Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-01-02


elect and Auditor, Treasurer Warden of the
Penitentiary and JUICES of Probate; heretofore
laid on the table, was taken up and concurred
in.
On motion of Mr.. BLooKBUmER, the peti-
ton of sundry citizens of Montgomery county
praying the removal of Judge Smith from office,
was taken and referred to the committee on
petitions.
0FThe evening session was spent in the
elections.
THn LATE VOLUNTEERS The following
Memorial to Congress, praying indemnifca,
ton for losses sustained by the Volunteers, III
the late Indian compaigns, was adopted, with,
out dersion, both by the Senate and House of
Representatives.
To the honorable, the Senate and House of
Representatives., of the United States in Con.
greSs assembled.
The memorial of the general assembly Of
the state of Illinois, respectfully recommends
to the consideration of Congress: The settlers
on the north frontier of the state of Illinois.
who during the late Indian war have sustained
Injury, and loss of property from the depreda-
tions of the hostile Indians, during this, and
last year.
The hositlilies on the part of the Indians
commenced early in the spring of both wears,
and SO early in the season, that the farmers. at
least many of them had not planted their crops
The settlers on the frontier, are many of them
of the poorer class of the community, and such
as depend exclusively upon the annual pro-
ductions of the soil, for the support of Them
selves and families. In the spring of those
years wisely considering themselves unsafe
upon wide extended, thinly settled and imp TO-
lected frontier, upon the first hote of alarm
fled from the uplifted tommahawk of the, mer.
ciless savage, forming themselves prl,hcipallv
into little military bands; built block houses
and stockades Tor the defence and projection of
themselves and families, while otheifs SOUGHT
safety In the more popuous interior.
| The consequence has been to them. tba,
during this and last year, they have raised no
crops, nor been permitted TO PROSECUTE their
mining operations, a business in khicb same
OF them were also employed, Whereby somc Of
thema are reduced to penuiy wait and suffer.
ing and as such your menorialists wo,,,4l--.-
commend them TO your consideration, as meri-
torious objects for the aid AMI relief of the Gen.
eral Government
Your memoriasts would urther presents and
state that in addition to the bnsequentiaI loss.
es thus sustained by the frollier settlers. MANY
OF them have sustained actul damages from
the depredations, and spoiatpn of the hostile
Indians. Compelled TO fly rom their homes
to avoid instant butchery, feir farms were in
many instances with the cro,s growing, their
household furniture, farmingu,ensis, and heir
cattle all abandoned and eftexposed to the de.
fore y,,ft he ~
tlons of the frout,er, the Indii,ns burned their
houses, destroyed their croIs and furniture,
and killed and drove off theircatle and other
stock. The amount of property thus destroys
ed IN he,opinion of your memoralsts, far ex-
ceeds the amounts of annuity due the Indians,
who committed the depredatlon-, and unless an
appropriation he made by the General Govern.
ment, the injured settlers can obtain no indem>
MITIGATION for their losses. They are there
fore, respectfully recommended to your consi-
deration for and and relief
Your memorialists would further present,
that the Governor of the state of Illinois, as
commander In chief of the militia of the states
and acting under the order of Brigadier Gen
eral Henry Atkinson so soon, as the terrific,
ries of this state were invaded, by the bands
of hostile indians, with his characteristic ener-
gy and promptness, made acquisitions upon the
milita. of the state for mounted volunteers to
repel the invasion. Our citizens soldiers with
alacrity and enthusiasm, obeyed the call of
their country, and crowded around the stand
ard of their commander in chief Many of
those who volunteered, and thus professed
willingness to expose their lives for the protecs
ton of an exposed and bleeding frontier, carried
with them, all the property of which they we're
2 possessed, consisting of the horses on which
they rode and their accoutrements Owing
to the nature Of the country, over which they
were compelled to march, and to unavoidable
accidents, many of their horses died upon the
march, were lost estrayed, or were stolen by
the enemy. Under the existing laws of the
United States. upon that subject, the soldier
who volunteered himselfto defend his country
from an invading foe, is not entitled to pay for
a horse lost by him in the actual service of the
United States, unless when lost in battle with
the enemy. This restriction may have been
proper and expedient at the time when enacted
when the Government was poor and in debt
But at the present time when our Golfers of the
Nation are full to overlooking, the restriction
seems illiberal and unbecomng great and
magnanimous people. The pay of the volun-
teers at best is but small and poorly requi;es
time for the tolls and racrifices If the Soldiers