Helena in
charge of Mr. Blote. I found it all safe and sound."
Whale's Back, New Havmpshire.-The law on this subject is as follows:
For rebuilding the light-house on a rock called the Whale's Back, tweny-five thousand dollars, inclusive of a former appropriation for a breakwater to protect that light-house."
The first impression of this bureau in reference to this light-house was
that it had fallen down and had to be rebuilt.  But upon examination, the
light-house was found standing, and in no immediate danger; therefore
nothing has as yet been done to it.
There is,in my opinion,but one of two methods to be pursued —either
to repair the present structure, or to pull it down and erect a new one
ia its place.  The work will be better understood by the following extract from the annual report of this office of November, 1S47:
" The appropriation in this case is for rebuilding the light-house on the
Whale's Back.
" Before commencing the work it was considered essential to have a
correct knowledge of the condition of the existing light-house. The rock
or ledge upon which it stands is at the mouth of the Piscataqila river,
three and an half miles below the town of Portsmouth, and about one-half
mile from the nearest point of the main on the west.  On the east and on
the north are two small islands, Wood island and White island, and outside of the Whale's Back, southeast of the same, are other reefs.  A very
heavy sea is occasionally thrown in on the Whale's Back;'the ledge is
bare in places at low water for a distance of 500 feet from southwest to
northeast, and for a distance of 200 feet from southeast to northwest the
surface is very irregular, the highest point bare at low-water being from
four to five feet above low-water level. The present light-house stands
at the southwest extremity of the ledge. But there is no great difficulty
n putting up either a stone tower or an iron pile frame upon the middle of
the ledge, or upon other parts of it, nor would there be any great difficulty in putting up either kind of structure upon either of the small islands
before referred to, one 450 yards and the other 600 yards eastward from
the present light. White island is, however, the better position of the two,
because further seaward. A stone tower, if properly built, would be expensive.  A light, however, upon a suitable irou-pile framing, would cost
much less, and would answer all purposes.
"The Portsmouth or Newcastle light is about one mile northwestvardly from Whale's Back, and the outside light (Isle of Shoals) is about




oec. No. 1.                            423
eight miles off, south 230 east.  I may remark here that a report, plan and
estimate for a suitable stone tower light was made by A. Parris, civil engineer, in 1838, (see document No. 15, House of Representatives, 25th
Congress, 3d session,) which appears well adapted to the position,if such
a structure should be determined upon. The estimate of cost, exclusive
of illuminating apparatus, was $74,916.
"From the foregoing description it will be seen that the Whale's Back
light is properly a harbor light, and the structure adopted should have
reference to that view of its use.
It has been stated that either a stone tower or an iron-pile light could
be put up without serious difficulty.- The cost of the first would, by the
estimate of Mr. Parris, be about $75,000; the cost of the second would be
about half that amount.
"There is another expedient which can be adopted, namely, to repair the
present structure, or rather to strengthen and. protect its foundation.  A
description of the present building will be necessary to convey a distinct
idea of its defects.  The foundation upon which the light-house tower
stands is a circular stone work, fbrty-eight feet at base, forty-two feet at
top, and twenty feet high.  The tower which stands upon this foundatibn is twenty-four feet diameter and thirty-eight feet high, making the
light in the lantern nearly sixty feet above high-water mark.
" The exterior stone of the found'ation are of split granite, generally of
good size, and generally, judging from appearances, of good shape; that is
to say, large and well proportioned exteriors; but, like the generality of
such structures, the number of headers are less than they should be, and
the number of stretchers in excess.  The building of the work is consequently defective.  The interior is said to be filled in with rough rubble;
but as the top course is composed of headers and covers the whole width
of the work, the character of the interior could not be inspected.  The
stones were not hammered at the beds or joints, nor was the rock levelled
to receive the foundation course; the masonry is laid dry, and some dowels were used-how many could not be seen   but these would not be of
much service when such essential building defects as have been stated
existed.  On the sea-side bariron straps, four inches wide and threefourths of an inch thick, are placed at intervals of eight or ten feet, extending
from tbe top course of the foundation work down to the rock or ledge,
and there secured by lewis-bolts.  The top course is secured by straps
extending to the third course below, to which they are secured.  Formrerly a chain-cable was passed around the foundation, and fastened together
at the two ends, the object being to secure the iron straps previously described as extending from  the foundation top to the rock.  But this was
of little avail, and it is now removed."
And in the annual report of November, 1848, the work at this place is
referred to in the following words:
"In the report of last year the light.house at this position is minutely
described, the plan of construction and the defects in the plan. It is there
stated that the repairs of this work would involve a cost about equal to
that of a new iron-pile structure, and would, in the end, be a patched
structure, and would probably fail in meeting just expectations.  It is also
stated in the same report, that as fears of immediate danger to the present
structure are not entertained, no work has been commenced.  Other
reasons induced a delay in the work at this place; these were to await




424                           Doc, No. 1.
the experience of erecting an iron-pile light upon a muchu more exposed'
position, Minot's rock, Bbston harbor. Having now overcome the chief
difficulty in the work o1 Mlinot's rock, another carefil inspection of the
Whale's Back hg'bt will be made in the ensuing spring, when it will be
decided whether the'rebuilding' directed should be further postponed
or be immediately commenced."
There is no reference to this work in the annual report of November,
1849, except in the appendix, from  which the following extract is taken:
l'n April, 1847, I made a close examination of the present light house
on the Whale's Back, and in the report to the bureau ef the 2d April of
that year I stated the reasons which. induced me to reeomtmend that no
steps might then be taken towards the rebuilding the structure.  These
reasons were:
"1st. That the condition of the light-house was such, that theie was
no immediate danger to be apprehended; but, on the contrary, thal. the
building might last for some years to come.' 2d? That the principle of supporting a light on iron piles in situations
exposed to a heavy sea, had been successfully established; and as it was
proposed to build the light-house on Miinot's rock, in Boston harbor,
upon that principle, I advised that the iebuilding of the Whale's Back light
should be postponed until the result of the undertaking at the Mtinot
should become known.
"'T'his recommendation the bureau adopted; and as the building of the
light at the exposad rock of the-Minots was not brought to a close until'
late in October, the work at the Whale's Back has nat bpen commendced,
or rather not recommended to be commenced.
"A careful inspection of the present building should be imade in theapproaching spring, and it can be better decided then than now, wh ether
a further postponement would be judicious or not."
This is a harbor light, and does not require so costly a structure as
that contemplated in the estimate of MAr. Parris.  I see no necessity, ian
any demand of commerce, night or day, in having, a light-hous.-e at this
place of the dimensions supposed in the plan of Mr. Parris.  It is butthree and a half miles from the town, and one mile from the Portsmouth
or Newcastle light, which last light has to be made on entering the harbor,
before the navigator avails himself of the Whale's Back light.'The Last.,
should therefore never besuch as to be confounded with the first, and
need not be more conspicuous than to be distinctly visible f-rom the first
And it would be safer for the commerce which trends to it, if reduced to
its only use of any value, that of an inside harbor light.
I am decidedly of opinion that the old structure should not be repaired,
No adequate advantage will ensue from  any more patching of such bad
work. The better course will therefore be to put up  a new building upon
the rock.
Such a building can be made of masonry capable of resisting the surf'which occasionally rolls over the rock, or it can be placed on iron piles5
which will permit the surf to pass without encountering a shock; the
keeper's dwelling being raised above the surf, and the lantetrn being ab-oe
the keeper's dwelling.  In order to avoid accidents from fire the!atter:
should be made of iron.
The estimates for these two plans are as follows:
Estimate for erecting a light-house of stone on the Whale's Back, Ports




Doe. N6. 1.                             425
mouth' harbo'r, New Hampshire; tower 60 feet high above the rock, exclusive of lantern; 30 feet diameter at base, 12 feet at top:
650 cubic yards of hammer-dressed granite at $13 50 per
yard     -       -       -                                   $8,775 00
275 cubic yards concrete, at $6                                     6- 1, 6 0 00
650 barrels hydraulic cement, at $1 50             -  975 00
3,000 bushels of sand, at 5 cents  -       -                       150 00
Iron for dowels, clamps, &c.       -       -       -       -     1200'00
Iron railing                                       -       -       200 00
iron stairs  -.       -                              300 00
Carp6nters' work   --,500 00
Machinery, tools, &c.              -       -       -  6,000 00
Slepairing foundation and erecding the tower       -        -   16,00  00
Lantern and lighting apparatus.-         -     3,700 00
40,450 00
Contingencies 10 per cent.                                       4,045 00
44,495 00
Estimate fot constructing  an iron-pile light-house on the Whale's
Back, Portsmouth harbor, New Hampshire; to have an elevation of 60
feet above the rock; to stand upon nine wrought iron piles, eight inches
at foot and five inches at top; the feet of the piles to be placed in
holes five feet in depth, drilled into the solid rock, standing on the sides
of a square 33' 41 on a side; the sides of the pyramid to batter two
inches to each foot rise, and secured at the tbp in a casting of appropriate
dimuensions, say 13 feet on a side, upon which the lantern will be placed;
the keeper7sohouse being underneath:
Boring nine holes in the rock, five feet deep and one foot
diameter, at $500 each  -        -       -      -             4,500 00
Nine foundation-piles six feet long        -       -       -       918 00
Cast-iron work of the superstructure, including the keeper's
house            -                                             2, 000 00
Machine work for fitting, &c.   -          -       -       -     2,000 00
Cost of erecting the work  -       -       -,000 00
Lantern and iighting apparatus    -        -                     3,700 00
28,118 00
Contingencies 10 per cent.                 -                     2,811 00
30,929 00
The existing appropriation is $125,000.  Should the rebuilding be of
stone, there will therefore be a deficiency of (in reference to existing appropriations) $20,000; and if of iron, a deficiency of $6,000.
As a masonry light-house can be pat up at this locality without
inordinate expense, and as such light houses certainly furnish accommodation for keepers and  storage room  superior to the iron light, and
a.s stch light-houses are more in accordance with received notions on




426                         Doc. No. 1.
such subjects, it is recommended that the rebuilding, if done, should be of
masonry.
To bring the account of this light-house down to the latest period, I
subjoin a report from Colonel Turnbull, dated October 25, 1850.
But I am decidedly of the opinion that a " rebuilding" of this work
is not required. A thorough inspection of it was again made during last
October, (1850,) and although the structure is extremely rude, and affords
no ground of compliment to either plan or mode of construction, yet there
is no reason to fear it will not last for man) years; there is, therefore, no
justifiable reason for rebuilding it.  I shall consider it a duty, on that accou^t, unless otherwise ordered, to abstain from using the appropriation
for rebuildingthis light-house, and to allow it to revert to the surplus
fund, except the small portion of it that has been used in making required
inspections, and such as may be wanted in repairing the wood work of
the interior. A copy of the report referred to is hereto appended, No. 8.
BrandVwiine shoal, Delaware bay.-There was an appropriation for a
light-house on this locality many years since, before this bureau had anything to do with it. Under this appropriation a masonrylight-house was
erected, which, as I have been informed, stood up long enough to be received from the contractor's hands.  Soon afterwards it came down, and
I believe no vestige of it has since been found.
The attention of this office was first directed towards this work under an
act of June 30, 1834.  All that was done under this act was to make an
elaborate survey of the locality, which will be found printed, with plan and
estimate, as House Doc. No. 101, 1st session 24th Congress.  The estimate in this case amounted to $123,000, and the plan contemplated
the erection of a masonry light-house.  As the partial appropriations
made for this work were considered insufficient for any beginning of the
work upon the shoal, it was not commenced; but some stone were preprepared, and also the wood-work of a coffer dam, but, as before stated,
work on the shoal was not commenced.  It is but candor to say that
I did not think any work of that kind could be made to stand on such a
place, without inordinate expense in the mere preparations and fbundations forthe work. In subsequent reports from this office the matter is
frequently alluded to, and the propriety of establishing the building upon
the patent screw-pile is referred to as more liable to endure, and as not involving more than half the cost of the estimate which had been submitted.  The work remained in this condition until the appropriation of
1847, under which it was decided to erect the light house upon screwpiles.  In the annual report of November, 1847, it is stated:
"This light-house is to be erected upon a sandy shoal at the entrance of
Delaware bay, a locality where Mitchell's patent screw-pile can be applied
with peculiar advantage. As the screw-pile is a patented right, some delay
unavoidably occurred before a satisfactory arrangement could be made for
the. use of the patent privilege.  This arrangement has, however, now
been made, and the officer in charge of the work is actively employed
upon it. The delay in arranging with -the patentee lost to us the present season, but no doubt is entertained that _during the ensuing season
as much of the structure as is contemplated, and considered proper for one
season, will be in place. The plan is to have all the piles in place, with
their bracings and ties, and with the platform upon which the keeper's
house and lantern are to be erected; then to leave the work in this con



Doc. No. 1.                           427
dition, exposed to the storms and ice of one winter, before the finishing
superstructure is placed upon it."
And in the annual report of 1848, it is stated:
"The lower tier of piles are all in place, braced and connected, so
that in reference to this work it may also be said that its chief difficulties
are'overcome.  The work will be left in this condition, before the superstructure is put up, in order to see the effect of winter storms and floating
ice upon it.  As the report and estimate of the superintending engineer,
Major H. Bache, has not yet been received, I am  necessarily obliged to
delay any farther notice of the work, or any additional estimate, to a future time."
The report herein referred to was afierwards received, and was duly
submitted to the appropriate committee of Congress.
The following is an extract from that report:
" I enclose herewith an estimate to complete the light-house on Brandywine shoal.  It is made with a view to a further appropriation, and in
anticipation of a more detailed one, delayed for the present by other duties,
particularly those growing out of the late operations.  The sums set
against the heads of current and incidental expenses are deduced, after
close scrutiny, from  the actual expenses incurred during the past season,
modified somewhat by slight changes in the future operations, and the
circumstances under which they will be resumed; and the price of the
watch-room  and lantern from  the actual cost under arrangements now
about to be consummated. The data for the cpst of the dwelling, though
not so satisfactory, it is believed the sequel will show is sufficiently accurate to bear out the sum named in the estimate.  So, also, in regard to
the ice harbor, should the recomrmendation fot such a protection be
finally approved.  The estimate under these latter heads merely provides
for the'cost of materials and labor in the work-shop,' leaving the expense of construction and setting up of the work at the site to be covered
by the first two items, predicated on one season's operations.  If two seasons are consumed, one for the house and another for the harbor, then
the expense will be increased by the sum of these and the percentage
for contingencies, or $15,421 87.  It is thus seen, that in case the entire
plan is to be carried out, true economy points to an appropriation for completing the work in a single season.  The considerations for compressing  within the shortest time as much of the labor as can be faithfully performed, applicable in a greater or less degree to all constructions,
are particularly true in regard to the one in hand, on which, be the
amount of work of the season much or little, the current expenses are
nearly the same.
"In connexion with this subject, it may not be amiss to remark that it
is probable a considerable sum on account of this work will finally revert
to the treasury.  It will arise from the sale of much'that has been purchased to carry out the present project, such as anchors; chain cables, machinery, tools, &c."
And in the annual report of November, 1849, it is stated:
"The ice piles to protect the structure have been erected, where, from
the exposed and boisterous condition of the locality, so late in the season,
occasioning great expense with but little work, it was considered advisable to suspend operations until the ensuing season, when the light-house
will be completed and ready for use."




428                          Doc. No. 1.
To which  is added the following extract from: the report of MajoBache, received after the annual report from this office for that year was
prepared:' I beg leave to present for the information of the bureau the following
report of the progress-made in this work during the year ending the 30dt
ultimo.'Trphe season of 1848, it will be remembered, closed with inserting into
4he shoal and bracing the screw piles, forming the foundation of the lighthouse.  The operations were thus limited by direction of the bureau,
which, suspending for the time a decision on a recommendation for an
ice harbor for the protection of the principal structure, desired to ascertain, before these piles should receive the superstructurle  whether they
were capable, of themselves, of resisting the running ice of a winter. It
was with no distrust. of their entire ability to do so, that the recommendation for an ice-harbor was made in the first instance, and twice subse.
quently renewed; but solely from an.apprehension that a work of the
character of the one proposed, exposed to be swept by large fields of running ice, would be liable by jar of the piles, or by torsion of the general
figure they form, or by both, to have the glass of the lantern and of the
lenticular apparatus fractured and destroyed.  The opportuoity afforded
by presenting an estimate to complete the light-house was the last occasion this proposition was urged, when, as before, it was accompanied bv
an estimate to carry out the design.
"The aggregate of the two estimates, deducting the balance unexpended
of the former appropriation;was $29,802 61; which amount being laid before Congress at the lastsession, was appropriated, but made available only
after the commencement of the new fiscal year-the 1st of July.  To stay
all firtherjproceedings until that time would be in effect, as the preliminary measures would consume what remained after that date of the workirtg season at so exposed a locality, to throw the operations into the next
year.  The design of a permanent light on the Brandywine, already long
delayed by causes beyond the control, it should be understood, of the
bureau, would be thus still further postponed.  To avoid this, it was determined to. resume operations at once by applying the balance in hand
to pressing current expenses, and allowing the cost of materials and other
heavy items to fall within the coming fiscal year; and thus to urge, if possible, the work through to completion by the close of the season.  The
bureau is aware that this desire was disappointed.  The delays inseparable from so novel a work rendered it very evident, by the time the season
suitable for operations in the bay was half spent, that it could not be
realized.
" The construction of the ice-harbor, for the protection of the light, first
engaged attention on resuming operations at the shoal in the spring, and.
was completed in good season.  The measure next in order was to raise
the superstructure piles, including the dwelling, watch-room, lantern, &c.
T'o avoid vexatious delays at the site of the work it was deemed prudent
to erect this part of the structure in the first instance at the fbundry.  The
chipping necessary in fitting so intractable a material consumed more timer
than wvas anticipated.for carrying out this intention.  By the delay from
this cause the superstructure was not in readiness when the operations at
the shoal had so far advanced as to admit of raising it. Neither was the
work in such a state of forwardness as to hold out the hope that it could;




Doc. No. 1.                              4~9'be completed aud then taken down and re-erected in position before the
winter set in.  The alternative, under this state of things, was plainly to
closel at once all further proceedings at the shoal, and to confine measures
for the present to preparing the superstructure for raising at the site on
the opening of the next season.  The operations at the shoal were thus
confined to the construction of the ice harbor.
As in the case of the foundation screw-pile,, it was necessary, as a
preliminary  measure, to'construct a platform to insert thoseof the iceharbor into the shoal.  This platform-was 70 feet square, resting on 32
ordinary iWooden piles, and elevated 18 inches above highest storm tides.
From  the circumstance, principally, that a footing on the shoal was afforded by the foundation screw-piles, the construction consumed much
less timae than was required on the first occasion.  The sand of the shoal,
as before, sensibly wasted as the work advanced.  The maximum, however, of the waste, from the circumstaince that fewer piles were used, and
-hese were spread aovel        r a lag   surface, was not as la'rge as in the jormer
instance.  The bureau  has already been apprized, through the usual
monthly reports, that the sand that passed away under the influence of
the platform of the first season had, as-was supposed would be the case,
rearly if not wholly returned, as shown  by observations made on the
opening of the present season.  It is not equally cert;-in that the waste
that has now  occurred will, because of the presence of so large a number of the scre-w-piles themselves, return in an equal proportion; and it
may be found necessary to fill up with stone at least a part of.the space
that has been cupped ou t of the shoal.  For this purpose quarry spalls
would be quite sufficient.
"'The ice-harbor consists of thirty screw-piles, arranged in a hexagonal
pier-like form.  It is 75 feet by 45 feet, the greater dimension lying in the
direction of the currents.  The shafts are 23 feet' irnhes long, and 5
inches in diameter, squared at one end for a foot, to receive the screws,
which, though less in weight, are of the same diameter and general form
as those of the principal structure.  The piles are connected together by
two series of horizontal or spider-web braces; one just below their heads,
and the other near low  water, in such a manner that the blow on any
one pile is transmitted to and  -esisted by all the other piles.  These
braces consist of two lengths of 3 inches and 21 inches round iron, and
are inserted in cast-iron collars, secured to the piles. The ice-harbor
piles are secured into the' shoal two feet eight inches less than the foundation piles, and their heads stand one foot below the highest storm tides.
The foundation piles rise out of the centre of the ice-harbor piles, the
figures of the octagon of the former and the hexagon of the latter being
concentric.
"The superstructure piles, including the keeper's dwelling, of two stories, the watch-room and lantern, have been raised, and now stand erected,!i the rnfoudry yard. The iron work is completed with the exceptions, namely: of the steps from the landing formed by thle ice-harbor to the lower story
of the dwelling; the starrs thence to the second story; Lhe steps from this
story to the watch-room; the water and oil tanks; the hand-railings of
the galleries of the.lower story and of the watch-room, and the foot railing of the gallery of the lantern.  These will be prepared before the
opening of the coming season.  It is  ke         the intention to prepare as
air as possible all wood wo-rk required for the streccture.  Thle esinfgs or




430                          Doc. No.
the doors and windows, and the doors, shutters, sashes,. &c., for the
same, are now  in hand, and will be completed and fitted in place before
the' cold weather sets in.  The accompanying Talbotypes will convey a
better idea of the character of the superstructure than any lengthened
description.  The first represents the work in progress of erection-the
last, as it at present appears.  The only change from the latter, when the
work has its final position, will arise from dropping the gallery surrounding the lantern about six inches, an operation that can only be done with
exactness on raising the superstructure piles on the foundation piles,
which stand at unequal heights, varying from part of an inch to five
inches.
"It has not been thought necessary heretofore to do more than keep the
bureau informled from time to time of the general features of the worksof  the  progressf the operations —reserving until their completion a full
report at a future day.  This report it is proposed to accompany not only
by drawings in detail of the light-house, ice-harbor, and of the machinery and other appliances employed in the operations, but also'by such
abstracts from  the journals as will show  the expedients employed, both
those that failed as well as those that were successful, in the various steps
in carrying out the design, as useful references in ifture similar undertakings.
cC The bureau is aware that the estimate already rerred to is predicated
on the entire work being completed in a single season, and that the accomrpanying letter states, that in case the operations spread over two seasons, the additional sum of $15,421 87 would be required.  By untowarda
events, as before remarked, the contingency thus provided for has arisen.
It is believed, hovwever, that as the operations of the past season were of
shorter duration than was estimated for, and the expense both of a second
reconstruction of the platform, and of maintaining the vessel heretofore
occupied as quarters at the shoal, may be dispensed with by a lodgment at
once on the ice-harbor, which can be fitted up at little cost as a residence
for the workmen, the balance yet remaining on hand may suffice to complete the work.  Nfevertheless, as the operations are exposed to delays and
losses from  causes which no ordinary precautions can always guard
against, it wrould be advisable to ask for a small additional appropriation,
say  3),000, to meet such occasions. Should these not occur, the amount,
if not returned to the treasury, may be applied with advantage in providing a fog-bell and the requisite oil and water-tanks, boats, 5&c., wtithout whlich suech an establishment cannot be considered complete. Besides,
it may be deemed most prudent, if not indeed absolutely necessary for the
safety of the  works, to compensate, by a deposite of stone, for any permanent waste which the shoal, from causes already suggested, is likely to
suffer.  it may likewise become evident, on setting up the superstructure
that  firom  the elasticity of the material, one or more series of tension
braces will be required to give the pyramidal frustrum  forming the figure,
of' the structure a proper degree of rigidily.'
The appropriations under w-hich this work has been erected are the
fcllowing:
Appropriation of 184 7 -                       -30.                     000
A-ppropriationof i849 -.                                             29. 802
E4stilate of annual report of Noveiber, 1849     3..00.




Doc. No. 1.                             431
Additional estimate, submitted in a letter dated July 29, on
account of certain delays and damages by the storm of July
last -       -               -.          $2,000
Total amount appropriated and asked for         -       -    64, 802
From  this amount should be deducted $11,485, being that portion of
previous estimates which was intended to meet the expense of the ice
harbor, or icefender piles, as this part of the structure belongs to peculiarities of the locality, and is not a necessary geheral incident of the
screw-pile structure for the light-house.  Deducting this amount, (which
is certainly no general expenditure upon work of this kind, and might
probably have been dispensed with in this case, but for those becoming
and praiseworthy considerations of prudence and of safety to the work
which operated in the mind' of the superintending engineer,) it will appear
that the whole work, notwithstanding its difficulties and necessary delays,
will not have cost, including all estimates, more than $53,317, and less
in proportion to amount of sales for cordage, anchors, and machinery used
in the work.
Having alluded to the damage from  the storm of last July, it may be
proper to remark that this'damage does not refer to the structure, but to.
losses of scaffolding, temporary barracks, machinery, boats, T&.  This
matter will be better understood by the following extract of a letter from
M5ajoi Bache, dated July 22, 1850:
The people are all safe and up here. They took refuge in the lighthouse structure.  The platform  and barracks are in part carried away.
The only thing I erred in, in my guess, was the cause: it was the sea, and
not the wind.  The storm  came on at 2 p. n., on Thursday, and the
people were taken off on Friday about sun-down; a good deal of the cranework, tools, stores, &c., were removed fiom the platform  into the house;
the derrick was also saved; the boat stove.  Whatever portions of the
iron work went overboard will probably be fished up.  We shall lose
about two weeks by this mishap; how much money, I cannot say, but
enough to make the appropriation called for of $3,000' necessary.  If it
could stand such a wind and sea, and the swinging to and. fro by the
force of these of a heavy platform, 75 feet by 50 feet, connected with it,
it can stand anything."
I also' add an extract, from  the same officer on the same subject, of a
letter dated September 6, 1850:
" I beg leave to state, in answer to the letter of the Fifth Auditor dated
the 4th instant, addressed to the bureau, and by the bureau referred to
this office, that the light-house on Brandywine shoal. sustained no injury
whatever from the storm of the 18th and 19th of July, the one alluded to,
it is presumed, by the infoirmant of the.Aulditor.  It was deemed advisable, soon after the occurrence; to submit an estimace to repair damages;
but these, the bureau is aware, were not of the light-house, but of  losses
and delays in the operations in the erection' of the same, as distinctly
expressed in the estimate, caused by the partial destruction of the platform,
or, as it may very properly be called, scaffold, and temporary barracks
thereon, raised, in tLhe first instance, to facilitate the work.  I have also
to state, in replyto th e inquiry of the Fifth Auditor, that there is  aood




4D32oe. No. 1
reason to believe tle light will be ready for service by the close of the
present autumn.'
In a letter from the same officer  clated September 17, 1s8, Ie says:
" The tender-schooner returned on Saturday; since when the mechanics, with one or two exceptions, have been discharged.  Before she left
the shoal, the remaining portions of the platform  and barracks were removed, and the work stands out in its true features.  I shall go down in
a day or two, make an inspection) see what is wanted to finish up everything, and have it done."
A le'er of October 24 reports the work as completed, and that directions -had been given to  ischaTge all working hands, and that a boat
and fog-bell are all now required to complete the establishment.  The
boat is nearly finished. the fog-bell and clock-work cannot be put up until
spring.  in the mean time an old bell will be used by ha.nd.  No further
estmate will be submitted on account of this woEr; but it is considered
proper to give the work a thorough tial before turning it over to the
Treasury Departmient. n  This will require the light to be kept up about
six months during the Mnsuing winter, for which purpose an item for a
small amount wvill be put? in the estinmatf, and the estimiate in detail wilt
be' found appended to this report.
E-stinate of funds for the thorough tlia  and for te 1  maintaianing of the
light on B3randywine shoal, Delawzare bt.ay, from?;  October 1, 1850, to
1March 31   1851 —six vwinter  months.
Conipensation of principal keeper 6 months, at 6?    -        -   136o0 00
Complnsation of first assistant keeper 6 months, at $40       -    240 00
Compensation of second assistant keeper 6 montis, at 130            1'80 00
Attendance on light station by pilot-boat at 10               -      60 00
128 gallons best wi ater-strained sperm oil, at 1 30 -        -    166 40
2 gallons alcohol; (for cleaning,) $1 710; demijohn, $1       -       2 70
4 tons anthracite coal, at,           -      -                      20 00
6 barrels charcoal,  2 25    6 barrels for ditte?,1 50O  -           3 75
I cord pine wood, $4; hauling, 50 cents        -4 50
Sawing thrice, $1 20: splitting, $1 20        -       -                  40
Repairs and cleaning, and wicks for 3 lamps, at 110 each --    30 00,HIire of boat for 30 days, at 50 cents  --                           15 00
Rags, whiting-,  c.                    -       -      -          -       00
1,089 75
Contingent and unforeseen expenses, 5 per centu "n                   54 49
Total amount -         -                                  1,144 24
MiHno's CRock.-I-No previous efforts had been made to erect a light-houe
on this rock. The rock is much exposed, and is perhaps one of the most
diicuit positions to establish a Iight.-house ever yet attemptad on our coast.
The appropriation is sirnply   r for a light-house on mlMinot's rock, Boston lar



Ro..T..- 1.L 4... e-2
)or, $20,000."  The followving description of the rock and of the plan
of the structure is taken from the annual report of November, 1847:
" There are two rocks at the site designated of nearly equalarea, sepa-rated from each other by deep water, and about 300 feet apart, known as
thie Minot's inner and outer.  They lie in about two fathoms, and are
bare at half and three quarters ebb.  When visited, the surface exposed
of the inner Minot was 60 feet by 30, and the outer 30 feet by 34. They
are about 1  mile from  Strawberry point, (Scituate,) the nearest land,
and about 2-2 miles from the cove or harbor of Cohasset.  Towards the
shore and further south are other rocks, entirely exposed at low water,
but the Minots are farthest seaward.  Boston light is (by repute) northwest 9 miles distant, and Scituate light south by west 5 miles distant.' The inner Minot, although somewxhat protected from the northeast by
the outer, is unsound.  The rock is a kind of greenstone, full of seams,
nearly vertical. The surface is quite irregular, and more of it exposed at
low water than the outer, but- not in so good a shape.  The outer Minot
is about 4 feet at its highest point above low-water mark; the rock is quite
sound, and a sienite.  It is large'enough to give a base of 30 feet for the
proposed light-house. A vessel drawing from 12 to 15 feet can lay along-:side of either at low water.
" This position was examined chiefly in reference to a light-house upon
iron piles.  A stone tower could, without doubt, be placed upon it, but it
~would require much time, and would be a very costly structure.
" The outer Minot has been adopted., and the work has been commenced..;:t will give a light about 70 feet above low water.
"There are two kinds of structures for light-houses which have been
erected upon iron piles. The first is Mitchell's patent screw-pile. It corsists of an iron shaft, to the lower end of which a screw-flange is attached.  It is forced into the soil as a screw, and is applicable only in such
soils as it can be made to penetrate by virtue of its screw motion.  It is
particularly valuable in sandy bottoms, but cannot be used in rocky bottoms. The second is the simple iron shaft without the screw-flange  This
is particularly applicable to rocky bottoms.  It cannot be made to penetrate the rock, but holes of suitable dimension have to be drilled, into
wrhich the shaft is entered and secured by a system of wedges.  Neither
is a rival to the other, as neither can be used advantageously in a soil
suitable to the other; one requires a soft and yielding bottom, the other a
hard and unyielding bottom.  The Minot's rock is suitable only to the
-simple iron pile; this plan has therefore been adopted for that place. Both
have been used for such purposes; we are therefore not without experience in the use of both.  The screw-pile light has been used in Europe,
and we have used -the simple iron-pile structure.  Some years since a
beacon was erected on this principle by this bureau on a ledge in Long
Islandl sound; but this will be the first case in which we shall use it to
sustain a light-house.'The general outline of the plan will be briefly
described.: It will have an elewvation  of from 60 to 70 feet above the rock, on a base
not exceeding 30 nor less than 25 feet.  Nine wrought iron pile-shafts
will be used, of S inches diameter at the lower extremity, and 5 inches
at thte upper; each shaft to be forged in two pieces of 25 to 28 feet long
each.  Holes are drilled in the rock of 41 to 5 feet deep, into which the
lowrer end of each shaft is inserted.  Eight of these shafts atre placed on.
Part ii —28




434                            Doe. No. 1.
the periphery of a circle of from  25 to 30 feet diameter, and one in the
imiddle as a centre shaft; the whole properly braced to each other with.
wrought iron braces of from 2- to 3 inches diameter, and so arranged and::
secured that each shall act as a tie as well as brace.  The shafts to be inclined inwards, at a rate of about two inches to each foot of rise, and to
be, secured at top by a casting of appropriate dimensions-say within the'
circumrference of a circle of 14 feet diameter, leaving a distance of about
3 feet for a railed passage-way outside of the house part, at the extremnity
of each arm of the casting, making a surface of 20 feet- diameter at the
top of the shafts.  On this cast iron platform the keeper's house is to be
erected, 14 feet diameter in the clear, and upon the keeper's house the
lantern and reflectors are placed. Below the keeper"s house or room,  and
inside of the shafts' a species of cellar or store-room, 7 feet deep, and of
the same diameter as the house, can be advantageously added.  It is an
essential condition in such a structure that the bottom of the cellar or'
store-room should be above the reach of the sea or the actiol of a passing.
wva'V7e..
" In the English light-houses of this description from  12 to T1 feet isallowed between the bottom of the cellar and high water.  But as the
light-houses in all the English cases are built upon banks or spits, where
the wave rolls by without breaking, sich a distance, adequate in such a
locality, would not, it was feared, fulfil the requisite condition upon-the
Minlot's rock.  It was therefore considered necessary. to give to the cast'
iron pl atilform in this case an elevation of about 50 feet above.the base of.
the shafts.' The base of the shafts coincides nearly withi the line of low water,.
and; as the tide ordinarily rises nearly ten feet, and during spring tides:
and gales fromn twelve to fourteen feet, it would leave a space of not less
than twenty —nine feet between high water and the bottom  of the cellar"
room-~a space which was considered as making ample allowance for the
break of the sea..   The most difficult and dilatory part of the operation consists in drilling.
the shaft-holes in the rock.  It can be done only when the sea is smooth
and tide below half-ebb.  Each hole has to be from twelve to fourteen.inchies in diameter, in order to receive the wedges required to adjust and
secure the piles; Land, as the shaft holes have to be from four and a half
to five feet ceep, it is evident, from the description wxhich has been givene
of the  Minot's rock, that the drilling of these shaft-holes must be unavoidably a tedious and dilatory process, and, in  reference to xhichl   elements of'probable cost are too variable to be accurately anticipated.  Our'
efforts have been to have these holes drilled by contract.  Few are conpetent to such work, and fewer are willing to undertake it.  It is now,.
however, zunder contract with nAr. Bhenjamin. Pome:oy, a person who,:
inaites in himself the requisite practical knowledge, the unceasing vigilance, and the unyielding perseverance which the work requires.  Theseason was much advanced when he undertook the w7ork, but early in.
October lie had succeeded in drilling the centre hole and in erecting thecentre shaft, and has since been busily engaged upon other holes, but:already this central shaft is a beacon, and has demonstrated, by saving-;
two vessels'from being wrecked, the great value of thle locality for a lighthouse.
" t has been previously remarked thiat the variable character of thze elet




Doc. No  1.                            435
ments of that part of the estimate which involved the drilling of the
holes renders it impossible to give a sound estimate of the probable cost:
of this part of the work. The experience of the last season, however.
has furnished a. safer guide in this respect than we have heretofore had,.
and it is upon the results of that experience that the estimate for the additional sum  now required to complete this light-house has been made.'
And in the annual report of 1848 it is said:' This has been a work of extreme difficulty and of no little danger,.
and the results are a singular exhibition of the triumphs of peseverance'
and mechanical ingenuity.  The rock is exposed to 4e whole burst of
the Atlantic wave.  A small portion of it, involving a circular area rarely
exceeding twenty-five feet in diameter, is bare at low water and during
very calm weather; but no part of this area is more than three feet above'
extreme low water, and cduring the slighest winds the sea breaks over the
whole with great violence.  Upon this small and extremely-exposed
position a footing had to be obtained, and holes had to be drilled in the
rock, in wlhich were to be inserted the iron piles to sustain the structure.,
This short description will.sufliciently apprize all those who have anyknowledge of a seashore of the serious and continued difficulty of working on such a place.  It gives me great pleasure to add that no lives have:
yet been lost in the work, althoughi there have been several accidents,
and additional pleasure to say that all the piles to sustain the work have
been established, as well as the skeleton iron frame of the top, intended
to connect the piles and to sustain the'leeper's house and lantern; all'
serious difficulties are, therefore, overcome.
The work has been under the superintendence of Captain Swift, of
the corps, and the resident agent and contractor, Mr. Benjamin Pomeroy.
a person of the nmost extraordinary perseverance, inexhaustible ingenuity,
and well acquainted with working in such positions.,The report of
Captain Swift is hereto added as an appendix.  A small appropriation of
$4,500 is now required to procure and complete the illuminating apparatus for this light-house, which I believe will be found to be one of the
most useful on that coast.
"At the date of the last annual report (October 15, 1847) the condition'
of the work at the Minots was stated, and some of the difficulties which
attended the operations of that season were specified.  As the frame or
main structure may now be considered completed, a brief description of
the.work, and some details connected with it during the progress of con~struction, may be regarded as not uninteresting.  Minot's rock, or, as'
they are generally designated, the'Minots,' lie off the southeastern
chop of Boston bay about seventeen miles from the city, and something
less than eight miles from the Boston light.
"These rocks or ledges, with others in their immediate vicinity, are
known as the' Cohasset rocks,' and have been the terror of mariners
for a, long period of years; they have been, probably, the cause of a greater
number of wrecks than any other reefs or ledges upon the coast, lying, as
they do, at the very entrance to the second city of the United. States in
point.of tonnage, and, consequently, where vessels are continually passing and repassing.  The Minors are sunken, and bare only at one quarter flood, and the trend of the coast in that direction from Boston bay being
southeasterly, vessels bound. in withl the wind heavy at northeast are liable, if they fall to leeward of Boston light, to be driven upon. these rocksc




436                           Doc. No. 1
As evidence of the great necessity of a light at these dangerous rocs,
I have in my possession, from a reliable source, a statement of the numnber
of. vessels, with their names and tonnage, which have struck upon the
Cohasset rocks within the last thirty years, but mostly, as my informa-nt
remarks, within, the last fifteen years, to wit: ships 10, brigs 14, schooners
16, sloops 3-total 43.'Of these, 27 were a total loss.  From all this, it
may be clearly inferred that it became necessary that these hidden. dangers should be pointed out to the seamen, and instead of the fatal breakrer
to give him the first warning of his approach to danger, that there should
be a friendly beaon erected upon the rock to guide him in the storm, and
enable him to avoid the horrors of shipwreck; and these, doubtless, were
the considerations which led to the enactment of the law for building the
light-house in question.
The rock selected for the site of the light-house is called the' Outer
Minot,' and lies farther seaward than others in the group known as the
Cohasset rocks.  At extreme low water an area of about thirty feet in diameter is exposed, and the highest point in the rock is about three and a
half feet above the line of low water.  It is very rare, however, that a surface greater than twenty-five feet in diameter is left bare by tlhe sea.  The
rock is granite, with vertical seams of trap rising through it.
~ From  observations upon the tides, made at Boston light-house by the
coast survey, from June 7 to October 27, 1847, the following results were
obtained; and, by the kind permission of the superintendent, conrmmuticated to me, together with a tracing of the coast from Boston tight to Scituate light.
Fcer Inches.
Rise of highest tide -       -       -                           14     7
Mean rise and fall of tides -                -       -       -    9     4
Do          spring tides                     -          10     8
Do          neap tides             -   -                 8    3
" The form of the light-house fiame is an octagon, of 25 feet diameter at
base. The structure is formed of eight heavy wrought-iron piles or shafts,
placed at equal distances from  each other, with one also at the centre.
These piles were forged in two pieces each, and are connected together
by very stout cast iron or gun-metal sockets, the interior of which is bored,
and the pile ends are turned and secured to the sockets by means of large
steel keys passing through the piles and the sockets.  Above and belowJ
the joints or sockets, and connecting the middle pile with each outer pile,
there extends a series of wrought-iron braces, and the outer shafts are
connected together by sinilar braces extending fromr  one to the other, and
thus the whole structure is tied together.  At each of the angular points
in the octagon and at the centre, a hole of twelve inches in diameter and
five feet in. depth is drilled in the rock, the outer holes with the incizattio
or batter given to the outer piles, and the middle hole vertical., The surface of the rock being irregular in slape, and the holes inI each
case five teet deep, it is evident that the piles must be of unusual lengthls:
the least length. in the lower series is thirty-five and a quarter feet, the
greatest is thirty-eight and three-quarters feet, and the others are o0f varmious
intermediate lengths. The piles in the upper series are of uniformn Iength,
viz: tventy- five feet each.  The inclination or batter of the piles towards
the. centre is such as to bring the heads of the upper piles within the
perlphery of a circle of fourteen feet diameter; and there, at an ele



Doe. No. 1.                             437
vation oft sixty feet above the base of the middle pile, or fifty-five feet
above the highest point of the rock, tuhe pile heads are secured to a heavy
casting or cap, to the arms of which they are securely keyed and bolted.
The middle shaft is eight inches in diameter at foot and six inches at top;
and the outer shafts are eight inches at foot and four and a half inches at
top.  All of these are forged ten inches in diameter, at the point where
they leave the surface of the rock, and taper uniformly down to eight
inches diameter in both directions, within a distance of live feet.  The
lower braces, placed nineteen feet above the rock, are three and a half inches 
in'diameter; the second series, nineteen and a half feet above the first, or
thirty-eight and a half feet above the rock, are three inches in diameter; and
a third series, introduced eight and a quarter feet below the east-iron cap,
to form the support of the floor of the store-room; is made of two and a
half inc   square iron.
"The outer piles being inclined towards the centre, and the piles and the
braces being inflexible, it is clear that, so long as the braces remain in
place, the pile cannot be withdrawn from the hole, for the whole structure acts as an immense'lewis;' either the braces must be ruptured or
the rock itself must yield, before a pile can be displaced.'Upon the pile-heads are cast-iron sockets, furnished with arms three feet
in length, pointing outwards.  These sockets are keyed to the head of the
piles, and are bolted to the armns of the cap or spider, flush with its upper
surface; thus giving a diameter at top of twenty feet from  out to out.
The object of the arms is to afford support for a foot-way or gallery outside
of the keeper's house, which is placed immediately on the cap, and there
secured by bolts and keys.
r'The keeper's house is octagonal in shape, and fourteen feet in diameter;
the uprights or stanchions are of castiron, and rest upon the cap, immediately over the pier-heads, where they are secured with bolts and keys.
These uprights are cast with double flanches, between which two-inch
plank, tongued and grooved, are to be fitted horizontally, and at right
angles to these another series of plank is to be set on end vertically, and
together these form  the side or frame of the house; upon this frame the
roof will be placed; and finally, upon this the lantern will be set up.
"The drilling of tie holes in the rock for the light-house occupied the
better part of two seasons.  The erection of the iron structure in place, it
may be conceived, was comparatively a work of much less difficulty, and,
witi favorable weather, an undertaking requiring not much time.  That
some of the difficulties may be known of working down nine holes of
twelve inches diameter and five feet in depth, in a rock of granite traversed
by veins of the most obstinate trap, in a situation exposed to the delays
produced by every breeze which had east in it, I will enumerate briefly,
from the journal of operations kept at the rock, some of the details for
future reference.
"Early in April, 1847, I visited Mr. Benjamin Pomeroy, the contractor,
who had, in 1843, erected for me the Black Rock beacon in Long Island
sound, (a structure built upon the sarne principle that the Minot Rock
light is built upon,) to accompany me to Cohassett, with the view of inducing him to undertake the drilling.of the holes by contract, and also to
take the piles, braces, and cap at Messrs. Alger & Co.'s, South Boston,
where the work was to be executed, and to erect tlhem in place at the
Minot. After waiting eight days at Cohasset for a favorable opportunity




438S                         Doe. No. Lo
to examine the rock we effected a landing, and, with the advantages of a
smooth sea and a very low tide, made sufficient measurements to determine the probable area of sound rock which might be relied upon for the
base of the proposed light-house.
"The proposition made by Mr. Pomeroy, to drill the holes in the rock for
the reception of the piles for the light-house, I considered too high, and.
consequently I declined it, and sought elsewhere for a competent individual to undertake the work. After advertising in the newspapers, I received
proposals from  Mr. James Savage, and entered into an agreement with
him to drill the holes, but after some weeks' delay Mr. Savage abandoned
the contract.  I then recommended, and was authorized to accept, the
proposals of Mr. Pomeroy, and he undertook the work at once, but by
tle failure of the first contractor the greater part of the best portion of the
season (1847) was lost, and it was not until July 22 that the new contractor, Mr. Pomeroy, actually commenced work upon the rock.
"The mode of working the holes down had for some time occupied the
thoughts of the contractor, and he became satisfied that holes of the magnitude required in that exposed situation, where the sea was so"continually breaking over the rock, could be drilled by machinery only, and
that it would be necessary to have that machinery-elevated beyond the
ordinary reach of the sea.
"The drill used was of a peculiar form, with an edge in shape somewhat similar to the letter Z, made of the best cast steel, and fitted to an
iron shaft some 30 feet in length, and weighing, with the drill attached,
about 600 pounds. 
"The machine for working tlhe drill was a wheel,and axle, furnlished.
with tooth and pinion, and a crank or windlass at each end; this was
placed on a frame of stout oak, and it required the power of four men to
work it effectively.  A cam and a fly-wheel were attached to the axle, and
at every revolution the drill was raised about eight inches, and driven ordinarily at the rate of about fifty strokes per minute, the men being re-ieved every twenty minutes.
"To support this machine, it was necessary to erect upon the rock a triangle or shears of very heavy spars, secured at their feet by means of pintles, and chained down to lewis-bolts inserted in the rock; upon the triangle was placed a platform, and upon this the machine was worked, the
drill being kept at the proper degree of inclination for the hole by means
of guides, through which the shaft moved up and down. The whole arrangement answered the purpose admirably well, and the holes were cut
as truly and as perfectly as an auger-hole could be cut in a piece of wood.
C'The triangle and drilling machine were swept from the rock twice by
the sea during the-first season's operations, and the men were frequentld
washed from the rock, but happily no lives have been lost. The work
-was suspended at the rock on the 25th October, 1847; and by reference
to the journal of operations, noted carefully day by day, it will be seen
how short a space of time can be reckoned upon for work in a situation
so exposed.
"In the report of the contractor of the Sth November, 184T, accompanying the journal of operations for that season, is the following remark:
"' It will be seen by my journal that, froim the 22d July to the 25th
October, I was able to land on the rock to do work only twenty-five days,
riz: five days in July, thirteen in August, seven in September, and none




Doc. No, 1Lo  4
in October. The',whole number of hours we did actually work on the
rock was only one hundred and twenty hours, of which fiftyrthree were.
from the'triangle when we could not stand on the rock to work.'
" The total number of men employed in 1847 by the contractor was
thirty-four-the average number about'twenty-one. In addition a schooner
of about eighty tons burden was chartered by the contractor for himself
and his hands to live on board of, and the vessel was kept moored near
the rock at all tivmes when she could lie there in safety, or when the
weather would admit of it.  By this arrangement every hour of time in
which work could be done at the rock was rendered available.
"All the necessary preparations for the work of the present season were
made early in the spring.  A new triangle was provided of heavy spars
some forty-five feet in lengtlh, and strengthened by a number of very stout
iron braces, and with bars of iron on each spar, extending over all that part
-of the triangle'which was exposed to the shock of the sea.  A vessel and
hands were employed by the contractor, but no work upon the rock was
effected until the 18th, 19th, and 20th of May; and from that period unti
the 3d and 5th of Jlne, nothing was done  the weather and sea preventing even a landing.  Between the 14th and 29th of June the sea gener-.ally was smoother; still there were several of the intervening days on
which little or nothing could be done.  From 29th June to 19th July but
three landings were m1ade; and at these the sea ran so high that there was
but little work accomplished."
On the 21st'July this remaark is found in the journal:'"To-day and
yesterday woIrth more for work on rock tihan last four weeks."
The holes were' all finished on the'16th August-that is to say, nine.'oles of twelve inch.es diameter, and five feet deep each.
Some delay was produlced in this stage of the work by an' alteration.which I had decided some time earlier in the season to make to wit: to
increase both the size and the length of the lower series of piles; and this
increase of dimensions produced some delay in the forging at the ma-;chine-shop.  The difference in size between piles of hammered iron
twenty-five feet long and eight inches in diameter, as originally designed,
and piles thirty-five feet long and increased to ten inches diameter. the
size ultimately adopted, involved some difficulty, and required a little
more time in the fabrication than I had reclkoned upon, so that it was
not until the 2d September that six piles of the lower'series were forged.
On the 4th and 5th Septembler these six piles were erected in place,
and, by the 21st, the three remaining lower piles had been placed, and
three of the braces belonging to that series placed also.
From  the 21st'September until the 7th October no landing coual be
effected upon the  rock.  On that day the middle pile of the upper series
was placed in its position.  On the 10th October two more were put up;
on the 12th, five more; and on the 16th, the last pile of the upper
series was set in its place.  On the 26th October, the cap or spider, a
casting to rest upon the heads of the piles to receive the dwelling-house
of the keeper and the lantern, consisting of eight arms; and weighing
some five tons,' was hoisted partially towards its place; and on the 30th
October this difficult undertaking was successfilly completed, and the
spider fixed in its proper position and secured there, at an elevation of 55
feet above the top of the rock.
The Boston light being a revolving light, and the Minot being the next




in order upon the coast, should be a fixed light; accordingly, the apparatusordered is of that character, and is composed of  ffteen brass lamps, with.
reflectors of twenty-one inches diameter in.the clear, with very heavy
plating of silver, and of the best description of work.
The framing of the lantern is of wrought iron, and is a polygon of sixteen faces: diameter at the angles eleven feet six inches; height six feet
six inches, furnished with cast-iron ventilator; the glass, French plate,
forty-four inches by twenty-four inches, and tIree-eighths of an inch
thick; the extent of the illumination will be two hundred and ten degrees.
Thus, it will be seen that the entire height of the structure from the
surface of the rock to the top of the lantern will be about seventy feet,
and upwards of fifty feet above the line of highest water.
The weight of iron work in the shafts, braces, couplings, collars, spider
or cap, and columns for keeper's house, is nearly seventy tons; of this up.
wards of forty tons is wrought iron  ad the   sdue of  ast-iron.  The
average weight of each complete ahaft is about 8,200 pounds.  The castiron couplings for connecting the upptr shafts with the lower are three
feet long, and weigh nearly eight hund-,d pounds each; they are made
of the best gun metal.  The weight of the lantern and illuminating apparatus will be about four and a half tons.  The lantern.> lamps, reflectors,
and other fixtures for the light-house, will cost four thousand five hundred dollars, as will appear by the detailed estimates of same, rendered
on the 24th ultimo.
Below the keeper's house, and enclosed within the pile-heads, a species
of cellar or storeroom, of the size of the house, is to be built, to contain
oil, fuel, provisions, &c,  I had hoped last season that all this might
have been accomplished before the boisterous weeather of the present year
came on, and the light brought into use this'winter; but this has not
been practicable, as the journal of operations will clearly prove.
On the other hand, it may be considered not unwise to allow  the
skeleton structure to stand throughout one winter exposed to the fury of;
the sea before the light-house is fitted up-with its illuminattig apparatus,
and before it is occupied bby a keeper.
In the annual report of November, 1849, it is said: " This work is so
far completed, that it may be occupied and used.  A history of it will be
fbolnd in the appended report of Captain Swift. "  The following is the
history referred to:
" In the annual report for the year 1848S  (Novenmber 4th,) I described
minutely the plan of the structuree the mode of carrying on the work at
the rock,'the difficulties, the great delays occasioned by the very exposed
situation of the site, and other circumstanes of interest connected with
the undertaking; it does not appear necessary, therefore, to repeat here
information which is already in the possession of the bureau, but simply.
to refer to the report just named.
"' At the date of the last report, all the piles, the main braces, and t'he
cast-iron  cap, or spider-frame, were ih place; this last operation, the
placing the cap, a casting weighing five tons, and fourteen feet in diameter,
on the pile-heads, fifty-five feet above the rock,. was successfully accomplished Cn the 30th October, 1848,
" In this condition the skeleton structure remained through a boisterous
icy winter; and notwithstanding the feet of the' piles were but partially




Doc. No. 1.                             441
wedged and secured in the rock, (continuous storms and gales of wind
preventing all attempts to place the wedges for the outer piles,) still, the
rough treatment it received during the winter, and the frequent large
accumulations of ice upon it, formed by the spray of the almost uninter
rupted breakers encompassing the rock, left no vestige behind to be seenin the spring; thus furnishing tolerably good evidence of the stability of
the structure.
Early in the spring, 27th April, the contractor was prepared with all
necessary means for levelling, wedging, and keying the iron work; but it
was not until 12th July that this could be fully accomplished. The shape of
the rock seaward is such, that with the slightest mrotion in the water the
sea is rolled up the sides of the rock, ascending, as it were, an inclined.
plane, and keeping the entire base of the structure submerged almost
continually.
"After the heavy wedges were inserted at the foot of each pile, the vacant spaces left between the side of the holes in the rock and the piles
were tilled with iron-filings, carefully packed in; these, in a short timer
by the action of the sea-water, form a very excellent and lasting cement.
" The collars upon the piles to which the braces are secured were then
wedged in place, and the cap fastened to the pile-heads by means of keys
and bolts of an appropriate kind; between the inside of the collars and
the piles, melted zin'c was poured to fill the vacant space, as well as to,
prevent any working in the wedges.  This zincing was introduced at the
Black beacon in 1.843, for the same purpose for which it was used at the
ailnot; and an examination of the work, made in June last, showed most
clearly that the zinc had protected or preserved the iron with which it
was in contact.  At Black Rock, the collars of the five outer piles were
zinced, while the collar of the centre pile was merely wedged without
zincing.  The difference in the appearance of the iron is most striking
in favor of the zincing, and clearly shows that the iron has been preserved at the expense of the zinc, the latter exhibiting appearances of
corrosion.
" While the work above described was in progress, the wood work for
the living-room and store-room was also being carried on. The eight uprights at the angles which form  the living-room  are of cast iron, as described in former reports; these are secured upon the cast iron cap by
means of flanches and screw-bolts.  They are furnished with grooves,
into which tlle siding of the house or living-room is secured with a watertight joint; the interior is fitted with three berths and a place fc ~ookingstove, &c.  In the cellar or store-room  is ample space for provisions,
water, oil, fuel, and a hoisting apparatus for a boat is also provided-the
whole forming plenty of space for the comfortable accommodation of two
persons, the keeper and his assistant; and without two persons this
light should. never be left, for it very frequently happens that no landings
can be effected in winter for a period of two or three weeks; and in such
a case, illness or accident might prevent the light from  being illuminated
if left in the care of one individual.
The lantern is eleven and a half feet in diameter at the angles and six
and a half feet in height; the fiame is of wrought iron, and the glass
forty-four inches by twenty-four, of the best French plate three-eighths
&f an inch thick; the reflectors are twenty-one inches in diameter, with




442                          Doce  No. 1.,very heavy plating of silver; there are fitteen of them  furnished with
brass argand lamps.
c The lamp frame is so constructed that 210 degrees of the horizon will
le illuminated, this being the extent that is needed, as the, residue of the
circle falls upon the land." Boston light is a revolving light; and the Minot, being next in order
upon the coast, should be fixed; accordingly its present apparatus is of
that description.
" The workmen engaged in fitting the wood-work, lantern, &c., slept
in a shanty erected upon the second tier of braces, for the first time on
the 13th of July, and continued to live there until the wood-work was
principally completed.
TC The illuminating apparatus was placed in the lantern on the 27th inStant, and the structure reported ready for use on the 29th instant.
"'Although all that has been expected by me at the Minot has been accomplished', and the structure, as it stands, I consider entirely safe, and:will, without doubt, answer all the purposes for which it was built,
still I have considered it important, in order to guard  against any tendency to vibration at the top of the piles, to introduce a series of wrought
iron ties, one and a half inch in diameter, and extending in a diagonal
direction between each pair of contiguous piles; that is to say, a heavy
collar of cast iron made in two parts, secured by screw-bolts to each pile
at the surface of the rock, each of these being provided with two stout
eye-bolts at and below the collars, to whici the first series of braqes are
attached.  A similar arrangement is to be fastened to the piles; then, extending from one of the collars to the other in a diagonal direction, are to be
inserted the ties above named, each tie to be provided with a turn-buckle,
n order that it may be kept at the proper degree of tension.  By this,
these ties, acting like the stays or shrouds to a mast, will add to the stability of the top of the pile, and at the same time offer but a small surface foi the sea to act upon.,"Above this lower series of ties a second is to be introduced, extending
from  the lower series of horizontal braces to the upper series.  These
will be entirely above the reach of the sea, and will, without doubt, add
stiffness to the upper piles.
"This arrangement suggested itself to my mind when the first designs for
the light-house were made; but, anxious to exclude every foot of surface
exposed to the action of the sea, I suppressed the ties, but I am convinced
now that AXey had better be introduced-not that I consider the additiorinal
strength imparted to the structure necessary for security against the effects
of the sea, but to guard against and to prevent the vibration which high
winds may produce. The sea itself appears to produce little or no motion
in the structure, the aggregate surface of the piles exposed to its action.
being incoansiderable in amount; and therein, I may remark, consists one
of the principal advantages of this peculiar mode of construction-the sea
escapes through it, or eludes it, as Smeaton would express the idea.  It is
well known that in the Bell Rock light, a column of the best description.
of stone masonry, one hundred feet high, the eftect of the sea in a gale
of wind is sensibly felt in the light-house when struck by a heavy wave,
and the same in other works of a similar class.
"-.In the case of the Minot rock, the space to'be occupied by the base of
the light-house was limited, by the size of the rock, to one-third of the height




Doc. No..                            443'of the structure.  Had a choice been permitted, I should have preferred:a base of half the height; but, as remarked in the first report upon this
-work, there was no such choice to be exercised.
"After Mr. Pomeroy, the contractor for drilling the holes in the rock and
for erecting the iron piles, braces, and cast iron cap in place,.had completed his contract, I employed Mr. William  Dennison, of Boston, to
superintend the building of the living-room, store-roomn, the lantern, a.nd
erecting the illuminating apparatus in place; all of which has been attended
to with great perseverancea energy, and good judgment.
"As stated in my estimate of the 31st, submitted to the bureau on that
day, the sum  required to be appropriated at the approaching  session of
Congress, to complete the payments for work and materials at the Minot,
is four thousand dollars."
The estimate to complete this work, as submitted in the annual.report
of 1849, and in a subsequent special report, is five thousand dollars.
The light-house was turned over to the Treasury Department during
-the fall of 1849. But from' the accounts given of it, it will be seen that
it was not then completed, alnd that further expenditures, costing about
-five thousand dollars, chiefly in additional bracing, were considered necessary, and were recommended.
The extreme anxiety to have the light in use, and its great importance
to that coast, induced the bureau to turn it over for use before it was conapleted, and while yet the bracing stated was required.  Without this additional bracing, it was well.known that the structure would not be as
rigid as desired; but as the fact of its unfinished state was also known, it
was not doubted that it would be properly appreciated and properly
ereedied.  We do not find, however, that this has been the case, and it
has convinced me that an error was committed in permitting the work to
go so soon out of our hands, as the most singular reports to the prejudice
of the plan and structure have been circulated, in the face of. the glaring
facts that this light-house was erected on this difficult, and exposed rock;
ithat it has been kept in use, and there it stands to this day, and there it
willfstand for many a day, if the required. braces be added, if no inexcu-,sable neglect be extended towards it, and if the plan of structure be Ltnder-.stood and be properly attended to.
The following are the appropriations for this work::n 1847                              -       — $20,000
1848       -      -       -                      -       -  10,000
1849       -...                                              4,500
1850                      -..       -   5,000
Making a total of -                                       - 39,500
The work being erected and used, removes all doubt of the practicabiiity of the plan; and the moderate cost of the work, in such a position,
~can leave no doubt of its singular economy.  I doubt if the usual masonry
structure could have been placed on that rock, and have been made so
as to stand one yea, under a cost of many hundreds of thousands of
-dollars.
The error in turning the work oult of our hands sO soon, and before it
-had been completely finisHed and thoroughly tried by those who made:the plan and understood it, is much regretted, but will be committed int




444                           Doc. No. I
no other case.  A  thorough trial and proof will be made of all others
iwhich this bureau has to construct, before they will be allowed to pass out
of our hands.  Then, if injury should come to thiem from incompetent or
negligent management, it will be known to whom it should be attributed.
The last report in reference to the Minot's rock light is of as late date as.
the 21st October, 1850, from Captain W. H.  Swift.   I subjoin acopy of it:
in obedience to your instructions of th3e 2d instant, I have the honor'
to state that I have -made the examinatioil of t.e light house at Miinot's
rock, Cohasset, as directed.
"In Boston I called upon the collector of the port, Philip Greely, esq.,
and ascertained from  him that the Treasury Departm-ent had instructed'
him  to afford all necessary facilities for the examination, and for doing
such work as might be found requisite at the light-house.  The collector.
placed the cutter at my disposal, and offered -whatever assistance I might
need, but I preferred, as the more speedy method of makiing the'exarination, to g. by land to Cohasset, and there taking a boat to the lighit;
therefore did not avail myself of the collector's -offr of the revenue cutter.
I  was mIuch gratified to find on my arrival at the light-house that all
there appeared well, and, in the examination  which I made while there,
satisfied myself that the structure wAas really in as good condition as it
was when delivered over to the Treasury Department in December, 1S49.
With the exception of the painting between the reach of the sea, worn
off by the constant action of the breakers, all appears as it was left on
the day it was turned over to the Treasury Department.  Nothing whatever had started; every brace and every tie is in its place, and not theslightest indication of yielding at the foot of the piles where they are inserted in the rock; not even a crack in the cenent or paint at the couplings, nor at the collars where the braces are attached to the piles-thesetwo last the places, of all others, at which the first evidence of weakness
or working in the structure would show  itself.  In short, as the builderof the light-house, I was perfectly satisfied with its condition.
"All tha  ththe structure itself now  needs is the lower tier of iron ties
connecting the piles, at the points where they enter the rock, with the
contiguous piles, at a point some twenty feet above and immediately belowthe first or lower series of horizontal braces, as explained in former reports.  These iron ties, as the bureau knows, were procured and fitted,.
in part, last year, but as thtere were not sufficient funds to provide and
place both the upper and lower series, the whole was not done. The first
named oilly were placed.  Congress, at the last day of its last session,.
having appropriated the means asked for in October, 1849, for the purpose, the work can now be done, and i have made the necessary arrangements for having it done forthwith.,I have said that the first or upper series of ties were in place.  This
was done at the close of the season last year.  The clasps or iron lubs to
~which the lower ties are to be attached are in place, in part, viz: all the,
upper clasps are attached in the lower series,' and the lower clasp of trhemiddle pile is also attached, but the others, eight in number, are not:
placed; they are in Cohasset and ready to be attached to the piles. These
being fixed in their proper position; the ties themselves, of round iron one.
and a half inch in diameter; with screw-ends and nuats for adjustment,.
are to be put in and set up with'the proper degree of tension, and that
operation will complete all that the structure itself will require-that is to




Doc., Noo.                              415
say, thirty-two ties in all.. These are prepared in two pieces each, with
the threads cut and the nuts provided.  All that remains is to ascertain
the exact length of the ties, and then to weld the two pieces together.
It is evident that this cannot be done until the clasp is in the precise
place it is to occupy; and, when fixed, the exact length of each tie will be
known.  The irregolarity of the surface of the rock, of course, has re-.quired the piles, and consequentlr the ties to be of unequal lengths.
"I took iMr. Hosea B. Dennison with me when I visited. the light-house.
He was one employed in the building of it, and. had the chalrge of fitting
up the wood-work, under the direction of. Mr. William Dennison, my assistant; and he also had the charge of the work of putting in the upper,ties. Being thus conversant with the exact thing to be done, I have employed him to put in the lower series of ties, so that I hope to be able to
report to the bureau the comipletion of the work within a month.  The
progress depends entirely upon the weather; but I hope, notwithstanding'the late season of the year for such an operation, that we may have a sufficient number of days suitable for this purpose within the time specified.
I must now beg to call your attention to a matter less agreeable in its
ccharacter, but one which interests mne both professionally and as the agent
~of the United States selected by the bureau to build the light-house.
Various idle ru1mors and some ill-natured and vindictive reports have
been circulated fior sotne timee I find, in regard to the alleged insecurity,of the Minot light.  The effect of these stories, if not contradicted, may:be injurious; and tlhe bureau, by implication, may be censured for giving
its sanction to a mode of construction declared unsafe by certain persons
-possessing neither the knowledge nor the capacity necessary to constitute
them  judges of the merits or demerits of the strueture known as the
screw or iron pile light'-a mode of construction hitherto new on this
side of thie Atlantic, but one which has been in successful use in very
-exposed situations in Great Britain and Ireland for a number of years.
"The screw-pile light as it is called in England, possesses three very
iimportant advantages; and notwithstanding it may not be as unyielding
as a column of granite, it may, for all the purposes for which a lighthouse is needed, be quite as useful. The Eddystone, the Bell Rock, and
the Skegrione liglit houses are all lasting monuments of the names and
the skill of the several eng-ineers who have built them; but in comparing
~these nmagnificent works witli the simple and rapidly constructed screwpile light, we shall find,.-hile the latter may cost from  130,000 to
$60,000, that th e stone columns enumerated have cost tfrom  $250,000
the least up to 0100,000 the greatest; and we may add, the last built
(the Skerrigone) in point of time, also, the comparison was equally favorable to tthe screw-pileu
i tn Great Britain al. the screw-pile lights which have been erected are.uXpoa sand or othler Ceath Sfoundatiions, requiring th.e use of t-he screw at the,end of the pile —the same being the case with that built uunder the direction
of the bureau on the Brandywine shoal; but at the Minot, it was necessary~ to m.odifr the c nustucltion, for the light has to be. erected upon a.
sulken rock bare oniy at or near low-water, and not even then unless
with a remarkably  alm sea., as  the act stated in the report for the year
1S43 T.i ll s      iho;sxt r h'1urs only during the working  season of that year
(fro-m July to Oc.tbe) 1bei-ng all the time that it was aossible to woirk by
haand-drills upon the rock. itself  Instead of the screw at this locality, it




446                           Doc. No. 1o
became necessary to bore holes in the rock of sufficient size to receive the,
ends or feet of the iron piles or posts for the support of the light and the
dwelling of the keeper, together with storehouse for provisions, oil, fuel,
water, &c.  In this case the holes were made twelve inches in diameter,
and five feet deep. N-ine such were put down-one at the centre, and
eight at the circumference of a circle of twenty-five feet diameter, the
utmost space which -was laid bare at the lowest tides.  The posts or piles
are of the best description of anchor iron, forged for the purpose by the
South Boston Iron Company.  At foot the lower posts were eight inches
in diameter, and six inches at top. At the point where they come in
contact with the surface of the rock, the size is increased to ten inches
diareter, tapering in both directions for a distance in the pile of five feetthe object of thus strengthening them being to prevent the possibility of
a fracture of the pile at the point, which may be considered the fulcrum  of
the lever-the force of the sea against the pile and the force of the wind:
against the dwelling-house and lantern being exerted against the piles,
and concentrated in some degree at the surface of the rock.  The feet of
the piles are secured in the holes in the rock by means of long iron.
wedges fitted to the spaces they were to occupy.  The residue of this
space was filled with iron filings,  and. by the action of the sea-water
converted into a very tenacious cement. Twenty feet above the rock the
first tier of braces are inserted.  These are composed of wrought iron,
also round, and three and a half inches diameter, connecting all thepiles with the  central pile, and the outer piles one with another, and,
forming together an unbroken net-work.  The middle pile is vertical; the.
outer piles batter 12v inch to the foot.  It is clear, therefore, that the..
whole of the lower piles act like a'lewis,' and unless the braces yield,
the piles break, or the rock itself disruptured, that the structure cannot be.
overturned.
"Il am thus particular in repeating details which I have heretofore stated
in former reports, because it has been asserted that the force of the sea, in
striking the piles, will one day overturn the structure.  That there will bea sensible vibration at the top of a pile or pole sixty feet long, no matter'
how well it may be braced and tied,, and with its foot thoroughly secured
in a hole five feet deep in solid rock, is not to be denied; still it is not to,
follow, that such vibration affects in any degree the safety of the structure, or its usefulness.  The iron is an elastic material, and, like the spire
of a church  in a gale of wind, may have a palpable motion and be quite
as safe, as experience shows every day, as if it were entirely rigid.  Even
in the massy column of the Bell Rock light, where the tower is forty-two
feet at the base and one hundred feet in height, Mr. Stevenson, the engineer and builder, states that the force exerted upon it by the sea, in a gale
of wind, produced sensible motion at the lantern.
"The false and injurious statei'ents to which 1 have referred, I do not
deem it necessary or expedient here to repeat, or to exhibit the motives
which I may suppose have actuated the writers and circulators of the reports in question.  I trust that  my statement in regard to the present condition of the light-house itself is a sufRcient answer to the falsehoods which.
have, with some industry, been propagated.
"In my former reports upon this work, I stated the necessity of having.
a keeper at this exposed light accustomed to the sea and its dangers; one
who would co-mpreSlend the dif.erence between tihe condition consequaent;




]Doe. No. 1,                           447
upon living upon the top of nine iron poles stuck upon a sunken rock in;
the open ocean, and sixty feet above it, exposed to the fury of everlasting:
breakers, and that of a comfortable and quiet residence in some snug
dwelling-house upon the shore.  The bureau, I know, adopted this-view,
and communicated it to the proper department at the time, but in the appointment of a keeper no regard was paid to the suggestion, and one was'
appointed 6ntirely unfit for the place-an old man, as I understand, very
well fitted for some shore light, but in all respects not suited to the Minot.
The person referred to has lately been removed, and his successor appears
in all respects to be the kind of man fit to be charged with the care of
this important light.  He is at home upon the sea, intelligent, energetic,
and anxious, evidently, to make the light what it should be.
"I made a report in December last, and enclosed a statement from Mr.
Dennison, of certain alterations made by the former keeper-all wrong as
possible, the result of ignorance.  These alterations have made it necessary to have an additional provision made for ventilation of the lantern;
for this, I have given the necessary directions to Mr. Dennison.'-The collector will do all in his power, I am satisfied, to have the light
at the Minot well kept, and will cause the keeper to be provided with all
that is necessary to enable him to discharge his duties efficiently.
"At my suggestion, Mr. Greely has directed a bell of suitable size, six
hundred pounds, to be sent down to the light at once, to be used there in
warning vessels off in times of fog and thick weather.
"In speaking of the screw-pile light in England, I have omitted to notice
the structure which was destroyed, in 1849, at Bishop's rock.
"iln the newspaper account, it was stated that while this work was in
progress, it was swept from the rock in a gale of wind, but by the same
account it appears that one of the essential principles, peculiar to the screwpile light, had been disregarded in the construction; that is to say, instead
of the common pile in the middle, usual in all the other structures, the engineer had at Bishop's rock introduced a cast iron column in the middle,
of three feet in diameter, to serve as a stairway.  It is unnecessary to add
that so large a surface exposed to the fury of the sea must have led to the
destruction of the light-house, and it is very clear that such a departure
from the usual mode of constructing the screw-pile light is sufficient to
justify the supposition that the destruction was caused by the introduction
of the column.  Audit may be added, also, that there is nothing in the
account, as given in the newspaper, which should in any degree impair
confidence in the stability of the screw-pile light, when the structure is
put up in the usual or proper manner."
From the foregoing account of these several light-houses, it will be
seen that they constitute a selection of extremely difficult works-perhaps the most difficult works of that kind ever erected in our country.
I know of none to compare with them; but of this I do not complain
The bureau is ready and willing to put up a light-house anywhere;
it only asks that its work will be judged of by the difficulties attending
upan them, and it holds itself answerable always to show that its plans
are judicious, and that t'he execution of them  will exhibit practical skill
an-d sound mechanical consideration and arrangemnents, and a rigid attention to ecolnomy ot cost.
Iln addition to these important and critical works, there are two other
light- houses, of which the erection is made by law a duty of this bureau;




448                            Doc. No. 1.
one ator nearthe end of the north pier at Chicago, for which $15,Owa s
appropriated by the act of 3d March, 1849; an d under the some act, at
the mor-th of Calulmet (Calymick) river, a light-house is to be erected,
for which four thousand dollars was appropriated.
The immediate superintendence of these works was committed to
Lieutenant Websterof the corps, then  stationed at Chicago.'1-he,ih.wlifo ight /.-n reference to this work he says, in a letter dated
7th July, 1849:
"i enclose herew ith a plan and estimate for the foundation of the
light-house at the end of the north pier.  The whole subject of lighthouse constlrucion  was somewhat new  to mue; and, as I intimated.
in lmy letter of 23d ultimo, I have had some difficulty in deciding uponL
the best method of construction for the locality intimated in the law. I
slupposed it necessary also to keep within the limits of the appropriation
for the object, if practicable.  I should have felt more ready to offer a
project less well digested, had I not foreseen that it would not be practicable to do more than put down the foundation this fall, as it will be.necessary to observe the effects of the winter storms and currents up)on it
before proceeding with the superstructure.' I began with the supposition that the method of comimencirn  the;founldation would be the sinking of a crib or cribs of suitable shape and.
dimensions, to be loaded with stone and further secured by piles, upon
the general method heretofore pursued in the construction of the piers;
and, considering the great expense as wellt as weight of a stone superstructure, I at once decided that the light-house should be of iron; and,.as that would very probably be octagonal in its plan, I devised an oclagonaL iframe-ework for the foundation, aind had nearly completed the plan
of the whole structure in detail, when an apparent deficiency in strength,of the frtam.e struck mre, and I substituted for it the plan now submitted.
The brealdth is forty-four feet.  This I thought a'good breadth of foundation for an iron liiht-house sixty-five (65) feet high, with a base of
twenty-five (25) feet.  I propose to fill this crib with stone, putting in at
-first so miuch as may be necessary to secure it for the tirme being-say
tlhirty or forty cords.  Upon this first or lower layer of heavy  stone I
propose throwing small stone, which, by tjhe action of the water, will be
well worked into the instertices of the larger stone.  Then the same process is to be repeated, till sufticient stone has been put in to secure the
~crib against the worst storms of winter.  The plan of crib appears to me
to be as g.od a  combination of timber as the dimensions of the ties procurable h(ere will well admit.  To make the crib iargeri I should be
-obliged to nake the long ties of built beams; and to make the foun dation of
several separate cribs, it seemed to me would endanger its -stabiity in.such deet water.  The outer crib of the north pier is so much out of its
perpendicular position as to. be quite unsuitable to be included in the
foundation for the light-house.  In addition to the piles usually drives- at
the junction of the ties with the siding, you perceive I propose drivitng.agood nu imer in the interior.  These I propose.cutting off below  lowwater 1mark lo receive a grillage, to be itself irbedded  in a body of crcrete re xting upon (te broken stone beneath, to be put on after the stone
in the in;erior shall have ceased to settle-tlwhole T    to fotrr  a bed  fcor
-cut masonry of heavy stone; to be commienced two feet or eighteen inches




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Doc. No. I0.                            44
below  low  water, and carried  ten  feet above the surface.  The piles
marked 1 denote the positions for the eight cast iron columns of the
light-houseo  These piles, with a suitable grillage, will be amply able of
themselves, to be driven as they will be in   boxes,' and supported by the
stone around them, to sustain the whole weight of the light-house; and
I would not hesitate to put it at once upon them, should there be any
necessary delay, from want of funds or otherwise, in the construction of
the masonry.  The light could be thus put to use, and another season,
taken to settle the stone, should it be found to wash out from  under the
cribs.  These piles in the interior of the crib, and  connected with itts
framing, I deem the best feature of the plan.  They are needed to secure
the upright position of the crib, which being secured, we can supply any
deficiency of stone caused by the washingof the base, till a permanent
enrockment will be prodluced.'" propose that the superstructure shall consist of cast iron columns, in
sections of something over twenty feet; the height above the pier, whichl
will be ten feet above water, to be sixty-five fiet to the deck of the lantern.
The weight of iron will not exceed 75,000 pounds.  The castings can.
be executed here during the fall and winter, and be ready to put up in the
spring, should the foundation appear at that time in good condition as, of
course, I am confident it will, if put down on the plan proposed.  Thesketch  herewith will be followed, as soon as possible, with drawings upon hard paper, both of the foundation and superstructure.  I send this
now in order to save time, and to get authority at once to contract for the
timber and stone, or to buy in sufficient quantities to commence the framing of the crib.  The prices of stone and timber are pretty well settled'
now, and they could be purchased, without loss, at once, in small quantities. There is a quantity of stone belonging'to the harbor which it
would be well to put into this work, as, in the position it now is, it is impossible to preserve it from being stolen.
And, in a letter dated 14th September, 1849, lhe says:
6 It being deeDmed advisable that the foundation of the structure should
be tested by the storn:ms and currents of at least one winter, a plan. for a.
crib work foundation was submitted and approved, and is now in process
of construction.  It is expected the crib-work will be put in place early.
in October. During the ensuitig winter it is proposed to mature the designs for the superstructure, and have the castings therefor executed, so
that, should the foundations be found stable, the structure can be put up.
early' next sumtmer. The appropriation ($15,000) is thought sufficient forthis work, unless it be thought best  to make that part of the pierhead,
above water of heavy cut masonry, in wxhich case an addltional. appropr:
alion of $10,000 will be necessary.
In the;letter of the 5th of November, 184,  Lieutenant Webster says 
"During the month of October last, the work of the foundation of the
light-house at this place was prosecuted as far as the amount of material
procurable would permit. Two kinds of the necessary timber were procured and framed, and seven rounds put together on shore, preparatory to
launching.  1 had expected.to have had the crib' in place eakly in themonth, but, owing to a series of' unfbrtunate circum stances, my efforts to
procure a supply.of timber ended in vexatious failres.9
Tlle last report in reference to thbis stracturee  ays:'The. a rge lage crib fo
Part ii —29




450                          Doo. No, 1.
the foundation of this work has been put in place, and the work of securing it is going on as fast as our unfavorable weather will admit. It is
now so far advanced as to give assurance of its being in condition to resist the storms of the coming winter after which it will be ready to receive the superstructure."
The Calumet 1,ight',The law makes it necessary-in such cases, as preliminary steps, that the jurisdiction of the locality should be ceded to the
United States, and a deed be also obtained for the lot upon which the structure is to be erected.  Upon the matter ofjurisdiction Lieutenant Webster
says, in a letter of September 13, 1849: " In my letter of 21st July last, I
stated that the lion. Mr. Wentworth had informed me that he had taken
eare to have the jurisdiction ceded in advance, and that a certified copy of
the law ofthis State naking the cession was deposited by him last winter
in the office of the Fifth Auditor."  A copy of this law was obtained and
sent to Lieutenant Webster, to be filed in the office at Chicago, and a
copy of it is also added as an appendix to this report.
Supposing the question of jurisdiction to be sufficiently ceded by this
law on the fulfilment of the course prescribed, it left further investigation
to be limited solely to the procuring of a title to the site.
The position first selected for this light-house was the lots 1, 2, 3 of the
annexed plan; but the "title was so complicated, and the difficultyquit-claims from persons holding it-so great, that it seemed necessary to
select another sight in the vicinity.  1 have accordingly selected one on
the sand spit south of the proposed position of the pier, the adoption of
which I respectfully recommend.  Itis certainly not quite so good as the
other, but there is no material objection to it. The title to the latter appears
to be yet in the United States..
On investigation at the General Land Office of this city, it appears that
Lieutenant Webster was mistaken, as the lots of the second choice for a
site had also been sold, and were private property.  Directions were therefore given to see if the lots of the second choice could be bought, and at
what price. In the mean time all work at that place has been suspended;
and' of the original appropriation of $4,000 for this work, there yet remains
$3,000 in the treasury.  That some idea may be formed of the difficulty
in obtaining title to the first site selected, I will state that a condensed
narrative, containing an epitome of the different claimants to the lots 1, 2,
3, occupies upwards of ten closely written pages.
No information has yet been received of the title to the second site
selected, or of the price for which the lots can be obtained.
A report of the 25th September says of this work:' The inextricable
difficulty inwhich the title to the site selected for this work is involved,
has prevented any further prosecution of the work than the getting of the
stone upon the ground."
There are other works assigned to this bureau, which, as they occupy
much of its time and attention, and also the time and attention of some
of its officers, become thereby proper matters for this report. These
works are the construction of certain marine hospitals, namely:
A mIarine hospital at Paducah, on the Ohio; one at Napoleon, on the
Mississippi; one at Natchez, on the  Missssisppi; one at Chicago, on Lake
Michigan.
T'lese works were assigned to this offic on applicstion to that effect




Doc, No. 1                          451
by the Treasury Departnment, which application was duly approved by
the War Department. In the execution of the duty, the bureau occupies
the same relation to the Treasury Department which it would to the War
Department, were the work of constructing these hospitals a duty by law
of the War Department; that is, in reference to the construction of
these several works, this bureau acts as a bureau of the Treasury Department.  On this account the report and estimates in reference to these
works will be addressed to the Treasury Department, and will not be
tamde a part of this report.




40MCI, o,
APPENDI X
No. 1.
T REa.SUR,  iLEPA RTI SENT,
1f1rch 9, 1843,.
SIR: I send you herewith a letter from the Fifth Auditor, accompanied
with certain papers mentioned therein, explanatory of a proposed contract
for rebuilding the beacon at Black Roc k  Long Island, lately destroyed.
Will  you favor the department with your opinion thereaon an(d retur.
the papers, agreeably to the request of the Fifth Auditor.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. C. SPENCER,
aScrselory     f the Tr easn'uy,.'"o C-olonel J J. ABERT,'     Topographical  Engti: eers    War De? ar/t fe,.t
No. 2.
rREASUPY DEPARTMENT,,
FPith Auditor')  Office, i March 7,. 1843.
SIa: The beacon at Black Rock,in Long Island sound, after with,
standing the storms of six years in that exposed situation —ive of which
it was insured to stand by the contractor-was, during the past winter,
dejnmolished by a storm  of unusual violence.  Havinvg employe d   t
A:lexander Parris, of Boston, a civil engineer of great experience andi
higlh reputation, to examine the place and give me a plan of a buildihng
thiat would stand, and an estimate of its cos.t, and having received and.
laid the estimate before Congress, the sum of ten thouesand dollars has
iee:  specially appropriated for rebuilding the beacoer
As this is a work of great difficulty, and ought not, in my opinionl to
be built in the usual mode of advertising for proposals, I requested PMr.
Pa.rrs to make me an offer of finding materials and executing it..he and M/r. Gridley Bryant propose, as you will perceive by their lei"
ter he:rewith nclosed, to complete the work in the best manner bor 95,5C00,
being less than the appropriation.500-nothing to be paid until the
work is finished and approved.
T'he case is respectfully submitted for your consideration and conc:rTh at you mIay understand. the nature of th-e work^  drawin adi      d specification thereof are herewith enclosed, and these I must request the
favor of yon to return to me.
I iave t4h,  honor to be, very respectlully, your obedient servant
S, PLE ASONTON.
Th'e Ho5,, J.OH-'. SPENCE C,
iSecretary  f the TrIeasIu y




No. 3.
BUREAU OF TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGIN1EESit$
Washing.an, IMarch 11i,  843,
SIR: I have the hon)or to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the
9th instant, in reference to the rebuilding of the beacon at Black Rock,
Long Island sound.
It is evidentl rom the letter of Mr. Parris, who proposes to contract or
~the rebuilding of the beacon, that his examination of the localities has
not been very thoroughl nor such as, in  my judgmenut, would justify the
adoption of any plan. The plan of the beacon is not in itself so exceptionable, but that of the foundation for the beacon is liable to many objections,
and would, I fi-ar, prove defective if it were adopted.  As the beacon
upon this ledge has been overthrown now  for the third time, it is sufficient proof of the danger to which it is exposed, and of the necessity of
the most critical examination before rebuilding it again.
Captain Swift, of the corps, having been some time on duty in that
quarter, I directed hiim to take up the papers and report upon theme  A
copy ef his report is herewith enclosed, and also a copy of a report upon
a similar subject transmitted, through the War Department, to Congress
on the 4th ult.
if a beacon upon the plan of the screw.pile light (i e, as much of the
plan as is involved in the iron-pile) can be erected upon this ledge, of
which I have little doubt, I would respectfully recommend it to your consideration as the more durable and more economical structure,
Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
J. J. ABERT,
CGolonel Cor"ps 7bpographica.l Engineerso
-lon. JOH-N C. SPENCER'Secretary of t.he'trea:sury.
No.. 4.
WASHINGTON, March 10, 1843.
IaR:  I have the honor to state tlhat I have examined the plan and specification for the proposed beacon at the harbor of Black Rock, Connecticut, together with the papers which accompanied the same.
By your instructions I am called upon to express an opinion upon the
merits of this plan, and to say whether I consider it adapted to the locality
in question.
T'o enable you to judge of the propriety of the opinion which I have to.give in the matter, and the reasons which have governed me, it is necessary that. I should describe brieflythe situation of this beacon, and state
some facts connected with it which have come to my knowledge in my
capacity of superintendent of the harbor improvement at Black Rock.
"he rock upon which it is proposed to erect this beacon, and the same
upon which the former beacon was placed, is one'and a half mile south of
the light-house on Pairweather island, and it is one and a quarter mile
east-southeast from the nearest point of the main; between this point and
the roekf is a contirnous shoal or spit. The least depth of water near the




45                                 Nosy,  Dl~Xc.e N-  1s
rock, as indicated upon the chart of the harbor ina the office of the coast
survey, is six feet at low-water; probably upon tile rock itself the depth.
may be still less.
This beacon, I have understood, has been overthrown three several
times.  In a report made to the Secretary of the Treasury, by Lieutenant
Polake U. S. navy, (document 24, House of Representatives, 25th, Congress, 3d session,) it is stated that " the beacon off Black Rock harbor
stands in an exposed and dangerous situation," and 1 that upwards of
$21,000 have been expended since the year 1828 in the support of a beacon at this site."  From  the books in the office of the Register of the
Treasury it appears that $5,313. 85 was expended for a beacon at Black
Rock. in 1829, and in 1835 that $8,748 43 was expended for same worko
The third demolition (if it be true that it has been destroyed three times)
must have taken place prior to 1829.
iMy object in making this exposition is to establish the fact that the situation is an exposed one, and that the mode of construction hitherto
adopted has been defective.
In the specification which accompanied the plan for rebuilding this
beacon, it is thus written: "Six or seven years ago a beacon was erected
by first throwing a large quantity of stones about the rock,of various sizes
and shapes, upon which a beacon was erected with split stones, laid cobfashion, and fastened at the angles by small iron bolts.  The stones
which were put in for the foundations have washed away, leaving the
beacon in a falling condition, one side of which is nearly gone, and no
doubt the first southeasterly storm will wash it wholly away."
Here, then, is an explanation of the cause of the destruction of the last
beacon-an insucficient foundation.
The plan proposed for the new beacon is in itself, in my opinion, very
good; its shape, its dimensions, and mode of construction, all appear to
be suitable; but there seems to be a radical defect in the mode proposed
for establishing a foundation. The description sets forth as follows:
t" I propose to level off the. loose stones from two to three feet, or as
much below the low-water line as practicable, and have an enclosure
made with timber a few feet larger in diameter than the base of said beacon, into which I propose to put concrete, made with a mixture of hydraulic lime, coarse gravel and sand. This concrete is to be well worked
into all the cavities immediately below the space so levelled that is to form
the foundation of said beacon, and when set, will form a solid mass that
the force of the sea cannot remove."
From this description and the drawing it will be seen that the concrete
is to be laid in an enclosure of timber, and laid upon the "' loose stones."
It appears to me that in the violent gales to which the rock upon which
the beacon is to be built is exposed, the "loose stones" would be
ever liable to be removed by the action of the sea.
The effect of depositing loose rubble-stone around a foundation to protect it from  abrasion, after it has been properly prepared, is, of course, a
very different thing from building upon stone loosely thrown together, as
may be inferred from the disaster to the Black Rock beacon itself.
The beacon at the entrance of Connecticut river, referred to in the proposal for the Black Rock beacon, is built upon piles; and while that might
remain perfectly secure, it is not a sufficient reason for supposing that a




oc  No. 1.                            455
structure of the same character, built upon such a foundation as that described for Black Rock, would be equally secure.
In conclusion, I report that all that relates to the beacon projected for
Black Rock above the fbnndation appears to me, in every essential particular, all that could be desired; but the foundation itself, in my opinion, is
insufficient.
By your instructions of the 30th January last, I. am directed to prepare
a plan for a beacon for the Southwest ledge off the harbor of New Haven,
Connecticut. On the 1st of February I made a report and drawing, and
forwarded the same to the bureau. As there are some views entertained
in that report which are as applicable to the Black Rock beacon as they
are to that of the Southwest ledge, I beg respectfully to refer you to the
samne.
Ihawe the honor, &c.W
W. H. SWIFT,
Captain Topographical Engineers.
Colonel J. J.:AsBER)
Chief Topog',raphi ca Engineers.
No. 5.
BUREasA  OF TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGINEERSS,
Washington, April 22, 1843.
SiR: Captain W. H. Swift has been placed in the superintendence or
the construction of the Black Rock beacon.
I have the honor to request that three thousand dollars may be placed
to his credit in New York, on account of the appropriation for the beacon.
I have also to request that the necessary directions may be given to
furnish him with the facilities from the revenue cutter service, as indicated
in the enclosed extract from his letter of the 20th instant.
Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
J. J. ABERT,
Colonel Corps Topographical Engineers.
iHon.. C. SPENCER,
Seretary of the Treasury.
No. 6.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, April 24, 843.
SIR: In answer to your letter of the 22d instant, on the subject of a
remittance to Captain Swvift, who has charge of the construction of the
Black Rock beacon, and of certain facilities from the use of a revenue
cutter, I have to state that the appropriation for this beacon cannot be
drawn until after the 30th June ensuing.
In the mean time Captain Swift can proceed in taking preparatory steps
to erect the beacon, contract for materials, work, &c.
It will not be in the power of the department to detail a cutter for the




4~ )~5                      Doe. No. 1.
-ise of Captain Swift,  He will, therefore, have to hire a vessel, to be
paid for out of the appropriation.
Very respectfully,
J. C. SPENCER,
Secretary of the Treasury.
J, J. ABERT,
Colonel Corps Topo raphical E.ngineers.
No,; 7.
I3UREAIT OF ToPOGRAPH-ICAL ENGINEEERS,
Washingtoan Ocbober 26, 1843.
SIR: I have the honor to report, for theminformation of the Treasury
Department, that the reconstruction of the beacon upon the Black Rock
ledge, Long Island sound, intrusted by that department to this bureau,
has been completed. The appropriation for the reconstruction was ten
thousand dollars.  The expenditures are about four thousand six hundred, and the outstanding accounts are so few and so small, that I feel
warranted in the assurance that the whole expenditure will be less than
five thousand dollars.
As soon as the accounts of Captain Swift, who superintended the
work, are received, they will be transmitted to the First Auditor of the
Treasury for adjustment.
Very respectfully, &c,,
J J. ABERT,
Colonel Corps Topographical Engineers.
lion. J. M. PORTER;
Secrtaray of TWar
No. 8.
TREASURY DEPARTiMENT, Octler 2', 1843.
SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the
26th inst., apprizing the department of the completion of the beacon on
Black Rock ledge; and to express my satisfaction at the promptness,
ability, and economy, which has marked the execution of the work.
The care, skill, and attention manifested by Captain Swift in the direction and supervision of the work, entitles him to the thanks of this
department, which I beg through you to offer.
I am, very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
JI C. SPENCER,
Secretary of the Treasury.
Hon. J. M.  POPRTER,
Secretary of  far.




i. No. 1.                              4T
No. 9.
WASHINGTON, Ocitobe  25, 1-850.
SIR: In obedience to your order of the 2d inst., I have visited Ports"m-outh, N. H., and made   a critical and detailed examination of the
Whale's Back rock of that harbor."
This rock lies south 27~ east, distantt one, mile from  the Portsmouth
light. It is very irregular on its surface, and is bare at low water for 500
f:eet in its greatest length, northeast and southwest, and averaging about
a pile of apparently loose rocks, called the Hump, which is just covered by
O7 feet in breadth, its trace being very irregular. About the centre there is
ordinary high wvater. The existing light-house stands near the southwestern extremlity )o the rock. There is an abundance of space for the con.
struction of another light-house, either of stone or of iron, without removing
rhe present one until the nxew one should be finished; and if a new lightIhouse must be built in ny opinion it should bE e to the southwest of the
present one, nearer to the channel, towards which the ledge extends
300 feet, with but 5 feet of water at its extremiry;  The material or building of stone can be obtained near at h[and-certainly not frther distant
than Cape A.nn   Ordinary labor can be had at Portsmouth, but stonecutters-and setters must be obtained elsewhere.
In pursuance of the same order, above alluded to, I made' a rigorous
inspection of the existing light-hotse on that rock." It was built twenty-;.one years ago: it is a rtde structure-such as, I presume, would not be
built at the present time.  The pier upon which the light house stands
is circular, 47 feet in diameter at the base, 42 feet at top, and 22 feat
high; it is built of split granite, in large blocks, as seen from the outside,
and laid up dry, secured by iron straps extending fromr the top to the rock.
I was told by the present collector, who was kind enough to accompany.
mre to the rock, that the interior of the pier was laid with as large stone
as the exterior courses.  Of this he wvas assured by a man who was employed on the building.  7.he top course is of very large stones, extending from the face under the base of the tower, in the cellar. In the top of
the pier,:underneath the tower, the sides and floor are of large stones;
and when I inspected it. it was perfectly dry, and I was told by the present keeper that it was rarely damyp.  The tower is built of coarse rubble
stone, laid in lirme-mortar, to a height of 40 feet above the pier; the lan-,tern is 9 feet 7 inches in height.   This light-house stands in a very exposed position: it is somewhat sheltered from the south, towards the east,
by a chain of islands called the Isle of Shoals, distant about eight miles;
but in cales from the south, towards the west, there must be a heavy sea
breaking over the rock and against the light-house.  Yet, notwithstanding, I could not discover the slightest indication of a change in the pier,
or a crack in the to-er, either from settlement or vibration.
It has been said, by a former keeper of the light, that the tower vibrated to such a degree in a gale of wind, that he was in dread of its falling;
butif that had been the case, I rather think there would have been some;ark of it left. I at "therefore induced to believe that there is no more
vibration than is due to a tower of that height; and having stood without
change for twenty years, during which period it has, no doubt, encounr
Lered as heavy gales as will. probably occur in the next twenty years, or




458:Doc  No. 1.
double that time, I cannot conceive the necessity or propriety of building
a new  light house at that point.
The wood work of the; interior of the tower is somewhat decayed, particularly the ttmbers of the tower floor. This, ofcourse, should be renewed;
and I would also recommend that the joints of the tower should be well
pecked and pointed with cement: further than this, I do not think that
there is anything necessary to be done to insure the comfort and stability
of the building.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
W. TURNBULL,
Mojo'r Tolographical Engi eers' Brevet Colonel.
Col. J.. ABIERT,
G'eif Topographicu  EnBgi:neers.
No. 10.
AN ACT to cede jurisdiction to the United States over land to; be occupied as sites of lighthouses within this State.
Be it eaafcted by the people of the State of Illinois  p reesented in the
General Assemnbly: SECTION 1. That jurisdiction is hereby ceded to the
United States over so much land as may be necessary for the construction
and maintenance of light-houses within this State, not to exceed ten
acres of land fi;r each; the same to be selected by an authorized officer of
the United States, approved by the governor, and the boundaries of the
land selected with such approval endorsed thereon, and a map thereof
being filed in the office of the secretary of state of this State, and by him
recorded:  Provided always, and the assent aforesaid is granted upon this
express condition, that this State shall retain a concurrent jurisdiction
with the United States, in and over the several tracts aforesaid, so far as
that all civil and such criminal process as may issue under authority of
this State against any person or persons charged with crimes cotmmitted
without the bounds of said tract may he executed therein, in the same
manner as though this assent had not been granted.
SECTION 2. That the foregoing shall be applicable only to such land
as shall be selected and approved as aforesaid, and a sur-vey thereof filed
and recorded as above, provided for the construction of the following lighthouses, to wit: at Chicago, at Littlefort, at the mouth of Calumet river, in
Cook county.
Z. CASEY,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
WM. McMURTRY,
Speaker of the Senate.
Approved January 11, 1849.
AUG. C. FRENCH.




DWoet. No. l.                          459
OFFICE OF SECRETAkRX OF STATE) ILLINOIS,
I, Horace S. Cooley, secretary of state of the State of Illinois, do
hereby certify the ftregoiag to be a true and correct copy of the original
enrolled bill on file in my office.
Witness my hand and the great seal of State, at Springfield, this 9th
day of February, A. D. 1849.
H. 8 COOLEY,
Secretary of State.




Estimate of funds that will berequired for the prosecution of certain works under the charge of the   ureau of Topography i
cal Engineers during thefiscal year ending June 30, 1852. 
Reference to acts making appropriations.
Object of expenditure.                                    Amount' 
required.
Volume.    Patge.    Section.            Date.
SURTEYS.
For surveys for the defence of the frontier, inland and Atlantic,............. O       15, 000  0      10          706   I               March  3, 1845.
For military and geographical surveys westof the Mississippii....................   0, 00 00      10          706   i       I      March  3, 1845.
For continuing the surveys of the northern and northwestern lakes........,..,.           25,000 00        10          708           1      Match  3, 1845.
For a survey of the harbor of Mobile, in reference to its improvement..............        5,000 00
For completing the survey and laying out of a military road from  Mendota, on the 
Mississippi, to the mouth of the Big Sioux, on the Missouri................              5, 000 00   Pamphlet                             July  18, 1850. 
For surveys in reference to the fortifications and defence of the coasts of California and
Oregon...,,.,........................................... 50, 000 0.0
120,000 00
RItERS AND HARBORS.
For contining the Delaware breakwater............................, 000 000        9          840           1      July    7  1838.
For the improvement of Savannah harbor and the removal of the wrecks........              30,000 00        9          842                  July    7, 1838.
For the repair of the seawall at the harbor of Buffalo, New York...............   14,0000 00              10          552                  June  11,  844.
For continuing the improvement of the harbor at Cattaraugus creek, New York.....    150O00 00 8                                             July    7  1838.
For the continuation of the works at Dunkirk, New York........................15 000 00                  10          552           1      June  11, 1844,
For the continuation of the works at the harbor of Erie, on Lake Erie........,...          30, 000 00       10          552           1      June   11, 1844o
For the continuation of the works at Conneaut harbor, in the State of Ohio..........        15, 0000 0       0          552          -       June  11, 1844.
For continuing the improvement of the harbor at Ashtabula, Ohio................            15, 000 00      10          552          1       June  11, 1844.
For the further improvement of Grand river harbor, (Fairport,) in the State of Ohio...      15, 0 000       10          552           1      June   11 1844..
For the continuation of the works at the harbor of Cleveland, Ohio.....,......     4  20 000  10    0          553          1       June  11, 1844
For continuing the removal of obstructions at Black river, Ohio.......... c             1......  10, 000 00  9      839          1       July    7, 1838
For continuing the improvement of the navigation at the mouth of Vermilion river, OhioM    10,00000           9          839           1      July    7, ^8'For continuing the works at Huron harbor, on Lake Erie,..........~............           6,000 00        10          552                 June  1, 1844.
For continuing the preservation of the harbor at Sandusky City, Ohio, and improvement of the same....... *,,,,,,.........................           12,000 00        10          553          i       June  11, 1844.




For the firther improvement of river Rain harbor, Michigan......................                  14,00 000         10          553            I       June  11, 1844
For a stenam-dredge, quipent, aent   d disc arging scows, for Lake Erie...........^            20, 000- 00
For the c.ontinua'ton of the breakwater Structure at Platisburg, on Lake Champlain.. o  15,000 00                     10          552            1       June  1   1844o
For tle contiiation of the breakwater structure at Burlington, Lahe Champlain, Ver  i:-q~~oon~t                                     ~.....................................1.....  15,000 00    10          55J June   11, 1844;.tJor the repairs and w-orlig of the steaml-dredge on Lake Champlain *...........    1               9,000 00
For the continuaotion of the w   orxks at Port Ontario, Lake Ontario, NeSw York..... l:.15, 000 00           10           552           I       Ju e  11, 1844o
For the conttuatin on of the works at the harbor of Oswego, Lake Ontario, TSNew York..              4(t 000 00        10            552          I       June   11, 1844.
For cont iuinu  the improveme nt of Big Sodus bay  Lake Ontario, LNew York.........                1  000 00         10           552           I       June   11, 1844
For  he contio uatior of the works at Oak Orchard creek, Lake Ontario, New York...                     10,500 00    10          552                    June   11  1844C
Fo' the furthrer removal of ob tructions atthe mouth of Geesee river, in the State of
New.Yo k.......................................... 0,......                   000 00          10           552            I      June  11, 1844.
For a st.eardiedge, equipment, and discharging scows, for Lake Ontario............                20,000 00
For tie frther improvement of the harbor of St. Joseph, Michigan..............               i    20,000 00          10           553                    June   11, 1844.
For conlti'uing the ii provyenmenit of the harbor at Michigan City, Indiana............           30,00 00           0           553               I    une   11, 1844.
For colntinuing the improverent of the harbor at the town of Southport, Wisconsin....              15, 000 00        10           707           1  IMarch  3  1845.
For conitnun'g the works at th1   harbor o M.ilwaukie, ~Wisconsin...............         25, 000 CO        io           553                   June   ii  1844o
For Continuing the construction of a harbor commenced by the citizens of the town of
Racine, at ohe nouth of Root river, Wisconsin...........                  20, 000 00         10          561                   JOne   11, 1844.
For coninuing the improvement of the harbor of Chicago, Illinois............. 1    15, 000 00                       10           553                   June   llt, 1844. 
For repairs of dredge and dredging in the harbor of Chicago..................   7,17600 
For a steam-dredge, equipment, and discharging scows, for Lake Michigan.2.                          0, 000 00
For the iamprovement of the Ohio river below the falls.t LouiSville. and of the XMissis-?
sippi and tributaries, and the, Missouri antd Arkaiisas rivers....0......0..                  S0O, 000 00         l0          55 I           I      Jue   11, 1844.
For the improvement of thte Ohio river between Pittsburg and the fails at Loueisnville.  60,00()00                    I 0    1.52                  J i  I  une   11, 1844..
For removing the raft of  -ed River, and mpprovement of the river...............      50, 000 08        10' }7          March  3, 184..
For the           removal of   o bstruclions to the   avigation in the ha rbor o  Louf t.           50, 00u  00        0                                 Jue   11, 1844.
For continuiong the iraprovenient of the nalvigat.oni of the Hudson river, near Albany 
n thie State of fNcw York....................................  50.000 00          9          840            1       July    7, 1838For con.ecting the watcrs of indian river and Mosquito lagoon, at the Haulover, Fla...               5, 000 00        10           564                   j  uie   15, 1844.
For the  yip-rovenment of the harbor.of Dubuque, Iowa..e...................    20, 000 00       10           750                   March  3, 1845.
For the repair and preservation of the harbor-works on the Atlantic coast,                         2......    I    20,000 00              I
1 1,052, 676 00  
For the further prosecution of the road frrom Point Douglass, on the Mississippi, to the I
St. Louis river of Lake Superior....................I.....                              S'    000 00  Pamphlet.........                     July   18, 1850.
For te. flther prosec.ution of the rcad from Point Dotigla        to Fort Gaines,,....      20, 000 00,.....do..........




ESTIMATE-Continued.
Am out             Reference to acts making appropriations.
I   Amount 
Object of expenditure*.                                  required.
I       I'Volume.    Page.    Section.                  Date.
ROAD-. Contnued.,                                                                                                    1.
For the farther prosecution of the road from Swan river to the Winnebago agency...   $15,000 00  Pamphlet...,l July   18, 1850.
For the farther pro-secution of the road from Wabashaw to Medota......      15,000 00  ~ ~ ~do...,........e;....    a..
70, 000 00
LIGHT-HOUSES.Si  
For completing the light house on Carysfort reef, coast of Florida....,,..........l    17,000 00 1..do.d...         64          1 I    March  3, 1849.    f
For completing the light-house on Sand Key, Florida..        ~,,......:..  10,460 26...do....                99       I         March  3, 1847.
For completing the foundation and construction of the light-house on the end of the
north pier at Chicavo, Illinois.,,,.1                                                   4,49839        d..         1 
For the thorough trial, and for the mnaintaining of the light on Brandy wine shoal, Dela-             I                1            1    I
war bay, from October 1, 1850, to March 31, 1851, six mnonths.....1,14424
RECAPITULATION.
For~squrveys.........2.........................                                  8150,000 00
For rivers and harbors.....,052, 676 00
For roads in Minnesota.......                                           70, 000 00
For light-houses......................,....                               33,102 89
12275,778 89
BUREAU OF TopoGRAPHICAl EITc-iEERS, Gtober 28, 1350.




oe. No,, 1.                              4I-8
No. 9.
REPO{TIFFT.H~EG COLONEL OF ORDNANCOE
ORDNANCE DEPARTMENTr
Washington, November 4, 1850.
TR:  he principal operations of this department during the past fiscal
year, arranged in order under their respective heads for greater convenionce
and facility of reference, are respectfully reported as follows:
Funds.
Amount, as per last year's'report, undrawn from  the
treasury on the 1st of July, 1849       -       -       -   $509,899 41.
In hands of disbursing officers, same date         -       -     196,713 42
Amount of appropriations for the fiscal year 1850,. including the fixed annual appropriation for arming and equipping the militia        -       -       -       -       -   1,195,231 00
received, during the year, for damages to arms in the
hands of troops, chargeable to them, and from all other
sources not before mentioned                                  12 -  -    124,848 09
2,026,691 92
Amount of expenditures during the year             -       - $1,188,338 83
In. hands of disbursing officers 30th June, 1850. -            99,114 58
Remaining in the treasury, undrawn, 30th June, 1850  -           739,238 51
2,026,691 92
The amount expended during, the year, from  each  appropriation,
will be found stated under the appropriate heads, as they occur in this
report. The accounts of all the disbursing officers have been regularly
rendered, examined in this office, and transmitted to the proper accounting
officers for settlement, with a single exception in the case of an acting officer, temporarily employed and not now in service. His liabilities amount
to but little, and proper legal measures have been taken to enforce a settlement.  The estimates for the next fiscal yearinclude only what is
deemed necessary to carry on the regular operations of the department
with the least expense consistent with a proper provision of the military
supplies it is required to furnish.  They are explained in detail mi the
remarks on each item, annexed thereto.




~'0X~tDoe, <                Noe 
Arc-m ac-nt of Fortifi'cation0s.
Tl-he Ordnance department, in prosecuting this branch of the military
service intrusted to il, has, during the past fiscal year, procured from
the foundries some heavy seacoast cannon; purchased and  placed in
store a quantity of timber suitable for the constructionl of gun-carriages
for seacoast and garrison service; fabricated at the arsenals a number of'
those carriages, wi'n their implements and equipments, and attended to
the preparatory arrangeuments at the foundries requisite for the casting of
such cannon as were most wanted, and as the available means appropriated
for this object authorized it to order.  It has also kept in order the armatment of the several forts in the country, doing extensive repairs at some:
of thiW; has furnished the regular supplies of ammunition, and has sent
to the Torts on our Coasts twenty-five heavy cannon in addition to those
before supplied, of which the greater portion were for posts on the Pacific
ocean. The principal. articles procured by purchase, and fabrication at Uthe
arsenals, are19 24-pounder iron howitzers for flank defence.
69 32-pounder barbette carriages, complete.
9O' 24-pounder barbette carriages, complete.
2 8-mich seacoast howitzer carriages, complete.
43 8-inch columbiad carriages, complete.
2 32-pounder; barbette top-carriages.
4 24 pounder barbette chasses.
2 8-inch seacoast howitzer chasses.
32 32 pounder casemate chasses.
57 8-inch columbiad cas mate chlasses
3 S-inch seacoast howitzer t1op carriages,
90 24-pounder flank howitzer top carriages.
27,054 cubic feet of timber for seacoast carriages.
In addition to these, one Ihundred and twenty 32-poumder seacoast cainnon have been ordered, and preparations made for their manufacture; but
they were not delivered during the fiscat year., The payments for lhem,
which  vill be due on presentation of certificates of inspe:tion, proof and
delivery, will absorb the remaining balance of'the appropriation fbr the
year.  The expenditures frorn the appropriationi fbr armament of fortifications, during the year, anmount to $l77,531 7   23.
Ordina'nCe, Ordnanwe stores' and sv2upplies.
The work. done under this head, during the past year, has consisted of
the preparation and furnishing of ordnance supplies for troops in the United
States service, and the alteration. of ftint-lock muskets to percussion.
These supplies include siege, field and mountain artillery, with their ca-Irages, ammunition wagons, implements, equipments and harness; accoutrements and side. arms; rifles and cavalry pistols.  The principal articles
procured by purchase and fabrication at the arsenals are the following,.
viz'
1 9-pounder trial gun.
6 6-pounder field carriages.
2 12-pounder howitzer  prairie carna'rge,,




Doc. No. i.                              465
8 portable forges for mountain howitzers with tools.
2 casemate trucks.
22 caissons.
I,000 Colt's pistols.
100 cadet's swords.
385 percussion locks for cannon, alterI..
10 India rubber tarpaulins.
2,194 bayonet-scabbards, with frogs.
3:600 gun-slings.
100 musketoon waist-belts.
205 sabre-belts.
1,225 sword-knots.
1,l15 pistol cartridge-boxes.
10,008 percussion cap-pouches.
240 rifle-pouches, flasks, and belts.
815 spherical case-shot, different calibres.
2,460 canister-shot, different calibres.
1,003 12-pounder shells.
451,13S pounds of lead.
74,700 friction-tubes for cannon.
4,31 8 rounds of field-artillery ammunition.
194,493 cartridges for small-arms.
136,000 percussion caps, small size, for Colt's pistols.
3,497,000 percussion caps for United States arms.
t11173 cubic feet of field-carriage timber.
The alteration from  flint-lock to percussion of the good serviceable
flint-lock muskets on tand has constituted. during the year, a portion of
the work at th1e national armories and the larger arsenals.  The number
of muskets which have been thus altered and furnished with appropriate
appendages and spare parts for percussion arms is one hundred and seventy-three thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight.  The expenditures
from this appropriation during the year amount to ^237,773 86.
One thousand of Colts revolving pistols have been purchased from the
special appropriabioli for that obiect, and orders given, by direction ot the
Secretary of Wa ar, fr as many more as the balance of the appropriation'will pay for.
Stateme-nt C (hereto annexed) exhibits the quantitiWes and kinds of anis
ammuuition, and other orldnlane stores issued to the United States troops
dulring t the y0ar1 eding 30th. t-]  18d0.. te S. w.
T1e"       an-'in    m   itit    ued du ring the samie time to emi'grantm
to Ca. -ifr- tba r,    a ad. New Mi iex:ieo, 1by  t1vtiority of the resolution of
Co;ngrestsiN a o, Marc9v,,., 189 amoulnlt in value to $2,854 71..     Part i- 30




466                           Do    No..
-  atoml a rmwries.
Tbe expenditures at the nationa.r armnories during the year have been
as follows, viz:
Harper' Ferry.    Springaeld,      Total.
For  othe  manufacture  of
arms, appendages, tools,
&c., and purchase of materials for the same.....,157 )1. 5 37   $145l101 63  12g0228S7 00
AFor repairs, improverments,
and new machinery, including lands, buildings,
danms, &c..............   8 173 24      37 129 47        75,302 71:
1.95,358 61    18,23 1 1 0    377,589 71
The operations at these araories during the year are stated in detrail t.
the reports of their commanding officers hereto annexed, which-lare referred to for more particular information on the. subject..The manunfactures at IHaiper's Ferry armory include 9,600 y-erc.u.ssion muskets tand
2,676 percussion rifles, with 26,308 appendages for tihe same, cornsistitg
of extra cones, screw-dmrivers; spring-vices, wipers, ball-screws, atntd buIIet-.moulds; 10,836 flint-loclk muskets have been: altered to percussion,
and 107,S88 hammers, cones, and screw-drivers for muskets to be thus
altered have been made.  At Springfield anrnory there have been manuaectxred 18;1.55 percussion.  muskets and 2,000 cevalry musketoons, with
124:  8 ap)endagfes for the same, consisti8ng9 of like parts with those be-.fore mentioned; 56,1.34 flint-lock nmuskets have been attered to percus.io n, and 143,575 hammers and cones for mu.skets to be thus altered
have been made.  The cost of the finished musket at Springfield armory
during the past year was $9 05; at.Harper's Ferry armory $11 16. Tho
less cost and better quality of the manuufactures at the national armories,
and their improved condition in every respect, since the introduction of
tihe present system of superintendence, fully establish its superiority over
that which it superseded.
Arming and equipping t1h  mikitia.
The regular requisitions during the past year for arms and equipments
-for the several States and Territories, under the' law of 1808 for arming
an  equipping the whole body (f the militia, have all been complied with.
That law requires the arms to be 4'transmlitted to the several States consoin5g  this Union, and Territories thereof, to eachi State and Territory, repctively, in proportion to the number of effective militia in each.     The
eturns from  the several States and Tenritories to the Adjutant General of
ihe a'tiy furnish the only data for determining the number of effective
mliti.ao, fa   the quota of each State and Territory is alually apportioued




Dsoc. No. 1,                               46
at this office, according to these retuns.     repeat the suggestion made in,
my last annual report of a change in the law, by which the apportionment
shall be made according to population, or to representation in CongressS
for the reasons rthen stated, and equally applicable now.
The x penditures during the past fiscal year, from the appropriation for
arming and equ'ripping the mililia, amount to  191W209 13.
The pricipal articles obtained on this accoumnt by purchase and fabrication at. the arsenals, are as follows, viz:
30 six-pounder bronze calnnon.
7,'840 percussion rifles.
1, 00 pertcussion carbines'
6. 6(50 percussion pistols.
2, 570 cavalry rsabres.
1, 000 sets of cavalry acoutreme,.tsa
2. Ot00 rifle-po ucihes.
0,00  copser powder-flasks.
2, 00  flask uandl   p ouclh-belts.
bihe apportionment of arms and the supplies furnished to the miltia
duringi the yiear are stownm by the annexed staterments marked A aend B.
Arsen.aL'e atd a tpo t
I Thee   as be en no chang, during the year in the pertmanent arserials
and ordniance depots.  Temporary depots for the deposite and repairs of
arm-s andl o(lher ordlnance stores hlave been established at San Antonio, in
Texa, and Santa F', i  New N  Mexico, and furnished with adequate sup
plies. I. pernatnenr t arsenal in the State of Texas, and one also i- the Territory of, Newr M.exi.co: are required.  The proper sites for ttese arsenals
are at or near Austin and Sant-   Fe, i     purpose- to  u-bmit, nhereafter,
special estimates for the construction of these arsenals.  Under the. di.rection of the major geneTral commaannding the Pacific division,  a.site has
beet selected for aat arsenal in the aTerritory of Oracron, rwhich seems.
wellt adapted for tile purpose ia every respect.  But, altholugh  it s desira-'ble to tave a a arsenal in that Territory, and also in California, it is not
deemed advisable to present, at this time, estimates for appropriations
therefor.  T'The great dilficulty of procuring in that part of the country
the necessary labor and materials for constructing such buildings as are
necessary for permanent arsenals, and the enormous expense which. would
attend their (mection and any man.ufacturing operations thereat. render
it not advisable to undertake them while such a state of things continues.
It appears to be preferable to rely for supplies of this description required
in that part of the country on shipments from the arsenals on the Atlan.
tic-side, and salch temnporary meansl of storage for those not in use as may
be had in that country.
All arms3 and other ordnance supplies for the land service belonging
to the United States which are not in use by the troops are distributed
for safe-keeping among the arsenals in different parts of the country, in
such manner as it is thought will best secure their safety,-and at the same
time be most convenienlt to meet demands for them, so far as they can be
forese,-n.   T'he officers in whose charge they are, placed are held  responsible for and  make returns of thema qaarterly to this office.  Besides these,
quarterl.y et rum,.at  mal inventories ar aso furniAshed$ inqcu gding, in ad



468                           B Do, No. 1
dition to the ordnance and ordnance stores at each arsenal and deport.
the public lands, buildings, and other property.  These inventories exhibit each article that has been received at any of the arsenals during the
year, and how obtained; each article that has been taken therefrom, and
how disposed of; and the quantity and condition of each article remaaiing on hand, and its money value.  The inventories for the year ending
June 30, 1850, show  the following aggregates of value in money of the
public property at all the arsenals:
Lands, magazines, storehouses, quarters, barracks,
workshops, and machinery             -           -         -    14,514, 03)6 45
Artillery of every description, with carriages, implements, and-projectiles       -               -       -    2664,347  14
Small-arms of every description, with their appendages
and accoutremrents  -                                      8, 381'   1,     99'
Ammunition of all kinds, including powder and materials for its manufacture            -                     1 1,122, 534 6
Component parts of artillery carriages and equipments,
and of small-arms and accoutrements          -       -       383, 120 45
Gins, carts, implements and tools of every description
in use or current service        -           -               386,435 94
Unwrought materials and tools in stoe           -       -       609, 223 7T
18,060,87) 36
The average number of enlisted men during the year has beien 493-.
They are stationed. at the different arsenals, in detachments of such numbers as the service of each of these posts requires.  They are uniformed,
armed, equipped, and instructed in military duties and exercises, and
perforn  guard and police duties, like the regular garrisons of other posts.
When not on duty as soldiers, they are employed in the shops at such.
work as their mechanical skill fits themn to do.'T-ose who are not
mechanics are mustered in the grade of laborers, and are employed in
attending to the care and preservation of the public property and groluds^.
reei-vig anld issuing supplies, and such other public labor as is neessary
at the posts.  Besides' the enlisted m. en, hired mechllnlcs are employed at
most of the arsenals for constructions and fabrications requiring greater
mechanical skill than is possessed by most enlistedmenl.  The numb:irer
of hired men varies according  to the W\ork to be done, and; their wages
are regulated by the rates paid. for sinmilar services alnd slill in the viciniity
of the arsenals where they are enployed.
The expenditures friom the appropriation folr " arscnals' d(rin:ig' the
past year amount to  1.10,6506 50. The work donle undri this head includes repairs and preservation of peublic buildings,:fences, wharves, &
the erection of new aind additions to old buildings, ana ail. imtlproveimen-t
of a perianeutt character.  For a mriore detailed account of' the ope'ra1tions
at the arsenal, reference is Lmade to the reports from. thl comanaudin.l
officers of the principal of these establishments, hereto appnuded.
I am sir  very respectftully your obedient servant,
6. TAL COTT,
Brevet B'i'-ardier Gew rener, Colonel of Or'dnactie,..'Ho. -iC. M. CONRADr
Sreta' (f War-.




Doe. No. 1                                            49
A.
-A.pportionment of arms to ti&e m ttia for the year 1849, under the act of
18308 for arming and eauippi   the nahole body of thw militia.
States and Territorie's..a in..................-........., Dec. 31, 1845    1845                   44,665           325
Jevw H[-amp.shire................... June 15, 1849    1849                     o78s67           203
l/assacthul usc:ts........................  Deec. 28, 1.849    1.849        101,781            742'
Ve rmoint.t....,........o....^..  Jan,,   a   18414    1843      23, 915           174
lt.hode Island......................... De.. 28, 1848    1848                  13;653           100
C-onne:ticut.................D,.....  Dec.  1, 1846    1846                   57,719            421
el  aYork...................        De. 29,   1,9 1849    349   201 452         1,468
New      e.y............Dec,  29  1                                28 l1b     39, 1 1         285'
Pennylv.......................   Nov. 26 184770 1, 0,
Delavwar e............,.....,.................1827            9, 29.           67
Mlary tar n...........i........   i...           Jan. 15, 1839'  1838      46, 864           3415-43
Virginia..Z:...................   Out.  31, 1849    1819                     124,202            905
Norati (ar lna................... Fe. 1              3, 1846    1845         79,448            578
South Cadrolina........................ Feb.  3, 1849    1848             55,209           402
Geoaria...............................     15, 1840    1839         57,312            418.Aabama.............................    25, 1849    1848        44,331             23
Aebarna          l           o~v.,..25#+       **so** Jas. 95, 1849  1848    44, 331 313
Loiiaa.........................          Jan.  24, 1848    1847           43 823            319
Mississippi.........................  June  6,18338  838                    45, 385           331'Tentnesee.......................   Feb. 13, 1841    1840                     71,252            519
Keltcy *ucky......................       Dec.  8, 1849    1849          88, 629           646
OhioC..J.a.   26................ eO... Jan. S6, 1846    1845           176, 455        1, 88
Andiana........................ a.. Jan.  4, 1833    1832                   53,913            393
Itlinoiu..................................  Feb. 24, 1842    1841  120,219.876
Ms}issorit......................... Jan.  7, 1845    1844             61 00(}          444
Arkansas..J......................    Jan.    5, 1844    1843       17, 137          1t25
Michian................... Dec. 31, 1849    1849              60, 017          437
Florida............................0    Oct.  10, 1845    1845                12, 122            88
Texas.................. 22, 1847    1847                                       19,776           144
WiSeCOI1Si...................e...... *          b. 13, 1849    1848          32, 203          235
~Iowa...............,...  No return.......o
egon Territory................................do.................. 
Mfinnesota Territory....... do............  O   s.... 
District of Columbia.............. o. Nov. 20, 8 1...  1832'                  1, 49             9
Total................................2 2,006,068        14, 615 5-13
O'RDtANGcz   DEPARTMENT,
Washington, JvNveembe 4, 1850.
G. TALCOTT,
Breveet Brig. Ge ^, Col, of Ordwtrtce




:4.70                         Doe. No. L.
4f~                                   T
Bl
&Satement of the ordnance eand ordance slo'res disrbttilutd to the emilitwi
under the at of Apr/,il"1808, fro tmt the 1st July 1849, to the 30th Jun'e
1850.
1 12 pounder bronze gun.
26 6-pXinder bronze guns.
27 carriages for field artillery, with implements arid equipments
complete.
2 caissons, with tools and spare parts.
18 sets of artillery harness lfr 2 wheel-horses.
14 sets of artillery harness for 2 lead-horses.
12 extra thumbstalls.
6 linstocks.
12 pinning-wfres.
6 cannon-locks.
824 sponges of different calibres.
7,990 musket3 and appendages.
3,376 rifles and appendages.
263 carbines and appendages.
3.862 pistols and appendages,
1,186 cavalry sabres.
1,589 artillery swords.
72 swords for non-collmmissioned officers and musicians.
1 1616 sets of accoutrements for infantry, riflemen, and cavalry.
500 infantry cartridge-boxes.
500 infantry cartridge-box belts.
500 bayonet-belts.
$00 bayonet-belt plates.
50 cap-pouches.
913 pairs of holsters, with caps.
420 cavalry sabre-belts.
504 sword-belts for non-commissioned officers and musicians.
G. r TALC  OT'TP
Brevet Birig. Ge.emra, Colonel of Ordnane..
O-R3NANa CE DEPAR'T ET,
Washintgton,? N2ember 4, 1'850.




C.
Orddrince aad ordnance stres issued to the army  ad to to tseverl mai;L
tary posts for the year ending June 30, 1850.
24 6-pounder bronze guns.
10 12-pounder bronze howitzers.
9 12-pounder bronze mountain howitzers.
10 32-pounder guns.
12 24-pounder gulls.
1 8 inch seacoast hawitzer.
1 8-inch siege howitzer.
3, 10-inch siege and garrison mortars.
2 8-inch siege and garrison mortars.
1 10-inch columbiad.
1 8-inch columbiad.
12 32-pounder barbette-carriages with implements anad eqaipments complete.
5 siege-carriages, with implements, &c.
7 beds for seacoast, and siege, and garrison mortars, with im'
plemnents, &c.
37 carriages for field artillery, with implements, &c.
10 caissons, with tools and spare parts.
4 battery-wagons, with tools, &c.
10 forges, with tools, &c.
45 sets of artillery harness, for 2 wheel-horses.
71 sets of artillery harness, for 2 lead-horses.
50 extra tarpaulins.
2, 450 cannon-balls of different calibres.
50 8-inch shells.
4, 820 rounds of ammlunition for field service.
50 rounds of amnunition for siege and garrison gut,..
949 muskets and appendages.
40( cadet's muskets and appendages.
164 rifles and appendages.
597 carbines and appendages.
506 musketoons and appendages.
202 pistols and appendages.
815 Colt's pistols and appendages.
303 sabres for cavalry and horse-artillery.
201 swords for artillery, non-commissioned officers, and musiciarsa
1, 283 sets of accoutrements for infantry, riflemen, and cavalry.
58 infantry cartridge-boxes.
316 infantry bayonet-scabbards.
71 infantry waist-belts.
131 infantry gun slings.'229 sabre-belts.
177 sword-belts for non-commissioned olfcers and artillery.
418 sabre knots.
90 carbine slings.
65 carbine-swivels.




4!2                          Doc. No. 1.
70 pistol cartridge-boxes.
9 pairs of holsters and caps.
5, 430 cartridges for field service.
3, 630 cartridges for siege and garrison grins
525, 900 cartridges for small-arms.
31 6, 300 percussion caps.
16, 937 pounds of gunpowder.
59 fire-balls.
90 Hall's rockets.
250 signal-rockets.
2, 467 pounds paint.
468 gallons of oil.
34 pent-houses.
1 gill.
P00 pounds lead.
G. TALCOTT,"
0Br e.I Brig. (enerd, Colonel of Ord'MM,
ORIWNIANCE DEPARTMgN>T,
Wqhshir,tno., 0November? 4, 18(0.
S' telemnt qf the principal operations at the ar'ru'ics and.-rsenalsk du ng"p
the year ending' June 30, 1850.
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY, COIMMANDED BY LIEUT. COL. J.. RIPLIEY
The more important operations at this armlory during t   year ending
June 30, 1850, have been as follows:
Arms antd acppendages fab.ricaeted.
18,1555 percussion muskets.
2,000    do       cavalry musketoons.
56,134 flint muskets altered to percussion.
74,650 extra hammers, for altering flint arms at other posts.'68,925  do  cones, for altering flint arms at other posts.
23,218 compound screw-drivers.
1,200 wipers.
422 arm-chests.
302 packing-boxes.
Tools.
Their value has been increased during the year;42,84 0  o2.
Machines fabricated and in p'ogrress.
2 drill-presses, power, completed..
1 drill-press, hand, completed.
1 tilt-hammer, completed.
12 milling-machines, completed.




Doe. No. 1.                             473'" cone finishing-machines, cor.mpleted.
I machine for checkering hammers, comnpleted,
I machine for slitting hammiers, completed.
I machine for sawing wood, completed.
I water-wheel.
I water-wheel, in progress.. fan-blower, purchased, completed.
Experimaents in welding barrels by imachinery, with mollers  are 
progress.
The shop and machine fixtures have been:mncreased( in.value durTing
-he year $4005 93.
Building.'s.
The racks in the second story of the new arsenal have been cmn]lieted,
anid will containt 92,1 76 rmuskets.  The 66,981 percussion: muskets which.
were temporarily stored in the east arsenal have beeu remloved and placed
in the racks. 24,000 of these arms have been cleane d andoiled.
Thle seating and blinds for the new  storehouse have. been, comlple'ted;
also, inside shutters for one-half of the buildilng.  Th1e ground floor,
thro.ghout its entire length, has been paved.
The south filing-shop has been appropriated ex'hlusively to percussioning flint arms and the work heretofore done in this shop transferred to
the machine and stockingg-shops.
The pattern-house has been arranged for a fire-engine and watlch-house,
and the east arsenal for storing patterns and stock in charge of the rn litary storekeeper.
The polishiing-shop has been m;uch'improved. By r.eats of a fanblower and conductor, it is thoroughly ventilated and kept free from  dust.
TIhle "' old stores" on the east sqguare have beeu sold al:and removed.
Grounds.
About 46,000 cubic yards of earth have been: removed for filling ravines
north of the new storehouse, and nearly 600 sl1perficial yards of sodding
have been laid.
Th-e side-walks on the north, south, and west. of the square hlave been
paved with flagging-stone, consuming 17, 205   superficial feet.
28175 feet of rough and dimension stone have  been quarred during
the year, at a cost of 13 cents per cubic foot.
A picket fence 40 rods in length has been built for enclosing the yard
in front of the new storehouse, and 54 rods of high board. fence rebuilt
and repaired on the north line.
Street lamps have been erected around the principal square,
The large reservoir north of the machine-shop is so f.r completed as to.admit of being filled with water.  It will contain over 700,000 gallons,.affording an abundant supply of water in case of fise




HARfPER S FERRY  ARMIORY, COMIMA:NDED   Y MAJOR. SYMINGBo.
IRPOWt.  OF OP.:IRATIONS AT  TI'S.&ARMORY  DURIN   THf  PISTH     IGCM   YiR:.
Er.DXNG JUNE 304) 150.
nba    arms,  c.^, fabricated.
9,6fD0  percussion muskets.
5,088 extra cones, for percussion muskets.
2603 screw-drivers, for percussionl muskets.
544 spring-vices, for percussion muskets.
2,420 wipers, for percussion muskets.
366 ball-screws, for percussion muskets.
1.47325^ components, assorted, for issue to other posts.
163 lock comlponents, forissue to other posts.
2,676 percussion rifles.
4,701 extra cones, for percussion rifles.
2,989 screw-drivers, for percussion rifles.,046 wipers, fbr percussion rifles.
536 ball-screws, for percussion rifles.
140 bullet-moulds, conical, for percussion riles.
31  blllet-moulds, round, for percussion rifles.
512 spring-vices, for percussion rifles.
1,983 components, assorted, for issue. to other posts.
I lock, for issue to other posts.
1,5t2 components, assorted, model of 1822, for issue to other posts.
200) ball-screws, model of  S22, for issue to other posts.
1,845 wipers, model of 1822, for issue to other posts.
AtUrint  fJlintlock muskets to percussitn.
0,836 muskets altered to peicussion.
34)50'2 cones fabricated.
4]580  screw-drivers fabricated.
31,806 hammers fabricated.
75 barrels, model 1822, fabricated.
30 muskets, model 1840, fabricated.
52 rmuskets, model 1822, fabricated.
I musket, "    a la tige,"' fabricated.
I musket, LPerry's plan," fabricated.
BMiachli.ies fabricated.
I nmachine for cutting trigger-blades.
I machine for drilling cones.
I machine for drilling hammers-four spindles
I machine for turning musket-barrels.
2 machines for turning rile-barrels.
8 machines for drilling cast-steel barrels.
1 mnachine for centring cast-steel barrels.
1 machine for cutting compoonl    t edges.
I ulachine fr profiling stoaks, double.




Do'c. No. 1i                            4T:
I machine for second-ficimng s>tocks.
1 machine for turning nmusket-barrels; partly completed.
machine for swift boring mn1usket-barreis, ditoble, partvly cmpleteA
I machine for turning fiats and ovals, rile-bharrels patrtlyr completd'.
Mech i ne, pfurchra.sed.
5 rnachines for cutting components.
2 portable forges.
3 regulators for water-wheels.
1 punching-press.
I fly-press.
I 4-foot cast-iron turbine wheel and fuime.
Mackhintes altered a;nd in proed.
1 machine for cutting bolts and nuts.
I machine for drilling.:I machine for tapping cones.
4 machines for drilling cones.
I machine for cutting barrels.
I machlmelathe for wood-turning.
I machine for first-turning stocks.
2 machines for second-turning stocks.
2 machlines for milling breech-screws.
10i machines for cutting components.
1 machine for milling head of stocks.
Mach inery?,*c., fabricated or jt -in operat'k.,.
126  feet main line of driving machineiy.
133, feet counter-line of driving machinery, fabricated, and in operat:ion
in the new machine-shop, MA1. F.
55- feet counter-line, refitted in finishing-shop, M. F.
driving  atchinery, fabricated and ready for
49  feet main-line   J   use at rifle-factory, for drilling and turning
1i4- feet counter-line5   rifle-barrels, &c., extensively improved, together with pit-gearing; and
86t-,2 feet in length of cylindrical cast-iron fore-bay; and
25- inches diameter for same, laid and fitted, ready for use.
I cast-iron turbine wheel, with cast-iron flume, placed in positionx
ready for use, in new tilt hammer shop rifle factory; and stone forebay of heavy faced masonry, completed.
Extensive repairs have been made on the large iron overshot-wheel at
bell-shop, and to the old water-wheels generally and tilt-hammer machinery at both factories.   Considerable repairs and additions have been
made to tools in current service.




.3Us #.'../ kf-IT W~^            i.No.s 
Bi3 lding's, ~.c.-~::tket-factory. 
Isto The centre building and north wineg of the new.stocking and  maczhine-shop, described in last annual report, w-hen partially cormpleted, has
been finished.
2d. Thte  Cnow  trlliner-.}house, also described in last report htas beea
complete'd.
3d. The excavation, stone fbundation, aad brick-xwats, with cut-stor.e.coping, water-table, window, and doorrsills of new  tilt-hammer and bar-.el-weldirtg shop have-been completed, and the roof' is now being put on.
Th.is shop is 190 feet long by 53- feet wide, of onrestory-fioor to be laid
writh stole flagging, and roof (having a continuous ventilator along the
ridge) to be covered with slate.'The door and  wxindow-Kframes are of
cast iron.
4th.''ie front enclosing-wall of armiory yard has been finished; its
-extent- about 340 linear fiet.    Te gate rt iont is built with piers and low
panels' the t upper part of t;l [panels fittetd witl  iron railing to the height
of the piers.'ahe renlmainin  portion of thLe rwall t  of bricks solid,o1      stonte fioundation; the height Of' tho e eIClcosu re, )  f-et; nt, d woals coped  with cut store.
5th. A new polishling-shop has  been erctec,. 4f) hb  22 feet, two stories
high, of brick, on stone foiutldation, and covered wiithi slate.   This shop is
built in connexion with the bell-shop aid boring-inill, asad covers the;arge iron overshozet-wheel that drives inl part t..}:e mIachinery inl those two
sshops,,
6th. A double a.rtnealing filrnace and stack of brick work, with ca.tiron frontt, has been erected i on  of ne   e of te   smith shops; also, in the
same sh-lop, a new charring-furnaee, witf cast-iron) cylinder.
7th. A numlber of permlanentt places of deposite fot coal and other heavy:articles, not liable to injury frol weaiher, hayve been made under the superstructure of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, by filling utp with quarry
tmbble and flooring with rough boards.
8th. Various important improvements have been made in the interior
i-Tangements of the shops, as well as extensive repairs to dwellings..Rifle-faclory.
9th. The new tilt-hamnmer shop 110 feet long by 35 — feet wide, the
-.centre projecting in te rr 4-  on ta wrreh    314-  feet,      for office for
foreman, has been put up. This building is one story, of brick, over a ston.e
basemnent, with cut-stone water-table, steps, sills, and coping, cast-iroa
door and window-friames, and covered with slate.  T'his shop will be
completed in a few weeks-the laying of the floor, paving the basement,
ad putting in the i ne    dowsash, being all that is required to finish it.
10th. There has been a considerable amount of grading done on the
-grounds around the shops at the rifle-factory, rendered necessary by the
tinevenness of the surface, the old race-ways having to be filled up.




Doce. No. 1.                              4
-WATERVIlET AtRSENAL, COMMAANDED BY DB'RVET LT. COL, RP L. BAKER,
During the past year the fbllowing permaneiit improvements have been
made at this arsenal, viz:
Ist. A stone magazirnle t05 by 36 feet has been completed.
2d. One thousand and seven yards of stone wall have been constructeit
to enclose the new magazine-grounds.
3d. Trhe north  bricik  Iquarters have been repaired by new-slating the
roof, remnoving the heavy centre chimney, putting in new paltitions and
ceiling, and erecting a hot-air furnace.
4th. A brick builditll 1-50 by 8 feet, one story high, has been built hi
rear of the hospital. and quarters, to be used as coal and wood-houses
water-closets, and wiash-ro)ms..
5th. The hospital has been enlarged by the addition of the old barrack..
Motos, which have been newly floored and painted for wards.
6tth. T he low grounds north of the worlkshops have been  raised -:t0ce
feet by filling i).
7th. The ground and slate rock near the new magazine and north quarters has been graded, and theo interior roads leading to shops and mragazines:
have received a dressing of stone.
8th. The percussion  laboratory, brick  arsenal, quarters, and  workshops, have been painted, and all necessary repairs have been made to the
several buildings requiriigt thet.
The principal work executed int the workshops sincf te leas.t h      a)mn.report consists of the following constructions, viz:
368 carriages an   chasses, as follows::32 32-pound er casemate chasses.
51 32-pounder barbette chasses.
64 24-pounder barbette chasses.
50 32 pounder barbette carriages.
6 caissons.
6 6-pout der carriages.
2 prairie carrir.iges.
60 24-pounder barbette carriages.
3 S-intlh seacoast barbette carriages.
90 24-oitlt  er fleank-defence tipper carriat.gos.
I   Iwagou and harness.
2 stock-trail wagons.
1 hand-c. art.
273 sets -of irons Jfr carriages, as iollows:
6t) se; is fr 2  p1-)outder barbcbftt carriages.
613 sets f;O)r 24-pouuder barbertt c-msess.
120 sets f.r.an.l.-dcecace chasses.
0 sets; Ir flankI -defence carrieages.
174 st\S f;r ci alrage-iro',.s.   unfin.ished.
692 S li-IS s
1.  tirte-)bol  ts,; rid:rashuerts.,9 spon ges anl rammilers.
5 worn.ms and staves.
8 portable firges, with tools compIleXt,.
98 trail handspikes.
43 truck handspikes.
80 manuavclri: g handspikes,




"-4t                            Doc. I        I,
26 s'pare poles. 
6 spare wheels..165, battery wagon-boxes.e
95 battery wagon-ecaus.:689 arm-chests.
D100 packing boxes.
16 budge barreis.
6 sponge-buckets.:101 watering-buckSets, wVoo   d an-d leatfhe
22 tJarpaullirs.
8 portfire shoears.
46 portfire-'ases,
12 pass-boxes.
i6 cQl'llnners haversacks.;  tube,.0td fuzze pouch es.
)00 thumbsuta ls. 
4 gITunner's levels.
1 12.vent and lock-c ver.
48 lanyards.
40 fuze plug reaners.
12 filze-malets.
10 faize-plub s, bronze.
12^ pack-S sddls and harness..'.i, r_263 c ap pouThes,
54 impleiment-straps.'i   fl  ard sling.
2 (ase mate tracks.'2 pent-1ahouses,
2 leather aprons.
I ti:ing-l Ja.-the.
150 saboots.16I jiunk.. wads.
2, 800 poaunds muskelt-'alls200i pou lds ifle-balts
1, 50f  paper fizes.
21-  ounds quick-match.
231t, 000 percussionl caps.0
24 mountain howitzer spherical case-hot, fixed,,
291 twelve and six-pounder cartridges,
20 six-pounder canister-shot,
18, 450 mnusket blank cartridges,
And the following  have been repaired and tra-sferred fr onats.. as.-Ae to serviceable, viz:
2, 698 rounds of cannon anuinition,
2, 000 musket-cartridges.
12, 000 carbine-cartridges.
60 000 mortar-fazes.
1 4428 box and belt-plates.
19 sets of harness for two hores..
38 Hall's carbines.




Doe. No. 1a                               479 
-53 sabres'
13 sabre-belts,
678 musket-wipers.
33 budge-barrels.
48, 136 muskets altered florn  fiint-lxek  to pref'cussio   and a quantity
of equipments, tools, &c.
ALTLEGHAN Y ARSENAL, COMMANDED BY ( CAPTA IN EDWARWD   HAIRD.ING.
0TArTEME-`2WT OrP TIE PRINiiPA  OP:ERlA' I:ON' g    A  THl  ALLEY_.GANx A4g}3IA I)T. i)URINcG uTI.:,AR ENINC J-xUNC E J 30 1850.
1. Perianenret iamnpfrofenrt.t,
Thei new  mnagazine Ibr fixed anammunia tion, which was returned in last
year'k report as in progress of construction,  has been completed and occupied.  This building is 51t by 38 feet; it has been erected in an eligible
position in the upper park of the arsenal, and built on the most approved
plan, wvhich was furnismhed by the Ordnance office at Washington.
Extensive alterations and repairs have been made in the ota ersY  quaarters; the kitchenrs, to the rniht and left blt-ocs, were raised another story,
and fi.. )ished in a neat and work-.'alnlik    nee manaler, hich has added see-:rat cornmfrtable apartments on eacth sl d   foi r    conveniene o fvn  oc ctpaits.
Before this arrangement was perseedl tihese quarters weree justly complained of as crowded, and inconvenient.  Tlhere has been also  constructed, under ta  he ad of alterations and repairs, a substant.ial brick additiort, 93 by 92  feet, two stories high, adjdoining the old office- building
This inmrovelmrent gives twor, new-   rooms, whlich coJ'an-ect  with  several
others in thde old building. The whole,' being pernmauentiv separated from
the office apartmeint leaves s      tficient iaccommiodation for officers, and at
t he sat.e te furnishes -another aet of o ffilers' quarters, ilferior to Lone
at tlhe post.
iThese qoarters wvre- muchi reqrtiredi  and, by the use of' enlib.ted labor,
have been put up, comparatively;  at but a trifina  g expperse.
Six hundred feet, or tlhereabou t f, rfcast-iron' gui -sk-iddingh) have beenl laid
down on, stone foundations, 18 by 12 inches, anblted b           through cap-.stones at intervals of 12 feet-an economical as well as permanent work.
Three hundred and forty-two square feet of cast iron shot frames were put
down, imbedded in masonry.
A  temporary 6 bomb-proof," and an apparatus for suspending heavy
utIs, I have been erected 0onthe " proving-ground" near last LibertyO
2. Mackinery, 4c.
lThe following machines have been put in operation at this  arseral4
within the lastfie  yearr, and were not heretofore eambraced in any an~.~ual r'ep-or, viz:
Ist. Drill, with double stock, for altering flint lock arms to percussion.
Wd, Dlaiiog-machine put in operation, and saws, cutters, and grinders
~:ade fbr the same.
IU_ Sltabbing machine put in ot.radon,  with grinders far the same.




480                             Doc. No. 1.L
~4th. Mac}hine fbr rean-ting nave-boxes, constructed and adapted to use
on lathe,
5th.. Spoke.-teiring machine put in operation.
f6th  Tenoning-m-acthine constructed ibr cuatting roud tenons on spokes
of carriage-wheeas, after they have been driven.  All of whiclh iacilitat:
and perfect the work, and econonmize bot:. time and labor.
3. Misceh.-wcou~s-fb. S Ricated.
16 6  pounder caissons.
9 32 pounder barbette top-carriages,
32 24 pounder barbette top-carriiages.
10 32 pounder barbette chasses.
32 24 poundover barbette chasses.
136 6:pounder sponges and rammers,
1I 6-pont.Hder worms and staves.
22 32.pounder sponges and staves.'27 24-pounder sponges and staves.
33 32-pounder rammers and staves,
83 24-pounder raimners and staves.
10 tar-buckets.
23 linstocks.
19 portfire stocks.
12 tangent-scales.
15 shell plug.screws.
15 brass fuze-setters.
1,800 bayonet-scabbards, with frogs.
3,800 gun-s-lingso
1, I   pistol cartridge boxes,
i 05 sabre-belts.
1t12  sabre-knots,
767 percussion cap-pockets.
837 8 ineh cartridges,
20t 6poulnder cartridges.
11,130 muske.t blank cartridges.
2,000( portfires'
100 barbette-carriage handspikes.
3t3 barbett e-carriage pi ntles.
14 barb'ct ecar riag   pen.t-ie i:u;ses.
7 tarpaulins.
92 pairs hau-:ii,  for artller  harness,
IO0 packing -boxes.
I carryali or ca,ag  repird.
3  It.o  n  i;onait army muoskel. ts, reltir d,
6,799 muslkets altered t r    it. flor [o  p L n'i,,L ilU,.
I  10, 300                       &   emuskeo  9t 3(  & dcl 5d.  &.,, -i'....
10(,50)0 muski ets~ cle;:e.~e, oiJled,  &c.r~




Doc. No. 1.                          481
WASHINGTON ARSENAL, COMMANDED BY BREVET MAJOR A, MORDECAI.
REPORT OF OPERATIONS AT WASHINGTON ARSENAL DURING THE YEAR
ENDING JUNE 30, 1850.
1. Permanent i'umpr ovements.
The artillery storehouse reported last year as commenced has been
completed.  The building is 240 feet long by 50 feet wide in the clear;
the ground floor is flagged with stone, and partly occupied for storing
artillery carriages. The upper story is intended for storing small-arms,
and will hold 80,000 muskets in racks.
The western wharf, on the Potomac, has been repaired as well as the
available means would allow, so as to secure the solid part next to the
channel from further injury; but the joists and planking of the remaining
part are decayed, and an estimate will therefore be presented for renewing
them next year.
With regard to the condition of the machine-shops at this arsenal, I
beg leave to refer to the remarks in my report of last year.  The settling
and cracking of the walls of those shops still continue, and there is
reason to fear an increase of the evil.
2. ilachinery.
An  excellent planing-machine for iron (made by Mr. A. M. Freeland,
of New York) has been procured during this year.
A second machine for making and charging percussion caps has been
made by Master Armorer Wright, on the same principle as the one referred
to in my last annual report, but with some improvements in the details.
This machine performs its work perfectly, and is the subject of admiration
to all visiters at the arsenal. Officers of the Ordnance department who
have lately had an opportunity of examining the manufacture of percussion caps in several countries of Europe agree with me in.the opinion
that this is by far the most complete machine which has been made for
that purpose.
The ingenious inventor of this machine has also arranged a machine
for varnishing the caps, by means of which that work is done more expeditiously and neatly than it can be by hand, according to the method
heretofore practised with us.
3. Work done.
The operations in the workshops during the last year have been less
extensive than for several preceding years. The principal articles fabricated are as follows:
42 casemate carriages for 8-inch columbiads.
100   do    ohasses for   do        do
10 barbette carriages for 32-pounder guns.
6   do   chasses for-    do        do
100 sets of iron work for i4-pounder barbette carriages and
chasses.
Part ii -31.




482                             Do. No. IS
50 sets of iron work for 8-inch howltze (earrniages
3sets each of iuplements, equipments, and tools for travellingforges and battery-wagons for field service.
354 rounds of fixed ammunition for field service.
46 tarpaulins for field service.
196 Hale's war-rockets.
20, 000 pounds pressed musketdballS.
1 266 000 percussion caps for small arms.
22, 675 muskets altred fiom fli nt-lock to peyse ion




Do.e No. L                                       483
FORT MONROE ARSE    MADtL COMMANDED BY MEVST COLONEL B. HIUGQE~.
The experime'nts iade at this arsenal during the year have been mostly 
for the information of a board of on-cers engaged in preparing a "complete
system  of instruction ior heavy artillery.i
The manner of serving and working all the different pieces, the  manner of handling, mounting, and dismounting,  with  ordinary implemtents,
and also with thte machines used in artillery, were all tried.
To test different points during  the experitments, the following,oundB
were fired:
Kind ofg. g          t                                   I R
24-pounder  seOe  and  ar               1.....         41     4      4   To obta rangs al 
rison gusn or esiege ca'1 0  ~.  ~       I        842   10     4     try platfoma.
riage.,0I..^              H.   1  952    7     3
1i10...i.*.. t2        1,147   15      4.a 0.<~, 3 e~~  eo1,417   13      7
O, o6   2 1     2,'  4 t.........     a    1,       0  1..
65 -. e r4         1, 1,8   16r     9
6                         I...^  5 834  S8
Total,......   86                                                           u
S-ineh siege howitzer.....     30.5     1     10..  To obtain i.nges,
)t 0.75......  10'tie of lfig1t, t^y. 1  1X.  -,..*    9'l     p o^  -~^;* 
1  18    4.'   ~
19,..,......   I.  S]3  *  e.c    b eo....  S
I 7....    4 ~....  ^  e   z......e I 5
Totl  e........... I " o ~   4




494                                  Doe. No. I
Experiments-Continued.
w ^        C6halrgc e
0                TO0  9      X
t,.  ind of, -,:         _.                         _Remas.
8,                )
~~.o"
Ls.      Shell.     Degrees.
O1-ipch mortar..........   35    1             1           45     To obtain ranges, time of
11   2                                  light, try platforms, &c.
9    2,,5
11    3
28   4^;
3......,                  60 
Total............  97
8-inch siege mortar.....    17    0.            1          45     To obtain ranges, time of
21   0.75                               flight, try platforms, &c.
13   1
10    1.25
10   1,5
5    1.75
8   2
Total......        84
Lbs.'Shell, weight Degrees.
50 Ibe
S-inch columbiad,.,      4   8              1          1  To try carriage and plat2,.............  eormn test fuzes, &c.
3    1.,,...~........}..
I
3.
Solid shot,
65 lbs.'1,           1
1...... I
To..... 24.  "''' B all'  -          ~-..Casemate  carriage  42-    1  10               1           2S    To test torking of carriag
pounder gm.                 3..................   2             and recoil, Average reT.1... *,,.*......  7  coil 6 feet 3 inches.
Total...,.. 5..:.,2-pounder gun barbette    1  5                 1......    ot-shot fired to test method
carrsage.                   2........             1  of loading them.
1.............       2
1  6...........  
Total......*      6
Grand total...... 416




Doe. No. 41.8
ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, COMMANDED BY MAJOR W. H. BELL.
Since the last report, the following public works at this post have been
finished,  tp to th  30th Ju.ne, 1850, viz:
t. Artillery arsenal.  fThis   bild.ing is one hundred and six feet long,
severity-one feet wide, and forty feet three inches high friom principal floor
to eave-gutter; built of brick, front and rear wall painted and sanded,roof
covered with galvanized iron, seven doors covered with sheet iron, and
seven pairs of iron shutters on first-story windows.
2. Quartermaster's coal-house,.engine-room, and  paint-shop.   This
building is eighty-five feet long, thirty feet wide, thirteen feet nine inches
high from top of foundation to eave:gutter; built of best bastard-range
work on the outside, and covered with slate.
3. Ordnance coal-house.  This building is eighty-five feet long, thirty
feet wide, and thirteen feet nine inches from top of foundation to aeavegutter, with an area-way eighty-five feet long and thirty feet wide; area
wall covered with best coping, two feet eight inches wide, and eight inches
thick. This building has been completed since June 30, 1850.
4. Repairing flooring of the uncovered piazza on north side of commanding officer's quarters, and roofing the same.
5. Taking down boiler-stack twelve feet, and rebuilding it to the height
of fifty-five feet.
6. New flag staff, being one hundred and fifty-seven feet high from below the surface to top of spear.
WATERTOWN ARSENAL, COMMANDE D BY BREVET MAJ. W. A. THORCTON,
WORK DONE AT THIS ARSENAL DURING THE  YEAR ENDING JUNE 30N 1850,
Fabricated
4 lathes, slide, hand, and milling.
I drill-press, double.
1. machine for cutting bolts and nuts.
I upright saw, bench, and frame.
82 feet of shafting for machinery.
410 feet of three.inch steam-pipe for warming shops.
1 water-tank of eleven hundred gallons.
828 feet of water-pipe to shops and quartersi
5 tongues and forks, iron, for casemate chasses.
107 iron shot-beds, for piling balls and shells.
53 pieces of iron skidding, for skidding guns.
Altered.
14,143 Imuskets altered from flint-lock to percussion.
133 cannon locks from light to heavy hammers.
Repaired at forts.
61 barbette carriages and chasses.
31 casemate  do              do do




481                              Doc. No  a
1.3 penot-houses; and
fi.oeldd bat.eoy of iourS  ar carrges d ar aiss ons
The,~ f-r gom:-g   have been repai.rer, bQ  cid.ptiL   g     new  bolts and
od 0i-n    - parts-~te   cleaved and pai  tu f J d.
f      a' eccdt atr   c -t;Tc  csbrt  n  t i a  e
i 7  sphe ical case-snottnty-        r3 amd htr- t(fty~ to -porn~ie.
a    c can cnrgprcassion locks,
I'.'; A0 t.C.)C&VciA\ 0":00i         I
1 125 s3et of infat(Vry-and c5VavaEl   accourements C, -
ti50 m         /uskiet, iocaks, i ay4arci,pc  N t Ie
jr.134/1  parts of cifl    ri(0s tonr repairs
c~~    ~~Ze' t:i-,t o' "t.. "
T 8 40 pe.roctlnssi  rifls,  with  cppej d a es   omzX plete8.1058 BCT\csp;ioii and pateflwnt. pis udl^  doi,
1.^0~6C0 percauirl on:-  carbines.
1.8o,:823 -.,is kt-s' cieaned, oiled, "r ae;  prncu   on rif'es cleanedi oid, o a     o re' oied.
0)3 fit i -'l' pI ist ls   do   do         do.o
22,4/3 polnds  gut   apc C'tr'.e a           a gat. ~ -so it da ugs o., gaued  ad i  ed,38     nds of a, imtion broken up.
S >.                                   Nt e,_'  B  in. ~  N
2897. c a       o.1ndge    dl malR I   bi -s o kn.tci.  i 
7i2  cai; o i a'  tdts                       and as l  le d   aa laker-ed.
1.'45.i. er,'ot-b     d o  a.-.00  do              o
1X80pe-.fis;t"-..... feith o iron..-ddg   do  da.j    do.8
$.,S'.030 bals and i  s.etlls  do4 -       do       
I  s   y     a   fexcavalo an d  Ili g  i   pu a itti  ng  doan,      e p atf1mc
0sca'  le   of  six  toirta dranh:    cin,'o csaci hnres
a% t fe5i)i<ensty-o e  feett owiatpp  tot cis,ew,   d a
%SO  e      istani8  i.sun atio* post p- t dow n
4T5l9 f:eet of oak tiULbe staoed in tinbY ~ocho s.
13996 mu' skets e eived c 4r ird stored fort paorssiomnmi
W'ih i" provent  to soueth >cOr  aroier4s and C'it4 )- sh&opsi and.re.pir to..annac   and qua't..rs  cmplet.c by 13 6feeb2I            ando' bick ed.ooeu oi; i:g4 i:t.z..;i  4 )"' h'  off pnj-o':ge and cailisg   2,685-o:eyar,  of 
l Ei Cl~i;S 2 e;\2C 
Vpl3al,:- 39s o   ya.rd. of pai.ng   1    et of teapp   behes market- 
Is atlddist4ion  to0-iX the fopregoing,, th berN1e hbae  bee, much service  renderen d in
Iu~},-   (;!':  (."''............ pi
ipt:        n    f public -fi.       aati fJi  tts is d p  o  ess    na a  nd   rec 1    a n d   i'.
NOH,.G CA'OLSN1AEAL CO.A SD BY G;T. J7 A. J. BRADORll.
STAl^ME1T 0.  THE  PErCIPAL OPARD.ATIONS AT  ATS AIRSETlN-tA L DTRiNG
TZHE ^BABLZ  TEKMIHABTI^O          1'HS 30TI. JU E- 1850.
/ ns.o....k d-o  
1. o ^                                             PIgS n,,,,>.s:cavatiao sg an e  No.  ty  C.Lmitiu-4.ho:I.vs} con. D.la8tea.t iRst
$preorat, tI;en'.te roof              hi re  been rasD 8' E i3d to  irti  n.'O,, 




tion', sheathetd,, slated, antd the   ges    dd    hefoundatio;s o:f tr  csal
apartments filled in. with earth, ratnrmed, ad cement-gro, utedl rick flo0ors
laid down; fan-light sash of doors oma-de  glazesd, and plac-ia-; six lare
double doors and trheir thinges, and wi'ndo-w-shtutters,        de and. v ae 
plank floor of store apartenL.  lid    door aid wndo:-steS    m _adem
and afSiXed; interior and  exterior wood ework,   water-table, sills, n. t.-I,
cornice, gutters and lerders, and   go a, puind  in              r an   x,. or
surfaces of walls covered with cem ent-vash; an  te buid g coopleted
and occupied.
2o  On gfun'carri2ge sfore No. 2o,  a.Cdpna1-.gs_,op. Also incorpletoe at last
report.  Since then the walls have been  co mpleed f       o   te levte   of te l of he,.
window-sills k the roof-trusses finished, raised. to and pllt in posiooan,
sheathed, slated, and the rid- gs leaded; window  R ad      n-ight sash of
shop and store nm ade, gao4zed, and p!aed;   our larg     dolb00      doois atnd
their hinges made  andplaedi,      door and wndow-i-stenm...,'g made and.
affixed;   lath an i-rpaster      n sepa rat ii n   spat  toin g sh op and  "st ore erec, t; iterior and exterior v  ood -wotrk   w -a water-table,  sills  ltes coice, giuttars
and leaders' and ridge-ead, painted i  interior and exterior walls comvered
wiith cement-was-n; atnd the butilding comopleted and ready::or uxe
3. JOntr-ar"o'wer cs  -i'ner-~s, tat ness -n   r^ r  c.sp, h —-is  bl.di.a.g 
66 fet by 36 feet p8an1  and h.aving a  0 -feet basrementi   and t wo stonies
elevation, was co lmmienced sS ice last,-npo t- and ih3as been advanced to
the completiot of the roof; the f l undations of the basermnt floors are
made ready for cement coivering; thei constrnation ofi the doors and win
dow-sash is  n advanced progre.,:! umber tor the i ntei or fiish., and
part of the stone or the entrance-plat a'nd steps, are,roc re;rd and rn.  ady
for use; copper gutters and leaders aie mnade an d placed-;   -alls roj'    Uid
fronm basement vwindlows aae balt, and they a           rir the e n t;ire        base-nat
wall cement-plasteled against damp-strike; exterioir  alls covered  viteh'cement-wash; and the water-tab!e  sills, lintels  belt-cournse, conice, gut-'.
ters atnd leaders d ridge. lead, acnd chimney-heads, paiuited CzO
4, 0    so-utz oest     Ioawer, —'lThis btidi ng, aiso, wa s commnced Ec er
su;bmitting the last report, and is cani od  up to the level of the xvindo,sills of the secoind story; these are set and ready.or t he f Sames, whicb,
for the  re whole st:rctue are made  all the stonte for the cornice h  tas beea,
quarried and deliveredo   and most of is cut ready  for posi tio l.   Al  thei
lumber for comipletion is on hand as  as ao  are the brick, limeo, &c.   the
window-sash, doors &ec. are in good            Iprogresse   ac.  &o
5. On norI/c east tower. —Also begun  after last report   The walls are'.p to the level of the window-sills of  ti third story, xiwhich are set ready
for the framnes, all of which, for the entire    building are made; the wi-A
dow-sash, doors, &c., are in good progress; lumbetr for compceio  is on
hand; and most of  the stonoe fIr tohe collice is proc-red &,o,, &eo
6, On arsenaalC- onsiderable repairs in sou.th win, inecessary f DO'i
dry-rot, executed, as welas  s a  son r"eais of s.ate roof, copp e.r le.des, te.
7. On connecmi,-26twai -ls   Two )po rion    (one connectimn   the ar0noiecs
shop and timber-store No. 1, and   ethe other conneLting that s hp aod gunicarriage store No. 2,) each eight t f3et inx linear extent, have been e xecuued,.
8. Onpavemten c beJobre showps  rr- bam;raC-, -c.All the brick reauired i a
fabricated and on hand, and mucho of te curbstone quatnied and dilivered.
9, Antiiary   d a    iscel.   wsr-   2nr"        2 a-6,23  sbic feet clay dia  a a11d




488                           Doe. No. 1.
delivered fromthe pits (twvo miles distant) at brick-yard at arsenal sitea
-    cords pine wood for burning brick received and measured; 30,516
cubic feet sand dug and delivered from  pits (one-third mile distant) at
mortar-mill and brick-yard at site; 205;275 brick moulded and burnt;
158,650 brick hauled from kilns to the several building sites; 706 cubic
feet stone quarried and hauled from  quarry (six miles distant) to site;
9,335 cubic feet mortar made; 533 square yards grading done in rear of
carriage-maker's shop; 290 square yards grading done in front of guncarriage, &c., stores; 80 cubic yards of levelling done in front of armorer's,
&c., shop; 979 square yards lime-wash laid on interior walls of smith's
shop; saddle-straps made for new'ridges; roofs of all the finished buildings examined and repaired, and their ridge-lead covered with imperishable paint against oxidation, &c.;  permanent enclosing-fences repaired;
supply-pond, in rear grounds, enlarged, deepened, and its dikes strengthened; 41 shade-trees renewed or planted, stumps, roots &c., eradicated
from rear grounds, &c., &e.
10. Ordnance service.-3,000 percussion muskets received, unpacked,
inspected, set in racks, and a portion requiring it cleaned; 293 flint
muskets packed and issued to the State of North Carolina; 5,146 flint
muskets taken from racks in arsenal, transferred to shops, altered to perussion, and returned to and re-established in.racks; 2,000 percussion
rifles received and stored in boxes; 2 iron field-guns and their carriages
lackered and painted;  battery of bronze-guns and harness repeatedly
cleaned and oiled; 68 hand-racks for musket-barrels, 32 hand-boxes,
(with divisions for parts of musket-locks,) and one hand-barrow for transferring complete arms from  arsenals to shops, and vice versa, made; 63
linear feet of vice-bench erected, and vices affixed in shops; 288 quarry
and 490 stone-cutter's tools repaired; the shot, shells, &c., on hand lackered; the buildings constantly ventilated and kept in neat condition; the
post kept in thorough order; and the several administrative duties faithfully executed.