Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-09-17


incidental expenses of sale, were to be in
vested in certain safe and valuable stock,
not having more than ttUenty gears to run.
That in defiance of said treaties, large
portion of said proceeds had been invested
in stocks having more than twenty years
10 run (; and another considerable portion
of said proceeds have been invested in
] stocks that are not safe and valuable. but
which are greatly deprecated below par
value, and on a part of which no inte-
rest has been paid for some time past"
Then follows an argument that the Chick
asaws were an ignorant people, but had
great confidence in the people Of the Uni
ted States, and that large amount of the
purchase money had been invested in the
stocks of several of the States which form
component part of the American Union.
"That these States constitute portion of
the very parties with whom said treaties
were made by the Chickasaw nation: and
that they cannot believe that the govern
ment of>the United States would permit
an ignorant and confding people TO suffer
from the neglect of any of its own mem.
bers to place in the hands Of their own GO
vernment those moneys and interests to
which the Chickasaw nation were Justly
entitled" This seems to be rather an
insinuation that some of the States might
be against the payment of their stock, be-
cause of their interest; and the appeal is
made TO Congress not TO permit the States
to repudiate. Well, coming from an gig
norant and confding" Indian, no excep-
tons, | hope, gentlemen) They then say,
ls'The memorialists fully expect that the
monies received by the government of the
United States, from the sales of the Chick
asaw lands, will be fully secured to the
Chickasaws."
Tie second branch OF the memorial
states that The Chickasaw fund had been
plundered of various amounts of money,
/ contrary to right and treaty stipuIations !;
and concludes with the prayer that the
Chickasaw nation may be allowed the pri-
vilege of coming before the judicial tribu-
nails of the country, to test the validity of
these expenditures, and that provision may
be made for the repayment of such sums
as may be due by the United States.
This memorial of an Indian nation, ask
ing for redress of supposed grievances, IS
presented to the Senate, and forthwith, on
motion, referred to the committee on the
Judiciary. By what rule of legislation
this reference was made, am wholly un-
able to see. There is standing commit
tee of the Senate on Indian Affairs, and to
this committee all petitions, memorials, re.
solutions and bills, in any way touching or
relating to the interests, claims, or well
fare of Indians or Indian tribes, are pro-
perly referred. This committee, thus
charged with this branch of business, are
held responsible to the Senate for all ne
/ cessary information pertaining to Indian
affairs. This memorial, in my opinion,
, belonged to this committee; but overruled
: here, it should have gone to the committee
, on Claims this rejected, special com.
E mittee should have been raised. | an
e thus particular, knowing that every fac
f pertaining to this law is demanded. Blu
am ready to admit that Mr.. Walker i;
3 better acquainted with parliamentary pro-
n ceedings than am. 1t was referred, anC
v Mr.. Walker from the committee on the iu
s dietary, reported the bill above alluded to
5 This bill authorized the Chickasaw nation
i through their commissioners, under tht
v treaties of 1882 and 1884, to file peti
i. ton in the nature of bill in Chancery, il
!. the Circuit Court of the United States 70
IS the District of Columbia, setting forth thei
l. claims under said Treaties, or either O
o them, against the United States-the eta
:. ton to answer which bill shall be servet
}. on the Attorney of the United States 70
e said district, &c. The same proceeding
l. were to be had ''in the cause as in ordina
d ry proceedings in Chancery." Each par
n ty had the right of appeal. Sand if upo
Is the appeal of either party, said deere
IS shall be affirmed, in whole or part, by sal
IN Court, then and in that case, such sum a
o shall be finally adjudged by said Suprem
k Court to be due by the United States to tn
e Chickasaw nation, shall be accounted fo
j. by the United States TO the Chickasaw na
n lion, and held and disposed of by then
Is subject TO the trusts specified in said trea
TO ties; and said decree, whether for or again
e the United States, shall be final aud cor
IS elusive"
~ This bill was reported, and the clerk,
:. presume, marked it !" pripGte," for it is III
III duty of the clerk SO TO designate the di
ofI ferent bills which may be introduced.
m was regularly passed through the Senat
:. after some debate, and reported to Ii
= House as Senate bill. There | ough
Sc and indeed itIhad been my intention,
q have moved its reference to the commute
"A on Indian Affairs, but ON motion it W;
. lagain referred to the Judiciary committe,
and ihis motion was made, put and carrie
n without arresting my attention. And It
.. proper that should admit that here oug
ns 10 have exercised more vigilance, but Il
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