The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-21

the formation, the mal-formation Of the committees
az This House, no man could expect anything per
feot from hem-for that which is NAL in Its origin
he thought would be NAL 10 It's effect.
He objected at some length TO the provisions o.
the sixth section as unnecessary--the freedom o.
I speech and of the press In case man who hap
j named 10 be within the jurisdiction Of this supern.
iendent happened TO speak the disapproval which
he might entertain OF a treaty he was TO be handed
over the tender mercies Of superintendent TO be
tried by him, and that too, without the right of ap
| peal.
Mr. THOMPSON explained that the superin.
tendent had the power TO arrest and then to deliver
over TO the nearest tribunal for trial and punishment
AS 70 there being no right Of appeal, the gentleman
would ascertain the fact by looking into the judicial
legislation OF the country He supposed that every
member Of Congress knew that there was an APP
peal.
Mr.. JOHNSON (resuming) said he supposed
that every member of Congress would know that
neither the constitution nor justice authorized many
OF the provisions of this bill.
He further urged his objection against the limita-
ton which il sought to impose upon the freedom OF
speech and the press, and opposed the bill in Its
general provisions, well its minor details,
cing especially the fact that $50 900 were proposed
TO be appropriated by il when upon footing up the
several sums proposed by it, they were found to
amount 70 but SOS, 000 and when, if the bill passed
as amended, $4,000 was sufficient. He would
like to know of the gentleman who reported it for
what this extra amount was proposed' He also
dwet upon the inequalities Of salaries proposed by
i, comparing particularly, and commenting upon,
the disparity between the proposed salary of the
superintendent Of $4,000 lin addition $4,000 for
house for him. and Of the blacksmith at s400-the
former officer doing nothing, and the latter, the
honest son Of Vulcan, being the most important
part OF the whole machinery. He should move, at
the proper ume to increase this salary; and he also
agreed with the gentleman from New York, that
the 9th section should be striker out
Mr.. r. CHAPMAN Ia member Of the Commit
tee on Indian Afairs,) though detained from at
tendance thereon ny ndisposion while this bill was
under consideration, and not responsible for it, yet
as member Of the House and Of the committee,
defended its provisions from the attacks of Mr..
JOHNSON and others-especally indicating the
distribution OF salaries.
He repealed the charge of careessness on the
part Of the committee made by Mr.. JENKINS, and
expressed the opinion that in these objections on
the part of that gentleman. and Of others, and in
their previous course, they were strainng at a gnat
and swallowing a camel. They had swallowed a
bill (the bill TO extend our jurisdiction over Ameri-
can settlers in Oregon, TO provide grants Of land
&c. few days ago, which, in his humble opinion,
and in the opinions Of our negotators with foreign
governments in the opinion Of previous Congresses
previous Presidents Of the present President and
Senate, was in direct violations Of solemn treaty
stipuations with Great Britain. They had swal
lowed that.
He would not say that the bill ought N pass in
the form in which it was introduced but he would
say, when you extend your laws over the Oregon
terrltory-when you abrogate the British laws
when you throw yourself aloof from all the stipula
tons made under British authority with the In
dlans-when you threaten TO eXterminate at once
all the subjects of Great Britain who had been there
and entered into these treaty stipulatons, it be-
comes you TO do something effective for the pro-
lection Of our citizens from the consequences that
may follow this abrogation of all other protection.
Mr.. CHAPMAN lin continuation) said that ar
engagements were.in existence between the Hudson
Bay Company and the wild tribes Of Indians, and il
would be easy TO stir them up TO hostlities against
the United States. II would be necessary, there
fore, TO meet this state Of things by appointing
superintendent of Indian affairs to reside in that
country. The bill conferred additional powers on
the superintendent with view to enable him to ar
rest any person who attempted to carry any "talk
or speech, -" or "wrting" to any Indian tribe for
the purpose of disturbing the peace tranquility Of
the United States, any Indian tribe. The gentle
man from Tennessee had said that this provision
invasion Of the freedom Of speech and of the
press. What sort Of speech did it prohibit Trea-
sonable speeches-treasonable talk. The committee,
anticipating what might occur, gave high powers to
this officer for the purpose Of preventing any abuse
of the privileges Of speech or Of the presto pre-
vent any interference to our prejudice with the In
dian tribes.
As to the salary of the superintendent, he had
voted TO reduce il from 81 600 TO $4,000 He was
an advocate for such salaries as would secure the
best services; and if $500 would not procure good
blacksmith, he would agree to give more
The question being on Mr.. SEDDoN's amendment,
it was taken, and decided in the negative.
The question required the substitute for the
9th section offered by Mr. THURMAN
JACOD TIJ0MDG0N
the words "in addition to the powers heretofore
conferred in the Indian country" which motion
was agreed to.
The substitute of Mr.. THURMAN was then reject
ed.
The question REQUIRED upon striking out the 9th
section, and being taken, it was decided in the air-
native.
Mr.. ISAAC E. HOLMES moved to strike GU,
all after the enacting clause of the BILL which motion
was not then entertained.
Mr.. ANDREW JOHNSON moved to strike out
from the last section the sum of $50 0OO and insert
s2O,000 for the purpose of carrying this act into
| effect.
This motion was agreed to.
Mr.. ISAAC E. HOLMES (the bill having been
gone through wh) moved to strike out all after the
enacting clause.
Mr.. GORDON. The gentleman had better move
to strike Oregon from the map
Mr.. MCKAY remarked, tina. there were several
provisions Vi tne OIL Wnlcn required some expana-
lion and alteration. The President Of the United
States was authorized to make presents to the In
dams in Oregon, in domestic animals, agricultural
implements, goods, &c, to the amount of $40 900,
yearly. Was there not law already in existence
to the same effect He read the law allowing the
President to apply $4,000 per annum for this pur-
pose. What necessity was there for increasing the
amount Another section of the bill authorizes the
payment of 900 year for rations for the Indians
when they visit the agencies The President had
power already, under former act, to supply these
rations.
Mr.. JACOB THOMPSON replied that the form
err laws had no reference to Oregon, and it was
necessary extend those laws to the other side of
the Rocky mount aims. The committee had dealt
frankly with the House, and all the objections
which had been urged to this bill, applied with equal
force to laws which had been long in existence.
He did not insist upon the domestic animals as
necessary presents to the Indian tribes but the pres
ents of implements of husbandry, goods, &C.
were absolutely necessary, if we would cultivate
peace and friendship with the Oregon Indians.
Whatever side the Indians should take in the Ore
gon dispute, would be successful. They would de-
eide the contest in Oregon, and it was therefore
e Il 1t =.