The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-10

racteristic improvidence, they waste or barter fol
ardent spirits, and leave themselves destitute of IN,
articles oil necessity for the residue Of the year
ms restitution produces suffering. dependence ant
inactivity and they resign themselves to the allure
lhehts oil intoxication, or OF wrecbed ideness. Al
the same time, an influence is acquired them by
Inc traders, altogether beyond that Of the officers oil
the Government, and which may be, and sometime:
mas been welded IA opposition to It's policy, and tend
ing to the continued degradation and detrment of the
Indians In this respect, it seems 10 me the British
poiicy Is lar preferable, which retains TO the fcers
OF the nation the means of influencing men who car
be reached mainly only through their personal wants
am disposed to in the views Of the Commits
sioner oil Indian Affairs as TO the propriey OF en-
ploying agents of the Government to furnish supplies
TO The Indians at fixed prices, of which they should
be notified, and in such quantities, at given periods OF
time, as will insure their deriving the utmost benefit
from them. IL is not perceived why the principle
recently adopted in reference To pursers the navy
may not be applied to this case and system Of
checks established that will guard against all fraud
and abuse, and enable the Indian TO receive the best
KIND OF goods at the cost of purchase and trans
porlation and per cenage TO defay the expenses OF
sale,
Since the last annual report treaty has been con-
cluded and ratified with the Senecas of New York
by which dispute that threatened the most yexa-
tous consequences, has been amcably adjusted, the
rights OF the Indians protected their interests pro-
NOTED, and the Government relieved from large Pc
cuniary responsibilities.
With the Wyandos Of Ohio treaty has been rati-
fed by which that State will be relieved from popu-
auon that encountered the airest portion OF It's terri
tory-a portion that will be open to enterprise,
and contribute to general prosperity.
"A treaty has also been held with tie Sac and Fox
Indians which. under your directions, will be sub
mitted to the Senate for ratification by which about
ten millions of acres of some of the best land in the
Territory Of Iowa, are acquired A purchase has
also been made of the Chppewas in the northwest Of
Michigan and in Wisconsin of about fifteen millions
of acres, by treaty which will in like manner be
submitted TO the Senate. These treaties have been
made at a reduced expense quite unprecedented, in
the most open, fair and frrnk manner, and terms
ofjustice and even beralty the Indians becoming
the character of The United States.
Pursuant TO the act of the last session Of Congress,
commissioners have been appointed to adjust the
claims arising under the Chocaw treaty of 1880, and
instructions have been given them for the perform
ance of their duties Commissioners have also been
APP olnted to settle the remaining claims under the
treaty with the Cherokees of $50. Deee ates from
mat nation were In attendance at the seat Of Govern
ment for several months during the past year. TO OBJ
tain recognition of other and extensive claims, and
TO settle some points in relation TO the intercourse OF
our citizens with their people and the administration
OF their laws Their applications were listened to
not only patiently but with sincre desire to crafty
them in every request that could be granted consist
emily with regard to own rights and duties
The propositions made to them meet many of their
objects, were declined and the whole negotiation
failed.
During the year the claims arising under the Creek
treaty, connected with the contract of Watson Co..
have been disposed of and many of those prior to
that contract have been adjusted and the residue
will soon cease to cucumber the department The
claims under the treaty of 1889 with the Osages
have all been finally decided except five, which have
been referred for further information
Appended to the report of the commissioner, are
tabular statements of the investments made in stocks
the benefit nf If he
amounts retained in the Treasury which the Gov
erDment pays the annual interest
| found existing in the department, a disbursing
agent IN whose name large sums of money belonging
to various Indians were deposited in different banks
or held by him in public securities. Although this
money could not be drawn or used without a check
countersigned by the Secretary of War and the Com
missioner Of Indian Affairs, yet the system appeared
to be erroneous in principle and liable to abuse
AS soon as the necessary arrang ments could be
made, directions were given to transfer these funds
directly TO the Treasurer of the United States This
has been done, with the exception of a small sum
necessarily retained to meet outstanding demands, or
to adjust unsettled accounts Of agents.
| concur in the request of the commissioner, that
authority be given sell the buildings and the ad ia
cent improvements which have at former times been
constructed and made for the Of the Indian agen
cies, but which have become useless to the Indian
Department.
The reductions directed by the act respecting
poscs" passed at the last session, have been effected
SO far as authority for that purpose given by the
act. The Offices of the superintendent of the armo-
ries have been abolished the military storekeepers
attached to the ordnance service have been reduced
to tie number directed the duties of the Commissa-
ry of Purchases have been transferred to the Quar-
termaser's department.; two paymasters, one sur
geon, and ten assistant surgeons have been dsband-
cd, there being vacancy in the Office of paymaster
and in that of surgeon Although the act directed
that the Office of one Inspector general should be
abolished yet il did not authorize the President to
discharge either Of the incumbents, while it gave
that authority in respect to the paymasters, surgeons
and assistant surgeons. The case was such not to
require or justify the exercise Of the power of re-
moval, by striking from the army register the
of either of the inspectors general, solely upon the
Executive authority or responsibility. Deeming the
legislation on this subject inchoate, as both those
officers were engaged on highly important duties, ard
their services could not be dispensed with without
great injustice to the service, you were advised to fol-
low the precedent of 1915 under similar crcum-
stances, when the President found it impra ccabc to
carry out the legislation of Congress, and suspended
proceedings for the further action of the legislative
body. AS little more than two months would clapse
before the opportunity for such action would present
itself, you concluded to adopt that course. ] beg
leave to express the decided conviction Of this
Department founded upon the information and adj
vice of many of the most intelligent and experienced
officers Of the army, that the number Of inspectors
general cannot be reduced without essential and per-
manent injury to the service. The reduction of the
rank and file does not diminish the number of posts
Of forts, of arsenals, or of depots Without
the inspection Of independent officer, in no
way connected with the branch Of service which
may have charge Of the public property, and not
responsible for the condition of the troops, the Gov
eminent will be obliged to rely mainly on the infor-
nation of those whose feelings and whose interests
would be adverse to the discovery of any delinquency
/, is mpu,aon to apply 10 the military service the
principles of supervision and check which pervade
every other department the Government. And to
render such inspections ef1ectua it is indispensable
that they should be conducted by officers not only of
experience but Of high rank, whose authority would
be respected. These observations are made here in
the hope that, a reconsideration of the subject il
will be deemed most expedent TO leave this part Of
the means of fulfilling the duties and meeting the
snonsihites of tho lenartnopt IA was