The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-04

The valuable services Of Brevct Captain Fremont,
the officer whs 30 successfully conducted the pre-
vious explorations, are secured to the government
by employing him in third expedition into that
extensive and comparatively unknown region. u
il not, however, expected that his abors can be
completed in season to enable this department TO
present the results Of them to Congress at its pres
ent session.
Among the documents herewith transmitted is
the report of the Commissioner Of Pensions The
amount paid to pensioners during the last fiscal year
was two millions of dollars and The estimate for the
next is 81 ,974 900.
The number of pensioners of all descriptions is
1921. OF these, 1854 are females. During the
last year. ASH certificates have been issued to per
sons who were not before on the pension rolls; and
the whole number of applications now pending be-
fore the commissioner is 1909. These have all
been examined--some of them repeatedly; but, the
evidence to support them being defective insult
Gent the parties interested have been notified of the
grounds Of objection. 1t is probable that nearly all
of them will be again brought up for examination
Ii is ascertained by the returns from the several
pension agents that ,435 pensioners have died
during the last year, Many others have doubtless
deceased who are not reported. The business OF
the bureau has not decreased Is IL reasonable 10
| expect that it will, for some time TO come.
The law establishing the pension Office will ex-
pire on the 4lh of March next. II will be ndspen.
SADLY necessary that this Office should be continued
| respectfully suggest that this subject should be
presented to the notice of Congress-.
| With this communication, ! also submit to you
a report of highly interesting character from the
Commissioner Of Indian Affairs. In it, and in the
accompanying reports from The several agents and
subagens, will be found full statements Of the con-
dition Of the Indian tribes under the jurisdiction OF
the United States, and of the transactions Of the
government with them during the past year.
| With these tribes relations pacific, and
their condition is, in the main improving Crafty
| inn apideore of M ia p Y bibfaI
the tribes of the South and Wes'; and there is
reason to hope that those in the Northwest will, in
this respect, initiate their example.
| Several denominations of Christians are aiding the
designs Of the government, by their benevolent ef-
forts 10 difnse among them the blessings of educa-
ton and religion, and TO elevate their position by
| intellectual and moral culture. The information re-
ceived at this department warrants the belief tina,
there ia an increasing disposition the part Of the
Indians generally TO avail themselves of the oppor-
tuniiies offered for Improvement. Manual-labor
| schools seem to be peculiarly adapted TO their con-
dition By this mode of instruction, while they are
taught letters, they acquire, at the same time, a
practical knowledge of the means of obtaining
subsistence and comfort by their own industry and
| skill In many Of the treaties, the government
has taken to set apart funds for the purpose OF
| education which have been in most cases made
available to that desirable object. When the re-
movals from the States and organized Territories
shall be completed and the tribes interested in these
provisions settled in their new homes, these funds
will all he brought into effective use, and made in
srumental in the fullest extent, 10 the improvement
| Of this portion of the human family.
/ The system of trade and intercourse with the In
dams requires revision, with view 10 impose more
restrictions and severer penalties upon those who
introduce ardent spirits among them.
The policy of the government in settling the In.
dams on lands beyond the limits Of the States and
our organized Territories the success of which is SO
essential to their well being is apparently gaining
| favor among them. s
| The Choctaws are in the course Of removal The
Sacs and Foxes of the Mississippi have been al
ready removed, pursuant to the treaty of ls42; and
the Seminoles transferred to the home provided for
Them by the treaty Of lS45.
| Several negotiations are now pending for exlin-
gushing the Indian right of occupancy TO large
tracts oflAnd in organized Territories and providing
them with a country west Of the Mississippi.
| Unhappy differences still exist among The Chero-
KEGS. Delegations from the several parties into
which that nation is divided, have visited this
place in the course of the past season, to lay their
complaints and their claims before the government
| They have been patiently heard, with a sincere de-
sire TO compose their feuds and satisfy their reason
4 able demands. The subjects presented for the nc.
ton Of the Executive did not appear to be fit mat
ters for treaty adjustments could they be other
wise settled, without special Legislative authority
These causes Of dissatisfaction and strife being re-
moved, our Indian relations will be settled on a
permanent basis, and be likely TO remain quiet for
a long time to come.
Annexed to the report of the commissioner are
several highly interesting communications, received
in the course Of the last year from the Indian sub
agent residing in the Territory Of Oregon. In these
documents will be found valuable information in rea-
ton TO the general features Of that country, its climate
SOIL and productions, the condition of the emigrants
| the provisional government established by them,
and It's practical operations; but that part of the in
| r cln -
from this department, relates to the Indian popua-
ton of Oregon. The number of Indians residing
therein s estimated TO be forty-two thousand. They
are represented to be less warlike and savage than
those on this side Of the Rocky mountains disposed
generally to cultivate friendly relations with our cit
liens settled in that territory, and not averse to the
habits and pursuits Of civilized people. Consider
ing their vast superiority in numbers over the emf
grants and the great difficulty in sending aid to the
latter in the event of hosttes it becomes impor-
tant 10 adopt proper measures 10 preserve, confirm
and extend friendly intercourse between the In
dian tribes and our citizens in Oregon To this end
would suggest that full agency should be estab-
lisbed beyond the Rocky mountains, with ample
powers and liberal means to maintain amicable rea.
tons with these tribes. II is also probable that the
public interests will require another agent TO reside
among The Indians in Texas.
There was paid to the Indians, for annuiiies, and
in fulflment Of other treaty spualiona in the fiscal
The Secretary Of War is, moreover, the trustee Of
funds, belonging to different tribes, amounting to
81. l40.59l 32--the annual interest of which is
Sill ,C79 06 This is exclusive Of the Chickasaw
national fund of 81 ,579, 800 49, of which the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury is the trustee.
The income from these trust funds is paid to the In
dians or if not wanted for present purposes, is in
vested for their benefit. These payments however,
do not include considerable sums paid to individuals
or families, derived from the sale Of reservations be-
longing to them and sold under the directions of the
government
In considering the means of resisting foreign ag-
gresson, and preserving internal order and tranquil
lity should not be forgotten that much reliance is
wisely placed on the militia. This reliance exempts
the United States from the dangers and the expense
| Of large standing army. proportion to the inns
portance Of the duties which may be required of the
militia should be the care of the government 10 pre-.
pare this force for the performance Of them.
The law providing " for organizing, arming, and
discpning the militia" was passed soon after the
government was established, and has remained, with
only few slight alterations. Great and important