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WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1858
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who, after a conference between themselves, had informed him that it was very important that the regular force of the United States should be increased. The President, adopting that recom- mendation, presented it to Congress upon the authority of those officers, and suggested as a reason for the increase, the difficulties with Utah. It was natural that the President of the United States, relying upon the heads of this branch of the Government, should have adopted a recommendation so plausible as that which was presented to his consideration, and refer it to this body. From all his antecedents, however, I am satisfied that'he is not himself in favor of an increase of the regular Army to an undue extent. Such has not been his course heretofore; nor do I believe it is his desire at this time, but it seemed to be proper that he should sub- mit the question to Congress and ask for its action when the matter was pressed, by the high officers to whom I have referred, upon his notice. I think, then, the reflections cast upon him are hardly as courteous as the characteristic generosity of the Senator from New Hampshire would have induced him to expect. The Senator from Mississippi deprecates any mawkish appre- hension of the increase of the regular Army, and says that old Virginia could whip it. Well, sir, I do not think it is necessary to make any calculation upon tpe subject, but to prevent the pos- sible occurrence of such an unpleasant event, I should regard the present establishment as all sufficient for the purposes of the Government. There are now, I think some two thousand two hun- dred regular troops in Utah; but it will be recollected that our regular Army amounts to fifteen thousand men, and if they be withdrawn from points at which they are utterly inefficient and unnecessary and concentrated in Utah, they will be amply suf- ficient for the purpose of subjugating the Mormons, if it be possible to do so. It is said, however, that the regular troops are neceRsary for the protection of the frontier against the Indians. I say they are as useless as so many post oak trees upon the frontier. If you put volunteers behind the trees, they will be more efficient than regu- lars. Upon the frontier, the regulars are stationed in forts, and whoever heard of a fort giving protection to a settlement, unless by affording the inhabitants a place of refuge to which they might fly. A few well mounted savages can go between the forts, make a foray into the country, abstract cavalry from the citizens, and return unmolested. It is useless for you to start infantry to pursue them and reclaim the horses. They will march with great alacrity, it may be some fifteen miles a day; but the Indians make
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