Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-12-15

Of the articles Of necessity for the residue OF the year
This restitution produces suffering dependence and
inactivity, and they resign themselves 10 the allure
menls CT inoxica,icn, or OF wretched Idieness. al
The same time influence is acquired over them oy
the traders altogether beyond that Of the officers OF
the Government and which may be, and sometimes
has BEEN welded in opposition 10 lis policy, and tend
inr TO the continued degradation and detrment oil the
Indians In this respect, II seems 10 me The British po
licy preeabe which retains 10 the officers oil TIE
nation The means of influencing men who cal be reach
ed mainly only through their personal wants. am
dsposed in the views of The Commissioners OIL
Indian Affairs, 10 the proprety OF employing agents
of The Government to furnish supplies 10 The Indians
at fixed prices, of which they should be notified and
in such quantities, ct given periods of time, will IN
sure their deriving the utmost bench, from them. IL Is
not perceived why the principle recently adopted IN re-
ference TO pursers IN the navy may net os applied 10
this case and system Of checks established, that VIII
puard against all fraud and abuse and enable The Indian
to receive the best kind Of goods al the cost of purchase
and transportation and per centnge to deray the ex
penses OF sale.
Since the last annual report, treaty has heen
concluded and ratified with the Senecas of New York.
by which dispute that threatened the most vexatiohs
consequences, has been amcabiy adjusted the rights
of the Indians protected, their interests promoted and
the Government relieved from large pecuniay respon
sbilities
ratified, by which that State will be relieved from a
population that encountered the farest portion of lis
terrtory-a portion that will now be open 10 enterprise
and contribute 10 general prosperity.
| A treaty has also been held with the Sac and Fox
! Indians which, under your directions, will be submit
ted 10 the Senate for ratification, by which about ten
millions of of some OF the best land in the Terri
tory of Iowa, acquired. A purchase has also been
made Of The Chippewas in the Northwest OF Michigan
and in Wisconsin, of about fifteen millions of aces, by
a treaty which will in like manner be submitted TO the
Senate These treaties have been made at reduced
expense quite unprecedented, in the most open, lair
and frank manner, and on terms OF justice and even
Iberal,y the Indians, becoming the character Of the
L. S.
Pursuant to the ect of the last session of Congress-
commissioners have been appointed to adjust the claims
arising under the Choctaw treaty Of 1889, and instruc-
tons have been given them for the performance Of their
duties Commissioners have also been appointed 10
settle the remaining claims under Tie treaty with the
Chcrokces of 1886. Delegates from that nation wee
in attendance al the seat of Government for several
months during The past year, to obtain recognition
other and extensive claims, and TO settle some points
in relation the intercourse OF citizens with their
people and the administration OF their laws Their ap
pcations were listened not Only patiently, but with
sincere desire to crafty them in every request that
could be granted consistently with regard 10 our own
rights and duties. The propositions made TO them TO
meet many of their objects, were declined, and the
whole negotiation tailed.
During the year, the claims arising under the Creek
ire aty connected with the contract of Watson x Co,
ma We been disposed of and many of those prior 10 that
contract have been adjusted and the residue Will soon
cease to cucumber the Department. The claims under
the treaty Of 1899 with the Osages have all been finally
decided pit Gve which have been referred for further
information.
Appended TO the report of the commissioner, are ia
bular statements CT the investments made for stocks Tor
the benefit of the several Indian tribes, and of the
amounts retained in the Treasury on which the Co.
vernment pays tie annual interest.
| found existing in the department disburslng
agent, in whose name large sums of money belonging
various Indians were deposited IN different banks or
held b. him in public securities. Although this money
could not be drawn or used without check counter
signed by the Secretary of War and the Commissioner
o Indian Affairs, yet the system appeared 10 be efone
Gus in principle, and liable to abuse. AS soon as the
necessary arrangements could be made, directions were
given TO transfer these funds directly 10 the Treasurer
Of the U. S. This has been DONE with the exception
Of small necessarily retained to meet outstanding
demands, to adjust unae,ted accounts of agents.
concur in the request of the commissioner, that au
thorty be given 10 sell ,e buildings and the adjacent
/ improvements which lave at former times been con-
sruced and made for the of the Indian agencies,
bat which have become useless TO the Indian Depart
ment.
The reductions directed by the act prospecting the
orcan;za,io Of the army, and for other purposes,
passed at the last session, have been effected, far as
authority for that purpose given by the act The
Offices Of the superintendent of the armores have
been abolished; the military storekeepers attached TO
the ordnance service have been reduced TO the number
/
have been transferred 10 tho Quarternaser depart
,nent two paymasters one surgeon and ten assistant
surgeons have been dsbanded there being racan'
cy in the Office Of paymaster and in ;ha; Of surgeon
! -Ahhounll the act directed that the office OF one
inspect Tor neral should be abolished yet 1t did not
authorize the President TO discharge either Of the in
cumbens, while il gave that authority N respect 10 The
pnvnas,ers surgeons and assistant surgeons lie case
was such not require Justify the exercise CT The
power OF removal by striking from the army register the
| ~ If tho lDsn
the Executive authority responsibility Geeming the
legislation on this subject nchoate, Us both those
officers engaged highly important duties and
their services could not be dispensed with wihou,
great injustice TO the service you advised to fol-
low the precedent Of 1915, under similar clrcGnsan
ces when the President found it impraccabe 10 carry
ont the legislation of Congress, and suspended pro-
ceedings for tie further acton Of the legislative body
AS little more than months would elapse, before
the opportunity for such action would present itself,
YOU concluded TO adopt that beg leave now
10 express the decided conviction of this Department,
/ founded upon the information and advice OF many OF
the intelligent and experienced officers OF The
army, that the number Of Inspectors General can
not be reduced without essential and permanent
injury 10 the service. The reduction Of the rank
mud Glc, does not diminish the number OF pests OF
forts Of arsenals or Of dcpoIs Without the inspection
Of IN independent officer, in no way connected with
tie branch Of service which may have charge oil the
public property, and not responsible for the condition
of The troops, the Government Will be obliged TO rely
mainly the information Of those whose feelings and
whose interests would be adverse TO the discovery OF
any delinquency. II is impuiation to apply to the
military service The principles of supervision and check
which prrvade every other department of The Govern
meni And TO render such inspections efiec,ual, II is
indispensable that they should be conducted by officers
not only ofexperence but OF big rank, whose authority
would be respected These observations are made
here, in the hope that, reconsideration of The
sui ect il will be deemed most exPcdent 10 leave this
part of the means of fulfilling The duties and meeting
The responsibilities Of tie Department. as ii was esiao
shed in 1891. when the army was reduced, and IS II!
has continued since that time.
i 1t appears from statements furnished this Depart
ment by the Second and Third Auditors, that the
number of unsettled accounts in their office has been
raby diminished since the last annual report
In the Second Auditors Office there none which
were presented in IS40, that OF these presented in
l54 81, and Of those presented in 1872 SIS remain
- IN. in lie uhn nd inn q