The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-12-06

"a also iudieiousiy conducted rs learn from The re-
mort of The Ordnance Bureau. That report exhibits
IN detail the amount Of moneys exp nded al The arm
ORE, for the manufacture OF Arms Tor materials, aud
Sor repairs and improvements. The usual distribution
of arms 10 The several States has been made AZ The
past year, shown ~ the report.
The value OF the property under charge OF this
branch of the service Is SIT O2i o. and In itself
shows the amount Of pccuniary responsibility IN which
The oicers who have IL In charge are involved The
system Of keeping and preserving the public arms,
ements munitions, &c, with the arrangement
Of the accounts and the arsena to be easily and
expe itiously inspected are such as TO entitie The
head as well the other officers OF the corps to great
credit
The statements in regard TO our lead mines ale
deeply interesting. Some legislation is undoubtedly
necessary TO prevent the numerous frauds attempted
10 be perpelraed, in appropratng 10 individual use,
at ordinary prices, lands known TO abound WIN rcn
mineral Something mast either be done TO eject the
object or the lands should be sold at adequate prices,
if such could be obtained The report OF the Bureau
on this subject at the last session Of Congress coupled
with that Of the present year. contains much valuable
information and exhibits to some extent the losses
which the Government is continually sustaining, as
well as some Of the defects Of the present system.
Measures were taken early in the present oason To
secure the rich mineral region south OF Lake Superior
from falling into the hands Of intrlders, who might
endeavor, ultimately, to wrest from the Government
those valuable lands which, in addition 10 lead, are
found to abound in copper ore Of superior quality
The results as far ascerained, have been satisac-
tory and will be found more at length in the report
of the Ordnance Bureau. When the full and final
report for the year shall have been received from the
agent it can be furnished il desired.
The duties Of the Ordnance Bureau are various and
responsible and have been increased by placing the
mineral lands under its charge II Is respectfully
suggested that the salary Of the first clerk Of this Office
be so regu atcd as to put him footing with the
chief clerks of the other bureaus.
The estimates from the Bureaus Of Engineers, To
biographical Engineers and Ordnance, larger than
those Of the preceding year The reason for this in
crease may need explanation. The chiefs OF those
bureaus, respectively have estimated what in their
Judgment will be necessary to carry out those works
for which provision has been made by law. II Con-
gress shall deem advisable 10 prosecute all OF
them, the appropriations can be confined to those
deems d Of most pressing Importance. Again, cons-
derable port MS OF OF tho estimates for the
re Of heretofore appropriat d. but
winch viii revert to the Surplus Fund, by operation
of law, at the close OF the present calendar year.
The report of the Commissioner Of Indian Affairs
embraces great detail The operations OF that De-
partnent for the past year.
Our Indian relations have, in the main, been peace
able, and The exceptions growing out Of few ind-
vidual acts Of violence have not been sanctioned
justified by the tribes 10 which the offenders belonged
The emigration OF that portion of the Choctaws
east of the Mississippi has not yet been effected but
it is hoped and believed that il viii commence early
in the spring, and continue until the most Of them
will be removed. The Department has been assidu
ousy al work endeavorng to effect this object and thus
relieve the Safe Of Mississippi from population un-
desirable, and which will be much better of when
located among their own kindred and people
siding west of the Mississippi.
The constant instruction to the agents and sub
agents, which il is believed they endeavorng 10
carry out, has been cndeavor to bring the innu-
of Christianity and civilization to bear upon
them-to induce them to settle down permanently to
the cultivation ar the soil, and thus become domest-
Gated, as it were, on their own territories.
Many Of the Southwestern Indians, especially
smo, the Chcrokees and Choctaws, have madescon-
siderable advances in civilization, and are accustom-
ing the selves TO husbandry aud planting, surround
ing themselves with the comforts Of civilized life,
and taking great pains in the education Of their
children. The Choctaws early in the present year
a, proprated one thousand eight hundred dollars Of
their annuitirs TO education purposes.
The annulties paid t. many Of the tribes seem to
do them little good. So long they of re-
ccving their annual stipend they will not exert them
selves they should TO earn a subsistence, and in
most instances the traders get the money of the In
dsn either in payment Of debts incurred in ancipa-
ton Of the annnty, for goods brought to him and
sold when the annues are paid. The Indian rarely
receives the value of his money, which thus fails Of
Its object to provide for the necessities of the red
man. A revision of the whole system may probably
result IN some better means than any yet discovered
to prevent the bounty Of the Government from eng
inappropriate and the poor Indian from squlnder.
ing his money on objects Of trivial Importance
Some further legislative provision is necessary, ef
iectualy TO prevent all persons from intr ducing ar
dent spirits among dsposng Of them TO the Indians
under any pretext whatever.
The compensation allowed to sub agents is entire
ly dsproporiionste 10 The sponsities incurred and
dulles rcqu red OF the n. They obliged 10 give &c
cunty 10 amounts varying from S5 0C0 t. $50 900
reside out ofthe reach Of civz ,tIor TO be oftcn
posed L, danger and trouble and all this Trey re-
eeive but 81 u per year. The compensation ougst to
I,, Il q a
discretionary powe, should be gwen Increase i, 10
Sll200 which would probably enable III Department
TO secure the serSi cs of b. ter qualified for tie
wo than can ordinarily be obtained for the small al
l,wsnce now q ven them. II might al o he advi, able
10 give au horny where the proceeding would be pro-
per 10 Consolidate two or moic continuous sub-apcn-
cies INTO full agency.
DuIng the recess Of Congress / directed com
memo rnent 10 be made Of history Of all the Indian
tnbes ss far The same could be- derived fon docu
ments in this Drpat 0ent. some progress has be, n
made in II, but III fvnj that IL will have H. be su,
pended during the APP roaching session of Cvtgf
for want VI tue necessary force put upon it, IL s
woik very much need d. and will, IL properly cou.-
pleed, be very valrabe
Lis important IN st "a, ctuay TO prev nt abuse,
and 10 see that the Indians fairly dealt with that
the Department sl'ud have the means Of obtaining
more dIiec and oiiic,al infirmson ofthc actusa ie
and condition # Tie several intes of lodiaop and the
amer ~ which the agencies and sub-ak epcirs are
co duc',d, 'hsncsn We had For tins purpose
won d respectfully suggest such a m ldifciiin of so
much OF Tue act 70 h August, 1912 as proviJ.s ::
" That sheli not, at any tine bereaf,r be law fol
Tor any accounting discussing officer of The Gov
eminent to allow o. pay soy socpunt or charge what
ever, growing out of, ur in any way c1nn,cted With
any conn'is-on or inquiry Except courts martial or
courts oi inquiry 10 the military or naval service uf
the Unrnd States Until SPECIAL appropriation shall
have been m de Ivy law to ppy such account. and
cnarges, &c, to exclude ZION it, oycfs,ion The
nee o lodlan Adsus, 20 fr at least to permit the
pay ment Of nabc compenssiioA to person ~
perrpns q be appointed 10 make personal inspecti n.
and erannatl"Ls h,tb Indian sHsirs Il j. bclies.d
that sucb inspectols an examination. would Cor
rect many abuses, anu b. actual saving to the Gu
vern.uent
The report Of the Commissioner of Pensions ex.